at 20:00 (JST), October 31 AS

Japan plans to urge South Korea to respond appropriately to the ruling by its Supreme Court on wartime compensation.

The New Zealand government says the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement will go into effect on December 30th.

Japan's ruling coalition has agreed to have the Diet pass at its current session a bill to allow more foreign workers in Japan.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20181031200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Japan plans to urge
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181031_15/

Japan plans to urge South Korea to respond appropriately to the ruling by its Supreme Court on wartime compensation. But it may ask for international arbitration if bilateral negotiations do not bear fruit.

The South Korean court ordered a Japanese firm on Tuesday to compensate 4 Korean men who say they were forced to work at steel mills during World War Two.

Japan takes the position that the issue of compensation was resolved in an agreement attached to the 1965 treaty that normalized bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the ruling impossible under international law.

Foreign Minister Taro Kono summoned South Korean Ambassador to Japan Lee Su-hoon and said the ruling fundamentally overturns the legal foundation of the friendly bilateral relations.

The Japanese government says it will first examine how the South Korean government responds to the ruling, and enter negotiations so Japanese businesses will not suffer undue disadvantages.

If it appears difficult to settle the issue directly between the 2 countries, the government will consider setting up an arbitration board including a third country, or to take the matter to an international court.

Key words : Kono has urged take a resolute
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181031_81/

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has urged South Korea to take a resolute response to the country's Supreme Court ruling regarding wartime compensation.

Kono had a telephone conversation with his South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha on Wednesday morning. This comes a day after the South Korean top court ordered a Japanese firm to pay compensation to 4 Korean men.

Kono told Kang that the requisition issue or the right to seek compensation was resolved at the time of normalization of bilateral relations in 1965.

Kono also said that he takes the ruling very gravely, as it fundamentally undermines the legal foundation for a treaty and an agreement, upon which bilateral relations have been based, since the 1965 normalization.

The 2 documents are the treaty on basic relations between Japan and South Korea and the agreement on the right to make claims between the 2 countries.

Kono added that based on the treaty and accord, the South Korean government should take a resolute response, which would not inflict unfair disadvantages to Japanese people and businesses.

After the telephone call, Kono told reporters that if the legal bases were damaged, there could be an impact on bilateral relations.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court in Seoul said that because the 4 Korean men were forced to work for Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal during Japan's colonial rule decades ago, they have the right to seek compensation. The court ordered the company to pay the men 88,000 dollars each.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Foreign Ministry says the country's foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha has told her Japanese counterpart that the government will study various factors before responding to the Supreme Court ruling regarding wartime compensation.

The ministry said Kang told Kono that the South Korean government will take the next step, after meticulously reviewing matters related to the ruling and considering the full range of relevant factors. She said the government will do so while respecting the decision made by the country's judiciary.

The ministry also said Kang and Kono underscored the need for the 2 countries to continue working together to advance bilateral relations.

Key words : south korea media reacted
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181031_28/

South Korean media outlets have reacted to a Supreme Court ruling regarding compensation for men who worked for a Japanese company during World War Two.

Some have praised the ruling. Others have expressed concerns about future relations between Japan and South Korea.

On Tuesday, South Korea's Supreme Court ordered what is now Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal to compensate 4 South Korean laborers. It says the men were forced to work in Japanese factories during the war.

The court ruled that the plaintiffs' rights to reparation were not terminated by a bilateral treaty signed in 1965.

The Wednesday edition of the conservative Chosunilbo newspaper reported that this is the first Supreme Court ruling, which requires a Japanese firm to compensate wartime laborers. The paper quoted an expert who called it a landmark ruling.

Based on a government survey, the newspaper said there are at least 140,000 South Koreans who may be eligible for the same kind of compensation.

The reformist Hankyoreh newspaper urged both the South Korean and Japanese governments to quickly respond to the ruling. It noted that the wartime laborers are elderly people.

Another conservative newspaper, Korea JoongAng Daily, reported that 2 of the 13 judges on the bench expressed the view that the South Korean government should compensate the laborers.

The paper expressed the concern that the decision could harm relations between Seoul and Tokyo. A former ambassador to Japan, quoted by the paper, warned that the ruling could have a negative impact on bilateral ties.

Key words : new zealand will go into effect 60 days
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181031_16/

The New Zealand government says the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement will go into effect on December 30th.

The announcement comes after ratification by a majority of member countries, 6 of the total 11. Australia was the latest to do so, enabling the pact to come into effect after 60 days.

The others who have already officially joined the TPP are Japan, Mexico, Singapore, New Zealand and Canada.

The 11 countries as a whole account for 13 percent of global GDP. Their pact will lower or eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers and create intellectual-property rules.

US President Donald Trump pulled out of the TPP in January 2017.

Since then, the 11 members have been working to revive and finalize the agreement.

Key words : coalition partner have agreed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181031_33/

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito have agreed to have the Diet pass at its current session a bill to allow more foreign workers in Japan.

Key officials of the LDP and Komeito met on Wednesday to discuss how to proceed with the bill to revise the immigration control law to raise the number of foreign workers from next April.

In the meeting, Komeito officials said they will speed up the procedure in their party so that the Cabinet can approve the bill on Friday.

The two parties confirmed their plan to submit the bill to the Diet soon and work closely so that it is passed in the session.
LDP Diet affairs chief Hiroshi Moriyama told reporters that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may attend the session if the opposition parties require his explanation.

Key words : Tamaki remark
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181031_39/

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki says he has again called on the central government to hold talks about the relocation of a US military base within the prefecture.

Tamaki's remarks come a day after land minister Keiichi Ishii issued an injunction to allow reclamation work necessary for the relocation. The decision effectively suspended the Okinawa Prefecture's revocation of a landfill permit to construct a new base for the relocation.

Tamaki said he revoked the permit lawfully, as the central government had failed to take action on issues including the recent discovery of a relatively soft and weak seabed in part of the planned relocation site.

He said going ahead with the work without discussing measures to protect the environment would be totally unacceptable.

The governor said that the relocation issue would not be resolved at this rate. He added that he has renewed a proposal for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Key words : Osaka malaysia
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Key words : major trading house
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181031_17/

Sources say a major Japanese trading house is feeling the effects of China's economic slowdown. Itochu Corporation will likely post about 900 million dollars in losses for a stake in a Chinese company.

The numbers are for the year through March 2019. The losses are despite Itochu's robust overall performance.

The stake is in Citic, China's largest government-affiliated conglomerate, acquired 3 years ago.

Chinese stock prices have been sluggish as the country's economy is losing steam. That has prompted Itochu to review the value of its asset, which is held as shares in Citic's core company.

Itochu has injected a total of about 5 billion dollars in Citic. The tie-up between major Japanese and Chinese companies has been drawing a lot of attention.

Despite the expected losses, Itochu is predicting a record net profit of 4.4 billion dollars for its entire operations in the same period.

The trading house is benefiting from high prices of natural resources, and growing earnings in a wide range of businesses, including textiles and construction.

Key words : driver derailed 18 passengers
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181031_37/

The driver of a high-speed train that derailed in Taiwan and left 18 passengers dead has apologized to their families at a joint memorial service.

The Puyuma Express jumped the tracks in the northeastern county of Yilan on October 21st. More than 200 people were injured in the accident.

On Wednesday, a memorial service was held for 16 of the victims in their home county of Taitung.

As participants were burning incense for the deceased, the train driver entered the funeral hall, knelt down in front of the altar and offered an apology.

The driver was questioned by investigators after the accident and later released.
He was discharged on Monday from the hospital where he had been receiving treatment.

A woman who lost 8 family members, including her parents, told the driver she is glad he survived to explain what happened. She wished him a speedy recovery and urged him to cooperate with the investigation. The driver wept as he promised to do so.

Taiwan's railway authorities are blaming the driver for exceeding the speed limit.

But Taiwanese media have cast doubt on the authorities' management of railways. They point out that trains of the same type as the derailed Puyuma Express are not equipped with remote-controlled safety devices.

A task force commissioned by Taiwan's Cabinet is looking into the cause of the accident.

Key words : Hawaii supreme court
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181031_32/

Hawaii's Supreme Court has approved construction of the world's largest telescope at a summit on the state's Big Island, overturning its decision of 3 years ago.

The ruling on Tuesday allows a resumption of building the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. The court said astronomy and native Hawaiian uses of the mountain have coexisted for many years, and that the project will not restrict such uses.

The telescope is to have a primary mirror with a 30-meter diameter and a height of 56 meters. Scientists say the telescope could revolutionize the current understanding of the universe by allowing discoveries of stars supporting life outside the solar system or celestial phenomena with clues to how the universe was born.

Native Hawaiians who revere the mountain as sacred have opposed the project. Its construction has been suspended since the court revoked its permit, saying the approval process was flawed.

A motion can be filed within 10 days to review the latest court decision, but opponents appear unhopeful about taking further legal procedures.

The head of the project issued a statement saying the project will pay respect to the island's culture and native Hawaiians, and expressing hope that it will contribute to their future.

Universities and astronomical observatories from 5 countries, including the United States and Japan, are involved in the project.

at 20:00 (JST), October 30 AS

South Korea's Supreme Court has ordered a Japanese steelmaker to pay 4 Korean men about 88 thousand dollars each in compensation for wartime labor.

Japan's Prime Minister says Tokyo will respond firmly to the South Korean Supreme Court ruling.

Japan's Defense Ministry is set to resume reclamation work in Okinawa for the view to relocating a US military base within the southern island prefecture.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20181030200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : south supreme court pay 4 korean men
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_40/

South Korea's Supreme Court has ordered a Japanese steelmaker to pay 4 Korean men 88 thousand dollars each. In upholding a lower court decision, it says they were forced to work for the company during colonial rule decades ago and therefore have the right to seek compensation.

Only one of the men has survived long enough to see the conclusion of the case. He went with supporters to hear the long-awaited ruling.

The court says the men have the right to seek compensation because of the company's inhumane and illegal acts against them.

This is the court's first ruling ordering Japanese companies to compensate Korean workers.

In 1997, some of the men launched a lawsuit with a Japanese court. But they lost.

So they filed the same lawsuit at home in 2005.

South Korea's lower courts had previously ruled against them because of a decades-old agreement that was made when the two countries normalized ties in the 60s.

But the country's Supreme Court upended those rulings in 2012 and said individual workers still have the right to seek compensation.

After hearing the ruling, the only remaining plaintiff told reporters he cried thinking about the long journey to this point and the fact the others weren't able to live to see their victory.

A wife of one of them says she wishes she could have told her husband about the ruling.

Key words : Abe respond firmly
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_44/

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Japan will respond firmly to the South Korean Supreme Court ruling on wartime compensation.

Abe told reporters on Tuesday that the 1965 bilateral agreement had already settled the issue of the right to seek compensation in a complete and final way.

He said the ruling is impossible in light of international law.

Key words : Kono respond appropriately
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_41/

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has urged South Korea to respond appropriately to Tuesday's ruling by the country's Supreme Court on wartime compensation.

The court ordered a Japanese firm to compensate 4 Korean men who say they were forced to work at steel mills during World War Two.

Kono summoned South Korean Ambassador to Japan Lee Su-hoon on Tuesday afternoon.

He said South Korea's government should take measures sternly and immediately so Japanese businesses or nationals will not be put at an unfair disadvantage.

Kono said the ruling obviously goes against a bilateral agreement that finally and fully settled the issue of the right to seek compensation.

He said it also fundamentally overturns the legal foundation of the friendly relations Japan and South Korea have built since normalizing ties in 1965.

Kono said this is unbelievable from the norm of the international community in which the rule of law prevails.

He added that it is extremely regrettable that he has to say this, given the efforts Tokyo and Seoul have made to develop future-oriented relations.

Key words : justice more foreign worker
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_29/

Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita says he wants to have this Diet session pass a bill that will allow more foreign workers in Japan.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's judicial affairs panel approved a bill to revise the immigration control law on Monday.

After 4 hours of deliberation, the panel agreed to establish a new residency status with the aim of increasing the number of foreign workers from April next year.

But the panel also approved a resolution, seeking stricter conditions to acquire the status.

Yamashita told reporters on Tuesday that he seriously accepts the various opinions and the resolution that were presented in the panel meeting.

He said he will make steady preparations for the system to be implemented.

The LDP is expected to complete in-party procedures by the end of the day.

The government is scheduled to gain Cabinet approval on Friday and then will submit the bill to the Diet.

Key words : defense ministry resume reclamation reduce accident
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_80/

Japan's Defense Ministry is set to resume reclamation work in Okinawa to relocate a US military base within the southern island prefecture.

Land minister Keiichi Ishii issued an injunction on Tuesday giving a green light to the work. His ministry has jurisdiction over the land reclamation law.

The Defense Ministry wants to build an airfield in Henoko, Nago City to relocate the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. It is presently located in a densely populated area.

But Okinawa Prefecture revoked the landfill permit for Henoko in August, honoring the wishes of late governor Takeshi Onaga who opposed the relocation plan.

The Defense Ministry responded by filing an objection in mid-October under the administrative complaint review act.

Land minister Ishii said his ministry studied documents presented by both sides of the dispute and decided to temporarily suspend Okinawa's decision.

Ishii said halting the reclamation work will cause economic losses and make it difficult to reduce accidents and noise near the Futenma base at an early date.

He also cited the possible adverse effect on the Japan-US alliance and other defense and diplomatic interests.

Following the land ministry's decision, Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said he intends to move ahead quickly with preparations to resume reclamation work. He said his ministry is proceeding under a consistent policy of easing the burden on Okinawa.

Meanwhile, Okinawa's Vice Governor Moritake Tomikawa says the land ministry's injunction that will allow reclamation work for a US military base is unreasonable.

He told reporters that he would determine whether the injunction has legal authority and if there are any other legal options and then brief the governor.

Key words : Tamaki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_33/

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki has criticized the land minister's injunction that gives a green light to reclamation work necessary to relocate a US military base within the prefecture. He suggested that the prefecture would consider referring the case to a governmental dispute management council.

Tamaki told reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday that the injunction has no substance and cannot be justified. He expressed anger at what he described as a decision that lacks fairness and impartiality.

Tamaki said the prefectural government will study the decision carefully and consider applying for screening by the Central and Local Government Dispute Management Council. The council is under the jurisdiction of the Internal Affairs Ministry.

The governor added that he will do everything in his power to realize his campaign pledge to allow no base construction at Henoko, the planned site.

Key words : Japanese government reinforce
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_20/

The Japanese government plans to reinforce its counter-terrorism unit within the Foreign Ministry to prepare for upcoming international events in the country.

Japan is set to host the G20 summit and the Rugby World Cup next year, as well as the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

The government is planning to strengthen the structure of the intelligence unit that monitors international terrorism amid increasing concerns over terrorist and cyber attacks.

The unit, which was set up 3 years ago, currently consists of about 90 members from the Foreign and Defense ministries, the National Police Agency and other government bodies.

The members, who are dispatched to 17 diplomatic missions abroad, are exchanging information with the local security and intelligence agencies.

Japanese officials say the unit's efforts led to the recent release of journalist Jumpei Yasuda who had been held by militants in Syria.

The officials say they want to increase the number of the unit members, as well as the number deployed abroad.

Key words : with only one week to go deadly attack
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_06/

With only one week to go before the US midterm elections, candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties are fiercely vying for control of Congress.

The latest opinion polls show President Donald Trump's party will likely retain a majority in the Senate. But a neck-and-neck race is widely expected for control of the House of Representatives.

Election campaigning was overshadowed by a string of explosives sent by an alleged Trump supporter to Democrats and media outlets, as well as by a deadly attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Democrats are criticizing Trump's aggressive posture, saying it drives social division in the US and promotes such hate crimes.

Meanwhile, Trump argued Democrats' lax immigration policy allows migrants to invade the US, referring to a caravan of about 6,000 migrants making its way through Mexico toward the US.

Voters will head to the polls on November 6th.

Key words : Saudi joint investigation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_39/

The chief prosecutors of Saudi Arabia and Turkey met in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Monday to discuss a joint investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The critic of the Saudi government was killed in the country's consulate in Istanbul. Turkish media report that a joint investigation is likely to include the consulate's premises.

Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters on Monday that cooperation between Turkish and Saudi investigators would benefit both countries and that the probe should be concluded as soon as possible.

He said the whole world is curious and all the truth should be revealed.

The foreign minister emphasized that his country would be pushing Saudi Arabia to reveal the truth, including the location of Khashoggi's body, which has not yet been found.

Saudi Arabia initially denied involvement of its officials in the killing but later acknowledged Turkish evidence showing it was premeditated.

Bargaining continues between the 2 countries as Saudi Arabia tries to draw the curtain on the case while Turkey presses for the truth.

Key words : China central bank
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_30/

China's central bank set the yuan's key rate at its lowest level in over 10 years. That's amid concerns about China's economy, on the back of the US-China trade disputes.

Officials at the People's Bank of China said on Tuesday they set the yuan's daily reference rate at 6.9574 per dollar, 0.28 percent lower from Monday's level. That's its lowest level since May 2008.

China's currency has been falling since April, when the trade friction with Washington started to take center stage.

Analysts say higher US treasury yields have also been putting pressure on the Renminbi.

Key words : Japanese doctor
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_18/

A Japanese doctor is warning about the risk of infectious diseases spreading among evacuees on the quake-and tsunami-stricken island of Sulawesi in Indonesia.

The doctor and a staff member of the Japanese Red Cross Society have spent about 2 weeks aiding survivors of the disaster late last month.

Indonesian authorities have confirmed 2,081 deaths from the quake and tsunami. More than 1,300 people remain unaccounted for.

Speaking at the Japan National Press Club on Monday, the Red Cross staff member noted the need to provide psychological care to the survivors.

She referred to 6-year-old twins in a village near the quake's epicenter. She said the fear of earthquakes left the girls unable to sleep or stay inside their house, forcing the family to live in a tent.

Many of the more than 200,000 evacuees are said to be living outdoors without access to toilets or baths.

The doctor said it will take time to install facilities that use water. He added prolonged evacuation could lead to the spread of infectious diseases.

He said asbestos used in some of the destroyed buildings could also pose a health hazard, and that continuous support is necessary for the disaster survivors.

Key words : Hiroshima
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181030_19/

The city of Hiroshima has launched a new tourism campaign designed to encourage visitors to stay longer and explore its atomic bomb heritage.

The Hiroshima Peace Tourism guide map, launched on Monday, aims to help tourists understand the history of the city and the devastation of the 1945 bombing.

Tourists can choose from 6 sightseeing routes on the campaign's official website, one of which passes by buildings that survived the attack, including the Atomic Bomb Dome.

Another route revolves around the revival of civic life in Hiroshima in the aftermath of the bombing. Each route is accompanied by a map and tourism information in both Japanese and English.

On Monday, city officials placed campaign leaflets at a tourism information center in the Peace Memorial Park.

At the city's iconic Atomic Bomb Dome, visitors were seen scanning a campaign board with their smartphones in order to see inside the remains of the bomb-hit building.

A 37-year-old man from Tokyo, who was visiting the site for the first time, said he was able to gain a deeper understanding by exploring the interior three-dimensionally.

at 20:00 (JST), October 29 AS

Indonesian authorities say a plane operated by Lion Air is believed to have crashed into the sea with 189 people on board.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held a talk summit in Tokyo on Monday.

Japan has launched a new satellite Ibuki-2 to observe greenhouse gases.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20181029200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Indonesian Authorities 189 people on heading
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_24/

Indonesian authorities say a plane operated by Lion Air is believed to have crashed into the sea with 189 people on board.

The Indonesian budget carrier says it lost contact with the aircraft after it took off from the capital Jakarta shortly after 6 AM on Monday. Lion Air says flight JT610 was heading for an island in northern Indonesia.

At a news conference, the Indonesian authorities showed footage of what they describe as fuel floating in the sea and some wreckage from the Boeing 737.

Search and rescue operations are underway.

A flight-tracking website, Flightradar24, shows the plane left Jakarta around 6:20 AM but stopped sending data while flying over the Java Sea.

Key words : Indonesian rescue black
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Key words : also provide
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_29/

Lion Air is an Indonesian budget airline that started service in 2000.

Its website says it offers flights connecting Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, and other cities in the country.

It also provides international flights to such destinations as Singapore and Malaysia. It operates up to 226 flights a day.

In 2004, at least 27 people were killed when a Lion Air jet overran the runway at an airport on Java. The accident left more than 60 people injured.

In 2013, a Lion Air plane crashed into the ocean off Bali after attempting to land, injuring 40 people.

Key words : crash of the Lion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_27/

The crash of the Lion Air plane is the latest in a series of fatal accidents involving Indonesian carriers.

In September of 1997, a passenger plane of the state-run airline Garuda Indonesia crashed on Sumatra Island, killing all 234 people on board. It is the worst air disaster in the country's history.

A passenger jet operated by the low-cost Mandala Airlines crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Medan, in northern Sumatra, in September of 2005. The accident killed more than 130 passengers and crewmembers.

A flight of the budget carrier AirAsia crashed off Kalimantan Island in December of 2014, killing all 162 people on board.

And, in August of 2015, a Trigana Air Service plane carrying 54 people crashed near the eastern Indonesian city of Oksibil. No one survived.

Key words : Abe and Indian
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_34/

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have met to discuss boosting cooperation.

It was their 12th summit to date and it began in Tokyo on Monday evening. The previous day, Abe invited Modi to his cottage in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Abe said strong ties between their countries offer great possibilities.

He said he wants to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world by building on the potential.

Modi said the friendly ties between India and Japan have been brought to a very high level. He said he wants to play an important role with Abe for the sake of Asia and the world.

The leaders are hoping to further economic alliances in the field of digital technology by promoting joint research into artificial intelligence.

Details from the talks have yet to be released. It's expected the 2 leaders agreed to enhance security cooperation by expanding joint military drills between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Indian military.

Their aim is to keep the Indian and Pacific Oceans free and open against the backdrop of China's increasing maritime activities in the South China Sea.

It's also expected that they agreed to jointly promote the development of northeastern India, which borders China and Myanmar.

Key words : exclusive interview New Delhi
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Key words : India agreed IT and
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_26/

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has agreed with Japan's trade minister to boost expert exchanges, particularly in IT and artificial intelligence.

Modi has been visiting Japan since Saturday. He met with Hiroshige Seko in Tokyo on Monday.

They confirmed that Japan and India will continue cooperating on infrastructure projects in third countries in Asia and Africa.

They also agreed to keep working for a substantive agreement on an Asia-Pacific free trade pact, or RCEP, by yearend.

India is seeing rapid economic growth. Japan is extending yen loans to India and encouraging businesses to invest there.

Key words : Brazilian chosen
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_17/

Brazilians have chosen far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro as their new president.

He beat leftist rival Fernando Haddad by about 10 percentage points in Sunday's run-off election. Brazil's presidential race is held every 4 years.

Bolsonaro called for an end to corruption and handouts to the poor, while Haddad was pro-worker. Bolsonaro had the backing of middle-income and wealthy voters who were dissatisfied with the present government.

The 63-year-old former military officer has been referred to as "Brazil's Trump." On the campaign trail, he promised to make Brazil great again, and made discriminatory comments about black people and women.

Fireworks went off across Brazil as soon as his victory became certain. More than 100,000 people celebrated in the streets of central Sao Paulo.

One man said he feels great and that Bolsonaro is Brazil's best choice for president.

The president-elect has yet to officially address the public following his victory. He has frequently accused the media of spreading fake news.

In a statement he read out to reporters outside his home, Bolsonaro said God gave him the mission to become president and that he will eliminate Communism and unite Brazil.

Police say clashes are erupting across the country between Bolsonaro's backers and opponents.

Key words : Authorities in China
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_23/

Authorities in China are turning to technology to protect villagers from a herd of 100 wild elephants.
Drones have been deployed to track the animals, giving residents time to prepare.

People who live in this village in southwest China are troubled by the elephants' frequent visits.

The video shows a giant creature taking a leisurely walk between houses.

It is swinging a bag of corn that it has scavenged.
The villager says an elephant destroyed his door.

Local forestry authorities hope unmanned drones will help residents stay safe and prevent damage.

They plan to track the elephants' movements and analyze activity patterns in a bid to issue early warnings about an approaching herd.

Key words : Japan has launched
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_14/

Japan has launched a new satellite to observe greenhouse gases. Ibuki-2, also known as GOSAT-2, will survey carbon dioxide and other global warming gases with greater precision than its predecessor.

An H2A rocket carrying the satellite lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at 1:08 PM on Monday.

The satellite was put into orbit 16 minutes later as planned at an altitude of around 612 kilometers.

Ibuki-2 was developed by the Environment Ministry, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the National Institute for Environmental Studies. The satellite is 5.8 meters long and weighs 1.8 tons.

Ibuki-2 will observe carbon dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide by using high-performance sensors that detect the infrared rays specific to each gas.

The satellite can measure carbon dioxide levels 8 times more accurately than its predecessor, Ibuki, which was launched in 2009.

Ibuki-2 can distinguish between carbon dioxide that occurs naturally and the CO2 created by industrial activities. It can also gather the data needed to estimate the density of hazardous PM 2.5 particles.

The satellite will begin full-scale observations in about 2-and-a-half months.

The Japanese government says Ibuki-2 will also monitor the greenhouse gas reductions mandated by the Paris Accord.

The H2A rocket also put into orbit an Earth observation satellite from the United Arab Emirates. This was Japan's third launch of a foreign satellite.

Key words : First ibuki
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Key words : wedding ceremony shipping company
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_22/

The wedding ceremony for Japan's Princess Ayako and company employee Kei Moriya was held on Monday at Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo.

The princess is the third and youngest daughter of the late Prince Takamado, a cousin of Emperor Akihito. Moriya works for a Japanese shipping company.

A messenger from the groom's family came to collect Princess Ayako at her residence in an Imperial rite. The princess then headed to Meiji Jingu in a car.

The princess joined Moriya at a shrine gate. They walked to the hall of the sacred dances, the venue for the wedding ceremony.

The couple's friends and shrine worshippers had been waiting for their arrival. They clapped and offered their congratulations.

Some 30 members of the couple's families attended the Shinto wedding ceremony that began shortly after 11:30 AM. Princess Ayako wore traditional clothing.

After a shrine priest recited a ritual prayer, the princess and Moriya exchanged nuptial cups and wedding rings before making their wedding vows.

Princess Ayako officially left the Imperial family after a notification of the marriage was submitted to a local government office on Monday.

Key words : increasing number
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181029_13/

An increasing number of businesses in Japan are setting prices of their goods and services based on the level of demand. The practice is known as "dynamic pricing."

Tickets for Japanese professional baseball games were recently sold this way through the Internet.

Visitors to the home stadium of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks paid different prices for seats in the same area for playoff games held this month.

Yahoo Japan used Artificial Intelligence to analyze past sales records. Non-aisle seats were priced at about 13 dollars less.

Hotels and airlines have already begun to use demand-based pricing. Universal Studios Japan plans to start adjusting admission fees next year by predicting daily visitor numbers.

A software development firm has put together a program to help clients introduce dynamic pricing. It says the response is good, as more and more firms are becoming aware of the financial benefits of flexible pricing.

at 20:00 (JST), October 28 AS

US law enforcement authorities are treating the deadly mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh as a hate crime.

Japan's Education Ministry says a record 144,000 students refused to go to school in fiscal 2017, which ended in March.

Japanese government says one-third of the14 industries it has talked to say they want highly skilled foreigners who would be granted long-term residence in Japan.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20181028200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : US law enforcement
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181028_80/

A shooting rampage at a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has left 11 people dead.
A 46-year-old male suspect is in custody and investigators suggest the attack was a hate crime.

A gunman opened a fire on Saturday morning at the Tree of Life synagogue during a prayer service.

The suspect was identified as Robert Bowers who lives in the neighborhood. According to witnesses he was yelling, "All Jews must die."

He had an assault rifle and 3 handguns. 6 people were wounded including 4 police officers.

US President Donald Trump told reporters it's a shame that mass shootings have been happening repeatedly in the country for years.
Trump also said armed guards should be deployed in religious facilities.

The synagogue is located in a residential area and there were many people gathering for Saturday morning prayer. Police are investigating the shooter's motives.

The news spread in Israel as well. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack in a video message. He said all of Israel is grieving with the families of the dead and its people stand together with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh.

US law enforcement authorities are treating the deadly mass shooting as a hate crime.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said on Saturday that the Department of Justice will file hate crime and other criminal charges against the suspect.

FBI officials told reporters that they will search his home and investigate his actions in recent days.

Investigators believe Bowers acted alone.

About 1,000 people have gathered in Pittsburgh to mourn the victims.

In response to calls on social media, they met in the evening near the synagogue where the attack occurred.

They sang a song in Hebrew expressing the determination not to cave in to fear.

They urged the importance of uniting by transcending faith.

Key words : Trump has described
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181028_09/

US President Donald Trump has described Saturday's deadly shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh as an "evil anti-Semitic attack" on humanity.

Speaking at a rally in the midwestern state of Illinois, he urged people to work together "to extract the poison of anti-Semitism" from the world.

Trump added that people "must unite to conquer hate."

He plans to visit the scene of the shooting in the near future.

Key words : leader turkey france
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181028_07/

The leaders of Russia, Turkey, France and Germany have called for the establishment of a committee by the end of this year. They hope the committee will write a new Syrian constitution to lay the groundwork for democratic elections.

The leaders met in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss how to end the protracted civil war in Syria. In attendance were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Russia backs the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey supports rebel forces.

The leaders issued a joint communique after the summit, stressing the need for a lasting ceasefire in Syria.

They also called for the convening of a committee by year-end to work on constitutional reform as a prelude to free and fair elections. They said a political process is needed to end the civil war.

At a news conference after the talks, the leaders noted that the Syrian people should decide the future of their country.

Little progress has been made since participants at a Syrian peace conference in January agreed to form the committee.

The Syrian civil war began in 2011. Government forces have retaken control of most areas previously held by rebels.
The northwestern province of Idlib is the last remaining major stronghold of opposition forces.

Under an agreement reached by Russia and Turkey last month, a demilitarized zone was set up in Idlib to avoid a full offensive by government troops. But concerns are rising that fighting may resume there.

Key words : Abe invited Indian
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Key words : education ministry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181028_03/

Japan's Education Ministry says a record 144,000 students refused to go to school in fiscal 2017, which ended in March.

A survey by the ministry found that the number of elementary and junior high school students refusing to attend classes for 30 days or more hit 144,031. The total excludes those who were absent due to illness or financial reasons.

The number was the highest since 1998, when the ministry began taking statistics. It is comprised of 35,032 elementary school students and 108,999 junior high school students.

Those who skipped school for 90 days or longer during the year accounted for 58.3 percent of the total.

The ministry said apathy associated with family problems is the most frequently cited reason for refusing to attend school.

Professor Mitsutoshi Yatsunami of Tokyo University of Science says the issue of truancy has become so complicated nowadays that it cannot be resolved only through efforts by schools.

Yatsunami says facilities such as free schools should be utilized so as to give the children alternative learning opportunities.

Key words : foreigner long
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181028_13/

The government says one-third of the14 industries it has talked to say they want highly skilled foreigners who would be granted long-term residence in Japan. The government held a hearing with 14 industries who are seeking foreign workers.

The government plans to submit to the current Diet session a bill to create 2 new categories of working residence status to address the country's labor shortage.

The hearing found that all of the industries, including agriculture, nursing and construction, want workers belonging to the first category, in which residence status would be granted for a maximum of 5 years.

Foreign workers who are certified to possess a certain level of skills or experience that are needed to work in a given field of work will be granted this status.

One-third of the industries also want workers who would be granted residence status under the second category, which is intended for those certified to have higher levels of relevant skills than those in the first category.

Residence status for these skilled workers could be renewed every 5 years, indefinitely, and the workers under this category could bring their spouses or children with them.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's subcommittee has been discussing the proposal since last week, and wants to form an opinion on Monday, while the opposition parties are demanding thorough deliberations in the Diet.

Key words : Tokyo police
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181028_16/

Tokyo police say a vehicle has been damaged by people wearing Halloween costumes in the Shibuya district.

The streets around Shibuya station were crowded with young people and foreigners until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police say Halloween revelers gathered around a small truck and overturned it at around 1 AM.

Fights also broke out. Some people were arrested for sexual offences.

Police officers are being deployed in the area again on Sunday evening.

at 20:00 (JST), October 27 AS

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping have shared the view they're determined to turn a new page in the relationship between the two countries.

A reactor at the Ikata nuclear power plant in western Japan has gone back online after being suspended for about one year.

The Mexican government is taking measures to stop more Central Americans from trekking north to seek refuge in the United States.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20181027200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Abe and new page
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181026_44/

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met in Beijing. Both say they're determined to turn a new page in the relationship between the two countries.

Xi said, "As the international situation changes, China and Japan are becoming increasingly dependent on one another.
Our countries also have a growing number of common interests and concerns on a multilateral level. The rapid changes in the world are providing China and Japan with opportunities for more cooperation on higher levels."

Abe said, "I want my visit to elevate the Japan-China relationship to a new phase, from competition to cooperation. Japan and China are neighbors and partners, and we will not be a threat to each other.
We need to maintain and keep developing fair and free trade systems. We also want to work with China on regional, as well as global, peace and stability initiatives. This is what the international community expects of us."

Abe's trip is the first official visit by a Japanese leader to China in 7 years.

Xi also reflected on historical issues between the 2 countries.
He said, "China and Japan have interacted for more than 2,000 years. Our peoples have been learning from each other for a long time, and growing. In that long history, there were also deplorable times and the Chinese people suffered tremendously."

Abe's visit comes as the countries commemorate the 40th anniversary of a peace and friendship treaty.

Their warm tone marks a change compared to a few years ago when relations were rockier.

Ties soured after the Japanese government purchased some of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea from their Japanese owner in 2012. Japan controls the islands. China and Taiwan claim them.

Free trade was a key agenda issue earlier in the day when Abe met with the Chinese Premier.
Li Keqiang said the 2 countries inked deals worth about 20 billion dollars. The leaders also said they'll set up a framework that will make it easier to work together on infrastructure projects in developing countries.

The boost in economic ties comes amid an escalating trade war between China and the US, and President Donald Trump's increasingly protectionist stance.

Abe and Li also agreed to coordinate efforts to get North Korea to denuclearize, and quickly set up a hotline to avoid accidents in the East China Sea.

Key words : Ikata
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181027_10/

A reactor at the Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, has gone back online after being suspended for about one year.

The No.3 reactor restarted on Saturday. Workers in the central control room removed the control rods that suppress nuclear fission at 30 minutes past midnight.

Shikoku Electric Power Company shut down the reactor last October for regular inspections. It was kept offline by an injunction issued 2 months later by the Hiroshima High Court.

The ruling was revoked last month by another judge at the High Court, paving the way for a restart.

Shikoku Electric says if the process goes smoothly, the Ikata reactor will likely reach criticality -- a self-sustaining nuclear reaction -- on Saturday night.

It is expected to begin power generation and transmission on Tuesday, and start commercial operations on November 28th.

Ikata Mayor Kiyohiko Takakado in a statement called on Shikoku Electric to continue pursuing safety and reliability at the plant, and provide highly transparent information disclosure.

Members of a civic group opposing the nuclear plant on Saturday staged a demonstration at the site. One participant said she has heard nuclear reactors are needed to ensure stable energy supplies, but she finds it problematic life-threatening radioactive materials are being used to generate power.

Key words : Mexican government
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181027_13/

The Mexican government is taking measures to stop more Central Americans from trekking north to seek refuge in the United States.

Local media say groups of hundreds of people in Guatemala are now heading toward the Mexican border.

This new exodus of people comes as a caravan of about 6,000 migrants is making its way through the southern part of Mexico toward the US.

The caravan began with about 160 people who left a Honduran town on October 13th in an attempt to escape poverty and poor security.

A number of the migrants have entered Mexico by swimming across a river along the border.

On Friday, an NHK crew met a group of about 300 people who appeared to have just entered Mexico.

A father with 3 young daughters said he cannot earn enough money to support his children in Honduras. He said he wants to live in the US.

US President Donald Trump has called on Mexico to stop the migrants. The Mexican government on Friday offered benefits to the migrants who register for asylum. They include temporary work permits and access to schooling for children.

But the government hinted at deportation if the migrants do not comply.

It has also deployed troops along the border with Guatemala.

Key words : Israel launched
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181027_14/

Israel has launched a large-scale air raid on the Gaza Strip, in response to a rocket attack from Gaza on the country.

The tit-for-tat exchange occurred after Israeli forces shot and killed 5 Palestinians who were among thousands of protestors who rallied along the border on Friday.

The Israeli military says after the shooting, about 30 rockets were launched from Gaza into Israel. Some of the projectiles were intercepted midair and no major damage was reported.

Israeli jets then attacked 80 sites in Gaza, including facilities of the Islamist group Hamas, which effectively controls the Strip.

A hospital building was reportedly damaged in the airstrike.

An NHK staff member in Gaza says the airstrike continued through the night, and described it as "very frightening."

Earlier this month, the Israeli military deployed a large number of tanks along the border with Gaza after protests by Palestinians intensified.

It was the first such large-scale deployment since 2014, when Israeli forces advanced into the territory, killing more than 2,000 people.

Key words : United Nations shipping
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181027_12/

The United Nations' shipping agency has compiled an action plan to address the issue of marine plastic litter from ships, amid mounting concerns over marine pollution from plastics worldwide.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization, or IMO, unanimously adopted the plan for 2025 at its session in London on Friday.

IMO has been working to step up measures to deal with plastic litter from ships, even though the discharge of plastics into the sea has generally been prohibited through an international treaty.

The action plan says a study will be conducted on the state of marine plastic litter, including the origins and amounts.

It also puts forward a number of other measures for consideration, such as tagging on fishing gear that could be plastic waste, and keeping a record of waste from ships.

The committee is chaired by Hideaki Saito, Director of the Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Division at the Maritime Bureau of Japan's transport ministry.

Saito said the compilation of the action plan on plastic waste was a big step forward, as the issue is a major international challenge. He also expressed hope to work with other international organizations to steadily address it.

Key words : top steel
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181027_11/

Japan's top steel manufacturer says it has won a joint bid to acquire bankrupt Indian steelmaker Essar Steel.

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal announced on Friday that creditors for India's 4th biggest steelmaker declared the Japanese company to be one of two successful bidders. The other is the world's leading steelmaker, ArcelorMittal.

The 2 firms will acquire Essar Steel for some 5.8 billion dollars. The manufacturer is presently under financial rehabilitation.

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal is expected to shoulder about half the purchase price, if the acquisition is officially approved through tribunal examinations.

The Japanese maker says the move would be one of its largest-ever acquisitions of a foreign company.

It describes India as one of the world's most promising steel markets.

Essar Steel manufactures steel products at its blast furnace complex in western India and markets them throughout the country. Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal expects the acquisition will help grow its Indian business.

at 20:00 (JST), October 26 AS

エラー 2042

A senior Qatari government official says his country provided information that helped to secure the release of Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda.

Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor says the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was premeditated, reversing its previous insistence that the killing was accidental.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20181026200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Abe held talks guest house
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Key words : Abe wrapped up news conference
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181026_26/

Japan's leader says the relationship between his country and China is entering a new phase, switching from competition to cooperation. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wrapped up talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The two agreed on a wide range of areas, including the economy and North Korea.

Abe is the first Japanese Prime Minister to make an official visit to Beijing in 7 years amid thawing relations between the two countries.

Abe told a news conference that, "Japan and China are strong partners and will not be a threat to each other. Premier Li and I have reaffirmed this clear principle in the talks we had a short while ago."

Chinese Premier Li said, "We need to perpetually move China-Japan relations forward and make sure we avoid any new hiccups."

There is a growing momentum for improved ties as this week marks the 40th anniversary of a peace and friendship treaty between the 2 nations.

Before this, relations had soured for years over history and territory.

Tensions heightened when the Japanese government purchased some of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea from their Japanese owner in 2012. Japan controls the islands. China and Taiwan claim them.

Abe says the 2 sides committed to work towards ensuring the waters are safe.

Abe said, "We agreed to cooperate in responding to maritime accidents in the East China Sea and to work towards expanding a communication mechanism by quickly setting up a hotline between defense officials, so that we can make the East China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship."

The Chinese premier says they also agreed on the importance of free trade.

Li said, "The situation around the world is unstable, with increasing uncertainties and a growing trend of anti-globalization. We both agreed that as countries that have great influence in the region and in the world, we need to actively safeguard free trade."

The comment comes amid an escalating trade war between China and the US, and President Donald Trump's increasingly protectionist stance.

The Japanese and Chinese leaders say they will boost cooperation on infrastructure projects in developing countries.

Another key issue they discussed was North Korea.

Abe said, "Japan and China have a big responsibility to ensure peace and stability in this region. We have agreed to fulfill this responsibility by cooperating with each other in achieving the denuclearization of North Korea, which is the common goal of both of our nations."

Abe's other priority is solving the abduction issue.

Japan maintains North Korean agents abducted a number of Japanese nationals in the 70s and 80s.
China is a traditional ally of the North.

And Li says Beijing wants to see Tokyo and Pyongyang's relationship improve.
Li said, "Lately, momentum for dialogue on the Korean Peninsula continues. We welcome this trend by all parties. We both agreed to further develop communication and cooperation on North Korea's nuclear issue. China supports Japan's efforts to improve its relationship with North Korea through dialogue and to resolve all unsettled issues."

Key words : agreed joint project
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181026_22/

On the sidelines of the Japan-China summit, the two countries agreed on joint projects to develop infrastructure in various countries.

About 1,400 business and government officials from both countries took part in the economic forum at the Great Hall of the People on Friday.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang were among them.

The two countries agreed to work together on a total of 52 joint projects.

They include urban development in a special economic zone in eastern Thailand, investment in offshore wind-power generation in Europe, and establishing a new fund with banks and securities firms.

China is aggressively investing in infrastructure for its Belt and Road initiative. Japan aims to strengthen its economic ties with Beijing by promoting projects based on international standards that also benefit third countries.

Key words : decided to resume
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181026_32/

During their summit in Beijing on Friday, Japan and China decided to resume a currency swap agreement, after about 5 years without one.

The new deal allows for up to about 30 billion dollars to be exchanged. That's 10 times higher than the limit of the previous deal.

The arrangement allows the central banks of the 2 countries to swap the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan in the event of a financial crisis.

Japanese firms operating in China will be able to receive funds in yuan from the People's Bank of China via the Bank of Japan.

In 2002, Japan and China signed a swap deal with a limit of about 2.9 billion dollars. It expired in 2013 as relations between the nations soured due to discord over the Senkaku islands.

Key words : senior Qatari
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181026_20/

A senior Qatari government official says his country provided information that helped to secure the release of Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda.

The official spoke to NHK on Thursday about the journalist who returned to Japan after being held hostage for more than 3 years by militants in Syria.

The official offered the Qatari government's congratulations to the government and the people of Japan on Yasuda's release and safe return.

He explained that Qatar and Turkey provided Japan with intelligence through diplomatic routes and counterterrorism agencies.

The official also suggested that his country cooperated with Japan through a contact framework that was launched at the Japanese government's request.

The Qatari government is expected to soon issue a statement that reflects what the official told NHK.

It is not known whether Qatar paid a ransom to the militant group in exchange for Yasuda's release.

Key words : Saudi premeditated
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181026_04/

Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor says the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was premeditated, reversing its previous insistence that the killing was accidental.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been jointly investigating his death at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul early this month. Khashoggi was a critic of the Saudi Arabian government.

In a statement issued on state TV on Thursday, the Saudi Arabian prosecutor said information from Turkey affirms that the suspects in Khashoggi's case premeditated their crime.

The statement represents a concession to Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that the murder was planned and savage.

The prosecutor's statement apparently shows that Saudi Arabia wants to draw the curtain on the case as soon as possible.

But the statement made no mention of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is suspected of involvement in the case.

The incident prompted senior officials of foreign governments and business leaders to boycott an economic forum hosted by the crown prince this week.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister Khalid Al-Falih said on state TV on Thursday that all the companies which pulled out of the conference have apologized for missing the event.

He added that the firms promised to apply to open offices in Saudi Arabia during the coming weeks and restore relationships to their norms.

Key words : Japanese college
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181026_25/

A Japanese college soccer team has visited North Korea to play a round of friendly matches, even as Japan and the international community apply sanctions against the country.

The players from Nippon Sport Science University stayed in Pyongyang for 4 days through Friday. Kenshiro Matsunami, chairman of the board of directors at the university, led the 43-member team.

North Korea's state-run television aired images from a packed stadium on Thursday, and reported that the sides took part in a tough contest before a passionate crowd.

Matsunami met with North Korean sports minister Kim Il Guk. He told the minister that the university plans to offer the use of its facility to North Korean athletes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Matsunami told reporters at an airport in Beijing on Friday that in keeping with the university's founding ethos, he wants to use sports to contribute to global peace.

The Japanese government has asked its citizens not to visit North Korea as part of its sanctions against the country.

Key words : most of the
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181026_27/

Most of the seismic damper makers doing business in Japan have told the infrastructure ministry that they haven't tampered with their products' quality control data.

The ministry said on Friday that 81 of the 86 makers deny wrongdoing related to results of pre-shipment inspections.

The ministry asked the firms to report on their inspections by Thursday after 2 major manufacturers -- KYB and Kawakin Holdings Group -- admitted to falsifying quality control data on quake shock absorbers.

The remaining 5 makers said they need more time to look into data or that officials in charge are on business trips overseas.

The ministry is asking the 5 to report their findings as soon as possible.

Infrastructure minister Keiichi Ishii told reporters that the data tampering cases are extremely regrettable.

Ishii said the ministry will set up a panel of outside experts to determine what caused the tampering and study ways to prevent a recurrence.

Key words : UN envoy
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181026_30/

A UN envoy has urged Japan to halt the return of children and young women to nuclear accident-hit Fukushima, calling the government's radiation exposure limit too lax. But the Japanese side is refuting the advice.

Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Baskut Tuncak on Thursday was speaking to a committee of the UN General Assembly.

The government set the exposure limit at 20 milisieverts per year as a condition for lifting evacuation orders issued for parts of the prefecture after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident.

Tuncak criticized the government for not taking into account the council's recommendation that the limit be one milisievert.

A Japanese delegate countered by saying the limit is based on a 2007 recommendation by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

He also said the government has been consulting Japanese experts on the matter, and that Tuncak's reports give Fukushima a negative reputation.

But Tuncak said the experts recommend that the annual limit be one milisievert in normal times. He added that risk remains as long as radiation levels exceed this threshold.

Tuncak urged Japan to apply the principle to children and women of reproductive age.

at 20:00 (JST), October 25 AS

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arrived in Beijing for a 3-day visit. It's the first official visit by a Japanese leader to China in 7 years.

エラー 2042

Tokyo's benchmark stock index plunged on Thursday to its lowest level in nearly 7 months, after steep declines in New York.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20181025200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Abe arrived
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_38/

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arrived in Beijing for a 3-day visit. It's the first official visit by a Japanese leader to China in 7 years.

Abe is scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday afternoon.

He will then attend a reception to mark 40 years since the Japan-China peace and friendship treaty took effect.

Abe will also meet China's President Xi Jinping on Friday.

Abe told reporters before he left Tokyo that he wants to reaffirm cooperation on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and resolving the abductions of Japanese nationals.

Japan maintains that at least 17 of its nationals were abducted by North Korean agents during the 1970s and 80s. Only 5 of them have returned.

Abe also said he wants to discuss strengthening free and fair trade and promoting peace and cooperation in the East China Sea.

Key words : Abe will have a successful
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_41/

The Chinese foreign ministry has expressed hope that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will have a successful visit to Beijing.

Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters on Thursday that she hopes Abe's visit will help both countries recognize each other as cooperative partners and help them improve and develop bilateral ties.

She also said that China is expecting the visit will be successful and bring about fruitful results.

Key words : news key word for today Japan and China peace and frendship treaty
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Key words : Yasuda return more than 3
#N/A


Key words : Tokyo stock index lowest level
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_31/

Tokyo's benchmark stock index plunged on Thursday to its lowest level in nearly 7 months, after steep declines in New York.

The Nikkei 225 ended at 21,268, down 822 points, or 3.72 percent from the previous day's close. That's its biggest fall in 2 weeks and lowest close since late March. All sectors flashed red.

The plunge came after a sharp decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wednesday that wiped out all its gains for the year.

Japanese semiconductor stocks were hammered after the tech-heavy Nasdaq plunged 4 percent on Wall Street.

Many US companies are releasing weak earnings outlooks, with some pointing the finger at the continuing US-China trade friction.

Many other markets in the Asia-Pacific region were lower, including the Shanghai Composite. The downtrend further knocked prices of shares of Japanese companies, particularly ones that do a lot of business in China.

Also weighing on market sentiment are Italy's budget controversy and Saudi Arabia, which is under fire over the death of a journalist.

Key words : peter
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_36/

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro says the US defense industry is overly dependent on raw materials and parts provided by China. He says the Trump administration will work with the sector to change that.

Navarro raised the issue during a speech on Wednesday. He pointed out that the US defense industry is relying on rare earths and other strategic raw materials from China. He also pointed out that some US night-vision devices have Chinese components.

Navarro argued that China is taking aim at the supply chain and industrial base of the US defense sector.

Navarro said the Trump administration, through cooperation with the private sector, will integrate national security policy with trade.

He indicated that the Trump administration will work with the defense industry to conduct a review of suppliers, with the aim of increasing the percentage of raw materials and parts from the US.

Key words : trans-pacific
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_32/

Parties to the Trans-Pacific Partnership are a step closer to seeing the major free trade pact go into effect after New Zealand on Thursday became the latest member country to ratify the deal.

The 11 Asia-Pacific nations are now just weeks away from getting ratification from the required majority of members.

The TPP will come into force 60 days after that happens, meaning it's likely to become operational early next year.

Japan, Mexico and Singapore have already completed the domestic procedures, and Australia and Vietnam are expected to do so by mid-November, achieving a majority of 6.

Sources say Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday that his country will also finish the procedures soon.

The success of the deal would represent a big turnaround for the TPP, which was left in doubt after the US pulled out last year.

Key words : cia director
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_30/

The Washington Post says CIA Director Gina Haspel has listened to a supposed audio recording of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In its online version on Wednesday, the paper quoted people familiar with Haspel's meetings as saying she heard the audio during her visit to Turkey.

The Saudi Arabian government says Khashoggi died inside its consulate in Istanbul as a result of a fistfight. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described his death as a "savage" and planned murder.

US President Donald Trump has called Saudi Arabia's handling of the journalist's death as the worst cover-up ever.

But Trump has suggested that he values the importance of the US-Saudi alliance as he is expecting a huge investment to the US.

The article does not refer to the detailed content of the audio recording. But it quotes a person familiar with the audio as saying it could put more pressure on the United States to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the death of Khashoggi.

Key words : thailand malaysia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_37/

The prime ministers of Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to cooperate on bringing peace to southern Thailand, where militant Muslim separatists are fighting for independence.

Thai Interim Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha met his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad in Bangkok on Wednesday. It's Mahathir's first visit to his northern neighbor since he took office again in May.

The 2 leaders discussed ongoing insurgency by Islamic secessionists in Thailand's southernmost provinces, near the Malaysian border.

Prayuth told reporters after the meeting that the 2 agreed to work together to solve the problem.

He said it is Thailand's domestic issue, but that the country's government can solve it more easily with help from Malaysia.

Mahathir pledged to help in any way possible to end the violence.

Under the agreement, Malaysia is expected to help mediate peace talks between the Thai government and Muslim insurgents who go back and forth across the border.

The rebels have intensified terror attacks in southern provinces of majority-Buddhist Thailand since 2004, killing at least 6,800 people, including civilian residents.

Key words : tohoku electric
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_33/

Tohoku Electric Power Company has told Miyagi Prefecture that it is going to decommission an aging reactor at its Onagawa nuclear power plant.

The 3 reactors at the plant in northeastern Japan have been offline since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The utility's president, Hiroya Harada, conveyed its decision to Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai on Thursday.

Harada explained that additional safety steps would create technical difficulties as the No.1 reactor is more than 30 years old. The measures are required under government regulations that were introduced after the 2011 disaster.

Murai asked Tohoku Electric Power to put top priority on safety in scrapping the reactor as the work is expected to take a long time. The governor also asked the utility to properly disclose information and maintain stable power supplies.

The utility hopes to put the 2 other reactors back into operation. The No.2 reactor is being checked by the nuclear regulator, and the firm is preparing to apply for an inspection of the No.3 reactor.

Utilities have decided to decommission 10 reactors at 7 plants, including Onagawa, since the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. They cite the huge cost of additional safety measures. These figures do not include the all 6 reactors at Fukushima Daiichi.

Key words : Toyota motor
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_23/

Toyota Motor has started sales of a car that lacks side-view mirrors. Instead, it uses cameras.

The cameras display images of the car's surroundings on monitors inside the vehicle, such as when a driver decides to change lanes.

Toyota says the cameras provide brighter images than mirrors, including when driving at night or in tunnels.

The system is optional and costs about 2,000 dollars. Currently, it is available for only one model.

Toyota's Senior Managing Officer, Yoshihiro Sawa says he hopes to lower the cost of the system by installing it in more vehicles.

Toyota says it is the first manufacturer to launch a mass-produced car using the camera system.

Key words : farmers in the city
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181025_25/

Farmers in the city of Tome in Miyagi Prefecture have started exporting their own brand of rice to make up for declining sales in Japan.

A ceremony was held on Thursday to mark the first overseas shipment of Hitomebore rice. Trucks left the warehouse with 13 tons of rice that will be shipped to other parts of Asia and the United States from the major rice-producing region.

This is the first batch of 938 tons of rice. The Miyagi-Tome agricultural cooperative will export the rice to 5 countries and territories, including Hong Kong and Australia. It's believed this will be one of the largest amounts of rice to be exported by an agricultural cooperative.

The rice was grown with less than half the usual amount of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers. In Hong Kong, it will be sold for nearly twice the domestic price.

The head of the agricultural cooperative, Isamu Sakakibara, said he wants to work with related organizations so that people overseas will choose the rice despite its high price. He says he wants to see the farmers rewarded for their efforts.

at 20:00 (JST), October 24 AS

Japan's Foreign Minister says Japanese embassy officials in Turkey have confirmed the man released by Syrian militants is freelance journalist Jumpei Yasuda.

Prime minister Shinzo Abe says he plans to focus on disaster reconstruction and social security reform in the new Diet session.

Officials at Japanese electronics maker NEC and South Korea's Samsung Electronics say they will jointly develop the next-generation 5G phone networks.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20181024200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Japanese embassy in turkey have confirmed video
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_80/

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono says Japanese embassy officials in Turkey have confirmed the man released by Syrian militants is freelance journalist Jumpei Yasuda.

Yasuda went missing 3 years ago after he entered Syria and was detained by militants in the country.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced late Tuesday that he had been notified by the Qatari government that Yasuda had been released and was at an immigration facility in the Turkish city of Antakya.

Kono told reporters at the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday afternoon that embassy officials met and identified Yasuda.

Kono added the journalist appears to be in good health, and that the government will arrange for him to return to Japan as soon as possible.

The governor of Turkey's Hatay Province showed a video and photos of Yasuda at the immigration facility.

In the video, Yasuda thanks everyone who has helped him. He says in English, "my name is Jumpei Yasuda, Japanese journalist. I was being held in Syria for 40 months. Now, I am in Turkey. Now, I am in safe condition."

The governor said he hopes to hand Yasuda over to the Japanese Embassy in Turkey on Wednesday, if possible.

Key words : journalist freed 4 days ago
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_28/

A group monitoring Syria's civil war says a Japanese journalist held by militants since June 2015 was freed 4 days ago, following negotiations led by the Qatari and Turkish governments.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Tuesday that it had obtained information regarding the handover of Japanese freelance journalist Jumpei Yasuda.

The group says the kidnappers had been holding Yasuda in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib.

It says they handed the journalist over to a military faction close to Turkish authorities 4 days ago, but that the announcement of his release was delayed for political purposes.

The group also says several people received "large sums of money in return for releasing him, despite Japan's rejection of making payments for fear of being considered a supporter of terrorist organizations."

The statement says the group obtained the information from a number of reliable sources. But it did not provide any information to back up the claims.

Japan has sent embassy officials to the location to verify his identity.

Key words : syria changing situation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_44/

An expert on Syria says changing situations in the Middle Eastern country may be behind militants' release of Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda.

Professor Hiroyuki Aoyama of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies was speaking about the timing of information sent to Japan's government concerning Yasuda's release late on Tuesday.

Aoyama said Syria's government under President Bashar al-Assad has gained the upper hand in the country's civil war, and that an end to the conflict is now in sight.

Aoyama said that given this situation, holding Yasuda hostage may have become more of a burden for the militants.

He also referred to assistance from the Qatari government in securing Yasuda's release. He said Qatar, like Turkey, supports the opposition forces in the war and can exert influence.

Aoyama said Qatar had played an intermediary role in negotiations with opposition forces on releasing other foreign hostages.

Key words : Saudi crown speak in the
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_46/

Saudi Arabia's crown prince is expected to address an economic forum in Riyadh on Wednesday, amid calls for the kingdom to get to the bottom of the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Organizers of the forum that opened on Tuesday say arrangements are underway for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to speak in the afternoon.

Attention is focused on whether the crown prince will refer to the killing of Khashoggi earlier this month at a Saudi consulate in Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday described Khashoggi's death as a planned and "savage" murder.

US President Donald Trump called the kingdom's handling of his death the worst cover-up ever.

The incident prompted a number of prominent figures to cancel their plans to attend the forum, known as "Davos in the Desert."

The Saudis appear to be desperate to dispel the image of their country being isolated because of the case.

They emphasize that the leaders of friendly countries, including Jordanian King Abdullah, were invited to the forum.

State-run oil firm Saudi Aramco says it exchanged memorandums of understanding on investment cooperation worth about 35 billion dollars in total with Japanese and US companies.

Key words : Abe plans to focus
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_41/

Japan's prime minister says he plans to focus on disaster reconstruction and social security reform in the new Diet session.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe began it with a policy speech to lawmakers.

He said, "I will make Japan a leader in a rapidly changing world. And I will spearhead this effort for the next 3 years."

Abe said the ruling coalition hopes to pass a bill that would free up more money to help areas hard hit by disasters this year.

A powerful earthquake struck Japan's northernmost prefecture last month, and torrential rains devastated parts of western Japan in July.

The prime minister also said he wants to introduce legislation that would allow people to keep working beyond the usual retirement age of 65.

Japan's demographics are aging and its birthrate is declining.

Abe added that he wants to change immigration laws to make it easier for foreigners to work in the country.

The prime minister also wants to put forward plans to amend the Constitution.

One proposal will seek to clearly define the existence of the Self-Defense Forces, an issue that continues to divide public opinion.

Abe would need to win over parties that remain against the plan.

Opposition parties say they plan to push for thorough debate on revising immigration law and the Constitutional amendment.

The current session runs until December 10th.

Key words : mayor
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_40/

The mayor of a city north of Tokyo adjacent to the host village of the Tokai No.2 nuclear power plant has voiced opposition to putting its reactor back online.

The facility, operated by Japan Atomic Power Company, has met government requirements introduced after the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

It is also expected to win approval next month for extended operation, though it is 40 years old.

Attention is focused on whether the operator can obtain consent from Tokai Village, where the plant is located, and 5 nearby cities before it can restart the reactor.

Naka City Mayor Toru Umino on Wednesday met citizens opposed to the restart.

He said he has no choice but to say no, as it's impossible to draw up a plan to evacuate 960,000 residents in the area.

Umino is the first mayor among those of the 6 municipalities to voice opposition to the restart.

He later said he will ask the company whether the restart will be put on hold if even one of the 6 opposes the plan.

Key words : panel entrance exam
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_24/

A panel investigating irregularities in entrance exams given by Tokyo Medical University says a total of 55 female applicants were made to fail the exams in 2017 and 2018 despite scoring marks above the passing level.

In an interim report issued on Tuesday, the panel said 11 of the female applicants suffered this discriminatory treatment last year and 44 others this year.

The third-party panel was set up by the university after revelations that it had for years manipulated entrance exam results by lowering the scores of female exam takers and repeat applicants.

The panel says admission decisions based on gender significantly run counter to the principle of impartiality and the requirement for fairness in entrance exams.

The panel urged the university to recognize that those female applicants should have passed the entrance exams.

The university says it will decide what to do on the matter by early November.

Key words : group of women
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_35/

A group of women who failed the entrance exam at Tokyo Medical University plans to demand that the school disclose the test results and pay back exam fees.

Lawyers for the women revealed on Wednesday that some 20 former applicants who took the entrance exam from 2006 through this year will press their demands on Monday. They will also seek about 900 dollars in compensation for each exam they took.

It is the first such action by former exam takers since it was found that the university discriminated against female applicants.

Lawyer Yumi Itakura expressed hope that the university will respond to their demands. She said the group will consider seeking damages in court.

Key words : electronics maker
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_38/

Officials at Japanese electronics maker NEC and South Korea's Samsung Electronics say they will jointly develop the next-generation 5G phone networks.

Experts say communications over 5G will be about 10 times faster than the current standard.

Officials at the 2 firms say they will develop base stations -- and also push sales. The move comes as major Japanese mobile carriers plan to start trials of the technology from next year.

Each firm has its own expertise. NEC is said to excel in compact base stations. Samsung Electronics has knowhow in high-frequency wave technology.

NEC hopes the deal will help it claw back domestic sales for base stations. That's a market in which shares by Japanese manufacturers have fallen to around 30-percent. Meanwhile Chinese and European competitors are increasing their dominance.

Samsung Electronics has indicated it wants the joint venture to help boost its presence in the US.

Key words : Japanese government extend yen
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181024_42/

The Japanese government has agreed to extend additional yen loan to Indonesia for a subway project in Jakarta, the capital of the Southeast Asian country.

The project to build a 15.7 kilometer subway line is underway by a consortium made up of Japanese and local companies, using a yen loan.

The projected line will connect the northern and southern areas of Jakarta, running through the center of the city. It will be Indonesia's first subway system, and is scheduled to be completed in March next year.

The Indonesian government has decided to extend the line by 7.8 kilometers to the north. The additional line is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

The governments of the 2 countries agreed on Wednesday that Japan's new loan of about 600 million dollars will be used to finance tunnel construction and procure subway cars.

The subway extension is expected to help ease traffic congestion in Jakarta, which is said to be one of the heaviest in the world. It causes serious air pollution and economic loss.

In a separate move, China, after a fierce bidding competition with Japan, won a contract in Indonesia in 2015 to build a high-speed railway. But the project has been behind schedule due to financial problems.

Japan hopes to get more contracts to improve infrastructure in Indonesia by successfully completing the subway extension project.