How wig making in Thailand helps cancer patients and prisoners

Jean Reno: The immigrant's son

French actor Jean Reno has been touring Japan with a one-man play drawn from his own life. Alone onstage, acting and singing, he revisits his childhood as the son of immigrants, the struggle to balance his work and his children, and how his memories of his parents still shape him. NHK World's Rodrigue Maillard-Belmonte sat down with Reno to learn the story behind his story, and find out why he chose to explore his personal history now.

Timor-Leste's Gusmao reflects on 20 years of independence

The Southeast Asian island nation of Timor-Leste, formerly known as East Timor, will celebrate 20 years of independence in May. The former leader who led the country in its early years spoke with NHK World about those difficult first steps, and his hopes for the future.

Japanese cinema captivates new global audience

A new generation of Japanese filmmakers is emerging across a wide range of genres, their work winning critical acclaim at film festivals around the world. The recognition follows the success of directors like Koreeda Hirokazu and Kitano Takeshi, who have been captivating global audiences for decades.

Japan EV startup drives Philippines e-jeepney shift

Millions of people across the Philippines rely on the jeepney — a colorful, open-air minibus — to get to and from work. But in recent months, they’ve had a harder time finding the iconic vehicles, with soaring gasoline and diesel prices forcing many jeepney drivers off the road. But where the traditional mode of transit has stalled, a Japanese startup has seen a big opportunity.

Why New York's bodega cats are big business drivers

The secret to a successful business in New York City might have whiskers and paws. Walk into many of the city's 10,000 corner stores known as bodegas, and you might find a "bodega cat" beckoning customers like a live version of a Japanese lucky "Maneki-neko" figure. From an orange tabby making an extra 400 dollars a day to a feisty feline that took on a health inspector, NHK World's Inoue Yuki went behind the storefronts to meet some of the hardest-working (and cutest) shopkeepers in the Big Apple.