Key words : US treasury step forward
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_08/
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says her country and China have "significant disagreements," but her meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing "served as a step forward" in bilateral relations.
During her visit to China that started Thursday, Yellen met with officials including Premier Li Qiang and Vice Premier He Lifeng, who in charge of the economy and trade with the United States.
She held a news conference in the Chinese capital on Sunday before heading home to the US.
Yellen said that she pressed Beijing on Washington's "serious concerns about China's unfair economic practices," including barriers to market access for foreign firms.
She also said her meetings that totaled about 10 hours over two days "served as a step forward in our effort to put the US-China relationship on surer footing."
The US government has been limiting exports to China of semiconductors and other products that could be used for military applications.
China recently announced that it would impose export controls on two rare metals used for manufacturing chips.
The two sides confirmed in the series of talks that they will continue to engage in dialogue. But it remains to be seen whether there will be any concrete progress in negotiations over contentious issues such as semiconductors and tariffs.
Key words : atomic energy south discuss
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_03/
The director general of the UN nuclear watchdog and South Korea's foreign minister have discussed Japan's plan to release treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in the South Korean capital, Seoul, on Saturday.
Ministry sources say Grossi briefed Jin on the IAEA's assessment of the plan during the meeting.
The IAEA review concluded that the treated and diluted water that Japan plans to release from the plant meets international safety standards.
Water used to cool molten nuclear fuel mixes with rain and groundwater. The water is then treated to remove most radioactive substances. But tritium remains.
Before the Japanese government releases the water into the ocean, it plans to dilute the water to reduce the level of tritium to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water quality.
The sources say Park asked Grossi to continue to cooperate, so that people in his country can feel secure about the safety of the treated water.
After the meeting, Park told reporters that he and Grossi had in-depth discussions about ways in which the IAEA and the South Korean government can work together to check and see if the water is safe.
On Friday, the South Korean government noted that its own assessment indicates the treated water from the plant will meet international safety standards, if it is released as currently planned by the Japanese government.
The South Korean government said it intends to accept the IAEA report.
There is growing concern in South Korea about the planned release. Groups protesting against it held a rally in Seoul on Saturday.
On Sunday, Grossi is scheduled to meet with lawmakers from South Korea's largest opposition party. They have been protesting against the plan.
Key words : macron opposition
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_04/
French President Emmanuel Macron has informed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of his opposition to plans to set up a liaison office in Japan.
An official at France's presidential office told reporters on Friday that the "NA" of NATO stands for "North Atlantic".
The official noted that the articles of the alliance specify the geographical scope, which is the North Atlantic.
The official said France is not in favor of the idea for reasons of principle, and that Macron clearly expressed his opposition to Stoltenberg.
The official also said, "Regarding the office, the Japanese authorities have told us themselves that they are not very attached to it."
In an interview with a US TV station in May, Stoltenberg had revealed that NATO had been negotiating the setting up of a liaison office with the Japanese government.
He explained that it was part of NATO's efforts to increase cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Diplomatic sources told NHK that NATO leaders are expected to discuss the matter at an organizational summit which opens in Lithuania on Tuesday.
The opening of a new liaison office requires a unanimous agreement at the North Atlantic Council, NATO's principal political decision-making body.
The sources say if France stands by its opposition, the feasibility of a new NATO office in Tokyo is slim.
Key words : group of seven sustainable 70 percent
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_10/
The Group of Seven ministers for sustainable urban development have agreed to work together to make cities more carbon neutral.
The G7 ministers issued a statement on Sunday to wrap up their two-day meeting in Takamatsu, western Japan. The document stresses that cities have an important role to play in realizing carbon-neutral societies. The United Nations estimates that cities are responsible for more than 70 percent of global CO2 emissions.
The statement says that greening cities and the surrounding areas can help deal with the causes and impact of climate change.
The G7 ministers say they will work to secure more green spaces as well as creating green roofs and walls on buildings.
The statement also welcomes international cooperation to promote energy-efficient buildings that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero in the entire process from construction to demolition.
The ministers pointed to the importance of government funding, such as subsidies and tax incentives, as well as private investment.
Regarding support for Ukraine, the statement stresses the active involvement of the G7 nations, saying they can contribute more effectively to the restoration of the country's infrastructure from the planning stage.
Japan's land minister Saito Tetsuo told a news conference that when addressing global issues such as disasters and climate change, countries should focus on the problems of urban areas where people and assets are concentrated.
Saito added that the G7 ministers were able to put together a strong message to make cities more sustainable.
He noted that Japanese cities will need more green areas to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
He also said it is important for the public and private sectors to work together to secure more of these green spaces.
Key words : asean study
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_06/
Former ASEAN international students to Japan have said that they will continue to help develop ties with the country in which they studied. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN friendship and cooperation.
A group of former students from the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries holds meetings every few years. This year about 140 people got together in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.
Heru Santoso, head of the organizing committee, studied management engineering in Japan. He told the gathering in Japanese that he hopes to raise funds for scholarships and send students to study in Japan as a way of showing his gratitude for the grants he received from the country.
Participants gave presentations on various subjects such as how to cooperate with Japan in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs.
Many former international students are active as business and political leaders, and are playing a role as a liaison with the Japanese government and companies.
A participant from Malaysia said China and South Korea are increasing their presence, but Japan has many merits, such as its manufacturing.
He added students could contribute to the Japanese economy if they are granted visas after their studies that allow them to stay and work in Japan.
The Japan Student Services Organization says more than 20 percent of international students studying at Japanese universities and elsewhere last year were from ASEAN countries.
Key words : heavy rain continues
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_09/
Heavy rain continues to fall in western Japan. The country's weather agency is urging people here to be on the alert for landslides and warnings to evacuate.
Areas along the Sea of Japan were hit by intermittent heavy rain through Saturday. Landslide alerts are in effect for parts of the prefectures of Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Shimane, Fukuoka and Oita.
Rainfall in Shimane and Yamaguchi prefectures surpassed 200 millimeters in a 48-hour period.
Several rivers exceeded flood-risk levels in the prefectures of Yamaguchi, Hiroshima and Saga.
Officials in Izumo, Shimane prefecture say a vehicle fell into a river and turned upside down with a man trapped inside. Officials say they found the car, but no one was inside.
An active front is expected to remain stationary over Japan's main island of Honshu. It is likely to bring heavy rain to the west and north of the country through Tuesday.
Officials say the rain may be accompanied by lightning and high winds. They are advising people to be on alert for flooding and rising rivers.
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿