Welcome back to NHK News Line. Here's the latest we have for you at this hour.
JAPAN: CHINA WILL RESUME BEEF, SOME FISH IMPORTS
Japan's government says China is moving forward with an agreement to resume imports of Japanese beef. It was a major sticking point between the two countries.
The announcement comes after officials from Tokyo and Beijing sat down to discuss trade in Osaka.
The Secretary-General of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Moriyama Hiroshi, met China's Vice Premier He Lifang at the World Expo on Friday.
Moriyama, who chairs the nonpartisan Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians Union, confirmed that progress was made on the years-long issue. China suspended beef imports in 2001 after an outbreak of mad cow disease, or BSE. They've remained that way, pending China's implementation of a 2019 meat safety agreement. The Vice Premier also said China has re-approved three Japanese seafood facilities. It's the first step to resuming fish imports from Japan.
Beijing blocked them about two years ago after treated and diluted water was released from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Live animals were also on the agenda. China's Vice Premier says he wants to begin talks on loaning more panda bears to Japan in the future.
US, CHINA TOP DIPLOMATS HOLD TALKS AFTER ASEAN MEETINGS
Top US and China diplomats are meeting in Malaysia after an Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat down with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for their first face-to-face talks.
Rubio and Wang also held individual talks with ASEAN members this week. The US Secretary said the Indo-Pacific region is a focus of US foreign policy.
We're going to be able to advance our common goal and interest, which is a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and that is prosperous.
However, ASEAN sources said some member nations are concerned US tariffs could create problems for mutually beneficial trade. Wang also brought up tariffs and stressed China is seeking closer economic ties with the bloc.
We need to draw lessons from history, advocate for an equitable and orderly multipolar world, promote an inclusive and beneficial economic globalization, and push the international order toward a more just and reasonable direction.
But some countries expressed caution about relying more on BeijingSources say there are fears that changes to China's economy might pose a big risk to the entire region. Earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Napat Kongsawad about why the major powers are trying to woo ASEAN.
So, Napat, let's first delve into the US side. What can you tell us about that?
A senior State Department official says this is part of an attempt to put priority on the regionas it's in America's interests. Washington appears to have a non-ASEAN member in mind, though, China, which has been boosting its presence in the region.
This is Marco Rubio's first visit to Asia since he became Secretary of State. He's known as a hardliner against China. I think he's trying to dispel speculation that the US undervalues the region. That may prove difficult due to his boss. Yes, President Donald Trump. One diplomat from a member state points out that Trump, during his first term, never attended an East Asia Summit. The diplomat also notes that the Trump administration pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. That was another blow for some ASEAN nations.
Trump's tariffs are casting a long shadow, too. Most members of the groups are seeing rates of at least 25 percent, some as high as 40. The US has a lot of influence in the region, and I believe Rubio aims to increase that. But there's a lot of baggage.
Hmm We'll focus on China's side now. The foreign minister says that he is pushing for closer ties. Could you give us details?
Wang Yi stresses he wants to secure true multilateralism and free trade. Beijing knows ASEAN nations are struggling with Trump's trade measures, so it sees an opportunity to boost its influence. China is trying to ease the impact of the tariffs on its own economy by strengthening trade cooperation with the bloc. For China, ASEAN as a whole is a larger export destination than the US.
What is its strategy for dealing with these two major powers?
ASEAN keeps a neutral stance as it tries to maintain good relations with both. It's so that the group enjoys economic benefits and avoids any impact that could come from getting caught in the middle of US-China competition.
But one expert on the region says members are, in fact, divided.
If you look at the spectrum of Southeast Asian nations, you have those leaning towards China, those towards the US, and those in the middle. This norm does, to some extent, shape the foreign policies of ASEAN members, encouraging them to avoid clear sides.
The expert says expanding economic cooperation out of the region will be crucial. We saw ASEAN begin pursuing that two months ago. It invited China, but also six Middle Eastern countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council for a meeting. Right now, US tariffs make up one of the biggest challenges for ASEAN nations. They've been responding to them individually, but it's clear that these nations have a lot of power when they're united.
WAR IN UKRAINE
ZELENSKYY CALLS FOR MORE DEFENSE INVESTMENT TO COUNTER RUSSIA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for more international investment in his country's defense to counter Russia's escalating attacks.
The 4th Ukraine Recovery Conference began in Rome on Thursday. Government officials, business representatives and others have gathered for the two day meeting.
Ukrainians now face attacks by hundreds, hundreds of these drones every. Single night, we must stop Russian drones and missiles. And this means more air defense supplies and more investments in interceptor drones, air defense systems.
The president said at a news conference that Ukraine needs 10 Patriot air defense systems from the United States. He also said Germany is ready to pay for two systems and that Norway agreed to fund one. Zelensky posted on his social media on Thursday that attacks occurred in various parts of the country. They involved ballistic missiles and about 400 unmanned aircraft. US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine said during the conference, the US recognizes that additional investment is needed to rebuild Ukraine.
Investors need confidence and investors need assurance that any peace deal REACH will provideLong term security. That is why our efforts to secure peace are focused on reaching a comprehensive and permanent peace settlement.
Ukrainian authorities say two people were killed in a Russian attack in the capital Kiev from Wednesday to Thursday. 16 people were reportedly injured.
FRANCE, BRITAIN AGREE TO COORDINATE NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
France and Britain have agreed to coordinate their respective nuclear deterrence. The move is apparently driven by a desire to strengthen the security of Europe to counter threats posed by Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a meeting on Thursday. Macron was on a state visit to Britain. They later made the announcement at a news conference.
The British government issued a statement noting that the deterrence of both countries are independent but can be coordinated. The statement said any adversary threatening the vital interests of Britain or France could be confronted by the strength of the nuclear forces of both nations. Macron and Starmer also talked with a coalition of countries that is considering sending peacekeepers to Ukraine to guarantee its security in the event of a ceasefire.
Starmer revealed plans to locate the coalition's headquarters in Paris for the time being and begin preparing so that troops can be promptly deployed.
UKRAINIAN IN JAPAN APPROVED AS REGISTERED FOREIGN LAWYER
A Ukrainian woman who fled to Japan has been approved as a registered foreign lawyer by the Justice Ministry. She is set to be the first from the country to obtain the status.
Irina Urybachova left her home country three years ago following Russia's full-scale invasion. She's a lawyer and has been helping Ukrainians get visas and find jobs through a Tokyo law firm. Urybachova is Eager to rebuild Ukraine with support from Japan, she will soon be registered with the Tokyo Bar Association, allowing her to give legal advice to Japanese firms.
I will be able to advise on Ukrainian law, so Japanese companies involved in reconstruction in the country will be able to obtain legal support from me.
In Japan, registered foreign lawyers handle legal services concerning laws in other countries. As of 2023, the Justice Ministry says it had approved over 1,200 applications from people seeking that status.
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MANHOLE LID BLOWS OFF NEAR TOKYO AMID TORRENTIAL RAIN
Torrential rains pounded Japan's Kanto Koshin region on Thursday, causing power outages and train service suspensions in some areas. In a city near Tokyo, there's a dramatic video of a geyser of water rocketing into the sky after a manhole cover was blown off, causing the road to crack. Yokohama city officials suspect a massive amount of rainwater flowed into sewer pipes in a short time, compressing the air inside and increasing pressure. They say Rd. fragments struck nearby cars, injuring a nine-year-old boy and his mother. The Japan Meteorological Agency estimates parts of Yokohama experienced about 100 millimeters of rainfall in the hour through 7:40 PM. The manhole has now been sealed. City officials say they will take measures such as installing piping on manholes to release air.
weather
Well, let's check the weather now after that torrential rain in Japan's Kanto region.
Kyushu is experiencing it on Friday. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details.
While downpours eased up in Kanto region on Friday, Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu recorded over 240 millimeters of rain in the past 24 hours, causing disruptions.
Unstable weather has continued in the Kyushu region since mid-week because warm and moist air keeps coming in. In Miyazaki Prefecture, total rainfall reached 300 millimeters by Friday afternoon. The rain affected traffic and caused the high school baseball tournament to be suspended again. The ground has become loose and the ongoing rain is increasing the risk of landslides.
More rain is expected over the weekend. An additional 180 millimeters is possible in southern Kyushu by Saturday night. People there should watch out for floods and landslides. The rain is enhanced by an active low-pressure system over the ocean. The system will bring downpours to Okinawa as well.
For the south, a tropical depression is still lingling over southern China. Up to 180 millimeters of rain is possible in Fujian and Guangdong provinces by Saturday afternoon. Showers are also likely in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Heat is a concern in Beijing and Seoul. The temperature in Tokyo will jump up to 29.
An active road pressure system brought severe weather to Ukraine on Thursday.
Large hail and record-breaking rainfalls were reported. The system is expected to move eastward on Friday. There are risks of thundershowers, gusty winds and lightning strikes, but for the West.
Dry and hot conditions will continue, so sunny skies are likely in London and Peru with highs of 32.
That's it for now. Have a nice weekend.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
And that brings us to the end of this edition of NHK Newsline. We'll have more for you soon. Thanks for joining us.
the Great Buddha of Kamakura
The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places. In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature the Great Buddha of Kamakura.
It's a national treasure of Japan.
From central Kamakura, the train ride and walk to Kotoku-in Temple takes about 15 minutes. After passing through the temple's gate, the grand statue of Buddha comes into view.
The Buddha sits in a Zen meditation posture and is over 11 meters tall.
Kamakura was the seat of Japan's feudal government from the end of the 12th century to the early 14th century.
The construction of the Great Buddha began during this period in 1252, almost 800 years ago.
Today, the statue is covered with verdigris,A bright green substance that forms on oxidized copper.
A closer look reveals slight traces of gold leaf, indicating that the statue was originally gilded. The Great Buddha was made by copper casting.
It's a manufacturing method of melting copper and pouring it into a mold.
But creating a statue that's over 11 meters high wasn't easy at the time, and it wasn't possible to melt over 120 tons of copper in one go. So the metal was cast in 40 sections. This is why joints can be seen on the statue's surface. The Buddha is hollow. The statue has two windows on its back. After the statue was completed, the inner mold was removed through these openings. Today, the windows let in light and air. The Buddha was enshrined when it was first built, but over time, the hall was damaged by earthquakes and typhoons. A tsunami at the end of the 15th century swept it away, leaving the Buddha exposed to the open air. The temple was also abandoned for a certain period, but was restored in the early 18th century.
After a period in which Japan secluded itself from the rest of the world, the Yokohama port near Kamakura was opened for foreign trade in 1859.
Following this, many foreigners are said to have visited the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Built nearly eight centuries ago, the great Buddha of Kamakura has a magnificence that continues to captivate people.
Thank you for tuning in to the back story of Japanese landmarks. We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree was built using state-of-the-art Japanese technology, but that's not all traditional skills respected and handed down over generations of craftspeople. also played a vital role in its construction.
The base of Tokyo Skytree is triangular in shape when seen from above. This was designed to let people enter from the three sides of the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, the two observation decks at the heights of 350 meters and 450 meters are round and offer a 360 degree panoramic view. This means the cross section of the tower's base is a trianglebut becomes round toward the top.
Looking more carefully, Tokyo Skytree's outline is not made of straight lines.
The lines are actually slightly curved.
Depending where the tower's viewed from, some parts of the tower warp inwards, while other parts bulge outwards.
This comes from traditional Japanese architecture. The inward warp is called sori, or the outward curve is called mukuri. Tokyo Skytree's towering outline is a combination of Sori and Mukuri. A particularly important feature of Tokyo Skytree is its earthquake resistance.
The tower's construction began in 2008. Three years later, in 2011, a massive earthquake struck eastern Japan. After overcoming a number of challenges posed by the disaster, the tower was completed in 2012 Tokyo Skytree has an outer frame and an inner column. The two are structurally detached. During an earthquake, the column acts as a weight and moves in the opposite direction as the outer frame.
This reduces the impact of tremors.
This anti-seismic structure was inspired by a traditional Japanese structure, the five-story pagoda.
Five-story pagodas of Buddhist temples have a column at the center. similar to Tokyo Skytree. Due to their excellent quake resistance, there are no records of any wooden pagodas collapsing in an earthquake in Japan's history.
Japan's oldest five-story pagoda is in Horyuji Temple in Nara, built more than 1400 years ago. The wisdom of ancient people lives on in today's advanced technologies.
Thank you for tuning in to the backstory of Japanese landmarks. We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.
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