On March 22, 1925, Japan's first-ever radio broadcast went on air. As the 100-year milestone approaches in 2025, a special public live broadcast of NHK Sapporo Broadcasting Station's monthly radio show "Hokkaido no Nanika," hosted by announcer Koutarou Kando, was held here in Hokkaido on Saturday, March 15th. Welcoming personalities from four of Hokkaido's commercial radio stations—who rarely have the chance to speak together—the "100 Minutes to Celebrate 100 Years of Japanese Radio in Hokkaido" was broadcast to fans.

The public live broadcast of NHK Radio 1's "Hokkaido no Nanika" was held at COCONO SUSUKINO

"Hokkaido no Nanika" (Something in Hokkaido), which airs once a month on NHK Radio 1, is hosted by NHK announcer Koutarou Kando. It's a program where Kando travels across Hokkaido's 179 municipalities to find the "something" that listeners have submitted.

Today's show was a public live broadcast from the open radio studio "MID.αSTUDIO" on the first floor of COCONO SUSUKINO! A large crowd of radio fans had gathered at the venue even before the broadcast began. As everyone waited in anticipation... the show started at 1:05 PM. A crackly, noise-filled audio clip from NHK Sapporo's 25th anniversary began to play—a compilation of NHK radio sounds from 1953.

With the opening jingle, the public live broadcast of "Hokkaido no Nanika" kicked off, enveloped in the applause and cheers of the large audience.

Some audience members held up handmade fans

During the opening, a 13-year-old boy from Obihiro with the radio name "Mumei" (Anonymous) was called up by Kando for an impromptu appearance in the studio. He was tasked with introducing the special segment "Quiz Hyakunen Manten" (Quiz: 100 Years, Perfect Score). The listeners gave Mumei a warm round of applause. This welcoming spirit is the charm of radio programs.

Next up was a regular segment, featuring a report by Kando from Nishi-Okoppe Village, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. He played audio from street interviews on the theme, "What makes the people of Nishi-Okoppe Village happy?" This included the familiar "dog interview." He spoke to Ron, a Chihuahua and Dachshund mix.

Kando: "Is Nishi-Okoppe a good place? Have you felt the effects of rising prices?"
Ron: "Woof! Woof!! Woof!!!"

This rather unconventional interview audio brought a wave of laughter from the venue. As the lively talk continued, the crowd grew larger and larger. Some people were even holding handmade fans with Kando's face printed on them...!

NHK's Koutarou Kando in the green shirt in the foreground. Waving in the back is Ayaka Suzuki from FM Hokkaido.

Radio broadcasting in Hokkaido began at 11:00 AM on June 5, 1928. With the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido radio approaching in June 2028, what should be done to celebrate? Starting at 2:05 PM, a "planning meeting" was held with the guests to discuss just that.

First to appear in the studio were Ayaka Suzuki from FM Hokkaido (AIR-G') and Yamata from FM NORTH WAVE. Fans of each personality were in the audience, welcoming them with applause. They started with a 100-second self-introduction. Suzuki played a special jingle that condensed AIR-G's 43-year history, while Yamata, accompanied by the soothing sounds of a "sazanami drum," talked about his love for saunas and his band, HAMBURGER BOYS.

In the middle is Yamata from FM NORTH WAVE

The lively conversation continued as they read various suggestions from listeners for Hokkaido's 100th year of broadcasting.

Yamata: "It would be great if we could increase opportunities for children to experience sending a request to a radio show and having it played on air."

Suzuki: "It's rare to meet everyone from the other stations. I hope we have more opportunities like this to plan fun things together."

Each offered proposals for the future of radio. Listeners also sent in various messages, such as "It would be cool if broadcasts were played at ski resorts," and "I hope radio continues to be a medium where we can feel a connection with the personalities and other listeners."

Kando: "I think it's best to steadily expand these connections. How can the stations join forces to make that happen?"

Suzuki: "How about a drinking party?"

Suzuki's comment received a huge round of applause from the audience!

Doing on-location broadcasts across Hokkaido and having drinking parties with local listeners... what a truly exciting proposal. The fun time flew by in an instant.

In the middle is STV's Yoji Kimura, a household name in Hokkaido. On the right is Ayumi Yamane from HBC Radio.

The next guests arrived. First up was Ayumi Yamane, famous for HBC Radio's "Carnavi Radio Gogo Ichiban!," with her 100-second introduction. She gave a lively self-introduction with the show's original song, "Radio wa Mahou no Shuuhasuu" (Radio is a Magical Frequency), a tune filled with love for radio created together with listeners, playing in the background.

Next was announcer Yoji Kimura, fresh from finishing his STV Radio broadcast of "Gokigen Yoji" just two hours earlier. A famous announcer also well-known on TV, he shared an anecdote about taking the NHK entrance exam in the past and unfortunately not passing. "I screamed in my heart, 'Just you wait, NHK!!'... but now, 43 years later, I'm on a live NHK Sapporo program," he said reflectively, with a touch of humor.

The venue was filled with a warm atmosphere from start to finish

Yamane let slip, "It's easier to talk on the radio, and I can be more myself. I'm not good with cameras..." despite there being a TV news camera right in front of her. Her flustered correction drew laughter from the crowd.

The venue was buzzing with a unified energy, and you could even feel a groove in the room. But before we knew it, there were only two minutes of broadcast time left...! Fun times really do fly by.

Kimura: "Seeing all these smiles, maybe the mission of radio is laughter."

At the end of the program, a recap of the two hours. What will be done for Hokkaido's 100th year of radio?

Kando: "In the last segment, we decided to do on-location broadcasts across Hokkaido and have drinking parties with listeners at night..."

Yamane: "I want to do it!" (Instantly)
Kimura: "Sounds good to me, doesn't it?" (Instantly)

The conclusion reached after about 50 minutes of discussion received a resounding, hands-in-the-air approval from all the personalities and the audience. It's true, commercial stations used to organize tour events for their programs back in the day. It felt like everyone's hearts came together for the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido radio.

Kando: "Since this is NHK, please make sure the drinking parties don't involve any sponsors (laughs)."

The ending talk was wrapped in thunderous applause. From beginning to end, over 100 listeners gathered for a hugely exciting live broadcast. It was a whirlwind of a time that reaffirmed that radio, while lacking visuals, is a special medium where you can feel the connection between people.

This broadcast is available on-demand on "Radiru★Radiru" until Saturday, March 22nd.

After the public live broadcast, which was filled with love for radio, we asked some listeners about their "feelings about radio."

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