In-depth News Features | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

In 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic took hold across the world, reports came in across Japan and elsewhere of an alarming rise in anxiety disorder diagnoses. More recently, with conflicts erupting in different parts of the globe, and climate-related disasters inflicting unprecedented damage, the mental health toll has become more acute.

Hadas Kalderon's life was changed forever when Hamas militants stormed her kibbutz on October 7, killing her mother and niece and kidnapping three others. Here she describes her despair, trying to grieve as she worries about the fate of her children and their father.

Global interest in the health benefits of fermented food has cast a spotlight on Japan's rich history of microbe-enhanced offerings, from sake and soy sauce to natto, and pickles. A ''fermentation tour'' was held in October to shed light on the traditional techniques of Japanese fermentation.

Two musicians from Japan and Germany are working to unearth works by Jewish composers lost during Nazi rule. They have already released a collection of music by one composer, and say there could be hundreds more forgotten maestros.

Scammers in Japan are raking in millions of dollars by tricking people into transferring funds to bank accounts bought on the black market. Many of the accounts are in non-Japanese names, with the fraudsters exploiting foreigners facing financial hardship.

"As long as you have a needle and thread, you can start your life again. So please hang in there." That's the message to women in the Gaza Strip from Japanese entrepreneur Kitamura Kiyomi, who imports and sells Palestinian handicraft produced through a United Nations program.

Many of the embroiderers who make a living through the program have had their lives upended by the latest violence. The death toll is rising, and they face shortages of essential supplies due to the Israeli blockade.

"We haven't seen each other in 20-odd years, so give me a break," said a woman. The phone went dead with a bang.

A difficult phone call ... and a hostile reception. It's an increasingly common experience for property managers in Japan trying to track down the heirs of deceased tenants.

North Korea's legendary cheerleaders were in full voice at this years' Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. But the friendly tone they exuded on their last global outing was nowhere to be seen — and one expert says that shouldn't come as a surprise.

In a sign of the times, a major player in the smartphone industry is poised to enter the auto market. It reflects the drastic changes taking place in the shift to electric and self-driving vehicles – both for manufacturers and users.

Bringing a new life into the world is never easy, but doing so in a foreign country, in a foreign language, is even more challenging. It's an increasingly common situation in Japan where one out of every 25 babies born have at least one parent of a foreign nationality.