Me-Tele Documentary "Where Does the Wind Come From ~The Return of the Military-Industrial Complex~" Wins Encouragement Prize at the 52nd Hoso Bunka Foundation Awards!

Me-Tele (Nagoya TV Broadcasting)'s "Me-Tele Documentary: Where Does the Wind Come From ~The Return of the Military-Industrial Complex~" has received the Encouragement Prize in the Documentary Division at the 52nd Hoso Bunka Foundation Awards.

The Hoso Bunka Foundation Awards recognize outstanding programs and streaming content that have impressed viewers, as well as individuals and groups who have achieved remarkable accomplishments in the fields of broadcasting culture and technology.

This marks Me-Tele's first award at the Hoso Bunka Foundation Awards since "Me-Tele Documentary: Visit Report" won the Grand Prize in the Program Division "TV Documentary Program" at the 47th awards.

To commemorate the award, Me-Tele will re-broadcast this program on Friday, July 10th.

52nd Hoso Bunka Foundation Awards, Documentary Division, Encouragement Prize

"Me-Tele Documentary: Where Does the Wind Come From ~The Return of the Military-Industrial Complex~"

Broadcast: Sunday, March 22, 2026, 1:15 AM - 2:20 AM

Producer: Fumitoshi Murase Director: Ryuta Sugawara Narration: Motoki Takeda (Me-Tele Announcer)

Cinematography: Takayoshi Suzuki Sound: Kenshin Takahashi Editing: Kazuhiro Seko

Sound Effects: Yukari Kobayashi MA: Koha Inukai Title Design: Shinya Ando

"Cardboard Drones" Aiming to Participate in the Defense Industry: "Be Prepared to Become a Target..." A Woman Who Lost Her Sister in the Atsuta Air Raid

■ Program Overview

In March of this year, new missiles were deployed at the Ground Self-Defense Force base in Kumamoto City. They are within range of the Korean Peninsula and Shanghai, China. The government calls them "standoff missiles" and claims they enhance deterrence. In the "National Security Strategy" documents of 2022, the government declared its intention to strengthen defense capabilities and expand defense spending to 2% of GDP. Nagoya, which was a hub for the military-industrial complex during World War II, became a target of air raids, resulting in many casualties. Japan's military-industrial complex was dismantled after the war but revived due to new conflicts like the Korean War. Among companies in the Nagoya area that have relied on the automotive industry, some are looking to make the defense industry a new pillar of their business. A venture company in Nagoya that makes cardboard drones, facing stagnant performance, is finding new opportunities in the defense industry. The new missiles are developed and manufactured at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Komaki North Plant. The program focuses on the expansion of the defense industry, taking place in a city that was once a "military-industrial city."

■ Producer Fumitoshi Murase's Comment

The Tokai three prefectures, which are Me-Tele's broadcast area, are one of Japan's leading centers for the military-industrial complex. Many viewers are unaware of this fact. With 80 years having passed since the war, I decided to investigate what kind of changes the government's strengthening of defense capabilities is bringing to this region. What I felt while continuing my research was a diminishing resistance to manufacturing weapons. The biggest market for the arms industry is the "battlefield." The development, production, and deployment of long-range missiles capable of directly attacking foreign countries, and the lifting of the ban on arms exports – their harmfulness cannot be eliminated. Is Japan's long-held belief in being a "peaceful nation" being greatly shaken? I am grateful that this award supports the questions embedded in the program.

■ Director Ryuta Sugawara's Comment

What I learned from covering the manufacturing sites was the reality that the defense industry is a "rational choice" for companies. If the customer is "the state," they are not swayed by private demand, and market expansion can be expected through the lifting of export bans. Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces contract at amounts commensurate with the work and provide financial support for corporate survival and expansion. But what kind of future awaits a world overflowing with weapons... As the "wind" of military buildup blows fiercely both domestically and internationally, I created this program hoping it would serve as a small aid in considering Japan's future path. I will continue to dedicate myself to program production with a grateful heart.

*Me-Tele will re-broadcast this work with the following details:

■ Program Title: "Me-Tele Documentary: Where Does the Wind Come From ~The Return of the Military-Industrial Complex~ (Re-broadcast)"

■ Broadcast: Friday, July 10, 2026, 1:45 PM - 2:42 PM

■ Broadcast Area: Tokai Region Local (Aichi, Gifu, Mie)

■ Streaming: Available for missed viewing on TVer and Locipo

■ Program HP: https://www.nagoyatv.com/document/archives/entry-47387.html