2026年5月20日水曜日

NHK WORLD English News PodcastScript for Shadowing|China–Russia Summit, Japan–Korea Ties, Global Conflicts & Markets Shift (2026/5/20)

China and Russia reaffirm strategic ties as leaders meet in Beijing.
Japan and South Korea strengthen cooperation amid regional tensions.
Global conflicts, natural disasters, and market volatility shape today’s news.
中国とロシアが首脳会談で戦略的結束を再確認。
日本と韓国は地域緊張の中で協力強化を進展。
国際紛争、災害、金融市場の変動が今日の主要テーマ。
 00:00:09 話者 1/Yoshikawa Ryuichi

Hello, and welcome to NHK Newsline.  I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi in Tokyo.

Xi and Putin Reaffirm Strategic Partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have wrapped up their initial meeting in Beijing.

The leaders reaffirmed their ties and demonstrated their shared stance against the Western-led global order following last week's US-China summit.

A ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in the capital welcomed Putin on Wednesday.

The two leaders then sat down together for the first time since Putin visited China last September.

00:00:55 話者 2/Xi Jinping

The international situation is fraught with turmoil, and unilateral hegemonic tendencies are rampant.

00:01:02 話者 1

Regarding the situation in Iran, Xi reportedly said that hostilities must end immediately, and urged all parties to stick to negotiations and refrain from more violence.

00:01:18 話者 3/Vladimir Putin

The relationship between Russia and China has reached unprecedented heights and serves as a model of partnership and strategic cooperation.

00:01:28 話者 1

Putin said that Russia is still playing a role as a reliable source of resources amid the crisis in the Middle East.

China and Russia have stepped up cooperation in recent years in multinational frameworks, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS Group of Emerging Economies.

China–Russia Summit: Key Goals and Analysis

For more on this, earlier I spoke with NHK World's Yoshida Mayu, who is watching the summit from Beijing. What do both sides want out of this summit?

00:02:06 話者 4/Yoshida Mayu

In a sense, they want the same thing, to show they are opposed to a Western-led international order, and they're willing to stand up to it together.

Xi started the summit by saying the international situation has been thrown into confusion. He blamed what he called a rampant, one-sided hegemony.

For his part, Putin highlighted the relationship between the two countries, saying it's at an unprecedented level. But of course, they each also have their own goals.

Like you said, President Trump was here just last week.

So for China, Russia is acting as a sort of counterweight. But it's also good optics for Xi.

It shows Beijing is a major power, one that can sit down with both Washington and Moscow. That's the image China wants to project.

As for Putin, he obviously wants to coordinate on key issues like the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. But Russia also has a lot at stake economically.

Western sanctions have hit its economy hard, so it's had to depend more on Beijing.

China is now Russia's largest trading partner. 

That's a relationship Putin doesn't want to lose.

00:03:19 話者 1

So, Mayu, what will you be watching out for?

00:03:25 話者 4

Like I said, that economic angle is huge. And it's not just one way.

Russia is China's largest supplier of crude oil, and the conflict in the Middle East has thrown the global supply into disarray. So China wants to keep that oil flowing.

Moscow's delegation even includes executives from major Russian energy companies.

Otherwise, we're watching to see how Taiwan is addressed.

China highlighted the issue during last week's summit with the US.

How it plays out here will tell us a lot about where things stand.

Japan–South Korea Summit Highlights Energy Cooperation

00:04:04 話者 1

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae held a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myon on Tuesday.

The talks focused largely on oil and how they can strengthen energy security through cooperation.

Earlier, my colleague Yoshi Iwasawa spoke with NHKRO's Kim Chan-ju in Seoul to hear how it went.

00:04:29 話者 5/Kim Chan-ju

The level of ceremony we saw was like that of a state visit. Experts say that special treatment may have helped to build a rapport between the two leaders.

In fact, building a rapport may have been just as important as the talks themselves.

When Takaichi hosted Lee in January, it was in her hometown, Nara.

This time, Lee returned the favor, welcoming her to his hometown, Andong.

Even the dinner was designed to highlight the ties between Japan and South Korea.

The menu included a local chicken dish that's only served to honored guests.

And the drinks featured andong soju paired with sake from Nara, symbolizing their friendship.

Observers say meetings like this can help build a strong foundation for future relations.

00:05:23 話者 6/Yoshi Ogasawara

Right, but that doesn't mean there won't still be challenges.

00:05:28 話者 5

Exactly. 

For example, the two sides differ on key issues like how to handle China and North Korea.

That sort of thing can become a big problem later on.

But that's why these visits, with their symbolic gestures and friendly dinners, are so important.

00:05:50 話者 7/Choi Eun-mi/Senior Research Fellow, Asan Institute for Policy Studies

When it comes to Japan and South Korea, many issues could flare up at any given moment.

It's important that both leaders are able to get on the same page and manage those problems without provoking each other.

00:06:13 話者 5

So this hospitality isn't just a pomp and circumstance.

It's a diplomatic message, one that suggests both sides want stable ties.

But that expert says it needs to be followed up with concrete action.

The challenge now will be turning these agreements into something tangible.

That means improving supply chains, economic security, and diplomacy.

Another question is whether this cooperation can expand beyond the national level to include regional and local initiatives.

00:06:51 話者 6

So where do you think the two sides go from here?

00:06:56 話者 5

It's hard to say for sure, but they seem keen to meet again.

Takaichi said she's already thinking of their next summit and even floated the idea of holding it at a hot spring resort.

Heavy Rains in China Leave Over 20 Dead

00:07:20 話者 1

At least 20 people have been killed due to torrential rains in China since last week.

Local media report the downpours triggered floods and landslides across southern and central parts of the country.

In the province of Guizhou, a river running through an urban area overflowed.

Video taken on Tuesday shows a car being swept away.

In neighboring Guanxizhuan Autonomous Region, a truck fell into a river.

Ten people in the vehicle reportedly died.

Damage has also been reported in the provinces of Hubei and Hunan.

Intermittent downpours are forecast for inland and southern China through Thursday.

Authorities are urging people to stay on alert.

M5.9 Earthquake Strikes Near Okinawa

Next, we have an update from officials on an earthquake that struck the southern part of Japan just before noon local time.

Their shaking primarily hit a chain of remote islands close to Okinawa.

The Japan Meteorological Agency sets the magnitude of 5.9 quake struck at a depth of 50 kilometers.

It had an intensity of upper 5 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 in the hardest-hit areas.

Yoron Town in Kagoshima Prefecture saw the strongest shaking.

There is no risk of tsunami, but officials are warning that subsequent earthquakes may follow.

00:08:54 話者 6/Ebita Ayataka/Japan Meteorological Agency

In areas where the tremor was particularly strong, please remain on alert for earthquakes with an intensity of up to upper 5 for about a week.

Over the next two to three days in particular, there is a possibility of strong earthquakes.

00:09:09 話者 1

The agency added that there is an increased risk of falling rocks or landslides in areas that saw the strongest shaking.

Officials say quakes with a magnitude of 5 or higher happen occasionally in the region.

Unification Church Victim Compensation Begins

Now to the latest in the dissolution of the religious group widely known as the Unification Church.

A court-appointed liquidator has started accepting applications for compensation from victims of the organization.

The group was ordered by the Tokyo High Court in March to disband as a religious cooperation. The compensation process is the next step of the procedure.

The liquidator will accept applications for a period of one year starting Wednesday.

At least 40 billion yen, or more than $250 million, seized from the group's savings and deposits will be made available.

Those applying are expected to include large donors and people who were harmed by the organization's spiritual sales practices.

The liquidator says his team will secure additional money for compensation by selling real estate properties owned by the group that are currently not in use.

He has also stated damage claims will not be accepted beyond the one-year time frame.

This is believed to be the final opportunity for victims to receive compensation.

Trump Threatens Possible Renewed Strikes on Iran

US President Donald Trump has once again threatened to resume military strikes on Iran, but he added he is willing to give negotiations time to produce a deal.

Trump said Tuesday the US is negotiating and Iran is begging to make a deal.

He added, I hope we don't have to, but we may have to give them another big hit.

He also suggested he may give Iran several days before launching an attack.

00:11:12 話者 8/Donald Trump

I think we're going to be finished with that very quickly, and they won't have a nuclear weapon, and hopefully we're going to get it done in a very nice manner.

00:11:23 話者 1

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said in a social media post, the US has temporarily halted attacks so the sides can negotiate.

But he added, posturing over the resumption of attacks means this opportunity for peace is another threat.

The head of the Iranian parliament's National Security Commission also responded on social media.

Ebrahim Azizi said Trump knows any move against Iran means facing a decisive military response and a unified nation.

IAEA Condemns Drone Attack on UAE Nuclear Plant

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has reiterated that attacks on nuclear power plants are unacceptable.

It follows a recent drone strike in the United Arab Emirates.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi explained the situation at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday.

00:12:24 話者 13/Rafael Grossi

In case of an attack on the Baraka nuclear power plant, a direct hit could result in a very high release of radioactivity to the environment.

00:12:38 話者 1

Grossi said there were no reports of injuries and radiation levels at the plant remain normal.

But he stressed that nuclear facilities are protected under international humanitarian law.

UAE's defense ministry said recent drone attacks are being launched from Iraq.

Sunday's strike sparked a fire at an electrical generator in the Baraka nuclear power plant.

The ministry said on Tuesday that its defense system had engaged 6 drones targeting civilian and vital areas over the past 48 hours.

US Increases Sanctions Pressure on Cuba

The US has been turning up the pressure on Cuba.

The State Department has announced new sanctions on 11 Cuban regime-aligned actors and three entities.

The move comes after President Trump signed an executive order earlier this month.

It calls for sanctioning those who threaten US national security or foreign policy.

The department says the sanctions are a part of the Trump administration's campaign to hold the regime accountable and those who provide it with material or financial support.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says they include government officials and military figures associated with Cuba's security apparatus.

He says many of them have been involved in repressing the Cuban people.

Trump told reporters he believes a diplomatic deal could be reached with the Cuban government. He says he can help Cuba whether or not there is a regime change there.

00:14:19 話者 8/Donald Trump

Cuba's calling us. They need help. Cuba is a failed nation. 

Cuba needs help, and we'll do that.

00:14:28 話者 1

Cuban President Miguel. Diaz-Canel has condemned the US efforts.

He says the executive order pursues and threatens third parties who want to sell fuel to Cuba, and he calls that immoral, illegal, and criminal.

BUSINESS

And now for business stories, here's Yuko Fukushima.

00:14:50 話者 9/Yuko Fukushima

Thanks, Ryuichi.

Nikkei Falls Below 60,000 After Market Selloff

Well, the Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark, Nikkei 225, ended below the 60,000 mark for the first time in about 3 weeks on Wednesday.

Investors offloaded broader shares and concerns that persistently rising long-term rates could hurt corporate earnings. The index finished at 59,804, down 1.2 percent.

It fell below 60,000 for the first time since May 1, extending its losing streak for a fifth trading day.

Analysts say investors turned cautious ahead of US semiconductor giant Nvidia's earnings results due later in the day.

US Treasury Yields Hit Highest Levels in Years

And long-term bond yields are also surging in the United States.

Investors are selling US Treasuries and concern that high crude oil prices caused by the Iran conflict will drive broader inflation.

The yield on the 30-year US Treasury hit 5.19% in New York on Tuesday.

That's the highest level in nearly 19 years. The 10-year Treasury yield also rose to 4.68 percent at one point, a level not seen since January last year.

The moves reflect increasing speculation by investors that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to contain inflation rather than cut them.

Trump’s 3,700 Trades Raise Ethics Questions

US government records show President Donald Trump conducted more than 3,700 transactions in securities and other asset classes in the first three months of this year.

Trump's financial disclosures, made public by the federal ethics agency, list transactions involving several major US companies.

Their stock prices are substantially influenced by government policies.

The firms include semiconductor giants Nvidia and Intel, as well as aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The US subsidiary of Japanese sushi chain operator Kura Sushi is also on the list.

Bloomberg pointed out that previous serving presidents divested assets or took other steps to avoid conflicts of interest or ethical issues.

Vice President JD Vance defended Trump's trading activity when asked about it by a reporter.

00:17:01 話者 23/JD Vance

The president doesn't sit at the Oval Office on his computer, on his like Robinhood account, buying and selling stocks.

That's absurd. He has independent wealth advisors who manage his money.

00:17:14 話者 9

Vance went on to say public officials should not use inside information from their jobs to trade stocks, and the administration wants to ban the practice.

Google Expands Gemini AI Agent Functions

US tech giant Google says it will upgrade its Gemini AI agent functions and expand them to individual users.

The announcement comes amid intensifying competition in AI development.

00:17:38 話者 30/Sundar Pichai/CEO, Google

We are super focused on bringing the power of agents safely and securely to consumers so that they work for everyone.

00:17:48 話者 9

Google announced the change for Gemini at an annual conference for developers in California. The new AI agent is able to perform various tasks autonomously.

The company says Gemini can collect users' information around the clock, upon their instructions from multiple apps, and implement tasks from creating documents to sending them out.

For example, Gemini will automatically check updates from children's schools, extract critical deadlines, and send consolidated daily digests to family members.

It will also be able to analyze monthly credit card statements and flag new or hidden subscription fees.

From next week, Google will provide this new service for paid subscribers in the US with an eye to expanding it to a wider population.

Competition is heating up in AI Asian development.

Google's rivals, such as OpenAI and Anthropic, are also in the race.

MARKETS

Now, let's get you a check on the latest market figures.

And that's the news for this hour.

Kabuki Stars Discuss Tradition and the Future

00:19:45 話者 1

Turning to the traditional Japanese performing art of kabuki, two big stars have been sharing the stage in Tokyo recently.

Onoe Kikugoro, 8th, and Ichikawa Danjiro, 13th, are more than just fellow actors.

In many ways, they are lifelong companions, ever since they were classmates at elementary school.

NHK World's Katayama Chieko spoke with them about growing up together and their thoughts on the future of kabuki.

00:20:25 話者 11/Katayama Chieko

The annual Dan Kiku Festival at Tokyo's Kabukizo Theater is always a crowd pleaser.

It brings together two of the great acting families of the centuries-old kabuki world, represented by stars, Onoe Kikugoro VIII and Ichikawa Danjiro XIII.

Both are successors of their families' traditional acting styles.

(Japanese)

00:21:03 話者 48/Onoe Kikugoro VIII

When we were students, we used to talk about wanting someday to perform both daytime and evening plays just like our fathers did.

00:21:12 話者 42/Ichikawa Danjiro XIII

I remember that. We used to talk about it a lot.

00:21:20 話者 48

I'm truly happy that we can celebrate the Dankiku Festival together like this.

00:21:34 話者 11

One highlight of this year's program is the classic play Sukeroku: The Flower of Edo.

The story is set in the Yoshiwara Pleasure District, a what is now, Tokyo.

Danjuro's character, Sukeroku, is popular with the local courtesans.

When he appears, they offer him their smoking pipes.

Kikugoro plays Agemaki, Sukeroku's flower and a higher-ranking courtesan.

The play is often described as a showcase of Kabuki's splendor, filled with action, romance, and dramatic flair.

The production features both veterans and younger actors, including Danjuro's son, Shinosuke. Danjuro has now become a teacher to the next generation.

But he and Kikugoro still remember what it was like to be students.

00:23:08 話者 48

After practice, we often went for ramen together.

00:23:13 話者 42

When the crows go home, so it's time to go. That was our youth.

00:23:20 話者 48

We even traveled together just to watch our fathers perform.

00:23:29 話者 42

It's natural, isn't it?

00:23:34 話者 48

He's been by my side for as long as I can remember.

It's like the bond between fish and water, simply a natural presence.

00:23:50 話者 11

In a fast-changing world, they feel kabuki is still just as relevant.

00:23:59 話者 48

When people come to the theater and experience kabuki firsthand, they can feel the warmth and spirit of what it is to be Japanese. Many classical works convey that.

00:24:17 話者 42

The pace of modern life is accelerating, and the world is becoming increasingly digital.

But when people begin seeking human connection again, I believe the kind of direct interaction found in Kabuki will become even more important.

Our role is to prepare for that future and guide the next generation.

Weather Outlook: Heat, Rain, and Cooling Trend

00:24:40 話者 1

It's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh.

So, Jonathan, those in the western part of Japan have been dealing with heat and humidity. Are we going to see a cooling trend anytime soon?

00:24:53 話者 50/Jonathan Oh

Hello, over the past few days we've been talking about heat that's not typical for May.

Sometimes it felt like July in some places, some places even hotter than that, but it was relatively dry.

Now we're introducing some rain into the picture and that's making it hot and humid in western portions of Japan. 

Here's a look at some video coming out of Miyazaki City.

As it's been hot in Kyushu and the rain is making it muggy and that's bringing concerns of heat stroke.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that Miyazaki City saw a high of 27.7 degrees Celsius as well as 19 millimeters of rain.

Now that's not a lot of rain but that's just enough of a combination to push heat stress levels to the second highest warning level according to Japan's Environment Ministry.

And so, because of that, as we've been telling you, need to take frequent breaks, make sure that you are staying hydrated, but also keep in mind that when you're indoors, with the humidity being added into the picture, some of those levels go up even inside, so you want to monitor the conditions inside where you are to make sure that you're also not being induced under those heat straps type of situation.

Mention the rain, low pressure, combined with some moisture down from the south, pushing across the Korean Peninsula, and then eventually bringing some more rain, not just for western Japan, but across Japan as you go through Thursday.

So you need to grab those umbrellas, you'll need them.

But the relief from the heat, not a lot. I mean, Osaka and Miyazaki, you're staying quite warm. Tokyo, you'll be dropping off to 18 for a high on Friday, and overnight lows dropping down to the low teens.

So you actually may have to actually bundle up before we see temperatures monitoring back by the time we go into the weekend.

But a bit of a cloudier for Japan as we go through the rest of this week.

Speaking of clouds, we're seeing some strong to severe thunderstorms down toward Texas. There's a big dip in the jet stream here.

Cold air from the north really hitting up against very hot air down toward the east.

I mean, look at this, 35 in D.C., but thunderstorms to Oklahoma City with a high of 21, 14 in Denver as we go through Wednesday.

Hope you have a good day wherever you are.

♫~ 3-DAY FORECAST ~♫

00:27:35 話者 1

And that wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline.

I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi in Tokyo. Thank you very much for joining us on NHK World Japan.

checked.

NHK World

00:28:01 話者 99

This is NHK World Japan English Radio Service. Here's a frequency notice.

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For more details of our programs, please check our website at nhk.jp/rj. nhk.jp/rj.

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2026年5月19日火曜日

NHK WORLD English News PodcastScript for Shadowing|Japan–Korea Energy Pact, Global Conflicts, AI Risks, Markets Shift (2026/5/19)

Japan and South Korea agree to strengthen energy security amid global tensions.
Conflicts in Iran, Africa, and the US shape geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty.
AI cybersecurity models raise concerns as markets react to oil and inflation pressures.
日本と韓国がエネルギー安全保障で協力強化に合意。
イラン情勢やアフリカの感染拡大など、国際緊張が高まる中で経済への影響が拡大。
AIの高度化が安全保障リスクを高め、市場は原油高とインフレに反応。
 00:00:00 話者 1/Yoko Nishimura

Welcome to NHK NEWSLINE. I'm Yoko Nishimura in Tokyo with the latest news.

Japan–South Korea Leaders Unite on Energy Security

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met for a summit in South Korea on Tuesday.

Both leaders agreed to work together to secure energy resources for the region.

The meeting was held in Yi's hometown of Andong. They last met in Japan in January.

00:00:37 話者 2/Lee Jae myung

As we work closely together to overcome the challenges of the current international situation through robust cooperation between South Korea and Japan, I am truly aware of just how important we are to each other.

The fact that we visited both of our hometowns within just four months is not only a first in the history of South Korea-Japan relations, but also a rare occurrence even on the global stage.

00:01:06 話者 3/Takaichi Sanae

Especially given the situation in the Middle East, the international community is now facing a very difficult period.

Under the leadership of the President and myself, I believe it is critically important that we built on the positive momentum between Japan and South Korea.

We must ensure that our countries play a central role in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

00:01:32 話者 1

The two leaders jointly addressed the media after the talk.

Takaichi said the pair agreed to work together to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East. That includes securing free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

She also said the two countries agreed to strengthen energy security, which will include sharing crude oil and other petroleum products.

Takaichi said they will later work out the details of that agreement.

Raids Target Hokkaido Shinkansen Bid-Rigging

Japanese authorities have raided nine construction firms.

They are suspected of bid rigging and projects to extend the Shinkansen bullet train line in Hokkaido. Officials from the Fair Trade Commission carried out the raids on Tuesday.

They also searched the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency in Yokohama, which commissioned the projects.

Work is currently underway to extend the Hokkaido Shinkansen. There are ten sections.

Sources say bids for five may have been rigged.

The Fair Trade Commission also plans to investigate the sections that are not yet up for bidding.

Taiwan President Survives Impeachment Motion

Taiwan's parliament has voted down a motion seeking to impeach President Lai Ching-ka.

On Tuesday, 56 members voted in favor of the move against 50 who opposed it, but the motion failed to gain the necessary two-thirds support.

The opposition camp had submitted the motion, calling the president's administrative operations dictatorial.

Wednesday marks two years in office for Lai, but he faces a tough battle in the parliament, where opposition parties hold the majority of seats and have been intensifying their stance.

Earlier this month, they cut a special budget intended to beef up defense capabilities by nearly 40 percent.

Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Exceeds 100 Deaths

Turning to Africa, where at least 100 people are now reported to have died in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 106 people had died, and there were at least 395 suspected cases in the DRC.

The outbreak was confirmed in the northeastern province of Ituri.

The Associated Press quoted Congolese officials as saying an American doctor is among the newly confirmed cases in the province.

One death has also been reported in neighboring Uganda.

There is no vaccine for the Bandebujo strain of Ebola, which has been detected among the patients.

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, but it says it does not meet the criteria of a pandemic.

Even so, national health authorities are stepping up vigilance.

US President Donald Trump was asked by a reporter on Monday if Americans should be concerned about Ebola.

00:04:38 話者 4/Donald Trump

I'm concerned about everything, but certainly am. I think that, you know, it's been confined right now to Africa, but it's something that has had a breakout.

00:04:50 話者 1

On the same day, the Trump administration barred entry for foreign nationals who had visited the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the last 21 days.

California Mosque Shooting Leaves Five Dead

California police say three people were killed after two gunmen opened fire at a mosque in San Diego on Monday.

The suspects, believed to be aged 17 and 19, were later found dead in a vehicle parked near the scene of the shooting.

Police are treating it as a possible anti-Muslim hate crime.

00:05:23 話者 4

It's a terrible situation. I've been given some early updates, but we're going to be going back and looking at it very strongly.

00:05:33 話者 1

Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are working together to look into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Trump Delays Planned Military Strike on Iran

US President Donald Trump says he's decided to postpone the attack on Iran he had vowed to carry out if a deal was not reached. He said it had been scheduled for Tuesday.

00:05:53 話者 4

I've put it off for a little while, hopefully maybe forever, but possibly for a little while, because we've had very big discussions with Iran, and we'll see what they amount to.

00:06:06 話者 1

The president said the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and other countries asked him to hold out for two or three days.

He said if they can make a deal where Iran doesn't get nuclear weapons, the US will be satisfied.

A military adviser to Iran's supreme leader ridiculed Trump's decision.

Mohsen Rezai said in a social media post that Trump set a deadline to attack and then canceled it himself.

He added that Trump had a false hope that he could force the Iranian people and authorities to surrender.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said the US presented a counter-proposal through Pakistani mediators.

He said Tehran has reviewed the revisions over the past few days and has now responded.

Before Trump's remarks, Iran's President Masoud Pedeshkian said Tehran would engage in talks with the US, but dialogue does not mean surrender.

He said his country will not compromise.

Putin–Xi Summit: Key Issues to Watch

Russian President Vladimir Putin will sit down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for summit talks Wednesday.

For more on what to watch out for, earlier I spoke with NHK World's Yoshida Mayu in Beijing.

Mayu, this comes right on the heels of Trump's own Beijing summit last week.

What is China hoping to accomplish this time?

00:07:30 話者 5

China wants to project itself as a major power, one that can engage with both Russia and the United States. But the timing itself is probably a coincidence.

President Putin's trip has been in the works for a long time.

Still, Beijing knows people will be comparing the two visits.

While China and the United States agreed to work towards a more stable relationship, there's still a mutual distrust there.

And they have a lot of unresolved issues on things like trade, technology, and security.

That's why China's relationship with Russia isn't just symbolic.

It's also a counterweight as Beijing continues to compete with Washington.

00:08:13 話者 1

Now, what should we be looking out for?

00:08:18 話者 5

Well, obviously, we want to see what they say about global issues, like the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. Another major focus will be Taiwan.

China highlighted the issue during the US-China summit.

And we expect Putin will once again voice his support for Beijing's position.

The other key point has to do with energy, as we know the conflict in the Middle East has destabilized the global supply.

And Russia is China's largest supplier of crude oil, so the two leaders may announce something to do with that.

Regardless of what comes out of these talks, this meeting will send a signal to the international community, and it may offer clues about the direction both countries are taking.

Why Claude Mythos AI Model Remains Restricted

00:09:17 話者 1

G7 finance ministers were in France this week to discuss threats to the global financial system, among them, artificial intelligence.

US firm Anthropic's new model, Claude Mythos, is reportedly so powerful, it cannot be released to the public.

That has nations concerned about the security of their financial institutions.

To break it down for us, earlier I spoke with NHK deputy chief commentator Iida Kaori.

So, what exactly is Mythos?

00:09:50 話者 33/Iida Kaori

Mythos is a general-purpose AI model, but it stands out for its exceptional cybersecurity capabilities.

It can identify hidden software vulnerabilities, like so-called zero-day flaws.

It can also analyze systems in depth and connect weaknesses into potential attack paths.

And Throkpik describes it as being strikingly capable at computer security tasks.

00:10:16 話者 1

So do we know if it works in practice?

00:10:19 話者 33

The UK's AI Security Institute tested it out. In controlled environments, Mythis had a success rate of 73% on expert-level cybersecurity tasks.

It was also able to simulate cyber attacks by linking together a series of steps across networks that would normally take human experts hours or even days to complete.

00:10:42 話者 1

So this can be a very powerful tool.

00:10:44 話者 33

Absolutely. 

Mythos can help companies detect vulnerabilities early and strengthen their defenses.

But the opposite is also true.

A system that can find vulnerabilities can also exploit them.

That's why it hasn't been released to the public.

Instead, only certain companies such as Apple, Google, and JPMorgan Chase have access.

00:11:07 話者 1

So is Anthropic the only company making something like this?

00:11:10 話者 33

Actually, it's not, not at all.

Its rival, OpenAI, has introduced a similar system known as GPT-5.5 Cyber.

It is also not available to the general public.

Right now, only trusted cybersecurity professionals can use it.

The UK's AI Security Institute says 5.5 Cyber is on par with Mythos.

00:11:35 話者 1

If these new models are as powerful and strong as we think they are, it makes you wonder what bad actors might do with them.

00:11:42 話者 33

Exactly. Like I said earlier, if it can find weaknesses, it can exploit them, and the consequences would be dire.

It could disrupt critical infrastructure, such as electricity, communications, and water systems. Financial systems could be targeted.

Supply chains and logistics networks could be thrown into this array.

These vulnerabilities could be found and exploited before we can even respond.

We also have to think about this in a geopolitical context.

Right now, advanced AI developments is concentrated in just two countries, the United States and China.

As access to these powerful models is restricted, this technology may play a role in national security and global influence.

00:12:29 話者 22/Dario Amodei/CEO, Anthropic

Other companies are maybe one to three months behind, you know, the kind of major other credible US labs are maybe one to three months behind.

And, you know, the Chinese models are maybe six to 12 months behind.

So I think we have roughly that amount of time to fix all these vulnerabilities.

00:12:48 話者 1

S0, Kaori, where does Japan stand in all of this?

00:12:51 話者 33

That's a great question.

Japan has recognized that it's behind when it comes to developing large-scale AI models.

The government has begun increasing investment and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

But it pales compared to the scale of investment we're seeing from leading global firms.

There are concerns about forming a dependence on foreign technology, especially in areas closely tied to national security and critical infrastructure.

The emergence of mythos signals a shift in what AI can do. In certain areas, it is becoming capable of carrying out complex tasks with a high degree of independence.

That makes one thing clear. The age of frontier AI is not coming.

That future is already here.

BUSINESS

00:13:42 話者 1

Now to tell us what's happening in the world of business, here is Yuko Fukushima from the BizDesk.

00:13:47 話者 6/Yuko Fukushima

Yeah, thanks, Yoko. 

Japan GDP Grows for Second Straight Quarter

Well, Japan's economy has expanded for a second straight quarter.

Growth was driven mainly by a resurgence in exports and rising consumer spending.

The Cabinet Office released its preliminary figures for the January to March period on Tuesday.

They show GDP grew half a percent from the previous quarter, adjusted for inflation.

That translates to an annualized rate of 2.1 percent.

Personal consumption accounts for more than half of GDP.

It was up 0.3% from the previous three months, with consumers spending more on clothes and dining out.

Exports grew 1.7% amid a recovery in automobile shipments to the US.

This follows a slump triggered by Washington's tariffs.

Business investments in facilities and equipment ticked up 0.3 percent, and the residential investments by households was also up rising 0.5 percent.

The Cabinet Office says the impact of the Iran conflict was limited, but there are concerns about long-term growth as persistently high crude oil prices are weighing on some businesses.

Trump Links Rate Cuts to Iran Conflict End

US President Trump has suggested he may need to wait for the end of the Iran conflict before getting lower interest rates.

That's as soaring crude oil prices have driven up inflation.

Trump told the business magazine Fortune, " You can't really look at the figures until the war is over."

Fortune notes the president seems resigned to the fact that he may have to wait for more cuts.

The latest inflation data show US consumer prices jumped 3.8 percent in April from the same month last year. That was the fastest rise in nearly three years.

Financial markets increasingly expect the Federal Reserve to raise rates rather than cutting them to keep inflation under control.

Trump had repeatedly called on the Fed to cut rates.

He appeared to expect his nominee as Fed Chair Kevin Wars to help persuade the other board members.

US Allows 30-Day Access to Russian Oil

Well, the United States will again lift its ban on Russian oil and issue a license to allow nations to access it for 30 days.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a social media post on Monday that the temporary license applies to Russian oil currently stranded at sea.

He says this will help stabilize the crude oil market and ensure oil reaches the most energy-vulnerable countries.

US media are reporting the Trump administration is under pressure to rein in higher fuel costs and deal with a supply crunch caused by military action in the Middle East.

The administration has previously lifted sanctions on Russian crude oil and petroleum products since March.

South Korea’s Birthrate Shows Early Recovery

South Korea's low-ranking fertility rate has been showing some signs of recovery.

It rose for a second straight year to 0.8.

So let's take a look at some of the efforts in the country that appear to be bearing fruit.

00:16:46 話者 7/Narrator: Michael Rhys

Young people have lined up at the city hall in Incheon, near Seoul.

They came for the 1,001 housing program.

The city secures housing and offers it at rock-bottom rents to newlyweds and families with children.

It's one of several bold initiatives to try and support child-rearing.

The units are up to 85 square metres in size and the rent is 1,001 per day.

That's less than $1. For this round, 700 units were available.

They drew more than 3,400 applications.

00:17:23 話者 61

We're getting married soon.

We're planning to live in Incheon, but the cost of housing is a burden, so we applied.

00:17:31 話者 62

My child is still small, so I thought this would help with our living expenses.

00:17:38 話者 7

Incheon has seen strong economic growth in recent years.

The city is now pitching in to tackle the declining birth rate.

Officials want to attract younger generations and further boost economic development.

For every child, the city provides a total of up to 100 million won, about $70,000, through age 18. The efforts appear to be delivering.

The number of babies born in the city last year increased almost 9%, making for one of the highest growth rates in the country.

00:18:13 話者 63/Choi Jung-hee/Incheon Metropolitan City Population Strategy Planning Division

We believe these policies have had a positive impact and contributed to an increase in births and the population.

00:18:26 話者 7

It's not just local governments stepping up. 

Companies are also trying to make a difference.

A major construction firm is offering employees a childbirth incentive of 100 million won, or about $70,000.

An increasing number of firms are also providing childcare allowances, reflecting a broad push by society to make it easier to have kids.

But not all local governments and companies can afford such generous measures.

Yoo Dong-woo has lived in Busan, South Korea's second largest city, for 20 years.

00:19:05 話者 68/Yu Dong-woo

There are so many vacant properties. It didn't used to be like this.

00:19:09 話者 7

Busan's fertility rate is 0.74, well below the national average.

The outflow of young people is particularly severe.

With the local economy stagnating, the city has been classified as being at risk of vanishing.

Yu has long hoped to get married and have children.

However, he's worried that he might not have the financial means.

00:19:37 話者 68

I think we need to talk about what kind of life we can lead and how we should live.

Ultimately, my biggest concerns about having children are financial, such as education and housing costs.

00:19:49 話者 7

South Korea's birth rate is seeing signs of progress, but building a sustainable society will require an environment where people can have children without being held back by the financial responsibilities.

MARKETS

00:20:04 話者 6

Now let's get you a check on the markets.

And that's it for business for now.

Hakodate Airport’s Glass-Wall Farewell Phones

00:20:39 話者 1

Most airports move people through as fast as possible, but some give passengers in departure areas an opportunity to stop and say face-to-face goodbyes to family and friends.

NHK World's Nakanishi Yamato captured the farewells.

00:20:56 話者 9/Nakanishi Yamato

At Hakodate Airport, the southern gateway to Hokkaido, intercom phones are located near the security checkpoint.

(Japanese)

For over 20 years, these phones have connected the inside and outside of departure areas.

Passengers can linger and talk with loved ones until their flight is cold.

(Japanese)

The father of this family is going back to his job in Ishikawa Prefecture, where he's living alone.

He has been involved in reconstruction work since the Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024.

He says he looks forward to the monthly trip home.

(Japanese)

I look forward to seeing my family again. I will work with pride for the recovery until then.

This newlywed couple is moving to Ibaraki Prefecture due to the husband's job transfer.

The wife's grandmother and mother came to see them off.

(Japanese)

This young lady has just graduated from university and is starting her first job in Tokyo.

Today, she sets off for the new chapter in her life.

00:23:06 話者 71

I'm feeling a little lonely, but I'm looking forward to Tokyo.

00:23:12 話者 9

The mother says she is anxious about her living alone in Tokyo.

00:23:37 話者 72

She's such a hard worker, and she's been striving to find a job in Tokyo.

So all I can do as a parent is to support her and watch over her.

I saw her off, wishing her the best of luck.

00:23:52 話者 9

Departures often come with hope and anxiety.

The phone's offers are setting out on their next journey a heartfelt send-off.

Nakanishi Yamato, NHK World.

00:24:06 話者 73

Bye-bye.

Weather Outlook: Cooling Trend Across Japan

It's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh.

So Jonathan, it looks like we're starting to see a slightly cooling trend in Japan.

How are things looking for Wednesday?

00:24:25 話者 10/Jonathan Oh

Hello, after seeing temperatures that were way above average this time of year with lots of sunny weather across a good portion of Japan, changes are on the way coming up on Wednesday. We have a couple of systems located back toward the west and south.

All of that bringing a lot more moisture, which will bring cloud cover, which will at least give us a little bit of protection from the sunshine, at least for areas along the Pacific coast of Japan as we go into the day on Wednesday.

So plenty of rain to talk about for western Japan, especially spreading toward the north and east.

As we go into the latter part of Wednesday, we'll see that rain picking up into place like Tokyo. So I have the umbrellas with you as you head out for the day.

Fukuoka looking at some rain, Osaka 24 rain later in the day for Tokyo with a high of 28.

And we're seeing even in Happoro a chance for some rain with a high of 18.

And as you go through the week, these highs are going to start dropping off a little bit as well as we see the influence of slightly cooler pattern taking place.

Not completely down, just a little bit cooler.

That'll be at least enough to take the edge off the heat that we've seen as we went through the first part of this week.

Looking at what's happening across North America, we've been watching this very vigorous cold front moving through the central plains and slowly pushing toward the east.

And so we're talking about another round of strong teams, severe thunderstorms extending from the Great Lakes down to a place like Oklahoma as we see this front pushing through.

Part of the reason is because we have so much hot air ahead of it where highs are moving into the 30s and then behind this cold front, some locations are dropping down into the teens for daytime highs.

So yeah, vigorous pattern continuing to be in place as we go through the day on Tuesday.

So thunderstorms from Toronto into Chicago, Oklahoma City looking high of 21.

Denver dropping off to a high of 11 as we go through Tuesday.

Speaking of heat, northeastern portions of Europe and western portions of Russia.

Highs in the 30s in Moscow coming up as we go through the day on Tuesday as a warm front push on through. And it looks like they were seeing rain though.

Really the big part of the forecast for the western portions of Europe as we go through the day on Tuesday.

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.

I'm Yoko Nishimura in Tokyo. Thanks for joining us.

checked.

00:28:01 話者 99

This is NHK World Japan English Radio Service. Here's a frequency notice.

The broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on: 11.800 MHz. Once again.

The broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on 11.800 MHz.

For more details of our programs, please check our website at nhk.jp/rj.  nhk.jp/rj

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2026年5月18日月曜日

NHK WORLD English News PodcastScript for Shadowing|Global Security Shifts: Cuba Drone Threat, US–China Talks, NPT Deadlock (2026/5/18)

Cuba’s drone threat, US–China diplomatic moves, and rising Iran tensions shape global security.
NPT talks struggle for consensus as Japan faces economic pressure.
Heatwave grips Japan while regional conflicts intensify.
キューバのドローン脅威や米中外交、イラン情勢が世界の安全保障を揺らす。
NPT会議は合意難航、日本では経済への影響が拡大。
日本各地で猛暑が続き、国際情勢も緊迫。
 00:00:09 話者 1/James Tengan

It's a Monday evening here in Japan. I'm James Tengan in Tokyo. 

Welcome to NHK Newsline.

Cuba Considers Drone Attacks on US Targets

US news site Axios has said Cuba is considering a plan to attack US targets with drones.

The report cites a classified US government assessments.

Axios said on Sunday Cuba has acquired more than 300 military drones and is considering how to use them to attack the US base at Guantanamo Bay.

The report says other possible targets include US military vessels and Key West, an island city at the southernmost tip of the US state of Florida.

Axios says Russia and Iran have been supplying Cuba with the attack drones.

The report says US officials see no imminent threat, but the intelligence could become a pretext for US military action.

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the US of fabricating a fraudulent case to justify potential US military intervention.

He said in a social media post that certain media outlets were complicit in this.

Rodriguez said Cuba neither threatens nor desires war. He said his country is ready to exercise its right to self-defense and confront external aggression.

White House Highlights China Talks, Omits Taiwan

The US government has released details of its agreement with China, highlighting economic achievements while making no mention of Taiwan.

The White House issued a fact sheet on Sunday, outlining the deals reached by President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during their talks in Beijing last week.

Trump earlier said he exchanged views on Taiwan with Xi during their summit talks, but the fact sheet contains no reference to Taiwan.

It says the two leaders agreed that the US and China should build a constructive relationship of strategic stability.

China will purchase at least $17 billion worth of US agricultural products annually from this year through 2028.

The document says Beijing approved an initial purchase of 200 American-made Boeing aircraft for Chinese airlines.

The fact sheet commends Trump for securing historic deals with China and delivering for American workers, farmers, and industry.

About China's restrictions on rare earth exports, the document only says China will address US concerns.

It also says, Both leaders discussed the Iran situation and called to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. They agreed that no country or organization can be allowed to charge tolls.

Taiwan Urges Continued US Arms Support

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-de is urging the US to continue to sell arms to Taiwan.

This comes after Trump suggested Washington could use the sales as negotiating chips in its dealings with Beijing.

Lai pointed out in a social media post on Sunday, China has been ratcheting up military pressure near Taiwan. He said China is the root cause of regional instability.

The president added Beijing is changing the status quo.

Lai stressed the people of Taiwan want to defend the status quo.

He said the Taiwan independence issue does not exist.

Lai said US arms sales and security cooperation between the two sides are key elements in efforts to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Trump made the negotiating chip comment in a Fox News interview that was broadcast on Friday. Trump mentioned Taiwan in the interview.

He said some in Taiwan want to go independent.

He added people there see the United States as behind them.

But the US president noted he would like it to stay the way it is.

Drone Strike Sparks Fire at UAE Nuclear Plant

Authorities in the UAE say a drone attack caused a fire at a nuclear power facility in a western part of the country.

They said no injuries were reported and the plant's operation was not affected.

The fire broke out at the Baraka nuclear power plant.

UAE's defense ministry said on Sunday one of three drones that entered the country from the western border struck an electrical generator at the plant.

Officials said there was no impact on radioactive safety levels, and they're investigating the source of the attacks.

The country's foreign minister held talks over the phone with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He reportedly condemned the attack, saying that targeting civilian facilities and vital infrastructure violates international law.

The UAE has come under attack amid the conflict in the Middle East.

The nation announced earlier this month that Iran had launched missile and drone strikes on its territory.

Iran Negotiations Stall as Tensions Escalate

Meanwhile, negotiations between the US and Iran to end the conflict have been dragging on without a resolution.

Now, Trump has warned that time is running out and urged Iran to make concessions.

A Trump post on social media on Sunday said, For Iran, the clock is ticking, and they better get moving fast or there won't be anything left of them.

US news website Axios quoted Trump during a phone call.

He reportedly said, We want to make a deal. They are not where we want them to be.

They will have to get there or they will be hit badly.

Axios also quoted US officials as saying that Trump is expected to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss military options.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with Trump.

Details of the conversation have not been disclosed, but a major US newspaper says the US and Israel may soon resume strikes on Iran.

Fars News Agency, which is seen as being close to Iranian authorities, reported Sunday on the latest back-and-forth in negotiations.

The media outlet said Iran has demanded an end to the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon.

Tehran also reportedly wants sanctions lifted, frozen funds released, and compensation for war damages.

Moreover, it seeks recognition of Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

The outlet also reported that Washington had announced its own conditions in response.

It wants no compensation paid and no assets released.

It seeks the transfer of 400 kilograms of enriched uranium from Iran to the US.

Washington also wants only one set of Iranian nuclear facilities to remain active and a cessation of the war.

Another Iranian media outlet says that the US seems to be trying to achieve through negotiations what it has not been able to in the war.

It says that doing this without tangible concessions to Iran would lead to a stalemate in negotiations.

NPT Review Conference Faces Consensus Challenges

It's now the fourth and final week of a key conference on nuclear disarmament.

The UN meeting is discussing the future of the major international agreement.

But it's unclear if they can adopt a final document.

Delegates have gathered for the review conference of the parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It's also known as the NPT.

A draft of a potential final document was presented last week.

The conference hasn't managed to produce a consensus since 2010.

While an earlier version expressed grave concerns over attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, that direct reference has reportedly been removed.

That has triggered backlash from Iran. Another divisive issue is language around the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The facility in Ukraine was damaged during the Russian invasion.

Wording over Israel and North Korea is also contentious. Israel is not a party to the NPT.

North Korea unilaterally announced its withdrawal from the treaty in 2003.

Some non-nuclear-armed countries have also expressed frustration.

They say nations with nuclear weapons have not engaged in the talks as mandated by the treaty. Others are discontent with the handling of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

It was the only remaining nuclear disarmament pact between the US and Russia, but it expired in February.

Expert Warns NPT Credibility at Risk

For more on this, we spoke with Nishida Michiru.

He is a Nagasaki University professor and a former diplomat.

He's attending the conference as an advisor for the Japanese delegation.

So far, he says, he's not optimistic the parties will adopt a final document.

He says the hurdle isn't from any one specific issue, but rather how each nation prioritizes its own interests.

00:09:20 話者 2/Nishida Michiru

Each country is merely reiterating its own position and claims and with virtually no effort to reach compromise at this point.

States parties may be thinking that they still have another week to go, so they may be thinking that it is not time yet for compromise.

00:09:43 話者 1

But he says that doesn't mean it's impossible.

00:09:47 話者 2

If the priority is to simply adopt a final document, regardless of its content, then those contentious issues can be left out.

That would increase the likelihood of reaching an agreement.

But this raises actually the question of whether that is truly the right approach, because if you just leave out whatever you cannot agree to, then the final document would be very simple and very brief and with not many good content.

00:10:18 話者 1

Regardless, he says, it's important that the conference reaches some kind of consensus.

Otherwise, he says, the NPT itself may be at risk.

00:10:28 話者 2

In the long term, there's a real possibility that the general perception will take hold, that the NPT is no longer relevant, and expectations for the NPT will decline, and the norms it establishes will weaken.

So, I think that's why we really need to reach a consensus this time.

00:10:54 話者 1

He says he hopes the Japanese government will urge other countries to look at the bigger picture. But he says the global public also needs to put pressure on the delegates.

00:11:05 話者 2

I hope the viewers will not view the NPT as something distant or unrelated to their own lives, but rather as an issue directly connected to their daily lives.

And, I hope viewers will follow the NPT with keen interest.

This will create pressure on diplomats on the ground, and it would increase the likelihood of achieving manageable outcome.

00:11:35 話者 1

The question is whether that can happen before talks end on Friday.

BUSINESS

Japan's long-term interest rates continue to rise.

Yuko Fukushima from our business desk has the details.

What can you tell us about them?

00:11:50 話者 3/Yuko Fukushima

Yeah, thanks, James.

Japan’s 10-Year Bond Yield Hits 29-Year High

So we're recently seeing a rise in long-term yields on Japanese government bonds, and the 10-year JGB refreshed a 29-year high on Monday.

The yield on the benchmark hit 2.8 percent on Monday.

Brokerage firm Japan Bond Trading says the last time it saw such a level was in May 1997.

I talked to Aoki Daiju at UBS Wealth Management about what's behind the surge.

He says it's because traders see inflation rising.

00:12:19 話者 4/Aoki Daiju

I think a major reason for the surging yield was the result of the US-China summit held last week.

Investors saw that the talks will not lead to Iran's Strait of Hormuz opening up anytime soon.

This led traders to expect oil prices to stay at high levels or climb even higher.

If the price of WTI futures stays above 100 dollars, that would mean a 50 percent higher crude price for Japan compared to last year.

So experts see the country's inflation rising to above 3 percent in this situation.

00:12:55 話者 3

Aoki also says money managers are looking at Japan's worsening finances related to inflation.

00:13:04 話者 4

Although I said market participants are worried about Japan's finances, that doesn't mean they expect a collapse any time soon.

They're worried that expanded government spending will generate growth and stoke excessive inflation. And traders are also worried about the risk of a weaker yen.

This concern will grow if the government boosts spending and the Bank of Japan doesn't raise rates high enough.

00:13:31 話者 3

Aoki points out that the global economic situation is also feeding into Japan's higher inflation and climbing yields.

Long-term rates are also rising in the United States and Europe.

00:13:43 話者 4

Economic data announced in the US last week, including industrial production and retail sales, was pretty strong.

So investors saw the US economy was not as bad as they thought, even as the global economy is being impacted by the situation in the Middle East.

I think this will also lead to the acceleration of global inflation.

00:14:05 話者 3

Aoki says the Bank of Japan's decision on its policy rate and the direction of the US economy will be key factors in determining where the long-term yield will go from here.

Japan’s Big Three Banks Report Record Profits

Japan's three largest financial services groups have booked record net profits for the year that ended in March, mainly thanks to higher interest income from loans.

Mitsubishi UFJ's net profit topped 2.4 trillion yen, or over 15.2 billion dollars.

Sumitomo Mitsui posted more than 1.5 trillion yen, or about 10 billion dollars, in after-tax income.

And Mizuho's net profit exceeded 1.2 trillion yen, or over 7.8 billion dollars.

All three groups saw an increase in outstanding loans to corporate and retail customers, and higher interest rates helped boost their revenue.

Their divisions offering advice on mergers and acquisitions also performed strongly.

Looking ahead, the banking giants are taking measures as uncertainty over the Iran conflict drags on.

They have raised their provisions for loan defaults by up to 60 billion yen, or more than $370 million.

China’s Consumption and Output Slow in April

China posted slower growth in retail sales and industrial production in April as Iran conflict remained a concern.

Real estate investment fell sharply amid the protracted property slump.

The National Bureau of Statistics says retail sales rose two-tenth of a percent last month from a year earlier.

But that's much slower than the 1.7% increase in March as consumers remained frugal.

Industrial output expanded by 4.1%, although growth slowed from 5.7% the previous month.

Investment in real estate development in the first four months of 2026 plunged almost 14 percent compared with the same period last year.

New home prices fell in 70 percent of China's 70 major cities in April from their March levels.

Gamification Trends Transform Hiring and Training

More and more businesses and schools in Japan are borrowing tricks from the world of gaming.

The trend known as gamification aims to boost motivation while quietly leveling up real-work skills.

00:16:20 話者 5/Tamura Shinya/Reporting NHK WORLD

This company makes mainly school kitchen equipment.

Managers want to raise their profile so they can hire more people.

This year, the company has adopted an original simulation game for recruiting.

The game recreates a realistic school kitchen.

The player takes on the role of the kitchen manager, designing the layout and planning meals. The mission is to efficiently create high-quality school lunches.

00:16:53 話者 13/Nagasawa Hidetoshi/Manager, Nakanishi Mfg

A prospective hire who gets a good score in the game can skip the first interview and go directly to the second stage of the process.

00:17:04 話者 5

The company reached out to students by putting information about the game at around 40 universities.

It reports that the number of applicants is eight times higher compared with the same period last year.

00:17:20 話者 13

I hope students will gain deeper understanding of our company through the game, and I want them to choose their own path at the crucial moment of job hunting.

00:17:33 話者 5

Another company is incorporating games into worker training.

This company provides real estate information and has young employees playing card games.

Managers say a key factor in sales is identifying a client's personality and responding accordingly. The game they develop is designed to hone those skills.

All interactions are done by exchanging cards.

The sales staff use four cards to cover topics, such as the weather and the client's reason for moving, and then must assess the client's personality.

The game offers nine personality types, such as meticulous and powerful.

The person playing the client is assigned a personality type in advance.

Then, cards are used to ask about the client's requirements and suggest properties.

The game is based on a lot of case studies and is aimed at giving trainees real-world skills.

00:18:43 話者 16/Igarashi Taku/Lifull

We want our workers to provide excellent service based on clients' personalities.

They can experience the excitement of sales, clinching more and more deals.

I hope that will make the real estate industry more fun.

00:19:03 話者 5

The company is selling its game to other real estate firms to spread this method across the industry.

MARKETS

00:19:12 話者 3

And now let's get to the latest on the markets.

And that's the biz for this hour.

00:19:45 話者 1

Yuko Fukushima from our biz desk.

Kim Vows to Fortify Border with South Korea

In other news, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reiterated his hostile stance against South Korea.

At a meeting of the North's military commanders, he said the border between the two countries will be turned into an impregnable fortress.

State-run Korean Central Television said on Monday.

Kim convened the meeting in Pyongyang on Sunday.

Kim reportedly touched on his party's policy on territorial defense.

He was quoted as saying it is aimed at strengthening the first-line units in the southern border and turning the border line into an impregnable fortress.

In March, the country's Supreme People's Assembly clarified its adversarial stance of treating South Korea as a separate state.

It also removed the reference to reunification from North Korea's constitution.

On Monday, the South Korean military began a five-day annual computer-simulated exercise.

It plans to boost its response capabilities against threats from the North through training scenarios that reflect recent warfare.

Halal Wagyu Export Shift Amid Iran Conflict

The conflict in Iran is dealing a serious blow to an award-winning brand of Wagyu beef.

A meat processor in southwestern Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture has been making inroads into the vast Islamic world.

But exports to the Middle East have come to a halt, forcing it to pivot to new markets.

00:21:19 話者 7/Narrator: Carolyn Miller

Miyazaki beef has won the top prize at the Japanese Wagyu competition four years in a row. It is renowned for its tender texture and fine marbling.

However, due to Japan's population decline, the domestic market is shrinking.

So its producers have set their sights on the Middle East.

00:21:44 話者 22/Fujii Wataru/Livestock Promotion Division, Miyazaki Prefecture

We view this as a highly attractive market, where we can fully leverage the appeal of Miyazaki beef to drive sales. We aim to expand our exports to the Islamic world. 

00:21:55 話者 7

The Islamic world is a massive market, accounting for about one-quarter of the world's population.

But to reach it, food products must be halal, meaning processed in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.

So two years ago, this local meat processing company became the first in the prefecture to obtain halal certification.

00:22:25 話者 26/Arita Yonezo/President, SE Meat Miyazaki

Basically, Muslims are not allowed to eat pork or drink alcohol.

So if there is a pig farm within a 5-kilometer radius of the site, a permit for factory construction will not be granted. It took many years to select a location.

00:22:41 話者 7

In addition, the meat must be processed by Muslims.

A team of staff members from Bangladesh performs this task.

00:22:52 話者 27

It is customary for cattle to face Mecca in Saudi Arabia during slaughter, which is westward from Japan's perspective.

00:23:02 話者 7

The company had finally met the strict requirements and was expanding into Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE.

However, this has been paused due to the conflict in Iran and some of its stock remains in storage.

00:23:19 話者 6

There's nothing I can do about it, and it's really frustrating. I'm hoping to continue giving presentations in other countries while gradually expanding the reach of this product.

00:23:32 話者 7

The company has decided to refocus its efforts on Asia, specifically Muslim-majority countries. In March, it hosted a reception in Indonesia where recently obtained export approval.

About 200 industry representatives and buyers attended, and the response was very positive.

00:23:57 話者 6

Going forward, we want to lead sales efforts in Southeast Asia, specifically Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

We're doing this with the hope that people will enjoy the delicious taste of Miyazaki beef, of cattle born in Miyazaki.

00:24:14 話者 7

If Miyazaki beef gains popularity in these Asian markets, it would be the first steps to capturing a major market.

00:24:24 話者 1

Mouthwatering.

Japan Faces Extreme Heat as Weather Shifts

It's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh.

So, Jonathan, we're definitely getting our share of summer-like heat across Japan.

Are we expecting temperatures to cool anytime soon?

00:24:39 話者 8/Jonathan Oh

Hello. I mean, it's May, but it's still feeling like in some places more like July or even hotter than that.

Some of these temperatures in western Japan hitting the mid-30s, and 35.1 degrees was not the hottest spot in Japan.

Let me take you to some video out of western Japan where, yeah, we're talking about some places in heat, not typical even for summer.

In Hita City, Oita Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported temperatures hitting 35.3 degrees Celsius Monday. Now, it's not just that we saw hot weather.

Kyoto also seeing its hottest day of the year, temperatures reaching 34 degrees, feeling like midsummer.

People are being advised to stay hydrated, take breaks to avoid heat stroke, use parasols and just make sure that you try to get as much shade as possible.

High pressure still keeping things dry, but changes are on the way as we have some rain coming into the picture. And so temperatures will start to make their way down.

But one more day of highs near 30 in places like Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, but other places above the 30 degree mark in western portion of Japan.

Then the rain comes in, the clouds come in, temperatures start to come back down to more reality as we go through the second-half of the week.

Meanwhile, we're talking about a tale of two different air masses, hot toward the eastern portion of the United States, cold toward the west, and that cold front that divides them really brings some severe thunderstorms.

And that would be the case again for Monday into the Central Plains as that system pushes on through.

Thunderstorms from Chicago, down to Oakland City, Houston, also looking at thunderstorms behind that front, Denver down to 8 as we go through the day on Monday.

Look at what's happening across Europe. We do have a bit of a messy setup here, a low toward the eastern portions of the continent, another low toward the west.

But in the middle, we've got a little bit of a dry pocket here.

Sunny skies in Vienna with a high of 20, 21 Berlin, but plenty of rain from Moscow down toward Istanbul.

And rain pockets over from Paris into Rome as we go throughout the day on Monday, so you'll need your umbrellas.

Hope you have a good day wherever you are.

00:27:35 話者 1

For all of us on NHK Newsline, I'm James Tengan in Tokyo. Thanks for watching.

checked.

NHK World

00:28:01 話者 99

This is NHK World Japan English Radio Service. Here's a frequency notice.

The broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on 800 MHz.

Once again, the broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on 11.800 MHz.

For more details of our programs, please check our website at nhk.jp/rj. nhk.jp/rj 

We're always pleased to receive your comments and suggestions through our website.


2026年5月17日日曜日

NHK WORLD English News PodcastScript for Shadowing|Global Tensions Rise: Iran Standoff, Ukraine Tech Warfare, US–China Trade Shift (2026/5/17)

Pakistan pushes new mediation efforts as US–Iran tensions escalate in the region.
Ukraine highlights AI and drone technology as key tools against Russia’s military power.
US–China talks yield a tariff‑cut framework while Japan reports a violent Tochigi murder case.
パキスタンが米・イラン間の仲介を進める中、地域緊張が高まっている。
ウクライナはAIとドローン技術がロシア軍への対抗の鍵だと強調。
米中協議は関税引き下げの枠組みに合意し、日本では栃木の強盗殺人事件が発生。
 00:00:09 (Maria Sato)

Hello. Welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo.

Pakistan Advances Mediation in Iran–US Standoff

Pakistan is continuing efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, which are sticking to their hardline stances. Its interior minister has visited Tehran.

Mohsin Naqvi met with his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni on Saturday.

Iranian media reported that the visit was within the framework of Pakistan's efforts to facilitate dialogue and promote regional peace, and they talked in detail about the prospects for resuming peace negotiations with the US.

US President Donald Trump touched on Iran in an interview that aired on Fox News on Friday.

Referring to remaining infrastructure in Iran, he said, We can knock that all out in two days.

The New York Times reported on Friday that the US and Israel are making preparations for the possible resumption of attacks on Iran in the near future.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Harachi said during a visit to India on Friday that the leadership has no trust in the Americans, adding that this is the main obstacle to any diplomatic efforts.

Iran Expands Hormuz Control and Insurance Scheme

Meanwhile, an Iranian media outlet has reported that the government plans to introduce insurance coverage for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Fars news agency reported on Saturday that the plan would make management of the Strait of Hormuz possible through insurance.

The report said marine insurance policies, as well as financial liability certificates, will be issued with payments made in cryptocurrency.

The report also said the scheme would generate over $10 billion in revenue for Iran.

Earlier in the week, an Iranian state-run media outlet said the country had redefined the operational zone of the Strait of Hormuz to significantly expand its boundaries.

On Saturday, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group returned to its home port in Virginia after taking part in the military campaign against Iran.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the crew, You made a nation proud.

You showed the world what American strength is all about.

US forces have continued their blockade against vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports with two aircraft carriers deployed in nearby waters.

The US Central Command said on Saturday that since the blockade was enforced on April 13, 78 commercial ships have been redirected and four others have been disabled to ensure compliance.

Ukraine Highlights AI and Drone Warfare

A Ukrainian official says in dealing with Russia's superior military power, a key role is played by artificial intelligence and other technology.

Oleksandr Bonyakov is a senior official in Ukraine's Digital Transformation Ministry.

He told NHK that Russia has more manpower, tanks and ammunition, but Ukraine's military is effectively using digital technology.

00:03:27 話者 2/Oleksandr Bonyakov

Drone flies, see where the enemy positions are. No more people going physically there.

We see everything and we have all the means to stop them.

00:03:41 (Maria Sato)

He added that drones help target facilities related to petroleum, a major source of income for Russia. He also noted that artificial intelligence is becoming more important in war.

00:03:55 話者 2

Artificial intelligence is taking over from operational level to strategic level of command.

US–China Agree in Principle on Tariff Cuts

00:04:05 (Maria Sato)

China's commerce ministry says Beijing and Washington agreed in principle to lower tariffs on certain products during US President Trump's recent visit to the country.

The ministry on Saturday outlined the economic and trade deal made during the talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

The ministry said China and the United States agreed in principle to set up trade and investment councils, as well as to lower tariffs on products of respective concern through trade council discussions.

The ministry also said the two countries will address respective import restrictions on agricultural goods, such as Chinese dairy products and American beef, and work to expand trade.

In aviation, it said the two countries agreed on China's purchase of aircraft from the US, and for the US to supply aircraft engines and related parts to China.

China's Commerce Ministry spokesperson said the two sides are still in discussion over the details of the agreement and aim to finalize the outcomes as soon as possible.

Tochigi Murder Case: Five Suspects Arrested

Police in Japan have arrested a total of five males on suspicion of robbery and murder.

An attack on a family in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, left one person dead and two others injured.

Multiple intruders broke into a house in Kaminokawa town on Thursday and assaulted the family living there.

69-year-old Tomiyama Eiko was stabbed in the chest and died.

Her two sons in their 30s and 40s were injured.

Police initially arrested three 16-year-olds living in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

The first arrest was shortly after the incident.

The second was on Friday evening and the third on Saturday morning.

Surveillance footage and statements from the detained suspects reportedly led to the fourth arrest on Saturday afternoon of a 16-year-old high school student living in Kawasaki City, also in Kanagawa Prefecture.

On Sunday morning, police arrested the fifth in his 20s, who is believed to be the person who gave instructions to the arrest.

Police suspect the crime may be linked to an anonymous and transient criminal group known as Tokuryu, which is believed to recruit young people with offers of shady part-time jobs.

Sanja Matsuri Mikoshi Parade Draws Crowds

A Tokyo festival is heralding the arrival of summer.

Crowds gather to see portable shrines known as mikoshi as part of Sanja Matsuri.

People carrying three large mikoshi set out from Asakusa shrine early in the morning on Sunday, the last day of the festival. Each one was taken in a different direction.

One of the shrines was carried through the Nakamise shopping street and under the iconic Kaminarimon gate. The festival drew visitors from around Japan and abroad.

00:07:30 話者 3

Now I feel like summer's really here.

This is an important event that comes just once a year, so I want to do a good job.

00:07:37 話者 4

It was very powerful. I felt this is a true Japanese festival.

00:08:08 (Maria Sato)

Those were the headlines for this hour. This is NHK Newsline.

WEATHER

♫~ 3-DAY FORECAST ~♫

And that's the latest we have for you at this hour on NHK Newsline.

I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo. Do stay with us for more on NHK World Japan.

00:10:01 話者 99

This is NHK World Japan English Radio Service. Here's a frequency notice.

The broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on 11.800 MHz.

Once again, the broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on 11.800 MHz.

For more details of our programs, please check our website at nhk.jp/rj. nhk.jp/rj 

We're always pleased to receive your comments and suggestions through our website.


2026年5月16日土曜日

NHK WORLD English News Script for Shadowing|Trump Uses Taiwan Arms as Leverage | Kyiv Strike Kills 24 | Israel–Lebanon Extend Truce (2026/5/16)

Trump calls potential Taiwan arms sales a “negotiating chip” after talks with Xi.
Diplomats visit Kyiv after deadly Russian strikes; Ukraine and Russia swap 205 captives.
Israel and Lebanon extend their ceasefire by 45 days as tensions persist.
トランプ氏が台湾への武器売却を「交渉材料」と発言し、習主席との会談を総括。
ロシアの攻撃で24人死亡したキーウを各国外交団が訪問、双方が205人の捕虜交換を実施。
イスラエルとレバノンが45日間の停戦延長で合意し、緊張が続く中で協議継続へ。
 00:00:09 (Maria Sato)

Hello. Welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo.

Trump Calls Taiwan Arms a Negotiating Chip

US President Donald Trump has said his three-day visit to China was a great success and called a potential weapon sales to Taiwan a very good negotiating trip.

Trump returned to the White House on Friday after wrapping up the visit, which included summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Earlier in the day, Fox News broadcast an interview with Trump filmed while he was still in Beijing.

In the interview, Trump said Taiwan has always been the most important issue for Xi, and he also said some people in Taiwan want to go independent.

00:00:51 話者 2/Donald Trump

They have somebody there now that wants to go independent. Well, it's a very risky thing.

When you go independent, they figure they have the United States behind them.

I'd like to see it stay the way it is.

00:01:03 (Maria Sato)

Asked about possible arms sales from the US to Taiwan, the president said he may or may not approve the sales and that it depends on China.

He added, It's a very good negotiating trip for us.

After filming the interview, Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on the way back to the US.

00:01:25 話者 2

I'll make a determination over the next fairly short period.

I have to speak to the person that right now is, you know, you know who he is, that's running Taiwan.

Trump Briefs PM Takaichi on Xi Summit

00:01:35 (Maria Sato)

Trump has briefed Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on his summit with Xi.

They spoke shortly after he left Beijing.

Trump called Takaichi from Air Force One on Friday night.

The conversation lasted about 15 minutes.

Takaichi later spoke to reporters about the call.

00:01:58 話者 3/Takaichi Sanae

I have received a very detailed explanation about President Trump's recent visit to China.

We mainly discussed various issues related to China, such as economy and security.

We agree to maintain close communication with each other in dealing with the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

00:02:25 (Maria Sato)

Takaichi says they reaffirmed the unwavering Japan-US alliance.

She was asked if he had briefed her on his exchanges with Xi about Japan.

Takaichi said she was given a detailed explanation on the condition of confidentiality.

Officials also say she reiterated Japan's basic position that the situation in Iran must be de-escalated as soon as possible.

Taiwan Independence Remarks Draw Attention

Diplomats Visit Kyiv Attack Site

Ukraine has invited foreign diplomats to the site of massive Russian strikes in Kyiv.

The overnight attack killed 24 citizens.

More than 60 ambassadors and other officials visited the Darnytskyi district on Friday, where a residential building was struck in an extensive attack through Thursday.

The mayor of Kyiv said the victims included three children.

The diplomats were told that the engine of a Russian missile was found at the site.

00:03:24 話者 12/Nakagome Masashi/Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine

I've been to many places. This may well be the most tragic.

I feel strongly that we must continue to support Ukraine.

00:03:33 話者 14/Gael Veyssiere/French Ambassador to Ukraine

It's really shocking to see that as soon, nearly as soon as the cessation of hostilities for a temporary one for a few days where Russia is carrying on things like this.

00:03:47 (Maria Sato)

Ukraine's deputy foreign minister said increased international pressure is the only way to force Russia to stop its aggression.

Also on Friday, Ukraine and Russia confirmed the return of 205 captives each.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the prisoner swap marks the first stage of an exchange of 1,000 captives agreed with a recent three-day ceasefire.

Israel–Lebanon Extend Ceasefire 45 Days

The US State Department says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day ceasefire extension despite continued armed clashes between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group Hezbollah.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said on Friday that the United States had hosted two days of negotiations.

He added the April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress.

Pigott also said negotiations will be launched at the Pentagon on May 29, with military delegations from both countries taking part.

Iran has consistently demanded an end to fighting, including in Lebanon, in its dealings with the United States.

UK Sanctions North Korean Children’s Camp

Britain has included a children's camp in North Korea in a list of sanctions against Russia to Pyongyang's displeasure.

The facility is thought to support the re-education of young Ukrainians.

The British government announced the sanctions on Monday.

The Sondo-on International Children's Camp is located in eastern North Korea.

Britain claims it serves as a facility to re-educate young Ukrainians forcibly deported by Russia. But Pyongyang is pushing back.

A foreign ministry spokesperson accused Britain of unreasonably associating the camp with a groundless issue.

Britain plans to help identify and return more than 20,000 Ukrainian children it says have been forcibly taken away to Russia and other locations during the invasion of Ukraine.

Bear Killed Inside Aomori Complex

Bear sightings have been reported one after another in central areas of northeastern Japan.

In Morioka City, a bear appeared on a road in a crowded residential area.

Another bear that had strayed into a commercial complex in Aomori City had to be killed by local police and hunters.

Aomori city officials say they received a call on Friday afternoon reporting that a bear was inside a complex in the central part of the city that houses a hotel and restaurants.

Some people found themselves trapped indoors when the bear appeared.

Police and city officials rushed to the scene, cordoned off the area and set box traps in the facility's doorways.

00:06:53 話者 22

There's a parking lot in the back. And the bear probably came in from there.

I heard loud sounds, and when I went to see what it was, I found the facility manager fighting a bear.

00:07:08 (Maria Sato)

The bear was killed shortly after 6:00 p.m. There have been no reports of injuries.

Bear sightings have been reported since Friday morning in the central part of the city, prompting the bear alert to be raised to the highest level.

This requires emergency response readiness and strengthened police patrols.

How to Survive a Bear Encounter

00:07:32 話者 35

Japan had a spike in bear attacks last fall. Now bears are heading into urban areas again.

This bear doesn't run even in car lights. More bear attacks could be possible in the months ahead as their food supply drops in the summer. What can we do to protect ourselves?

If you inadvertently encounter a bear, do not turn your back and run away.

That could make the bear aggressive. Slowly step backwards while facing the bear.

If an attack is imminent, lie face down on the ground and cover your head.

Be particularly cautious in the early morning hours, as bears are active around that time.

Stay safe.

00:08:30 (Maria Sato)

Those were the headlines for this hour. This is NHK Newsline.

WEATHER

♫~ 3-DAY FORECAST ~♫

And that's the latest we have for you at this hour on NHK Newsline.

I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo. More to come on NHK World Japan, so stay with us.

checked.

NHK World

00:10:01 話者 99

This is NHK World Japan English Radio Service. Here's a frequency notice.

The broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on 11.800 MHz.

Once again, the broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on 11.800 MHz.

For more details of our programs, please check our website at nhk.jp/rj. nhk.jp/rj

We're always pleased to receive your comments and suggestions through our website.