at 18:00 (JST), March 09

20260309180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:10 話者 1/Yamamoto Miki

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

IRAN CONFLICT
NIKKEI 225 MARKS 3RD-LARGEST FALL

Tokyo stocks tumbled on Monday. The sell-off came amid rising fears that a disruption to oil supplies could damage global economic growth.

Our senior business correspondent Yasui Seiichi is at the Tokyo Stock Exchange to walk us through Monday's trading.

00:00:32 話者 2/Yasui Seiichi

The conflict in the Middle East is driving up crude oil prices, which is unnerving stock market investors.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 finished at 52-thousand-728. down 2,892 points, or 5.2%.

The index marked its third largest decline on record at the close.

Earlier, it briefly plunged more than 4,200 points, or 7.5%, the second biggest intraday point drop ever.

Investors are becoming increasingly concerned about a stable supply of crude oil.

Japan relies heavily on imports, and a growing number of energy-related facilities in the Middle East have been damaged.

The hostilities are preventing oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for exports.

The threat to oil supplies is now the main focus of investors, as they reposition themselves in the market.

Yasui Seiichi, NHK world from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

IRAN CONFLICT
TRUMP REACTS AS KHAMENEI'S SON NAMED NEW SUPREME LEADER

00:01:41 話者 1

The second son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been named Iran's new supreme leader.

The US president was quick to react, telling US media he is not happy with the decision.

Trump had previously called Mojtaba Khamenei "a lightweight and an unacceptable selection."

Washtaba Khamenei is said to have deep ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij militia group, but he has never held public posts and little is known about him.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeskian said in a statement that this decision marks a new era of dignity and will consolidate national unity.

IRAN CONFLICT
EXCHANGE OF ATTACKS IN REGION CONTINUES

Meanwhile, the exchange of attacks in the region continues.

On Sunday, the Israeli military announced that it had carried out large-scale airstrikes on Tehran and other locations in Iran.

Around 50 ammunition depots belonging to security agencies were targeted as well as their headquarters.

In response, Iran has repeatedly launched missiles toward Israel and continues to carry out attacks on Gulf countries.

Kuwait's state-run media reported that government facilities had come under attack.

In Saudi Arabia, two people were killed in an explosion near the capital, Riyadh.

CNN reports that these are the first fatality in that country since the conflict began.

Bahrain's health ministry says 32 people have been injured in Iranian drone attacks that took place early on Monday. Among them is a two-month-old baby.

Images from Reuters news agency also show thick smoke rising from the direction of the Bakko oil refinery.

Due to the heightened tensions in Iran, the Japanese government is assisting Japanese travelers and others who wish to leave four Middle Eastern countries: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

At a news conference on Monday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihada Minoru announced that a second charter flight is scheduled to depart from Saudi Arabia and that additional flights will be arranged in the coming days.

ANALYSIS: DECODING CARNEY'S GLOBAL STRATEGY

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrapped up his multi-country tour with a stop in Japan, his first since taking office.

He met with his counterpart Takaichi Sanae and they agreed to launch a bilateral economic security dialogue.missile

But that wasn't the only topic on Kearney's mind. The Iran conflict and boosting ties with countries in similar positions are some of his other focuses.

He discussed them in an exclusive interview with NHK World's US correspondent Mori Kenichi. He told me about it earlier.

Kenichi, Carney has attracted a lot of attention because of his speech a couple of months ago he made at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and he continues to convey a lot of the same messages. What stands out to you?

00:04:54 話者 3/Mori Kenichi

I think one of the key ones is that the world order has been ruptured, and the old one is not coming back.

He emphasizes how so-called middle powers should work together, though he stresses that it's not about uniting every single one of them.

00:05:13 話者 4/Mark Carney

The point is that, depending on the issue, forming coalitions that are important to other countries, where you share the values, you can accomplish a lot.

And the more of those coalitions you form, the more diversified you are as a country.

00:05:31 話者 3

He's pushing for flexible correlations whenever necessary.

This approach resembles how businesses diversify supply chains to keep producing even when unexpected disruptions occur.

It also reflects a realistic outlook.

No single country will take the lead, and each nation must advance its own initiatives.

00:05:55 話者 1

Right. The US and Israel have been advancing an operation of their own recently in Iran.

How is Carney addressing that?

00:06:03 話者 3

It's a tricky matter for Carney and others respond to.

He points out that Canada is not being kept in the loop.

00:06:13 話者 4

We weren't consulted. nor were most other allies.

We're not consulted on the action that's taken.

We're not a party to the action. We're not engaged in the action. And we're dealing, in effect, with the consequences of that for our citizens in the region.

00:06:33 話者 3

When the fighting first broke out, Canada quickly declared its support for the United States.

Some media outlets have suggested it appeared inconsistent with the firm's stance toward Washington that he voiced in Davos.

In my interview, Carney reiterated Canada's support for preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

His remarks again reflect his realism. That is, since the situation has already escalated, the priority is to ensure Iran does not regain nuclear ambitions in the future.

00:07:12 話者 1

Now, before visiting Japan, Carney traveled to India, to Australia, and in January met with China's president. What's behind these efforts to boost ties?

00:07:23 話者 3

As I mentioned earlier, Carney said the world faces a different reality.

And he has been at the doorstep of one of the biggest reasons for this, US President Donald Trump and his approach to trade.

00:07:39 話者 4

That is destabilizing because you have agreements, you have rules, and then the other side decides not to follow those agreements and change the rules.

00:07:49 話者 3

Somehow interpreted Carney's response as a move away from America.

But in the interview, it became clear that his stance is not anti-American or post-American.

Rather, it's about reducing over-dependence on the United States.

His swift outreach to China and India ties that had cooled in recent years fits his strategy of expanding Canada's options.

Last month, he unveiled a plan to strengthen Canada's domestic defense industry.

That's another step intended to reduce realliance on the United States.

With abandoned resources such as critical minerals and the energy, Canada appears ready to explore broader partnership with other nations.

00:08:43 話者 1

And one of those nations being Japan, evidently, Tell us about that.

00:08:47 話者 3

During the interview, Carney described Japan as Canada's closest friend.

In fact, he once even called it home. He used to live here for a period of time.

Setting aside any diplomatic courtesy, it's clear he regards Japan as a stable, reliable partner with whom Canada has few strategic divergencies.

As he has been advocating for, the countries are expected to form coalitions on a sector-by-sector basis.

These will likely span areas such as critical minerals, energy, and AI.

Carney does warn that these sectors could themselves become triggers for conflict.

Conversely, if their countries lead efforts to create stable frameworks in such fields, it may reduce tensions and contribute to preventing future conflict.

He again says that it's worth focusing on areas where countries can find agreement.

He points out one example, how Japan and Canada both care about climate change.

00:10:00 話者 4

We make sure that we bring our resources together, we produce cleaner cars, we produce cleaner power. Down the road, the US will come to that.

We will be better off having done that today. So we don't wait for the United States.

We prepare for when the United States comes towards us.

00:10:21 話者 3

So Carney  seemed to have his eye on long game, and that requires building relationships.

In an increasingly uncertain world, this kind of cooperation becomes all more important.

NEW MISSILE SYSTEM BOOSTS SDF ABILITIES IN SOUTHWEST JAPAN

00:10:46 話者 1

Japan's defense ministry has delivered an extended-range anti-ship missile system to a ground self-defense force camp in southwestern Japan.

The move is aimed at boosting the country's counter-strike capabilities.

A launcher, a guidance system and other equipment were brought into Camp Kengu in Kumamoto Prefecture earlier on Monday.

They are intended for an upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile.

It has an extended range of about 1,000 kilometers and can strike ships at sea and other targets. The missiles will be deployed at the camp this month for the first time.

It comes amid China's heightened military activities around Japan's Nansei Islands, as well as North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches.

Protesters rallied outside the camp to oppose the deployment.

Some carried placards saying no missiles.

The defense ministry did not hold any explanatory meetings for local residents about the installation.

Work to roll out extended-range missiles is also expected to start at other SDF units.

EX-UNIFICATION CHURCH APPEALS TO JAPAN'S SUPREME COURT

The group, widely known as the Unification Church, has appealed to Japan's Supreme Court to overturn a ruling by a lower court ordering its dissolution.

The Tokyo High Court last week upheld the order to disband the group as a religious cooperation.

It found the group's practice of collecting massive donations violated civil law.

The judge pointed out many people suffered extensive property losses and mental pain as a result.

The group had described the dissolution order as unfair, claiming it was a foregone conclusion and in violation of the principle of trial by evidence.

The order strips the group of its legal status as a religious corporation and denies it tax benefits.

Procedures are underway to dispose of the group's assets and compensate those who suffered financial damage.

The group was cast into the spotlight after the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in 2022.

The shooter said he believed Abe had close ties to the group.

He said his mother had made large donations to it, bringing financial ruin.

BUSINESS

Now for more business stories, here's Gene Otani from The Biz Desk.

00:13:20 話者 5/Gene Otani

Miki, thanks. In other top business stories this hour, 

JAPAN'S REAL WAGES MARK FIRST RISE IN 13 MONTHS

the wages of Japanese workers grew in January by more than inflation for the first time in 13 months.

Preliminary data released by the Labor Ministry show RealPay rose 1.4% in January from the same month last year.

That was based on a nationwide survey of over 30,000 businesses with at least five employees.

Nominal wages, including overtime, averaged just over 300,000 yen, or about $1,900.

That was up 3% year-on-year, the 49th consecutive month of growth.

Fixed wages, including base pay, also rose 3%, the highest in over 33 years.

Ministry officials say paychecks are growing steadily, while inflation is easing off.

JAPAN'S TRADING CARD GAMES SPARK GLOBAL ASSET HUNT

Another vibrant sector of Japan's pop culture is going global.

That's trading card games.

It was once a playground hobby. Now the cards have evolved into a serious obsession for players and collectors of all ages, including investors.

NHK World's Igarashi Jun has more.

00:14:38 話者 6

A packed tournament in Tokyo. 

People of all ages turn up armed with a deck of trading cards. They face off for intense one-on-one battles, unleashing the characters and their powers illustrated on the cards.

Unlike many video games, this offline experience brings the whole family together.

Kanno Koji is a long-time pokémon fan.

He used to compete in official tournaments, winning Japan's grand championship two times.

Now apparent, trading cards have become a bridge between Kanno and his children.

00:15:39 話者 7/Kanno Koji

My children always ask me, 'Dad, let's battle.' We all really enjoy playing.

00:15:52 話者 6

And they are not alone. The trading card market in Japan has exploded, topping 300 billion yen or 1.9 billion US dollars in fiscal year 2024.

Fujii Daisuke is in charge of a monthly magazine covering toys.

He says the boom was triggered by the social media craze of unboxing.

00:16:18 話者 4/Fujii Daisuke

People began posting YouTube videos to show them opening sealed packs of cards.

These videos went viral, and the popularity of trading cards, mainly pokémon, really took off.

00:16:31 話者 6

That popularity has driven up prices, where trading cards are increasingly viewed as valuable investment assets.

00:16:41 話者 6/Igarashi Jun

I'm in the Tokyo-Akihabara area, famous for anime, games and yes trading cards many stores here sell them and foreign tourists are eager to buy in.

00:16:54 話者 6

This tourist from Germany came away with a souvenir for his friends.

00:17:00 話者 17 

For me and a couple of friends at home it's fun trading collecting.

00:17:07話者 6

Some cards in this shop date back to the 1990s others include the latest releases.

Rare ones can sell for over two thousand dollars.

Many customers come from abroad on the trail of highly desired chase cards.

Fun for some, for others, fortunes are at stake.

In February, an extremely rare pokémon card called the pokémon Illustrator sold for almost sixteen and a half million dollars at auction in the US.

The latest export of Japan's pop culture is not without controversy.

Experts say soaring prices and the rise of scalpers are pricing some regular players out of the market.

00:17:58 話者 4

The pricing situation in the market is not very favorable for ordinary children playing card games.

We have to hope that everyone involved, users, fans and collectors, take steps to self-regulate the industry.

00:18:14 話者 6

Addressing these issues will be a challenge, but Japan remains the beating heart of trading card culture, and the enthusiasm from children and adults alike shows no sign of fading.

Igarashi Jun, NHK World.

MARKETS

00:18:30 話者 5

All right, let's have a look at the markets.

♪

And that's it for business news.

'DISASTER GENERATION' PASSING ON LESSONS OF DEVASTATION

00:19:10 話者 1

This week marks 15 years since the Great East Japan earthquake and nuclear accident.

Many students in the region today were not born when the disaster struck and have no memories of that day.

We spoke with one junior high school student in Fukushima Prefecture who wants to carry the message forward as a member of the disaster generation.

NHK World's Yabuki Hayato has the details.

00:19:39 話者 8/Yabuki Hayato

Five local junior high school storytellers appeared at this event.

They talked about the earthquake and resulting accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Matsuo Honoka started telling stories about the disaster last year.

Honoka was born in February 2011, three weeks before the earthquake. Of course, she has no memory of it. So why did she start sharing stories about the disaster? The catalyst was her classmate, Suzuki Aoi.

Aoi's home near the sea was severely damaged in the tsunami, and she began doing testimony work before Honoka. When she started as a storyteller, Honoka struggled with the question of whether it made sense for someone like herself to be talking about it.

00:21:18 話者 18/Matsuo Honoka

Someone who really experienced it can connect with listeners much more directly and clearly, but I hadn't and don't even remember it, so I thought talking about it would be difficult. 

Honoka decided to ask her parents what was happening around her when she was still a baby.

00:21:42 話者 4/Matsuo Shugo/Father

After the nuclear plant explosion happened, I was riding my bike looking for things like diapers and powdered milk.

It was cold, too, and there was no gasoline. Things were pretty tough.

00:21:54 話者 8

Honoka learned how hard it was for her parents at the time. She also came to realize how important it is to be prepared for disasters in everyday life. Now, as memories of that time fade,

Honoka continues to speak out as part of the disaster generation. She also began telling stories in English to visitors from abroad.

00:22:21 話者 18/Matsuo Honoka

We talk about not only the past, but also the future. We never know when or where the next disaster will happen. Can we make use of our experiences?

Just like generations before us, I feel young people born around March 11th also need to keep pushing forward. 

Beyond that, there's a hope that what we are doing is connected to disaster mitigation and prevention, and that we can help save lives when the next disaster strikes.

00:22:57 話者 8

Honoka is determined to pass on what she has learned from those who remember.

She plans to keep sharing those stories even after graduating from junior high school. Yabuki Hayako, NHK World.

JAPAN'S FUKUSHIMA AIMS TO ENTICE S.KOREAN TOURISTS

00:23:32 話者 1

Now Japan's Fukushima Prefecture is appealing directly to potential tourists in South Korea with a new video campaign highlighting its recovery from the March 2011 disaster. The video began showing on Monday at 12 locations in the capital Seoul and the second largest city of Busan. South Korea suspended imports of marine products from eight Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima following the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant triggered by the massive earthquake and tsunami. 

Japan's reconstruction agency made the video to underscore the prefecture's recovery. A Korean-language message says, Now is the time to visit Fukushima. Footage includes local sake and Tsurugajo Castle, a popular tourist spot in Aizu-Wakamatsu city.

The 30-second video will be shown in busy commercial districts through Sunday. Fukushima officials say the number of visitors from South Korea last year was only one-tenth of what it had been before the nuclear accident. Other moves could help bring more tourists. Charter flights will connect Fukushima Airport and the South Korean city of Chonju in July and October this year.

15 YEARS AFTER 3/11
SPECIAL COVERAGE LIVE
Mar. 11: NEW YORK 01:40
                  LONDON    05:40
                  TOKYO        14:40

NHK World will have a special program for the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan earthquake and nuclear power plant accident. 40 p.m. Japan time on Wednesday. We will bring you live coverage of a moment of silence observed at the exact time the earthquake hit... and reflect on the country's lasting grief and lessons learned from the disaster.

♬

WEATHER

And it is time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh. 

So, Jonathan, we're riding a bit of a wave in terms of temperatures in Japan going through March. What can we expect this week?

00:25:53 話者 7/Jonathan Oh

Hello. We were talking about temperatures that are way above average at times last week, but then we see temperatures dropping off with overnight lows in places like Tokyo dropping down into the single digits. It looks like that we're going to be staying at that level as we go forward throughout the next few days. But we may be talking about some precipitation, not just rain, but maybe even some flurries as we have a couple of low pressure systems rolling on through. So the eastern side of Japan will be looking at some precipitation possibilities as we go throughout the next couple of days. Looking at rain and possibilities of flurries in Tokyo with a high of 9 on Tuesday. So it'll be a bit cooler before we see temperatures moving back to the low teens. But again, another possibility of some rain and even some flurries in Tokyo as we go through the day on Thursday.

Meanwhile, we're looking at some severe thunderstorm possibilities into the deep south of the United States. We saw over the weekend some storms up toward the north, but now the stationary front boundary down to the south bringing some unstable weather with some thunderstorms ahead of that. High temperatures with highs into the upper 20s as we go through Monday.

Hope you have a good day wherever you are.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

00:27:36 話者 1

And that is all for this edition of NHK Newsline. 

I'm Yamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thank you for joining us.

checked.

at 18:00 (JST), March 08

20260308180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:13 (Maria Sato)

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

IRAN CONFLICT

TRUMP SAYS IRAN OPERATION 'GOING VERY WELL' AS STRIKES ESCALATE

US President Donald Trump says the joint military operation with Israel inside Iran is going very well, but Iran continues to strike US military bases and other facilities across Gulf nations.

00:00:31 話者 2/Donald Trump

We're doing very well in Iran. You see the result, and it's been amazing.

We've knocked out 42 navy ships.

00:00:45 (Maria Sato)

The Israeli military says it has carried out airstrikes on Marabad Airport in Tehran.

Officials say they destroyed 16 aircraft belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society reports that since the start of the conflict, 1,332 civilians have been killed.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says his country will fight to the finish against the US and Israel.

But he also says Iran should apologize to neighboring countries as Iranian forces continue attacks across the Gulf, apparently targeting US military posts.

State-run media, citing the education ministry, says the attacks have killed 192 students and educators and damaged or destroyed 66 schools.

The country's news agency also reports that 10 health workers have been killed.

The United Arab Emirates Defense Ministry says its air defense system is responding to missile and drone threats from Iran.

Authorities in Dubai say a missile was intercepted in the air, causing debris to fall on a vehicle and building, killing one person.

Bahrain's interior ministry blames Iran for attacks that set fire to houses and other buildings around its capital.

IRAN CONFLICT
JAPAN SDF PLANE ARRIVES TO HELP CITIZENS EVACUATE

Amid the crisis in Iran, a Japan Self-Defense Forces transport airplane has arrived in the Maldives in the central Indian Ocean.

It will assist in the evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East.

The KC-767 aerial refueling and transport plane took off early Sunday from the Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture.

The aircraft has arrived in the Maldives, where it will be on standby in case planes chartered by the Japanese government are not available or the number of those who want to be evacuated is higher than initial estimates.

Meanwhile, a flight chartered by the Japanese government left Oman on Sunday, carrying over 100 Japanese tourists and others who had been stranded in the region.

Another chartered flight is expected to leave Saudi Arabia on Monday.

IRAN CONFLICT
EX-TRUMP OFFICIAL SEES LIMITED CHINA, RUSSIA SUPPORT FOR IRAN

A former official in the first administration of US President Trump says that support for Iran from China and Russia seems to have turned limited after Iran attacked its Middle Eastern neighbors.

Fred Flights sat for a video interview with NHK on Friday.

He was a deputy assistant to Trump and chief of staff of the National Security Council during the president's first term in office.

00:03:33 話者 3/Fred Fleitz/Former US National Security Council Chief of Staff

When Iran starts firing missiles at all these nations in the Middle East that the Russians and the Chinese want to do business with, Moscow and Beijing are not happy.

00:03:43 (Maria Sato)

As for the US-Israeli military operation, Flights said the US has already made significant progress in reducing what he called the threat from Iran.

00:03:53 話者 3

It looks like this has been a very successful operation.

The US and Israel now have air superiority.

00:04:00 (Maria Sato)

Flights expressed the view that the US has become able to freely carry out various operations without incurring any major disruptions.

He said the US can start attacking wider areas by using precision-guided bombs, which it has in large quantity and are lower priced than cruise missiles.

Flights pointed out that 60 days after Trump first reports to Congress the deployment of US armed forces, their use is automatically terminated unless lawmakers have declared war or passed legislation authorizing the action.

Flights indicated that Trump likely has in mind concluding military operations by that time.

UKRAINIAN SUMO COACH ENCOURAGES AONISHIKI

Ukrainian sumo wrestler Aonischiki is gearing up for the spring tournament that starts Sunday and cheering him on will be his former coach.

Aonischiki was promoted last November to the second highest rank of Ozeki.

He then won the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, taking his second straight title.

The 21-year-old is hoping this tournament will be his chance to claim a third consecutive championship and earn promotion to the top rank of Yokozuna.

Vaja Dayuli was Aonishiki's coach back in Ukraine.

He spoke to NHK ahead of the tournament.

00:05:46 話者 4/Vazha Daiauri/Aonishiki's former coach

I'm really looking forward to this tournament.

I hope he puts on a great show and brings home another title.

00:05:59 (Maria Sato)

Daiauri started coaching Aonishiki when he was a child and worked with him for over a decade.

He remembers that the young wrestler always practiced what he learned and constantly asked questions.

00:06:15 話者 4

He's trained in so many styles that he can spot an opponent's weak points right away.

00:06:31 (Maria Sato)

Daiauri says his former student was hardworking, respectful, and always listened to his seniors and coaches.

00:06:41 話者 4

Aonishiki, I believe you'll win the tourney and be promoted to Yokozuna and make us proud.

TAIWAN LANTERN FESTIVAL FEATURES JAPAN FLOAT

00:06:47 (Maria Sato)

A giant nebuta float from Japan's Aomori Prefecture has taken part in a parade at the Taiwan Lantern Festival.

The colorful festival is being held in the southern Taiwanese county of Cha-yi.

The themes include Taiwanese nature and culture, as well as this year's zodiac sign, the horse.

The nebuta float features Mazu, a goddess widely worshiped in Taiwan.

Dancers called Haneto brought energy to the venue.

Taiwan donated more than 126 million dollars to affected areas of northeastern Japan, including Aomori Prefecture, after the earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

00:07:42 話者 5/Hou Ching Lee/Organizer

This year marks 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.

It's heartwarming to see this symbol of Taiwan-Japan friendship.

00:07:55 話者 6/Suwa Makoto/Nebuta artist

I created a float as large as the ones I make in Aomori.

I hope Japanese and Taiwanese cultures will resonate with each other.

♪

00:08:28 (Maria Sato)

Those were the headlines for this hour.

WEATHER

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And that's all for this hour on NHK Newsline.

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

checked.

at 18:00 (JST), March 07

20260307180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:13 (Ramin Mellegard)

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Ramin Mellegard in Tokyo.

JAPAN, CANADA AGREE TO LAUNCH ECONOMIC SECURITY DIALOGUE

Japan and Canada have agreed to launch a bilateral economic security dialogue, partly to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals.

The agreement came at a meeting on Friday in Tokyo between Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and her visiting Canadian counterpart Mark Carney.

At the beginning of their talks, Takaichi said the two nations share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

00:00:48 話者 2/Takaichi Sanae

In light of the current international situation, the importance of the relationship between Japan and Canada has never been greater.

I look forward to discussing a wide range of issues, including the direction of further development of our relations, the current situation in the Indo-Pacific, and the international situation, including Iran.

00:01:11 話者 3/Mark Carney

We both know, as you just mentioned, the importance of economic security for the security of our peoples, because the world is at a turning point.

We see the manifestations in the Middle East.

00:01:28 (Ramin Mellegard)

The leader said in a joint statement their two countries will establish a comprehensive strategic partnership.

They also said a new economic security dialogue will cover topics such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology, as well as supply chains for critical minerals.

Takaichi and Carney discussed the situation in the Middle East, including Iran, at a working dinner.

They confirmed they will continue to communicate closely with a view to de-escalating the situation at an early date.

JAPAN ASKS US TO SPARE TOKYO HARM UNDER NEW TARIFFS

Japan's trade minister says he has sought reassurance that Washington's new tariff measures will not put Tokyo at a disadvantage compared with their bilateral trade agreement.

Akazawa Ryosei met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Friday.

Last month, the Trump administration imposed a new 10% tariff on most countries, including Japan, for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act.

The measure uses a different law as authority than that applied to earlier measures Trump calls reciprocal tariffs, after the US Supreme Court ruled they are illegal.

Akazawa spoke to reporters after meeting Lutnik.

00:02:47 話者 4/Akazawa Ryosei

I reiterated Japan's request, first and foremost, that regarding tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act, Japan will not be treated less favorably than under the agreement reached between Japan and the United States last year.

00:03:02 (Ramin Mellegard)

Akazawa said he also asked Lutnik not to apply the planned increase in the tariff rate to 15% to Japan.

Prime Minister Takaichi and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet later this month.

In bilateral trade talks last year, Japan agreed to invest $550 billion in the United States.

Akazawa said he and Lutnik discussed candidate projects to follow the first projects that were selected last month.

IRAN CONFLICT
IDF: TEHRAN BUNKER DESTROYED

Israeli military commanders say they've achieved one of their goals in the fight against Iran.

They say they've destroyed an underground bunker in Tehran that was used by top officials.

They say Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was intending to go there before he was killed in the initial strikes.

The Israel Defense Forces say the attack involved about 50 fighter jets.

They say senior officials continued to use the bunker after Khamenei was killed.

But Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is striking a defiant tone.

It says it will fight until there's no sedition.

It says it's used missiles and drones to carry out more than 20 waves of attacks.

A spokesperson for the Iranian government has commented about the casualties from the US and Israeli strikes. She says about a third of those killed were children.

And Al-Jazeera quotes the Red Crescent as saying more than 1,300 people in total have been killed.

President Donald Trump posted about the fighting on social media.

He called for Iran's unconditional surrender and says whoever succeeds Khamenei must be acceptable to his country.

The White House says it expects the fighting to last about four to six weeks.

Trump has reportedly spoken with the leaders of armed Kurdish groups that oppose the Iranian regime.

An expert tells NHK what may be the reason.

00:05:07 話者 5/Tanaka Koichiro/Professor, Keio University

The US Is trying to shake up Iran's regime from the inside by supporting the Kurdish groups. This means that the military attacks have not triggered the kind of demonstrations and the kind of unrest in Iran that Trump had expected.

00:05:28 (Ramin Mellegard)

But local media say a senior Iranian defense official has issued a warning. 

He says all facilities in the Kurdish region of Iraq will be targeted if the groups approach Iran's borders.

IRAN CONFLICT
US MILITARY 'LIKELY' BEHIND SCHOOL STRIKE

Media reports say the US military was likely responsible for a strike on an elementary school in southern Iran.

The attack has drawn wide condemnation over the killing of civilians.

The strike happened on the first day of US and Israeli operations.

It reportedly killed more than 170 children and teachers.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has acknowledged that the military is conducting an investigation.

Reuters says it's spoken with two officials who say the probe is ongoing and no conclusions have been reached.

An analysis by New York Times backs up the Reuters report.

It says videos and satellite images show that the schools located next to a military facility, both are believed to have been destroyed in the attack.

The Times suggests the US was most likely behind the strike because the military has admitted its forces were engaged in operations in the area.

The UN Cultural and Education Agency says it's deeply alarmed at the situation.

It condemned the killings as a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

IRAN CONFLICT
TOKYO TO START EVACUATING JAPANESE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

And Japan is making moves to help its citizens leave the Middle East.

The government will provide ground transportation to Japanese who want to leave Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Buses will take them to Oman or Saudi Arabia.

They will leave those two countries on chartered flights on Sunday and Monday, respectively, at the earliest.

00:07:21 話者 7/Motegi Toshimitsu/Japanese Foreign Minister

We will ensure a thorough evacuation, with priorities based on people's needs and circumstances, including the elderly, pregnant women, and those with small children.

00:07:38 (Ramin Mellegard)

Government officials are considering additional evacuations, as it is believed more people want to leave the region than they first thought.

♪

MILANO CORTINA WINTER PARALYMPICS OPEN AMID WORLD TENSION

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games have opened in the middle of rising tensions around the world.

The opening ceremony was held on Friday in the Verona Arena, the location of the Olympics closing ceremony.

Only two athletes from each nation were able to take part on site from Japan.

44 athletes are set to take part, the most for any Winter Olympics held outside Japan.

Athletes from Russia and its ally, Belarus, were allowed to compete representing their countries, even as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues.

They marched with their national flags in the parade of nations.

But athletes from Ukraine and six other nations boycotted the opening ceremony as a result.

Athletes from Iran were unable to take part due to the conflict in the Middle East.

The Paralympics run through March 15th, featuring 79 medal events across six sports.

And those were the top stories for this hour.

WEATHER

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And that's a wrap for this edition of NHK Newsline.

I'm Ramin Mellegard. Thank you very much for joining us.

checked.

at 18:00 (JST), March 06

20260306180000_english_1.mp3

00:00:12 話者 1/Kanako Sachno

Welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sachno.

IRAN CONFLICT
HEGSETH: US HAS ENOUGH WEAPONS FOR PROLONGED OPERATION

It's been nearly a week since the US and Israel launched their attacks on Iran.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Washington is prepared for an extended conflict.

He says the US weapons stockpile is enough to sustain a prolonged operation.

Hegseth held a news conference at the US Central Command headquarters in Florida on Thursday.

00:00:38 話者 2/Pete Hegseth

We've got no shortage of munitions.

Our stockpiles of defensive and offensive weapons

Allow us to sustain this campaign as long as we need to.

00:00:48 話者 1

He added that combining the US and Israel's forces would further expand military capabilities.

Hegseth also said Iran is dragging neighboring countries that wanted to stay out of the conflict into the American orbit.

Central Command Chief Admiral Brad Cooper said US forces have destroyed more than 30 Iranian vessels, including a drone carrier ship.

He also said the US had hit nearly 200 targets deep inside Iran within a 72-hour period.

He said B-2 bombers had targeted ballistic missile launchers buried deep underground.

Cooper said US President Donald Trump had given the military the task to erase or level Iran's ballistic missile industrial base.

00:01:33 話者 2

So we're not just hitting what they have, we're destroying their ability to rebuild.

And so as we transition to the next phase of this operation.

IRAN CONFLICT
REPORT: US, ISRAEL SPLITTING STRIKE TARGETS

00:01:42 話者 1

A media outlet says US and Israeli forces are dividing up operational areas for the strikes.

More than 1,200 people have reportedly been killed.

Israeli media quotes military officials as saying their forces are operating in western and central Iran.

They're targeting missile launchers and government facilities in the capital.

The US military is said to be striking missile launch systems in the south and targets linked to the Iranian navy.

The Red Crescent Society says 174 cities have been hit, damaging homes and medical buildings in wide areas, and it says its own facilities have been struck.

Iran has repeatedly fired missiles toward Israel, but no major damage has been reported.

Iranian media quotes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as saying their Navy fighters have hit an American tanker.

A British maritime agency says it's confirmed a large explosion off the coast of Kuwait.

It says there are no reports of fire and all crew members are safe, but oil is leaking into the sea.

And Reuters reports the operator of the tanker says it was approached by a small vessel and a loud bang followed.

The ship is registered in the Bahamas and owned by a company based in the US.

Iran's clerics are weighing candidates to succeed their supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was killed last week in the joint military operation by the US and Israel.

IRAN CONFLICT
MEDIA: TRUMP WANTS TO BE INVOLVED IN PICKING NEW LEADER

US President Trump reportedly says he wants to be involved in deciding who takes on the role.

Reuters and US news website Axios say Trump has acknowledged the possibility that Khamenei's son is likely the top choice, and Axios says he calls this unacceptable.

Mushtabah Khamenei is a secretive figure.

He was born in 1969 and has never served in public office.

He's said to have close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij volunteer militia.

The New York Times reports his father told followers that he didn't want the post to be hereditary.

The Wall Street Journal says the men rumoured as possible successors are the head of the judiciary, Gholam Hussein Moseni Adjayi.

The paper says he advocates the death penalty for protesters.

The deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, Ali Reza Arafi.

It says Arafi has stayed above politics and could appeal to both hardliners and more moderate forces. 

There's also Hassan Khomeini. He's a grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic.

The paper notes Khomeini was barred from the Assembly of Experts for lacking religious knowledge.

Trump tells Axios he refuses to accept a new Iranian leader who continues Khamenei's policies. He says that would force the US back to war in five years.

IRAN CONFLICT
TEHRAN REJECTS OUTSIDE INVOLVEMENT TO CHOOSE LEADER

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqji has decisively ruled out any involvement from Trump in choosing Khamenei's successor.

Araqji says the process is absolutely the business of Iranian people and nobody can interfere.

The foreign minister spoke with NBC News and Tom Yamas on Thursday.

Arakji said despite rumors, the assembly of experts has yet to choose a new supreme leader.

♪

TRUMP HINTS OF ACTION TOWARD CUBA AFTER IRAN OPERATIONS

US President Trump has hinted that his administration may take steps on Cuba after military operations in Iran end.

00:05:18 話者 2/Trump 

We want to finish this one first, but that will be just a question of time before you.

And a lot of unbelievable people are going to be going back to Cuba.

00:05:29 話者 1

Trump told participants at a White House event that Cuba badly wants to make a deal.

The president previously raised the possibility of what he called a friendly takeover of the Caribbean island country.

The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on Cuba by cutting oil supplies and tightening economic sanctions.

US military actions against countries hostile to the US have become a theme under Trump.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured in a US military raid in early January.

Venezuela's oil supply to Cuba has since been significantly disrupted.

FINLAND PROPOSES EASING NUCLEAR DEVICES IMPORT BAN

Finland's government says it has proposed changing legislation that bans importing nuclear weapons into the country.

It cited fundamental changes in its security environment as a reason.

It said Thursday the change would allow the import of nuclear devices or their transport, supply or possession if they're linked to homeland defence, NATO's collective defence, or defence cooperation.

The government says the move does not mean Finland wants to have nuclear weapons on its territory.

Defence Minister Antti Haakonen said amendments are necessary and the government wants them to enter into force as soon as possible.

The minister says they'll enable Finland to take full advantage of NATO's deterrence and collective defence.

Finland shares a border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023.

US nuclear weapons have been deployed in several NATO member states in Europe for the purpose of deterrence.

On Monday, France said it would increase its number of nuclear warheads in response to rising security threats.

TRUMP TO REPLACE HOMELAND SECURITY HEAD NOEM

Trump says he will replace his homeland security secretary.

Kristi Noem led the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, also known as ICE, during its controversial crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullen is Trump's pick to become the new secretary at the end of this month.

The president thanked Noem for her service at the department.

He says she'll get a new role leading a security initiative focused on the Western Hemisphere.

US media report that Trump had expressed frustration over Noem's handling of ICE's enforcement operations.

In January, federal agents fatally shot two people during the crackdown.

News outlets say that Noem's testimony this week at a Senate hearing about an expensive ad campaign for the crackdown upset Trump.

She reportedly told senators at the hearing that Trump had signed off on the campaign.

Noem is the first cabinet secretary to be dismissed in Trump's second term.

NEPAL AWAITS RESULTS IN FIRST ELECTION SINCE GEN-Z PROTESTS

Vote counting is underway in Nepal in the first general election since youth-led protests toppled the government in September.

NHK World's Dhra Dhirakaosal in Kathmandu has more.

00:08:32 話者 3/Dhra Dhirakaosal

I'm here in front of the parliament building that was set on fire during the protests.

This place has become a symbolic venue because this is where the clashes turned violent and many were killed. On the front gate, there are many photos of those who died.

This election represents the sacrifices made by Gen. Z protesters who demanded an end to corruption, necrotism, and inequality.

Although there were some concerns of disruptions beforehand, the voting took place mostly in a peaceful manner.

Overall results are still being determined, but local media are reporting the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, or RSP, is leading in several constituencies with the support of young voters.

The party's prime ministerial candidate is the former mayor of Kathmandu and also a famous rapper.

NEPAL ELECTION OVERSHADOWED BY RURAL CRISIS

The Gen. Z protests were centered mainly in urban areas, but most of the people in this Himalayan nation live in the countryside, and the reality is often quite different from the city folk.

NHK World's Takaoka Chikashi has more.

00:09:40 話者 4/Takaoka Chikashi

Several hours of driving over steep and rocky roads from Kathmandu brings you to this community nestled in the mountains.

For generations, People here have been growing rice, millet, and other crops on terraced fields carved into the hillsides.

But behind this seemingly timeless landscape lies another reality.

When I walk around this mountainous area, I often find this kind of farmlands covered with bushes.

This area used to be active in agriculture, but what I see now is these barren fields.

Residents say many parts of the fields have not been taken care of for more than a decade.

More than 30 percent of Nepal's farmlands are estimated to have been abandoned, resulting in a significant loss in productivity.

Jit Bahadur Tamang and his family grow corn and millet, but many of his fields have been left untended.

00:10:42 話者 5/Jit Bahadur Tamang

These fields were productive until a few years ago. But since so many people have moved abroad for work, there is nobody to take care of them anymore.

00:10:53 話者 4

Like many other villagers, two of his five children are now working overseas in the UAE and Japan.

This outflow of people has resulted in a rural labor shortage, leading to abandoned farmlands and underdevelopment.

00:11:12 話者 5

I wish nobody had to go abroad for work and that there were more employment opportunities in Nepal. It'd be better if families could stick together.

00:11:24 話者 4

Despite recent positive economic growth, 20 percent of Nepalese, many in rural areas, still live below the country's poverty line.

In the March 5th election, Major parties fielded candidates for this provincial constituency.

They laid out their pledges in a bid to win over voters before they went to the polls.

00:11:50 話者 15/Bansha Lal Tamang/Nepali Congress Party candidate

We want to modernize and commercialize the agriculture sector and provide employment so that young people can stay in their own villages.

00:12:02 話者 4

But many people remain skeptical.

They say politicians have made similar promises in the past and little has changed.

00:12:12 話者 16

Candidates come to us during election campaigns and assure us that they will address our concerns, but after they win the election, we never see them again.

00:12:23 話者 17

I believe they've learned from the Gen. Z movement in September.

They know what can happen when frustration grows in the minds of the people.

00:12:35 話者 4

An expert says it's important that politicians draw up policies on the country's development that address the gap between urban and rural Nepal.

00:12:45 話者 18/Ganesh Gurung/Social scientist

Concentrating in urban area means we are not producing anything from our land, so that we need to revitalize this rural areas. It has to be a balance in both sides.

If we need to make rural areas of Nepal livable, we should provide some opportunities for livelihoods so that they can remain there.

00:13:14 話者 4

Nepal appears to be moving closer to being removed from the United Nations' list of least developed countries.

But the rural crisis continues to cast a shadow over the country's future.

Takaoka Chikashi, NHK World, Kathmandu.

NEPAL AWAITS RESULTS IN FIRST ELECTION SINCE GEN-Z PROTESTS

00:13:34 話者 3

One of the frustrations of Nepal's Gen. Z is there are not enough jobs in the country.

Many of them have no choice but to go overseas for work.

That's a structural challenge both in rural parts of Nepal and in cities like Kathmandu here.

Wherever they are, people across the nation are hoping to see a government that will work to improve their lives in a fair and transparent way.

As officials have to collect ballots from mountainous and hilly areas in the country.

It is expected to take several days for the election results to be finalized.

BUSINESS

00:14:09 話者 1

Now let's see what's happening in the world of business.

Here's Ramin Mellegard from the BizDesk.

00:14:14 話者 2/Ramin Mellegard

Thank you very much indeed.

JAPAN, UAE END TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH BROAD AGREEMENT

Now, the Japanese government says it has concluded negotiations with the United Arab Emirates on a bilateral economic partnership agreement.

It says the elimination of tariffs on a wide range of items under the EPA is expected to boost Japanese exports to the Middle East nation.

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Sultan Al-Jaber, met in Tokyo on Thursday.

They confirmed the broad agreement on the EPA, which the two countries began negotiating in 2024.

The UAE currently imposes a 5% tariff on many goods imported from Japan.

Under the EPA, the UAE will remove tariffs on some passenger cars, trucks and buses within seven years.

It will abolish them for tires, engines, and other automotive parts within 10 years.

Amid rising exports of popular Japanese food products, the UAE will also eliminate tariffs on green tea and other soft drinks within three to 10 years and on miso paste and soy sauce within five to seven years.

On the other hand, Japan will maintain tariffs on imports from the UAE of goods including rice, dairy products, and beef to avoid any negative impact on domestic farming.

The Japanese government expects the EPA to help expand the country's exports to the UAE.

They mainly consist of automobiles and auto parts, which account for almost 60% of exports via value.

Motegi expressed Japan's intention to cooperate with the UAE to ensure stable energy supplies.

PENTAGON DESIGNATES ANTHROPIC A 'SUPPLY CHAIN RISK'

US AI startup Anthropic says it has been officially designated a supply chain risk.

to America's national security by the Defense Department.

Local media say it's the first time the designation has been applied to a US company.

It's historically been used for foreign adversaries.

Anthropic CEO Dari Amadei said in a statement on Thursday that his company was notified in a letter from the Pentagon the day before.

Amadej said the company does not believe the move is legally sound and sees no choice but to mount a legal challenge.

Media reports say the designation requires defense vendors and contractors to certify they don't use Anthropics products.

The firm had insisted the Pentagon should not use its Claude AI model for fully autonomous weapons, and amassed surveillance of American citizens.

The Trump administration had demanded the technology be made available for all lawful purposes.

Multiple media outlets say Claude was used in the US military operations against Venezuela and Iran.

BIZ PICKS

Next, NHK World's Yanaka Marie is here with Biz Picks.

00:17:12 話者 6/Yanaka Marie

Let's take a look at key business and economic stories in the week ahead.

On Monday, Japan releases inflation-adjusted wages for January.

The backdrop is annual real pay fell for four straight years through 2025.

That's as price rises outpaced pay hikes.

CHINA'S ECONOMY NEEDS REAL ESTATE REVIVAL TO BEAT DEFLATION

On the same day, China announces consumer and producer prices for February.

Staying with China, the government unveiled an inflation target of around 2% at the National People's Congress, now in session in Beijing.

That comes as the monthly Consumer Price Index has been stuck below 1% for three years. The Producer Price Index presents a more worrying picture.

It's been in negative territory for more than three years.

Miura Yusuke, a senior economist at NLI Research Institute, says China is effectively in deflation. He adds that's mainly due to the prolonged slump in the property market.

00:18:17 話者 7/Miura Yusuke

Previously, rising house prices contributed to the wealth effect that stimulated consumption. But that has now reversed.

Falling asset prices have created a negative wealth effect and dampened consumer confidence.

The real estate sector was driving China's growth, but that bubble has burst, and the industry is rapidly shrinking.

Real estate sales are declining at the same time as wages are stagnating.

00:18:45 話者 6

Miuta says that when demand weakens, supply also generally declines.

But this isn't happening in China.

00:18:56 話者 7

Excessive domestic competition is serious, and China is now in the state of oversupply.

Since this is happening while demand is already weak, producer prices cannot find a way out of negative territory.

On top of this is pressure to meet Beijing's economic growth targets.

So, companies maintain production despite little demand.

In these circumstances, supply remains strong.

00:19:22 話者 6

Miura thinks the real estate slump will need to end for China to escape deflation.

00:19:31 話者 7

I think the property recession will end around 2027 or 2028.

After that, China's challenge is to avoid the decades of deflation that we saw in Japan.

I think there is potential for China to achieve this, but the first focus is whether the real estate slump will come to an end in the latter part of this decade.

00:19:54 話者 6

China also announced an economic growth target of 4.5 to 5 percent for this year at the congress.

Economists say Beijing's leadership will face another year of trying to revive the property market and domestic consumption.

I'm Yanaka Marie, and that wraps it up for this week's Biz Picks.

MARKETS

00:20:17 話者 2

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

♪

And that is it for business news.

I'm going to hand it back to you.

00:20:50 話者 1

Thanks, Ramin.

EXPERT: CHINA'S NPC REFLECTS XI'S POWER

One of China's biggest political events kicked off in Beijing on Thursday, the National People's Congress.

In the opening session, Premier Li Chiang presented the annual government work report and laid out the country's policies for the future.

We spoke about it with Amako Satoshi, Professor Emeritus at Waseda University, who's an expert on Chinese politics and society.

EXPERT: CHINA NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS REFLECTS XI'S POWER

00:21:14 話者 5

Amako says his impression of the government work report was that it is wide-ranging but lacks substance.

00:21:24 話者 8/Amako Satoshi

To be honest, I was hoping China would take a more realistic view of the domestic and international challenges it is facing at the moment, and determine a policy course based on that. But unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that kind of report.

00:21:45 話者 5

On the domestic front, China faces issues such as sluggish demand due to a prolonged real estate slump and high youth unemployment.

Amako says the fact Premier Li was unable to come up with concrete policies in response may be due to a concentration of power with Xi Jinping.

00:22:05 話者 8

I think Premier Li doesn't have much authority.

The reality is that power is concentrated with Xi Jinping, and if Li does anything that puts his own mark on policies, even if only a little, he might be slapped down.

00:22:24 話者 5

On foreign policy, the premier said China will engage in independent diplomacy.

00:22:31 話者 7/Li Qiang/Chinese Premier

We will stay committed to peaceful development and uphold international fairness and justice.

00:22:38 話者 5

The government work report also expresses opposition to hegemony and power politics, a veiled reference to the US and its ongoing conflict with Iran.

But Li didn't read out this part.

Amako says Beijing may have been looking to avoid provoking the US before the upcoming summit between Xi and President Donald Trump.

00:23:01 話者 8

In the government work report, China holds its tongue and doesn't provoke the US

But at the upcoming summit, the Chinese side is going to raise the Taiwan issue.

And I think the question for Xi is whether he can give a performance that shows China is a great country that can compete with the US.

I think he is calculating that if all goes well, China will take a few steps forward as a world leader.

00:23:32 話者 5

Xi is said to be seeking a fourth term at the Communist Party Congress due to be held next year. Amako notes that there is no potential successor waiting in the wings at this National People's Congress. Xi seems to be the only choice.

00:23:53 話者 8

Of course, Xi is aiming for a fourth term and has removed various rivals with that in mind.

He says he will make China an advanced country by 2035 and that it will eventually stand shoulder to shoulder with the US.

It isn't clear at the moment whether that can be done, but he will do his best to make it happen.

WEATHER

00:24:20 話者 1

Now let's take a look at the weather. Although it's March, northern Japan is still facing winter storms. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details.

00:24:36 話者 9/Yumi Hirano

Active low pressure and the frontal systems are bringing intense rain to western Japan on Friday. The storm is also likely to damp heavy snow on northern Japan, leading to additional avalanches.

On top of that, strong winds are expected, so people in Hokkaido and Tohoku should watch out for blizzard and whiteout conditions.

Sapporo may also see snowfall from Saturday to Sunday, but it's expected to ease on Monday. 

Tokyo is likely to see some showers from Friday night to Saturday morning.

After the rain, the temperature will jump to 18 on Saturday, but will drop to 14 on Sunday, and finally only 12 on Monday, so please prepare for the big temperature change.

Now moving to Europe, warm air is dominating the west.

One location in London experienced a high of 19.2 degrees on Thursday, the warmest this year in the UK. It's not only people but animals having feeling the arrival of spring.

Many zoogoers were delighted to see brown bears come out to play after their hibernation period on Wednesday.

The bears were playing and roaring in the glass at the largest zoo in the UK.

Zookeepers try to keep their habitat as close as possible to their natural environment and encourage them to rest in winter.

The high in London will drop to 14 on Friday due to wet weather, but warmer-than-usual conditions are also expected in many other cities.

Stockholm will see double digits for their first time of this year.

The highs will be 17 in Berlin and 20 in Paris.

That's it for now. Have a nice weekend.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

00:27:43 話者 1

That wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline.

I'm Kanako Sachno in Tokyo. Thanks very much for joining us.

checked.

 

at 18:00 (JST), March 05

20260305180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:10 話者 1/Morishita Erika

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

CHINA LOWERS ECONOMIC GROWTH TARGET

One of China's biggest political events has kicked off in Beijing, the National People's Congress.

The country's leaders have unveiled this year's economic growth target, setting it between 4.5 and 5 percent. that's lower than last year's.

Premier Li Chan set the new target in a government work report.

Leaders had aimed for around five percent for three consecutive years through 2025.

China has been dealing with sluggish domestic demand, partly blamed on a prolonged real estate slump.

An increasingly uncertain international situation has posed challenges as well.

00:01:00 話者 2/Li Qiang/Chinese Premier

Rarely in many years have we encountered such a grave and complex landscape, where external shocks and challenges were intertwined with domestic difficulties and tough policy choices.

BEIJING CONTINUES TO BOOST DEFENSE SPENDING

00:01:14 話者 1

Beijing has also announced this year's budget.

Defense spending totals more than 1.9 trillion yuan, or about 276 billion dollars.

It's the fifth year in a row that this part of the budget has increased by 7 percent or more.

China's defense spending has doubled over the past 10 years.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM CHINA'S NPC

Earlier, I spoke with NHKWer's Yoshida Mayu in Beijing.

Mayu, the Chinese government announced that it set its target economic growth rate to between 4.5 and 5 percent. How will they achieve this?

00:01:56 話者 3/Yoshida Mayu

With domestic demand still sluggish, the new target is seen as more realistic and achievable.

Premier Li also explained a new five-year plan outlining China's economic goals going forward.

Beijing says it will deepen investment in high-tech industries and scientific innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and energy.

By focusing on these industries, the government aims to shift China toward higher quality growth.

00:02:27 話者 1

And Mayu, what's China's view on the current Middle East tensions, and how is that affecting this session of the National People's Congress?

00:02:37 話者 3

Domestic policy has been the main focus at the NPC.

That said, the current conflict in the Middle East has been a big issue for China.

Over the last few days, China has condemned the US and Israel.

In the government work report released for today's session, the Chinese government stated that it firmly opposes power politics, but Premier Li did not read that part out loud, which could have been an intentional choice.

At yesterday's NPC press conference, a spokesperson said that relations between China and the US can develop in a stable way as long as both sides strengthen cooperation and reduce sources of friction.

These language choices suggest that China may be trying to avoid further tension with the US ahead of the upcoming summit between the two countries.

There is a press conference focused specifically on foreign policy scheduled for later in the NPC session, which many will be watching closely.

00:03:40 話者 1

And what are some things to watch with regards to relations between Japan and China?

00:03:47 話者 3

China has maintained a hard-line stance toward Japan, saying Japan is engaging in what it calls new militarism.

Yesterday, China again criticized Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks in the Diet regarding Taiwan, restating that Taiwan is a domestic matter for China.

With the NPC drawing significant domestic and international attention, China may use the occasion to reiterate its position on the issue.

NEPALIS HEAD TO THE POLLS

00:04:16 話者 1

Next, people in Nepal are casting their ballots in the first general election since youth-led protests toppled the government in September.

The focus is on how many seats can be gained by a new party that is backing a former mayor of Kathmandu.

Voting started at 7 a.m. local time on Thursday.

Rapper-turned-politician Balandra Shah, a former mayor of the capital city, is reportedly drawing attention as a candidate for prime minister.

A former prime minister, KP Sharma Ali, is also in the running and is stressing his achievements while he was in office.

Local media report that the Rasturia Swantatra Party, or RSP, is promoting the 35-year-old Balandra Shah as its candidate. The party enjoys the support of young voters.

A woman in her 20s voiced hope for the RSP.

00:05:18 話者 4/A woman in her 20s

I don't have a big dream. I believe everyone must be safe inside the country.

The government must be stable. There should be employment opportunities so that people, they don't need to leave their homes and go apart from their family to seek the jobs.

00:05:35 話者 1

The youth-led uprising was sparked by a move by the former administration to block several social media platforms, claiming it was trying to stop the spread of fake news.

Protesters flooded the streets demanding an end to corruption and inequality.

Ballot counting takes place on Thursday.

IRAN CONFLICT
TRUMP: US DOING WELL ON WAR FRONT

The US and Israel are stepping up their attacks on Iran.

President Donald Trump continues to justify the operation and tout its success.

00:06:14 話者 5/Donald Trump

I would say somebody said, on a scale of 10, where would you rate it?

I said about a 15. And we're going to continue to do well.

00:06:24 話者 1

Trump says if they had not attacked first, Iran would have done it to Israel and the US

if that were possible.

He also claims that if they had not hit within two weeks, Iran would have had a nuclear weapon.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US and Israel will have complete control of Iranian skies in under a week, and he says more and larger waves are coming.

But the White House says sending ground troops is not part of the plan at this time.

A US submarine sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo in the Indian Ocean.

It went down off the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan Navy says it found about 80 bodies and rescued around 30 people.

Sri Lankan media reports say the vessel was taking part in multinational drills hosted by India.

The Israeli military says it has completed a wide-scale strike in eastern Tehran.

It hit the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Internal Security Forces. It also says it has used more than 5,000 munitions since the attacks began.

Iran's state-run TV says more than 1,000 people have been killed.

IRAN CONFLICT
STATE-RUN MEDIA: MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE KILLED

An Iranian news agency says the guard corps is continuing to target oil tankers and ships.

More than 10 have reportedly been attacked, including several passing through the Strait of Hormuz with US support.

State-run TV quotes an Assembly of Experts member as saying that they're close to electing a new supreme leader, but the number knows they must be careful due to the risk of getting assassinated.

IRAN CONFLICT
WHITE HOUSE QUIET ON WHETHER US SEEKING REGIME CHANGE

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt has declined to clearly state whether the United States is seeking regime change in Iran.

00:08:29 話者 16

Regime change is not a phrase that you would want to use.

00:08:32 話者 6/Karoline Leavitt/White House Press Secretary

Do we want to see Iran being led by a rogue terrorist regime?

No, of course not.

So any day the United States of America is taking out a terrorist is a good day for our country and a good day for our people.

00:08:43 話者 1

Levitt reiterated that the military objectives are to eliminate Iran's ballistic missile threat, destroy its naval capability, disrupt missile and drone production infrastructure, and end the country's pathway to nuclear weapons.

She said the focus at the moment is on ensuring the quick and effective success of the operation.

IRAN CONFLICT
AXIOS: ISRAEL BEHIND TRUMP'S DECISION TO STRIKE

Media reports suggest that Israel played a key role in Trump's decision to launch the strikes.

US website Axios says the seeds of the operation were planted late last year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Trump in Florida.

He reportedly asked for approval to strike Iran's missile bases in the coming months.

And the US was already underway with its war planning.

The military had, by the middle of February, reportedly deployed sufficient forces to maintain a campaign for several weeks.

And Trump secretly discussed with Netanyahu plans for a joint operation.

Then, on February 23, the two spoke by phone.

Sources suggest that this call was a decisive moment.

Netanyahu reportedly said he had information about the movements of top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollahi Khamenei.

He said they'd be gathering in Tehran on the morning of February 28.

He insisted that a single devastating airstrike could kill them all.

The White House backed up this information on Wednesday.

It says the whereabouts of the Supreme Leader influenced the timing of the operation.

00:10:37 話者 5/Gen. Dan Caine/US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman

On Friday, February 27th, the United States Central Command, through the Secretary of War, received the final go order from President Trump.

The president directed, and I quote, Operation Epoch Fury is approved.

No aborts. Good luck.

00:10:53 話者 1

Trump gave the order while traveling abroad Air Force One.

The Associated Press reports that he was with a small group of Republican lawmakers.

It says he asked them whether to continue negotiations or go ahead with a strike.

It says the general sentiment was that the Iranians were using the talks as a delay tactic.

IRAN CONFLICT
POLL SHOWS OVER 80% OF ISRAELIS SUPPORT ATTACK ON IRAN

In Israel, a survey from a local think tank shows that public opinion is overwhelmingly in favor of the attack on Iran.

The Institute for National Security Studies polled some 950 people on Sunday and Monday.

Just over 80 percent of the respondents supported the military operation, while 13.5 percent said they opposed it.

63 percent said that it should continue until the Iranian regime is overthrown.

15 percent said a ceasefire should be pursued as soon as possible.

The poll also found that public opinion of Netanyahu had improved.

Confidence in him increased by 4 percentage points compared to the previous survey.

IRAN CONFLICT
JAPAN ANNOUNCES STEPS TO HELP ITS NATIONALS LEAVE MIDDLE EAST

Japan's foreign ministry has unveiled measures to help Japanese nationals stranded in the Middle East to evacuate.

The ministry's announcement on Thursday came as much of the airspace in the region remains closed, preventing Japanese residents and visitors from leaving.

The ministry says those wishing to leave Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will be transported by land to Saudi Arabia or Oman.

Officials say airports in the Saudi capital, Riyadh and Oman's capital, Muscat, remain operational.

They say the evacuees will be flown to Tokyo by government-chartered aircraft.

The ministry says exact departure details will be sent to those who have registered as overseas residents.

It says travelers who have registered with the ministry's Overseas Safety Information Service will also be notified.

The foreign ministry has raised its travel advisory to the second-highest level for six countries around Iran, meaning people were urged to avoid all travel.

They are Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and Oman.

In Saudi Arabia, the elevated advisory applies to the country's eastern provinces, including Riyadh.

BUSINESS

Now, let's see what's happening in the world of business.

Here's Ramin Mellegard from The BizDesk.

00:13:44 話者 7/Ramin Mellegard

Thank you very much indeed.

BESSENT: GLOBAL 10% TARIFF LIKELY TO RISE TO 15% THIS WEEK

Now, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the 10% global tariff will likely be raised to 15% sometime this week.

Bessent made the remark in an interview with news outlet CNBC on Wednesday.

The Trump administration imposed the 10% global tariff from February 24th on a wide range of countries, including Japan.

The measure was taken under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which allows the tariff to stay in place for up to 150 days.

The move came after the Supreme Court ruling that struck down most of President Donald Trump's previous tariffs.

For some Japanese products, the 10% levy is added to the original rate.

This makes tariffs on these items exceed the 15% agreed upon by Japan and the United States.

Tokyo has been asking Washington to ensure that the new tariffs will not be  disadvantageous to Japan compared to the agreement.

US COURT ORDERS REFUNDS FOR TRUMP TARIFFS

A US trade court has ordered the Trump administration to refund tariffs that have been deemed illegal.

The amount is estimated at more than $130 billion.

The administration is expected to appeal.

Wednesday's decision by the US Court of International Trade followed the Supreme Court ruling on February 20.

The judgment said President Trump exceeded his authority in invoking International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose levies.

In the US, importers pay estimated tariffs first.

The trade court ordered the authorities to deduct invalid levies and recalculate the final figures. The court will hold a hearing on Friday about updates on the process.

JAPAN DEVELOPERS BET ON 'PETS FIRST' APARTMENTS

Now, pet owners in Japan often struggle to find a place to live, but a new style of apartment is offering design features and services with the aim of being pets first.

00:15:41 話者 8

This apartment is offered by a major Japanese home builder.

Many of the features were designed specifically with pets in mind.

The wallpaper is in sections, so if a pet scratches it, only the damaged part needs to be replaced.

There's a dedicated area for grooming products and other supplies.

And because owners worry about paws slipping on smooth floors, the company installed special non-slip flooring.

Most renters look for properties close to public transportation,

But those with pets say they're willing to live further away if the apartment offers features like these. Demand has been strong.

The company has doubled the number of its pets' first apartments in the past five years.

00:16:35 話者 11/Watanabe Tetsuya/Asahi Kasei Homes

A property with a pet-friendly environment is seen as more valuable than one simply close to a train station. They are an important asset.

00:16:43 話者 8

Another company is setting itself apart by focusing on apartments designed specifically for cats.

00:16:52 話者 12/Otsu Yuichiro/Sotetsu Real Estate

This wall has a special feature for cats.

00:16:56 話者 8

Magnetic shelves can be attached, instantly creating a play area.

There are also small windows, just the right size for a cat to curl up and watch the world go by. 

The developer has teamed up with a pet care company to offer a range of services.

The developer also belongs to the same group of companies as a railway operator, and it hopes to attract Tokyo residents to neighboring cities where the rail operator has train lines. It believes cat-friendly apartments can do that.

00:17:43 話者 12

It is important for us to attract as many people as possible from areas outside our train routes. We plan to offer better-equipped units with better services.

00:17:55 話者 8

Pet-friendly apartments typically rent for slightly more than the local average, but developers expect strong demand from people willing to spend a little extra for their furry companions.

NIKKEI 225 REBOUNDS AFTER 3 DAYS OF LOSSES

00:18:09 話者 7

Now, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock index rebounded sharply on Thursday to end its three-day losing streak amid concerns over the Iran conflict.

Now, the benchmark gained 1.9% to recover the 55,000 mark.

MARKETS

So let's have a look at some of the other markets also in Asia.

♪

And that is it for business news.

K-BEAUTY POISED FOR GROWTH WITH NEW PHASE

00:18:58 話者 1

South Korea's K-pop and K-dramas have become massively popular outside the country.

Now, K-beauty has become a driving force for its economy.

Last year, exports hit an all-time high of 11.4 billion dollars, and the industry is still growing.

NHK World's Kim Chang-ju reports on the evolving K-beauty scene.

00:19:24 話者 9/Kim Chang-ju

Must-dos when visiting South Korea, tour a royal palace, enjoy Korean food, and then buy cosmetics.

Foreign customers spent more than one trillion won, or 680 million dollars, last year at this leading retailer.

00:19:47 話者 22/Visitor from UK

People's skin looks amazing, so I think we are attracted by the very perfect looking skin and that the products work. And also I think the price, it's affordable.

00:19:59 話者 26/Visitor from Sweden

I think that there are so many new things all the time that you should try.

So that is probably the main difference that in other countries.

00:20:10 話者 9

The scope of K-beauty is gradually expanding beyond facial care, into hair and scalp care.

Last year, South Korea's exports of hair care products reached about $480 million, the highest ever recorded.

00:20:26 話者 19

Hi, hello.

00:20:29 話者 16

Hi, how are you?

00:20:33 話者 9

Scalp care shops offering customized treatment have recently been gaining popularity.

AI analyzes the condition of the scalp using photos and a questionnaire, drawing on data from more than 4 million cases.

00:20:49 話者 16

Your scalp type is combination and the subtype is oily.

00:20:58 話者 9

The service costs about $100 to $200, depending on the program.

00:21:05 話者 16

Like in the States, I feel like I don't see it that often, and if it is, it's more basic treatment, you know, whereas in Korea, I think there's more.

00:21:15 話者 18

South Korea's scalp care is very meticulous, highly detailed and structured step-by-step, which is why many people seek it out.

00:21:27 話者 9

As K-beauty products gain popularity around the world, the South Korean government is stepping up its promotion.

This place offers tourists the chance to experience K-beauty products for free.

Two government-supported centers currently operate in Seoul, where anyone can receive free skin analysis or partial makeup services.

And one of the most popular K-beauty classes is...

00:22:00 話者 4

Keyword for idol makeup is the depth, giving depth and sparkly eyes, sparkly points.

00:22:10 話者 9

Free K-beauty classes, including K-pop idol makeup, are held two or three times a week.

Other sessions feature various themes, such as personal color analysis and skincare.

00:22:25 話者 4/Visitor from Colombia

Because my My foundation always looks like heavy, so I want to try makeup class for check how make good skin like that.

I like how she's doing the base and the eye details, very interesting for me.

00:22:44 話者 9

Experts say one of the main factors behind K-beauty's rise is South Korea's exceptional production capability.

Companies that manage and sell brands are separate from manufacturers.

That makes it possible for brands to start up quickly and immediately reflect the needs of consumers in the market.

00:23:08 話者 5/Lee Kyung-goo/South Korean National Center for Cosmetics R&D Director

If South Korean products have grown on the strength of their cost-effectiveness and convenience, perhaps now is the time to build brands that have real value and can stand the test of time.

00:23:26 話者 9

South Korea's pursuit of beauty has made its cosmetics sought after worldwide.

Now, as the industry enters a new phase, K-beauty is poised to become a strategic asset for the nation.

Kim Chan-ju, NHK World.

WEATHER

00:23:45 話者 1

Now, it's time to check out the weather. Although it's March, northern Japan is still in the middle of the heavy snow season. Our meteorologist, Yumi Hirano, has the details.

00:23:58 話者 10/Yumi Hirano

People in parts of Hokkaido woke up to heavy snow on Thursday.

Hiroo saw 69 centimeters in just 24 hours, which is the second-highest amount on record.

The snowfall has been causing many disruptions.

The peak of the heavy snow has passed in Hokkaido, but it's still causing problems.

In Obihiro City, civil express trains were suspended on Thursday, according to JR Hokkaido.

In the mountains of Kamifurano Town, an avalanche occurred on Thursday morning.

An overseas visitor was found. Police and firefighters are continuing their rescue efforts.

The storm is now moving away from Hokkaido, and the high pressure system is covering the country.

So windy and snowy conditions are easing, but another low pressure system is approaching Japan over the weekend.

So intense rain is possible in western Japan on Friday.

Heavy snow and strong winds are likely to hit Hokkaido again from Saturday.

Sapporo will also have snowfall from Saturday to Sunday.

Tokyo may see some showers from Friday night into Saturday morning.

After the rain, the high will jump to 17 on Saturday.

Moving to the United States, active low-pressure and frontal systems are stretching from the southern plains to the Midwest.

Severe weather, including thundershowers, gusty winds and even tornadoes, are possible from Texas to Illinois on Thursday.

showers are likely in Chicago and Oklahoma City the high in Atlanta will be 26 which is 10 degrees higher than usual.

That's it for now have a nice day

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

FESTIVAL IN NORTHERN JAPAN LIGHTS UP MOUNTAIN SHRINE

00:26:40 話者 1

And now to northern Japan, where visitors have taken part in a centuries-old festival to pray for good harvest and family well-being.

Candles illuminated the rock face at the shrine in the mountains of Aomori Prefecture.

The festival is said to be 450 years old.

It is held annually after the Lunar New Year at Sawada Shinmeigu Shrine in Hirosaki City.

Visitors to the shrine offered quiet prayers as they lit candles and placed them on the rock face that serves as a place of worship.

00:27:23 話者 31

I pray to do better at school.

00:27:25 話者 32

This is an important festival that should continue for future generations.

00:27:34 話者 1

That's all for this edition of NHK Newsline.

I'm Morishita Erika in Tokyo. Thank you very much for joining us.

checked.

at 18:00 (JST), March 04

20260304180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:10 話者 1/Yamamoto Miki

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

FORMER UNIFICATION CHURCH
TOKYO HIGH COURT UPHOLDS DISSOLUTION ORDER TO GROUP

The Tokyo High Court has upheld an order to dissolve the group widely known as the Unification Church as a religious corporation.

Procedures are being put in place to dispose the group's assets and compensate those who suffered financial damage.

In Wednesday's ruling, the judge cited the group's practice of collecting massive donations as a violation of civil law.

She also pointed out many people suffered extensive property damage and mental pain as a result.

The order will strip the group of its legal status as a religious corporation and deny it tax benefits.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru told reporters the court's position reflects the government's on the matter.

00:01:03 話者 11/Kihara Minoru

I instructed the relevant ministries to coordinate closely and thoroughly implement the necessary measures for victim relief.

We expect the liquidation process to be conducted properly under the court supervision and relief will be promptly provided to the victims.

00:01:19 話者 1

Now, the group's story stretches back before this latest legal blow with origins outside Japan. Let's look now at what led to this moment.

00:01:29 話者 2

The former Unification Church came into being in the 1950s.

Founded in South Korea by Reverend Moon Som-myung, it became known for its mass weddings and anti-communist stance.

Over decades, the group expanded, eventually taking root in Japan.

Over the years, the former Unification Church faced accusations of pressuring its followers into making big donations to guarantee their spiritual well-being.

That practice and the group's relations with Japanese politicians exploded into the spotlight in 2022.

Yamagami Tetsuya, son of one of its followers, gunned down former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

He later told investigators that his mother's donations to the group had ruined his family's finances.

He said he targeted Abe because of the former leader's apparent connections to the group.

Yamagami received a life sentence earlier this year, which he is appealing.

In the wake of the killing, then-Prime Minister Kishida Fumio urged the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's members to cut ties with the organization.

He also instructed the Education and Culture Ministry to probe its practices, assets, and financial records.

Then, in 2023, the ministry filed a request with the Tokyo District Court for an order to dissolve the group, citing its practice of pressuring followers for funds.

The group contested these claims and immediately launched an appeal when the district court ordered it to dissolve in March 2025.

This brought the case to Tokyo's high court, which saw witness examinations and testimony from group staff.

As these proceedings played out, there were big changes happening for the group.

In South Korea, the organization's top leader and its founder's widow, Hang Hakja, was arrested last September. She's accused of violating political funding laws.

In October, the group's Japan branch began taking part in collective mediation with former followers.

It set up a compensation committee, arguing its relief efforts showed that dissolution was no longer necessary. In December, Japan branch leader Tanaka Tomihiro resigned.

And on Wednesday, the high court upheld the dissolution order, a ruling welcomed by lawyers representing some of the people impacted by the group.

00:04:03 話者 3

The court ruled that the church violated the law and clearly damaged public welfare.

00:04:15 話者 2

But for the group's current members, the ruling is a crushing blow.

Some gathered in Tokyo to hear the decision.

00:04:24 話者 12/Kojima Kiaki/Mentur of loemur Urefieulien Chureh

I am saddened and disappointed. There are many followers out there, and I am filled with anxiety over how we can continue our faith.

This doesn't mean we will lose our faith, so we want to find ways to carry on.

00:04:40 話者 2

The liquidation process is beginning, even as the group is believed to be planning its next appeal.

IRAN CONFLICT
US, ISRAEL EXPAND ATTACKS, DEATH TOLL RISES

00:04:54 話者 1

The US and Israeli militaries are expanding their attacks against Iran.

Israel says it has conducted a wave of strikes targeting the regime's leaders and hit facilities in the heart of the capital.

The Israel Defense Forces says it attacked the presidential office, the Supreme National Security Council and the state-run media building.

The US Central Command says it has struck nearly 2,000 targets in the first 100 hours of fighting.

Iran's foreign ministry says the death toll from Saturday's attack on an elementary school in the southern province of Hormuzgan has risen to 171.

00:05:36 話者 21/Esmaeil Baqaei/Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

The people of America should ask their statesmen, were our children a threat to US national security?

00:05:45 話者 1

The UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner has called for a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation.

00:05:54 話者 22/Ravina Shamdasani/UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson

If attacks are found to be directed against civilians or civilian objects or indiscriminate attacks, they are serious violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.

00:06:06 話者 1

Iran's Tasnim news agency says a facility in the central city of Qom was also hit.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society says more than 780 people have been killed since the attacks began.

On Iran's leadership, US President Donald Trump says most of the successors to take over are dead. He says there are more moderate options.

00:06:30 話者 3/Donald Trump

The worst case would be we do this and then somebody takes over who's as bad as the previous person, right? That could happen. We don't want that to happen.

00:06:40 話者 1

He says the first order of business is neutralizing the military threat.

Iran's nuclear facilities have also come under attack with satellite images showing destruction in Natanz.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says the uranium enrichment plant has been damaged, though no significant radiation leaks are expected.

Uranian forces are fighting back. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it carried out a large-scale strike on a US airbase in Bahrain.

And the US embassy in Saudi Arabia shot down following a drone attack.

IRAN CONFLICT
RED CRESCENT SOCIETY: MORE THAN 780 KILLED

US State Department officials have instructed government employees in six countries, including Qatar and Jordan, to evacuate.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday that 9,000 Americans have left the Middle East.

And Japan says two of its nationals have evacuated from Iran to neighboring Azerbaijan with government assistance.

Tokyo has issued an evacuation advisory for all of Iran.

About 200 Japanese nationals are believed to be in the country.

The government says it will consider support for those who wish to leave.

IRAN CONFLICT
REPORTS: TEHRAN WORLD HERITAGE SITE DAMAGED BY AIRSTRIKE

Media outlets are reporting that the Golestan Palace in Tehran has been damaged in an airstrike by US and Israeli forces. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Iranian government released footage showing damaged windows and doors of the palace and shattered glass on the floor.

The Golestan Palace was built for the Qajar dynasty, which ruled Iran from the 18th to 20th century. It is one of the oldest buildings in Tehran.

The famous building integrates traditional Persian arts and architecture with Western influences. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

IRAN CONFLICT
FRANCE, UK, GREECE SENDING WARSHIPS TO MEDITERRANEAN

France says it is sending an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, and Britain has announced it is sending a destroyer.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a televised speech on Tuesday.

He says the fighting has been spreading, bringing serious consequences for peace and security.

Macron says the aircraft carrier is meant to secure maritime traffic as the Suez Canal and the Red Sea are under threat.

The president also says the carrier will have a frigate escort to strengthen air defense and other capabilities in the region.

The move comes following a drone attack Sunday against a British Air Force Base in Cyprus.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says it was conducted by Iran in its proxies.

He says Britain is deploying a destroyer and two helicopters in the region to increase counter-drone capabilities.

And Greece has announced it is sending two frigates to Cyprus in addition to the fighter jets it has already sent.

IRAN CONFLICT
TRUMP: US NAVY WILL PROTECT TANKERS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

US President Trump says the US Navy will protect tankers that navigate through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump wrote on social media on Tuesday that the Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible if necessary.

He also spoke about the rising prices of crude oil and other materials.

00:10:14 話者 4/Donald Trump

If we have a little high oil prices for a little while,

But as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe, lower than even before.

00:10:25 話者 1

The president said he ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation to provide risk insurance for all ships traveling through the Persian Gulf at a very reasonable price.

As the conflict between Iran and the US side continues, concern is growing about the stable supply of natural gas and crude oil in the energy market and a possible jump in futures prices.

In the same social media post, Trump promised more actions to come, apparently intending to ease concerns about energy prices.

BUSINESS

Now, for more on business stories, let's turn to Ramin Mellegard from The Business.

Ramin.

00:11:21 話者 4/Ramin Mellegard

Thank you very much indeed.

TOKYO STOCKS FALL FOR 3RD DAY ON IRAN CONFLICT FEARS

And just have a look at this big screen next to me.

Shares in Tokyo have fallen for the third day as the Iran conflict rages.

Investors are worried that prolonged fighting and higher crude oil prices could cause a global economic slowdown.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed down 3.6% on Wednesday at 54,245.

The index fell more than 2,600 points at one stage, its fourth biggest intraday drop.

Other benchmarks in the Asia-Pacific also tumbled.

Seoul's COSPI plunged 12%. Taipei's Taix sank over 4%.

SURVEY: 92% OF MAJOR JAPANESE FIRMS ACCEPT FOREIGN WORKER

Now, an NHK survey has found that 92% of major Japanese companies accept foreign workers.

They cited reasons such as the need to secure people with special skills amid the declining population.

The survey was conducted among 100 major domestic firms between December and January, with 78 responding.

Almost two-thirds said they accept foreign workers to secure special skills and technologies. and to help promote innovation through a diverse workforce.

Other reasons included strengthening global business operations and as a response to the labor shortage.

The survey also asked about the challenges related to accepting foreign workers with multiple answers allowed.

About 50% mentioned improving Japanese language and job training systems.

Nearly 40% pointed to speeding up the process of getting visas and resident status for foreign staff.

About a third of companies see improving career tracks for foreign workers as an issue, while a similar number highlighted supporting their livelihoods.

Menju Toshiro, a visiting professor at Kansai University of International Studies, says Japan has to compete with other countries in Asia and Europe for human resources.

00:13:21 話者 14/Menju Toshihiro/Visiting Professor, Kansai University of International Studies

It's important to provide foreign workers with job training opportunities on the same basis as Japanese employees.

The government or the company needs to take responsibility for providing them with Japanese language education.

00:13:34 話者 4

Menju says Japan has reached a point where expertise will be lost if skilled domestic workers retire without passing their techniques on to foreign hires.

JAL MULLING DOMESTIC FUEL SURCHARGES AMID RISING COSTS

And Japan Airlines says it is mulling fuel surcharges for domestic flights.

The move comes as rising costs continue to pressure the company's bottom line.

JAL will soon start discussing the plan with an eye towards possible implementation in April 2027.

Airlines usually charge such fees for international flights based on fuel price fluctuations.

JAL says it might have to start adding the fees to domestic airfares as it struggles with fewer in-country passengers and higher fuel prices.

The airline has not worked out the details of the potential charges, including amounts and routes.

President and CEO Tottori Mitsuko said on Monday that domestic services are crucial

to people's livelihoods.

She said the profits need to improve quickly in order to maintain the routes.

Transport Ministry officials say that regional carrier Fuji Dream Airlines is the only airline in Japan with domestic fuel surcharges.

MARKETS

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

♪

And that is it for business news.

00:15:20 話者 1

Thank you, Ramin.

SPEED SKATER TAKAGI MIHO PREPS FOR 'LAST COMPETITION'

Now, Japan's most successful female Olympian of all time has announced her next competition will be her last.

Speed skater Takagi Miho, who has 10 Olympic medals under her belt, will compete at the World Championships in the Netherlands starting Thursday.

The 31-year-old posted Wednesday that she wanted to say thank you and goodbye to everyone.

She said she announced this now because she wants to mark her last event with all of her supporters.

She said even if they are not at the venue, she can feel them cheering. Takagi said she hopes to go into more detail in an official setting when she returns to Japan.

In the meantime, she said she will keep working hard and aiming high.

The Milano-Cortina Winter Games were Takagi's fourth Olympics.

She took home three medals, bringing her career medal tally to ten.

She broke her own record for the number of medals won by a female Japanese Olympic athlete.

GRAND SUMO: ALL EYES ON AONISHIKI

The next grand sumo tournament gets underway in Osaka this Sunday.

For more, here's Newsline in Focus with Shibuya Aki and Raja Pradhan.

00:16:43 話者 5/Shibuya Aki

NHK World's in-house sumo expert Raja Pradhan is here to explain why it's not to be missed.

00:16:50 話者 6/Raja Pradhan

Hi, Aki.  Okay, so all eyes are on this man, this Ukrainian Aonishiki . He currently sits at sumo's second highest rank of Ozeki, and he could soon rise to the very top.

Aonishikl's date with destiny

Aonishiki  only debuted as an Ozeki less than two months ago.

He's climbed from the lowest division to sumo's second highest rank, faster than any other wrestler since 1958, when tournaments started being held six times a year.

The Ukrainian really delivered in the previous contest, working his way through the competition with his signature low stance.

On day 13, he defeated Yokozuna Hoshoryu for the fourth turning in a row.

And it put Aonishiki within touching distance of the title.

The next day, Aonishiki faced off with Yokozuna Oonosato.

The Ukrainians had lost all three of their previous bouts.

Oonosato came out on top again.

But the Ukrainian regrouped on the final day to beat fellow Ozeki, Kotozakura.

Aonishiki then advanced to a playoff with impressive rank and filer, Atanifuji.

They both had 12 wins and 3 losses.

Atanifuji drove Aonishiki to the edge, but the Ukrainian turned the tables with an impeccable headlock throw called Kugi Nageba. It was a move worthy of the title.

Aonishiki is only the ninth wrestler in sumo history to clinch the championship while debuting as an Ozeki. Nobody had done it since the legendary Hakuho two decades ago.

00:19:24 話者 5

Wow, Aonishiki is wasting no time writing his name into the history books.

00:19:29 話者 6

Yes, he only claimed his first championship in November.

while debuting at the third highest rank of Sekiwake, and to secure another in his Ozeki debut is the stuff of dreams.

That hasn't happened in 89 years, and the last wrestler to achieve that feat was over here, this man, Futabayama.

He went on to become a legendary Yokozuna with 69 consecutive wins, and the record has never been better.

So, Now, Aonishiki has a golden opportunity to secure a place among the greats, and in March, he will need to clinch the title or an equivalent record to earn promotion to Yokozuna.

In fact, Futabayama and this man, Terukuni, are the only Ozeki in the past 100 years who have risen to the top rank within the space of two tournaments, and Aonishiki could become the third to accomplish that feat.

00:20:17 話者 5

Well, I'll be rooting for Aonishiki, and surely so will his fans in Japan and Ukraine.

Raja, tell us more about his fighting style.

00:20:26 話者 6

Sure, it'll be interesting to see how his sumo evolves in his quest to become a yokozuna.

Aonishiki excelled in January with his extremely low stance, but it wasn't just that.

Take a look. He also displayed amazing perseverance at the edge of the gorilla.

Aonishiki also, he's recently added another weapon to his arsenal.

He's become very confident when he secures a firm left-hand inside grip on his opponent's belt.

Aonishiki has used it as a springboard for attacks, such as transitioning into a leg trick.

00:21:07 話者 5

That's some real fancy footwork, and I'll be keeping an eye on Aonishiki's deft left hand.

So are there any other wrestlers who should be watching in Osaka?

00:21:17 話者 6

Of course, don't take your eyes off this man. Kirishima, who earned the Fighting Spirit Prize in January, Kirishima will compete as a Sekiwake again.

And he's a former Ozeki and wants to make his way back there for the first time in two years. He'll need to rack up at least 11 wins to clear the benchmark.

And Aki, I'm confident he can, especially after seeing him defeat Aonishiki and Hoshoryu last time out.

00:21:52 話者 5

So Raja, the January tournament caused a buzz for something else too.

00:21:57 話者 6

Yes, we're talking about good luck rituals, or in Japanese, Genkatsugi.

And there are plenty in the world of sumo. So take a look at this.

So they're both Aonishiki, right? But check the color of his mawashi, belt.

He started in blue over there, and in the tournament's critical stages, he switched to black, and he received this from his stable master.

00:22:20 話者 5

Wait, Raja, a belt swap. Why is such a big deal?

00:22:23 話者 6

Well, for context, Aki, similar wrestlers can be very superstitious, and doing something like changing the color of a belt mid-tournament, it's extremely rare, especially in this case, because Aonishiki, he was in title-winning form.

So let me give you another example. Take a look.

This trio over here even refrained from shaving their beards to avoid spoiling a winning run.

00:22:46 話者 5

Well, who knew beards could bring sumo glory?

00:22:48 話者 6

Right? But in 2019, the Japan Sumo Association actually banned wrestlers from growing their facial hair too much.

After all, they're supposed to look as neat as possible.

And one more for you. Some rikishi even adjust their diet for genkatsugi.

Here.

00:23:04 話者 5

Ah, that's chanko nabe hotpot that sumo wrestlers often eat, right?

00:23:08 話者 6

Spot on. Actually, everything they eat is known as chanko, and this hotpot is probably the most famous out of all of them.

But get this, during tournaments, the wrestlers prefer to eat chicken instead of other meats. Why? Because chickens stand on two feet, not four.

00:23:24 話者 5

Ah, I get it. Staying on two feet in the ring is a surefire way to victory.

00:23:30 話者 6

Exactly, and I for one can't wait to feast on the upcoming sumo action.

00:23:35 話者 5

One, Raja. Well, don't miss the next tournament starting March 8. 

And that's all from us.

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE OBSERVED IN JAPAN

00:23:45 話者 1

A total eclipse of the moon was observed on Tuesday evening in southwestern Japan.

The phenomenon occurs when the Earth aligns between the sun and the moon, and the Earth's shadow completely covers the full moon.

The eclipse was observed in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, although rainy weather made it impossible to see the event in much of the country.

The National Astronomical Observatory says the eclipse began at around 6:50 p.m. local time.

The moon was completely covered by the Earth's shadow for almost an hour between 8:04 p.m. and 9:03 p.m.

So this is the first total lunar eclipse in Japan since September 8 last year.

This is the first total lunar eclipse in Japan. The National Astronomical Observatory says the next chance to see a total lunar eclipse will be January 1, 2029.

WEATHER

Now let's bring in Jonathan Oh for weather updates.

So Jonathan, it was sunny in Tokyo, but snowing up north Wednesday. What's the latest?

00:25:04 話者 3/Jonathan Oh

Hello. We have been dealing still with a mix of different types of weather patterns over the past couple of days.

A lot cooler as we went through Tuesday and went to Wednesday.

We had a bit of a brighter day, but the wind was quite high, 103 kilometers per hour.

Gusts reported in portion of Chiba Prefecture up toward north in Fukushima Prefecture.

Snow. falling at 26 centimeters over a 24-hour period.

Now, I want to show you some video that's coming out from the prefecture as people there found themselves in the dark after heavy snow brought power disruptions to the region.

The local power company reported that about 5,300 households were without power as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The heavy snow also caused some greenhouses in Yabuki Town to collapse, causing trouble for rice farmers ahead of planting season.

The snow has ended for now, though areas toward the north are expected to see more winter weather Thursday.

So we have a couple of low pressure systems that are kind of running around in the area, one off toward the east and one toward the north.

And they're kind of working with each other to bring moisture and cold air.

So places like Hokkaido and into portions of the Tohoku region, looking at a chance for some snow as we go through Thursday and then taking a little bit of a break by Friday.

But we are looking at the possibility of rain to come back into the picture in places like Osaka and Fukuoka into Tokyo, going from Friday into Saturday.

Temperatures, though, on the milder side, Tokyo, up at 16 for the high as we go through the day on Thursday.

Meanwhile, we're keeping an eye out on the southern plains of the United States as we do have a setup that could bring some strong thunderstorm possibilities.

So be on the lookout for that as that low moves towards the north and east.

And that same stationary front also brings some rain all the way over into Washington, D.C. Separate system coming into the Pacific Northwest.

That's going to bring a chance for some rain to place like Vancouver and Seattle.

19 in Denver. Showers into Oklahoma City and Houston with the possibility of some thunderstorms in that equation as well for Wednesday.

Chicago down to 4th, some rain in Atlanta. A bit of the warmer side, mid-20s with a bit of a haze as we go through today on Wednesday.

That's a look at your forecast. Hope you have a good day wherever you are.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

00:27:41 話者 1

And that's NHK Newsline for this hour.

I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thank you for joining us.

checked.