It's a Friday evening here in Japan. I'm James Tengan in Tokyo. Welcome to NHK Newsline.
Trump, Xi Wrap Up Summit in Washington
Leaders from two of the world's great powers wrapped up their second summit of the year amid global issues that include the race for super intelligent AI and Taiwan.
US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday. It's Xi's first trip to the US since 2023.
00:00:41 話者 12/Donald Trump
During this visit, we will also discuss pressing issues concerning security, technology and superintelligence, SI.
The decisions we make in these areas today can promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come.
00:01:00 話者 13/Xi Jinping
China and the US are different in national conditions, but through candid, in-depth and continued dialogue, we can understand each other better, seek common ground and shelve our differences and build up mutual trust.
00:01:14 話者 1
Despite a turbulent recent trade relationship marked by tit-for-tat tariffs, Trump made reference to a long history of the two countries working together.
00:01:25 話者 12
Pursuit of those common interests has connected our people across the vast oceans, those big, tremendous distances and many differences, and even made us allies in World War II. Look at the greatness that we had together fighting in World War II.
00:01:45 話者 1
In a later statement, China's foreign ministry said both sides agreed to keep talking about AI and ways to prevent abuse of the technology.
They exchanged views on the Middle East, the conflict in Ukraine, and the Korean Peninsula.
The statement also says she hopes the US will uphold the correct view on Taiwan independence, although Trump declined to comment directly on the matter.
Trump Hosts Xi at White House State Dinner
...
At a White House dinner Thursday night, Trump addressed an audience that included senior US officials and tech leaders. He framed US-China relations as flourishing.
00:02:30 話者 12
As the leaders of our two nations, President Xi and I both understand that we represent different systems, but the ties between our people endure.
And we've never gotten along better since the first trade ships from New York left the harbor to arrive on the banks of the Pearl River.
00:02:53 話者 1
Xi, meanwhile, also referenced the country's shared military history.
00:02:59 話者 13
More than 80 years ago, the people of China and the United States stood side by side and fought Japan's imperial military invaders.
The friendship trained by blood and fire will definitely be passed down over generations.
00:03:14 話者 1
Xi added he and Trump had sincere and in-depth exchanges and reached common understanding on many issues at the summit.
Analysis: Do Warm Words at US-China Summit Signal a Shift?
For more on the summit, I spoke with NHK World's Fujie Lisa, who has been following the talks. Lisa, what do you think about the talk between Xi and Trump.
00:03:39 話者 4/Fujie Risa
It's still too early to tell, but what stood out to me was how both leaders were really emphasizing their personal rapport.
President Trump went out of his way to create a welcoming atmosphere.
He even went to greet President Xi at the military base outside Washington.
Speaking ahead of the talks, Trump even called Beijing an ally that echoes how the US referred to China in the World War II era.
But this kind of language is highly unusual in today's climate.
President Xi, for his part, repeatedly described the US and China as two major powers.
He stressed that they need to peacefully coexist.
And remember, the summit is their second face-to-face meeting this year.
Chinese state media made a point of that, calling it a historical step.
With both sides eager to show off their goodwill, the question now is whether that will translate into anything concrete.
00:04:39 話者 1
Risa, we knew going into this that Taiwan was going to be a major issue.
Do we have any idea how that went?
00:04:46 話者 4
Well, the Chinese government published some details.
Xi reportedly told Trump the US should maintain what he called the correct position by opposing Taiwan independence.
He also cautioned Washington to be prudent, saying that will help build a solid foundation between them.
Trump did not publicly respond to those details.
But one expert on US-China relations says Xi's remarks have a lot to do with optics back home.
00:05:16 話者 5/Stephen Nagy/Professor, International Christian University
President Xi would like to reunify with Taiwan as soon as possible, but this is not realistic under the current conditions in the region.
But it's important for him to send this message home for the party, but also for the Chinese people.
00:05:34 話者 4
He says the spotlight on Taiwan is also a way to keep attention away from other problems.
China's economy is sluggish, in part due to declines in real estate.
So by talking about Taiwan, Xi can keep the focus off of those economic problems.
But Nagy says Washington also came to the table with domestic issues in mind.
00:05:56 話者 5
President Trump is really looking at the upcoming midterm elections and he wants to
to demonstrate to the American people that he is a peace president, that he can manage great power relations, and he's not interested in another conflict with China, which is a very powerful country.
00:06:19 話者 4
So while this is obviously a big meeting between two major international powers, both sides were really performing for their own audiences.
00:06:28 話者 1
Risa, both leaders seemingly wanted to make this summit a success.
What does this mean going forward?
00:06:33 話者 4
The United States and China have many challenges and disputes.
Experts say this summit is unlikely to fix that overnight.
They say what happens next will depend on how they address issues long term.
That includes things like trade, AI, and security.
At the same time, it's now harder to predict whether they will move towards confrontation or cooperation.
But Professor Nagy says that relationship will have a significant impact across Asia, including in Japan.
00:07:07 話者 5
If relations stabilize it also leads to us some ambiguity.
Where are US-China relations going from this standpoint onward?
How much should countries like Japan or South Korea invest in security upgrades?
Is the sustainability of the bilateral relations between the US and China something that will benefit Japan or South Korea or Southeast Asia.
00:07:33 話者 4
The APEC and G20 summits are scheduled for later this year, so the two leaders may very well meet again soon.
We will just have to wait and see where this relationship goes and if these warm welcomes are just at the exception or become the rules.
Business
00:07:58 話者 1
To prevent market volatility, discussions between leaders regarding foreign exchange are usually kept confidential.
But Yuko Fukushima from our biz desk tells us what went down in New York this week.
Yuko.
00:08:05 話者 6/Yuko Fukushima
Thanks, James.
Trump Voices Concern over Weak Yen to Takaichi
00:08:10 話者 6/Yuko Fukushima
Japan's finance minister says US President Donald Trump expressed concern over the yen's depreciation against the dollar when he met with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on Tuesday in New York.
00:08:24 話者 26/Katayama Satsuki/Japanese Finance Minister
Prime Minister Takaichi responded that generally speaking, the yen's undervaluation is problematic.
00:08:31 話者 6
Trump's remark came as the Japanese currency has been on a weak trend and was changing hands at the 158 yen level against the greenback.
Katayama has indicated she will keep in close contact with US Treasury Secretary Scott Besson on issues such as the yen-dollar rate.
10-Year JGB Yield at 3-Decade High
The yield on Japan's benchmark long-term government bond has hit its highest level in about 30 years.
The yield rose to 3.115 percent at Wednesday on Friday.
The Japan bond trading says the figure is the highest since August 1996.
Concerns about inflation fueled by high crude oil prices have also driven up US and European long-term interest rates.
This has prompted selling of JGBs, keeping the yield high.
Japan's Revamped Topix Index to Launch in Oct.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange will launch a revamped version of the Topix share price index in October.
The aim is to produce a more efficient, competitive index made-up of fewer companies.
The Topix is a benchmark on the exchange, along with the Nikkei 225.
Currently, 1,600 firms are listed in the Topix.
But this is expected to be cut to around 900, as the current version includes many firms that are not actively traded.
An expert at the NLI Research Institute explains that companies included in an index can expect gains in their share prices.
This is due to purchases by index-linked investment funds.
Conversely, shares excluded from an index can face selling pressure that makes the companies vulnerable to takeovers.
Morishita Chizuru says businesses are becoming more aware of these risks.
00:10:15 話者 37/Morishita Chizuru/Researcher, NLI Research Institute
Companies are starting to pay more attention to their share prices and how they are evaluated by the market.
We expect this will generate more competition and lead to a more disciplined market.
00:10:28 話者 6
The companies included in the new topics will be reassessed every year.
Beef about Beef Prices Heard at US Restaurants and Tables
People around the world are wrestling with rising food prices.
In the US, consumers are experiencing sticker shock on an item some see as an American stable.
The government is taking steps to provide relief, but some say a lasting solution will take time.
NHK World's Sarah Aoyagi has more.
00:10:57 話者 7/Sarah Aoyagi
Some Americans are thinking twice about choosing beef when they shop these days.
Ground beef prices hit a record in August.
The cost of other cuts has also been on the rise.
00:11:11 話者 48
All the prices of all the groceries, but beef, very expensive.
00:11:16 話者 7
Restaurants that specialize in beef dishes are especially hard hit.
This one is famous for its brisket.
Menu prices went up in June to reflect purchase costs.
The owner made other adjustments to keep customers coming.
For example, the menu used to show full pound prices, but now shows half pound prices.
At the same time, prices were cut for some set menu options by using pork or turkey instead of beef.
00:11:52 話者 47/Russell Roegels/Owner, Roegels Barbecue
I refuse to cut our quality, so we have to increase prices. And that's just economics.
Do I like to?
Absolutely not. I wish brisket was still about $20 a pound.
But it's not, and it's probably never going to be again.
00:12:11 話者 7
There are various factors pushing up beef prices.
Some pastures have dried up due to severe droughts in recent years.
Feed costs are also going up due to the situation in Iran.
And the cattle population in the US is at a historic low.
A rancher in Texas, James Clement, experienced the worst drought of his life this year.
But he plans to increase his cattle herd by about 20% as the grass has started to recover.
This comes as the cost to expand land and build fencing are soaring.
00:12:55 話者 49/James Clement/Rancher
We ranchers would also say that, for years, we weren't getting paid enough for what beef was worth.
It is me saying that we want the consumer to appreciate a finer thing that is American beef.
00:13:08 話者 7
The Trump administration has pledged to lower beef prices.
This includes a change implemented this month to ease tariffs on ground beef.
00:13:18 話者 12/Trump
We want to get the beef prices down, so we'll get them down a little bit, and that's what people want, that's what the voters want, and that's what I want.
00:13:27 話者 7
But an expert thinks this may be counterproductive.
00:13:31 話者 40/David Anderson/Professor, Texas A&M University
It's really limited, quite honestly. If we enact policies that reduce prices, that reduce prices to cattle producers, we're really cutting the incentive to expand.
00:13:45 話者 7
Anderson also says it will take time to stabilize prices even if cattle numbers can be increased.
00:13:52 話者 40
Just biology in the timeline gets us clear out to 2029 or 2030 before we really see rapidly increasing supplies of beef.
And so, you know, I think I think rapidly growing supplies are still some distance out in the future.
00:14:10 話者 7
It may be some time until US consumers can enjoy beef on their dinner tables as frequently as before.
Sarah Aoyagi, NHK World.
Markets
00:14:22 話者 6
Now let's get your latest on the market figures.
♪
And that wraps up our biz for this hour.
00:15:26 話者 1
Thanks, Yuko. Moving on to other news.
Netanyahu Justifies Iran Attacks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly and justified his country's attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and other targets.
Some diplomatic delegates from around the world left the chamber in protest as Netanyahu headed to the podium.
In his speech, he said Iran's nuclear program should never be allowed.
00:15:53 話者 58/Benjamin Netanyahu
I want you to know that many of their leaders even thank us privately for taking out Iran's nukes, this evil regime will fall.
00:16:06 話者 1
Netanyahu's visit to New York came amid controversy over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for the prime minister on allegations including war crimes for the fighting in Gaza.
Palestine will be free! Palestine will be free!
Protests erupted around the UN headquarters.
Demonstrators opposing Netanyahu marched from a park in central Manhattan to the UN, where they faced off across the street from another group supporting him.
Participants shouted at each other, leading police to stop both sides.
White House Allows Banned Reporters after Court Ruling
The White House is reinstating access to journalists from three media outlets after a federal judge suspended a ban imposed by President Donald Trump.
He had barred reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from entering the White House, claiming they were reporting fake news.
Following legal action, a federal court on Thursday issued a 14-day restraining order against the ban, saying it likely violated the outlet's constitutional rights.
The standoff coincided with a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Multiple media outlets reported that the three outlets could not enter the White House on Thursday, when the US-China summit started.
The ban prompted major TV networks to temporarily suspend pooled coverage of the President. The arrival ceremony featuring both leaders was reportedly not broadcast live.
The New York Times reported that no major US network was airing footage of them as of noon on Thursday, local time.
Poland Suspects Sabotage in Starlink Fire
A fire has broken out at a facility in Poland related to the satellite internet service Starlink.
The Polish government suspects possible sabotage linked to Russia.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at a town near the capital Warsaw.
Starlink is run by US businessman Elon Musk.
The facility's power system and other infrastructure were damaged.
Starlink has also been operating in neighboring Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion four years ago.
Speaking to local media on Thursday, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski expressed the view that the fire was an act of sabotage.
He added the move was aimed at disrupting Internet connections for both people and institutions, including Ukraine's military.
He said the incident fits into what he called a new Russian doctrine of attack.
Acts of sabotage with suspected Russian involvement have previously been carried out in Poland.
The Polish government blamed Russia for an arson attack on a shopping center in Warsaw in May of 2024 and for the destruction of part of a rail track that connects to Ukraine last November.
Denmark Warns of Growing Risk of Russian Attack on NATO
Denmark's Defense Intelligence Agency has warned of a growing risk that Russia could launch a limited military attack against a NATO member nation in the coming months.
The Danish Defense Intelligence Service released a report on Thursday assessing the Russian threat.
It says such an attack could involve drone strikes on important infrastructure or the limited deployment of military forces.
The report says Russia will intensify hybrid warfare, combining non-military measures with the use of weapons to cause confusion.
This could include destructive cyber attacks and sabotage attacks with a high risk of casualties. Denmark's defense minister said Russia has been more active in Europe.
00:19:51 話者 61/Jeppe Bruus/Danish Defence Minister
Russia is under pressure in Ukraine. The economy is failing and now they are targeting all the support and supply chains that support Ukraine.
But the report adds that there are no indications Russia will launch an outright invasion of one or more NATO countries.
♫
Rest and Relief for First-Time Parents
First time parents often feel overwhelmed with the daunting demands of child rearing.
Many have little time to recover following their baby's birth and no one to turn to for advice or assistance.
A care center operating in Japan's capital specializes in putting these and related anxieties to rest.
Labor of Love
00:20:49 話者 11
This nine story apartment building is located in central Tokyo.
Three floors have been turned into a postpartum care retreat.
Both working professionals, this young couple had their first child two months ago.
After struggling with taking care of her for the first month, they turned to this facility for help.
Although both parents took leave to take care of their newborn, their lack of experience left them feeling totally overwhelmed.
With the grandmother unable to assist due to poor health, they realized they needed additional support.
00:21:44 話者 72
I'd stay up all night on social media looking for answers and advice.
We were sleep deprived and even started snapping at each other.
That's when we knew we were in over our heads.
00:22:01 話者 11
Kishihata Mizuki is the founder of this care center.
As a midwife, she's noticed an increase in young couples struggling with child care in recent years.
00:22:12 話者 72
With no experienced family members around to help, taking care of a baby on your own can put new parents in a tough spot.
The mother is often still recovering from giving birth, and both parents must deal with anxiety and sleep deprivation.
Our goal is to help them calm down, learn to care for their baby, and return home with confidence.
00:22:34 話者 11
Two resident nurse midwives are on duty 24 hours a day, ready to provide support and instruction.
(Japanese)
From feeding frequency to diaper rash prevention and even soothing techniques, parents can consult with the midwives on almost any issue.
Three nutritionally balanced meals are served daily.
Parents can also have their baby looked after for a few hours or even overnight.
This lets them recharge their batteries by catching up on sleep or even going out for a while. During those times, the midwives care for the infant in the facility's nursery.
The facility's rates start at $260 per night.
While most guests stay for three to four nights, some visitors choose to stay for up to a full month.
The center opened for business earlier this year.
In the first five months, over 100 parents utilized their services.
(Japanese)
♫～
World Weather
00:24:41 話者 1
Now for weather, parts of Japan need to be on alert for more rain this weekend.
Our meteorologist Yuumi Hirano fills us in on the details.
00:24:50 話者 83/Yuumi Hirano
Tropical storm Surigae is moving toward the Okinawa Islands.
The storm is expected to intensify into a typhoon and approach the islands by Sunday.
It's likely to move slowly, so the impact will last longer.
Heavy rain, strong winds and high waves are possible into early next week.
But before the storm, people on the mainland of Japan have to monitor another system.
A front is expected to intensify over the weekend, bringing isolated downpours.
Showers are expected again in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures, which were damaged by Typhoon Dujuan.
Wet weather is also expected in many cities and will persist into next week.
The rain could be heavier along the Pacific side due to moisture from the typhoon.
So please check out the latest updates.
Speaking of storms, major hurricane Polo is now moving toward the Baja California Peninsula, bringing high waves and storm surges.
On the other side, a well-developed nor'easter is affecting the parts of US East Coast.
People in parts of Virginia are gearing up for possible stormy weather in the next few days.
Homes and buildings along the coast have been reinforced with sand bags as precautions.
The nor'easter is likely to bring strong winds, high waves and flooding rain.
Even though the storm is not making landfall, heavy rain, strong winds and high waves are possible.
Coastal flooding could be a major concern over the weekend.
That's it for now. Stay safe.
♫～ 3-Day Forecast ～♫
00:27:40 話者 1
And that was this hour's news and weather from Tokyo.
More to come here on NHK World Japan, so stay with us.
checked.
NHK World
00:28:01 話者 99
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