Key words : 43,000 homes
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240129_19/
Survivors of Japan's Noto quake still living in shelters 4 weeks later
It has been four weeks since a deadly earthquake struck central Japan's Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day. The death toll has reached 236, and over 14,000 are still living in evacuation shelters.
More than 43,000 homes were damaged in and around the Noto area by the magnitude 7.6 earthquake.
The main street in Ishikawa Prefecture's Suzu City was devastated. A resident said, "There were many shops along the road. It's completely destroyed."
The tremors also triggered widespread liquefaction. Experts inspected the area on Sunday but said they still do not know the full extent of the damage.
Many are working to rebuild. A local high school's baseball team pitched in Sunday to help clean up the dirt.
The team's captain said, "I'm here because I want my neighbors to get their normal lives back soon."
Authorities in Ishikawa say about 14,500 people are still evacuated.
With no return home in sight, officials are trying to make shelter life a little easier.
A survivor initially evacuated to an elementary school with her dog. However, people were concerned about barking. She was later able to move to a new facility where evacuees can stay alongside their animals.
The woman said, "The shelter is only for people with pets, so we won't cause trouble for others. You don't have to worry about allergies or smells. I'm really glad that I was able to evacuate with my dog."
Reports show that 90 people are living in their cars. Many homes still do not have running water.
Local officials are working to move survivors to hotels in areas unaffected by the quake.
Officials say temporary housing will be built as early as next week for those who need to evacuate long-term.
Key words : move elementary school new uniform
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Key words : lack of running water toilet
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https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20240129155713841/
Portable toilets provide relief and save lives after Noto earthquake
Nearly a month after the devastating New Year's Day earthquake, tens of thousands of people in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture are still without running water. That means finding a flushable toilet is a challenge. But as NHK World's Hirayama Akihide explains, cities across Japan are offering some relief.
Key words : hong kong courthttps://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240129_18/
Evergrande liquidation ordered in Hong Kong
A Hong Kong court has ordered the heavily indebted Chinese real-estate developer Evergrande Group into liquidation. The firm is said to owe more than 300 billion dollars to its creditors.
Evergrande is expected to prepare for the sale of its assets in Hong Kong under court-appointed administrators. It's unclear whether its assets in mainland China would also be sold.
The Hong Kong High Court had postponed its decision on the liquidation in early December, saying it needed more time to study Evergrande's debt-restructuring plan.
The prolonged weakness in China's property market is fueling concerns about the financial health of related businesses. The latest court decision highlights the worsening downturn in the industry.
Key words : 62 out of 70
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240129_26/
China's property market slump continues despite loosened regulations
China's real estate woes, triggered by tighter government regulations, drag on even after the curbs have been loosened.
The latest statistics show new home prices dropped in 62 major cities out of 70 in December and that real estate investment in 2023 fell 9.6 percent from the previous year.
Two major property developers, Evergrande Group and Country Garden, have been declared in default.
What triggered the slump in the property market was the tightening of regulations by the Chinese government out of concern over an asset-inflated bubble.
The stronger regulations were put in place in 2020 under the slogan that houses are for living, not for speculation.
The government spelled out the "three red lines" for the debts of property developers with the intention of restricting new borrowing.
The tighter regulations worsened the cash management of many real estate firms, leading to delays or suspensions of housing construction.
In the face of the prolonged slump, the Communist Party Politburo decided in July last year to adjust and optimize the property policy.
The government later announced it was relaxing regulations on housing loans.
With little improvement to be seen in the market, the government approved in October the issuing of 1 trillion yuan, or about 139 billion dollars, in new government bonds to push for infrastructure investment.
Observers say it is very unusual for China's budget to be reviewed during the year. Market players saw this move as suggesting a sense of urgency held by the leadership of President Xi Jinping.
A key meeting in December to discuss economic policy for the coming year unveiled measures to deal with a property market slump and the related debt risks of local governments.
The Communist Party has yet to hold an important meeting of the Central Committee that was originally expected last autumn. Some observers say the leadership may have had difficulty coming up with effective measures.
Key words : finland runoff
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240129_13/
Finland's presidential election headed for February 11 runoff
Finland will hold a presidential runoff next month as none of the nine candidates won a majority of votes in the first round of the election on Sunday.
Finland's Ministry of Justice says former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb of the ruling center-right National Coalition Party won 27.2 percent of the votes, while former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto of the center-left Green Party received 25.8 percent.
The two will compete in the runoff on February 11.
Finland scrapped its policy of military neutrality after Russia invaded Ukraine. The Nordic country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in April.
Finland has been on heightened alert against Russia since last summer. In November, the country closed most of its border points with Russia. It cited a surge in the number of asylum seekers arriving in the country and blamed Moscow for intentionally sending them to cause turmoil.
The two countries share a roughly 1,300-kilometer border.
During the election campaign, all nine contenders called for a tough stance against Russia.
Key words : kim new type
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240129_10/
N.Korea: Kim Jong Un oversees test launch of submarine-launched cruise missiles
North Korea says its leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the test firing of submarine-launched cruise missiles.
North Korea's ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Monday that the test-firing of the Pulhwasal-3-31, a new type of strategic cruise missile, was conducted on Sunday. Pulhwasal means "blaze arrow" in Korean.
The newspaper said the missiles flew above the sea off the country's east coast for over two hours before hitting an island target.
It did not say whether the cruise missiles were actually launched from a submarine. The newspaper carried images of a missile billowing smoke, flying over the sea.
The newspaper said Kim expressed great satisfaction over the result of the test. It went on to say the leader gave instructions on realizing a navy with nuclear weapons and diversifying nuclear deterrence.
South Korea's military reported on Sunday that the North fired several cruise missiles in waters off the eastern port city of Sinpho. Pyongyang's announcement on Monday is believed to be about those missiles.
The Rodong Sinmun also reported that Kim discussed issues related to building a nuclear-powered submarine.
The latest firing of cruise missiles follows one last week. They are expected to be able to carry a tactical nuclear warhead.
Key words : Kishida in the diet
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240129_22/
Japan PM Kishida apologizes in Diet for funding scandal involving his party
Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has reiterated his apology in the Diet for the money scandal embroiling factions of his main ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Kishida was speaking on Monday at a session of the Lower House Budget Committee that focused on politics and money.
He said the issue seriously undermined the public's trust in politics. He pledged to make persistent efforts to reform politics and restore trust.
In the session, opposition parties urged for a swift probe to uncover the full extent of the off-the-books flow of funds involving LDP factions and lawmakers concerning revenues from fundraising parties.
Kishida responded that the party will start hearing from those involved and that a series of reforms will be discussed with other parties.
LDP member Niwa Hideki asked if politicians should bear responsibility for the false reports made by their fund management organizations.
Niwa noted that many people think that politicians may be evading responsibility, while their secretaries and treasurers are prosecuted. He asked Kishida for his view on a system to hold politicians accountable as well.
Kishida said careful discussion is needed on various points such as types of illegal acts and scope of political organizations before such a system based on guilt by association is introduced.
He said the LDP will draw up its views on reforms, including a system to clarify politicians' responsibilities, as well as hold comprehensive discussions with other parties.
A member of the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, Shina Takeshi, urged Kishida to quickly figure out what actually went wrong.
Shina said there is concern that off-the-books funds are being used for purposes worlds apart from the proper use of political funds, and that a full picture should be given. He asked Kishida for a deadline on when he would act.
The prime minister said he had already instructed party executives to set up a framework for hearing from those involved. He said he will start the effort soon.
Kishida also said he will consider inviting third-party experts to join the investigation.
Some LDP lawmakers say they have filed corrections in their political fund reports in relation to the scandal.
Kishida said so far he is aware that fund reports have been revised by more than 30 members of the party's largest faction, previously led by the late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, and seven of the faction led by former LDP Secretary-General Nikai Toshihiro.
Key words : prosecutor eight
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240126_23/
Lower House member Ikeda, aide indicted in political funds scandal
Tokyo prosecutors have indicted Lower House member Ikeda Yoshitaka and his policy aide over falsified political fund reports.
The two were charged Friday for violating the political funds control law. The aide serves as chief treasurer for the lawmaker's fund management organization.
Ikeda was expelled from the Liberal Democratic Party after he was arrested early this month. He had belonged to the main governing party's largest faction. Late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo had formerly led the group.
Ikeda and his aide are accused of failing to declare kickbacks from the faction for selling fundraiser tickets in excess of his quota.
Prosecutors allege the unreported revenue reached more than 48 million yen, or about 330,000 dollars, in the five years through 2022. They say Ikeda's fund management organization should have declared the money as a donation.
Sources say both Ikeda and the aide are not responding to questioning. The sources say Ikeda is also suspected of attempting to destroy evidence. They say a different aide to the lawmaker has told prosecutors that Ikeda gave instructions to destroy a personal computer at his office. Prosecutors searched the office and other locations last month.
The indictment brings the number of people charged in the political funds scandal to 10. The eight others are current and former lawmakers and chief treasurers. One of them is a former treasurer for the faction previously led by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
Meanwhile, prosecutors announced on Friday that they have decided against indicting eight other senior LDP lawmakers, including executives of the Abe faction.
The eight were subject to a criminal complaint that they failed to report part of their political funds. Prosecutors say they lacked evidence to charge them.
Key words : worlld weather jonathan
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