Hometown Stories Season 11, Episode 14: Finding Freedom in the Pool

1

A Toast to the God of Sake

Sake from Fukushima Prefecture has swept up gold medals in a nationwide contest for new brews. A researcher who's played a key role in improving the local sake is Suzuki Kenji, known as the "god of sake." He's introduced scientific data to local master brewers, who once relied on experience and intuition. Now, he's developing a new style in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We follow Suzuki as he makes the rounds of local breweries during the frigid Fukushima winter.

27 min

2

Life Lessons From the Homeless

Hoboku, a non-profit organization in southwestern Japan, has provided support for homeless people and others in need for over 30 years. Okuda Tomoshi, a pastor, leads the group. Its many efforts to help those left behind by society include running a soup kitchen and visiting people on the streets at night. Working for Hoboku, many of the NPO's employees in their 20s and 30s have found their life's purpose, along with help and guidance from the people they encounter. We look at the deep bonds that have developed between the homeless and these young people.

29 min

3

Conversations Without Words

Sorachi is an energetic three-year-old boy who lives in Hokkaido Prefecture with his father and mother. Sorachi's conversations at home are a little different from those of other families. He communicates through spoken words as well as sign language because both his parents are deaf. However, Sorachi still doesn't understand what it means to be unable to hear. This is the heartwarming story of a loving father and mother who do their best to communicate with their son and build strong bonds together.

24 min

4

Behind the Artist's Hand

Washio Tomoyuki is an artist based in the City of Nagoya, central Japan. He created a massive mural for the entrance of a new hotel at the city's landmark TV tower. Because he works in many different styles, he is known as an artist with no genre boundaries. Washio started working on a new piece in January 2021, but he says he is not making it as a commission or for an exhibition. A young NHK director, in his second year with the broadcaster, explores what drives Washio to keep creating his art works.

25 min

5

Longing for the Power of Touch

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many eldercare facilities to restrict visits between residents and their families. The loss of direct contact with loved ones has caused many residents to become emotionally unstable. One family struggles to find the right words to cheer their mother up, while another wants to make the most of their last time with their mother who's in the final stages of life. This program follows families who are trying to maintain hope in spite of everything.

27 min

6

Rapping for Fukushima

Ryuji is a rapper who, like many others, including his family, was forced to flee his hometown of Namie in Fukushima Prefecture after the 2011 accident at the nuclear power plant. He shares his feelings about his birthplace in his songs. Ryuji's newest composition is a rap for his father. Unlike his son, Tomeo can't move on and longs to once again nurture the rice fields he inherited from his ancestors. How will Ryuji's song affect his father? And how will they build a future together?

30 min

7

A Small Village with Big Ideas

Kosuge Village in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, has a population of about 700. Although small and without many residents, the village is always lively and up for new challenges. It runs many unique projects, such as building tiny houses to attract young people and drones that deliver food and daily necessities to residents. Its efforts are now drawing nationwide attention. At the forefront is village mayor, Funaki Naoyoshi. We follow this small community as they come up with various new ideas for revitalization.

27 min

8

Swordfish Fishing With My Father

With a single thrust, harpoon fishers can catch a swordfish weighing more than 100kg. 21-year-old Konno Misaki is a fisher like his father before him. When Misaki's hometown was hit by the tsunami following the 2011 earthquake, his family lost their home and boat. Yet, his father overcame these hardships. Now, warmer water temperatures have reduced the number of fish and his father's health is deteriorating. The program depicts a young man's struggle to make it on his own.

30 min

9

The Power of Memories

At a daycare center for senior citizens in western Japan, staff interview elderly people and write down their memories of long ago. Many who come to the center have dementia. They may not remember recent events but can vividly recall things from bygone days. The memories of a hometown now at the bottom of a lake, harsh experiences on the battlefield, and other precious stories can serve as valuable documents for future generations. An unexpected benefit of the activity is helping activate the brain and slowing the progress of dementia.

27 min

10

Many Vines, One Family

"I am the vine, and you are the branches." That cherished biblical quote guides a group of young people who, for reasons ranging from abuse to financial hardship, were separated from their birth parents and brought to live under the same roof in foster care. Even in adulthood, their strong connection continues. This is the story of foster children who are earnestly trying to branch out into the broader society.

30 min

11

Bomb Disposal Quest in Okinawa

76 years after the end of World War II, work to dispose of unexploded munitions is still an everyday sight in Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan. It will probably take 70 years to remove all of them. Renowned expert Sunagawa Masahiro has dedicated more than 40 years to finding dud explosives that still lie buried and has so far located thousands of them. He has now taken up a new challenge: developing an AI probe to discover buried explosives. He is also dedicated to training his successors, aiming to pass on not just his skills but also the spirit of Okinawa to the next generation. The program follows his challenge.

30 min

12

Rebuilding Lives After the Kumamoto Earthquake

Minamiaso once welcomed 6 million visitors a year. Then the tourism industry suffered catastrophic damage in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. At 1 inn, a pair of guests were killed, another took 5 years to rebuild, while another reopened just as the COVID-19 pandemic struck and faced a string of cancellations. Will the innkeepers of Minamiaso ever recover, financially or emotionally? Several years after the earthquake, we look at the people working to rebuild their businesses – and their lives.

49 min

13

When the Sea Turned Red

Mori Tetsuya, a third-generation fisher in Akkeshi town, northern Japan, supports his family with income from catching sea urchin and other marine products. In 2021, a red tide hit the town for the first time, killing 80% of the sea urchins in the area. Over 60 years, local fishers have established a unique farming method for these creatures. To protect them from the fast current and cold seawater, young urchins are released on the seabed by a specially trained diver in a suit weighing 60kg. Tetsuya is responsible for this dangerous mission. The program follows him for 2 months as he struggles in the face of the unprecedented damage.

29 min

14

Finding Freedom in the Pool

Thirty years ago, a child was denied admission to a swimming school because of his disability. But 1 courageous coach reached out to help. What started with these 2 people has now grown into a school with more than 300 students, and produced a Paralympic medalist. Through it all, the coach has been there for children who had nowhere else to go, and for their anguished parents. We trace a journey of passionate dedication.

25 min

15

Auntie Baseball

Kids in Osaka Prefecture rarely call Tanahara Yasuko by her real name. Instead, they affectionately refer to her as simply, Auntie. For decades, this 82-year-old baseball coach has used tough love to get the best out of her young players both on and off the field. She's a local legend, and her 140-member team is a powerhouse in Japan's Little Leagues. Auntie is a moral compass for the children she mentors – especially those who must navigate sport and school while growing up in single-parent households.

27 min

16

The Future of Fukuoka's Food Stalls

With their great food and casual atmosphere, food stalls - or Yatai - are symbols of Fukuoka City. At the age of 20, Takada Yoshimasa endured an incredibly competitive selection process to become the city's youngest Yatai owner. His cheerful character made the business a huge success. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of customers declined sharply. How will he overcome this crisis and forge ahead? We look at his passion for Yatai and his desire to preserve the legacy.

25 min

17

Nuclear Waste Splits a Town

The 2021 mayoral election in Suttsu town, northern Japan, hinged mainly on 1 contentious point between the 2 candidates - whether to continue with the first step in being selected as a long-term storage site for nuclear waste. The incumbent mayor, Kataoka Haruo, who is actively promoting the process, won the race. The result showed that locals' interest in getting government subsidies that will revitalize the local economy outweighs their concerns about safety. But Kataoka's victory was narrower than expected, and the town remains divided.

49 min

18

A Blind Teacher's Farewell

Arai Yoshinori, a Japanese teacher at a junior high school just north of Tokyo, was about to retire in March 2022. At age 34, he lost his sight in both eyes. For a while, he lost the will to live. But he realized there were things only he could teach and decided to return to work. He nurtured his own teaching style and earned his students' trust. His heartfelt reading of a famous classic poem by Miyazawa Kenji, using Braille, became popular in the classroom. This program follows Yoshinori's final days as he approached retirement and found out what he wanted to convey to his graduating students.

29 min

19

Building On a Sacred Tradition

Zenkoji Temple in Nagano Prefecture is a special place for local people. This spring, it held a major celebration, welcoming back the Gokaicho Festival which had been postponed due to COVID-19. Master builder Murai Kazuo has supported this traditional event for nearly 40 years. Due to failing health, he has decided to step down. His successor, Hanaoka Hirotaka, has limited experience. Will he be able to tackle his heavy responsibility and fulfill his key role in this historic festival?

25 min

20

Saving Lives on an Isolated Island

After 2 decades on the mainland, a young doctor returns to his birthplace, a remote island in far northern Japan. He's left a surgical career on the forefront of medicine to take over a local hospital which his father has managed for 36 years. In that role, he gets to know the most intimate details of his patients' lives. We follow this dedicated physician on his daily rounds as he helps his patients receive the best care possible and live life to the fullest.

25 min

21

The Drumbeat of a Mother's Heart

In western Japan, a group of women were practicing "wadaiko" Japanese drums for their first performance in three-and-a-half years since the COVID outbreak. They are all mothers who have children with hard-to-cure illnesses. They include one who is trying to inspire her son through the sound of drums, and another dedicating her performance to her late daughter. Another is trying to take a step forward after her daughter suddenly came down with an illness. We look into the thoughts behind their smiles as they devote themselves to drumming.

25 min

22

The Future of an Ancient Ritual

The Nakanomata Kagura, an ancient ritual from a community deep in Japan's mountains, has been in danger of dying out due to population decline. But recently young people from outside the community are revitalizing it. They'd experienced kagura as students visiting the area, and are now members of a group that aims to be a force for preserving the tradition. This documentary follows these young people over a five-month period as they open up new possibilities for the transmission of culture.

45 min

23

Discovering Myself Through Dementia

After Shimosaka Atsushi was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46, he felt that his life was over. But as he started to communicate with elderly people with the same disease and rekindling his passion for photography, his perspective began to change. Follow his journey as he shares glimpses of his life and feelings through social media, and discovers that one's most important memories will always remain.

29 min

24

A Burger Hangout in Okinawa

An American hamburger chain opened its first outlet in Okinawa Prefecture in 1963, before the US returned Okinawa to Japan. Initially, the shop targeted US service personnel stationed there, but gradually, its offerings have taken root and become soul food for local residents. The shop has a varied clientele including workers grabbing a quick bite, families having dinner, and young people meeting up with friends. With the prolonged coronavirus pandemic, a sluggish economy and worries about the future, people have a lot on their mind as they tuck into their favorite food.

25 min

25

Building Bonds With Books

In a hot springs resort town in Ishikawa Prefecture, a unique library debuted during the Covid pandemic. At Mikan, the books are owned by members of the community who display them on shelves that they rent. Each shelf reflects the tastes of the books' owners, including rare volumes, books filled with memories, even original works of art. All the books can be borrowed. We look at this remarkable library and the way it is helping to forge new connections between people.

25 min

26

Building a Thatched-Roof, Building New Bonds

In a mountainous area in Wakayama Prefecture, a group of young people wanted to renovate a thatched-roof house to help attract visitors. With no experience or money, they relied on a local custom called yui that promotes mutual assistance. They recruited friends, local residents and professionals. One young team member even moved to the area to help make the project a reality. This is the story of how yui helped them overcome numerous challenges and create a lasting asset for the community.

27 min

27

Okinawan Dance Flowers Far From Home

The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Okinawa Prefecture's return to Japan from US control. Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, is home to many residents with roots in this southwestern prefecture. They support each other in their new home while taking great pride in their Okinawan culture. We follow a group that performs the traditional Okinawan dance called "Eisa" as they prepare for their first show in 3 years amid the COVID pandemic. The untold story of people who began to emigrate to Japan's mainland more than 100 years ago is now coming to light.

27 min

28

Ainu: Engaging the Power of Dialogue

Ukaji Shizue once worked to improve the lives of Japan's indigenous Ainu people. An Ainu herself, she had moved to Tokyo to escape discrimination and eventually became involved in uniting the Ainu people. After some setbacks, she returned to her home, Hokkaido Prefecture, to talk to her fellow Ainu about the difficulties they face and to seek answers through dialogue. Now, at 89 years old, she is starting a new journey.

43 min

29

Lighting the Way for Tradition

In summer 2022, the renowned Kanto Festival in Akita Prefecture was back after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The traditional lantern festival is a key part of life for Kishi Toshiki, who leads a local kanto association and has taken part in the festival since he was 2 years old. Guided by the example of his late mentor, he is devoted to ensuring that children are part of this ancient event. This is a story of people struggling to carry on a tradition in the face of formidable obstacles.

27 min

30

A Fresh Start on a Small Island

Watakano Island in central Japan was once an entertainment hub, but its economy has declined in recent years. The local government sends 31-year-old Toge Hiroyuki there to revive the community. After a setback in the big city, Hiroyuki plans to make a fresh start on this small island. Islander Hayashi Kazuhiro anxiously watches over him in his role as adviser. Summer sees the return of the island's traditional festival after a three-year hiatus. We follow this young man and the islanders as they try to get their lives back on track.

25 min