US President Donald Trump has once again referred to North Korea as a nuclear power. The president's view differs from the US government's official stance.
Trump spoke to reporters at the beginning of a meeting with the chief of NATO at the White House. Trump was asked whether he intends to reestablish the relationship he had with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his first term in office.
I had a great relationship with Kim Jong-un, North Korea. If I wasn't elected, if Hillary got in, you would have had a nuclear war with North Korea. He expected it.
Regarding the North Korean leader, Trump went on to say.
We'll see what happens, but certainly he's a nuclear power.
The US government does not officially recognize the North as a nuclear-armed state. But Trump called the country a nuclear power when he took office on January 20. He did not provide any evidence, and the remark caused a stir.
Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven are set to wrap up their two-day meeting in Canada Friday. Their talks have partly focused on a US proposal for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The ministers are trying to balance their own views while also presenting a united message.
I look forward to discussing how we can continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal aggression, and we will want to see just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
It seems many here can agree that peace is a priority.
But agreeing on how to achieve it is easier said than done. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that Washington is continuing talks with both Ukraine and Russia. European countries reiterated that a ceasefire is important, but so is ensuring Ukraine's long-term safety so that Russia does not invade again. Germany's foreign minister says it's important to discuss differences of opinion. The EU's foreign policy chief reportedly said she is optimistic that the G7 can agree on a joint statement. But Rubio indicated before the meeting that he wants to avoid an abrasive message that might hinder efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table.
Ukrainian leaders have agreed to the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US.
The American side understands our argument and accepts our proposals. I want to thank President Trump for the constructive nature of the dialogue between our teams.
But Russia's president has suggested that he's not on board.
We agree with the proposals to put a stop to the hostilities, but we proceed. From the fact that this ceasefire should be made in such a way that it would lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original roots of this crisis.
Vladimir Putin went on to thank US President Donald Trump for his effort to end the war, but said there are issues that need to be discussed. The US special envoy is in Moscow to talk with Putin. Trump says the officials had very serious discussions. it's still not certain whether negotiations will move forward. Back at the G7 meeting, Italy's foreign minister says the group needs to make further efforts to realize a ceasefire. His Japanese counterpart welcomes US and European efforts for peace and notes the way it materializes will affect the international order far beyond, including the Indo-Pacific.
Donald Trump's nominee as the US's next ambassador to Japan said he will hold tough negotiations with Tokyo on tariffs and the trade deficits.
George Glass made the comments during a confirmation hearing held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.
The nominee previously served as the US ambassador to Portugal. He said the US-Japan relationship is at an apex, and he will work to make the relationship even stronger. Glass also talked about his commitment to make demands on Japan in line with the president's America First policy.
I will have tough conversations on tariffs and reducing our trade deficit with Japan. I will make sure Japan continues to increase its support for the defense of the region, our alliance, and our troops, and to ensure that our relationship works for the American people.
Glass expressed concern about China's military activities in the Indo-Pacific region.
The sophistication of the Chinese is grown tremendously and and war has gotten or not necessarily war, but a conflict or a push back and forth has gotten significantly more expensive.
Glass added that upgrading weapons systems will be costly, and he expects to hold talks with Japan about an increase in support.
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has defended himself over a decision to dole out gift certificates to the offices of new lawmakers in his party.
He insists he did not break the law amid mounting criticism, including from some in his main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The scandal stems from a gathering held last week. Ishiba had a meal with the 15 lower house lawmakers at the Prime Minister's official residence and distributed gift vouchers to the legislators' offices. Each voucher was worth about $675.
The move has received backlash coming in the wake of a political fundraising scandal involving the LDP in 2023.
On Friday, Ishiba deeply apologized for causing any concerns, but insisted he did not break the law. He says he paid for the vouchers with his own money and that they were gifts for the gathering.
The vouchers were not donations related to political activity and do not cause problems under the political funds control law. I did not violate the public office election law, as none of the lawmakers live in my electoral district.
Ishiba's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa echoed the Prime Minister's explanation, saying the gifts had nothing to do with politics. Hayashi also confirmed he attended the gathering.
Other LVP lawmakers criticized the move, including Nishida Shoji, who called on the Prime Minister to resign. He notes Ishiba was one of the loudest critics over past political money scandals. The chief representative of the LDP's coalition partner, Komeito, also criticized Ishiba, calling on him to take people's. anger seriously. Opposition leaders blasted Ishiba for allowing his office to give out the gift certificates amid an ongoing debate over political reform. The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party leader called the move unbelievably careless.
The Japan Innovation Party's co-head, Maihara Seiji, said Ishiba acted inappropriately, especially since the LDP has not met its accountability on political funds.
Another opposition leader, Tamaki Yuichiro, with the Democratic Party for the People, says Ishiba may have infringed on the political funds control law. He says it will be difficult for the Prime Minister to stay in office if he cannot dispel doubts.
East Japan Railway is gradually resuming normal services on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line. Last week, two connected trains came undone and some services were cancelled.
Normally, two separate bullet trains are connected for a part of the line before separating and heading to two cities in northeastern Japan. Since the incident, travellers have had to change trains. Some coupled trains resumed service on Friday, and the company plans to return to their regular schedule on Saturday.
It's good that this will relieve congestion. I want the operator to find out the cause of the incident and restore trust.
On March 6, a double train was traveling north from Tokyo when it decoupled. The railway company says it has confirmed safety and is investigating the cause of the incident. There was a similar case last September, with the cause identified as a metal fragment likely triggering an emergency decoupling switch.
Two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopters that crashed and sank last year have been recovered. Several bodies were reportedly found in the wreckage.
The MSDF says it's working to confirm their identities.
The wrecked fuselages were brought to the US military's port facility in Yokohama near Tokyo on Friday. They were salvaged from the seabed by the US Navy at the MSDF's request. The two patrol choppers collided mid-air during training off the Izu Islands south of Tokyo in April 2024.
Eight people were on board. One was confirmed dead, while the remains of the others are still unaccounted for. An investigation last year determined the crash was caused by insufficient altitude management and inadequate monitoring.
The MSDF plans to examine the damage to the now recovered helicopters, in addition to identifying the dead.
Japanese land surveyors have made a discovery that could change the way we think about Japan's tallest peak. At least a little bit. They found that Mount Fuji is actually 5 centimeters higher than previously thought.
The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan conducted a survey to see how deformations in the Earth's crust may have affected elevations across the country. It used new methods incorporating satellite data, which the organization says not only saves time, but is also more accurate. Measurements taken last July at Mount Fuji placed its altitude at 3775.56 meters, and that's not all. From next month, the survey's results will also be applied for use in mapping and construction projects.
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OK, let's now check out world weather. Parts of the United States are dealing with a Pacific storm. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano is here with more.
The system hit Southern California, bringing over 100 millimeters of heavy rain and gusts of more than 120 kilometers per hour. In addition, a tornado was reported in the state. The peak of tornado season is still ahead, but people have already experienced damage.
A powerful storm hit Southern California on Thursday. Local media reported a man whose car was trapped in flat waters having rescued, and that heavy rain triggered mudslides. Weather officials also confirmed a tornado touched down near L.A. with gusts of up to 137 kilometers per hour.
It downed trees and damaged homes and vehicles. Now the storm is moving toward the Mississippi broadly on Friday. There are high risks of thundershowers, gusty winds and even tornadoes, especially in Illinois and Missouri. And another Pacific storm is approaching the west. So showers are possible in L.A. Chicago may see sunny skies, but there is a possibility of thunderstorms Friday night. Oklahoma City will see windy conditions which could lead to wildfires.
Moving to Asia, a stationary front is stretching in southern China. Up to 110 millimeters of heavy rain is possible by Saturday afternoon in Guandong Province with whisks of floods and landslides. The rain is expected to spread into western Japan on Saturday.
Showers are also possible in Chongqing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei.
Beijing may see some snowfall with a high of only 6. Tokyo will have dry weather with a high over 15, but showers will arrive on Sunday.
That's all for the weather. Have a nice weekend.
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More to come here on NHK World Service, stay with us.
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