Radio station recommendations

I am over iPods and mp3. I have bought a transistor radio!

Any recommendations for stations (AM or FM) or programs to listen to in Japan? Please specify frequencies.

I understand quite a bit of Japanese, and I am most interested in music, culture or sound content. Or politics and contemporary commentary.

I am hopeful that in a population of 130 million there is something worth tuning in to.

It depends on where you are.

I come from a country (Australia) where some of the stations have nationwide coverage.

OK -well, I spend most of my time in Tokyo and Kansai, and occasionally in Tohoku and Hokkaido.

So I am interested in any good recommendations for radio listening an any of those areas.
That includes US bases that broadcast. But really, all tips welcome.

list of radio stations in Tokyo (including local FM stations)
http://tvtokyo.com/
http://peter.rd.dnc.ac.jp/ice/syumi/radio_TYO.html
http://www.medianetjapan.com/town/entertainment/kamome/houso...

list of major radio stations in big cities
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_radio_stations_in_Asia...
http://www.sanyo-audio.com/icr/common/areaband.html

extensive nationwide list of radio stations
http://radiotime.com/region/c_101255/Japan.aspx
http://asakano-web.hp.infoseek.co.jp/radio.html
http://www.denpa-data.com/denpadata/index.htm

In Tokyo, NHK, TBS, JOQR and JOLF are major AM stations; NHK, Tokyo FM and J-WAVE are major FM stations.

Very comprehensive list! Sorry it has taken a while to respond.

I am in rural Nara now; Shiga last week and Nagano before that. I have my transistor on, but I am not picking up much. Certainly none of the major urban frequencies.

It is just a small radio, and there are mountains around ...

I have picked up a few chatty programs and once a 'nostalgic favourites' (enka) show, but so far that's all.

I get the impression that radio is not a part of the country lifestyle day around here, let alone background music for work. But I will keep listening.

I have a few city days coming up (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya), so I will try there as well.