Location: NHK Archives, Tokyo or Osaka
Application Deadline: 30 June (4pm Japan Time)

(Description below paraphrased/summarized by Travis, from NHK Japanese-language website. I apologize for any mis-translations or mis-representations. Please consult the NHK page for official description and terms)

Program Description
NHK is currently accepting applications from scholars applying to gain access to NHK’s archives of TV and radio programs, and films, for research purposes. The archive includes roughly 650,000 documentary films, and episodes of TV dramas, children’s programming, music & entertainment programs, and anime (with a focus on 1981 to the present; many earlier programs are also available, but no guarantees are made that any particular program from earlier years will necessarily be available). News programs are not accessible through this program.

Successful applicants will be provided with an orientation to the NHK archives, and access to the archives for a period in September through November 2017. They are then expected to submit to NHK a copy of the resulting research paper within roughly 18 months later.

Application Process
A form is provided on the application website, for describing the applicant’s research project. Applications are due on 30 June, by 4pm Japan time.

NHK staff and professional academics will review applications in July. Selected applicants will be notified by email, and the selections will also be posted online, by the end of July.

This process repeats every few months. There are multiple opportunities to apply later in the year, or next year, as well, with a September deadline for Dec 2017 – Feb 2018 access to the archives, a December deadline for March – May 2018 access to the archives, etc.

For further information and online application, see: http://www.nhk.or.jp/archives/academic/