NHK World TV Guide — Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Browse the full NHK World TV guide for Wednesday, 20 May 2026. 63 programmes listed , including 16 tonight. UK listings updated daily — scroll down to tonight's highlights or use the day tabs above to browse the weekly schedule.

Early Morning

00:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

00:30 27m

Grand Sumo Highlights

Sumo is one of the most traditional Japanese sports, boasting a history of more than 1500 years. See how powerful wrestlers with an average weight of more than 160 kilos clash in the sacred ring.

00:57 3m

Sumopedia

Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

01:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

01:30 30m

Dive in Tokyo

02:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

02:30 15m

Direct Talk

'Direct Talk' is an in-depth interview programme featuring business executives or people in the news who share their insights, information and analysis.

02:45 15m

Japan's Top Inventions

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is 'Japan's Top Inventions'

03:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

03:30 30m

Frontrunners

Children with microtia are born with an underdeveloped ear - wearing a mask or glasses is difficult, and they may be bullied. We meet Dr Yotsuyanagi Takatoshi, a leading reconstructive surgeon.

04:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

04:30 30m

Science View

Top Japanese scientists delve into the fascinating worlds of cutting-edge technology and the natural sciences

05:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

05:30 27m

Grand Sumo Highlights

Sumo is one of the most traditional Japanese sports, boasting a history of more than 1500 years. See how powerful wrestlers with an average weight of more than 160 kilos clash in the sacred ring.

05:57 3m

Sumopedia

Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

Morning

06:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

06:30 30m

Dive in Tokyo

07:00 30m

Newsline Asia 24

07:30 15m

Direct Talk

'Direct Talk' is an in-depth interview programme featuring business executives or people in the news who share their insights, information and analysis.

07:45 15m

Japan's Top Inventions

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is 'Japan's Top Inventions'

08:00 30m

Newsline Asia 24

08:30 30m

Frontrunners

Children with microtia are born with an underdeveloped ear - wearing a mask or glasses is difficult, and they may be bullied. We meet Dr Yotsuyanagi Takatoshi, a leading reconstructive surgeon.

09:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

09:30 27m

Grand Sumo Highlights

Sumo is one of the most traditional Japanese sports, boasting a history of more than 1500 years. See how powerful wrestlers with an average weight of more than 160 kilos clash in the sacred ring.

09:57 3m

Sumopedia

Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

10:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

10:30 30m

Science View

Top Japanese scientists delve into the fascinating worlds of cutting-edge technology and the natural sciences

11:00 30m

NHK News 7

An evening news bulletin that provides Japan's views on many domestic and international news events.

11:30 15m

Bosai: Science That Can Save Your Life

...Your Life. Japan has a long history of natural disasters - 'Bosai' explores how to overcome them and save lives with the power of science.

11:45 10m

IMPACTS: Climates Change the World

Emissions of methane gas, which has a strong effect on global warming, are at a peak. In Japan, where 40% of methane emissions come from rice farming, finding a solution is of great importance

11:55 5m

Time-Lapse Japan

As snow melts in Yonezawa, it provides water used for growing rice. Beautiful time-lapse images show how a 400-year-old brewery turns this rice into sake, using human expertise instead of machines.

Daytime

12:00 28m

Newsroom Tokyo

This program gives you comprehensive coverage of events in Japan and Asia. It explains the day's developments and what is behind them.

12:28 15m

Direct Talk

Ichiko Aoba puts distinctive, whispery vocals over floating, classical guitar melodies. We explore why her music captivates listeners around the world, despite being sung in Japanese.

12:43 12m

NHK World Selection

A selection of acclaimed programmes from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

12:55 5m

Ukiyo-e Edo-Life

Calligraphy Day

We visit a terakoya, a school teaching reading and writing - the young students are dressed in their finest and are busy putting brush to paper to show off their calligraphy skills.

13:00 30m

Newsroom Tokyo

This program gives you comprehensive coverage of events in Japan and Asia. It explains the day's developments and what is behind them.

13:30 15m

Direct Talk

'Direct Talk' is an in-depth interview programme featuring business executives or people in the news who share their insights, information and analysis.

13:45 15m

Japan's Top Inventions

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is 'Japan's Top Inventions'

14:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

14:30 30m

Frontrunners

Children with microtia are born with an underdeveloped ear - wearing a mask or glasses is difficult, and they may be bullied. We meet Dr Yotsuyanagi Takatoshi, a leading reconstructive surgeon.

15:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

15:30 30m

Trails to Oishii Tokyo

Unique Japanese egg dishes like raw egg over rice are a hit with inbound tourists - visit farms that produce eggs that are safe to eat raw.

16:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

16:30 30m

Dive in Tokyo

17:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

17:30 27m

Grand Sumo Highlights

Sumo is one of the most traditional Japanese sports, boasting a history of more than 1500 years. See how powerful wrestlers with an average weight of more than 160 kilos clash in the sacred ring.

17:57 3m

Sumopedia

Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

Tonight's Highlights

18:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

18:30 15m

Direct Talk

'Direct Talk' is an in-depth interview programme featuring business executives or people in the news who share their insights, information and analysis.

18:45 15m

Japan's Top Inventions

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is 'Japan's Top Inventions'

19:00 28m

Newsroom Tokyo

This program gives you comprehensive coverage of events in Japan and Asia. It explains the day's developments and what is behind them.

19:28 15m

Direct Talk

Ichiko Aoba puts distinctive, whispery vocals over floating, classical guitar melodies. We explore why her music captivates listeners around the world, despite being sung in Japanese.

19:43 12m

NHK World Selection

A selection of acclaimed programmes from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

19:55 5m

Ukiyo-e Edo-Life

Mornings begin early for fishmongers and vegetable peddlers at Nihonbashi Bridge, and here is a reason - they are not going to bow to the lord's procession in a bustling scene from everyday Edo life.

20:00 30m

Biz Stream

This programme focuses on the latest Japanese business trends, corporate strategies and technologies - we look behind the scenes and discuss their global impact from various perspectives.

20:30 30m

Frontrunners

Children with microtia are born with an underdeveloped ear - wearing a mask or glasses is difficult, and they may be bullied. We meet Dr Yotsuyanagi Takatoshi, a leading reconstructive surgeon.

21:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

21:30 30m

Trails to Oishii Tokyo

Unique Japanese egg dishes like raw egg over rice are a hit with inbound tourists - visit farms that produce eggs that are safe to eat raw.

22:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

22:30 30m

Dive in Tokyo

23:00 30m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

23:30 15m

Direct Talk

'Direct Talk' is an in-depth interview programme featuring business executives or people in the news who share their insights, information and analysis.

23:45 15m

Japan's Top Inventions

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is 'Japan's Top Inventions'

Early Morning

Morning

Daytime

Tonight's Highlights

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