ISHIBA VOWS TO STAY ON AS PRIME MINISTER
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru stressed that he plans to stay in office despite his party's disappointing results in Sunday's upper house election.Ishiba said in a news conference on Monday that the government can't afford to get bogged down.
It is extremely regrettable that many of our capable colleagues from the LDP and its coalition partner, Ko Mei To have lost their seats. As President of the Liberal Democratic Party, I offer my sincere apologies. We must listen carefully to the voices of the people and fulfill our responsibility as the leading party in the upper house, as well as our responsibility to the people of the country to prevent politics from becoming stalled or from falling into disarray.
The LDP and its coalition partner, Kometo, lost their majority in the House, securing just 47 of the seats up for grabs. That was below the 50 they needed to maintain a majority. It's the first time in the LDP's 70-year history for it to lead a coalition that does not control either House. Ishiba met with the Komeito leader before the news conference. The two confirmed their intention to continue running the government together. Ishiba told reporters he's not considering expanding the coalition at this point. He said he will address the major issues facing the country. These include tariff negotiations with the United States as the August 1 deadline to reach a trade deal approaches.With regard to the US tariff measures, Japan's basic principle is to protect our national interests. With the new date of August 1 in mind, I want to reach an agreement that benefits both Japan and the United States based on the idea of investments rather than tariffs.
Ishiba said he wants to meet with US President Donald Trump as soon as possible and get tangible results.TRUMP TARIFFS
JAPAN'S TOP NEGOTIATOR HEADS TO WASHINGTON
Japan's top negotiator for trade talks with the United States has left for Washington. This comes as the US is set to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Japan in just over a week's time. Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryoze departed from Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Monday morning. It's his eighth trip to the US capital for tariff negotiations.We will continue sincere and honest discussions to find a point where an agreement can be made with the United States.
Akazawa is seeking to meet with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik as early as Monday, local time. He also plans talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jameson Greer. Japanese officials say Washington is now reviewing a proposal by Tokyo to cut the US trade deficit with Japan through massive investments and increased imports. Akazawa says he wants to see how the review is progressing. His aim is to reach an agreement by August 1, and that's the deadline for the start of what US President Donald Trump calls reciprocal tariffs on Japan.
WAR IN UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country has proposed to Russia holding new talks on a ceasefire.
Zelenskyy said on Saturday that the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umirov, made the proposal to meet next week. Zelenskyy said everything must be done to realize a ceasefire. He also said a meeting at the leadership level is needed to ensure lasting peace. The president added that Ukraine is ready. He did not mention a specific date or location for the talks.
Russia's TASS news agency quoted a source close to Moscow's negotiators as saying the Ukrainian side made the proposal.
Now, in May, the two countries held direct talks for the first time in about three years. Last month, a second round took place in Istanbul. Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange prisoners of war. The Ukrainian side sought an unconditional ceasefire of at least 30 days. Russia demanded the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions in the country's east and south.
The two countries apparently remain far apart.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 1,017 people have died since July 13 due to the fighting, executions, and Israeli airstrikes. It says scores of civilians, including women and children, are among the dead. Bedouins and Druze clashed last week in the southern city of Sweda, prompting Syria's interim government to deploy troops to intervene. Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Syria and the country's capital, Damascus, saying it aimed to protect the Druze community. The interim government declared a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire on Saturday. But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says sporadic clashes occurred in the suburbs of Sweda on Sunday. Shortages of drinking water, food, and other supplies have also been reported in the area, in a sign of deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
It said the talks will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on the 25th of this month. Britain, France and Germany are moving to trigger the snapback mechanism that automatically reimposes UN Security Council sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. This is apparently aimed at pressing Tehran to return to negotiations with the United States that have been suspended since Israel and the US attacked nuclear facilities in Iran last month. The Iranian government appears to be seeking to fend off resumption of the UN sanctions by agreeing to talk with the three European nations. However, it remains adamant that it will not make any concessions on its nuclear program.
The Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology opened its Etchujima campus on Monday. Visitors were allowed to board the Meiji Maru to view its luxurious interior. Emperor Meiji's voyage on the vessel in July 1876 later led to the establishment of Marine Day.
The ship was also used by high-ranking government officials. It has since been designated as an important cultural property. Visitors were also able to see demonstrations at the university's laboratories. This experiment examined the force of water flowing against a ship's rudder in a tank.
Visitors could also tour a huge freezer space cooled to minus 20 degrees Celsius. On a day of scorching heat, some expressed great surprise upon entering it.
Chinese photographer Miya is on a photo shoot at a hot spring in Nagano Prefecture. It's a place where monkeys bathe in the warm water. She happens to meet a Japanese couple that's there for sightseeing, and they all go to a soba restaurant. Listen to the skit for Lesson 17 Hi.
Let's go over the skit line by line. The wife orders soba for all of them.
Soba for three, please. The waitress replies, Hi.
Got it. The wife asks Mia.
Are you in Japan for sightseeing?Mia answers...
Umm I'm a photographer, and I've been introducing this country to people overseas.
That's why I've been traveling around Japan. The tourist husband says that's wonderful. While they were talking, the cook was making the soba.
When it's ready, the waitress brings it to the table.
Here you go. It's always nice to be able to talk with people you happen to meet when travelling, and using today's lesson, you'll be able to tell them about yourself, making more conversation.
Today's key phrase is I've been travelling around Japan.
If you remember the pattern of this phrase, you'll be able to tell people what you've been doing lately or what you're doing now. Let's review the meaning. Nihon is Japan, remember?Nyoko shimasu means I've been travelling.
Today's point is this expression, Ryoko shiteimasu, I've been traveling, which could also mean I'm traveling.
To express something that you've been doing lately or are doing now, you add imasu to the TE form of a verb. To travel, or ryoko suru in the TE form is ryoko shite By adding imasu, it becomes ryoko shiteimasu. Okay, it's your turn. Listen and repeat.
In the skit, Miya said I've been introducing Japan to people overseas.
Nihon no koto o kaigai ni shokai shitemasu. This also uses the form for what you've been doing or are doing now.
That's right. Shokai shitemasu, or I've been introducing, isRead from introduce shokai suru in the TE form, which is shokai shite followed by imasu.
Listen to a conversation now of about what someone is doing in Japan.
Ryoko desu ka? Hi. Hachikochi ryoko esteimasu.
Here's what it means. Ryoko desuka. Are you on a trip? Ryoko is a noun that means trip.
Hi achikochi ryoko esteemasu.
Yes, I've been travelling here and there.
Hi is yes and achikochi means here and there.
Listen and repeat.
This time, try repeating the answer after the question.
Hi.
Now, practice replying to a question about something else you might be doing in Japan. First, what if you want to say you've been studying the Japanese language?Japanese is...
Nihongo. Nihongo.
To study is... Benkyou-su.
The TE form of that would be...
Benkyou-su. Go ahead.
Nihongo benkyo stemasu.
Nihongo benkyo stemasu.
How about if you've been working?Work is... shigoto.
shigoto. To do is...
suru. The te form of that would be... shite shiteGo ahead.
Could you say it well? Today's Step Up is about a particular way of counting. When you're ordering something, you don't count items using the ordinary number words, such as ichi, ni and sang. Listen to what you'd say for counting from one to five.
Shitotsu Futatsu Mitsu Yotsu Izutsu Okay? This time, listen and repeat.
Shitotsu Futatsu MitsuYo tsu. Ichitsu.
In the skit, when the tourist wife asked for three orders of soba, she said, O soba mitsu onegaishimasu. If you were to order two, what would you say? O soba futatsu onegaishimasu.
Got it?Now, listen to today's skit once again.
Osoba, mitsu, odengaishimasu.
Hi. Nihon wa kanko desu ka?Eta, watashiwa sashinkade, nihon no koto kainai nishoka esteimasu. Sorade, nihon wo ryoko esteimasu.
Since we've been talking about soba buckwheat noodles, this is the perfect time for Kaito is Your Food Guide.
Soba is a popular traditional noodle dish. It's made from soba flour or buckwheat flour. You can eat it cold, dipping it in soy sauce based broth or hot in a bowl of mild flavored soup.
Michael, have you ever tried soba?Oh yes I have. I've had it many times and you never have to look far to find a soba restaurant. Almost every shopping area has plenty of them and they're usually around train stations too. Not just around. There are even shops inside some stations. Passengers can get a quick bite to eat before catching a train. There is one thing. I'm used to it now, but. I was originally surprised to hear people making a big slurping sound when they eat soba. It might appear bad-mannered, but actually that's the usual way of eating soba in Japan. By slurping, you get some air in your mouth along with the noodles, and as a result you can enjoy the aroma of the soba more. OK, I guess I should do that then.
Did you enjoy today's Easy Japanese? Don't forget to tune in next time.
WAR IN UKRAINE
ZELENSKYY: UKRAINE PROPOSED TO RUSSIA NEW CEASEFIRE TALKS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country has proposed to Russia holding new talks on a ceasefire.Zelenskyy said on Saturday that the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umirov, made the proposal to meet next week. Zelenskyy said everything must be done to realize a ceasefire. He also said a meeting at the leadership level is needed to ensure lasting peace. The president added that Ukraine is ready. He did not mention a specific date or location for the talks.
Russia's TASS news agency quoted a source close to Moscow's negotiators as saying the Ukrainian side made the proposal.
Now, in May, the two countries held direct talks for the first time in about three years. Last month, a second round took place in Istanbul. Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange prisoners of war. The Ukrainian side sought an unconditional ceasefire of at least 30 days. Russia demanded the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions in the country's east and south.
The two countries apparently remain far apart.
RIGHTS GROUP: SECTARIAN CLASHES IN SYRIA LEAVE OVER 1,000 DEAD
A series of hostilities in southern Syria involving Bedouin tribes and the Druze religious minority has reportedly left more than 1,000 people dead.The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 1,017 people have died since July 13 due to the fighting, executions, and Israeli airstrikes. It says scores of civilians, including women and children, are among the dead. Bedouins and Druze clashed last week in the southern city of Sweda, prompting Syria's interim government to deploy troops to intervene. Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Syria and the country's capital, Damascus, saying it aimed to protect the Druze community. The interim government declared a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire on Saturday. But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says sporadic clashes occurred in the suburbs of Sweda on Sunday. Shortages of drinking water, food, and other supplies have also been reported in the area, in a sign of deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
IRAN, 3 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO HOLD NUCLEAR TALKS
Iranian state television reported that Tehran is scheduled to hold talks on its nuclear development program with Britain, France, and Germany.It said the talks will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on the 25th of this month. Britain, France and Germany are moving to trigger the snapback mechanism that automatically reimposes UN Security Council sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. This is apparently aimed at pressing Tehran to return to negotiations with the United States that have been suspended since Israel and the US attacked nuclear facilities in Iran last month. The Iranian government appears to be seeking to fend off resumption of the UN sanctions by agreeing to talk with the three European nations. However, it remains adamant that it will not make any concessions on its nuclear program.
UNIVERSITY IN TOKYO SHOWCASES SHIP LINKED WITH MARINE DAY
People in Japan are marking Marine Day, and a university in Tokyo has given visitors a chance to explore the historic ship linked to the national holiday.The Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology opened its Etchujima campus on Monday. Visitors were allowed to board the Meiji Maru to view its luxurious interior. Emperor Meiji's voyage on the vessel in July 1876 later led to the establishment of Marine Day.
The ship was also used by high-ranking government officials. It has since been designated as an important cultural property. Visitors were also able to see demonstrations at the university's laboratories. This experiment examined the force of water flowing against a ship's rudder in a tank.
Visitors could also tour a huge freezer space cooled to minus 20 degrees Celsius. On a day of scorching heat, some expressed great surprise upon entering it.
♪
And those are the top stories for this hour.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
And that's a wrap for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Ramin Mellegard. Thank you very much for joining us.
Easy Japanese
Hi there! It's time for NHK World Japan's Easy Japanese. I'm Eriko Kojima. And I'm Michael Reese. Let's have fun learning Japanese together. And today we bring you lesson 17 on how to tell people what you've been doing lately or what you're doing now.Chinese photographer Miya is on a photo shoot at a hot spring in Nagano Prefecture. It's a place where monkeys bathe in the warm water. She happens to meet a Japanese couple that's there for sightseeing, and they all go to a soba restaurant. Listen to the skit for Lesson 17 Hi.
Let's go over the skit line by line. The wife orders soba for all of them.
Soba for three, please. The waitress replies, Hi.
Got it. The wife asks Mia.
Are you in Japan for sightseeing?Mia answers...
Umm I'm a photographer, and I've been introducing this country to people overseas.
That's why I've been traveling around Japan. The tourist husband says that's wonderful. While they were talking, the cook was making the soba.
When it's ready, the waitress brings it to the table.
Here you go. It's always nice to be able to talk with people you happen to meet when travelling, and using today's lesson, you'll be able to tell them about yourself, making more conversation.
Today's key phrase is I've been travelling around Japan.
If you remember the pattern of this phrase, you'll be able to tell people what you've been doing lately or what you're doing now. Let's review the meaning. Nihon is Japan, remember?Nyoko shimasu means I've been travelling.
Today's point is this expression, Ryoko shiteimasu, I've been traveling, which could also mean I'm traveling.
To express something that you've been doing lately or are doing now, you add imasu to the TE form of a verb. To travel, or ryoko suru in the TE form is ryoko shite By adding imasu, it becomes ryoko shiteimasu. Okay, it's your turn. Listen and repeat.
In the skit, Miya said I've been introducing Japan to people overseas.
Nihon no koto o kaigai ni shokai shitemasu. This also uses the form for what you've been doing or are doing now.
That's right. Shokai shitemasu, or I've been introducing, isRead from introduce shokai suru in the TE form, which is shokai shite followed by imasu.
Listen to a conversation now of about what someone is doing in Japan.
Ryoko desu ka? Hi. Hachikochi ryoko esteimasu.
Here's what it means. Ryoko desuka. Are you on a trip? Ryoko is a noun that means trip.
Hi achikochi ryoko esteemasu.
Yes, I've been travelling here and there.
Hi is yes and achikochi means here and there.
Listen and repeat.
This time, try repeating the answer after the question.
Hi.
Now, practice replying to a question about something else you might be doing in Japan. First, what if you want to say you've been studying the Japanese language?Japanese is...
Nihongo. Nihongo.
To study is... Benkyou-su.
The TE form of that would be...
Benkyou-su. Go ahead.
Nihongo benkyo stemasu.
Nihongo benkyo stemasu.
How about if you've been working?Work is... shigoto.
shigoto. To do is...
suru. The te form of that would be... shite shiteGo ahead.
Could you say it well? Today's Step Up is about a particular way of counting. When you're ordering something, you don't count items using the ordinary number words, such as ichi, ni and sang. Listen to what you'd say for counting from one to five.
Shitotsu Futatsu Mitsu Yotsu Izutsu Okay? This time, listen and repeat.
Shitotsu Futatsu MitsuYo tsu. Ichitsu.
In the skit, when the tourist wife asked for three orders of soba, she said, O soba mitsu onegaishimasu. If you were to order two, what would you say? O soba futatsu onegaishimasu.
Got it?Now, listen to today's skit once again.
Osoba, mitsu, odengaishimasu.
Hi. Nihon wa kanko desu ka?Eta, watashiwa sashinkade, nihon no koto kainai nishoka esteimasu. Sorade, nihon wo ryoko esteimasu.
Since we've been talking about soba buckwheat noodles, this is the perfect time for Kaito is Your Food Guide.
Soba is a popular traditional noodle dish. It's made from soba flour or buckwheat flour. You can eat it cold, dipping it in soy sauce based broth or hot in a bowl of mild flavored soup.
Michael, have you ever tried soba?Oh yes I have. I've had it many times and you never have to look far to find a soba restaurant. Almost every shopping area has plenty of them and they're usually around train stations too. Not just around. There are even shops inside some stations. Passengers can get a quick bite to eat before catching a train. There is one thing. I'm used to it now, but. I was originally surprised to hear people making a big slurping sound when they eat soba. It might appear bad-mannered, but actually that's the usual way of eating soba in Japan. By slurping, you get some air in your mouth along with the noodles, and as a result you can enjoy the aroma of the soba more. OK, I guess I should do that then.
Did you enjoy today's Easy Japanese? Don't forget to tune in next time.
The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks
Mount Takao
Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors. They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting-edge technologies. The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places. In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature Mount Takao.
Mount Takao has long been a popular hiking destination, as it's perfect for day trips. In recent years, many tourists from overseas have climbed its slopes as well. One reason for its popularity is its easy access from central Tokyo, less than an hour's train ride away.
But Mount Takao has much more to offer.
At the foot of Mount Takao, people are dressed in various styles. Some are wearing trekking shoes and backpacks ready to go hiking. Others are dressed in a more casual style better suited for cities. The reason?Mount Takao has seven hiking trails. One is a full ascent to the summit. Another course includes a cable car and a lift ride and winds around the halfway point up the mountain. Visitors can choose from several options depending on the season, the size of the group, who's climbing, and what they're in the mood for.
The cable car and lift route is not only fast, it's also exciting. At one point the cable car's ascent is at an angle of just over 31 degrees, the steepest in Japan. Riders ooh and ah as the cable car climbs the steepest part. Meanwhile, the two-seater chairlift leaves riders' legs dangling in the air, which means it can be a bit of a thrill for some. But with the feel of the breeze, it makes for a great ride, and many kids ride with their parents. Just be aware that the cable car and the chairlift may not be running when there's bad weather, and visitors should check ahead.
The hiking courses offer various sights each season. Come spring, there are canopies of cherry blossoms in full bloom, while violets cover the ground.
In the summer, visitors can splash around in rivers or explore what's upstream.
Gorgeous foliage of reds, yellows, and oranges welcome visitors in the fall. On New Year's Day, many people flock to Mount Takao to enjoy the first sunrise of the year.
well Mount Takao has long been associated with a strict practice of mountain asceticism called shugendo.
A traditional form of aesthetic training called suigyo involves standing under a waterfall to cleanse oneself.
Mount Takao has two waterfalls, Jataki and Biwataki, where this is practiced. During the winter months, visitors can watch people training in the ice-cold water. For those willing to give it a shot, Yakuin Temple offers a suigyo tryout experience at its dojo.
For hikers, Mount Takao offers gorgeous views. From an observation deck midway up the mountain, they can see Tokyo and its vicinityincluding the iconic Tokyo Tower and Yokohama Landmark Tower.
It's a spectacular view of the metropolis while being surrounded by the great outdoors. When weather conditions are good, the summit of Mount Takao offers a view of Mount Fuji. In fact, the top of Mount Takao has been selected as one of the 100 best places in the Kanto region to view Japan's most famous peak.
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.
Mount Takao has long been a popular hiking destination, as it's perfect for day trips. In recent years, many tourists from overseas have climbed its slopes as well. One reason for its popularity is its easy access from central Tokyo, less than an hour's train ride away.
But Mount Takao has much more to offer.
At the foot of Mount Takao, people are dressed in various styles. Some are wearing trekking shoes and backpacks ready to go hiking. Others are dressed in a more casual style better suited for cities. The reason?Mount Takao has seven hiking trails. One is a full ascent to the summit. Another course includes a cable car and a lift ride and winds around the halfway point up the mountain. Visitors can choose from several options depending on the season, the size of the group, who's climbing, and what they're in the mood for.
The cable car and lift route is not only fast, it's also exciting. At one point the cable car's ascent is at an angle of just over 31 degrees, the steepest in Japan. Riders ooh and ah as the cable car climbs the steepest part. Meanwhile, the two-seater chairlift leaves riders' legs dangling in the air, which means it can be a bit of a thrill for some. But with the feel of the breeze, it makes for a great ride, and many kids ride with their parents. Just be aware that the cable car and the chairlift may not be running when there's bad weather, and visitors should check ahead.
The hiking courses offer various sights each season. Come spring, there are canopies of cherry blossoms in full bloom, while violets cover the ground.
In the summer, visitors can splash around in rivers or explore what's upstream.
Gorgeous foliage of reds, yellows, and oranges welcome visitors in the fall. On New Year's Day, many people flock to Mount Takao to enjoy the first sunrise of the year.
well Mount Takao has long been associated with a strict practice of mountain asceticism called shugendo.
A traditional form of aesthetic training called suigyo involves standing under a waterfall to cleanse oneself.
Mount Takao has two waterfalls, Jataki and Biwataki, where this is practiced. During the winter months, visitors can watch people training in the ice-cold water. For those willing to give it a shot, Yakuin Temple offers a suigyo tryout experience at its dojo.
For hikers, Mount Takao offers gorgeous views. From an observation deck midway up the mountain, they can see Tokyo and its vicinityincluding the iconic Tokyo Tower and Yokohama Landmark Tower.
It's a spectacular view of the metropolis while being surrounded by the great outdoors. When weather conditions are good, the summit of Mount Takao offers a view of Mount Fuji. In fact, the top of Mount Takao has been selected as one of the 100 best places in the Kanto region to view Japan's most famous peak.
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.
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