at 18:00 (JST), June 12

20250612180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Morishita Erika in Tokyo.

Chinese fighter jet flies close to Japanese SDF patrol plane

Japan's defense ministry says a Chinese fighter jet flew unusually close to a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol plane over the high seas in the Pacific.
The ministry released two photos of a Chinese J-15 fighter jet taken on Sunday. One image shows what appears to be a missile under the jet's left wing. The other shows the jet flying at almost the same altitude very close to the patrol plane. The defense ministry says a Japanese P-3C patrol plane was followed by a J-15 fighter for about 40 minutes on Saturday and 80 minutes on Sunday. It also says a fighter jet lifted off from the aircraft carrier Shandong and flew within about 45 meters of the patrol plane.
It adds Chinese aircraft passed in front of the Japanese plane at a distance of about 900 meters on Sunday.
In May and June of 2014, Chinese fighter jets flew abnormally close to aircraft belonging to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces over the East China Sea. The Japanese government lodged protests against China following the incidents.
The Japanese ministry says there was no damage to the patrol plane nor injuries to its crew this time. but notes these kind of unusual approaches could cause an accidental collision. It also says it has expressed serious concerns about the matter to China and urged it to prevent the recurrence.

Retired Japan, US officers join simulation in Taiwan on possible attack by China

Meanwhile, former officers from Taiwan, Japan and the United States have taken part in a tabletop simulation of possible emergencies across the Taiwan Strait.
Private sector groups organized a two-day event in Taipei. Seventeen people participated. It comes as China steeps up pressure on Taiwan.
During a closed-door discussion, they exchanged their opinions on a simulation of an armed Chinese attack on Taiwan in 2030. The participants discussed possible moves by China and responses by Taiwan, Japan and the US They say it's important to boost Taiwan's capabilities, including employing asymmetric defense using cheap mobile weapons. A retired Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force admiral shared his view about his country's role.

I think the most important thing for Japan is to improve its defense and deterrence capabilities while maintaining lines of communication with Taiwan.

The participants also recommend strengthening deterrence against China through cooperation among Indo-Pacific countries.

North Korean noise broadcasts reportedly not heard in South

We turn now to the Koreas. On Wednesday this week, the South suspended loudspeaker broadcasts into the North near the demilitarized zone. Now, the South Joint Chiefs of Staff say that North's broadcasts of noise there appear also to have stopped.
The North had been blaring noise in multiple areas near the demilitarized zone in response to loudspeakers broadcast from the South. About a week after he was elected president in the South, Lee Jae-myung  ordered a suspension as a step to restore trust and establish peace. Yonhap News Agency says the Lee administration could next move to reactivate the North-South military agreement designed to ease tensions.
That agreement was suspended by the previous administration led by Yoon Suk-yeol. The North has defined the South as a hostile nation and has not shown interest in dialogue.
Attention is focused on how it responds to the conciliatory stance of the South's new government.

US defense official: Pentagon reviewing AUKUS security framework

A US defense official says the Pentagon is reviewing the August security framework of the United States, Britain and Australia. A trilateral partnership was launched in 2021 under then-President Joe Biden.
The official told NHK on Wednesday. The Defense Department is reviewing August to ensure it is aligned with President Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda.
The Financial Times says Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby is leading the review to determine whether the US should scrap the deal. The British media outlet says Colby previously expressed skepticism about the pact. One of the pillars of AUKUS is a plan to deploy US nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia in the 2030s. The Financial Times notes some critics in the US are concerned the framework could undermine the country's security.
The critics say the US Navy is struggling to produce more American submarines. They also say the country should focus on strengthening its forces' own capabilities rather than deploying submarines to Australia.

Analysis: Protests, ICE operations likely to continue in Los Angeles

More than 200 people in Los Angeles have been arrested for failing to disperse and for violating a curfew.
The city put the order in place in response to days of protests over President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.
The curfew kicked in for the first time Tuesday night, but it didn't stop people from taking to the streets. The mayor says the order will stay in place as long as the crackdown continues. She criticized Trump for sending in National Guard troops without first consulting the state.

I posit that maybe we are part of a national experiment to determine how far the federal government can go in reaching in and taking over power from a governor.

Governor Gavin Newsom echoed those remarks. He denounced the president for diverting critical resources from fighting wildfires. But the White House is refusing to back down.

The Trump administration is going to continue the mass deportation effort that the president promised the American public.

A total of 4,700 Marines and National Guard troops have been deployed to the greater Los Angeles area. A commander overseeing the troops says Marine personnel are being trained in riot control outside the city, suggesting they will be sent downtown.

They are strictly used for the protection of the federal personnel as they conduct their operations and to protect them to allow them to do their federal mission.

Demonstrations have spread across this country. Protests outside federal office buildings in New York drew hundreds of people. They took to the streets in a city where immigrants make up about 37% of their population.

Without them, New York would not be New York. America would not be America.

For more of this, earlier I spoke to NHK World's LA bureau chief, Saheki Akira.
Akira, what it's like in LA right now?

Well, it's really tense, especially for immigrant community. Many are wondering when and where ICE will strike next, and how long this will all last. Just today, ICE entered a church in a nearby town. They also rounded up farm workers in an agricultural area up north.
So this kind of strategy has sparked widespread anger, and not just among immigrants. I've been out covering the protests. Many are showing their support by honking their horns as they drive by. Those I've spoken to here seem united in defending the city's immigrants. Maybe that shouldn't be surprising, seeing as over 30% of LA's population was born abroad.
So that's not to say that ICE doesn't have its supporters. You see a lot of posts online cheering them on.
But I'm not seeing that translate into real life. But then again, nearly 40% of LA voted for Trump. So maybe they're just not as loud as the other side.

So Akira, after these protests started, Trump decided to send military personnel into LA. Why?

Well, this situation really revolves around two of his election promises. The first, to deport illegal immigrants. The second, to restore law and order. Here in LA, we have both.
So let's start with immigration. This was the the driving force behind President Trump's victory last year. And he still has strong support on that file. A CBS poll this week showed that 54% still supports the administration's deportation policies.
As for law and order, Trump had threatened to do something like this for years. Remember that George Floyd broke out near the end of Trump's first term. Reports say, at the time, he tried to deploy military to curb the demonstrations. When people around him opposed the idea, he called them losers. Then the idea came up again at a conservative conference in 2022. He said in cases of unrest, the next president should use every power at his disposal to restore order, including the military and the National Guard. So even though this is much smaller than the L.A. riots in 1992, it is not surprising that this time President Trump sent in troops.

So where does the city go from here?

Well, it's really an able situation. At a press conference, Mayor Bass said she heard ICE operation might continue for another 30 days. These raids are widely reported in the media day in and day out. So I don't see tempers cooling anytime soon.
If anything, the protests could get bigger. It's Trump's birthday on Saturday, with military parades scheduled in Washington. Americans are organizing counter-protests not only here in L.A., but across the country.
We'll have to see how people are feeling once the weekend is over.

the world of business

Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Ramin Mellegard from the Biz Desk.

Thank you very much indeed.

Bessent: US 'highly likely' to extend July tariff deadline

Now, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that an extension of a 90 day pause on what the Trump administration calls reciprocal tariffs is highly likely. Now the window is currently set to close on July 9 for most of the trading partners that were hit with the levies.

We will roll the date forward to continue to good faith negotiations. If someone is not negotiating, then we will not.

President Donald Trump launched the tariffs on April 9. They affect countries and regions with which the US runs large trade deficits, but he said immediately afterward he would grant the pause to countries seeking negotiations. Bessent says the US is currently holding talks with 18 important trading partners. Japan is believed to be one of them, as it faces a 24%. tariff. Now, Trump was also asked about a possible deadline extension. His response indicated a somewhat different attitude from Bessent 's. 

I would, but I don't think we're going to have that necessity. I tell you what, we are, we're rocking in terms of deals. We made a great deal with China.

Trump stressed recent arrangements with the UK and China. He added that talks to reach more deals are underway.

Japan's Jera to buy up to 5.5 mil. tons of US LNG a year

Chris Wright said the deal with Jeddah will run over a period of 20 years. Jeddah's global CEO,Hana Yukio and the representatives of four US energy firms signed agreements on Wednesday at the US Department of Energy. The LNG will come from the southern US states. The administration of US President Donald Trump is aiming to boost LNG exports to slash his country's large trade deficits. The deal is estimated to support more than 50,000 American jobs and push up gross US gross domestic product by more than $200 billion. Wright told reporters that LNG is one of America's largest exports.
And the US Secretary of Energy says Japan's largest power generator has agreed to purchase up to five and a half million tons of liquefied natural gas a year from the United States.

Absolutely. The rapid growth you are seeing right now in LNG exports are going to shrink our trade deficits with all of our key trading partners.

Now, speaking to NHK, Connie suggested that the project will lead to a stable supply and lower energy costs in Japan. He noted that the LNG can be resold to other firms when demand rises, and he's happy the deal is cost-effective.

Trump: US-China trade deal is 'done'

And President Trump says a trade deal with China is done after top officials wrapped up two days of talks in London. The president notes that it's subject to final approval with his Chinese counterpart and himself.
He says China will supply any necessary rare earths up front to the US. Trump says the agreement will also address the issue of accepting Chinese students to US colleges and universities. The US Treasury Secretary told lawmakers the talks were successful, but he urges Beijing to be what he called a reliable partner in trade negotiations.

If China will course correct by upholding its end to the initial trade agreement we outlined in Geneva, and I believe after our talks in London they will, then the rebalancing of the world's largest, two largest economies is possible.

The discussions lasted late into the night on Tuesday. The two sides finally agreed on a framework for easing trade tensions, building on the consensus reached last month in Switzerland.

Toyota shareholders greenlight all 6 company proposals

Toyota Motor stockholders have approved all six of the automakers' proposals, including one making external directors account for half of the board members.
Toyota held its shareholders meeting at its Aichi Prefecture headquarters on Thursday. More than 6,700 people took part. One proposal called for a 10 member board that includes Chairman Toyoda Akio, President Satokoji and five others from outside the company. Executives stressed the need for active discussions at the board as the auto industry goes through a major transformation. Some shareholders asked about Toyota's decarbonization initiatives and strategies. The chairman responded that the auto sector is squarely addressing global warming. He noted that his company has been taking active steps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Japan business sentiment turns negative in Apr.-Jun. quarter

Now, a government survey shows that business sentiment and major Japanese firms has turned negative for the first time in five quarters. This comes amid concerns about the impacts of new US tariffs.
The index of business conditions came to -1.9 for the three months through June. A negative result indicates that a majority of companies feel business conditions have worsened. About 11,000 companies responded to the quarterly survey by the Finance Ministry and the Cabinet Office. The index for manufacturers stood at -4.8, marking a second straight quarter with a negative figure. This reflects worries about the impact of the US tariff policy spreading in the auto and steel sectors. But the index is projected to swing back to positive in the July to September period. Robust demand in the chip sector and brisk inbound tourism will likely push it up to 5.2. Now, ministry officials say that they will keep a close watch on the impacts of the US trade policy and rising prices on businesses.

China's new vehicle sales rise for 4th straight month

China's new vehicle sales rose for the fourth straight month in May, backed by strong demand for electric and other so-called new energy models.
The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers says unit sales, including exports, jumped about 11% year-on-year to almost 2.7 million. Sales of electric plug-in hybrid and fuel cell models soared nearly 37%, helped by the government's trade-in incentives. This category accounted for nearly half of overall sales.
Now the focus is on how the intensifying price competition in China's auto market and trade friction between Beijing and Washington will impact sales trends.

And that is it for business news.

US government orders evacuation of embassy staff in Iraq

The US State Department has ordered the evacuation of some of its embassy staff in Iraq  due to heightened security risks in the region.
Reuters News Agency said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized a voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the Middle East.

It could be a dangerous place and we'll see what happens, but we've given notice to move out.

The US has been holding talks with Iran over the nuclear program. But Trump said in an interview released on Wednesday that he was growing less confident that Tehran would agree to stop enriching uranium. Trump has hinted at the possible attack on Iran if there is no progress in the talks. It has also been reported that Israel is planning to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.
Tehran has vowed to retaliate in the event of an attack. Iran's UN mission said in a social media post on Wednesday that Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon and US militarism only fuels instability. It added, Diplomacy, not militarism, is the only path forward.

Israel, US react sharply to sanctions against Israeli ministers by 5 nations

Israel has sharply criticized five countries for imposing sanctions on two of its government ministers. The US also condemned the move.
Britain, Canada, Norway, Australia and New Zealand announced the measures Tuesday. They target Israel's national security minister and finance minister.
The sanctions include a freeze on their assets and travel bans.
The countries accused the ministers of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. They say the sanctions are a response to that conduct, but stress the situation they can't be separated from the wider crisis in Gaza.
Israel's foreign minister slammed the decision.

It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the governmentare subjected to this kind of measures.

He says the government will hold a meeting next week to decide how to respond. The US Secretary of State attacked the move by the five countries. Marco Rubio says it won't advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

Princess Kako pays courtesy call on Brazilian president

Japan's Princess Kako is on an official visit to Brazil. She has paid a courtesy call on the country's president, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.
The second daughter of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino visited the presidential office in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday. The princess conveyed her gratitude for the warm welcome she has received.
Lula visited Japan as a steak guest in March and met with Emperor Naruhito.
He told the princess the emperor was very kind, affectionate, and receptive.
Princess Kako also visited Brazil's congress earlier in the day. She attended a ceremony there to commemorate 130 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil.

(Japanese)

On Friday, the princess is expected to visit Rio de Janeiro's Mount Corcovado, the site of a giant statue of Christ which overlooks the city.

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the world weather

A break in the wet season brought sunny skies to Tokyo today. Our meteorologist Sayaka Mori has the details in the world weather update.

Hello, Tokyo started off with blue skies today. What a nice break in the wet season. The seasonal rain band has sagged to the south, so it was sunny in Tokyo and the north as well. But the frontal system is still lingering over western Japan, so rain is falling out there. As we go into the weekend, we'll see heavier rain showers across the Kyushu region.
Kagoshima has already had more than 500 millimeters of rain. Additional rain is not good news. Tokyo will also experience a wet weekend and then we will see scorching hot conditions as we're going to next week and Akita could enter the rainy season as we go into the next couple of days or so. Further down towards the south, we have a couple of tropical disturbances. We have Wutip.
This is this year's first named storm over the western Pacific. And we have a newly formed tropical depression. That Wutip is going to be a threat for southern China. The system will likely make its way towards Hainan on Friday and then heading towards Hong Kong as we go into the weekend. And then a tropical depression. This one will likely head towards the north, heading towards Taiwan and eventually going towards the Korean Peninsula. So lots of things are happening across Asia.

 And let's go to Europe. It's quite hot out there across the west. Take a look at this video coming out of Bordeaux, France, famous for wines. Temperatures are already midsummer-like out there.
Bordeaux hit 35 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, the highest daytime temperature of the year so far. I'm looking forward to seeing how this heat will affect the taste of wine this year.
Now. What's happening is that we have a jet stream meandering further up towards the north. That's allowing hot air to come in from the south. We are looking at quite hot temperatures for many places including the west and the central portions of Europe. Looks like Paris and Rome will be seeing temperatures about 10 degrees higher than normal for this time of the year for the next few days. Stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke.
That's it for me, have a nice day.

♫～

Reuters: Over 200 killed after Air India plane crash

We have breaking news. Multiple television broadcasters in India say a passenger plane crashed shortly after take-off at an airport in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.
Major Indian media report the plane belonged to Air India and had more than 240 passengers and crew on board.
Video from the scene shows black smoke rising near a residential area.
Once again, multiple television broadcasters in India say a passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff at an airport in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.
We'll bring more details as it becomes available.

That's all for this edition of NHK News Line.

at 18:00 (JST), June 11

 20250611180000_english_1.mp3

Hello, a very warm welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo.

Curfew issued for downtown Los Angeles starting Tuesday night

A curfew is underway in part of downtown Los Angeles. It started Tuesday evening and is set to last until 6 AM. The move follows days of protests against President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration.

Let me just say that a curfew has been in consideration for several days, but clearly after the violence that took place last night, 23 businesses looted and just the extensive widespread nature of the vandalism, we reached a tipping point and declared a state of emergency and called for the curfew.

Shame, shame, shame.

The protests have led to chaos with clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, vandalism and looting. The mayor says the night curfew is expected to be put in place again over the next several days.
US news outlets report about 700 Marines that Trump sent to assist the National Guard are near L.A. awaiting deployment. California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed an emergency motion in federal court. It's to block the National Guard and Marines from supporting the federal roundup of undocumented migrants in Los Angeles. A court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

2026 World Cup host cities wary of immigration crackdown

Trump's immigration crackdown is causing uncertainty around the next World Cup soccer tournament. Organizers in American host cities say they are concerned.

There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level. There are going to be geopolitical issues that we don't even know right now that are going to affect the tournament.

Organizers spoke to reporters Monday about one year before the start of the games. Trump recently implemented a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries. It exempts athletes, coaches, staff, and relatives, but makes no mention of fans. An official from Los Angeles discussed the ongoing protests. He said they will learn from the situation and apply the lessons next year. The World Cup will be played in 16 cities in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Organizers have expanded the tournament to 48 teams and 104 games. It is expected to have an economic impact of 40 billion dollars in the US alone.

US intelligence chief recounts Hiroshima visit, warns of 'nuclear annihilation'

US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard is talking nuclear weapons after a recent visit to Hiroshima. She warns the world is approaching the brink of nuclear war.

I recently visited Hiroshima in Japan and stood at the epicenter of a city that remains scarred by the unimaginable horror caused by a single nuclear bomb dropped in 1945, 80 years ago.

The comments came from a video released Tuesday. She warned that the destructive power of today's weapons surpasses those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War Two. Gabbard said a single nuclear weapon today could kill millions in just minutes. She added that radiation would subject survivors to lifelong suffering or death.
Gabbard warned that is what the world is facing now. She said politicians pushing for war are carelessly inciting fear and tensions between nuclear powers.

So it's up to us, the people, to speak up and demand an end to this madness. We must reject this path to nuclear war and work toward a world where no one has to live in fear of a nuclear holocaust.

Rainy season arrives with early intensity

The rainy season is here across much of Japan, and dangerous conditions can develop in a flash. Some places have already been on alert for potential flooding and mudslides, and the season just started. For more, I earlier caught up with NHK World's meteorologist Jonathan Oh.
So, Jonathan, we typically see heavy rain towards the end of the rainy season, but this year it seems to be happening earlier, especially in western Japan.
What's causing this?

Well, Miki, what is happening this time around is that we're seeing an interesting pattern across the Pacific Ocean when it comes to the ocean temperatures that's producing more like a La Nina type of pattern, where we will see temperatures that are warmer toward the western side of the Pacific and colder on the easternEastern side. So looking at the map here around the areas near the Philippines, we're seeing temperatures that are above average for this time of year in terms of the ocean sea surface temperatures. And so when that happens, it tends to really produce a lot more warmer moisture, just less air rises, all the air then starts to move and travel toward Japan and we have this high pressure system that's located toward the center, that's serving as a steering mechanism. And as that happens, all that moisture is coming up and hitting the rainy season front. It's kind of like taking a bucket of water and throwing up against the wall. All that water has to go somewhere. And that pattern is what has been unfolding over the past few days especially. That's why we've been particularly concerned about that.

Then in light of that pattern, what can we expect in terms of the rainy season over the coming weeks?

Well, as long as this pattern holds, as long as we have high pressure that's in place helping to steer all that moisture and as long as the sea surface temperatures stay elevated, we're going to see more of this moisture pattern taking place. And that is a concern because when all that moisture hits that rainy season front, it's going to continue to help develop over and over along the front where we're going to be seeing that rain. And that's the reason why we have to be looking out for potential disasters with all of the moisture that's in place. Now, what's interesting, though, is it's it's like if we're walking around together, we don't walk through each other. We walk around.
It's the same thing. The concern is when we have typhoons or things that will develop, it can help push the band of the rainy band up and down. And so that could make some changes going forward. But we still have to remain vigilant as the rainy season continues. 

Of course. And speaking of typhoons, we haven't heard muchabout them so far this year.
And is that unusual?

It is a bit unusual, and it's not that you missed anything. It really has been kind of a quieter start. In fact, we only had the first name storm of this season, well, on Wednesday.
And so because of that, it means that it was the fifth slowest start to the typhoon season since records began in 1951. And so that, though, even though it may have been a slow start, doesn't mean that that's going to be end of the story because like I mentioned we have all this warm air with these storm clouds I'm to develop overtime and as long as the hyper system which is further West and slightly up north compared to its average location, it will continue to help steer that warm moist air toward Japan. So as we go into the more warmer months, we have to keep an eye out on how this whole thing unfolds because we could be talking about a busier season once we get into the more. Peaker peak period of the season.

right. So knowing all this, what can people do to stay safe?

It is so important to know the threats, landslide concerns and river with when it comes to swollen rivers, heavy rainfall, urban flooding, all these things are something you should be looking out for, especially when you start seeing the rain really taking place. So preparation is key. So what you want to make sure you do is you know what to do, where to go, where to evacuate when you move forward, make sure you prepareall the gear that you need in order to make sure that you can stay safe. And also, the five-level warning system. Know about this system, and especially don't wait to evacuate. Once we hit that level three or higher, make sure you get to that safe place as soon as possible. And download the NHK World Japan app to get the latest information about the disasters that may be taking place.

All right. Thank you very much, Jonathan. NHK World's Jonathan Oh.

world of business

Now, let's check out the world of business with Ramin Mellegard from the BizDesk. Ramin.

Thank you very much indeed. 

Japan kicks off next round of stockpiled rice sales

Now, Japan's government started accepting applications for the next round of sales of stockpiled rice on Wednesday.
The program was introduced to boost supply after rice prices in supermarkets doubled in a year.
Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro says the ministry received applications from about 30 buyers in the first hour of sales. Koizumi on the previous day announced that a total of 200,000 tons of the staple grain will be released.
Half of that is available from Wednesday under no-bid contracts, along with 20,000 tons remaining from a previous round. Once all of that batch is sold, the remainder will be made available. Most retailers can submit applications as well as distribution outlets with rice milling machinery.
There is no cap on the amount of rice in each application, but it must be put on sale to consumers by August.
However, some retailers that obtained rice in previous government sales have indicated they're focused on selling what they have before applying for more.
Koizumi also says that he wants to introduce legislation to ban the resale of stockpiled rice among distributors.

Violators who resell government stockpiled rice at high prices could face up to a year's imprisonment or a fine of up to 1 million yen. The government is committed to delivering its stockpiled rice to those who need it.

Kozumi added that he aims to seek approval for the legislation at a Cabinet meeting this week.

GM to invest $4 bil. in US plants over next 2 years

GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra says the announcement demonstrates GM's ongoing commitment to building vehicles in the US and to supporting American jobs. GM says it sold 2.7 million new units domestically last year. It said that about half of them were produced outside the country in places such as Mexico and Canada. US news media have reported that GM will transfer some production of mainstay models to domestic plants from Mexico.
And General Motors says it plans to invest about $4 billion in its US factories over the next two years to boost production. The American auto giant is expanding domestic production as the Trump administration has imposed an additional 25% tariff on auto imports. GM said on Tuesday plants in the states of Michigan, Kansas and Tennessee will receive the money. The new investment will give GM the ability to assemble more than two million vehicles per year in the US.

Hino, Mitsubishi Fuso to integrate management next April

Two major Japanese truck and bus makers have completed a merger agreement, Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus.
announced on Tuesday that they will integrate management on equal footing on April 1st next year.
Mitsubishi Fuso CEO Karl Deppen will become the CEO of a new holding company.

Strong competition from new large volume competitors is more fierce than ever. At the same time, we all have to step up significant investment. This is why in our industry, scale matters, and this is why the Japanese market cannot support so many commercial vehicle manufacturers.

Now, under the agreement, the holding company will be set up, and Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus will become wholly owned subsidiaries.
Currently, Hino is part of the Toyota Motor Group, while Mitsubishi Fuso is owned by Daimler Truck. Toyota and Daimler Truck will each hold a 25% stake in the new company.

By combining the expertise and scale of our firms, we will get synergistic business effects on development, procurement and production. The synergy from combining two different cultures will be immeasurable.

The two truck and bus manufacturers will work toward achieving carbon neutrality and co-develop next generation technologies such as automated driving while sharing expertise from each other's specialties. They're aiming to expand their business in Asia and other markets.
The two companies had initially planned to complete the merger by the end of 2024. The earlier plan was postponed as Hino had been involved in a scandal over falsified test data. Through the merger, Japan's commercial vehicle industry is expected to realign into two blocks, the Hino-Mitsubishi Fuso Group and the Isuzu Motors Group.

JR East plans overnight express train with private rooms

East Japan Railway says it will launch a new overnight express train connecting Tokyo with the northeastern Tohoku region in the spring of 2027.
The new train will have private compartments for individual passengers, as well as those for as many as four people. JRE says the compartments will have fully reclining seats. It plans a 9:00 PM Tokyo departure time to arrive in Aomori station at 9:00 AM the following morning.
The company is converting. an express train running on Tokyo's Joban line into the 10 car overnighter the name of the train the fare and the frequency of the service has yet to be decided now the service comes as the company this month will retire its Cassiopeia sleeper Express that connects Tokyo to Hokkaido.

We will provide passengers with a totally new idea of a night trip that can be experienced with private compartments.

He added that he hopes the new service will lead to an increase in foreign visitors to the Tohoku region.

Okay, let's get a check on the markets.

♪

And that is it for business news.

Japan police chief calls for more effort to prevent accidents by foreign drivers

The number of traffic accidents in Japan involving foreign drivers has been on the rise in recent years. Japan's National Police Agency is now stepping up measures to curb this trend. According to the agency, over 7,200 accidents were reported last year involving foreign drivers. That's up more than 1,800 from five years earlier. Japan's police chief spoke at a meeting attended by about 80 people, including traffic bureau chiefs from across the country.

We will work to improve and strengthen traffic safety education and public relations awareness so that foreign drivers can gain a better understanding of our traffic rules and etiquette.

The police chief instructed the officials to ensure firms that employ foreign drivers are providing them proper road safety training. He also asked them to work with car rental companies to ensure foreign customers are well informed about traffic rules. And he urged them to crack down on unlicensed taxi drivers who use private vehicles to provide foreign tourists with ride-hailing services.

Ex-Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou to visit China this month

Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou says he will visit China from Saturday in response to an invitation from Beijing.
Ma belongs to Taiwan's largest opposition Kuomintang Party. It traditionally favors closer ties with Beijing. His office says he will lead a student delegation to participate in a forum. China says it is a cross-strait exchange event. The delegation is expected to visit Hujiang and Gansu provinces during its two-week stay. Ma says he wants to foster cross-strait dialogue and build a bridge of peace between the two sides.
Officials in Beijing show their willingness to receive Ma.

We welcome Mao's visit. The current situations in the Taiwan Strait remain complex and tense, but bilateral exchanges and cooperation should not be suspended, severed or decreased.

Inviting Mao to visit is widely seen as an attempt by China to counter Taiwan's administration under Lai Tsingta, which Beijing sees as a separatist.

South Korea's Lee to move presidential office back to historic 'Blue House'

The South Korean administration has announced it will move its presidential office back to its historic home, the Blue House. The current office was relocated by former President Yoon Suk-yeol. President Lee Ji-myung 's office confirmed on Tuesday it approved the plan at a cabinet meeting.
The 250,000 square meter compound of Jong Wa Dae, also known as the Blue House, sits in central Seoul. The building had served as the president's office for more than 70 years. It was often viewed as a symbol of power due to the president's authority. Yoon relocated the office to what was the Defense Ministry building in 2022.
But Lee had sought the relocation as the office has a strong connection to the ousted leader who declared martial law in December last year. The Blue House is currently open to the public for sightseeing visits, but officials say they plan to limit reservations from mid-July and temporarily suspend tours from August 1. South Korean media outlets suggest the compound may be packed with tourists until then.

♪

Argentina's radical reforms cut both ways

Now, the debate over big versus small government is over in Argentina.
President Javier Millet has taken the bull by the horns and is radically down sizing the country's bureaucracy, focusing on economic recovery. NHK World's Rafael Noguera has more.
During his election campaign, Millet wielded a chainsaw. As a symbol of his determination to cut government waste, he aims to lay the groundwork for an economic revival.

If we continue with this pace, Argentina will once again become a great nation in a few years. A golden age will begin for all those who seek prosperity on Argentine soil.

Milay set up the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation after taking power.
On the left are documents related to laws and regulations that have already been abolished. On the right are those facing the chainsaw.
By reducing the government's role and moving toward a smaller government, it is believed that fiscal spending can be curbed.

ohh And these are the real piles that I sent to, I took to President Millay in a suitcase. At this point, we've basically done, I would say, around half of all this.

First, the 18 ministries and agencies were reorganized into eight. The bureaucratic structure was downsized, and over 40,000 government and state-owned employees were let go.
Additionally, private sector participation in postal services was permitted, and price controls on beef were abolished. These and other measures were taken to slim down the government's role and promote economic liberalization. As a result, fiscal spending was reportedly reduced by 27.5 percent in real terms, and the budget turned it to a surplus for the first time since 2010.

It's like the smaller we make the government, the lower will be our taxes. Reducing government and then reducing taxes benefits the poor. We are, we're working our thing. We're trying to make Argentina as stable as possible, as friendly as possible. I think there are huge opportunities.

The Malaya administration is pushing ahead with its so-called shock therapy reforms. However,

(...)

amid repeated protests, concerns have been raised that the slashing of fiscal spending has led to a decline in public services.

Daniela Romero has worked for the government for nearly 20 years.
In February this year, she suddenly received a notice of dismissal.

This is the official e-mail sent by the government. In our department, 400 people received it. A total of 1,800 people received.

She has worked for years in a department supporting low-income households and disaster response, helping vulnerable members of society.
But due to the reforms, her position was targeted for cuts. Daniela is concerned that vulnerable individuals who have lost government support will face even more difficult circumstances.

The numbers may look good, but the issue is how those numbers manifest in the real world. People who cannot even prepare meals for their families are the reality brought about by President Millay.

President Millet's radical government reforms are attracting global attention, but the impact on the country's public services and the cost to ordinary Argentinians is emerging.
Rafael Noguera, NHK World.

check on the weather

And it's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist Sayaka Mori. So Sayaka, we've been dealing with the rain across much of Japan the past few days, but can we expect changes Thursday?

Hello there, rain has calmed down today in the nation and we'll likely see drier conditions as we go into Thursday. And western Japan could see some light rain and even central Japan could see sunny conditions because this frontal system will sag to the south. In general, on average, Tokyo only had six days of sunny weather during the rainy season, so it's quite rare. Enjoy the sunny weather while you can. Tokyo entered the rainy season on Tuesday and then sunny weather on Thursday already. Drier conditions will continue into Friday and then rain will likely come back. It's going to be a hot day in Nagoya with high of 30 degrees, so drink water frequently to avoid heat stroke. Parts of Kagoshima Prefecture have seen more than 500 millimeters of rain over the past three days. The land is saturated. Be alert for heavy rain once again during the weekend. 

Now let's go down to the south. This year's first tropical storm has formed over the western Pacific between the Philippines and also Vietnam. This is a fifth latest tropical storm number one on record. The names of Utip, meaning butterfly in Cantonese. The system will likely intensify to a severe tropical storm. So where will you tip go?

The system will likely move its way towards the north, will likely get close to or even make landfall in Hainan on Friday, and then get close to Hong Kong on Sunday and heading towards Shanghai as we go into Monday. By the time it reaches this area, it should become a low pressure system and then it will likely head towards Japan. Because we have a seasonal rain band over Japan, because of that, ample moisture will be activating the frontal system. Heavy rain is likely from the weekend into next week across western Japan in particular. Though the center will miss the Philippines because of ample moisture, flooding rain is likely to pound the country. Temperatures are as follows.

That's it for me. Have a nice day.

♫～

Sacred wood for historical ceremony transported to Ise Jingu shrine in Japan

Before we go, hundreds of people in central Japan have helped transport sacred wood to a shrine as part of a tradition dating back 1,300 years. The "Shikinen Sengu" ceremony takes place once every 20 years at Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture.
It involves completely rebuilding the shrine buildings at a neighboring site.
About 300 people dressed in traditional black coats and straw hats pulled logs off the Isuzu River. The timber will be used to make containers to house the shrine's sacred objects of worship.
It's incredible the tradition has lasted for 1,300 years, and it's amazing it will continue.

And that is all for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo.
Thanks for staying with us.

at 18:00 (JST), June 10

 

20250610180000_english_1.mp3

Hello, glad to have you with us on NHK Newsline. I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo.

Rainy season underway in Kanto-Koshin, Hokuriku regions

The Kyushu region of southwestern Japan is experiencing heavy downpours as the annual rainy season kicks in. Weather authorities are warning people of the risk of landslides and floods. Following Kyushu, the meteorological agency says the seasonal rain front has also come to the Kanto-Koshin and Hokuriku regions.

Downpours hitting southwestern Japan, landslide alerts issued

The meteorological agency says that warm, moist air is moving toward a seasonal rain front located over northern Kyushu. That's making atmospheric conditions unstable throughout the western and eastern parts of Japan. Bands of heavy rain clouds may form over 5 prefectures, including Saga, through Tuesday evening. The agency says the rain front will likely remain stationary near the region through Wednesday.
Officials say the risk of disasters could rise rapidly. A landslide warning was issued for Oita Prefecture. Weather officials are also calling on people to stay on alert for flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers, as well as lightning strikes, gusty winds and tornadoes.

Japan aims to reduce estimated deaths from megaquake by 80%

Japan's government will update its goals to reduce the death and destruction that could result from a mega-quake in the Nankai Trough off the Pacific coast.
The goal set in 2014 called for reducing the death toll in a worst-case scenario by about 80% and reducing structural damage by about 50%. A new estimate released in March said 298,000 people could die and 2.35 million buildings could be destroyed. The number of deaths is somewhat lower than in the earlier estimate, while the number of buildings is about the same.
The government has been reviewing its plans based on the new estimate. Sources say the goals set in 2014 of reducing the worst case by 80% and 50% remain unchanged.
The goals should be attained over the next decade. The government will also aim to make homes more quake resistant. It will promote the installation of quake sensitive circuit Breakers. It will step up the building of embankments along shores and rivers. It will regularly confirm the progress on these measures, while taking into account the advice of experts. The preparation plan for a Nankai-Truff mega-quake is expected to receive official endorsement next month.

IAEA: N.Korea building nuclear-related facility

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog says North Korea is expanding its nuclear-related facilities in Yongbyon. The site already houses a light water reactor.
The International Atomic Energy Agency held its regular Board of Governors meeting Monday. Director-General Rafael Grossi took the opportunity to discuss the situation in North Korea. He said the reactor in the country's northwest appears to be in stable operation, but he says North Korea appears to be constructing a new building there. He said it suggests Pyongyang is pursuing further nuclear development. Grossi said they haven't seen significant changes at Punggye-ri, North Korea's nuclear test site. But he said it does seem prepared to support such a test.
He emphasized that North Korea's continued nuclear development clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions.
The country is not hiding its nuclear ambitions. In January, the ruling Workers Party newspaper Rodon Sinmoon reported that leader Kim Jong-un toward a nuclear production base and a nuclear weapons institute. He reportedly discussed the country's five-year defense plan, which is set to end this year. Kim also emphasized his intention to continue nuclear development.

California sues Trump administration over deployment of National Guard troops

People in Los Angeles have taken to the streets for the fourth day to protest US President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration. US military officials say 700 Marines will be sent to the city after Trump dispatched the National Guard on Sunday.
Thousands gathered in downtown areas, chanting and carrying signs. On Sunday, some of the protesters turned violent. They set self-driving taxis on fire, threw debris at police vehicles, and looted multiple stores.
ABC television says 58 people were arrested over the weekend and three police officers were injured.

Dial back time to Thursday. None of this needed to happen. Why did we need to have raids here? It was very clear that if raids happened here, that the community was going to respond in a very negative way.

California leaders are demanding that Trump withdraw the National Guard from Los Angeles. But Trump defended his move, calling it a great decision.

People that are causing the problem are professional agitators. They're insurrectionists. They're bad people. They should be in jail.

The US state of California says it sued Trump's administration on Monday for deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles, claiming it is illegal. State officials said the Trump administration federalized the California National Guard without authorization from the governor and against the wishes of local law enforcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom said every governor should reject such outrageous overreach. He said the move is endangering the principle of democracy and called it a step toward authoritarianism.

Financial worries main reason for not having ideal number of children: UN survey

The majority of people who do not have their ideal number of children say economic instability is the main reason. That's one of the findings in a UN report released Tuesday. The United Nations Population Fund surveyed about 14,000 people from 2023 to 2024 in 14 countries with low and high fertility rates. When asked about their ideal number of children, the most common answer was two in all countries. People were asked what factors led them to have fewer children than desired. Fifty-four percent cited economic uncertainty, such as job insecurity or housing limitations.
Almost a quarter of respondents mentioned health reasons, such as difficulty conceiving. About one in five said they had concerns over the future, such as climate change and wars.
UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Khanem says the issue is lack of choice, and the answer lies in responding to what people say they need. She says that includes paid family leave, affordable fertility care, and supportive partners.

Japan is relying more on foreign workers

Now, Japan is relying more on foreign workers as it contends with an aging society and fewer babies being born.
For the past six years, people with certain status have had more freedom to choose where they work, including whether to relocate to another city during their stay. But that's left some areas facing a labor shortage.
Overall, Japan's foreign workforce has hit record numbers for the past 12 years straight. Last year, it exceeded 2.3 million people. Over 200,000 people from abroad hold specified skilled worker status. The system was introduced in 2019 to address a lack of domestic employees in fields such as construction, nursing and elder care. Now, people with this status have been crucial for companies in Japan's more remote communities, which have seen younger populations shrink for some time. But now these areas are even seeing foreign workers depart from big cities, as we see in this nextreport.

At this airport in Hokkaido, there's a common sight at the arrivals gate, people coming from abroad to fill in the gaps in staffing at some of the nursing homes in the prefecture.
The aging population means it's an industry in demand. This care provider has hired dozens of foreign workers throughout the years to care for seniors. Right now, this facility employs 9 from Indonesia and Myanmar.

I want to work hard, save money and support my family back home.

The firm spends thousands of dollars per caregiver to train them on nursing and Japanese language skills. Managers expect them to stick around for at least five years as a return on their investment. Problem is, many do not.
Recently, many caregivers have been leaving for jobs in the Tokyo metropolitan area after just one year at the Otaru facility. It's led to a challenging turnover rate of about 20 percent, frustrating for the home's operator.

We train our caregivers throughout the year so they can work here long-term.
And we resent that Tokyo-area nursing homes get all the workers they need without making that investment.

The specified skilled worker system has empowered foreign workers in fields like nursing to seek employment anywhere in Japan. But it's placed a huge burden on small towns and cities, which, before, didn't have to worry about competing with the opportunities and pay offered in places like Tokyo.
Often, workers are attracted by social media ads, getting direct messages from recruiters when they express interest.
In this post, a caregiver from Indonesia lays out why they chose to relocate to Yokohama after receiving a message on Facebook. They cite the low wages and long winter in Hokkaido.
The head of a job agency in the northern prefecture says it's a common sentiment.

When you compare the wages, there's a difference of 20,000 to 30,000 yen per month, and that's big. Workers think that if they were to take on the same set of tasks, they would prefer higher pay and milder weather.

He says it's too big of a problem for individual businesses to solve, but something should be done.
And for more, I earlier spoke with NHK World's Kurose Soichiro, who was at our studio in Sapporo and brought us the story.
Soichiro, how widespread are these labor shortages in Japan's less densely populated areas?

It's certainly not uncommon. I heard from other businesses in Hokkaido as well as the Tohoku region. These places are far from any big cities like Tokyo, where cost of living is low, but so are people's wages. Many foreign workers told me they need to earn more to send money to their families back home.
It's pushing some to look for better pay and better conditions elsewhere. That often means leaving the regions that need them most. It's worth noting that many saw this problem coming before the specified skilled worker systems began.
They predicted workers would flock to places like Tokyo, once given freedom to apply for jobs anywhere in Japan. Even so, an easy solution to this issue is not so clear.

umm So what is being considered to convince foreign workers to stay in the regions that need them the most?

Well, the Japanese government has so far relied on the private sector to create incentives. But now it says it plans to tackle the issue with new measures expected to be announced later this year.
I expect that many include supporting housing and education costs, following the example that some local governments have already set.
But ultimately, foreign workers are living for the same reasons many young Japanese are.
It's hard to raise wages in these areas. The government also has to consider international competition.
Japan isn't the only nation that needs workers. So these measures have to make this region attractive over big cities and other countries as well.

Gaza officials say over 130 killed in 2 weeks of US-led aid distribution efforts

Tuesday marks two weeks since a US-led organization launched food distribution efforts in the Gaza Strip. Gaza authorities say more than 130 people have been killed during this period.
Severe food shortages are occurring as Israel continues its military operation and restricts the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave. The US-led Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing food late last month, replacing a UN-backed support program.
The foundation says it has so far delivered more than 10 million meals.

We're dying in Gaza. There wasn't one kilo of flour in my house, and here I am coming back and I don't have a kilo of flour.

People were reportedly killed and injured as Israeli forces opened fire on crowds around food distribution sites. Israel's military said it had fired warning shots at people who came close to its troops.
It also said Hamas is exaggerating the number of casualties. The United Nations has criticized the US-led group's program, saying it is forcing residents to travel to where food is delivered. The UN is calling on Israel to lift its restrictions on food delivery.

Boat carrying Greta Thunberg and human rights group arrives in southern Israel

And Israel says arrangements will be made for Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and a human rights group to return home.
They've been heading to the Gaza Strip with aid by boat before being stopped by Israeli authorities.
The foreign ministry said Monday night the ship had docked in the country's south. It also said the passengers are being examined to ensure they are in good health. Turin Bara and other activists say they wanted to deliver food and medicine to the enclave. The human rights organization says it demands Israel release all of the volunteers and return the aid.

the world of business

Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Ramin Mellegard from the business. Ramin.

Thank you very much indeed.

Japan firms seek to ease China rare earth metals curbs

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China says it presented the proposals to the Commerce Ministry on May 28. China provides more than half the rare earth metals Japan needs for the production of motors, for EVs, and electronics. The proposals include speeding up screening processes and strengthening ties between China's central government and local authorities engaged in export operations.
Now, the business group says the Chinese side indicated it would try to make business smoother and that exports of some products are beginning to get approval. Beijing announced blanket export controls on rare earth metals in April as part of its retaliation against US tariffs.
Now, a group representing Japanese businesses in China says it has made proposals to Beijing to ease restrictions on their exports of rare earth metals.

Japan to release more stockpiled rice

And Japan's agriculture minister says the government plans to release more stockpiled rice to rein in higher prices for the staple food.
Koizumi Shinjiro said the government will sell another 200,000 tons harvested in 2020 and 2021 to retailers via no bid contracts. He said he expects rice from 2020 to be sold at around 1,700 yen or $12.00 for five kilograms.

I think it is an unwelcome fact that soaring prices are causing consumers to turn their backs on rice and that shop shelves are stacked with rice grown overseas. The government wants to send the message to the market once again that it will do everything it can.

Now, after the latest sale, the national stockpile will hold 100,000 tons.
Kojimi says this is sufficient for any disaster, citing the 40,000 tons needed in the Great East Japan earthquake and 90 tons in the Kumamoto earthquake. The most recent data from the Agriculture Ministry shows rice prices at supermarkets fell for the second straight week in late May. The average price of a 5 kilogram bag was 4,223 yen, or about $29.00 for the week through June 1st.
That's based on a survey of approximately 1,000 supermarkets nationwide. The price, which includes tax, was down 0.9% from the previous week. The survey didn't include rice released from national stockpiles and sold under a new no-bid contract system.

Matcha tea maker from Kagoshima taps new markets in US

Now, Matcha Green Tea is extending its fan base beyond Japan. A manufacturer in the country's southwest is making an ambitious pitch for the locally produced beverage in the United States.
The president of the tea company, Mori Hiroyuki, was in Washington last weekend.
He attended an event at the Japanese ambassador's residence. US government officials were among those lining up to sample a cocktail he offered. It was made from matcha powder and shochu, a Japanese spirit. One guest had high praise for both ingredients.

This is really good. It's like it's such an unusual taste and but with the tea and the the spirit, the Japanese spirit, it's it's really good.

I hope to raise the brand value of Kagoshima tea when demand for matcha green tea is surging.

The manufacturer is based in Kagoshima Prefecture, a production hub for unrefined tea. It overtook Shizuoka as the top producer last year, but prices for the Kagoshima variety have not risen as expected because it is not as widely known as brands from Shizuoka or Kyoto.

South Korea is making a strategic bet on its next cultural export

And South Korea is making a strategic bet on its next cultural export, and it's not pop music or TV shows. It's webtoons, a type of digital comic. The government is backing the industry to create jobs and boost the economy.

The webtoon, a mix of web and cartoon, developed in South Korea. Unlike printed manga in Japan, webtoons scroll vertically, making them easier to follow on smartphones.
Recognizing the potential, the government funded the opening of a high school in Seoul in 2023 with a focus on webtoon classes. It has about 190 students in the first and second grades.

You have a story you want to tell. Try to summarize it with as little information as possible. 

Class instructors include experienced comic artists and film directors.

I can draw a little, but I'm not good at creating stories. They help me a lot with that.

When students upload their work on social media, they have been contacted by artists and production companies. I think it's entirely possible for them to become professionals before graduating.

The number of applicants to the school has doubled since it opened, even though South Koreans tend to seek secure jobs in large companies or the civil service.
Han Yubin is a second-year student at the school. She originally planned to become a teacher, but when the school opened, she decided to follow her webtoon passion.

My parents opposed my decision, saying Manga is out of the question, but I worked hard to convince them that I wanted to make my dream come true at this school.

Webtoon companies are also trying to attract young staff by offering a better working environment. In the conventional manga industry in Japan, there is usually one central artist who may then hire assistants.
However, webtoon production companies have a clear division of labor. A director plans the work, and then specified members of the team handle rough drafts, line drawings, coloring, and other parts of the process to produce the final series.

Because of this, we can share the burden of the work among ourselves. I think this is the best thing. We are aiming for a culture that guarantees days off for company employees and no working late into the night.

The goal in South Korea is to establish the webtoon business as a stable, growing industry. And on that foundation, create the next chapter of the smartphone, one scroll at a time.

Okay, let's get a check on the markets.

♪

And that is it for Business News.

♪

check on the weather

And it is time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist Sayaka Mori. So Sayaka, we've been keeping an eye on the heavy rain taking place in western Japan.
What's the latest on the situation?

Hello there. More and more parts of the country are entering the rainy season.
And the Kanto region, including Tokyo, has just joined in. We can see a belt of rain right here. This is a seasonal rain band. And this will generally move up towards the north for the next couple of months. And we are now looking at the heaviest rainfall across western Japan because ample warm air and a huge ample warm and wet air is moving in from the South that is bringing copious amounts of heavy rainfall for western Japan, mainly over the Kyushu region.
Over the past 48 hours, we've got more than 400 millimeters of rainfall in parts of a Kagoshima Prefecture. That's 70% of its average rainfall for the entire month of June, and even record-breaking heavy rain has fallen in Fukuoka Prefecture. The peak of heavy rain will likely continue into Friday, rather Wednesday morning at least. The land is very well saturated. Additional rain is definitely not good news. And then to the north we have another system right here.
This is a low pressure system with cold air aloft that will bring rough weather to northern Japan, especially Hokkaido.
Watch out for thunderstorms, hail as well as damaging winds on Wednesday. Now this is your extended forecast. So Tokyo is officially in the rainy season. You'll see one more day of rainy. And then the sun will come out on Thursday with a high of 30 degrees, and then the sun may appear once again on Friday.
Statistically, about 60% of days during the wet season are rainy in Tokyo, so take advantage of the blue skies. Sunny weather is pretty precious. And across Kagoshima, where heavy rain has been pounding, you'll see the peak of heavy rain continuing into Wednesday morning, and then lighter rainfall on Thursday and Friday, and then heavy rain should return during the weekend. And Naha, you're out of the rainy season. In fact, Naha only had 17 days of rainy weather.
That's about one month shorter than usual. That's it for me. Stay safe.

♫～

And that is all for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thank you for staying with us on NHK World Japan.

at 18:00 (JST), June 09

 20250609180000_english_1.mp3

Hello, a very warm welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo.

WWII bomb explodes at storage depot in Okinawa, injuring 4 SDF members

We start with more details on an explosion in southern Japan's Okinawa Prefecture. Officials say there was a blast on Monday morning at a facility located within the US Kadena Air Base.
The facility is used to temporarily store unexploded devices and is managed by the prefecture. The officials say four Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel have been injured, but their condition is not life-threatening. The police, fire department and other relevant authorities are investigating.

Japan's southern Kyushu braces for downpours caused by bands of rainclouds

Weather authorities are urging people in the southern part of Japan's Kyushu region to brace for torrential downpours.
They say bands of heavy rain clouds are expected in the area through late Monday.
The meteorological agency notes that warm, moist air is moving toward a seasonal rain front located south of Japan. It says that is making atmospheric conditions unstable, mainly in western Japan. The rain front is expected to gradually move north through Wednesday.
It is then likely to remain over the western and eastern parts of the country.
The agency says heavy rain accompanied by localized thunder is also expected in the northern part of the Kyushu region.
Weather officials say as much as 180 millimeters of rain is expected in the southern and northern parts of the Kyushu region in the next 24 hours through Tuesday noon. They're calling on people to stay on high alert. because there may be landslides and floods in low-lying areas. Lightning strikes, gusty winds and tornadoes are also possible. Officials also say the rainy season appears to have started in the Chugoku, Kinki and Tokai regions. The season arrived three days later than usual in those areas.

National Guard troops deployed in LA on Trump's order

National Guard troops have been deployed in the US city of Los Angeles on the orders of President Donald Trump. The move was in response to street protests over crackdowns on immigrants.
On Friday, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency conducted a series of large-scale crackdowns on undocumented immigrants in the city. That triggered demonstrations with reports of some protesters turning violent.
President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard personnel. Some of them arrived in the city center on Sunday.

Well, we're going to have troops everywhere. We're not going to let this happen to our country. We're not going to let our country be torn apart.

Trump also posted on social media that Los Angeles has been invaded and occupied by illegal aliens and criminals.
The Associated Press and other news outlets said it is unusual for the National Guard to be mobilized without a request from a governor. The Los Angeles mayor says she was disappointed by Trump's action.

I was trying to encourage the administration that if they deployed the National Guard in Los Angeles, it would create a sense of chaos. It's the last thing our city needs.

The clash highlights a rift between Trump's Republican administration and both the city of Los Angeles and the state of California. Their democratic-run administrations are seen to take a more accommodative policy toward immigrants.

Israel stops aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg from reaching Gaza

Israel says its forces have prevented an aid boat from reaching the Gaza Strip.
Activists, including environmental advocate Greta Thunberg, on board.
In a social media post, Israel's foreign ministry said the boat is en route to its shores. It said the passengers are expected to return to their home countries. The vessel is operated by a human rights organization. It set sail to deliver food, medicine, baby formula, and other aid to Gaza.
But Israel's defense minister ordered Israeli forces to keep the boat away from the enclave. In a statement, the group said the ship was unlawfully boarded and its unarmed civilian crew was abducted.
It also said its life-saving cargo was seized. The news comes as fighting continues across Gaza. Palestinian media reported Sunday that 13 people were killed in Israeli attacks near US-backed aid distribution centers.

Syria: Success and struggle six months after Assad

More than half a year has now passed since the Bashar al-Assad regime collapsed in Syria. The US and other countries, including Japan, have begun lifting sanctions, raising hopes for reconstruction. Yet millions of Syrians still need humanitarian aid.

There are glimmers of hope in the capital, Damascus. Imported fruits and vegetables are appearing in markets, rare under the previous government.

It's wonderful to watch our country open up. People have jobs, products and sources of income, which before were limited.

Syria is now led by interim President Ahmed Al Sharra. The former rebel leader has been trying to improve his devastated country's standing on the world stage.
Last month, the US government announced it would ease some of its economic sanctions imposed during the Assad regime, as did the EU and Japan.
At the same time, businesses in neighboring Turkey have been eyeing the situation as potentially beneficial.
So far this year, over 800 new companies have started focusing on exporting to Syria.

Syria is rebuilding and there are business opportunities across many different fields. I think these conditions will only grow.

For many Syrians, an economic miracle seems far off. The UN estimates around 17 million of them desperately need supplies and assistance.
It's affecting the country's next generation. People like 14-year-old Ali Ibrahim, who stopped going to school and now works construction to support his family.

We don't have enough money.

What's made the situation even harder was the recent abrupt end to a key avenue of Western support. Syria has long relied on food and support from NGOs funded by USAID. But the Trump administration has made major cuts to that agency, leaving many Syrians without a lifeline.

And earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Kojima Mei from our Cairo Bureau to learn more about the situation.
Mei, what are the obstacles on Syria's road to reconstruction?

There are a few things. For one, Syria has been in a civil war since 2011.
Assad was ousted six months ago. That's a short time to rebuild after over a decade of conflict. As we saw, there have been more foreign goods entering the country.
But there is the issue of ongoing instability. Clashes continue in parts of the country between different factions, such as religious sects, the interim government, as well as those who still back Assad. Those include the Arawite minority group, which supported the previous regime. Members were reportedly attacked in the spring, and many have had to leave the country.
We actually had a chance to speak with displaced Arawites, who said they still hope to go home someday. The interim government says it will strive for harmony between all of Syria's different peoples. But right now, it seems to be having a hard time.

Obviously, a quick recovery is crucial for the roughly 17 million Syrians who are in need right now. What would it mean for the region and beyond?

Well, the war in Syria has already had big impacts around the world.
There's been a massive ongoing refugee crisis. Millions of people have fled to neighbors like Lebanon and Turkey, as well as Europe. The UN estimates over 500,000 Syrians have returned in the past six months. But some of those who've gone back are now living in tents and unable to make money, adding to Syria's humanitarian crisis. A Middle East expert told NHK that this has wide effects.

Instability in Syria means instability for the Middle East. Once people feel that the security situation in Syria has stabilized, more investment will come to the country, boosting its reconstruction process.

He says the lifting of sanctions by the US and other countries is the first step toward helping Syria recover.
But if the country cannot resolve its internal conflicts, there is not much the international community can do.

Biz Desk

Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Ramin Millegaard from the Biz Desk.

Thank you very much indeed.

Japan revises Jan.-Mar. GDP higher, but number still negative

Now, Japan revised up first quarter GDP to reflect higher private consumption than initially reported. However, the updated figures still shows the economy contracting in the three months.
The Cabinet Office says the economy in January to March shrank from the previous quarter at an annualized 0.2%.
The prior estimate was 0.7%. The last time GDP contracted was in the first quarter of 2024. The latest figures show private consumption rose 0.1% compared with the earlier reading of 0.04%. Consumer spending accounts for more than half of Japan's GDP.
Now, in other revisions, corporate capital investment came in a bit lower than estimates, up 1.1% compared to the earlier figure of 1.4. Japan's economy in the first quarter was not directly affected by additional US import tariffs. because they had not yet taken effect.

China's exports to US plunge 34.5% by value in May

China's exports. The United States tumbled in May amid tit-for-tat import tariffs between the world's two biggest economies.
Chinese customs authorities say US bound shipments slumped 34.5% in dollar terms from the same month last year. Imports from the US sank 18%. Beijing and Washington imposed tariffs of more than 100% in April. However, some of the heat came out of the trade dispute in May, as both sides agreed to cut back the levies and sit down for talks. The next round of negotiations is set for London on Monday. China is sending Vice Premier He Le Feng, who heads up economic policy.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be there for the US.

China consumer prices dip for 4th straight month in May

And China's consumer prices edged lower in May as deflationary trends continued to drag on the economy.
National Bureau Statistics figures show the Consumer Price Index fell 0.1% from the same month last year. That's the fourth straight month of decline. Prices of fresh vegetables fell, along with big ticket items like automobiles, as consumers grew more budget conscious. Sluggish housing sales, depressed prices of furniture and home appliances. The producer price index also weakened in May, falling 3.3% from a year earlier. China Central Bank last month introduced additional monetary easing measures to help boost domestic demand.

China's Huawei launches laptops that run on original operating system

Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei has released laptop computers that run on the company's own operating system.
Now, the firm developed the Harmony OS in-house after the United States restricted Huawei's access to US technology.
Harmony is already installed on Huawei's smartphones. The company says the operating system makes it easier for users to share files and data. Its previous laptops ran on US tech giant Microsoft's Windows OS.

I like the Huawei brand. I don't think it matters which operating system a computer runs on.

Until now, Microsoft and Apple have dominated the global market for computer operating systems. Last month, another Chinese smartphone maker, Xiaomi.
Unveiled new models powered by its own in-house advanced semiconductor.

OK, let's get a check on the markets.

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And that is it for business news.

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And please do access the NHK Rural Japan website for more details.

Russia says it has launched offensive in Dnipropetrovsk, eastern Ukraine

Russian defense officials say their forces have launched an offensive in Dnipropetrochsk in eastern Ukraine.
It's believed to be Moscow's first advance into the region since the invasion began three years ago.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that its forces had reached the western border of Donetsk and are continuing to develop an offensive in Doni-Propetrovsk. Elsewhere in Ukraine's east, Russian forces hit the second-largest city of Kharkiv with drones, missiles and guided bombs on Saturday. Local authorities say at least five people were killed and dozens were injured. The mayor of Kharkiv condemned the attack, describing it as the most powerful so far. On Friday, Russia pounded Ukraine with a round of missile and drone attacks, causing a large number of casualties. The bombardment is believed to have been in retaliation for Ukraine's recent drone strikes on air bases deep inside Russian territory.

Japan's Princess Kako welcomed by Japanese descendants in Brazil's Maringa

Princess Kako has praised Japanese immigrants in Brazil on her trip to the country. The South American nation is home to the largest overseas community of Japanese descendants.
The second daughter of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino visited Maringa in the state of Parana. She checked out a garden in the city managed by a local group of Japanese descendants. She planted a tree to commemorate an upcoming milestone. November will mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Brazil.
In a welcome ceremony that followed, Princess Kako noted that 110 years have passed since people from Japan began to settle in northern Parana. She said their journey must have been arduous. She says she's been left with a renewed appreciation of the community's legacy.

（Japanese）

The princess next heads to a city that attracted Japanese immigrants with its coffee cultivation. Her trip also includes a visit to another city with many descendants of people from Japan's Okinawa Prefecture.

Ex-Yokozuna vows to spread sumo far and wide ― from outside

Former Yokosuna Grand Champion Hakuho Sho has revealed he intends to promote sumo around the world. He announced his plans after officially retiring Monday from the Japan Sumo Association.

I really struggled with the decision, but considering my current situation, I ultimately decided on my own to retire, believing that I can contribute more to the future of sumo from outside the association rather than from within.

Hakuho won a record 45 tournament titles during his career that spanned two decades. He retired as a wrestler in 2021, and the following year, he became the head of the Miyagino stable.
Since then, the Mongolian-born wrestler has been known by the name Miyagino.
In February last year, he was demoted to the lowest rank of elders. It was over acts of violence by one of his wrestlers.
The stable was closed, and the master and wrestlers were transferred elsewhere.
Hakuho says, a year later, there's still no hope for the stable to re-open, and that's a big reason why he resigned.
In a news conference, Hakuho described his future plans. He says he will continue to host a boys' sumo tournament named Hakuho Cup, and focus on a project to show people everywhere the power of the sport.

Sumo, Motomoto.

Sumo originally began as a sacred ritual to pray for peace, national security and a bountiful harvest. I believe that the appeal of sumo has the potential to bring hope and help overcome the discrimination, prejudice and conflicts that exist in the world today.

Hakuho also says he hopes to see sumo become an Olympic sport.

special mailbox accepts letters to the deceased

Now, in Japan, postal mailboxes are typically red. However, one sitting in a Buddhist temple in Kyoto is a little different. It's green. The special mailbox accepts letters to the deceased from their loved ones. In our next report, we meet one family who finds comfort in writing to their late son.

Priests of Daishoji Temple in Kyoto Prefecture are performing a sacred ritual. They're burning letters with no stamps or addresses written to the deceased.
The green mailbox on the temple grounds collects around 600 letters a year.

I wanted to send a letter to my grandmother, who died six months ago.

I wrote ten letters today. My grandparents, uncle and aunt often appear in my dreams, so I feel the letters really are being delivered to them.

The temple originally used it as an offertory box, painting it green to avoid confusion with a real postbox.
However, one day, the head priest found something unexpected inside.

When I opened the box to collect the offerings, I found a letter addressed to a lost child. I realized it was important to have a place to express one's feelings to the deceased and stay connected to them.

The family of Yamada Nagatoshi also has a loved one they wish to connect with through the green mailbox.

We came to send a message to our eldest son, Yusei, who passed away last August.

Yusei was born in 2008, weighing just 840 grams. He led a life prone to illness.
When Yusei was 10 years old, he received a kidney transplant from his father.
But his condition gradually deteriorated as multiple organs began to fail.
Yusei died at the age of 15.

I stayed at the hospital until around 10:30 p.m., but went home a little earlier than usual that day because his condition seemed stable. So I wasn't with him at his final moment.
I couldn't regret that more.

On the day of the ritual, the letter he wrote to his son goes into the sacred fire.

Dear Yusei, thank you for being born. You were truly a strong child who never gave in to illness. I only have regrets.
Yusei, I know you saved us a few times. Please continue to watch over us from the sky.

The litter disappears in the flames. Then a single flake of ash slowly floats past the Yamada family before flying up into the sky.

Yusei loved his mother the most, so he must have come to her. I felt like Yusei was telling me to look at him, so I glanced up. The words I hadn't been able to say to him until now finally reached him.

The temple also offers pen and paper for those who wish to write letters while visiting. and the hope the special green mailbox will continue to help heal the sorrow of as many people as possible.

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check on the weather

And it's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh. So Jonathan, as we've been reporting, more regions in Japan have entered their rainy seasons. What can you tell us?

Hello, we're talking more of a cloudy and wet pattern that's now spreading across Japan as we have. The rainy season front moving this way slightly up toward the north and as the process goes, we're talking about more wet weather and some areas now entering the rainy season.
Here's a look at some video that's coming out from the area as the rainy season started in parts of central Japan Monday, just a few days later than average. Now hydrangeas are known in Japan for appearing during this time of wet weather and in Wakayama rain fell on the vibrant flowers that begin to bloom just last week. And although it's just the beginning of the rainy season, heavy rain is expected in the region on Tuesday and Wednesday. Now I want to mention that when we talk about the rainy season, it tends to be a bit of a concern when it comes to heavy rainfall. The reason is because, and I like to use this as an analogy, it's like taking a bucket of water and throwing it up against the wall and all that. that moisture just coming straight down toward the ground. And when you have high pressure down toward the south and low toward the north really competing against each other in the process, that's when we get these pockets of particularly heavy rain. That can lead to concerns of things like landslides, urban flooding, and river flooding. So just to let you know ahead of time what you should be planning for if this kind of concern comes up. If you live near slopes, make sure you go to the far edge away from that area as much as possible, and especially when it comes to flooding concerns, try to seek higher ground. Pay attention to the weather situation. Know what your evacuation plans will be around that time. So looking at what's happening on Tuesday, rain from Fukuoka into Osaka and Tokyo, all looking at what weather up into Niigata as well. And so get ready, we're gonna be seeing a lot more rain and clouds for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, across North America, southern areas of the United States look at some more strong thunderstorms as a cold front pushed on through and that's going to spread toward the east here. So look at thunderstorms into Chicago, Atlanta, also into Houston. Highs topping of the mid 30s in Houston as you go through Monday.
That's look at your forecast. Hope you have a good day wherever you are.

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And that's NHK Newsline for this hour.
I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thank you for staying with us.

at 18:00 (JST), June 08

20250608180000_english_1.mp3

 Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Gene Otani in Tokyo.

Chinese vice premier to attend US-China trade talks in London

 China's Vice Premier will travel to the UK to participate in trade talks with the US.
China's Foreign Ministry announced that Hu Li Feng will be in London from Sunday to Friday. US President Donald Trump says the talks will be held on Monday and attended by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and Trade Representative Jameson Greer. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday spoke by telephone, agreeing to have their negotiators continue discussions on the deal the leaders reached last month. That agreement called for the additional tariffs on each other's products to be lowered. But Washington has said that despite the agreement, Beijing is delaying exports of rare earth metals and other products. China's Ministry of Commerce has issued a statement saying that it approved applications for rare earths that were compliant. It also says that the approval process will be accelerated for qualified applications concerning exports to firms in the European Union. Beijing's restrictions on the export of rare earth elements have been affecting the auto industry in Europe, with some factories forced to suspend operations. The EU has been urging China to improve the situation. In Japan, Suzuki Mortar late last month suspended production of its popular compact cars.

Protesters clash with federal immigration agents in Los Angeles

Protesters and immigration authorities have clashed in Los Angeles as the authorities launched a series of large-scale immigration crackdowns under the Trump administration.
Media reports say officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday raided multiple locations, including a clothing warehouse, in immigrant-heavy areas.
The situation became tense as some protesters threw objects and the officers responded with tear gas and flash bangs. Confrontations continued the following day around California's most populous city. A senior official of the Department of Homeland Security posted on social media that the crackdowns over the past week resulted in the arrest of 118 aliens. The officials said they included gang members and people with criminal histories of drug trafficking. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the action, saying as mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place. She added, these tactics sow terror in our communities.
Trump reacted on social media, saying if Governor of California and Mayor Bass can't do their jobs, the federal government will step in and solve the problem, riots and looters the way it should be solved. US news site Axios reported last month that top officials in the President Trump administration sought to set a target of detaining 3,000 people a day.

LGBTQ parade in Washington protests Trump policies

The LGBTQ community in the US has held a parade in Washington to promote the rights of sexual minorities under President Trump.
People came from across the nation to the US Capitol on Saturday as part of Pride Month. Trump signed an executive order saying that the US government recognizes only two genders, male and female. Another executive order rolled back policies by his predecessor, Joe Biden, for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Trump has also been pushing for policies against the LGBTQ community in military and sports.

This, to me, is showing the resistance about all of the pain and anguish that this administration is showing towards us.

Society is divided over LGBTQ rights, with some feeling the Biden administration's diversity policies went to fall.

Japan's Princess Kako meets elderly residents of Japanese descent in Brazil

Japan's Princess Kako has met elderly people of Japanese ancestry near Brazil's largest city of Sao Paulo. The South American nation has the world's largest community of Japanese descendants.
The second daughter of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino is on an official visit to Brazil. She met the residents of an elderly care facility for the Japanese community on Saturday.
About 60 people live there, including some aged over 100. Princess Kako shook their hands, saying she was very happy to meet them and wished them good health.

I'm really grateful she came all this way to visit Brazil.

The princess will travel to Maringa in the state of Parana on Sunday. Many Japanese descendants also live in the city.

Rainy season hits southwestern Japan and ends in Okinawa

This is the time of year when people across much of Japan have to deal with rainy season. It has been declared officially over in one region and just started in two others.
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, Japan's Meteorological Agency announced the start of rainy season for northern Kyushu and Shikoku in the southwest of the country.
But it is already over in the southern prefecture of Okinawa, marking the earliest end on record. The southern part of Kyushu had already seen the start of rainy season. Warm, moist air is intensifying rain in some areas.
The seasonal rain front is expected to hang over western and eastern Japan for some time, adding even more rainfall.
The agency is advising caution against landslides, flooding and swollen rivers. 

Thousands of fans pay respects for late Japan pro baseball legend Nagashima

More than 8,000 people so far have offered their condolences to the late Japanese baseball legend Nagashima Shigeo. He died on Tuesday at the age of 89.
Nicknamed Mr. Pro Baseball, Nagashima was a charismatic Yomiuri Giants player for more than a decade after debuting in 1958. His jersey number three was retired by the team. He also served as a permanent honorary team manager. Condolence books were placed for fans to sign at the entrance of the Tokyo Dome on Saturday. The Dome is the Giants home field. Many fans stood in line to say goodbye to one of the most loved figures in Japanese baseball.

(Japanese)

Giants officials say the books are available for signing until June 22, whenever official Giants games are held.

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Those were the main stories for this hour.

♫～

And that's the news this hour. I'm Gene Otani, from all of us here at NHK Newsline to all around the world. Thanks very much for joining us.