See the stories that matter.
A once-in-a-lifetime journey to one of Japan’s most amazing science experiments
The Super Kamiokande neutrino detector is searching for clues about the origins of our material universe by looking into the heart of dying stars (exploding supernovas). I secured extremely rare access to shoot this story and had just an hour inside the tank.
Aussie rugby star returns to tsunami-devastated Kamaishi
For the Rugby World Cup in 2019, Australian player Scott Fardy returned to the Japanese town he helped rebuild after it was wiped out by the 2011 tsunami.
The impact of Japan’s aged care lockdowns
The only contact Yuumi Matsuno has had with her mother since coronavirus reached Japan has been over the phone, separated by a pane of glass.
Australians’ first hit of COVID
When the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama in early 2020, the thousands of passengers (including hundreds of Australians on board) had no idea that COVID had already spread throughout the ship. This was the first moment that COVID came close to a significant number Australians. Many would ultimately test positive. As the only Australian media with a permanent bureau in Japan, our exclusive coverage kept people on board - and at home in Australia informed throughout the unfolding crisis.
The Ghost Ships
On a desolate stretch of Japan's north-western coast lies a wrecked, wooden fishing boat with weather-beaten Korean characters near the bow. There’s nothing on board but a skeleton. In the last few years hundreds of boats believed to be from North Korea have washed ashore in Japan. They are being used for fishing amid pressure from Kim Jong-un to expand the fisheries industry.
The world’s most powerful supercomputer that’s fighting COVID
Fugaku, the world’s fastest supercomputer, is working on models to help understand the way COVID-19 spreads. I visited the RIKEN Centre for Computational Science in Kobe, Japan, and saw the modelling revealing how coronavirus moves through the air.
The Tokyo you didn’t see during the Olympics
When Tokyo’s Olympic Opening Ceremony began, many on the outside saw pictures of a bright, bustling city. We revealed how - and why - many of the city’s night-spots were openly defying the Government’s State of Emergency requests just as COVID infections spiralled.
Tokyo Olympic torch relay begins as locals hope for the ‘Recovery Olympics’
The Fukushima disaster forced Rena Arakawa to flee her home. Now, 10 years after the tragedy she carried the Olympic Flame through her town. She hopes the Olympics will highlight how far the region has come in its recovery.
Meet the make-up artist and a Buddhist monk speaking up for LGBTQ rights and defying stereotypes in conservative Japan
Kodo is not your typical Japanese Buddhist Monk. He follows the sacred ritual of his role; his days are filled with chants, offerings, and incense. By night he is the personal make-up artist to Miss Universe contestants and celebrities. He is also an advocate for LGBT rights in a socially conservative country. In his perfectly mascara-ed eyes, his faith and passions are not incompatible.