NHK WORLD-JAPAN icon
NHK WORLD-JAPAN: Comprehensive Review of Japan's Global Media Platform

by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

3.9
IOSNews
NHK's international service delivers multilingual news, cultural programming, and emergency alerts to global audiences. The app serves expatriates, Japan enthusiasts, and multilingual news consumers with ad-free, public broadcasting content.

Detailed Review

NHK WORLD-JAPAN serves as the international multimedia arm of Japan's public broadcaster, providing global audiences with access to Japanese and Asian perspectives through news, cultural content, and emergency notifications. The application positions itself as a bridge between Japan and the world, offering content in 19 languages including English, Arabic, Spanish, and Vietnamese, making it one of the most linguistically diverse news applications available. The core functionality revolves around live and on-demand video streaming of NHK's international television service, complemented by radio broadcasts and written news articles. A standout feature is the emergency notification system for earthquakes and tsunamis, which provides push alerts with critical safety information. The application also curates specialized content categories including sumo wrestling tournaments, cultural documentaries like 'My Street Piano,' and travel programs featuring Japan's railway systems, creating a multifaceted media experience beyond conventional news delivery. User experience demonstrates thoughtful design with intuitive navigation between live and on-demand content, though some users note repetitive startup dialogs that cannot be dismissed. The interface maintains NHK's characteristic minimalist aesthetic with clear typography and logical content organization. Real-world usage patterns show strong engagement during major sumo tournaments, emergency situations in the Asia-Pacific region, and among Japanese language learners seeking authentic content, though some users express desire for more Japanese-language programming options. User feedback trends reveal consistent appreciation for ad-free programming and cultural content, with reviewer Levi England (May 2025) praising comprehensive sumo coverage and Panda Tina (December 2024) noting convenience for accessing Japanese music content. However, multiple reviews including kiki.s.s (August 2024) indicate desire for more Japanese-language options alongside translated content. The application maintains a 3.85/5 rating across thousands of reviews, with particular praise for its emergency alert functionality and cultural programming. The application excels in providing trustworthy news from Japanese perspectives and unique cultural content unavailable elsewhere, though limitations include some interface redundancies and language option constraints. It serves as an essential tool for Japan-focused news consumers, expatriates seeking connection to Japanese media, and multilingual audiences interested in Asian perspectives on global events, particularly those valuing public broadcasting standards and emergency preparedness information.

Key Features

  • Multilingual support across 19 languages enables accessibility for diverse global audiences seeking Japanese perspectives
  • Emergency push notifications for earthquakes and tsunamis provide critical safety alerts for Asia-Pacific regions
  • Comprehensive sumo wrestling coverage includes live tournaments and daily recaps with English commentary
  • Ad-free 24/7 streaming of NHK World television and radio maintains public broadcasting standards
  • Cultural programming like railway documentaries and music features offer unique Japanese content
  • On-demand access to news segments and documentaries facilitates flexible viewing schedules

Why Users Love It

Ad-free reliable news
Multilingual emergency alerts

Perfect for: Global audiences interested in Japanese news, culture, and emergency alerts

Screenshots

NHK WORLD-JAPAN screenshot 1NHK WORLD-JAPAN screenshot 2NHK WORLD-JAPAN screenshot 3NHK WORLD-JAPAN screenshot 4NHK WORLD-JAPAN screenshot 5NHK WORLD-JAPAN screenshot 6

User Reviews

Levi England
May 31, 2025

If you want to watch all the sumo events for free -in English- this app is great. They have both the live unedited but also have daily recaps. Best Sumo content for English If you want to watch all the sumo events for free -in English- this app is great. They have both the live unedited but also have daily recaps.

FlurFan
Jan 3, 2024

I reside in Kaneohe, Hawaii and watch many NHK shows. My absolute favorite is My Street Piano. I love the people who play because they’re everyday people and they do bring joy to the world when they play. Thank you and Happy New Year to All! My Street Piano I reside in Kaneohe, Hawaii and watch many NHK shows. My absolute favorite is My Street Piano. I love the people who play because they’re everyday people and they do bring joy to the world when they play.Thank you and Happy New Year to All!

runnerrowe
Mar 31, 2022

What a great news service and always has interesting specials to keep reminding you of how much variety there is in the world! I never paid my NHK fees while living in Japan (I accidentally answered the door once and my Japanese girlfriend told them I was a tourist lol), so this being a free service internationally is really a treat. Great service! ありがとうNHKさん What a great news service and always has interesting specials to keep reminding you of how much variety there is in the world! I never paid my NHK fees while living in Japan (I accidentally answered the door once and my Japanese girlfriend told them I was a tourist lol), so this being a free service internationally is really a treat.

dragon_azteca
Jul 14, 2021

Great documentaries and interesting programming, plus the news are very balanced and not biased like other networks. I love watching the Sumo tournament, amazing! My only request is please bring to functioning order the Spanish subtitles please, they sometimes don’t work :( Awesomeness! Love NHK! Great documentaries and interesting programming, plus the news are very balanced and not biased like other networks. I love watching the Sumo tournament, amazing! My only request is please bring to functioning order the Spanish subtitles please, they sometimes don’t work :(

tjshanz
Jun 22, 2021

Hello. Long time ago I was in Yokosuka Naval Base after a tough day at the office; a Marine CH 46 and ended my tour at Atsugi. I have worked in the private sector as a Project Manager which often involved competing with Japanese firms and have great respect for them. So, make a long story not any longer, why is the vaccination rate in Japan below 20% with the Olympic Games beginning in July and why is there little reporting on NHK ? Are their other interests whose priorities benefit from discouraging the games and why am I not seeing this issue on your news? COVID-19 VACCINATION RATES Hello. Long time ago I was in Yokosuka Naval Base after a tough day at the office; a Marine CH 46 and ended my tour at Atsugi. I have worked in the private sector as a Project Manager which often involved competing with Japanese firms and have great respect for them. So, make a long story not any longer, why is the vaccination rate in Japan below 20% with the Olympic Games beginning in July and why is there little reporting on NHK ? Are their other interests whose priorities benefit from discouraging the games and why am I not seeing this issue on your news?

App Details

Developer

NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

Platform

ios

Rating

3.9

Last Updated

9/7/2025