NHK Archives, Broadcasting archive in Kami-Aoki, Japan
NHK Archives is a broadcasting repository in Kami-Aoki housing one of the world's largest collections of television and radio programs. The facility uses digital preservation systems to protect this content for the future.
The archive opened in 2003 and preserves content from the national broadcaster, which started with radio in 1925 and expanded to television in 1953. It serves as the central memory of this broadcasting history.
The collection documents everyday Japanese life across decades through interviews and reports that show different eras and social changes.
Visitors can access thousands of programs through display terminals in the building, while selected content is also available online. Signs within the building help guide visitors to the right collection area.
The archive uses specialized restoration technology to upgrade older recordings to 4K quality, securing fragile historical materials for the long term. This process means content from earlier decades can remain available in enhanced form for new generations.
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