As a ham radio operator and a radio enthusiast in general, I love shortwave radio and wish it would make a comeback. However, I would be even happier if we as humans figured out how to co-exist peacefully enough with one another to make it fully and finally obsolete.
It's interesting that they're choosing to do this broadcast in Japanese considering that everyone living in that region (that's Japanese), would likely speak Arabic or English, and they could help more people by broadcasting that those languages.
Glad to know my tax dollars are doing something better than just harassing people to pay fees.
While the idea is noble, the press release states:
"This measure is based on NHK’s mission as an international public service media to provide essential information to Japanese nationals residing in or traveling in the region."
Broadcasting in English or Arabic isn't going to be of much use to Japanese nationals.
In general, Japanese are not very comfortable in using English. Thus for safety and critical information, broadcasting in their native language would feel much more trustworthy, reassuring and connected than any other language.
Here’s a list of some international shortwave radio stations in english if anyone is interested. Some stations only broadcast at certain times:
North America
- WBCQ The Planet: 6.160 MHz, 7.490 MHz, 9.330 MHz (Maine, USA) - Primarily 21:00–05:00 UTC. WBCQ on 9.330 MHz often broadcasts in USB (Upper Sideband); if it sounds distorted on a standard radio, try tuning slightly off-frequency or use a radio with SSB (Single Sideband).
- WWCR Worldwide Christian Radio: 4.840 MHz, 12.160 MHz, 15.825 MHz (Tennessee, USA)
- CFRX Toronto: 6.070 MHz (Ontario, Canada)
Europe & Africa
- BBC World Service: 9.410, 11.810, 12.095, 15.490, 17.690 MHz (Targeting Africa) — Primary blocks: 04:00–08:00 UTC and 15:00–22:00 UTC.
- Voice of America (VOA): 4.930, 6.080, 13.590, 15.580, 17.895 MHz (Africa) — Primary blocks: 03:00–07:00 UTC and 15:00–22:00 UTC.
- Radio Romania International: 6.030, 7.325, 9.500, 11.630, 15.250 MHz (Europe) — 1-hour news windows at approx. 12:00, 18:00, and 21:00 UTC.
Asia & Middle East
- BBC World Service: 6.035, 6.155, 12.080, 17.575 MHz (Asia) — Primary blocks: 00:00–03:00 UTC and 09:00–16:00 UTC.
- KBS World Radio: 9.515, 9.580, 9.680 MHz (East Asia) — English news blocks at 10:00, 13:00, and 16:00 UTC.
- CGTN (China Radio International): 6.110, 6.140, 9.435, 9.580, 13.825 MHz (Global/Asia) — Extensive news coverage throughout 00:00–24:00 UTC (varies by frequency).
- Voice of America (VOA): 7.470, 7.555, 12.150 MHz (Middle East/Asia) — Primary blocks: 00:00–04:00 UTC and 14:00–18:00 UTC.
Pacific
- Radio New Zealand Pacific: 7.390, 9.700, 11.725, 13.755, 15.720 MHz (Pacific Islands) — Active roughly 18:00–12:00 UTC; frequency shifts every 3–4 hours to follow solar conditions.
As a ham radio operator and a radio enthusiast in general, I love shortwave radio and wish it would make a comeback. However, I would be even happier if we as humans figured out how to co-exist peacefully enough with one another to make it fully and finally obsolete.
It's interesting that they're choosing to do this broadcast in Japanese considering that everyone living in that region (that's Japanese), would likely speak Arabic or English, and they could help more people by broadcasting that those languages.
Glad to know my tax dollars are doing something better than just harassing people to pay fees.
While the idea is noble, the press release states:
"This measure is based on NHK’s mission as an international public service media to provide essential information to Japanese nationals residing in or traveling in the region."
Broadcasting in English or Arabic isn't going to be of much use to Japanese nationals.
In general, Japanese are not very comfortable in using English. Thus for safety and critical information, broadcasting in their native language would feel much more trustworthy, reassuring and connected than any other language.
That’s what they were talking about:
> everyone living in that region (that's Japanese), would likely speak Arabic or English
And I think I agree, how many Japanese citizens are going to be in the area that don’t speak English?
Living in that region, probably, but that's far from certain for Japanese people merely traveling in that region.
the point is, some.
Couldn't they just send that user a fax instead?
Here’s a list of some international shortwave radio stations in english if anyone is interested. Some stations only broadcast at certain times:
North America
- WBCQ The Planet: 6.160 MHz, 7.490 MHz, 9.330 MHz (Maine, USA) - Primarily 21:00–05:00 UTC. WBCQ on 9.330 MHz often broadcasts in USB (Upper Sideband); if it sounds distorted on a standard radio, try tuning slightly off-frequency or use a radio with SSB (Single Sideband).
- WRMI Radio Miami International: 5.800 MHz, 5.850 MHz, 5.950 MHz, 7.730 MHz, 9.395 MHz, 9.455 MHz, 15.770 MHz (Florida, USA)
- WWCR Worldwide Christian Radio: 4.840 MHz, 12.160 MHz, 15.825 MHz (Tennessee, USA)
- CFRX Toronto: 6.070 MHz (Ontario, Canada)
Europe & Africa
- BBC World Service: 9.410, 11.810, 12.095, 15.490, 17.690 MHz (Targeting Africa) — Primary blocks: 04:00–08:00 UTC and 15:00–22:00 UTC.
- Voice of America (VOA): 4.930, 6.080, 13.590, 15.580, 17.895 MHz (Africa) — Primary blocks: 03:00–07:00 UTC and 15:00–22:00 UTC.
- Radio Romania International: 6.030, 7.325, 9.500, 11.630, 15.250 MHz (Europe) — 1-hour news windows at approx. 12:00, 18:00, and 21:00 UTC.
Asia & Middle East
- BBC World Service: 6.035, 6.155, 12.080, 17.575 MHz (Asia) — Primary blocks: 00:00–03:00 UTC and 09:00–16:00 UTC.
- KBS World Radio: 9.515, 9.580, 9.680 MHz (East Asia) — English news blocks at 10:00, 13:00, and 16:00 UTC.
- CGTN (China Radio International): 6.110, 6.140, 9.435, 9.580, 13.825 MHz (Global/Asia) — Extensive news coverage throughout 00:00–24:00 UTC (varies by frequency).
- Voice of America (VOA): 7.470, 7.555, 12.150 MHz (Middle East/Asia) — Primary blocks: 00:00–04:00 UTC and 14:00–18:00 UTC.
Pacific
- Radio New Zealand Pacific: 7.390, 9.700, 11.725, 13.755, 15.720 MHz (Pacific Islands) — Active roughly 18:00–12:00 UTC; frequency shifts every 3–4 hours to follow solar conditions.
Shortwave station lists:
https://shortwavedb.org/
https://www.eibispace.de/
https://www1.s2.starcat.ne.jp/
https://www.short-wave.info/
https://www.hfcc.org/
Good ol' Japan in bizarro tech land: turning on shortwave transmitters (fine) and then putting the press release out in a PDF only; Can I get a fax?