My term as a member of the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council has come to an end.

Apparently, on March 12, four years ago, I left “Tokudane!,” where I had served as a commentator for five years, and joined the show on March 19 (*^^*) From then on, for four years (two years × two terms), I was truly grateful for everyone’s support.

Half of those events were canceled due to COVID-19 and switched to online meetings, so I only got to fully enjoy the holiday lights—which I usually look forward to every year—at the very beginning…However, precisely because it was a time of national crisis, I was once again reminded of the vital role NHK plays in providing the public with a sense of safety and security—not only through its news coverage but also through the swift response of its educational programs and its exploration of new program production methods.

I also had the opportunity to watch many programs, which made me realize just how many high-quality ones there are.

Programs that consistently address the challenges many people face in their daily lives—challenges that cannot be resolved overnight; programs that delve deeply into topics from multiple perspectives based on thorough reporting; programs and initiatives that utilize cutting-edge technologies such as AI news anchors;programs like *Nehorin Pahorin* that push the boundaries; programs that work to transform people’s awareness and point society in the right direction; and programs that expand the role of media by engaging viewers and leading to the resolution of social issues—I was deeply impressed by this wide range of thought-provoking programs.

If there is one thing I continue to hope for from the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Review Committee, it is this:

1. I would like the committee to focus its deliberations on programs that are likely to spark journalistic debate and divide public opinion.

2. Given that we are entering an era where the internet plays a central role, I hope that—through collaboration with commercial broadcasters, the telecommunications industry, and the IT sector—we will strengthen our distribution infrastructure and promote the effective use of data, thereby leading the way in the convergence of video and IT so that the public can enjoy a richer video culture.

3. In addition to delivering quality programming to every corner of the country, I hope NHK will redouble its efforts in cutting-edge technology development and take the lead in shaping a bright future for the next 50 and 100 years.

That's the point.

From now on, I’ll just enjoy it as a viewer (*^^*) Thank you very much.

Just a quick note… I've also received lots of individual emails from the committee members, and I'm grateful for this wonderful new opportunity to connect with everyone. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you in the future!!!