Hello, a very warm welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo.
TOKYO HIGH COURT UPHOLDS DISSOLUTION ORDER TO GROUP
The Tokyo High Court has upheld an order to dissolve the group widely known as the Unification Church as a religious corporation.
Procedures are being put in place to dispose the group's assets and compensate those who suffered financial damage.
In Wednesday's ruling, the judge cited the group's practice of collecting massive donations as a violation of civil law.
She also pointed out many people suffered extensive property damage and mental pain as a result.
The order will strip the group of its legal status as a religious corporation and deny it tax benefits.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru told reporters the court's position reflects the government's on the matter.
00:01:03 話者 11/Kihara Minoru
I instructed the relevant ministries to coordinate closely and thoroughly implement the necessary measures for victim relief.
We expect the liquidation process to be conducted properly under the court supervision and relief will be promptly provided to the victims.
00:01:19 話者 1
Now, the group's story stretches back before this latest legal blow with origins outside Japan. Let's look now at what led to this moment.
00:01:29 話者 2
The former Unification Church came into being in the 1950s.
Founded in South Korea by Reverend Moon Som-myung, it became known for its mass weddings and anti-communist stance.
Over decades, the group expanded, eventually taking root in Japan.
Over the years, the former Unification Church faced accusations of pressuring its followers into making big donations to guarantee their spiritual well-being.
That practice and the group's relations with Japanese politicians exploded into the spotlight in 2022.
Yamagami Tetsuya, son of one of its followers, gunned down former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
He later told investigators that his mother's donations to the group had ruined his family's finances.
He said he targeted Abe because of the former leader's apparent connections to the group.
Yamagami received a life sentence earlier this year, which he is appealing.
In the wake of the killing, then-Prime Minister Kishida Fumio urged the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's members to cut ties with the organization.
He also instructed the Education and Culture Ministry to probe its practices, assets, and financial records.
Then, in 2023, the ministry filed a request with the Tokyo District Court for an order to dissolve the group, citing its practice of pressuring followers for funds.
The group contested these claims and immediately launched an appeal when the district court ordered it to dissolve in March 2025.
This brought the case to Tokyo's high court, which saw witness examinations and testimony from group staff.
As these proceedings played out, there were big changes happening for the group.
In South Korea, the organization's top leader and its founder's widow, Hang Hakja, was arrested last September. She's accused of violating political funding laws.
In October, the group's Japan branch began taking part in collective mediation with former followers.
It set up a compensation committee, arguing its relief efforts showed that dissolution was no longer necessary. In December, Japan branch leader Tanaka Tomihiro resigned.
And on Wednesday, the high court upheld the dissolution order, a ruling welcomed by lawyers representing some of the people impacted by the group.
00:04:03 話者 3
The court ruled that the church violated the law and clearly damaged public welfare.
00:04:15 話者 2
But for the group's current members, the ruling is a crushing blow.
Some gathered in Tokyo to hear the decision.
00:04:24 話者 12/Kojima Kiaki/Mentur of loemur Urefieulien Chureh
I am saddened and disappointed. There are many followers out there, and I am filled with anxiety over how we can continue our faith.
This doesn't mean we will lose our faith, so we want to find ways to carry on.
00:04:40 話者 2
The liquidation process is beginning, even as the group is believed to be planning its next appeal.
US, ISRAEL EXPAND ATTACKS, DEATH TOLL RISES
00:04:54 話者 1
The US and Israeli militaries are expanding their attacks against Iran.
Israel says it has conducted a wave of strikes targeting the regime's leaders and hit facilities in the heart of the capital.
The Israel Defense Forces says it attacked the presidential office, the Supreme National Security Council and the state-run media building.
The US Central Command says it has struck nearly 2,000 targets in the first 100 hours of fighting.
Iran's foreign ministry says the death toll from Saturday's attack on an elementary school in the southern province of Hormuzgan has risen to 171.
00:05:36 話者 21/Esmaeil Baqaei/Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
The people of America should ask their statesmen, were our children a threat to US national security?
00:05:45 話者 1
The UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner has called for a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation.
00:05:54 話者 22/Ravina Shamdasani/UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson
If attacks are found to be directed against civilians or civilian objects or indiscriminate attacks, they are serious violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.
00:06:06 話者 1
Iran's Tasnim news agency says a facility in the central city of Qom was also hit.
On Iran's leadership, US President Donald Trump says most of the successors to take over are dead. He says there are more moderate options.
00:06:30 話者 3/Donald Trump
The worst case would be we do this and then somebody takes over who's as bad as the previous person, right? That could happen. We don't want that to happen.
00:06:40 話者 1
He says the first order of business is neutralizing the military threat.
Iran's nuclear facilities have also come under attack with satellite images showing destruction in Natanz.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says the uranium enrichment plant has been damaged, though no significant radiation leaks are expected.
Uranian forces are fighting back. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it carried out a large-scale strike on a US airbase in Bahrain.
And the US embassy in Saudi Arabia shot down following a drone attack.
RED CRESCENT SOCIETY: MORE THAN 780 KILLED
US State Department officials have instructed government employees in six countries, including Qatar and Jordan, to evacuate.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday that 9,000 Americans have left the Middle East.
And Japan says two of its nationals have evacuated from Iran to neighboring Azerbaijan with government assistance.
Tokyo has issued an evacuation advisory for all of Iran.
About 200 Japanese nationals are believed to be in the country.
The government says it will consider support for those who wish to leave.
REPORTS: TEHRAN WORLD HERITAGE SITE DAMAGED BY AIRSTRIKE
Media outlets are reporting that the Golestan Palace in Tehran has been damaged in an airstrike by US and Israeli forces. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Iranian government released footage showing damaged windows and doors of the palace and shattered glass on the floor.
The Golestan Palace was built for the Qajar dynasty, which ruled Iran from the 18th to 20th century. It is one of the oldest buildings in Tehran.
The famous building integrates traditional Persian arts and architecture with Western influences. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
FRANCE, UK, GREECE SENDING WARSHIPS TO MEDITERRANEAN
France says it is sending an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, and Britain has announced it is sending a destroyer.
French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a televised speech on Tuesday.
He says the fighting has been spreading, bringing serious consequences for peace and security.
Macron says the aircraft carrier is meant to secure maritime traffic as the Suez Canal and the Red Sea are under threat.
The president also says the carrier will have a frigate escort to strengthen air defense and other capabilities in the region.
The move comes following a drone attack Sunday against a British Air Force Base in Cyprus.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says it was conducted by Iran in its proxies.
He says Britain is deploying a destroyer and two helicopters in the region to increase counter-drone capabilities.
And Greece has announced it is sending two frigates to Cyprus in addition to the fighter jets it has already sent.
TRUMP: US NAVY WILL PROTECT TANKERS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ
US President Trump says the US Navy will protect tankers that navigate through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump wrote on social media on Tuesday that the Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible if necessary.
He also spoke about the rising prices of crude oil and other materials.
00:10:14 話者 4/Donald Trump
If we have a little high oil prices for a little while,
But as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe, lower than even before.
00:10:25 話者 1
The president said he ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation to provide risk insurance for all ships traveling through the Persian Gulf at a very reasonable price.
As the conflict between Iran and the US side continues, concern is growing about the stable supply of natural gas and crude oil in the energy market and a possible jump in futures prices.
In the same social media post, Trump promised more actions to come, apparently intending to ease concerns about energy prices.
BUSINESS
Now, for more on business stories, let's turn to Ramin Mellegard from The Business.
Ramin.
00:11:21 話者 4/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
TOKYO STOCKS FALL FOR 3RD DAY ON IRAN CONFLICT FEARS
And just have a look at this big screen next to me.
Shares in Tokyo have fallen for the third day as the Iran conflict rages.
Investors are worried that prolonged fighting and higher crude oil prices could cause a global economic slowdown.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed down 3.6% on Wednesday at 54,245.
The index fell more than 2,600 points at one stage, its fourth biggest intraday drop.
Other benchmarks in the Asia-Pacific also tumbled.
Seoul's COSPI plunged 12%. Taipei's Taix sank over 4%.
SURVEY: 92% OF MAJOR JAPANESE FIRMS ACCEPT FOREIGN WORKER
Now, an NHK survey has found that 92% of major Japanese companies accept foreign workers.
They cited reasons such as the need to secure people with special skills amid the declining population.
The survey was conducted among 100 major domestic firms between December and January, with 78 responding.
Almost two-thirds said they accept foreign workers to secure special skills and technologies. and to help promote innovation through a diverse workforce.
Other reasons included strengthening global business operations and as a response to the labor shortage.
The survey also asked about the challenges related to accepting foreign workers with multiple answers allowed.
About 50% mentioned improving Japanese language and job training systems.
Nearly 40% pointed to speeding up the process of getting visas and resident status for foreign staff.
About a third of companies see improving career tracks for foreign workers as an issue, while a similar number highlighted supporting their livelihoods.
Menju Toshiro, a visiting professor at Kansai University of International Studies, says Japan has to compete with other countries in Asia and Europe for human resources.
00:13:21 話者 14/Menju Toshihiro/Visiting Professor, Kansai University of International Studies
It's important to provide foreign workers with job training opportunities on the same basis as Japanese employees.
The government or the company needs to take responsibility for providing them with Japanese language education.
00:13:34 話者 4
Menju says Japan has reached a point where expertise will be lost if skilled domestic workers retire without passing their techniques on to foreign hires.
JAL MULLING DOMESTIC FUEL SURCHARGES AMID RISING COSTS
And Japan Airlines says it is mulling fuel surcharges for domestic flights.
The move comes as rising costs continue to pressure the company's bottom line.
JAL will soon start discussing the plan with an eye towards possible implementation in April 2027.
Airlines usually charge such fees for international flights based on fuel price fluctuations.
JAL says it might have to start adding the fees to domestic airfares as it struggles with fewer in-country passengers and higher fuel prices.
The airline has not worked out the details of the potential charges, including amounts and routes.
President and CEO Tottori Mitsuko said on Monday that domestic services are crucial
to people's livelihoods.
She said the profits need to improve quickly in order to maintain the routes.
Transport Ministry officials say that regional carrier Fuji Dream Airlines is the only airline in Japan with domestic fuel surcharges.
MARKETS
Okay, let's get a check on the markets.
♪
And that is it for business news.
00:15:20 話者 1
Thank you, Ramin.
SPEED SKATER TAKAGI MIHO PREPS FOR 'LAST COMPETITION'
Now, Japan's most successful female Olympian of all time has announced her next competition will be her last.
Speed skater Takagi Miho, who has 10 Olympic medals under her belt, will compete at the World Championships in the Netherlands starting Thursday.
The 31-year-old posted Wednesday that she wanted to say thank you and goodbye to everyone.
She said she announced this now because she wants to mark her last event with all of her supporters.
She said even if they are not at the venue, she can feel them cheering. Takagi said she hopes to go into more detail in an official setting when she returns to Japan.
In the meantime, she said she will keep working hard and aiming high.
The Milano-Cortina Winter Games were Takagi's fourth Olympics.
She took home three medals, bringing her career medal tally to ten.
She broke her own record for the number of medals won by a female Japanese Olympic athlete.
GRAND SUMO: ALL EYES ON AONISHIKI
The next grand sumo tournament gets underway in Osaka this Sunday.
For more, here's Newsline in Focus with Shibuya Aki and Raja Pradhan.
00:16:43 話者 5/Shibuya Aki
NHK World's in-house sumo expert Raja Pradhan is here to explain why it's not to be missed.
00:16:50 話者 6/Raja Pradhan
Hi, Aki. Okay, so all eyes are on this man, this Ukrainian Aonishiki . He currently sits at sumo's second highest rank of Ozeki, and he could soon rise to the very top.
Aonishikl's date with destiny
Aonishiki only debuted as an Ozeki less than two months ago.
He's climbed from the lowest division to sumo's second highest rank, faster than any other wrestler since 1958, when tournaments started being held six times a year.
The Ukrainian really delivered in the previous contest, working his way through the competition with his signature low stance.
On day 13, he defeated Yokozuna Hoshoryu for the fourth turning in a row.
And it put Aonishiki within touching distance of the title.
The next day, Aonishiki faced off with Yokozuna Oonosato.
The Ukrainians had lost all three of their previous bouts.
Oonosato came out on top again.
But the Ukrainian regrouped on the final day to beat fellow Ozeki, Kotozakura.
Aonishiki then advanced to a playoff with impressive rank and filer, Atanifuji.
They both had 12 wins and 3 losses.
Atanifuji drove Aonishiki to the edge, but the Ukrainian turned the tables with an impeccable headlock throw called Kugi Nageba. It was a move worthy of the title.
Aonishiki is only the ninth wrestler in sumo history to clinch the championship while debuting as an Ozeki. Nobody had done it since the legendary Hakuho two decades ago.
00:19:24 話者 5
Wow, Aonishiki is wasting no time writing his name into the history books.
00:19:29 話者 6
Yes, he only claimed his first championship in November.
while debuting at the third highest rank of Sekiwake, and to secure another in his Ozeki debut is the stuff of dreams.
That hasn't happened in 89 years, and the last wrestler to achieve that feat was over here, this man, Futabayama.
He went on to become a legendary Yokozuna with 69 consecutive wins, and the record has never been better.
So, Now, Aonishiki has a golden opportunity to secure a place among the greats, and in March, he will need to clinch the title or an equivalent record to earn promotion to Yokozuna.
In fact, Futabayama and this man, Terukuni, are the only Ozeki in the past 100 years who have risen to the top rank within the space of two tournaments, and Aonishiki could become the third to accomplish that feat.
00:20:17 話者 5
Well, I'll be rooting for Aonishiki, and surely so will his fans in Japan and Ukraine.
Raja, tell us more about his fighting style.
00:20:26 話者 6
Sure, it'll be interesting to see how his sumo evolves in his quest to become a yokozuna.
Aonishiki excelled in January with his extremely low stance, but it wasn't just that.
Take a look. He also displayed amazing perseverance at the edge of the gorilla.
Aonishiki also, he's recently added another weapon to his arsenal.
He's become very confident when he secures a firm left-hand inside grip on his opponent's belt.
Aonishiki has used it as a springboard for attacks, such as transitioning into a leg trick.
00:21:07 話者 5
That's some real fancy footwork, and I'll be keeping an eye on Aonishiki's deft left hand.
So are there any other wrestlers who should be watching in Osaka?
00:21:17 話者 6
Of course, don't take your eyes off this man. Kirishima, who earned the Fighting Spirit Prize in January, Kirishima will compete as a Sekiwake again.
And he's a former Ozeki and wants to make his way back there for the first time in two years. He'll need to rack up at least 11 wins to clear the benchmark.
And Aki, I'm confident he can, especially after seeing him defeat Aonishiki and Hoshoryu last time out.
00:21:52 話者 5
So Raja, the January tournament caused a buzz for something else too.
00:21:57 話者 6
Yes, we're talking about good luck rituals, or in Japanese, Genkatsugi.
And there are plenty in the world of sumo. So take a look at this.
So they're both Aonishiki, right? But check the color of his mawashi, belt.
He started in blue over there, and in the tournament's critical stages, he switched to black, and he received this from his stable master.
00:22:20 話者 5
Wait, Raja, a belt swap. Why is such a big deal?
00:22:23 話者 6
Well, for context, Aki, similar wrestlers can be very superstitious, and doing something like changing the color of a belt mid-tournament, it's extremely rare, especially in this case, because Aonishiki, he was in title-winning form.
So let me give you another example. Take a look.
This trio over here even refrained from shaving their beards to avoid spoiling a winning run.
00:22:46 話者 5
Well, who knew beards could bring sumo glory?
00:22:48 話者 6
Right? But in 2019, the Japan Sumo Association actually banned wrestlers from growing their facial hair too much.
After all, they're supposed to look as neat as possible.
And one more for you. Some rikishi even adjust their diet for genkatsugi.
Here.
00:23:04 話者 5
Ah, that's chanko nabe hotpot that sumo wrestlers often eat, right?
00:23:08 話者 6
Spot on. Actually, everything they eat is known as chanko, and this hotpot is probably the most famous out of all of them.
But get this, during tournaments, the wrestlers prefer to eat chicken instead of other meats. Why? Because chickens stand on two feet, not four.
00:23:24 話者 5
Ah, I get it. Staying on two feet in the ring is a surefire way to victory.
00:23:30 話者 6
Exactly, and I for one can't wait to feast on the upcoming sumo action.
00:23:35 話者 5
One, Raja. Well, don't miss the next tournament starting March 8.
And that's all from us.
TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE OBSERVED IN JAPAN
00:23:45 話者 1
A total eclipse of the moon was observed on Tuesday evening in southwestern Japan.
The phenomenon occurs when the Earth aligns between the sun and the moon, and the Earth's shadow completely covers the full moon.
The eclipse was observed in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, although rainy weather made it impossible to see the event in much of the country.
The National Astronomical Observatory says the eclipse began at around 6:50 p.m. local time.
The moon was completely covered by the Earth's shadow for almost an hour between 8:04 p.m. and 9:03 p.m.
So this is the first total lunar eclipse in Japan since September 8 last year.
This is the first total lunar eclipse in Japan. The National Astronomical Observatory says the next chance to see a total lunar eclipse will be January 1, 2029.
WEATHER
Now let's bring in Jonathan Oh for weather updates.
So Jonathan, it was sunny in Tokyo, but snowing up north Wednesday. What's the latest?
00:25:04 話者 3/Jonathan Oh
Hello. We have been dealing still with a mix of different types of weather patterns over the past couple of days.
A lot cooler as we went through Tuesday and went to Wednesday.
We had a bit of a brighter day, but the wind was quite high, 103 kilometers per hour.
Gusts reported in portion of Chiba Prefecture up toward north in Fukushima Prefecture.
Snow. falling at 26 centimeters over a 24-hour period.
Now, I want to show you some video that's coming out from the prefecture as people there found themselves in the dark after heavy snow brought power disruptions to the region.
The local power company reported that about 5,300 households were without power as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.
The heavy snow also caused some greenhouses in Yabuki Town to collapse, causing trouble for rice farmers ahead of planting season.
The snow has ended for now, though areas toward the north are expected to see more winter weather Thursday.
So we have a couple of low pressure systems that are kind of running around in the area, one off toward the east and one toward the north.
And they're kind of working with each other to bring moisture and cold air.
So places like Hokkaido and into portions of the Tohoku region, looking at a chance for some snow as we go through Thursday and then taking a little bit of a break by Friday.
But we are looking at the possibility of rain to come back into the picture in places like Osaka and Fukuoka into Tokyo, going from Friday into Saturday.
Temperatures, though, on the milder side, Tokyo, up at 16 for the high as we go through the day on Thursday.
Meanwhile, we're keeping an eye out on the southern plains of the United States as we do have a setup that could bring some strong thunderstorm possibilities.
So be on the lookout for that as that low moves towards the north and east.
And that same stationary front also brings some rain all the way over into Washington, D.C. Separate system coming into the Pacific Northwest.
That's going to bring a chance for some rain to place like Vancouver and Seattle.
19 in Denver. Showers into Oklahoma City and Houston with the possibility of some thunderstorms in that equation as well for Wednesday.
Chicago down to 4th, some rain in Atlanta. A bit of the warmer side, mid-20s with a bit of a haze as we go through today on Wednesday.
That's a look at your forecast. Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:41 話者 1
And that's NHK Newsline for this hour.
I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thank you for joining us.
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