Japan typically reviews the tragedy of World War II in August, focusing almost exclusively on the Japanese who died in the conflict.
As far as TV coverage goes, NHK has always led the field in terms of production quality, and this year its selection of war-related documentaries incorporated a remarkable new editorial decision. In the past, NHK was careful not to show dead bodies in its war depictions, but several programs this summer have included graphic footage that was preceded by telops warning viewers that such images will be presented.
Whatever the reason for this policy change, it's in line with a more straightforward approach to the subject matter. In recent years, NHK has been delving more deeply into previously sensitive topics, such as the soldiers and civilians who were abandoned overseas by the Japanese government when the war ended. On Aug. 12, they broadcast an NHK special about what is perhaps the most sensitive topic of all: war orphans.