Iowa Public Television

« Upcoming Episodes

All Episodes

• Episode #1

  This special from Japan provides information on the earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear reactors. [57 minutes]

• Standing Up, Moving Forward: Bringing Photography to Life (#4)

  [27 minutes]

• Standing Up, Moving Forward: Miracle Diplomas (#5)

  [27 minutes]

• Standing Up, Moving Forward: Unforgettable (#6)

  [27 minutes]

• March 11th Disaster - Recovery Plans in the Spotlight Part I (#7)

  [57 minutes]

• March 11th Disaster - Reviving the Tohoku Region's Manufacturing Sector Part II (#8)

  [87 minutes]

• Fukushima Nuclear Crisis - How the Problems Went from Bad to Worse Part I (#9)

  [58 minutes]

• Fukushima Nuclear Crisis - The Fallout on People & Communities Part II (#10)

  [56 minutes]

• Portraits of Courage (#11)

  Former UN photographer John Isaac has photographed refugee camps and war zones such as Cambodia and Kosovo. He also has been involved in calling attention to the plight of less fortunate children around the world. His work has brought him in contact with celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn and Michael Jackson This year, he trained his lens on the city of RikuzenTakatain Iwate Prefecture, one of the devastated areas of northeast Japan. His pictures document progress in the aftermath of the crisis, as the community works to revive and restore itself. The TakataPine Grove had been the pride of the city. The one tree from the grove that remains has come to be known as the "Pine of Hope." This program starts with Isaac visiting the symbol of survival. The tree reminded him of another place, on the other side of the world, where he once saw a similar scene. It was in a village in the Republic of Mali in Africa, in the midst of a drought in 1986. In RikuzenTakata, Isaac developed a bond with the quake and tsunami victims as he documented their observance of the traditional TanabataStar Festival and their efforts to grow sun flowers in rice paddies damaged by the tsunami. [27 minutes]

• Ken Watanabe's America: Japanese Americans and Post 9/11 America Part 1 (#12)

  During World War II, Japanese-Americans faced discrimination, much as Arab and Muslim Americans have faced harassment and discrimination since 9/11. It is the memory of this that has brought the Japanese American and the Arab American communities together in solidarity. Ken Watanabe, the star of Letters from Iwo Jima (also Inception and The Last Samurai), explores the link between Japanese American internment, racism, and discrimination and that experienced by Arab and Muslim Americans in a post-9/11 world. [50 minutes]

• Ken Watanabe's America: Japanese Americans and Post 9/11 America Part 2 (#13)

  During World War II, Japanese Americans faced discrimination, much as Arab and Muslim Americans have faced harassment and discrimination since 9/11. It is the memory of this that has brought the Japanese American and the Arab American communities together in solidarity. Ken Watanabe, the star of Letters from Iwo Jima (also Inception and The Last Samurai), explores the link between Japanese American internment, racism, and discrimination and that experienced by Arab and Muslim Americans in a post-9/11 world. [50 minutes]

• Mega Tsunami: Hidden Perils (#15)

  What destroyed the embankments? What danger did the disaster-stricken areas face from tsunami fires? This program provides an overall picture of the tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011, using real-time images, witness reports and expert analysis. By focusing on the thoughts and actions of those involved, the program investigates what steps need to be taken in order to protect against future tsunamis. [50 minutes]

• Minutes to Tsunami: How Did People Act? (#16)

  What happened to the 4,500 residents of the town of Yuriage after the tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011 and claimed the lives of 800 townspeople? A survey pointed to the 'psychological factor,' which had not been previously verified or included in disaster-prevention measures. The program examines the 'mental trap' experienced during disasters and proposes new disaster-prevention measures incorporating both physical and emotional components. [50 minutes]

• Radiation - Fighting the Invisible Enemy (#17)

  The residents of Iitate Village in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan a quiet agricultural life surrounded by mountains until the tsunami and earthquake on March 11, 2011 resulted in life-altering accident at the nuclear power plant 40 kilometers away. With their village located inside the government-designated planned evacuation area, the residents were forced to decide between abandoning their homes and livelihood, or staying. This program records the struggles Iitate villagers faced as their village's very existence was threatened. [50 minutes]

• Doctors Facing the Tsunami (#18)

  The Japanese Red Cross Hospital was the only hospital in Ishinomaki to survive the March 11, 2011 earthquake in Japan. Ever since, hospital staff have battled to save the lives of the city's 200,000 residents. As a result of the tsunami damage, initial life-saving procedures failed to function as needed. Doctors were unprepared to practice 'disaster' medicine and to deal with the unusual symptoms of the survivors. With vivid footage from the hospitals during the 200 hours following the disaster, the program portrays the reality of the deterioration in medical services. [50 minutes]

• Can You See Our Lights - First Festival After the Tsunami (#19)

  Japanese summer festivals serve as a time to hold memorial services for the souls of the departed. Although some of the places devastated by the March 2011 tsunami/earthquake disaster were unable to hold their colorful and passionate centuries-old festivals, the people of Rikuzen-Takada, Soma, Minami-Soma and other cities decided to proceed as usual. The program includes interviews with festival committee members busily repairing damaged floats and drums and encouraging the participation of dispersed former residents. They explain what they hope to accomplish by continuing the tradition. [50 minutes]

• The Core of the Disaster: The Fukushima Nuclear Crisis: What Went Wrong (#23)

  [58 minutes]

• TOMORROW BEYOND 3/11 Special: Bob James Puts Hearts Together (#24)

  TOMORROW BEYOND 3/11 is a new documentary series of occasional specials from NHK WORLD TV, starting in April 2012. Each program focuses on Japan as it embarks on the long road to reconstruction, following the March 11 disaster of last year. In each special, musicians, actors, designers, scholars and other prominent people from overseas are invited to Japan to share their observations of the country in its post-disaster period. In this first program, BOB JAMES PUTS HEARTS TOGETHER, world renowned jazz pianist Bob James visited Morioka City in northern Japan last September to take part in a jazz festival. The city was one of the hardest hit by the March 11 disaster. He composed a special piece, "PUT YOUR HEARTS TOGETHER," dedicated it to the disaster victims, and played it with local amateur jazz musicians, who were also victims of the disaster. Three months later, he visited Japan again and le arned that his music had since provided emotional support to many, including the amateur musicians themselves. They all were once living in fear and despair, but are now getting back on their feet again --- thanks to Bob James dedication and his music. [56 minutes]

« Upcoming Episodes

« Back to Programs A-Z