‘Soul Mate’ reaches for pathos but remains hollow

With a globe-spanning story and plenty of melodrama, Netflix's queer-themed limited series ultimately falters under the weight of its own ambiguity.

¥3.2 billion lost in advertising revenue due to illicit postings on YouTube

Given a sampling of only 300 social media accounts for its illegal streaming survey, the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association called its results 'only the tip of the iceberg.'

NHK sports news director arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

The suspect, Kensuke Nakamoto, is the chief director for the broadcaster's sports news programs.

Vulnerability, love and the limits of reality TV on 'The Boyfriend'

Netflix Japan’s same-sex dating show may be several layers removed from reality, but it nonetheless offers an important space for dialogue and representation.

Netflix Japan lays out 2026 slate of anime, adaptations and live baseball

The streaming service revealed release windows for the upcoming “Human Vapor” adaptation and more, plus plans to livestream all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

‘Dune’ studio sells stake to Japan’s TBS at $4 billion valuation

Legendary aims to capitalize on the growing market for Japanese stories as Netflix and other global services make it easier for stories in any language to reach audiences abroad.

Japanese freelance announcer Hiroshi Kume dies at 81

The announcer was known for hosting the popular music show 'The Best Ten' and news show 'News Station.'

NHK’s 76th ‘Kohaku’ was over the top and oddly comforting

With pyrotechnics, celebrations for major milestones and a sea of dancers, the year-end music bonanza went all in on excess and reminded viewers why it still matters.

NHK drama series returns to Sengoku-Period spectacle

Japanese screenwriter Makiko Uchidate dies at 77

The drama scriptwriter died of acute left-side heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo on Dec. 17.

‘Badly in Love’: Netflix Japan’s most chaotic dating show may be its most honest

Netflix Japan’s “Badly in Love” turns delinquent bravado into surprisingly earnest, character-driven reality television.

NHK envisions a multicultural Mars in its newest sci-fi series

The new sci-fi show was created with involvement of scientists and space experts to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the NHK.

NHK to promote Tatsuhiko Inoue to president next month

Inoue will be the person to be promoted to the position from within NHK in about 18 years.

Japanese pop star Taichi Kokubun apologizes for compliance violation

It was the former Tokio member’s first public appearance since his removal from Nippon TV’s popular variety show “The Tetsuwan Dash” in June.

Chanmina, aespa, among 10 acts to debut on NHK’s ‘Kohaku Uta Gassen’

The New Year’s Eve music spectacle on NHK will feature first-time acts such as idol group Fruits Zipper and long-awaited returns from bands like Okinawa’s Orange Range.

Fuji Media director resigns over falsifying expense claims

Executive Managing Director Michiyo Yasuda made inappropriate claims for expenses totaling about ¥1 million in some 60 cases since 2020.

Internet becomes Japan's top daily news source for first time

The newspaper subscription rate fell 3.7 percentage points from a year earlier to 50.1%, continuing to decline since marking 88.6% in fiscal 2008, when the survey began.

Japan’s antitrust watchdog issues new rules urging agencies to treat talent fairly

The Japan Fair Trade Commission’s new guidelines come after a survey last year found that some agencies were mistreating their performers.

Broadcaster TBS taps Hello Kitty and Yuji Oda in bid to sell World Athletics

TBS has provided televised coverage of the World Athletics Championships since the 1997 event in Athens.

Chinese ex-staffer ordered to pay NHK ¥11 million over unscripted radio remarks

At Tokyo District Court, Presiding Judge Kenta Adachi stated that the irregular remarks interfered with NHK's international broadcasting operations and harmed its credibility.