Key words : okinawa assembly passed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240710_15/
Okinawa assembly passes resolution over sex assaults by US military personnel
Japan's Okinawa prefectural assembly has unanimously passed a resolution and a statement in response to multiple allegations of sexual violence involving US military personnel stationed in the prefecture.
The step was taken at a plenary session of the assembly on Wednesday.
The resolution is a protest directed at the United States, including US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. It states sexual violence is an extremely heinous crime that tramples on human dignity and cannot be tolerated under the laws and justice of either country.
The resolution calls on the US side to present residents of Okinawa with concrete and effective measures to prevent a recurrence, such as a tightening of discipline.
The statement is directed at the Japanese government, including Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. It points out the failure of investigative authorities and the Foreign Ministry to provide the Okinawa prefectural government and local municipalities with information about the serious incidents.
It adds that this has raised doubts among people in the prefecture.
Both the resolution and statement call for an apology and compensation for the victims as well as mental healthcare.
They also are requesting that the prefectural government and relevant municipalities be promptly notified of incidents involving US military personnel, while ensuring the victims' privacy is protected.
In addition, the assembly is calling for fundamental revisions to the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement, claiming that it affords special treatment to US military personnel in Japan.
The prefectural assembly says it wants to send a delegation to Tokyo to visit the US embassy, the foreign ministry and elsewhere to directly pass on the documents as early as this month.
Key words : in march
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240706_05/
Japan aims for more transparency over misconduct by US military personnel
Leaders in Japan are taking steps to improve transparency about suspected sexual assaults by US military personnel. The government is under fire after failing to promptly report a series of cases to prefectural authorities in Okinawa.
In March, a US Air Force member was indicted for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting an underage girl.
And in June, a Marine was indicted on suspicion of attempting to sexually assault a woman.
Police arrested another Marine on Thursday in Naha. He is suspected of groping a woman's breasts, but denies the allegations.
Japan's top government spokesperson says the new system will be more efficient.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said: "We need prompt discussions on how to respond to cases of this kind in Okinawa, to prevent crimes by US military personnel. The relevant ministries and agencies will cooperate and share as much information as possible with local governments."
The Foreign Ministry will now pass information provided by investigators to the Defense Ministry, which will then notify relevant local governments.
Some people in Okinawa welcome the changes. Others say they are overdue.
Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny said: "This is one step forward. The government has reviewed its policy on sharing information."
Washington's ambassador to Japan visited the Foreign Ministry on Friday.
Rahm Emanuel said: "Whatever we are doing, as it relates to training and education. It's self-evident. It's not working."
Emanuel suggests Washington will come up with steps to improve the conduct of US military personnel by the end of the month, when the foreign and defense chiefs of both countries meet in Tokyo.
Key words : high court
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240710_09/
Japanese court approves gender change without surgery
A high court in Japan has approved a request by a transgender person to change their legal gender without undergoing surgery.
Lawyers described the decision to approve the change from male to female in the family registry as highly unusual in Japan. This is because Japanese law effectively requires those who want to change their gender to have surgery to alter their physical appearance to resemble those of the opposite gender.
Sources close to the case said the high court made the decision on Wednesday for a person diagnosed with gender identity disorder, legally male but living as a woman.
Under current Japanese law, a person's gender on the family registry can only be changed if certain conditions are met.
The law effectively requires those wishing to change their gender to undergo surgery so that they no longer have reproductive function and their genital organs resemble those of the opposite gender.
In response to the individual's petition, the Supreme Court ruled in October that the requirement for surgery to remove reproductive function was unconstitutional as it violated the right not to be harmed.
It ordered a retrial regarding the surgery, and the case continued in the high court.
In handing down the decision on Wednesday, the high court reportedly said the requirement imposes an excessive restriction by forcing a choice between undergoing surgery and thus giving up the right not to be harmed, or forgoing the legal recognition of one's gender identity.
The court also said that it is reasonable to interpret that the requirement can be satisfied as long as an individual appears to be of the opposite gender to others, even if surgery is not performed.
Based on this interpretation and the fact that the individual in this case had developed a feminine body through hormone treatment, the court granted the gender change.
Lawyers called the decision extremely unusual as the surgery has mainly been considered a requirement for those wishing to change their gender from male to female.
The individual who was granted the gender change expressed gratitude in a comment released by lawyers.
The person said: "A lifelong wish has finally come true. I'm so pleased that I'll be freed from the hardships I've experienced due to the difference between my social gender and legal gender. I'd like to thank the many people who have supported me."
Key words : fuji
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240710_11/
Mt. Fuji fully opens for climbing season
Trails on Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak, are now fully open for climbers this year.
The Fujinomiya, Gotemba and Subashiri trails on the Shizuoka Prefecture side opened on Wednesday, following the opening of another route in neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture last week. The mountain straddles the two prefectures.
Trekkers began climbing the mountain after the Fujinomiya trail opened at 9 a.m. Shizuoka prefectural officials said the peak was forecast to be covered in clouds and windy.
A Shinto ceremony was also held Wednesday morning at Fujisanhongu Sengentaisha Shrine in Fujinomiya City. A Shinto priest purified a bus carrying trekkers and prayed for their safety.
Fujinomiya Mayor Sudo Hidetada declared the climbing trails open before a crowd of about 300 people.
A man from the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido said his family will stay overnight in a hut at the ninth station. He added that they're looking forward to watching the sunrise near the peak.
People clad in white paraded with a giant walking stick 3.776 meters long -- one thousandth the mountain's height -- before placing it in front of the outer shrine.
Mountain rescuers, consisting of police and firefighting personnel and others, also marked the start of their seasonal mission.
Shizuoka Prefecture introduced new measures for its three routes in a bid to enhance safety and address problematic behavior by some climbers.
Trekkers are now requested to register online in advance, listing their itinerary and whether they plan to stay overnight at huts. They also need to watch videos detailing climbing rules and etiquette before beginning their ascents.
Noting that the mountain huts are almost fully booked for the season, city officials say they're concerned more trekkers may recklessly try to climb through the night without taking enough breaks.
Key words : Biden unity security
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240710_06/
NATO summit begins in Washington
The leaders of NATO's member countries have kicked off a summit meeting in Washington. The event comes as the alliance is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
The meeting runs from Tuesday through Thursday. The leaders are expected to agree on the importance of unity among the NATO member states and the need to provide Ukraine with more assistance, in light of Russia's continued invasion of the country.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivered an address. He said, "Russia's war against Ukraine is the biggest security crisis in generations."
He also said: "The biggest cost and the greatest risk will be if Russia wins in Ukraine. We cannot let that happen."
US President Joe Biden also delivered remarks. He said, "Today, NATO is more powerful than ever, 32 nations strong."
He added: "The war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country. Russia will not prevail. Ukraine will prevail."
NATO says there is likely to be agreement on the need to expand the alliance's role, so that it can coordinate the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and training sessions for some of the country's troops. They are also expected to agree to take steps to secure funds, so that they can give Ukraine more military assistance.
There are concerns in Europe that a victory by Donald Trump in the US presidential election in November could have an impact on unity within the alliance. Trump has voiced skepticism about NATO.
Observers are also waiting to see whether Biden will be able to showcase his leadership skills during the meeting. This comes as concerns about his age continue to grow.
Key words : jake sullivan
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Key words : un security children condemned
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240710_07/
UNSC holds emergency meeting after missile attack on Kyiv children's hospital
The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Russia's latest missile attacks across Ukraine. One of the strikes on Monday heavily damaged a children's hospital in Kyiv.
The meeting was held on Tuesday at the request of France and other countries. Russia holds the council presidency this month.
It began with an online report from Volodymyr Zhovnir, the director of the hospital.
He said both children and adults screamed and cried during the attack, in fear and pain from their wounds. He described the scene as "a real hell."
Zhovnir said the attack will have a serious long-term effect on Ukrainian children needing medical care.
Delegates from countries including the United States and European nations condemned the attacks on hospitals, schools and other private facilities as a violation of international humanitarian law.
French UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere said Russia deliberately targeted residential neighborhoods and healthcare infrastructure.
He said these flagrant violations of international law are yet another entry on the list of war crimes for which Russia will be held accountable.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield noted that the meeting was taking place because Russia attacked a children's hospital.
She said: "Even uttering that phrase sends a chill down my spine. Russia attacked a children's hospital in broad daylight, killing and injuring children."
Russia's envoy to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, said his country does not strike civilian targets. He said the damage to the children's hospital was caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile that lost its way.
Key words : russian court
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240710_10/
Russian court orders arrest of late opposition leader Navalny's widow
A Russian court has ordered the arrest of the widow of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in an Arctic prison colony in February.
The Moscow court announced Tuesday that it had ordered the arrest in absentia of Yulia Navalnaya.
The court accused Navalnaya of participating in an extremist community and ordered her to be detained for two months.
Navalnaya is currently living outside of Russia. She would be detained by Russian authorities if she returns to the country or if she is handed over.
Her late husband's support team is designated an extremist group in Russia and banned from any activities.
Navalnaya has continued to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration following her husband's death.
On Tuesday she slammed the court order, calling Putin "a murderer and a war criminal" on social media platform X.
She said he belongs in prison and should be kept in the same two-by-three-meter cell in which he killed her husband.
Key words : china former human
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240709_26/
Ex-Chinese human rights lawyer leaves prison after completing term
Former Chinese human rights lawyer Chang Weiping has been released from prison after he completed his term for the crime of subversion of state power.
Chang was detained and his lawyer's license revoked in 2020. He was later sentenced to three years and six months in jail.
He had worked for many years as a lawyer for civil rights activists. He was repeatedly detained by the authorities for attending civil rights movement meetings.
According to a friend of Chang, he was released on Monday from a prison in the inland province of Shaanxi, and was sent to Hainan Island in southern China.
Chang told the friend that he plans to return to his home in Shaanxi Province, but that he has not been able to think about his future.
Sources say that Chang has been stripped of his political rights and is not allowed to leave the country for two years. They say he is unlikely to be able to meet his wife and child, who live in the United States.
Chang's wife, who had argued that he was unlawfully detained, defected to the US with her son in 2022. She claimed that harassment by the authorities was becoming severe.
Chinese authorities are known to keep former human rights lawyers under surveillance after their release from prison. They are often detained again. The authorities are also likely to be watching Chang.
Key words : world weather Jonathan Oh
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