Japanese broadcaster NHK announces launch of 24-hour news channel

Japan's public broadcaster NHK has announced the launch of a 24-hour news channel.  The first of its kind in the country NHK World TV will provide news in English that is focused on Asia and Japan, and will be available in 70 countries and regions via satellite, cable and the Internet.  The service will not however be available in Japan due to broadcasting laws.

NHK Vice President Yoshinori Imai has hopes that NHK World TV will "join the ranks of CNN International and BBC World Service" and hopes that it will "earn a reputation for strong coverage of Japan and Asia news."  The channel will run 30-minute news bulletins every hour, and also include documentaries and other features.  NHK World Service joins the likes of France 24 and Al Jazeera English, showing the diversifying of international news services away from US and UK based channels.