Advanced students of Japanese language might want to tune in to the late-night comedy show "Matthew's Best Hit TV" this week (TV Asahi, Wednesday, 11:15 p.m.). One of the show's regular features is a segment called "Namari Tei," which translates as "Dialect Theater." Guest celebrities, who in most cases assumed a generic Japanese accent when they entered show business, demonstrate the regional accents that they grew up speaking in whatever region of the country they happen to be from.
This week, host Matthew Minami presents an entire special program about dialects, culminating in the "Namari Yoga Gekijo," or "Dialect Western Movie Theater." Guests, such as actor Toshiro Yanagiba from Akita and talent Reina Tanaka from Fukuoka, will supply voices for a dubbed version of the Demi Moore movie "Ghost" using their regional accents.
Sept. 1 is the anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and as usual there will be many events marking the tragedy, including public emergency drills. NHK's general channel will present two special programs that night about earthquakes.