at 20:00 (JST), January 31

Authorities in China now say 213 people have died after contracting the new coronavirus, while the number of confirmed infections has surged past 9,600.

Japan's Prime Minister has called the spread of the new coronavirus an unprecedented crisis and told a government task force not to hesitate to take necessary measures against the outbreak.

A Japanese government expert panel has agreed to a plan to reduce the amount of radioactive wastewater at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, by releasing it into the sea or the air.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200131200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : now say 213
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200131_32/

Authorities in China now say 213 people have died after contracting the coronavirus, while the number of confirmed infections has surged past 9,600.

Medical staff are overwhelmed in Hubei, the province at the center of the outbreak. More than 30,000 people a day have been rushing to hospitals and clinics there, complaining of fever.

The number of cases is also rising outside mainland China. Over 120 infections have been confirmed across more than 20 other countries and territories. Italy has just reported its first two cases. Both are Chinese tourists.

Human-to-human transmission is now suspected in Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, France and the United States.

Washington has now raised its travel advisory to the highest level. It's urging Americans to avoid all travel to China, and to consider leaving if they're in that country.

The World Health Organization has now declared the outbreak a global emergency, in a bid to keep the virus from spreading further across borders.

It is the 6th time the organization has taken that step. It did so during the swine flu pandemic in 2009, the spread of polio in 2014, and the Ebola epidemic last year.

Experts are racing to learn more about the deadly new strain. Scientists in China say the virus may have originated in bats.

They say the gene sequence is 96 percent identical to a virus found in that species.

The head of a team of government experts says it may have spread to humans via other wild animals...as happened with SARS.

Tests are being done to determine if that's the case.

Key words : Abe called the spread of
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200131_37/

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called the spread of the new coronavirus an unprecedented crisis and told a government task force not to hesitate to take necessary measures against the outbreak.

Abe issued the instruction on Friday at a meeting of the task force set up to deal with the outbreak.

He said the government will drastically strengthen various measures with a strong sense of crisis, as the infection is spreading globally, posing an emergency situation.

Abe said the government on Saturday will start enforcing ordinances that allow it to tighten immigration controls and take other measures to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further.

The government initially planned to start enforcing the ordinances next Friday.

Abe said people infected with the virus will be denied entry into Japan, in accordance with the rules.

He also said immigration control must be strengthened even when infection cannot be confirmed, as people have tested positive despite showing no symptoms.

He said the government cannot deal with the unprecedented crisis if it sticks to past examples, pointing out that the situation is continuously changing.

Key words : another plane epicenter
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200131_34/

Another plane carrying Japanese evacuees from the epicenter in China has arrived in Tokyo. It's the third flight of its kind this week.

The chartered plane landed at Haneda Airport on Friday morning, after picking up 149 people in Wuhan.

Passengers will be sent to medical institutions to be tested for the virus. Officials say eight people were transported by ambulance.

Those without symptoms will be staying at hotels and government facilities while they await the test results.

Government officials say about 300 people who are still in Wuhan have indicated they want to return to Japan.

They are making arrangements with the Chinese government to send a fourth flight next week.

The Defense Ministry is also considering offering evacuees temporary lodging on a ferry that's contracted to transport Self-Defense Force units.

It says the vessel could be docked at a port in Tokyo area for the purpose.

Key words : tourism organization
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200131_41/

The Japan National Tourism Organization is offering phone consultation services for foreign tourists who are concerned about the new strain of coronavirus.

The Japan Visitor Hotline offers 24-hour services in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.

The hotline can refer callers who may be infected with the virus to the nearest medical institution. It also provides information on measures to prevent infection such as hand washing and gargling.

The organization encourages foreign tourists to call if they have any concerns.

The hotline number is 050-3816-2787.

Key words : expert panel
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200131_38/

A Japanese government expert panel has agreed to a plan to reduce the amount of radioactive wastewater stored at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, by releasing it into the sea or the air.

Water used to cool the molten nuclear fuel from the March 2011 accident is treated to remove most of the radioactive material. But tritium and some other substances are left in the treated water, and the amount stored has reached about 1.2 million tons in almost 1,000 tanks.

The industry ministry panel on Friday discussed a proposal to dilute wastewater and release it into the sea, as well as vaporize and release it into the air, both in compliance with environmental and other standards.

The panel said these are realistic options since they have almost no impact on the environment and human health, and there are similar precedents.

They said releasing the wastewater into the sea only needs simple equipment and monitoring the spread of radioactive materials in the sea will be easier to do than in the air.

But they also pointed out that the reputational damage from sea release would have a significant social impact.

The panel plans to finalize its proposal before compiling a report.

Panel chief Ichiro Yamamoto urged the government to take the panel's conclusion into account and listen to local opinions, to find a way to achieve reconstruction of the local areas and decommission the plant.

The government will make the final decision on the disposal method.

Key words : US research
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200131_29/

A US research firm says Huawei overtook Apple last year to become the world's second-largest smartphone manufacturer.

The Chinese tech giant is facing charges of violating US sanctions on Iran and other allegations, but that has not held it back from gaining market share.

The survey by IDC shows South Korea's Samsung Electronics held on to the top spot, with more than 21.6 percent of global shipments.

Huawei was second with 17.6 percent, and Apple third, with 13.9 percent.

Other Chinese manufacturers raced up the ranks with lower-priced devices.

Xiaomi came in fourth with 9.2 percent, and Oppo was fifth with 8.3 percent.

IDC also noted that smartphone shipments overall were down 2.3 percent from 2018. It said consumers in China have been waiting for more affordable 5G models to come on the market.

Key words : segmet wrapping up the top stories of the week
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at 20:00 (JST), January 30

In China, authorities say 170 people have died after contracting the new coronavirus. The number of confirmed infections has topped 7,700.

Japan's health ministry has confirmed the first two cases of coronavirus infection without any symptoms in the country.

Tokyo prosecutors have obtained a new arrest warrant for former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn for suspected violation of the immigration control law.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200130200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : In China 170 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200130_46/

In China, authorities say 170 people have died after contracting the new coronavirus. The number of confirmed infections has topped 7,700. With Tibet reporting its first case, the virus has now spread to every region in the country.

As the outbreak grows, scientists in China are racing to learn more about the virus. The Wuhan Institute of Virology says it may have originated in bats.

It says the gene sequence is 96 percent identical to that of a bat virus.

The head of a team of government experts echoed that finding. He told state media the new coronavirus has the same origin as a virus found in bats three years ago.
He said that like SARS, it may have been transmitted to humans via other wild animals. Tests are being carried out to determine if that's the case.

Outside Mainland China, the number of cases is rising. There are now more than 100 confirmed infections across 19 countries and territories. Finland announced its first case on Wednesday. Instances of human-to-human transmission are suspected in Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan and Germany.

The World Health Organization will hold its second emergency meeting later on Thursday to assess whether the outbreak constitutes a global health emergency.

A number of countries are working to evacuate their citizens from the epicenter city of Wuhan. Australia says its evacuees will be quarantined on Christmas island for up to 14 days. The UK says its returnees will live in "supported isolation" for a similar period of time.

Key words : world health to assess more than 20 experts
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200130_47/

The World Health Organization is to convene an emergency meeting on Thursday to assess whether the coronavirus outbreak that originated in China constitutes an international public health emergency.

The meeting starts on Thursday afternoon at WHO headquarters in Geneva, attended by more than 20 experts and public health officials from countries including China, Japan and the United States.

After a previous 2-day emergency meeting a week ago, the WHO decided it was still too early to call the outbreak an international health emergency.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had explained at a news conference that human-to-human infections were discovered only in China, and only in cases involving close contact, such as that between family members.

The second emergency meeting is aimed at reassessing the status of the outbreak based on data that became available in the past week.

If the WHO concludes that the outbreak now qualifies as an international health emergency, the organization is expected to recommend greater global efforts, such as more vigorous quarantine measures at ports and airports, to contain the outbreak.

Key words : chinese researcher
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200130_41/

Chinese researchers say human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus began in Wuhan in mid-December.

A group of researchers, including scientists at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed the results of their study on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

They analyzed data on the first 425 cases of pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus in Wuhan that had been confirmed by January 22.

The results show 47 of the patients developed pneumonia last month, and there is evidence that human-to-human transmission has occurred among close contacts since mid-December.

That means such transmission took place before the World Health Organization was first informed of the outbreak of pneumonia in late December.

The researchers say that among the patients surveyed, none were below the age of 15, nearly half of them were aged 60 or older, and 56 percent were male.

They say the mean incubation period, or the time delay from infection to developing symptoms, was estimated at 5.2 days. They also say that on average, each patient spread the infection to 2.2 other people, and in its early stages, the epidemic doubled in size roughly every seven days.

The researchers stress the need to commit considerable resources to testing in clinics and emergency departments to identify cases as quickly as possible.

Key words : major airlines
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200130_25/

Major airlines are suspending flights to and from China amid the growing coronavirus outbreak.

British Airways said on Wednesday it has canceled flights to Beijing and Shanghai until Friday while it assesses the situation.

Germany's Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines also said on Wednesday they are suspending all flights to and from mainland China until February 9. These three carriers will continue flying to and from Hong Kong.

American Airlines has decided to suspend flights between Los Angeles and the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai from February 9 to March 27 due to a significant decline in demand.

United Airlines had earlier said it was suspending flights between US cities and Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai from February 1 to February 8.

Key words : health ministry has confirmed without any
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200130_35/

Japan's health ministry has confirmed the first two cases of coronavirus infection without any symptoms in the country.

The ministry confirmed that three evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan have the new type of coronavirus.

The three individuals were among the 206 passengers who returned to Japan on Wednesday on a government-chartered flight.

A man in his 40s and a woman in her 50s do not have any signs of infection, but they have tested positive.

Another man in his 50s reported pain in his throat and later developed a fever before testing positive.

The number of people in Japan who've been infected now stands at 11.

Key words : expert say
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200130_39/

An expert says Japanese health authorities trying to contain the coronavirus outbreak should bear in mind that people without symptoms could infect others.

Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Professor Mitsuo Kaku made the comment after the virus was found in three people who returned to Japan from Wuhan on a chartered flight on Wednesday. Two of the three evacuees do not have any symptoms.

Kaku says cases of patients without symptoms have already been reported in China, so he had expected the same thing could happen in Japan.

He says it's still not clear whether they can infect others, and he thinks that ordinary people should not be too concerned.

But he adds that those involved in drawing up preventive measures should be aware of the possibility that people without symptoms could spread the virus.

He says health authorities should closely monitor the condition of infected people who do not display symptoms and thoroughly check how the virus was detected.

He also says they should consider testing more people for the virus.

Kaku recommends that people take precautions by thoroughly washing their hands and using alcohol sanitizers.

Key words : prime no geographical
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Key words : Nikkei average fell sharply
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Key words : Tokyo prosecutor suspected violation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200130_44/

Tokyo prosecutors have obtained a new arrest warrant for former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn for suspected violation of the immigration control law.

Prosecutors say Ghosn illegally left Japan on a private jet on the night of December 29 without going through departure screenings. He flew from Kansai International Airport in western Japan to Lebanon via Turkey.

The 65-year-old former auto industry titan was out on bail after being indicted on charges of financial misconduct. He was banned from traveling overseas under a bail condition.

The prosecutors also obtained arrest warrants for three others, including a man believed to be a former member of the US special forces, on suspicion that they helped Ghosn flee.

Sources say Ghosn joined the three at a hotel in Tokyo on December 29 before traveling to Osaka by bullet train. Two of the men reportedly accompanied him.

They are believed to have helped Ghosn board the jet by hiding him in a large case for musical equipment.

One of the two men is identified as 59-year-old Michael Taylor, who's said to be a former member of the US Army special forces known as the Green Berets.

In 2009, he was reportedly involved in a rescue operation for a US newspaper reporter who had been abducted in Afghanistan. Taylor was then a contractor for a private military company.

The third suspect allegedly helped Ghosn escape by making hotel reservations and transporting Ghosn's baggage.

Key words : Germany auto sales
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200130_57/

Germany's Volkswagen has made it four years in a row at the top for global auto sales. The group sold about 10.97 million vehicles in 2019, up 1.3 percent from a year earlier.

That's a record for Volkswagen and its stable mates. The company says it sold more cars in China, the world's biggest auto market.

Japan's Toyota took second place, doing so for the first time in three years. The Toyota group includes Daihatsu and Hino. Collectively the brands sold about 10.74 million units, up 1.4 percent year-on-year. That's also a record.

The alliance of Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi dropped down to third place. Together the automakers sold about 10.15 million units. That's a drop of more than 5 percent. Nissan accounts for more than half of the group's sales. The firm had a poor year in the US.

Some of the world's biggest markets saw a decline in business in 2019. New vehicle sales in China dropped about 8 percent year-on-year. They were down in India and Japan, too.

The outlook for 2020 is being clouded by the outbreak of the coronavirus, which is worsening in China and other parts of the world.

at 20:00 (JST), January 29

Chinese officials say 132 people have died in the coronavirus outbreak.

Around 200 Japanese evacuees from a Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak landed on Wednesday at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

A team of Australian scientists has announced that they have managed to grow the new coronavirus, in a breakthrough that could help lead to the development of a vaccine.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200129200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : 132 people died latest figure
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_32/

Chinese officials say 132 people have died in the coronavirus outbreak. The latest figure was announced as authorities inside and outside the country take additional steps to contain the dangerous new virus.

The number of confirmed infections in China has risen to 5,974, with 1,239 people in serious condition.

China's President has met with the head of the World Health Organization as the situation grows more serious.
Xi Jinping reportedly stressed that his country will be transparent in releasing information on the outbreak.

The two sides agreed that the WHO will send experts to China as soon as possible.

Countries around the world are also stepping up measures to counter the outbreak.

Almost 90 cases have now been reported in 17 countries and territories outside China. Possible instances of human-to-human transmission have been reported in Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan and Germany.

Hong Kong is planning to suspend rail links with the mainland, while Mongolia has reportedly closed its border with China.

The United States and Japan have started evacuating their nationals from Wuhan, the city at the epicenter of the outbreak. Many other nations are planning to help repatriate their citizens.

Key words : 200 evacuee
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_36/

In Japan, around 200 evacuees landed on Wednesday morning at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Officials say several of them have symptoms such as coughing and fever. They say passengers received medical exams on board. All have been sent to medical institutions to undergo tests.

The four who are showing symptoms have been brought to a special medical institution for infectious diseases.

Two of the evacuees spoke to reporters at the airport.
Takeo Aoyama said, "I'm relieved that I was able to return to Japan on a chartered plane so quickly."

Japanese officials plan to charter additional flights from the virus-hit city. They say about 650 people in Wuhan have indicated they want to be repatriated to Japan.

Three more cases were confirmed in Japan on Tuesday, bringing the total to seven. One involves a Japanese bus driver in Nara Prefecture who had been working with Chinese tour groups.

Officials in Tokyo are taking special protective measures. People can now be hospitalized without their consent. Anyone suspected of carrying the virus at ports of entry will be told to undergo medical tests.

Key words : surgical mask
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_44/

Surgical masks are in short supply in parts of Tokyo, as people rush to get them to protect themselves from the new coronavirus.

A drugstore in the Shibuya district reports that sales of surgical masks are roughly five-fold the normal amount.

Masks and alcohol disinfectant the store had at opening time on Wednesday were sold out before noon. Fifty new boxes of masks arrived shortly past noon, but they were picked up by customers as soon as they were put on the shelves. Some products sold out in five minutes.

Store staff say sales have been this brisk since the start of the Lunar New Year holidays.

A 24-year-old Chinese student who purchased about ten boxes of masks said she plans to send them to her friends and family in Fujian Province.

Japanese manufacturers have been increasing production of masks to meet the surging demand.

Daily goods manufacturer Unicharm says orders have doubled or tripled since the middle of this month.

The company has its mask plant operating around the clock, but it's falling behind on some orders.

Medical supplies maker Tamagawa Eizai says orders have surged more than five-fold.

The company plans to step up production at its plant in Shanghai as soon as it can.

Key words : team of Australian
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_39/

A team of Australian scientists has announced that they have managed to grow the new coronavirus, in a breakthrough that could help lead to the development of a vaccine.

The researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity say they are the first scientific lab outside of China to do so. They grew it from an infected patient in Melbourne.

The institute says the sample will help researchers test trial vaccines. It says the lab-grown virus will also assist in the development of screening methods to detect infections even before any symptoms appear.

The virus will be shared with the World Health Organization and scientists around the world. The Deputy Director of the Doherty Institute Mike Catton says the discovery is a crucial step forward. He says researchers thought they were going to have to wait for some time to import the virus from elsewhere, but now the lab is in the process of getting the virus to them.

Key words : US house
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_34/

The US House has approved a bill to support the Tibetan people and ensure a smooth succession for a future Dalai Lama. The move is seen as the latest in a series of US bills aimed at challenging China on human rights.

The Tibetan Policy and Support Act won strong approval on Tuesday.
It establishes a US policy that the selection of Tibet's future religious leaders should be decided by themselves, free from the Chinese government.
The bill also says Beijing will face sanctions if it interferes in the process of recognizing a successor of the Dalai Lama.
Ahead of the voting, the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stressed the significance of the bill, saying it is "a clear signal" to Beijing.

The US bill follows recent action by lawmakers supporting Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, and the Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minority groups in Xinjiang.
The Tibet Autonomous Region has been ruled by the Chinese government since the 1950s. For decades, rights groups have rallied against the harsh treatment of ethnic Tibetans who continue to call for independence.

Key words : US military in
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_38/

The US military in South Korea says it has begun giving notice to South Korean workers that they could be placed on furlough beginning April first.

The US military gave the 60-day advanced notice on Wednesday, amid stalled bilateral talks on increasing South Korea's share of costs for stationing US forces in the country.

The US military says that without South Korea's continued commitment to share costs, it will "soon exhaust programmed funds available to pay their salaries and wages."

Nearly 9,000 South Koreans work at US bases and other facilities in South Korea.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency referred to the US announcement as "an apparent move to further pressure Seoul to pay more for stationing American troops."

It says there is criticism that the US military is taking advantage of South Korean workers to press Seoul to pay more.

Key words : British government decided
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_15/

The British government has decided to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to play a limited role in its next-generation 5G mobile network. The decision is a snub to the United States, which had been urging its allies to ban the use of Huawei equipment for security reasons.

Ministers and government officials made the decision at a meeting of the National Security Council on Tuesday.

They say the use of Huawei equipment is limited and it will be banned from sensitive areas such as nuclear facilities or military bases.

The government says that by strictly limiting the use, threats such as cyber-attacks can be prevented.

Huawei's products are reportedly highly competitive in terms of technology and cost, and are already used in the UK's telecommunications network. These factors are believed to be behind the recent decision.
A senior US government official told NHK that Washington is disappointed by the decision and will continue to discuss the issue with Britain.

The UK will leave the European Union on January 31 and the country hopes to agree a free trade deal with the US. Some experts believe that the Huawei decision could be a factor in their trade negotiations.

Key words : Japanese prosecutor
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_35/

Japanese prosecutors have begun searching the office of a lawyer who served for former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn. Ghosn, who has been indicted in Japan over financial misconduct, escaped to Lebanon last month, skipping bail.

The prosecutors are investigating Ghosn's flight as suspected violation of the immigration control law. They say those who helped him flee could be charged on suspicion of aiding a criminal in avoiding capture.

They searched the office of lawyer Junichiro Hironaka in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Wednesday morning. Hironaka was among Ghosn's defense team.

While on bail, Ghosn used Hironaka's office for meetings and a computer.

The prosecutors tried to seize the PC earlier this month, but Ghosn's defense team refused to hand it over, citing a legal right to protect the client's confidentiality.

The defense team said in a statement after Ghosn's escape that there is no prospect that their client will return to Japan voluntarily. The team quit the job on January 16.

The former Nissan chairman is suspected of departing Japan without going through immigration control. He reportedly got on board a private jet by hiding in a large case. US media reported that a prominent former member of US special forces was involved in the escape.

Key words : Harajuku
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_40/

The interior of the new station building at Harajuku in Tokyo, which replaces the current popular landmark, has been shown to the media.

East Japan Railway's new building, set to open on March 21, sits next to the one currently in use, which dates back nearly a century, making it the oldest wooden station building in Tokyo.

The two-story steel structure has four times the floor space of the old building. The first floor, where the ticket gates are located, has three separate entrances.

The new building also has more elevators and toilets for wheelchair users. There will be a coffee shop on the second floor.

Unlike the current station building, passengers will use separate platforms for trains going in opposite directions, which would hopefully ease congestion.

Stationmaster Toshiaki Kobayashi said he hopes people will find the spacious new building more convenient, and vowed to make sure that the many visitors to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be able to use the station safely.

The old station building will be dismantled after the Tokyo Games, but will be rebuilt nearby with fireproof material.

Key words : Nintendo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200129_46/

Game maker Nintendo has won a court battle to stop a firm from using logos and costumes in its kart rental service for public-road driving. The costumes are based on Nintendo's "Mario Kart" games.

Tokyo-based Mari Mobility Development rents karts and costumes of "Mario Kart" characters, and uses a logo "Mari Car." Nintendo filed a complaint.

The Intellectual Property High Court made a decision in Nintendo's favor on Wednesday.

Presiding judge Yoshiyuki Mori said characters in Nintendo's "Mario Kart" are well known and have a great appeal to attract customers. The judge also acknowledged that Mari Mobility has the intention of unfairly using those characters.

The court prohibited Mari Mobility from renting those costumes and using the logo on the vehicles or in advertisements. It also ordered the firm to pay about 460,000 dollars in compensation.

at 20:00 (JST), January 28

The head of the World Health Organization met China's Foreign Minister in Beijing on Tuesday.

Japan's health minister has announced that two more people have been confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus in Japan.

Chinese authorities have imposed a nationwide ban on sales of live wildlife until the coronavirus outbreak subsides.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200128200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : world health organization met
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_44/

The World Health Organization's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing on Tuesday. They are believed to have discussed how to control the coronavirus outbreak, which has sickened more than 4,500 and killed over 100 people in China.

Chinese health authorities announced on Tuesday that deaths caused by the new strain of coronavirus have increased to 106, mostly in Hubei Province.

The Foreign Ministry said Tedros offered to provide necessary assistance to China, and Wang promised transparency in working with the WHO and others.

The WHO announced last Thursday that the outbreak does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern.

But the organization will review its assessment following Tedros' visit.

Key words : death toll from Hubei
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_27/

The death toll from the new coronavirus in China has reached 106 after authorities in Hubei Province announced 24 more fatalities.

Key words : health minister
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_47/

Japan's health minister Katsunobu Kato has announced that two more people have been confirmed infected with the new coronavirus in Japan.

Kato said on Tuesday that one of them has no record of staying in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. The person is the first to be confirmed infected despite having no record of staying in Wuhan.

Kato also said the person is a bus driver in Nara Prefecture who drove for tourists from Wuhan twice in January.

The number of people confirmed infected with the virus in Japan has reached six.

Key words : 17 countries thai
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_32/

The new strain of coronavirus has been confirmed in 65 people in 17 countries and territories outside mainland China.

There were eight confirmed patients in both Thailand and Hong Kong plus seven in Macao by Tuesday morning, Japan time.

The United States, Taiwan, Australia and Singapore each reported five patients. Japan, Malaysia and South Korea also confirmed four cases each.

France has three cases and Vietnam two, while Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Canada and Germany reported one patient each.

Key words : chinese authorities imposed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_37/

Chinese authorities have imposed a nationwide ban on wildlife trade until the coronavirus outbreak subsides.

Chinese experts detected a new type of coronavirus in samples taken from a market in the central city of Wuhan.

The market has a number of stores that sell wild animals, which are suspected of being the source of the virus.

Authorities issued a statement on Sunday strictly prohibiting wildlife trade at marketplaces, supermarkets, restaurants and elsewhere across the nation. The statement warns that violators will be punished in accordance with the law.

Key words : chinese health expert
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_42/

A Chinese health expert has warned that even people who show only mild symptoms of the new coronavirus are capable of spreading it.

Li Xingwang, a member of the Chinese government's team of medical experts, told reporters on Tuesday that initially, many patients showed symptoms such as fever, lethargy and coughing, with some developing breathing problems and respiratory failure.

He said there are now more patients with mild symptoms such as low fever and slight coughing who show no signs of pneumonia.

Li added that people with only mild symptoms, as well as those who are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, are capable of spreading the virus. He says this has hampered efforts to prevent and control infections.

At the same news conference, Jiao Yahui of the National Health Commission revealed that two hospitals now under construction in Wuhan are scheduled to be completed on February 2 and 5.

She said the two hospitals can accommodate a total of 2,000 to 2,300 in-patients.

Jiao also revealed that a team of 4,130 doctors and nurses are already in Hubei Province, and that an additional 1,800 are to arrive in Wuhan on Tuesday.

Key words : Japan government has added
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_25/

Japan's government has added pneumonia caused by a new strain of coronavirus to its list of designated infectious diseases.

The Cabinet approved an ordinance on Tuesday giving the illness the designation under the country's infectious disease and quarantine laws.

The designation will allow the compulsory hospitalization of people who are infected with the virus.

Prefectural governors will be authorized to advise such people to be admitted to specified medical institutions which are equipped to handle infections. Those who don't follow the advice will be forcibly hospitalized.

Authorities will also be able to instruct patients to take a leave of absence from work for a certain period. All medical costs will be covered by public funds.

Under the quarantine law, officials at airports and seaports will become able to instruct those suspected of infection to undergo tests and medical examinations.
Anyone who refuses can be penalized.

The ordinance is expected to go into effect on February 7, but officials say the government will cover hospitalization costs before that.

This is the fifth time Japan has invoked the designation. It's the first since the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, in 2014.

Key words : share prices
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_39/

Share prices in Japan and other markets around Asia fell on Tuesday after an overnight selloff on Wall Street. Investors are increasingly worried about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the economies of the region.

Tokyo's Nikkei Average finished the day at 23,215, down 0.55 percent from the previous day's close.

South Korea's key index ended down 3.1 percent. Australia's benchmark was down 1.35 percent.

Bourses in China and Taiwan remain closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange was supposed to resume trading on Friday. But it will now stay closed until Monday.

Market watchers say Southeast Asian countries, which have close economic ties with China, are on high alert.

There have been cases of infection found in a number of countries around the region.

Key words : maker face mask
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_38/

A maker of face masks in central Japan is boosting its production of high-end masks amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The mesh product maker Clever in Aichi Prefecture has been flooded with orders for the face masks since late last week.

The maker says the eight-layer masks it has been making for the last seven years filter out viruses, including the new coronavirus, and the tiny airborne pollutants known as PM 2.5. They also have a deodorizing effect.

The masks sell for more than 120 dollars, but the company says they remain effective even after being washed as many as 100 times.

It says it has increased output fivefold, but 50 masks a day is the maximum production rate, as they are made completely by hand.

Customers currently have to wait one to two weeks. The maker says its clients include people in Wuhan.

President Eri Ishibashi says she was surprised at the surge in orders. She says she hopes to deliver the masks to their worried customers as soon as possible.

Key words : US navy sailed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_33/

The US Navy has sailed a warship through disputed waters in the South China Sea to challenge China's unilateral claim of sovereignty in the area.

The Navy's Seventh Fleet told NHK that the USS Montgomery conducted what it calls a freedom of navigation operation on Saturday where the Spratly Islands are located.

The Philippines, Vietnam, three other countries and Taiwan claim sovereignty over the islands.

The US Department of Defense is on the alert against China's military build-up in the area. China has deployed anti-ship missiles and electronic jammers there.

Seventh Fleet spokesperson Joseph Keiley said, "The United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, regardless of the location of excessive maritime claims."

The last time the US military revealed that it conducted such an operation was in November.

It is stepping up the pace of warship deployments to the South China Sea. It has also deployed navy drones in Guam to better monitor Chinese troops.

Key words : palestinian reportedly
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_15/

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has reportedly rejected a request from US President Donald Trump to hold phone talks on his peace plan.

Turkey's government-affiliated Anadolu news agency reported Abbas' response on Monday, citing a senior official of the Palestinian autonomous authority.

The report says Trump made the request a few days ago, asking to discuss the Middle East peace plan he is expected to announce on Tuesday.

Relations between Palestine and the Trump administration broke down about two years ago when Washington unilaterally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, despite strong objection from Palestinians.

The Palestinians are expected to react angrily to the US peace plan and call for protests if it turns out to be in favor of Israel.

Key words : US military confirmed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_19/

The US military has confirmed that one of its aircraft has crashed in southeastern Afghanistan, but denied the involvement of the Taliban.

A spokesperson for US troops in Afghanistan said in a statement on Monday that a Bombardier E-11A aircraft crashed in the Ghazni province earlier in the day.

The US military uses the aircraft to relay communication between troops in mountainous areas where radio waves are difficult to reach.

The number of casualties was not immediately clear, although US media reported there were several people on board.

A Taliban spokesperson told NHK that the group's fighters strategically targeted the US military aircraft and brought it down.

However, the US military disputed the claim, saying that "while the cause of crash is under investigation, there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy fire."

Key words : US media publish
#N/A


Key words : at least 47
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_43/

At least 47 people have died in floods caused by heavy rains in southeastern Brazil.

The downpours started on January 17. Massive floods and landslides have been pounding the region for a week.

The Brazilian media report that the state of Minas Gerais experienced a record rainfall for one 24-hour period. At least 47 people have been confirmed dead, and about 15,000 were evacuated.

Footage from the state shows a large area of a town inundated in muddy water, residents evacuating in boats, and homes crushed by mudslides.

Weather authorities say the rains have peaked, but are urging residents to remain on the alert for mudslides as the ground has been loosened by the heavy rains.

Key words : picture record
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200128_41/

Japan's movie box-office revenue hit a record high last year.

The Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan said on Tuesday that theaters took in 261.1 billion yen, or about 2.4 billion dollars, in 2019. That's up about 17 percent from the previous year.

The previous high was about 2.2 billion dollars in 2016.

The highest-grossing film was a Japanese animated film, "Weathering With You," by director Makoto Shinkai, at about 128 million dollars.

Another animated film, "Frozen II", came in second at about 116 million dollars.

The third was "Aladdin," a live-action remake of a Disney animated film, at about 111 million dollars.

The association attributed the increase to the success of animated films and sequels of popular movies.

at 20:00 (JST), January 27

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom has arrived in Beijing to discuss the new coronavirus with Chinese officials.

Tokyo's Nikkei stock index fell sharply on Monday on concerns about the economic impact of the new coronavirus.

A Japanese group of researchers says it has conducted heart surgery using sheets of heart muscle cells made from iPS cells.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200127200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : WHO director
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_40/

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has arrived in Beijing to discuss the new coronavirus with Chinese officials.

His arrival comes as local health officials announced on Monday that 81 people had died. Confirmed cases have soared above 2,700.

In a tweet on Sunday, the director-general said he wanted to "strengthen our partnership" with China "in providing further protection against the outbreak".

He is joined by the world health body's Western Pacific Regional Director Takeshi Kasai, who arrived in Beijing on Monday afternoon.

Kasai said via Twitter "Just landed in Beijing. Looking forward to joining Doctor Tedros in meeting with Chinese leaders and experts to discuss" the new coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday visited Wuhan, the city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak.

Wearing a facemask, he visited medical facilities there and asked medical staff to do their best, while taking care not to fall ill themselves.

Key words : Japanese expert
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_29/

A Japanese expert says infection control and prevention will be difficult for the new coronavirus linked to a pneumonia outbreak in China.

Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Professor Mitsuo Kaku says infections may occur when people have no apparent symptoms. He warns that the number of patients may rise in Japan as well.

Kaku says the number of cases in China is continuing to increase despite large-scale traffic restrictions in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and elsewhere in the country.

He says the Chinese authorities appear to have a growing sense of urgency because carriers of the virus are likely passing it on even during the incubation period.

Kaku says the new strain of coronavirus is different in that respect from the ones that caused the SARS and MERS outbreaks.

It is generally believed that those with SARS or MERS do not infect others when they have no symptoms such as coughing or a runny nose.

Kaku warns that people who have a chronic disease may become seriously ill if they become infected with the new virus.

He urges people never to take the virus lightly because it is one that humans have never experienced before. He says medical experts will have difficulty diagnosing those with only mild symptoms.

Kaku calls for an all-out effort to prevent an outbreak in Japan. He says medical institutions should thoroughly disinfect waiting rooms and toilets.

He advises people not to touch their nose, mouth or eyes to prevent infection.

Key words : could be closing in
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_07/

Researchers could be closing in on the source of the new strain of coronavirus.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reports that scientists at the country's Center for Disease Control and Prevention collected 585 samples on January 1 and 12 at the seafood market in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Thirty-three of them tested positive for the virus. Thirty-one came from the western zone of the market, where stalls trading wild animals are concentrated.

The news agency reports that the result indicates the virus came from wild animals sold at the market.

Key words : Abe plans to add all they can
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_24/

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his government plans to add infections of the new coronavirus to the list of designated infectious diseases.

Abe told a Lower House committee on Monday that his government has instructed relevant ministers to do all they can to prevent the virus from spreading in Japan.

He said he instructed the ministers to step up preventive measures including screenings at ports and airports and to speedily provide accurate information to the public.

He also noted the need to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals traveling or staying overseas.

Abe said that the designation of the coronavirus will be approved at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Once approved, people infected with the virus will be advised to admit themselves to a medical institution specializing in infectious diseases. Those who don't follow the advice will be forcibly admitted.

They will also be required to take a leave of absence from work for a specified period.

The prime minister said the government will accelerate its effort to make arrangements with the Chinese government so that Japanese nationals who want to leave the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus originated, can do so as soon as possible.

Key words : Nikkei index
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_23/

Nikkei index has been tumbling due to concerns about the impact of the new coronavirus.

The key gauge lost about 500 points, or more than 2 percent at one stage on Monday morning.
Investors are worried about the spread of the new virus that first emerged in China and how it might affect the world economy.

Market players say concern is also rising that the manufacturing output of Japanese companies in China may stagnate.

The yen is higher against the dollar, around 109 yen level. Investors are buying the yen, which is seen as a relatively safe asset, and the stronger currency is also fueling the stock selloff.

Key words : heart surgery
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_37/

A Japanese group of researchers says it has conducted heart surgery using sheets of heart muscle cells made from iPS cells.

Induced pluripotent stem cells are created from reprogrammed human cells and can develop into various kinds of body tissue.

The Osaka University team, led by Professor Yoshiki Sawa, aims to establish a treatment for patients with serious heart disease by restoring the organ's function. The team's surgery involves putting sheets of heart muscle cells derived from iPS in a patient's heart.

At a news conference on Monday, the team announced that they successfully performed the world's first surgery of its kind this month.

They said the patient had been suffering from ischemic cardiomyopathy and it was difficult for the patient to recover with treatments through internal medicine using drugs.

The latest surgery was done as a clinical trial to develop a new treatment method. The group will verify the method's safety and effectiveness over one year and plans to conduct operations on nine other patients over a three-year period.

Professor Sawa said he hopes the technique will save as many patients as possible. He said he hopes the method will be used for patients who have no options with internal medicine and before they need an artificial heart or a heart transplant.

Key words : Ikata place top
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_27/

The operator of the Ikata nuclear power plant in western Japan says it will place top priority on determining what caused a series of serious problems at the plant.

Shikoku Electric Power Company President Keisuke Nagai apologized to Ehime Governor Tokihiro Nakamura for the problems on Monday.

On Saturday, all three reactors at the plant briefly lost power while one of them was being inspected. And earlier this month, a control rod was mistakenly removed from the number 3 reactor. The rod suppresses nuclear fission.

Nakamura told Nagai that local residents' concerns and distrust of Shikoku Electric have risen to unprecedented levels. He said he wants the firm to understand the tough situation it's in.

The governor called on the utility to station the head of its nuclear power department in Ikata Town, and to continue to take thorough measures to make information public.

Nagai agreed, and said he would visit the plant himself to hold discussions with small groups of staff to raise their safety awareness levels.

Also on Monday, Nagai told reporters that Shikoku Electric will postpone its plan to appeal an injunction issued by a high court this month. The court ordered the suspension of the Ikata plant's number 3 reactor.

Nagai said his firm still intends to appeal the injunction but that under the current circumstances, it's not the right time to make the move.

Key words : US navy says
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_30/

The US Navy says it has deployed two drones in Guam to boost its monitoring and surveillance capabilities in the western Pacific.

The Navy made the announcement on Sunday. The drones will operate with P8 reconnaissance planes, that are deployed at US bases in Japan and elsewhere.

2016 was the initial target for the large Triton drones to begin operations in Guam but the plan was stalled after problems during a training flight.

The Triton is an improved version of the US Air Force's Global Hawk, already deployed in Guam.

Its new sensors can reportedly conduct maritime surveillance over a wider range.

Last year, China put its second aircraft carrier into service in the western Pacific.

The US has been on a heightened alert over Beijing's claim to sovereignty of most of the South China Sea and its buildup of military facilities on its artificial islands there.

Key words : rocket
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_19/

Rockets reportedly landed on the compound of the US embassy in Baghdad on Sunday night.

Local media say the attack caused damage to the embassy building. Details are not yet known.

They say several rockets were fired at the capital's heavily-guarded Green Zone.

Iraq's interim Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi released a statement condemning the attack.

He said he has ordered a probe to prevent a recurrence and detain those who are responsible. He added that such attacks could drag Iraq into war.

A series of attacks have targeted US-related facilities in Iraq in apparent retaliation for the US killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad early this month.

A US State Department spokesperson released a statement that did not directly comment on the reported damage to the embassy. It said there have been over 14 attacks by Iran and Iranian-supported militias on US personnel in Iraq since September.

The spokesperson said the security situation remains tense and Iranian-backed armed groups remain a threat, and called on the Iraqi government to fulfill its obligations to support US diplomatic facilities.

Key words : communication ministry plans
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_17/

Japan's communications ministry plans to require key mobile phone base stations to have at least 24 hours of backup power.

The move comes after a series of powerful typhoons caused prolonged disruption to mobile communications last year.

Telecom firms are already required to install backup power sources at facilities that relay mobile phone signals. But the rules do not specify how long the emergency supply should last.

Officials plan to mandate base stations that cover local government offices have at least 24 hours of backup power through generators or batteries.
A non-binding target of 72 hours is planned for areas with prefectural government offices. It will also apply to base stations covering municipal offices in remote islands and mountain regions, where post-disaster recovery takes more time.

Officials say that about 5 percent of the roughly 1,800 local government offices in Japan are in areas with base stations that lack 24-hour backup power.

The communications ministry plans to draft revised rules by the end of June.

Key words : banks across
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_05/

Banks across Japan are buying trucks fitted with ATMs so that customers can withdraw cash in the event of a massive natural disaster.

The vehicles were sent to areas hit by a major earthquake in northern Japan last June, and areas flooded by Typhoon Hagibis last October.

They served as temporary outlets while local branch offices of the banks were closed.

Orix Auto Corporation says demand for the trucks has grown in recent years as Japan experienced a series of natural disasters. The company says nearly 30 financial institutions are considering buying the vehicles this year.

Some banks plan to transport smaller ATMs in minivans, instead of using trucks.

Key words : free self
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_35/

A free self-driving bus service connecting hospitals and schools will soon get started in a small town near Tokyo. This comes as Japan's shrinking and aging population makes it difficult to keep public transport systems running in rural areas.

Officials in the town of Sakai, Ibaraki Prefecture, are working with a subsidiary of mobile-phone carrier SoftBank called SB Drive.

Starting in April, the buses will make round-trip journeys of 5 kilometers around the town. The vehicles can carry up to 11 passengers.

They have no steering wheels or driver's seats, and will be controlled remotely. But there will still be someone on board to keep an eye on the road, and take control remotely in the event of an emergency.

SB Drive is considering offering more routes in the town as well.

A similar self-driving bus service is already running in a village in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan.

Key words : weather forecaster
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200127_38/

Weather forecasters say central Tokyo may be blanketed with snow from Monday evening through Tuesday. They are warning of traffic disruption and icy roads.

Meteorological Agency officials say a low-pressure system and a high-altitude cold air mass are expected to bring snowfall to wide areas around the Tokyo Metropolitan area.

Heavy snow is expected in mountainous parts of the Kanto region, including the capital.

Forecasters say snowfall through Tuesday evening may reach up to 40 centimeters in northern Kanto, 10 centimeters in flatland areas of southern Kanto, and two centimeters in central Tokyo.

The officials also say that if temperatures fall lower than expected, central parts of Tokyo could see a heavier snowfall.

The snow is expected to gradually turn to rain from Tuesday morning in flatland areas, while snowfall may continue in the mountains until late Tuesday.

at 14:00 (JST), January 26

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200126200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : scrambling disney
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200126_19/

Authorities in China are scrambling to contain the deadly new strain of coronavirus. The virus has so far killed 56 people in China, and it is spreading rapidly around the world.

Officials in the province of Hubei say 52 of the dead are from there. Its capital, Wuhan, is the city worst affected by the virus. Heath officials say nearly 2,000 people in China have been infected. More than 300 are in serious condition.

State-run media say travel agencies have canceled all group tours to other countries, starting with those scheduled for Monday. China Central Television says this was done at the request of the Chinese government.

Hotels in Japan are concerned about mass cancellations. One hotel manager in Tokyo says he's watching the situation closely, as Chinese tourists usually account for half of its reservations.

President Xi Jinping held an emergency meeting with Communist Party leaders on Saturday, which is New Year's Day on the traditional lunar calendar.

Xi described the situation in the country as "grave."
He ordered "party committees and governments at all levels" to make prevented the virus from spreading their top priority.

They set up a new task force under the direct control of the party's leadership. Senior party officials are being sent to Hubei Province, where the outbreak started.

The disease continues to spread around the world.
44 people in 13 countries have been confirmed infected. In South Korea, officials say the country's third patient was confirmed on Sunday. Most of the infected people are tourists from Wuhan or those who visited the city.

Hong Kong Disneyland shut its gates beginning on Sunday. The one in Shanghai has been closed since Saturday.

Key words : Trump resume
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200126_10/

Lawyers for US President Donald Trump have begun their defense in his impeachment trial, saying the president "did absolutely nothing wrong."

Trump has been charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over his dealings with Ukraine. The Senate trial will decide if he should be removed from office.

White House counsel Pat Cipollone is leading the defense team. He criticized Democrats on Saturday for the way they presented their arguments over a telephone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which is at the center of the impeachment.

Cipollone argued that Democrats showed only the parts of the transcript that are convenient for them.

He also said Democrats are "asking you not only to overturn the results of the last election," but "they're asking you to remove President Trump from the ballot in an election that's occurring in approximately nine months."

The defense has 24 hours over up to three days to make its case. But it spent only about two hours on Saturday, as there are fewer TV viewers on weekends.

Defense arguments are scheduled to resume on Monday.

Key words : Kim aunt
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200126_13/

North Korean leader Kim Jon Un's aunt, Kim Kyoung Hui, has made her first public appearance in more than six years.

The ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried a photo on Sunday showing Kim Jon Un and his relatives watching a theater performance on Saturday to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

The photo shows Kim Kyoung Hui, who is the late leader Kim Jong Il's younger sister, applauding while seated between leader Kim's wife and sister.

It was her first media appearance since September 2013. Her husband, former senior official and Kim Jong Un's mentor, Jang Song Thaek, was executed in the same year after being accused of attempting to overthrow the state.

During the period she was not seen in public, it was believed she was in bad health or possibly dead.

Observers say the report of her public appearance may be intended to show strong ties among Kim Jong Un's family members.

Key words : softbank received
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200126_18/

Japanese investigators say an arrested former employee of Tokyo-based telecommunications giant SoftBank Corporation admitted he received personal benefits from a Russian official.

Forty-eight-year-old Yutaka Araki allegedly accessed the company's confidential information on a corporate server in February last year. He was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of violating a law aimed at preventing unfair competition.

Araki told police that he passed the information on to an official in his 50s at Russia's Trade Representation in Japan.

Investigators say Araki repeatedly met with the official at places like restaurants in the Tokyo area and cited Araki as saying he received money for his personal use.

Police say a former official at the Trade Representation is also suspected of involvement. That person has already returned to Russia.

Police are asking Russia through diplomatic channels to make the two available for questioning.

Police say the confidential information was about equipment such as telecommunications base stations.

Police say telecommunications are regarded as important infrastructure and that information related to them is a major target of spying activity.

Key words : south woman 19 years
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200126_22/

A South Korean woman has visited the station in Tokyo where her son was killed 19 years ago while attempting to save a man who had fallen onto the tracks.

The 26-year-old student, Lee Su-hyon, and a Japanese photographer jumped from the platform at JR Shin-Okubo station to try to save the man on January 26, 2001. All three were hit by a train and killed.

On Sunday, Lee's mother, Shin Yoon-chan, left flowers in front of a memorial for the victims. Lee's parents used the donations they received to set up a scholarship program that has helped about 960 South Koreans to study in Japan.

Shin asked for help to improve bilateral relations that have deteriorated over the wartime labor issue, saying this would have been her son's wish.

Key words : coffee shops
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200126_20/

About 50 coffee shops across Japan are donating part of their sales to Australia, where wildfires have burned forests and farm land totaling 170,000 square kilometers, or about half the size of Japan.

More than 30 people have died since last September.

A coffee shop in central Tokyo that uses Australian coffee beans set up a donation box about a week ago.

It started donating 50 yen, or about 45 cents, for every cup of coffee sold on Sunday to a charity in Australia.

The owner, Tomomasa Shibata, lived in Sydney until 10 years ago. He called on coffee shop owners across Japan to join the effort.

About 50 coffee shops in 15 prefectures are taking part and donating part of their Sunday sales.

Shibata says he is worried about his friends in Australia, and that he wants the initiative to spread further.

A customer in her 20s who visited Shibata's coffee shop said global warming is said to be one of the causes of the wildfires, and that she bears part of the responsibility.

She said she wanted to help somehow.

at 20:00 (JST), January 25

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200125200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : health authorities in china
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_14/

Health authorities in China say the death toll from a deadly new coronavirus has risen to 41, with hundreds of additional cases of infection taking the number of people affected throughout the country to almost 1,300.

The National Health Commission said 237 patients are in serious condition.

Authorities have imposed travel restrictions on several cities in a bid to contain the virus, which causes pneumonia and, in some cases, death.

The outbreak began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, late last year. Since then, the health commission says it has spread to 29 provinces and cities, covering most of the country.

On Friday, another 15 people died in Hubei Province.

China's week-long Lunar New Year holidays started on Friday, heightening fears that the spread of the virus could accelerate as hundreds of millions of people travel to see family members and friends.

Authorities responded to the threat by placing several cities into lockdown, and shutting popular sightseeing spots and entertainment attractions. Shanghai Disney Resort and Beijing's Palace Museum are both temporarily closed.

Key words : vietnam outside main
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_06/

Infections of the new strain of coronavirus have been confirmed in 11 countries and regions outside mainland China after the first cases were reported in the city of Wuhan.

Thailand and Hong Kong have each confirmed five people are infected. Singapore and Taiwan have both reported three patients.

Japan, France, Macau, South Korea, the United States and Vietnam have confirmed two cases each. Nepal has reported one patient.

Key words : europe france
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_15/

France has confirmed its first three cases of the new coronavirus. They are also the first cases in Europe.

The health ministry announced on Friday that one patient is a 48-year-old resident of Bordeaux who recently made a trip to China, which included a stop in the city of Wuhan, where the outbreak began.

The ministry says after the patient returned to France on Wednesday, he complained of fever and other symptoms. He has since been hospitalized and is in stable condition.

The other two patients are in Paris. The AFP news agency reports that they recently visited China, but the exact details of their trip are unknown.

French health minister Agnes Buzyn told a news conference that more cases are likely to emerge. She said that for each patient, it's important to identify how they were infected as quickly as possible.

Key words : US defense
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_21/

The US Defense Department has updated the number of US troops who were injured in Iran's attack on Iraqi bases housing US forces.

The Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Jonathan Hoffman told reporters on Friday that 34 service members have been diagnosed with concussions or traumatic brain injuries.

Hoffman said that 17 of them have been transported either to the United States or to Germany for treatment.

The total number is up 23 from January 16, when the Trump administration said that 11 US troops were injured in the Iranian ballistic missile attack on January 8.

The attack was in retaliation for a US drone strike in Baghdad on January 3 that killed a top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

The Pentagon initially said that no US service members were hurt in the Iranian attack.

President Donald Trump dismissed the idea of launching a counterattack against Iran, saying the US suffered no casualties.

He hasn't changed the stance even after the report on US service members who sustained injuries, saying that their injuries are not serious.

US media are criticizing the administration's response, saying that it is different from the initial explanation.

Key words : Turkish at least 22
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_26/

The Turkish government says at least 22 people have died and more than 1000 people have been injured in a powerful earthquake Friday night that jolted the country's east.

The US Geological Survey says the magnitude 6.7 tremor struck Elazig province.

The focus of the quake was estimated at a depth of about 10 kilometers.

The full extent of damage is not yet known.

Officials say 30 buildings have collapsed in hard-hit areas. It says around 30 people are trapped under collapsed buildings.

Local media showed footage of people being pulled out of damaged buildings...and carried away in ambulances.

Key words : defense minister inspected
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_20/

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono has given a talk to the crew of a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer that will set out in early February for a mission in the Middle East.

Japan's government issued an order earlier this month to dispatch a destroyer and aircraft to the Middle East for an intelligence-gathering operation designed to safeguard commercial ships with links to Japan.

On Saturday, Kono visited an MSDF base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, and boarded the destroyer, the Takanami.

The minister inspected bullet-proof windows on the bridge of the ship and observed a loudspeaker system that issues warnings about suspicious boats.

He commended the vessel's medical and cooking staff.

Speaking to reporters later, Kono noted that about 90 percent of Japan's oil imports come through Middle Eastern waters. He talked about the need to protect the Japanese economy from disruptions to supply.

The Takanami is scheduled to leave Yokosuka on February 2 and begin operations in the Gulf of Oman and the northern part of the Arabian Sea later next month. The ship will collaborate with P-3C patrol planes, also from Japan. The planes are based in the east African nation of Djibouti and have been in operation since last Monday.

Key words : US government clear
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_11/

A senior US government official has indicated Washington will press Japan to pay a bigger share of the cost to station US forces in the country.

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell referred to the issue during a speech in Washington on Friday.

Stilwell said President Donald Trump has made it clear that America's allies, including Japan, should commit to bigger financial contributions.

The Japanese and US governments are scheduled to discuss the matter later this year.

Stilwell said negotiations between the US and South Korea have offered up valuable lessons.

He referred to China's military buildup, and said "we should all reflect on the fact that the security situation in the region is definitely different than it was five years ago or 10 years ago." He noted that the "capabilities of our alliance friends to contribute have also increased."

Separately, the US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for Korea and Japan, Marc Knapper, told a news conference on Friday that Trump is set to ask America's allies to spend more.

He said Washington and Tokyo will hold talks in the spirit of strengthening their alliance, and in a respectful manner.

Knapper also said the US will value its commitments under its treaties with Japan and South Korea, and that Washington is not considering withdrawing or removing its forces from either country.

Key words : finance ministry bond issue
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_13/

Japan's Finance Ministry has indicated new government bond issues in fiscal 2021 may increase for the first time in 11 years. The announcement comes amid rising social security costs such as medical care and pensions.

The ministry has worked out an estimate which indicates that if the economy continues to grow by 1.5 percent in nominal terms, social security costs in fiscal 2023 will increase to 38.5 trillion yen, or about 352 billion dollars. That is up 2.6 trillion yen, or nearly 24 billion dollars, from the budget plan for fiscal 2020.

Debt-servicing costs would increase by 3.1 trillion yen, or about 28 billion dollars, to 26.5 trillion yen, or about 242 billion dollars.

This would bring the total general account budget to 107.6 trillion yen, or about 985 billion dollars, up 4.9 trillion yen, or about 45 billion dollars, from fiscal 2020.

Since fiscal 2011, the issuance of government bonds has been reduced from the previous year in the initial budget, due to an increase in tax revenues and other factors.

But the estimate suggests new bond issues will mark the first increase in 11 years in fiscal 2021. Money raised in this way is likely to come to 35.2 trillion yen, or about 322 billion dollars, in fiscal 2023. That's up nearly 3 trillion yen, or about 27 billion dollars, from fiscal 2020.

The estimate adds even if the government's target of 3 percent nominal economic growth is achieved, the amount of newly issued government bonds is still expected to increase in fiscal 2022.

Key words : United Nations education
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_07/

The United Nations is calling on world governments to increase their education budgets.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed spoke at a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday to mark the International Day of Education.

She said, "At the current rate, by 2030, 420 million of the 1.4 billion school-age children in low- and middle-income countries will not learn the most basic skills in childhood."

Mohammed said without education, none of the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015, will be achieved.

Mohammed called for more investment in education, saying, "The financing gap has been estimated at 39 billion dollars per year." She said the focus must be on eliminating hate speech, raising awareness about ecological issues, and promoting digital transformation.

The Deputy Secretary-General called on all member states to "integrate education for climate action in national education policy and planning."

Key words : climate switzerland forum
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200125_04/

Climate activist Greta Thunberg led a march on Friday through the streets of Davos, Switzerland, as the World Economic Forum came to a close.

The 17-year-old Swede called on people to join her. She and many other youths held signs calling on world leaders to wake up, and that climate change is the reality.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attended the forum. He criticized Thunberg's demand for a halt to investment in fossil fuels. He said, "After she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us."

Thunberg told reporters before the protest that she and other young activists have always been criticized with comments like that. She said, "We cannot care about those kinds of things."

at 20:00 (JST), January 24

China's state-run media says the city of Wuhan is now hastily constructing a large scale hospital to treat patients of pneumonia caused by the new strain of coronavirus.

Japan's Foreign Minister says the ministry will swiftly raise the infectious disease warning for China's Hubei Province to the second-highest level of three.

Japan's Defense Minister has downplayed the danger to the Self-Defense Forces' intelligence-gathering mission in the Middle East.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200124200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : state-run media constructing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200124_40/

China's state-run media reports the authorities are hastily constructing a large hospital in Wuhan to treat patients of pneumonia caused by the new strain of coronavirus.

China Central Television on Friday aired footage showing heavy machinery operating on a vast plot of land.

The broadcaster said the hospital will be able to accommodate 1,000 patients. Construction is set to be complete by February 3.

Reports say medical institutions in Wuhan are overwhelmed.

Infections of the new coronavirus have spread to most parts of the country.

The National Health Commission said on Friday that the number of infected people has risen to 830, with 25 dead.

That number rose to 26 after health authorities in Heilongjiang Province reported one more death.

Key words : Japan health ministry has confirmed fever
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200124_14/

Japan's health ministry has confirmed that a second person in the country has been infected with the new coronavirus strain currently spreading in China. The virus was detected in a man visiting Tokyo from Wuhan. The individual is in his 40s.

The inland Chinese city of Wuhan has been hit by a pneumonia outbreak that was likely caused by the virus.

Ministry officials say the man developed a fever on January 14 before he left China. But the officials say that he was not diagnosed with pneumonia when he saw doctors twice there.

The officials say the man went to a doctor on the 20th after he arrived in Japan. But they add that he was not diagnosed with pneumonia at that time.
The officials say the man saw a doctor again on Wednesday, as he continued to have a fever and sore throat. He was reportedly hospitalized with signs of pneumonia.

The officials say early on Friday it was confirmed that the man was infected with the coronavirus. He remains in a hospital in Tokyo.

The man reportedly says he didn't go near a seafood market in Wuhan that has been linked to most of the cases. He added that he wore face masks while travelling.

The first case in Japan was detected on January 15. The infected person is a Chinese national who visited Wuhan. The man is in his 30s. He lives in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo.

Key words : foreign minister infectious disease warning
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200124_43/

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi says the ministry will swiftly raise the infectious disease warning for China's Hubei Province to the second-highest level of three. Hubei is home to the city of Wuhan, where infections of the new strain of coronavirus are centered.

Motegi told reporters on Friday that the ministry will urge Japanese citizens to refrain from traveling to Hubei Province.

Key words : transport minister
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200124_33/

Japan's transport minister says he is stepping up measures against a possible outbreak of the latest coronavirus. Kazuyoshi Akaba pledged an all-out effort for the expected spike in visitors from China during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The government is urging airlines and cruise ships to distribute a "health card" to all those arriving from China. The card directs people to quarantine officers if they have come from Wuhan and have symptoms, or are taking medicine for pain.

Hotels and other private lodging businesses will be encouraged to check on their guests and urge them to see doctors if they develop symptoms such as fever and coughing.

The transport ministry says five Chinese airlines have suspended direct flights between Japan and Wuhan until the end of February or March.

Authorities in Wuhan earlier announced that flights from the inland Chinese city have been cancelled for the time being.

Key words : defense minister danger
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200124_01/

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono has downplayed the danger to the Self-Defense Forces' intelligence-gathering mission in the Middle East. The government hopes the information will help safeguard commercial ships at a time of regional tension.

Kono discussed the mission in an exclusive interview with NHK World on Thursday.

He said, "I don't think there's going to be any violent situation in the region. We have been communicating with all the parties concerned with our intentions and plans. So I don't see anyone, any particular country trying to knowingly attack the Self-Defense Forces or Japan-related ships flying the Japanese flag in the region."

A Japanese patrol plane unit began its part of the mission this week. The unit is stationed in the east African nation of Djibouti.

A destroyer is due to leave Japan early next month to join the effort. The mission is scheduled to last until December.

Kono says Japan will bring the destroyer home sooner if the mission becomes unnecessary. He says the patrol planes would probably stay for a while after that as they're also tackling piracy off Somalia.

Key words : over the next 30 years
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200124_36/

A panel of Japanese experts says that over the next 30 years, many people living along the Nankai Trough face a higher chance of experiencing a deadly tsunami than being injured in a traffic accident.

The government's Earthquake Research Committee gave the assessment in a report on Friday.

It's the first estimate of the probability of coastal areas being hit by tsunami following a magnitude 8 to 9 earthquake along the Nankai Trough.

The experts estimate there's a 70 to 80 percent chance the trench in the Pacific off central to western Japan will cause such a mega-quake in the next 30 years.

They estimated that the probability that tsunami of at least three meters would hit reached the highest rank of 26 percent or more in 71 municipalities, mainly in the Shikoku, Kinki and Tokai regions.

A three-meter tsunami is said to be capable of washing away houses.

Committee chief Naoshi Hirata said that in comparison, the chance of suffering an injury in a traffic accident during the same time span is thought to be around 15 percent. He says 26 percent is a high probability and advises people to be prepared.

The committee also estimates that there's a chance of at least 6 percent and below 26 percent that 21 cities and towns, mainly in Kochi and Mie Prefectures, will be hit by tsunami of 10 meters or higher.

Key words : organizer fuel
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200124_44/

Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics say hydrogen fuel will be used for parts of the torch relay in an effort to promote clean energy and raise awareness of environmental issues.

The torch relay is scheduled to start on March 26 at the J-Village soccer stadium in Fukushima Prefecture. The complex was an operational base for decommissioning work at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Tokyo Games are branded as the Reconstruction Olympics in the aftermath of the 2011 massive quake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan and triggered a nuclear accident in Fukushima.

Generally, liquefied petroleum gas is used to fuel Olympic flame torches.

But the organizing committee of the Tokyo Games announced on Friday that it will utilize hydrogen fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide, for three areas.

They include Fukushima and Tokyo, as well as Aichi Prefecture. Aichi has the headquarters of Toyota Motor which helped the development of the hydrogen-fueled torch.

The committee plans to use only hydrogen for the Olympic flame cauldron to demonstrate that the Tokyo Games are eco-friendly.

Key words : segmet wrapping up the top stories of the week
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