The Unique Production Process of the Thai Section of NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN

Abstract

This article is a part of the research entitled “The Uniqueness of Program Production of NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN, Thai Section”. The research was aimed to explore the uniqueness of the production process of the Thai language programs of NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN and to understand how the Japanese producers and the Thai production staffs work together. This study is a qualitative research applying the methods of interview and in-situ observations at NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN office in Tokyo, Japan including collecting data from NHK WORLD’s website and related documents from the Thai section of Radio Japan. The results indicated that there are five main stages of production process: 1. Creating an Idea and Planning, 2. Collecting Data for Preparation, 3. Script Writing, 4. Rehearsal, and 5. the On-Air stage. Japanese producer begins the process from the stage of Creating idea and Planning to the On-Air stage. The uniqueness of
Japanese producer’s work consists of three stages: (1) Write the script in Japanese first, translate into English for other foreign language sections including the Thai Section, then Thai specialist/ announcer translates it into Thai. (2) Japanese producer as the program director runs the Rehearsal by holding the “Discussion Meeting”, reads the script together with Thai staff in order to monitor and proof check the content validity, translation, pronunciation and time. (3) Japanese producer who is in charge of program director and controller continues to run the On-Air stage promptly after the Discussion Meeting