Speaker 1 0:11 Kanako Sachno
Welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sachno.
FORMER PRIME MINISTER MURAYAMA DIES AT 101
The former social democratic Prime Minister of Japan, Murayama tomichi, has died. He was 101. Murayama hailed from Oita city, Oita prefecture in southwestern Japan. He was active in the labor movement before serving on city and prefectural assemblies. Murayama first won election to the lower house of the diet in 1972 he was elected to the lower house a total of eight times. He also served as his party's diet Affairs Committee chief and later the head of the party. In 1994 Murayama took office as prime minister, leading a coalition government. Murayama is widely remembered for his statement on the 50th anniversary of the end of World War Two. On August 15, 1995 he expressed deep remorse and sincere apologies over Japan's past colonial rule and aggression. In January 1996 he abruptly announced he was stepping down as prime minister. Murayama later visited North Korea as the head of a non partisan mission in 1999. He retired from politics the following year, sources say Murayama died of old age at a hospital in Oita city.
JAPANESE LAWMAKERS EXPECTED TO PICK NEW PM NEXT WEEK.
Japanese lawmakers are expected to choose a new prime minister next week, the largest political parties have agreed to hold the vote, and it will likely happen on Tuesday. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's new leader, Takaichi Sanae, is vying for the job, but she's been facing some complex challenges. One of the biggest started exactly one week ago, in a shocking move, the LDP's Junior coalition member Komeito quit the partnership after 26 years. While the LDP is still the biggest party in the diet, it does not have a majority of seats in either house.
ANALYSIS: THE SCRAMBLE FOR VOTES TO PICK JAPAN'S NEXT PM
Earlier, I spoke with NHK world's political correspondent Igarashi Jun about the scramble for votes.
So Jun, lots of twists and turns these last few weeks. What's the situation now?
Speaker 2 2:27
So, Takaichi has also met with Kamiya Sohei and asked for his support. He hit Sanseito, which has appealed to people who are politically conservative. The party made significant gains in the recent upper house election. Takaichi earlier met with Tamaki Yuichiro he's the leader of the Democratic Party for the people or DPFP. She asked for his cooperation, saying that they share common ground on basic policies. But from my perspective, that cooperation may be difficult to achieve, that's because Tamaki is stressing that he prioritizes realizing policies that people want.
Meanwhile, the largest opposition, constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, or CDP, has been holding talks too, including with the JIP and the DPFP. CDP leader Noda Yoshihiko stressed the importance of keeping the LDP out of power, his party is continuing efforts to make an agreement to support a potential unified candidate such as Tamaki, but there are challenges to overcome. Tamaki points out that the DPFP's national security and energy policies are significantly different. And another big challenge for the CDP is that right now, the JIP appears to be focused on the LDP.
The biggest focus is on inter party politics. All eyes are on the talks between the LDP and the opposition party, Japan Innovation Party, JIP, since Komeito left the coalition. Takaichi needs to secure more support in order to become prime minister. She has been exploring that with JIP representative Yoshimura Hirofumi. Their parties are discussing forming a possible coalition government. These are the five biggest parties in the lower house, you can see the LDP at 196 seats and the JIP at 35. If they come together, that would add up to 231, still two votes shy of the majority, Takaichi needs to become prime minister.
Speaker 1 4:49
So now, in terms of the vote to choose the next prime minister, how does that work?
Speaker 2 4:56
It involves separate votes by the two chambers of the diet. And they follow the same process. Let me simplify. In the first round, if a candidate secures a majority, they get elected prime minister. But if no one secures a majority, then comes a runoff between the top two, the candidate who gets the most votes wins. Now you might be wondering, what happens if there is a different result in each house. In that case, there will be more discussions. But ultimately, the lower house has the final say,
Speaker 1 5:29
And finally, Jun Once that process is finished and we have a new prime minister, what's next?
Speaker 2 5:35
Well, for that person, it's straight to work. He or she will immediately choose cabinet ministers. Many people will be watching to see who fills those roles. The prime minister is expected to later hold a news conference.
BUSINESS
Speaker 1 5:52Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Ramin Mellegard from the biz desk.
Speaker 3 5:56
Thank you very much indeed.
CREDIT FEARS EMERGE AFTER BAD LOANS BY US REGIONAL BANKS
Now in the United States worries about shaky lending are arising, as two regional banks have disclosed they're dealing with bad loans tied to alleged fraud. Utah based Zions Bank Corporation announced on Thursday it initiated a lawsuit alleging fraud by borrowers. The Bank says it will take a $50 million loss related to the matter. Arizona based Western alliance bank Corporation also unveiled it had filed a fraud lawsuit in August against one of his borrowers. Investors are concerned these cases could hurt the credibility of financial institutions. They're keeping an especially close eye on the upcoming earnings reports of regional banks. Now this comes following the September bankruptcies of auto parts supplier first brands and subprime auto lender tricolor, there are fears other financial institutions that dealt with the lenders could also be impacted.
TSMC REPORTS RECORD QUARTERLY SALES, NET PROFIT
The world's largest contract chip maker, Taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company, has posted record quarterly sales and net profit in the July to September period. TSMC said on Thursday, the net sales rose 30% from a year earlier to almost 990 billion new Taiwan dollars, or about 32 billion US dollars, net income surged nearly 40% to 452 billion new Taiwan dollars. It was the seventh consecutive quarter that both revenue and net profit rose from the year before. TSMC attributed the gains to robust sales of advanced chips for AI and other technologies. It said the strong demand is likely to continue through the current quarter. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer Sisi Wei said construction has begun on a second plant in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture. The first one opened there in February last year, Wei said the production schedule for the new plant will be based on the market situation and customer needs.
CITES SECRETARIAT RECOMMENDS REGULATING TRADE IN ALL EEL SPECIES
The Secretariat of the treaty regulating International Trade in Endangered Species has recommended adopting a proposal to extend protection to all eel species, including the Japanese eel. The European Union Honduras and Panama proposed in June that all species of the fish be subject to regulation under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Japan is opposed to the proposal, the signatories to the convention will discuss the proposal at a conference starting in November in Uzbekistan. It needs to pass by a two thirds majority vote to be adopted. Japanese and American eels are often used in aquaculture. Now, the CITES Secretariat concluded that the species did not meet the criterion for being listed as threatened due to trade, but it said listing all eel species under the convention would help prevent illegal trade. It pointed out it's difficult to distinguish juvenile Japanese and American eels from their European cousins, which are already subject to controls. Grilled eel is a popular dish in Japan, but the country relies on imports to meet about 70% of demand. The Japanese government says restrictions could lead to higher domestic prices for the delicacy.
BIZ PICKS
And next, NHK world's John LaDue is here with biz picks.Speaker 4 9:52
NEW CONDO PRICES IN TOKYO SOAR TO RECORD HIGH
Let's look at the business and economic stories we'll be tracking in the week ahead. On Tuesday, we'll receive the monthly new condominium market report for the greater Tokyo area. Now, condo prices are rising sharply, especially in central parts of the capital. We dig into the reasons behind it, a property research firm says the average price of new units from January to June in Tokyo's 23 wards hit a record of around 130 million yen, over $850,000 , that's up around 20% from last year on back of higher land and construction costs. The research firm also points to investment demand from wealthy buyers in recent years.
Speaker 5 10:44
People with high incomes and sizeable financial assets are actively buying condos on expectation of even higher prices. If owners sell units at around the time of the first major renovation, or even before that, this can be seen as a move to take a profit.
Speaker 4 11:06
Matsuda adds that foreign buyers are also playing a role. The weak yen has made Japanese property more affordable for overseas investors. At the same time, Japan's income levels remain low compared to many other developed nations, condo prices have risen beyond the reach of many. The government has started to take notes.
Speaker 6 11:34
Speculative deals, not based on real demand, are unfavorable. We will keep watching the real estate market, especially to see whether these kinds of deals are excessive.
Speaker 4 11:45
There is currently no official data on how many foreign nationals are buying condominiums for investment in central Tokyo. To address this, Japan's land ministry is conducting its first ever survey on such purchases, the ministry plans to use its findings to guide future housing policies.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan has gradually raised its key interest rate. It's now around half a percent that has pushed mortgage rates higher and may cool demand in the overheated housing market. So what is the outlook for condo prices?
Speaker 5 12:29
If the interest rate hikes stop at around 1%. I think their impact on condo prices will be limited, but at the same time, there's no prospect that the labor shortage will be resolved. So building costs will continue to increase. Looking at recent land prices, they have been on an upward trend. Taking this all into account, I think condo prices will rise further.
Speaker 4 13:02
The sharp rise in prices is driving up the value of second hand condos as well as rents in central Tokyo, many who are looking to buy in the area are now considering neighboring prefectures instead. I'm John LaDue, and that wraps up this edition of Biz Picks.
Speaker 3 13:21
NIKKEI 225 FALLS FOR 1ST TIME IN 3 DAYS
Great stuff now Tokyo's benchmark, Nick K, 225, fell on Friday for the first time in three days, following a decline in all three major stock indices in New York overnight.
MARKETS
Let's have a look at other markets you and♪
Speaker 3 13:52
That's it for business news, going to hand it back to you.
Speaker 1 13:55
Thanks, Ramin.
WAR IN UKRAINE
TRUMP: MAY MEET PUTIN OVER 'NEXT TWO WEEKS'
US President Donald Trump says he'll travel to Hungary for a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. He says he wants to help put an end to what he calls the inglorious war between Russia and Ukraine,
But I'll be meeting him probably over the next two weeks.
Speaker 1 14:13
Trump spoke with Putin by phone on Thursday. He said the call was productive, and he says they agreed to arrange a meeting of senior officials next week, the US side will be led by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, told local media that the call lasted nearly two and a half hours. He described it as very useful, and he says Putin warned Trump about the US possibly supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. He says that would cause significant damage to their relationship. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with Trump at the White House on Friday. He posted on social media that he's already arrived in Washington. They're likely to discuss the tomahawks, and he criticized Putin, saying he's in a rush to resume dialog because of the missile threat. He says that the language of strength and justice will work against Russia.
S. KOREA: TRUMP TO VISIT ON OCTOBER 29-30
South Korea is getting ready to host the US President. Donald Trump is expected to visit at the end of the month, and will likely hold a summit with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, National Security Advisor, Wi Sung-lac says Trump will visit on October 29 for two days. It suggests he won't participate in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on October 31 but he is expected to still meet with Xi. The South Korean foreign ministry says they'll likely sit down in the city of Gyeongju, where the APEC meeting will be held. US China, trade tensions have been flaring up again after Beijing announced last week it will tighten export controls on rare earth minerals.
EX-TRUMP ADVISER BOLTON INDICTED OVER CLASSIFIED INFO
The US Justice Department has indicted a former Trump National Security Advisor for allegedly mishandling classified information, John Bolton has since become an outspoken critic of the president. Bolton is facing multiple charges of transmission and unlawful retention of National Defense Information. The indictment claims Bolton sent top secret information to two relatives in 2018 and 2019. It allegedly contained intelligence about a future attack by a foreign, adversarial group and covert action planned by the United States. The Justice Department also claims Bolton's personal email account was later hacked by someone with potential ties to Iran. It claims the hacker was able to access the information Bolton had sent. Bolton refuted the charges, claiming the department has been weaponized against US President Trump's political enemies. He said he looks forward to defending himself in court and exposing Trump's abuse of power. Criminal charges have also recently been filed against a former FBI director and a New York Attorney General, both were involved in investigations of Trump. One US media outlet described it as a campaign of prosecuting political foes.
Speaker 1 17:19
CROSS-PARTY GROUP OF LAWMAKERS MAKES YASUKUNI VISIT
A cross party group of Japanese lawmakers has visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. They made the trip for an annual autumn festival. Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan's war dead. Those remembered include leaders convicted of war crimes after World War Two. A group of 64 lawmakers visited the shrine on Friday, the first day of the three day festival. They included members of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Japan innovation party, the Democratic Party for the people and Sanseto, several senior vice ministers from the ishiba cabinet also took part. Ishiba sent a potted plant with a wooden plaque bearing his name. The new leader of the LDP, Takaichi Sanae is expected to forego a visit during the festival. She's believed to have considered the possible impact an appearance could have on diplomacy, given she may be chosen as the next prime minister. Sources say Takaichi instead sent a cash offering through a representative using personal funds.
S. KOREA: PYONGYANG MAY TEST LAUNCH NEW ICBM THIS YEAR
South Korea's Defense Minister says North Korea may test launch a new intercontinental ballistic missile within this year, the Hwasong-20 is said to be the latest model in Pyongyang's arsenal. Ahn Gyu-back made the remark in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Thursday. He said North Korea is preparing a launch pad. The Hwasong-20 was unveiled for the first time during a military parade last week in Pyongyang. Ahn said the North aims to reduce the missile's weight compared with the previous hwasong 19 and have it carry multiple warheads. But he said he thinks the Hwasong-20 has yet to be mass produced and is too early to determine its warhead capability. The defense chief also commented on the North's nuclear development. He said Pyongyang is believed to be able to produce 10 to 20 nuclear warheads per year, and its technology keeps improving. Ahn also said it's thought that Russia is transferring some basic technologies to North Korea, but he said there's no confirmation of core technologies like nuclear submarine reactors being passed on.
SURVEY: HONG KONG MEDIA STEP UP SELF-CENSORSHIP
A survey by a group of journalists in Hong Kong finds that the level of press freedom in the Chinese territory remains low. The group points out that media outlets have stepped up self censorship since the territory's national security law went into effect, the Hong Kong Journalists Association released its latest Press Freedom Index on Friday. The survey was conducted in August and September. The results show that level of press freedom stood at 28.9 out of 100 that was an increase of 3.9 points from the previous. Survey in 2023 but remained low. Hong Kong used to have press freedom under the One Country Two Systems Framework, but this diminished after the security law was instituted in 2020 a year after a large scale pro democracy movement took hold, authorities have since stepped up control, forcing media organizations critical of the government to shut down. The association noted that since the law was introduced, the chilling effect within society has further intensified the degree of self censorship. It said journalists are self censoring out of concern about the negative repercussions from their reporting.
DRAMA ABOUT TAIWAN CONTINGENCY DRAWING ATTENTION
A TV series produced in Taiwan about a fictional Chinese invasion has been drawing attention. NHK spoke with its producer about the drama's timing and message.
Speaker 7 21:01
This fictional drama about a Chinese invasion of Taiwan began streaming online in August. It depicts a fictional Taiwan contingency, including a naval blockade around Taiwan and cyber attacks. The drama also features Japanese actors in a Taiwan where the surrounding seas are blockaded. The characters face a series of crises involving terrorism and espionage.
Speaker 7 21:44
The series is attracting attention for its realism. Behind the high level of interest in the production is China's increasing military pressure on Taiwan. In recent years, Beijing has repeatedly conducted large scale military exercises around Taiwan. The drama's producer, Jen Shin Mei says she made it because she wants to raise public awareness amid China's aggressiveness.
Speaker 8 22:15
Seeing the current situation in Hong Kong and the war in Ukraine, I strongly feel Taiwan can become the next Battlefield. I want to convey that message to the people here.
Speaker 7 22:43
But the drama has also apparently been criticized for dealing head on with such a sensitive issue.
Speaker 8 22:52
Some people say it has angered China. Everyone who watches the series will certainly feel something and talk about it, whether those discussions are good or bad, that was our purpose in making it we hope to draw attention to the issue of a possible war in the Taiwan Strait.
Speaker 7 23:14
Cheng wants the drama to inspire people to think about what can be done to prevent this fictional situation from becoming a reality.
Speaker 8 23:23
We show how people would deal with an impending war that allows the audience to consider what they would do.
Speaker 8 23:38
War pushes humanity to its limits. We want to use every means possible to convey the horror of war.
Cheng hopes her message will reach as many people as possible and get them to work together to avoid a worst case scenario.
Speaker 1 23:58
WEATHER
Now let's check out the world weather. Parts of China have been experiencing downpours. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details
Speaker 9 24:06
Over 120 millimeters of rainfall in just one day in China's Chongqing due to a frontal system, a series of storms are also expected to affect the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Over the weekend, another 120 millimeters of rain is possible in Chongqing by Saturday afternoon, downpours are also likely in parts of Japan, especially in the Hokulea region. Behind the rain systems, a cold snap is coming in the solar high in Beijing will stay below average. Sapporo may see its first snowfall of the season on Monday. The temperature in Tokyo will be 26 on Saturday, but will drop down to 18 on Tuesday.
For the south parts of Malaysia have been dealing with seasonal downpours and some severe events. Violent winds hit a district in Malaysia, about 70 kilometers from the capital, causing serious damage. Videos from the fire and the Rescue Department shows homes, schools and other buildings almost totally destroyed. Officials said a woman was trapped under debris, but was later rescued. The police also said, although no casualties have been reported, about 11 children were slightly injured. Short term intensely is still possible In the area, over the weekend, there is a risk of gusty winds and even tornadoes. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, we have to monitor a circulating system, a tropical depression is expected to intensify into a tropical storm and approach by Saturday. Stormy conditions are also likely in Northern Luzon into Sunday, the system will continue to intensify and is expected to approach southern China early next week.
That's it For now. Stay safe. You
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
Speaker 1 26:47
PRESCHOOLERS GET TASTE OF BUDDHIST PRIESTS' LIFE
one last story before we go, preschoolers in the western Japanese prefecture of Nara have got a taste of life as Buddhist priests.
Children at a daycare and a kindergarten in the grounds of say, daiji Temple, go through the experience every year. The aim is to teach them to be considerate and grateful to other people. About 70 children clad in black and white priest garments, filed into the temple's Main Hall following a priest, they read aloud a scripture known as The Heart Sutra. The children then placed the Scripture at a Buddhist statue and prayed.
They later moved to another hall and used cloths to wipe the floor railings and other sections of the building.
Speaker 1 27:47
That wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sachno in Toko. Thanks for watching
Transcribed by https://otter.ai and corrected by owner.
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