Authorities in Japan say at least 25 people have died in a suspected arson attack in Kyoto.
Tokyo says Seoul has until midnight Thursday to respond to its request to enter into third-party arbitration over a wartime labor dispute.
Japanese officials say the country posted a trade deficit for the first six months of the year amid trade tensions between the US and China.
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Key words : 25 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_51/
Police have confirmed 25 people have died in a suspected arson attack in Kyoto. They say 36 others were injured and five others are still unaccounted for.
The fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at the studio of Kyoto Animation. It took firefighters nearly five hours to extinguish the blaze. Officials say about 70 people were in the building at the time of the fire.
Police say one suspect, believed to be in his 40s, has been taken into custody.
The man was reportedly seen pouring a flammable liquid inside the building before it went up in flames. Witnesses also say he was heard yelling "die" in Japanese.
NHK has just obtained footage of the suspect being apprehended. He is now being treated at a nearby hospital.
The circumstances leading up to the alleged arson are still unclear. But the head of the studio said that he had recently received some threatening emails.
President of Kyoto Animation, Hideaki Hatta, said, "They were addressed to our office and sales department and told us to "die"."
Kyoto Animation has been in operation since 1981 and has gained critical acclaim around the world.
The company has produced a number of popular shows such as "K-On" and "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya."
The series was known for its dance sequences at the end of each episode. Its popularity surged when fans began posting videos of themselves dancing to the song "Hare-Hare-Yukai."
An expert says the studio has had an indelible impact on Japan's animation industry.
Visiting Professor of Meiji University, Ryusuke Hikawa said, "The name of Kyoto Animation is a strong brand with its sophisticated directorial and production techniques."
He added that Kyoto Animation is known as the first successful studio outside Tokyo.
Key words : Kyoto animation number of producer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_39/
Kyoto Animation, whose studio was attacked in a suspected arson on Thursday, has been in operation since 1981.
According to its website, the company has about 160 employees. The company's head office is in Uji City in Kyoto.
Over the past 20 years, the company has produced a number of popular animation shows, such as "K-On" and "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya."
Visiting Professor Ryusuke Hikawa of Meiji University says that "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya," which was originally created in 2006 as a TV series, was one of the first Japanese animations to become popular overseas, including in the United States.
The series was particularly popular for its set sequence at the end of each installment, with the main characters dancing to the music, titled "Hare-Hare-Yukai." Animation fans posted the videos of themselves mimicking the dancing. The online phenomena symbolized global popularity of Japanese animations.
Professor Hikawa says that Kyoto Animation has established a brand name as the producer of animations with high-quality images and scripts.
He says that Kyoto Animation is known as the first successful studio outside Tokyo.
He says Kyoto Animation has made a valuable contribution to Japan's animation industry. He says he is shocked to hear the news about the fire.
Key words : midnight
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_43/
Turning to ongoing tensions between Japan and South Korea. Tokyo says Seoul has until midnight Thursday to respond to its request to enter into third-party arbitration over a wartime labor dispute.
The issue reignited last year when South Korea's Supreme Court ordered Japanese companies to pay damages to plaintiffs who say they were forced to work for the firms during World War 2. The plaintiffs have begun court procedures for selling off some assets seized from the firms.
Japan maintains the right to claim compensation was settled under a bilateral agreement in 1965, when the two countries normalized relations.
Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura said, "South Korea has until 12 o'clock midnight to accept arbitration, based on its obligation under the bilateral agreement. We would like to keep pressing South Korea to follow the procedure."
But South Korea's Foreign Ministry says it is not obliged to accept the request.
South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kim In-chul said, "The date is unilaterally and arbitrarily set by Japan. Why do we need to be restrained?"
If Seoul doesn't meet the deadline, Tokyo is expected to step up pressure on the country. That could include taking the issue to the International Court of Justice.
Key words : south central bank
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_19/
South Korea's central bank has unexpectedly cut its key interest rate for the first time in more than three years. It cited ongoing US-China trade tensions, and also said it will closely monitor export restrictions recently announced by Japan.
The Bank of Korea said on Thursday its Monetary Policy Board voted to cut its policy rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 1.5 percent.
The central bank says the Board believes the pace of global economic growth is continuing to slow, mainly due to the trade dispute between the US and China.
The Yonhap news agency says Japan's curbs on some exports bound for South Korea are adding to concerns over the economic outlook.
The restrictions affect key materials used in the production of semiconductors and display panels. South Korea is one of the world's biggest chipmakers.
Key words : Japanese official posted
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_29/
Japanese officials say the country posted a trade deficit for the first six months of the year amid trade tensions between the US and China.
The Finance Ministry says the deficit for the January to June period was more than 888 billion yen, or about 8.2 billion dollars. It was the second six-month stretch in a row that saw a trade balance dip into the red.
Exports fell 4.7 percent and imports declined 1.1 percent from last year. It was the first time in five periods that both figures declined.
Exports to China fell 8.2 percent amid the country's economic slowdown. The figures for chip-making equipment dropped 21.4 percent and auto parts also fell 18.2 percent.
Key words : Japan call for
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_03/
Japan is to call for abolishing import restrictions on Japanese food introduced after the 2011 nuclear accident in the country at a World Trade Organization meeting on Thursday.
Twenty-two countries and regions, including South Korea, China and the European Union, have import curbs on Japanese food.
The Japanese government filed a complaint with the WTO against South Korea's import ban on fisheries products from Fukushima and several other prefectures. But its claim was dismissed in April.
A meeting on food safety will be held at the WTO headquarters in Geneva on Thursday, with Japanese produce on the agenda.
Many of the countries and regions maintaining restrictions on Japanese food are expected to attend.
It will be the first time for Japan to submit an appeal on the matter to an WTO meeting since the April decision.
Japanese officials will contend that food safety is ensured, and the country is ready to accept inspectors. They will call for the abolition and easing of the restrictions as soon as possible.
Key words : Japanese government says briefing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_33/
The Japanese government says officials from its embassy in Washington will attend a briefing on a US initiative to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura made the remark at a news conference on Thursday.
The US administration arranged Friday's meeting after a series of attacks on tankers in the Gulf region. Washington has blamed Iran for the attacks, but Tehran denies the allegation.
The US Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, says he will explain the initiative to form a coalition of like-minded nations to ensure the safe passage of vessels in the key oil shipping lane.
Nishimura said Japan will appropriately respond to the briefing. He also said Japan and the US have been in close contact about the situation.
He added that Japan will continue its diplomatic efforts to help defuse the tension in the Middle East in cooperation with the US and other relevant countries.
On Tuesday, Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Japan has no plans at this stage to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces to join the US-proposed coalition.
Key words : Iranian criticized
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_24/
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticized US sanctions imposed on his country as "economic terrorism."
Zarif was speaking on Wednesday at a meeting on the progress of sustainable development goals at the UN headquarters in New York.
Zarif said Iran's people are subjected to the most brutal form of economic terrorism, deliberately targeting innocent civilians to achieve illegitimate political objectives.
He said the sanctions imposed on Iran by the US represent the greatest threat to the achievement of sustainable development goals in Iran.
Zarif also expressed displeasure at the tight US travel curbs imposed on Iranian diplomats, including himself.
The US government has restricted Zarif's travel to a specified number of places, including the UN headquarters and the Iranian UN mission.
Zarif is scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday and seek his understanding on Iran's position.
Guterres is expected to directly convey his concerns over Iran recently raising its uranium enrichment level beyond the limit allowed under a 2015 agreement.
Key words : thousands of Myanmar demonstrate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_11/
Thousands of people took to the streets of Myanmar on Wednesday, to demonstrate both for and against proposed amendments to the country's constitution that would curb the power of the military.
The current constitution, enacted under a military government, stipulates that a quarter of the lawmakers in parliament are chosen by the military.
It also includes a clause banning any person who has a spouse or a child of foreign nationality from assuming the presidency.
It effectively blocks Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the ruling National League for Democracy party, from becoming president.
Rallies took place on Wednesday in the largest city of Yangon after a committee led by the ruling party proposed the constitutional amendments to parliament earlier this week.
During the rally backing the proposed revisions, more than 2,000 supporters called for curbs on the military's influence in politics and for promoting democratization.
Several thousand opponents, reportedly including nationalist groups, also marched through the city. They claimed those trying to amend the constitution are their enemies.
Any amendment to the constitution will require support from more than 75 percent of lawmakers. There is likely to be heated debate and a fierce tug-of-war between the government and the military ahead of a general election slated for next year.
Key words : four south
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_21/
Four South American countries have agreed to speed up regional economic integration.
The leaders of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, which form the Mercosur trade bloc, met in Santa Fe, Argentina, on Wednesday.
They agreed to do away with "roaming" fees for international mobile phone calls, and to share information on migrants.
They also made it possible for their citizens who are victims of crime abroad to seek help from the embassies of any of the four countries.
In June, Mercosur signed a free trade deal with the European Union.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro affirmed that the four countries will now seek similar deals with Canada, Singapore and South Korea.
Key words : tropical storm next few days
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_44/
Tropical Storm Danas is moving north over the East China Sea. It could bring high waves and storm surges to Japan's Okinawa Prefecture in the next few days.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said that as of 3 p.m. on Thursday, the large storm was moving north at 25 kilometers per hour, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 72 kilometers per hour.
The storm is forecast to bring fierce winds and waves up to 7 meters high to coastal areas of Okinawa on Thursday and Friday as it keeps moving north.
The storm is also activating a seasonal rain front hanging over parts of Japan, bringing heavy rain to western and central areas of the country.
During the hour through 5 p.m., Saiki City in Ohita Prefecture recorded 58 millimeters of rain, and Tanabe City in Wakayama Prefecture recorded 57 millimeters.
The approach of the storm and the rain front are expected to create unstable atmospheric conditions in eastern and western Japan through Saturday, bringing localized torrential rain.
The agency is advising residents to stay alert for heightened dangers of landslides, flooding, lightning and tornados.
Key words : Kondo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_10/
Japanese tidying-up guru Marie Kondo and her Netflix show have been nominated for two Emmy Awards, which honor the best television programs in the United States.
The US Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced its nominations for the 71st awards on Tuesday.
Kondo, popularly known as "KonMari," was nominated for outstanding host of a reality or competition program. Her show was nominated for outstanding structured reality program.
The show began in January on the US television and movie streaming service Netflix, which has 150 million viewers worldwide. It follows Kondo as she visits various families and helps them "declutter."
Her trademark KonMari method of only keeping things that "spark joy" has earned her a huge following in the US.
A book of tidying-up tips that Kondo published in Japan in 2010 became a widely translated bestseller. Time magazine picked her as one of the world's 100 most influential figures in 2015. She is now based in Los Angeles.
The Emmy Awards ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on Sept. 22.
Key words : number of foreign
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190718_02/
The number of foreign visitors to Japan in June marked a record high for the month. Tourism officials point to more travelers from mainland China mainly due to the easing of visa requirements.
The Japan National Tourism Organization estimates that 2.88 million foreigners visited Japan last month. That's up 6.5 percent from a year earlier.
Visitors from mainland China numbered 880,700, up 15.7 percent year-on-year. The number from South Korea was 611,900, up 0.9 percent. Travelers from Taiwan totaled 461,100, also up 0.9 percent.
The Japan Tourism Agency attributed the increase to a recovery from a decline a year earlier due to a powerful earthquake in Osaka, western Japan. The agency also cited an increased number of flights operated by budget airlines.
The total number of foreign visitors between January and June was more than 16.6 million, up 4.6 percent from the same period last year.
JTA chief Hiroshi Tabata said the country wants to make use of the great opportunities of this year's Rugby World Cup and next year's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to reach its goal of 40 million visitors in 2020.
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