NHK Radio 1 (NHK R1) is Japan's oldest and most prominent public radio station, operated by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). Broadcasting from Tokyo on 594 kHz AM, it began operations on July 12, 1925. NHK R1 offers a diverse range of programming, including news, current affairs, and informational content. The station's format is comparable to BBC Radio 4 in the UK or NPR in the US. During World War II, it served as a channel for official announcements. Today, NHK R1 continues to be a primary source of news and information for listeners across Japan, maintaining its role as a key public broadcasting service.