Culture Crossroads - Season 7 / Year 2023

With shops offering foods from around the world, Tokyo is famous for its variety of culinary options. But are the choices broad enough to cater to those who don't eat animal-based foods? A devout vegetarian Hindu, reporter Chinmaya Dikshit seeks an answer to that question. We follow him as he takes a look at the latest efforts to better accommodate plant-based dietary habits in Japan's capital.

Evacuation during a natural disaster can be especially difficult for the elderly and the disabled. We learn ways to support them to ensure that no one is left behind when a disaster strikes.

Why don't you join us as a disaster relief volunteer and contribute to the recovery of the stricken areas? The program introduces how to participate, the types of work required and essential items.

Thai language reporter for NHK WORLD-JAPAN Chairat Thomya visits the district of Taro in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture. It was part of the region ravaged by the tsunami of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Through talking with the residents of Taro who've experienced the tragedy, Chairat looks to find out how people can live with and pass on the memories of natural disasters.

Giving birth and childrearing come with many worries, which can be magnified for mothers living in a country not their own. Luckily for those in Japan, Tsubonoya Tomomi, a seasoned nursery school teacher, founded an NPO devoted to helping non-Japanese moms overcome cultural and language barriers. We follow Tomomi in her work and learn about the philosophy behind her efforts.

Learn how to ensure safety while having fun on the beach in summer. Knowledge of the rip currents that can wash you out to sea and the meaning of lifesavers' flags may even save your life.

Every summer, several typhoons approach Japan and make landfall. By understanding the way they move and the power of their rainstorms, we can learn how to protect ourselves and our possessions.

A major earthquake in Tokyo 100 years ago claimed about 105,000 lives. Walking today's streets with an urban disaster prevention expert, we consider what lessons we can learn from that catastrophe.

Over one and a half years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine. Through a monthly radio show NHK WORLD-JAPAN's Russian language broadcasting offers opportunities for Russians in Japan to talk about their thoughts and emotional struggles. We revisit people who appeared on the program – a mother and daughter running a restaurant and a musical composer – to ask about their current situation.

"A second home for everyone—that's the concept," says Ren, a Vietnamese guesthouse owner in rural Nagano Prefecture. Her warm personality attracts people from around the world. She also runs a beloved Vietnamese noodle shop on the weekends. It provides a welcoming spot that contributes to a more comfortable community. The positive relationship between Ren and the locals continues to grow.

If you keep a dog or cat, have you ever thought what you'd do in the event of a disaster? Do shelters accept pets? How should pet owners prepare? We'll learn from a case study applied in Kumamoto.

We look at the special factors that enable NHK WORLD-JAPAN to provide accurate, up-to-date information whenever a disaster strikes, including emergency reporting drills conducted by the news floor.

Actor Fujiwara Momona has been a wheelchair user since childhood. In a society that tends to limit how people with disabilities live their lives, what world does this budding actor hope to build?

Safety pictograms are incredibly useful tools for learning about disaster hazards without the need for words. Learning the key points of their colors and designs will surely help you protect yourself.

Have you ever had a meal you'll never forget? We asked people with international roots living in Japan to tell us about the flavors that will forever remain in their hearts.