Key words : yen 34 years
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240429_09/
Yen drops to 160 range against dollar
The Japanese currency has further weakened against the dollar on foreign exchange markets on Monday, dropping to the 160-yen range at one point.
It is the first time in 34 years for the currency to trade at the 160-yen level.
Key words : rapid rebound
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240429_11/
Japanese yen's volatile moves generate speculation of market intervention
The yen fell to a fresh 34-year low against the dollar, but rapidly rebounded on Monday. The volatile moves have led to speculation that Japanese authorities intervened in the currency market.
The market is closed in Japan for a national holiday. But trading is held as usual elsewhere.
In Asian markets, the yen initially traded at the lower-158 level and fell further on Monday morning, reaching 160 for the first time since April 1990.
Less than three hours later, the yen bounced back to the 154 to 155 level.
Market players say there is speculation that the Japanese government and the Bank of Japan intervened. That's because the yen's surge came despite there being clear incentives for investors to buy it.
Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs Kanda Masato declined to comment on the developments.
The yen also briefly fell to the lowest level against the euro since the single currency was introduced in 1999.
Key words : israel 19 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240429_10/
Israeli air strikes kill at least 19 in Rafah, says Al Jazeera
Israeli air strikes have killed at least 19 people in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, says Qatar-based satellite television Al Jazeera.
The broadcaster reported on Monday that the Israeli military bombed three houses in the city.
Israeli forces are showing readiness to launch a ground offensive there.
On Sunday, an international aid group, the World Central Kitchen, said it will resume operations in the Gaza Strip. The group suspended operations earlier this month after an Israeli air raid killed seven staff members.
The group said, "We have been forced to make a decision: stop feeding altogether during one of the worst hunger crises ever...or keep feeding knowing that aid, aid workers and civilians are being intimidated and killed."
It added, "Ultimately, we decided that we must keep feeding, continuing our mission of showing up to provide food to people during the toughest of times."
The group said it had 276 trucks with the equivalent of almost 8 million meals ready to enter through the Rafah Crossing. It also plans to deliver food to Gaza by sea.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has left for the Middle East to discuss ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held there.
A Hamas delegation is reportedly planning to visit Egypt on Monday for talks on a pause in fighting and the hostage release.
Key words : general staff rather than
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240429_16/
Palestinian media: Israeli airstrikes in Rafah kill 22
Palestinian media say Israeli airstrikes in Rafah have killed 22 people. It comes as Israel's top military officer approved plans for a continuation of operations in the Gaza Strip.
The military said on Sunday that Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, endorsed the continuation. The move is believed to be part of preparations for a ground offensive into Rafah in the enclave's south.
Rafah is currently home to about 1.2 million people, including evacuees from other parts of Gaza.
Israel and Hamas have indirectly been engaged in negotiations for a pause in the fighting and the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Media outlets in the Middle East report a Hamas delegation will visit Egypt as early as Monday. They are likely to discuss a new proposal from Israel.
US news website Axios reports the proposal marks the first time Israel has suggested it's open to discussing an end to the conflict as part of a hostage deal.
Hamas has been demanding a ceasefire rather than a pause in fighting.
Key words : Biden discuss release
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240429_06/
Biden, Netanyahu discuss Gaza ceasefire, hostage release talks
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed ongoing talks on the release of hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during a phone call.
The White House announced on Sunday that the two leaders reviewed negotiations between Israel and the Islamic group Hamas during the telephone call earlier in the day.
The White House said in a statement that Biden and Netanyahu "also discussed increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza including through preparations to open new northern crossings starting this week."
Biden stressed "the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced."
The US president also reiterated his clear position as the Israeli military approved plans for continuation of the war in Gaza. The move is believed to be part of preparations for a ground offensive into the southern city of Rafah.
Biden has repeatedly expressed deep concerns about a possible Israeli ground operation in Rafah.
He is believed to have conveyed such concerns to his Israeli counterpart during the talks.
Biden also reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel's security following the successful defense against Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack earlier this month.
Key words : two relative
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240429_08/
Abductees' relatives head to US seeking support
Two relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have left for the United States to seek support from US officials for an early resolution of the issue.
The relatives are Yokota Takuya, who leads the group of abductees' families, and Iizuka Koichiro.
Yokota is the younger brother of Yokota Megumi, who was kidnapped by North Korean agents at the age of 13.
Iizuka's mother Taguchi Yaeko was abducted by the North when he was one-year-old.
The two plan to meet government officials and lawmakers of both chambers of Congress before they return to Japan on Saturday.
In February, the abductees families' group compiled an action plan that says they will not oppose the Japanese government lifting sanctions on the North if all the remaining abductees are returned while their parents are alive.
The group strongly urged the Japanese government to take action and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to make a decision.
Yokota and Iizuka are expected to explain the new policy and seek understanding and support from the US side for the early return of abductees.
Speaking to reporters at Tokyo's Haneda airport, Yokota said that nothing has changed since he visited the US a year ago.
He said that abductees' families are still facing the fact that their loved ones have not returned, and their suffering has continued.
Yokota said that he hopes to meet US lawmakers, experts and government officials, and wants them to understand the situation for families that's behind the new policy.
Iizuka said that one year means a lot to elderly relatives, and he thinks it's important to continue efforts to gain support, understanding and cooperation from US officials to rescue abductees as soon as possible.
The Japanese government says at least 17 citizens were abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s. Five returned in 2002, but the other 12 are still unaccounted for.
Key words : by-election defeat
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240429_01/
Japan's main opposition CDP wins 3 by-elections
Three Lower House by-elections were held in Japan on Sunday. Candidates from the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party have won all three seats. The results are expected to affect the management of the government led by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
The by-elections were held in constituencies in Tokyo and the prefectures of Shimane and Nagasaki.
In the No.1 district of Shimane, a candidate from the opposition CDP defeated the Liberal Democratic Party.
The election in Tokyo's No.15 district was held after a former state minister of justice resigned over vote-buying allegations. The CDP candidate has won the poll. The LDP did not field a candidate for the seat.
The LDP also didn't contest the No.3 district in Nagasaki Prefecture. The by-election was held because a lawmaker stepped down over a political fundraising scandal.
Here are some reactions from party officials.
CDP President Izumi Kenta said: " The by-elections were a test of political reform. There are many people across Japan who want to express their opinions. If the LDP's plans for political reform don't make progress, we will naturally have to seek a public mandate."
LDP Secretary-General Motegi Toshimitsu said:" We must accept the results. We will try to regain public trust by working tirelessly for reform."
The by-elections are the first since the LDP fundraising scandal became public last fall. Earlier this month, the LDP punished dozens of members who got kickbacks from sales of fundraiser tickets but did not properly declare the revenue.
Key words : analysis shimada yukiko
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20240429154427472/
Analysis: What the results could mean for the LDP
Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party loses three crucial by-elections, putting the party and especially Prime Minister Kishida Fumio under pressure.
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