Hello and welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yamaguchi Hiroaki in Tokyo.
Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi Passing Through Japan
Severe tropical storm Jangmi has brought torrential rain pounding down on a wide swath of Japan over the last day or so.
And although rain clouds are now gradually moving out over the sea, officials are still warning people to be on alert for strong winds and high waves.
Jangmi is traveling over the water southeast of Chiba Prefecture.
It's tracking east-northeast at 45 kilometers per hour as of 4 pm on Wednesday.
The storm prompted several alerts earlier Wednesday.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 emergency warning for flooding for Kozagawa River in Wakayama Prefecture.
The JMA also issued Level 4 urgent warnings for heavy rain, landslides and river flooding in parts of Tokyo and elsewhere. Those have now been lifted.
Jangmi also disrupted trains and planes.
Airlines canceled over 800 domestic and international flights on Wednesday.
East Japan Railway Company said some of its train routes in the greater Tokyo area were also affected.
As the storm moves through eastern Japan, it could continue to cause strong winds in Tohoku and Kanto regions.
UN: 80% Likelihood of El Nino Conditions This Summer
The UN weather agency warns that it is 80 percent likely that much of the world will experience extreme conditions this summer.
The climate pattern known as El Nino is forecast to occur from June through August, raising average temperatures ends the risk of heat waves and heavy rains.
The El Nino condition develops as seawater temperatures of Peru in the tropical Pacific surge above average. It is believed to affect global climate.
The World Meteorological Organization released its forecast on Tuesday.
WMO Secretary General Celeste Saulo said sea surface temperatures have already been rising in the equatorial Pacific.
She added that the likelihood was 80 percent that a moderate or possibly strong El Nino could develop and worsen climate extremes.
Saulo warned of more heat-related illnesses and the wider spread of vector-borne diseases, which increase pressure on food and water systems.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement.
00:02:42 話者 2/Antonio Guterres
El Nino conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. Impacts will lead even harder, travel even further, and cross borders with devastating speeds.
00:02:55 話者 1
Guterres called for action to address climate change, including accelerating the shift to renewable energy.
Iran Conflict
Rubio: Deal Must See Strait of Hormuz Reopened
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has shed more light on peace talks with Iran.
He says reopening the Strait of Hormuz is Washington's number one precondition.
Rubio made the comments on Tuesday.
00:03:19 話者 3/Marco Rubio
Condition number one is they have to reopen the straits.
And reopening the straits means the following: ships can sail through international waters the way they can do through other choke points around the world without being fired upon, without paying a toll.
00:03:32 話者 1
He also said Iran will not get any sanctions relief simply for reopening the Key waterway.
Rubio explained some of the difficulties in negotiations, citing the use of intermediaries and possible rifts in Tehran's corridors of power.
Iran's Fars News Agency says there have been no exchanges between the two sides for days.
But US President Donald Trump dismissed the report as fake news, saying it's time to make a deal.
The US and Iran are using the apparent pause in dialogue to strike each other.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it attacked the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and an American air base in the Middle East.
It says the move was in response to US strikes on Kashim Island near the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command says all Iranian attacks on American forces failed.
Rubio: US to Scrutinize Iran World Cup Delegation for IRGC Ties
The tensions between Washington and Tehran are spilling over into the 2026 World Cup opening next week.
Secretary of State Rubio says they will closely watch the men's delegation for Iran.
He says the US wants to ensure there are no members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
00:04:49 話者 3/Marco Rubio
For the most part, we have not had any reports of any teams having a struggle to get here.
What we're not going to allow is for them to embed in their delegation a bunch of people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC or things of that nature.
00:05:05 話者 1
At a hearing in the House of Representatives, he added that the US government has no problem with Iranian athletes or their support staff.
The United States is one of the tournament's host countries.
Iran is scheduled to play three group stage games in Los Angeles and Seattle.
The situation between Washington and Tehran have pushed the team to relocate its training camp from Arizona to the northern Mexico.
Trump Signs Order on Security for Advanced AI
US President Trump has signed an executive order to ask artificial intelligence developers to voluntarily cooperate in government security tests before releasing new models to the public. Trump signed the order on Tuesday.
It comes amid growing concerns over advanced AI models.
Experts say Claude Mythos, an extremely high-performance AI model developed by US
startup Anthropic, could pose serious risks if misused for cyberattacks.
The order says AI firms will be asked to voluntarily give the government access to covered frontier models for up to 30 days for a security review before releasing them.
US media say the order signals a shift in the Trump administration's hands-off approach to AI models.
Bear Attack Victims in Japan Rise to 23 Since April
The number of bear attack victims in Japan is on the rise.
According to an NHK tally, there have been 23 victims across at least nine prefectures since the start of fiscal 2026 in April.
On Tuesday, four people were injured in a series of attacks in residential and commercial areas of Fukushima city.
The environment ministry said since April, it has confirmed the deaths of three victims from bear attacks.
The ministry said that all three had been picking edible wild plants at the time.
An NHK analysis found that at least nine people, including the three who died, were also attacked in the mountains and other areas while foraging.
The ministry also said at least eight people were attacked by bears in populated areas.
Japanese Births, Fertility Rate Both Hit Record Lows
The number of Japanese births hit a new record low last year.
That's according to the latest figures from Japan's health ministry, which are painting a stark picture of the depopulation crisis.
The ministry says there were nearly 15,000 fewer births compared to the year before, bringing to total to just over 671,000 babies.
It marks the 10th straight year of decline, and it's the lowest figure ever recorded since records began in 1899.
For comparison, births peaked in the post-war baby boom in 1949.
These latest figures are just a quarter of that historic high.
Experts say the birth rates are falling faster than anticipated.
Just three years ago, government researchers estimated we would hit this level in the 2040s So the decline is about 15 years ahead of schedule.
Japan's total fertility rate also dropped to a record low of 1.14 last year, down by 0.01.
In terms of prefectures, Tokyo had the lowest fertility rate of 0.96.
Okinawa had the highest at 1.52.
Japan's Marriage-Minded Singles Shift Towards Matchmaking
In a bid to tackle the issue, Japanese experts are looking into why people aren't having kids.
While there's many factors at play, like economic uncertainty and changing values, they say one key issue is marriage.
At the turn of the century, Japan recorded nearly 800,000 marriages.
Compare that to last year, which saw only about 500,000.
Yet a government survey shows that roughly 80 percent of singles still want to get married.
NHK World's Katsumata Chieko looked at the old-school waves some are hoping to get hitched.
00:09:23 話者 4/Katsumata Chieko/Reporting
At 25, Shibata Yuu has tried the modern way of getting a date.
He was on the dating apps, but says he found more success the old-fashioned way.
Through a marriage agency. Back in the 1980s, before smartphones and the internet, they were sometimes used to meet a partner.
The agency handles everything from taking the perfect photo to setting up meetings.
According to a major database, over a five-year period, the number of women using these services has doubled, and men trippled.
Shibata is one of them. He said while he had success on the apps, it was hard to find someone serious about marriage.
00:10:22 話者 5/Shibata Yuu
I dated a woman through the app for about two years, but eventually we broke up.
I thought, if this keeps happening over and over again, I'll be in my 30s before I know it.
When I actually tried a marriage agency, it only took four months to meet someone I wanted to marry, so it didn't take too long.
00:10:43 話者 4
For others, like Fujita Minori, the marriage agency helps reduce some of the risks.
She said meeting new people can be hard, and she didn't want to date someone from work in case the relationship went sour.
00:11:03 話者 15/Fujita Minori
Only those who really want to get married sign up.
The agency has already checked their identities.
Since I don't have to worry about that, it feels very smooth.
00:11:13 話者 4
One of the agency's directors says, she hears that a lot.
00:11:20 話者 16/Katsukura Chihiro/Board Director, Naresome Yobiko
I think a lot of people today are not used to failure, so I think the concept of a safe, secure and reliable way probably strikes a chord with younger generations.
00:11:35 話者 4
Some companies are also trying to help their own employees.
This medical device company headquartered in Tokyo isn't in the lab business.
But as part of its employee benefits, it now offers a matchmaking app.
Almost 300 have signed up.
The app is exclusively for approved companies, such as those with certified child care support policies. The app helps match the employees together.
So far, more than 1,500 businesses are participating.
It means users know they will be paired with people actively working at reputable companies.
They can also filter for specific criteria, like how they want to divide household chores.
This company says supporting its employees outside the workplace can turn into benefits inside the office.
00:12:45 話者 17/Tadano Yoshika/DEI General Manager, Terumo
While employees are trying to improve their performance, they may also be struggling outside of work with major life decisions.
If they're feeling uncertain, we want them to consider the app as one possible solution.
It's important that the company sends the message that their personal lives are also important.
Analysis: The Barriers Keeping Some From Coupling Up
00:13:07 話者 1
And for more on this, earlier I spoke with our reporter Katsumata Chieko.
Most of the people having kids in Japan are married couples, so I understand why the downward trend in marriages would lead to less babies.
But why have the marriage numbers gone down?
00:13:25 話者 4
It might be because it's harder to meet potential partners.
The way people date has changed over time. Take a look at these numbers.
About 15 years ago, nearly 90 percent of newlyweds met naturally. just living their lives.
But in the latest survey, that figure dropped to about 74%.
Experts say that is partly due to a decline in workplace marriages.
People are less likely to meet their future spout at work.
There are a few reasons why remote work has become popular.
So people are not forming relationships at the office like they used to.
Asking about someone's private life at work can also feel like overstepping.
People worry it can even be seen as harassment.
So there are fewer chances to meet someone and more if you do.
Some say they don't know how to start a relationship.
00:14:36 話者 1
And what impact is that having on the numbers?
00:14:39 話者 4
Well, take a look at this data.
This graph looks at those who, by the age of 50, had never married.
In 1980, that was about 3% of men and 4% of women.
In 2020, it had risen sharply to 28 and 18%, respectively.
While some never wanted to get married, one expert told me a lot of them do.
00:15:10 話者 28/Mogi Ryohei/Researcher, Pompeu Fabra University
When we look at the data of never-married population in Japan, 80% of them would like to marry at some point, but 70% of them do not have a romantic partner.
Compared to Italy and Spain, where the total fertility rate is similarly low as Japan, the picture is completely different.
So Italy and Spain, there are many people have romantic partner, even if they do not have children.
So that's why the seriousness of low fertility is much severe in Japan compared to Italy and Spain.
00:15:51 話者 1
But some of the issues you talked about, like remote work, exists in other countries too, and yet people there are still coupling up. Why is Japan different?
00:16:01 話者 4
Mogi says Japanese people tend to enter relationships with more practical conditions.
From the outset, they are considering whether their income is stable or how they should split household chores.
In other words, instead of falling in love and just seeing where it goes, many are considering these factors first.
One woman I interviewed even said she didn't start looking for a partner until she felt her income was good enough.
As a society, if we want to help people get married, we need to first break down these barriers that are keeping them apart.
Business
00:16:45 話者 1
Right now, turning to business news. Japanese stocks are still on the rise.
Let's get the latest from our this team's Yuko Fukushima.
So Yuko, any significant moves in the market?
Nikkei 225, Topix Set All-Time Highs
00:16:55 話者 9/Yuko Fukushima
Well, there certainly was, Hiroaki, because the Tokyo Stock Exchange saw its main indexes set all-time highs on Wednesday.
Investors favored high-tech shares to bet on growing demand for artificial intelligence.
The Nikkei 225 advanced 2.5% to 68,402, marking its first finish above the 68,000 mark.
It climbed as high as 68,786 earlier in the day.
Semiconductor and electronic component related shares led the way.
The broader topics topped 4,000 at one stage for the first time.
It ended just below that level, but gained 1.8% to a record high.
Shares of Kioxia Holdings rose 7/10 of a percent.
The market capitalization of the chip and flash memory giant briefly topped that of Toyota Motor to become Japan's second most valuable firm after tech titan SoftBank Group.
Japan Govt., Banks Said to Gain Access to Claude Mythos AI
AI developer Anthropic says 150 new organizations will be given access to its advanced Claude Mythos model. Japan's finance minister says the government and some financial institutions are among them.
Anthropic on Tuesday said the groups are based in more than 15 countries.
They include critical industries such as electricity, water, healthcare, and communications.
Claude Mythos is currently only available to about 50 companies and organizations.
That's due to concerns the AI's sophisticated capabilities to identify software vulnerabilities could be misused for cyber attacks.
Anthropic notes that the new partners will need to satisfy its security requirements before access is given.
Japanese banking giant MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui and Mizuho are expected to gain access to Mythos, who are checking their networks and fixing vulnerabilities.
They also have access to Anthropic rival OpenAI's latest model focused on cybersecurity.
International Trade Fair Featuring AI Tech Opens in Taiwan
A major international trade fair for the information and communication industry has kicked off in Taipei. The theme is AI Together.
About 1,500 companies from 33 countries and regions are taking part.
On display are quadrupedal robots equipped with AI technology and humanoid robots designed to work in factories.
Taiwan President Lai Chung-de attended the opening ceremony on Tuesday.
Lai said that a stable and trustworthy Taiwan is essential as the world's need for artificial intelligence grows.
He has also expressed plans to neutral human resources in the field.
The president said Taiwan plans to train 500,000 workers in the AI field by 2040 and utilize AI to promote small companies and traditional industries to speed up their technological advancement. The trade fair ends on Friday.
MARKETS
And now to the latest on markets.
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And that's the biz for this hour.
Okinawa Coffee Growers Brew Up New Techniques
00:20:36 話者 1
Okinawa is a well-known holiday spot, but there's another industry with growing potential, coffee.
The humid climate is challenging, so local farmers are learning from Taiwanese experts whose coffee has earned high praise.
00:20:52 話者 7/Narrator: Kitadai Hiroko/Reporters: Nakahora Takuto / Koyanagi Kazuhiro
This event in Okinawa promotes locally grown coffee, but large-scale production is proving difficult. Higa Eriko began producing coffee five years ago.
But there are difficulties in terms of quality and output compared to other areas around the world.
00:21:23 話者 37/Higa Eriko
These beans swelled and split open due to moisture.
While most coffee-growing regions are located at high altitudes and in drier areas, Okinawa has low elevation and high rainfall.
So, Higa is focusing on coffee from nearby Taiwan, which has grown in popularity over the past decade.
At auction, it can go for about 40 US dollars per 100 grams, and its quality is recognized worldwide. Higa visited Taiwan to study cultivation techniques.
This specialist has worked with farms and cafes to improve quality and yield.
00:22:22 話者 35/Lin Che-hao/Coffee specialist
In Taiwan, the distance from farm to table is short and it's easy to visit the farms.
Okinawa has similar conditions.
00:22:32 話者 7
In April, she invited Taiwanese experts and farmers to Okinawa.
Here, the yuan per tree is less than half that of Taiwan.
Farmers are learning techniques to boost production even in Okinawa's humid climate.
00:22:53 話者 36Janna/Taiwanese coffee farmer
Is it okay to cut this tree?
00:22:57 話者 7
Two of the four trunks are cut down, and about half the branches are pruned.
00:23:05 話者 36
This lets the air circulate better.
00:23:10 話者 7
Pruning helps prevent disease and ensures that nutrients reach the fruit thoroughly.
00:23:19 話者 38
Are there any special methods for securing trees against typhoons in Taiwan?
00:23:24 話者 36
Staking is the correct way. If it falls over in the wind, don't prop it back up.
Just leave it as it is, new branches will grow.
00:23:39 話者 7
The Taiwanese style is to wait for new buds to emerge from the fallen tree.
00:23:47 話者 34/Okinawa coffee farmer 1
Not propping up a fallen tree was a valuable lesson.
00:23:52 話者 32/Okinawa coffee farmer 2
I want to put this into practice in Okinawa while observing Taiwanese methods.
00:24:04 話者 37/Higa Eriko
I'm deeply grateful to the farmers in Taiwan for teaching Okinawan farmers who are passionate about making great coffee.
00:24:15 話者 7
With the help of Taiwanese know-how, Okinawa's coffee farmers aim to attract tourists with palate-pleasing local brews.
Weather
00:24:26 話者 1
Now, we've been covering Changmi as it races across the Pacific side of Japan, and we now bring in our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh, for the details on what's ahead, along with a look at world weather. Jonathan.
00:24:39 話者 10/Jonathan Oh
Hello, Jangmi continues to move toward the east and racing off but has definitely left its impact across Japan.
We had gust reports of up to 128 kilometers per hour and rainfall amounts in one location exceeding 530 millimeters in a 24-hour period.
We are going to be getting a little bit of a drier period but we still have to deal with the eastern side of Japan contending with Jangmi as it moves toward the east.
Rain and winds continuing for the evening hours.
We go into the overnight hours and things should start to calm down, clear the area and we should be seeing improvement when it comes to the stormier conditions.
But behind it, we're talking about warmer weather happening as we see temperatures pushing up.
In fact, portions of western Japan had reports of temperatures exceeding 30 degrees.
Go figure, really. We're looking at highs near 30 coming up on Thursday and all is hot up.
And then we have some rain from the rainy season pattern coming back into the picture for western areas of Japan.
So we've seen the rain kind of picking back up as we go into Friday and the temperatures are going to creep up just a little bit as we head toward Saturday and Sunday in places like Tokyo, going from the low to mid-20s to carry up toward the upper 20s slowly as we go through the next few days.
Meanwhile, we're looking at a real stormy pattern down toward the southern plains of the United States as we have this stationary front, this battle of the air masses that continues to linger in the area.
So that will still bring the chance for some rain and thunderstorms as we progress through the day on Wednesday.
Some rain up toward the north as well with thunderstorms in the Winnipeg with a high of 23.
Notice the warmth that's really spraying across the eastern portion of the United States.
28 for the high coming up in Washington, D.C. for Wednesday.
Quick note on Europe, couple of cold fronts swinging on through, meaning a bit of a wet pattern coming up as we go through the day on Wednesday.
Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:40 話者 1
And that concludes this edition of NHK Newsline. Thank you very much for staying with us.
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