at 18:00 (JST), April 20

 20260420180000_english_1.mp3

BREAKING NEWS
METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY BRIEFS ON TSUNAMI 

00:00:05 話者 1

Yes, this is from Asahi newspaper.

So we have now start the Japanese Meteorological Agency press conference.

Yes, we like to talk about this tsunami.

So next page, please. So first of all, now a tsunami warning is issued.

And in Hokkaido and Omori, 

Coastal areas and Iwate prefectures, we have the tsunami warning.

And I repeat, so tsunami warning is in place.

And so the coastal areas, so please go to higher grounds as soon as possible.

And also, for those people who had already evacuated, please continue to be evacuated.

And next page, please.

So this is about the earthquake, and the earthquake that happened, so it is registered five upper on the Japanese seismic scale.

And in that very wide area, we had observed the shaking by the earthquake.

And those areas that had very strong shakes, so there's a possibility of landslides, mudslides. And so please be careful about the warnings.

And for about one week, especially during the two to three days, it's going to be the Japanese seismic scale five upper.

And so in the past, there has been several instances of the earthquakes that repeatedly occurred so that there can be even stronger earthquake to happen soon.

Next page.

And tsunami warnings.

So as I had said, tsunami warnings is issued in Hokkaido, Pacific coastal areas, and Aomori Prefecture and the Pacific coastal areas.

And tsunami warnings is from Hokkaido to the Tohoku areas, and also to the Japan Sea coastal areas as well.

On the map, please observe here.

And the tsunami is in Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture, and the coastal areas, and Iwate Prefecture.

And the environment from Hokkaido to Tokoku area, there are warnings.

And for the Japan seaside, for the Aomori Prefecture.

So for those people who are residing in those areas, especially for the tsunami warning areas, please be careful.

And please stay away from the coastal areas.

And next page.

Tsunami warning. So please observe the map.

So next page.

So this is the-- yes, so I had put on the signs where those can arrive at those areas.

And this is going to be a wider area.

And here, so those areas that's near the epicenter, there are already tsunami that has been observed.

So when the tsunami warnings have been issued, please stay away from the coastal areas and from the rivers.

And for those areas, and please stay away from the sea and also the coastal areas.

And tsunami is going to come repeatedly for over a long time.

And the second or the third wave can be stronger than the first wave.

So until the tsunami warning is in place, please be beware.

And for the next-- this is the 5:25

So this is rather old data.

It's not the newest, but Miyako was 0.4 meters high tsunami, and Iwate, Kuji Port, that was 0.8 meters, and Aomori, Erimo, and Urakawa, and also Aomori Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture, we had observed a tsunami.

So please be aware of those warnings.

All right, next page.

And then this is a tsunami.

a shape. So at 17:25, so the Kuji port, that was the highest.

But this is a Miyako port of 0.4 meters.

And here in Kamaishi, that was not so high.

It was just below 20 centimeters high at that point.

Next page, please.

And this is the overview of the earthquake.

So that was 16:35 and that, excuse me, 16:52.

And the magnitude was 7.5. And first was 7.5, but then it was changed to 7.5 magnitude.

And the place that occurred, Sanriku coast, off coast, and that was 100 kilometers from Miyako, and the depth is about 10 kilometers.

And the biggest, largest registered on Japanese seismic scale is 5 upper, and for Hokkaido to Akinki area, that's between magnitude 5.

And then there is by magnitude one, and there has been about two occurrences of over magnitude one.

And in Miyagi Prefecture, northern part, and Akita, in internal places, we had the waves of earthquake.

And this is going to be the warnings for the disaster prevention, and there are going to be the damages from a tsunami, and there are possibilities of damages from tsunami.

So please go to safe areas, to higher grounds and inside the buildings.

And tsunami comes repeatedly so that until the tsunami warning is lifted, please stay safe.

And for those areas that had a very strong shake, there can be the downsides and the falling

stones, so that please beware of how the earthquake is going to go and also the rainfalls.

And those areas, when there was about one week time, so there can be strong earthquakes that can occur frequently.

So on those areas that had a very strong shake, so that can be about seismic scale five magnitude.

And then for those areas, there are possibilities that there can be even stronger shakes.

Especially for those two to three days after the earthquake, there can be earthquake that can occur with very strong shakes. So please be aware of that.

And Hokkaido, so Sanriku coastal areas.

So we are checking the information as to how it is.

00:07:02 話者 2

So turning to next page, please. So this is the distribution of the earthquake.

So therefore, this is the seismic intensity and the upper five have been observed.

And therefore, this is the areas showing these kind of intensity.

And therefore, those are the areas with the higher seismic intensity of upper five or around five.

Next page please.

So therefore for the long period motion earthquake.

So therefore or because for the level three in the northern Miyagi prefecture and also inland Amakita prefecture and around that area, there have been this long period motion.

And turning to next page please.

So therefore, this is the earthquake warnings that have been issued.

And therefore, after 19.8, we are able to issue this earthquake warning.

And therefore, before the tsunami had arrived, we are able to informed about this earthquake and also the tsunami warning.

And this is the past history of the earthquake.

And this time today, this earthquake.

So this is the epicenter.

And therefore, in the surrounding areas, there have been a large-scale earthquake in the past.

And therefore, 1896, there was Meiji Sanriku earthquake.

And this is the green area.

So therefore, in these areas-- well, because in 1994, there had been earthquake in Sanriku areas as well.

00:08:55 話者 1

So there's the earthquake that's predicted to happen.

And as for those, Iwate Prefecture and the northern part of Iwate coastal area.

And in the past, those are the earthquakes that occurred.

So next page.

And near the epicenter, there has been many earthquakes that occurred repeatedly.

So here, the places that occurred is this area in the light gray.

So that in the past, there has been occurrences of the continued earthquakes in this area.

For example, in 2015, in Sanriku coastal areas, magnitude 6.9, so that 3.2 days later, there was magnitude 6.5 earthquake, and 4.5 days later, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that occurred.

So that within one week, there can be occurrences of a large-scale earthquake that repeatedly happen. Please be aware.

Next page.

And this is us, but about the information.

So we have a link to that. So please refer to those.

That's all for the explanation from myself. Thank you so much.

And any questions?

BREAKING NEWS
TSUNAMI HITS IWATE, AOMORI, HOKKAIDO 

So you can see the--

Meteorological Agency news conference and we will be continuing the information.

So now it is going to get dark.

So when you have the elderly and the young children around you, so please talk to them and don't be hasty so that you can be injured.

So please be calm and for the coastal areas, the earthquakes and tsunami.

So at Kuji Port, there was 80 centimeter tsunami.

And Iwate Prefecture Miyako Port, there was 40 centimeters tsunami.

BREAKING NEWS
TSUNAMI HITS NORTHERN JAPAN

00:11:01 話者 2

Hachinohe Port, 0.3 meter.

Urakawa Town, 0.2 meter.

And also in Ishinomaki Ayukawa, 0.2 meter.

So they have already observed the tsunami.

and also in Mutsusekinehama and also in Ofunata port and also Kamaishi port, they have observed the tsunami arrivals.

So tsunami is arriving. So tsunami will come repeatedly.

Therefore, please, it may take.

So therefore, the tsunami might reach 3 meters high and therefore, please be cautious and please evacuate immediately.

So there will be high tide coming.

Therefore, please keep on evacuating.

BREAKING NEWS

MORE TSUNAMI POSSIBLE, STAY ALERT

So this is Mr. Shimanaka.

So therefore for the press conference by JMA, so therefore those under tsunami warnings, so they have repeatedly mentioned to keep on evacuating.

And also, they have mentioned about the areas where the tsunami has been observed.

And therefore, there might be changes in the tsunami height.

Well, because usually, the tsunami that will arrive later will be much higher.

Therefore, please continue to evacuate.

BREAKING NEWS
TSUNAMI HITS NORTHERN JAPAN

00:12:31 話者 3/Takao Minori

We're coming to you with the latest updates from our NHK World Japan studios in Tokyo.

As we've been telling you, more and more tsunami have been observed along the coastline in Iwate Prefecture, Aomori Prefecture, Hokkaido, Miyagi Prefecture as well.

These are the areas where tsunami have reached the coastline.

Kuji Port, Iwate Prefecture, Miyako Port, also in Iwate, Hachinohe Port, Aomori Prefecture, Urakawa Town, Hokkaido Prefecture, Ishinomaki City's Ayukawa, also with

in Miyagi Prefecture, Mutsu City's Sekinehama, Aomori Prefecture, Mutsu Ogawara Port, Aomori Prefecture, Ofunato Port in Iwate Prefecture, Kamaishi Port in Iwate Prefecture.

These are the areas where tsunami have actually reached the coastline.

Once again, Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture.

Miyako Port in Iwate Prefecture.

Hachinohe Port in Aomori Prefecture.

Urakawa Town, Hokkaido Prefecture.

Ishinomaki City's Ayukawa, Miyagi Prefecture.

Erimo Town, Hokkaido Prefecture.

These are additional places.

Erimo Town, Hokkaido Prefecture.

Shira-Oi Town, also in Hokkaido Prefecture.

Mutsu City's Sekinehama, Aomori Prefecture, Mutsu Ogawara Port, Aomori Prefecture, Ofunato Port in Iwate Prefecture, Kamaishi Port in Iwate Prefecture.

These are areas that have actually seen tsunami waves reach the coastline.

tsunami have reached the coastline in these areas.

We are expecting more tsunami to actually reach the Japanese coastline.

You are seeing live video coming in from Hokkaido as well.

You can see that the waves are churning very rapidly.

We will see more tsunami waves actually approach the coastline because we are seeing more offshore tsunami as well.

As we've been telling you, a strong earthquake struck northeastern Japan on Monday.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says the magnitude 7.5 quake struck at 4.53 p.m. off the coast of Sandiku.

In parts of Aomori Prefecture, it had an intensity of upper 5 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7.

A tsunami warning has been issued for the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido and the Pacific coast of Aomori and Iwate Prefectures. 

Tsunamis up to three meters high are expected.

One 80-centimeter tsunami has struck Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture.

A 40-centimeter tsunami has also struck Miyako Port in Iwate Prefecture.

A 30-centimeter tsunami has been observed at Hachinohe Port in Aomori Prefecture.

20-centimeter tsunami were recorded in the town of Urakawa in Hokkaido and the city of Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture.

There is also a tsunami advisory for parts of Hokkaido, Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. The water may reach up to one meter in those areas.

BREAKING NEWS
TAKAICHI: EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY TO HIGH GROUND 

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae spoke to reporters at her office shortly after 5 pm.

00:15:54 話者 2/Takaichi Sanae

4:53, there have been an earthquake, and therefore, there have been a strong movement, and also at the Iwatu Prefecture, and also at the coast of Aomori Prefecture as well as the Iwato Prefecture and Hokkaido.

So those areas which is under the tsunami warning, please evacuate immediately.

So the government established a liaison office at the Prime Minister's office.

And based on my instruction, they are working diligently to assess the damage, implement emergency disaster response measures such as rescue and relief, and provide timely and accurate information to the public.

At this time, we are still confirming the extent of human and material damage, but we will receive detailed reports and proceed with disaster response accordingly.

BREAKING NEWS
OPERATORS SAY NO ABNORMALITIES AT NUCLEAR PLANTS

00:17:01 話者 3

Tokyo Electric Power Company says it's confirmed there are no abnormalities at its Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear plants.

The operator also says there's been no change in radiation levels around the two sides.

Further north, the Tohoku Electric Power Company also says currently there are no abnormalities at either its Higashidori Nuclear Power Plant in Aomori Prefecture or its Onagawa Plant in Miyagi Prefecture.

BREAKING NEWS
SHINKANSEN SERVICES DISRUPTED

Now, the operator of the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train says as of 5.30 p.m., service has been suspended between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori stations due to the earthquake.

The Akita Shinkansen has been suspended between Morioka and Akita stations.

All local Jr. lines in Iwate Prefecture have halted services and some local Jr. lines in Hokkaido have stopped services. The Tokaido Shinkansen is operating as normal.

Let's get to some updates from the region.

BREAKING NEWS
TSUNAMI HITS NORTHERN JAPAN

We're seeing more and more tsunami observed along the coastline of Kuji Port and Iwate Prefecture, Miyako Port and Iwate Prefecture also, Hachinohe Port and Aomori Prefecture, Urakawa Town, Hokkaido Prefecture, Ishinomaki City's Ayukawa and Miyagi Prefecture, Erimo Town and Hokkaido.

Shiraori Town, also in Hokkaido, Mutsu City's Sekinehama in Aomori Prefecture, Mutsu-Ogawara Port, also in Aomori, Ofunato Port, Iwate, and Kamaishi Port, also in Iwate Prefecture.

You might have noticed on the screen, as we've been bringing you lots of live video from the region, the area is getting darker.

It is harder to see what's happening around the coastline.

We have been telling everyone along the coast to stay away.

If you are in the areas marked in red or yellow on the screen, in front of you on the screen, you must evacuate, stay away from the coastline and go to higher ground.

You are risking your life if you do not.

It is getting darker outside, harder to see where you're going, even when you are

Please be careful. Be careful that you do not trip.

Be careful of where you're going. Stay safe.

Waves can hit repeatedly. They can get higher.

Even the areas that have already seen tsunami observed.

This does not mean this is the last.

Waves can hit repeatedly. They can get higher.

We are seeing more and more tsunami reach the coastline.

Again, we have seen tsunami observed in Kuji Port, Iwate Prefecture, Miyako Port, Iwate Prefecture, Hachinohe Port, in Aomori Prefecture.

Urakawa Town, Hokkaido Prefecture.

Ishinomaki City's Ayukawa and Miyagi Prefecture.

Erimo Town, Hokkaido, also in Hokkaido, Shiraoi Town.

Mutsu City's Sekinehama and Aomori Prefecture, also in Aomori, Mutsu-Ogawara Port.

in Iwate Prefecture, Ofunato Port and Kamaishi Port.

These are areas that have actually seen tsunami reach the coastline.

However, waves can hit again. You must stay on the alert.

Waves can hit higher when they come back. There may be more waves to come.

If you have seen any tsunami in the region, this does not mean that it's the end of things.

While the tsunami warnings and advisories are still in place, you must continue to evacuate and stay alert. You are risking your life if you do not.

Call on others to evacuate with you.

We're getting more and more video from the areas that have been affected.

You can see that it is getting darker outside.

We are past 6 p.m. here in Japan, and we are seeing more waves reach the coastline.

You can see that waves are churning along the coast.

Let's go now to our domestic service with simultaneous interpretation.

00:20:56 話者 1

So don't go near the sea. and please stay evacuated.

And this is a Miyako port, as we have been reporting, so that the visitor centers, people are evacuating to the visitor centers and the door for preventing the sea waves is shut.

So there are a tsunami that's repeatedly coming and until the warning is lifted, please stay evacuated.

Yes, during the tsunami warning, there are possibilities that tsunami can come repeatedly, and there can be tsunami waves that's higher than the ones that's now observed.

And we still do not know how long this tsunami warning is going to continue.

So during the tsunami warning, when it is still in place, please stay evacuated in the higher grounds.

All right, so here now, we would be telling you about the information on the tsunami.

So Iwate Prefecture, Kuji Port, that was 80 centimeters, and Iwate Prefecture, Miyako Port, 40 centimeters, Aomori Prefecture, Hachinohe Port, 30 centimeters, Hokkaido, Urakawa Port, 20 centimeters, Ishinomaki, Aikawa, 20 centimeters, and Hokkaido, Erimocho, 20 centimeters, Hokkaido, Shiraoi, was 10 centimeters, and Aomori, Sekinehama,

We had observed a tsunami arriving, and Iwateken Ofunato and Kamaishi also observed tsunami.

Tsunami can come repeatedly, and it is going to be even higher than now.

So please stay alert and stay evacuated in safe areas.

Here is Shinhidaka of Hokkaido, the live picture of the Hokkaido Shinhidaka.

And there are cars that has evacuated to a higher place, and

There are cars that are still moving, so we would assume that there are people inside the car. So please continue evacuated.

00:22:57 話者 2

So we don't know whether there is an impact of tsunami.

So this is Shinhidaka Town in Hokkaido Prefecture.

So this is the Miyako in Iwata Prefecture.

So we are going to see the sunset.

And therefore, we have received new information.

So they have revised the tsunami observations.

And they have observed 30 centimeters of tsunami in Urakawa town in Hokkaido.

So, this is the tsunami observations.

Iwate-kuji port, 80 cm.

Iwate-miyako port, 40 cm.

Aomori Hachinohe port, 30 cm.

Hokkaido, Urakawa town, 20 cm.

Miyagi, Ishinomaki, Ayokawa, 20 cm.

Hokkaido, Erima town, 20 cm.

Shiraoi town, Mutsu, Aomori prefecture, Ofunato,

They have already observed tsunami, and therefore, we have observed tsunami in wider areas.

And there could be much higher tsunami coming. So how do you see the situation?

Along the seaside, there have been a tsunami already observed, and there might be much higher tsunami arriving. Therefore, please evacuate to higher ground.

And those who had evacuated already, please don't let your guard down, and please keep on evacuating.

And there might be much higher tsunami coming, therefore please continue to evacuate.

00:24:58 話者 1

So, yes, you should evacuate, and this is the upper five on the registered scale, so that you should be aware of the shaking of the earthquake.

So according to the meteorological agency's press conference, there has been characteristic about the earthquakes.

In the past, there has been large-scale earthquakes that continuously happened, and even

larger shakes can be observed, movements can be observed.

And in Sanriku earthquake that was in November last year, the epicenter was a little bit further this time around.

So I don't think that the prior earthquake of last November is affecting this.

And the tsunami warning, affected areas, please stay evacuated.

Yes, and for the Sanriku earthquake, magnitude 7.5, and then about the earthquake, so about 6 o'clock, there was a meteorological agency press conference that was held.

And we had issued tsunami warnings.

Tsunami warnings in Hokkaido, coastal areas of Pacific Ocean.

00:26:16 話者 4

Once again, we're coming to you live from NHK Japan Studios in Tokyo on tsunami and earthquake breaking news. We have an update on tsunami observations.

Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture at 5:34 p.m. 80 cm.

Miyako Port also in Iwate at 5:22 40 cm.

Hachinohe Port in Aomori Prefecture, also in the Tohoku region, at 6:04 p.m. 30 cm.

And this is new.

Urakawa Town in Hokkaido at 6:17, 30 centimeters.

This wasn't here before, this is an update.

Urakawa Town in Hokkaido at 6:17 P.m., 30 centimeters.

Now you may think these numbers are not that high.

But even a 50-centimeter tsunami can have a power of up to 200 kilograms on a person's legs and will make it impossible, even for an adult person, to stay up straight.

So please, please do not underestimate the power of tsunami.

Tsunamis are more powerful than regular waves. It's a large body of water.

Tsunami observations.

Ishinomaki, Ayukawa in Miyagi Prefecture at 6:02 p.m. 20 centimeters.

And at the bottom of this list, Erimo Town in Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture of Japan, at 6.08 p.m., 20 centimeters.

Again, actually, waves have been observed on shore, waves have already been observed on shore, and remember,

If you are in the area under tsunami warning which is highlighted in red on the right-hand side map of your screen, waves as high as 3 meters are expected.

And also for those areas under tsunami advisory which is highlighted in yellow on the map, waves about...

NHK World

00:28:01 話者 99

This is NHK World Japan English radio service. Here's a frequency notice.

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

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

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

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

at 18:00 (JST), April 19

20260419180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 (Maria Sato)

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

IRAN CONFLICT
CEASEFIRE NEARS END AS US-IRAN TALKS UNCERTAIN

US President Donald Trump says talks with Iran remain on track, but the outlook for the next round remains uncertain as the ceasefire between the two countries is set to expire soon.

00:00:26 話者 2/Donald Trump

It's going actually along very well. and we'll see, but we'll have some information by the end of the day. We're talking to them and, you know, we're taking a tough stand.

00:00:38 (Maria Sato)

US news site Axios says Trump held a Situation Room meeting Saturday with top aides, but no date has been set for talks.

It also says a senior official warned that without progress soon, the conflict could resume within the coming days.

On April 7, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire to pave the way to ending the conflict.

Reuters reports Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baghir Ghalibaf said that negotiations with the US have made progress, but there is still a long way to go.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps accuses the US of violating the ceasefire by keeping its blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.

It said the Strait of Hormuz would close again Saturday and stay shut until the blockade ends.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Harachi wrote on Friday that under the ceasefire in Lebanon, the strait remains completely open to commercial ships.

Trump responded on social media with a thank you.

00:01:44 話者 2

They wanted to close up the strait again, you know, as they've been doing for years, and they can't blackmail us.

00:01:53 (Maria Sato)

The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported the US military is preparing to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in the Middle East and other international waters.

The move is apparently intended to pressure Iran to reopen the strait and make concessions on its nuclear program.

ATTACKS PERSIST IN LEBANON DESPITE CEASEFIRE

Deadly attacks have continued in Lebanon despite a ceasefire with Israel that took effect Thursday.

French President Emmanuel Macron says an attack on the UN interim force in Lebanon on Saturday killed one French soldier and wounded three others.

He suggested the involvement of Iran-backed Shia Muslim group Hezbollah.

The peacekeeping mission patrols the border between Israel and Lebanon.

The UN says the strike appeared to have been launched by Hezbollah.

The group denies responsibility.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has ordered an investigation.

Al Jazeera reported Friday that an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed one person.

The Israeli military confirmed it carried out the attack and said it would take necessary measures for self-defense.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qasem says the ceasefire has no significance if it's only observed from one side.

NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES BALLISTIC MISSILES

Japan's defense ministry says North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles near its east coast on Sunday morning.

Defense officials believe the missiles fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone and say there have been no reports of damage to aircraft or vessels.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff also say they detected multiple launches of short-range missiles from the eastern city of Shimpo at around 6:10 a.m.

The missiles flew about 140 kilometers.

The country's Yonhap News Agency says they could have been submarine-launched ballistic missiles as the city hosts a submarine base.

Japan's State Minister of Defense Miyazaki Masahisa criticized the latest move by North Korea.

00:04:11 話者 3/Miyazaki Masahisa

The launch of ballistic missiles violates UN Security Council resolutions and is a serious issue concerning public safety.

00:04:20 (Maria Sato)

Miyazaki said that Tokyo has lodged a strong protest with Pyongyang.

FALSE CLAIMS SPREAD AFTER KYOTO ARREST

Police in Kyoto prefecture arrested a man on suspicion of abandoning the body of his 11-year-old son in a wooded area.

And the case has triggered a surge of social media posts claiming the man is a foreign national. Police say he is not.

On Wednesday, a media outlet in Taiwan reported the father was not a Japanese national.

Its broadcast and online videos cited a Japanese weekly magazine.

But the magazine had published no such report.

Police arrested the father early Thursday.

They later said he is not a foreign national.

On Friday, the Taiwanese outlet removed its videos and issued an apology.

It said it sourced unverified claims spreading on social media in Japan.

On X alone, such posts have been viewed 35 million times.

AI chatbots have repeated the claims.

Some posts have even named unrelated people and shared their photos.

The case shows how quickly unverified information can spread online.

WILD BEAR AT LARGE IN SENDAI, NORTHEAST JAPAN

A wild bear was spotted on Sunday morning in a residential area of Sendai in northeastern Japan. City authorities may allow the emergency use of rifles to hunt the animal.

Police were alerted that there was a bear in the garden of a house.

Officers and city government officials found a wild bear in a thicket near where it was first spotted. The animal reportedly stayed there for at least two hours.

Police had received multiple reports of bear sightings in the area from Friday night through Saturday night. They say this could be the same animal.

CHERRY TREES BLOOM IN NORTHERN JAPAN'S HOKKAIDO

Weather officials say cherry trees in three major cities in northern Japan's Hokkaido have started blooming earlier than usual.

00:06:36 話者 4/Nakata Hirotaka/Hakodate Local Meteorological Office

More than five cherry blossoms are in bloom, so we can declare the start of the Sakura season in Hakodate.

00:06:47 (Maria Sato)

At Goryokaku Park in Hakodate City, an observatory official confirmed on Saturday that buds opened on the park's benchmark Somei Yoshino cherry tree.

The official says it blossomed five days earlier than last year and ten days earlier than average. It marked the second earliest bloom since 1953, when the recordkeeping began.

On the same day in Sapporo City, the local observatory noted at least nine flowers opened on its benchmark Somei Yoshino cherry tree.

It also says the bloom is five days earlier than last year and the second earliest on record.

00:07:28 話者 5

I'm happy. I hope to come here again with my family.

00:07:36 (Maria Sato)

In Obihiro City, a local weather station official declared the start of the sakura season with the first flowers on its benchmark Sargent's cherry tree.

Its blooms opened 10 days earlier than last year, and a record 14 days earlier than the average. Officials say this is due to warmer-than-average temperatures since February.

The trees are all expected to reach full bloom in three to five days.

MOUNT FUJI TOLL ROAD OPEN FOR SIGHTSEERS

And spring has also come to the tallest mountain in Japan.

A toll road on Mount Fuji has reopened to traffic for the sightseeing season.

The toll gate of the Fuji-Subaru Line in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, opened on Saturday morning. 

Buses and other vehicles began heading for the fifth station of Mount Fuji.

It's about 2,300 meters above sea level.

After reaching the station, tourists from Japan and around the world enjoyed the scenic view under blue skies.

00:08:40 話者 6

Oh, it's beautiful.

00:08:43 話者 7

Yeah. Mount Fuji is something that we've seen all over the place.

You have to go see it. Yeah. Absolutely breathtaking.

00:08:51 話者 8

I'm happy to realize our long cherished wish of visiting here. I'm on cloud nine.

00:08:58 (Maria Sato)

The road is fully or partially closed from winter to early spring, when snow accumulates.

The operator says the full opening came five days earlier than last year.

A stunning view.

Those were the headlines for this hour.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

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

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

NHK World

00:10:01 話者 99

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

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

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

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

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

checked.

at 18:00 (JST), April 18

20260418180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 (Maria Sato)

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

STRONG QUAKES HIT IN NAGANO, CENTRAL JAPAN

Two strong earthquakes struck Japan's central prefectures of Nagano on Saturday afternoon.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says the first one was at 1:20 p.m. and had a magnitude 5.0.

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

A magnitude 5.1 quake hit the same area at 2:54 p.m.

The second quake registered a seismic intensity of lower 5 in the cities of Nagano and Omachi.

According to the agency, the quake's depth was 10 kilometers.

In Omachi, an intensity of upper five was observed earlier on the same day.

The agency says there is no threat of tsunami from either quake.

Officials in Omachi say roof tiles were torn off and fell from one house in the city.

There was damage to walls of some other buildings. Gravestones also toppled.

Tokyo Electric Power Company says the number six reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariya nuclear plant in neighboring Niigata Prefecture is in operation and no abnormalities have been found so far. JMA officials are urging caution.

00:01:38 話者 2/Ebita Ayataka/Japan Meteorological Agency official

Please be on alert for earthquakes with a maximum intensity of upper five for the next week. There have been a series of quakes in this area in the past.

As there is a risk of stronger ones, please remain on full alert.

00:01:55 (Maria Sato)

Officials are also asking people to remain on high alert amid rainy conditions, as areas with strong shaking are at high risk of falling rocks and landslides.

IRAN CONFLICT
US MEDIA: NEW TALKS LIKELY IN NEXT FEW DAYS

We now turn to new developments in the conflict between the US and Iran.

Iranian sources have told CNN that a second round of talks between the two sides is expected to take place on Monday.

00:02:20 話者 3/Donald Trump

We're having a big day. We'll see how it all turns out, but it should be good.

00:02:26 (Maria Sato)

US President Donald Trump earlier said the talks would go on over the weekend.

Axios reported the US and Iran would likely meet on Sunday in Islamabad.

It said Pakistan would mediate with behind-the-scenes help from Egypt and Turkey.

It cited US officials as saying the two sides are discussing a three-page plan to end the conflict.

And Bloomberg reported that Trump said Iran has agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Harachi says passage through the Strait of Hormuz has resumed for all commercial vessels for the remaining period of the ceasefire.

He says the decision is in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon.

Trump welcomed the news.

He says Iran, with the help of the US, is removing all its mines in the waterway.

But he says the US naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain in place for now.

A big gap remains between the US and Iran.

The focus is on whether the next talks will lead to the end of the fighting.

IRAN CONFLICT
BRITAIN, FRANCE HOST CONFERENCE ON HORMUZ

The leaders of Britain and France also welcomed Iran's announcement.

They had been hosting an online conference aimed at securing safe navigation in the strait. Around 50 countries and organizations attended the meeting.

The leaders of Italy and Germany joined in person.

The French president described Iran's decision as a step in the right direction.

00:04:00 話者 4/Emmanuel Macron/French President

We demand the immediate and unconditional full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties.

We demand the restoration of the free passage, conditions that existed before the war, and full respect for the law of the sea.

00:04:19 (Maria Sato)

He added that they will continue working with the Iranians on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, and they'll keep close coordination with the US and Israel.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says they will accelerate plans to protect freedom of navigation.

00:04:36 話者 5/Keir Starmer

We will take this forward with a military planning conference in London next week, where we will announce more detail on the composition of the mission, and over a dozen countries have already offered to contribute assets.

00:04:53 (Maria Sato)

He stressed that the effort will be strictly peaceful and defensive in nature.

He said the goals are to reassure commercial shipping interests and to support the clearance of mines.

G7 AGREE ON DIVERSIFYING CRITICAL MINERALS SUPPLY CHAIN

Finance ministers from Group of Seven countries and other officials have agreed to accelerate efforts to diversify supply chains for critical minerals, with China's dominant market share in mind.

The meeting on critical minerals, including rare earth elements, was held in Washington on Friday.

It occurred on the sidelines of ones by G7 and G20 finance ministers and central bank governors this week. Japanese Finance Minister Katayama Satsuki served as a co-chair.

Critical mineral-producing countries and international financial institutions, including the Asia Development Bank, were among the participants.

They confirmed that producing and importing countries will work together to help build diversified supply chains.

Japan announced a plan to provide 20 million dollars for a new project set up by the ADB.

The endeavor will offer technical support for mine and infrastructure development in producing countries and elsewhere.

00:06:12 話者 6/Katayama Satsuki/Japanese Finance Minister

Japan aims to take the initiative in providing funding and to play a leading role in these efforts.

00:06:20 (Maria Sato)

Katayama told reporters that securing a wide range of stable suppliers can also promote growth in producing countries.

ATOMIC BOMB SURVIVORS RALLY AHEAD OF NPT CONFERENCE

Atomic bomb survivors are seizing the moment ahead of a key UN conference on nuclear disarmament.

They rallied to urge Japan's government to work harder for their ultimate goal of abolishment. The rally took place on Friday in Tokyo.

The participants included members of atomic bomb survivors group Nihon Hidankyo.

International delegates will review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons later this month in New York.

Nihon Hidankyo's secretary-general said current wars and attempts to rule by force throw the significance of the NPT into question.

00:07:18 話者 7/Hamasumi Jiro/Secretary General, Nihon Hidankyo

Nuclear arms are the devil's weapons, and they cannot coexist with humanity.

We should not possess even a single weapon like this.

00:07:29 (Maria Sato)

The group said Japan should urge the NPT's state parties to fulfill their obligations on disarmament.

It also said the government should promote Japan's commitment to not possessing, producing or permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into the country.

MEGAPHONES FOUND INADEQUATE IN 2024 HANEDA AIRCRAFT COLLISION

Japan's transport ministry has instructed airlines and aircraft manufacturers to equip their jets with higher-powered megaphones.

The measure follows an investigation into a deadly collision two years ago at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

A Japan Airlines passenger plane that had just landed struck a Japan Coast Guard aircraft on the runway. Five crew members of the Coast Guard plane were killed.

Five passengers on the JAL plane were injured during the evacuation.

On Friday, the Transport Safety Board released the results of an experiment using the same aircraft model and the same type of megaphone.

The test was carried out because the cabin's announcement system did not work after the collision.

Some crew members stopped using the megaphones because they believed the devices were not effective.

Instructions relayed through a megaphone at the first of four pairs of doors could be heard at the second pair, but the sound became increasingly difficult to hear toward the rear of the cabin.

The investigation concluded that the megaphones did not project sound far enough to support an evacuation of the entire cabin.

Those were the headlines for this hour.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

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

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

NHK World 

00:10:01 話者 99

This is NHK World Japan English Radio Service.

Here's a frequency notice.

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

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

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

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

checked.

at 18:00 (JST), April 17

20260417180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/Kanako Sachno

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

IRAN CONFLICT
TRUMP: TALKS MAY HAPPEN 'OVER THE WEEKEND'

The US and Iran may be edging closer to another round of talks less than a week before a ceasefire ends.

US President Donald Trump says the next meeting may take place over the weekend, and he announced a development on Iran's nuclear programme.

00:00:29 話者 2/Donald Trump

We had to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. And we're at that.

They've agreed to that. They've totally agreed to that.

They've agreed to almost everything.

00:00:39 話者 1

Iran's Tasnim news agency says officials in Tehran stood firm on demands for the fighting to end. It says they forced Trump and Israel to comply.

Officials in Pakistan have been mediating the talks between the US and Iran, and the head of Pakistan's army has held a meeting with the speaker of Iran's parliament.

Iran's state-run media says the goal is to draw up a plan for the next round of talks.

One sticking point in the US-Iran negotiations is the conflict between Israel and the Shia Muslim group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran has been backing Hezbollah.

Trump posted on social media on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire. He said it will last for the next 10 days.

IRAN CONFLICT
ISRAEL AGREES TO CEASEFIRE, LEBANON CLAIMS VIOLATIONS

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that his country has agreed to the temporary ceasefire with Lebanon, but he made it clear that Israel has not agreed to withdraw its forces from the country's southern regions.

00:01:38 話者 3/Benjamin Netanyahu

We have an opportunity to reach a historic peace agreement with Lebanon.

00:01:44 話者 1

He also indicated that any peace agreement with Lebanon would require Hezbollah to disarm.

The Israeli media say Netanyahu held an emergency cabinet meeting by phone to explain the ceasefire.

The reports say the ministers were furious to learn about the truth from Trump's announcement.

Trump later told reporters that the Israeli and Lebanese leaders will meet at the White House over the next week or two.

00:02:09 話者 2

We're going to be meeting with Bibi Netanyahu, as you know, and the president of Lebanon. And I had a great talk with both of them today.

They're going to be having a ceasefire, and that'll include Hezbollah.

00:02:24 話者 1

He added that Lebanon will take care of Hezbollah.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the pause in hostilities in a social media post.

But the Lebanese military said on social media Friday that Israel has already violated the ceasefire.

The military referenced what it said were multiple attacks on Lebanese soil, some targeting villagers.

Lebanese authorities say over 2,100 people have been killed and more than 7,100 others injured since the latest fighting started in early March.

The United Nations also says that at least 1.2 million people have been displaced within the country.

POPE DECRIES 'TYRANTS' RAVAGING WORLD

Pope Leo XIV has decried leaders who spend billions on wars and also criticize those who attempt to use religion to justify their conflicts.

00:03:17 話者 4/Pope Leo XIV

The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants.

The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy.

Yet often, a lifetime is often not enough to rebuild.

00:03:34 話者 1

The pontiff spoke on a visit to the African nation of Cameroon on Thursday.

He noted that Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers.

He said, Woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic, or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

The pope's remarks came after US President Trump criticised him on social media following the pontiff's call for an early end to the US-Israeli military offensives against Iran.

WAR IN UKRAINE
LARGE WAVE OF RUSSIAN ATTACKS KILLS 17

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine has announced that the country was hit with a large wave of Russian attacks into Thursday morning.

It says 17 deaths have been confirmed and Ukraine's Internal Affairs Minister says more than 100 others were wounded.

One of the attacks hit the north-western part of Kyiv and left a 12-year-old boy and another person dead.

In the aftermath, people were clearing the neighborhood of debris and boarding up broken windows.

00:04:38 話者 15

There is nothing from military targets here, only houses and a nursery school.

This is just a terrifying attack on areas where people live in peace.

Such terrible things should never happen.

00:04:50 話者 1

The Russian defence ministry claimed on Thursday that its armed forces had launched the attacks in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on civilian facilities in Russia.

SOURCES: FATHER IN KYOTO IMPLIES HE STRANGLED HIS SON

Sources have provided NHK with more information about the investigation into the death of a boy in Kyoto prefecture.

They say the victim's father made a statement implying that he murdered his son.

On Thursday, police arrested Adachi Yuki, a 37-year-old company employee, on suspicion of abandoning the body of his 11-year-old son, Yuki, in the city of Nantan.

The father reportedly admitted to the allegation during police questioning.

NHK has learned that he suggested to police during voluntary questioning before his arrest that he'd strangled his son.

Police launched searches for the boy after he went missing on March 23.

His body was found in a wooded part of the city on Monday.

The sources say police examined location data and other information from the father's smartphone before narrowing the search for the child.

This information helped locate the boy's body and sneakers thought to be his.

Police believe the smartphone data may also indicate that the father moved the remains from place to place.

Furthermore, sources revealed there were searches on the father's smartphone asking about ways to abandon a body.

They say these were done during the time the boy was missing.

JAPAN SDF COLONEL TO BE SENIOR UN PEACEKEEPER IN SOUTH SUDAN

Japan's government has decided to send a senior officer with the Ground Self-Defense Force to South Sudan on a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

It's the first time a Japanese officer will take on the role of Force Chief of Staff in the African country.

The decision was made at a cabinet meeting on Friday. The government will dispatch the colonel to his leadership post in the United Nations mission in May.

00:06:50 話者 6/Koizumi Shinjiro

I think it is significant that Japan will play a leading role in international peace and contribute to a sound security environment by having Self-Defense Force personnel fill such a key and high-level post.

00:07:04 話者 1

The country gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after a fierce civil war.

Since then, Japan has sent a number of SDF personnel to South Sudan to take part in the UN peacekeeping mission.

They've helped maintain security and provided logistical support, including building infrastructure.

JAPAN PAIR SKATERS 'RIKU-RYU' TO RETIRE FROM COMPETITION

A Japanese figure skating pair who won gold at this year's Winter Olympics say they'll retire from competition.

Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi also claimed the World Championship twice.

The pair, known as Ricudu, made the announcement on social media on Friday.

They thanked people who'd supported them since they started competing together in 2019.

Their winning performance at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games was their second attempt at Olympic gold.

They slumped to fifth place in the competition's short programme after an error on their signature lift, but they staged a dramatic comeback after free skating with an all-time high score. It was Japan's first Olympic gold in the pairs figure skating event.

The duo said they feel fulfilled and have no regrets as they end their competitive careers.

They added they'll continue their efforts to promote pairs figure skating in Japan.

BUSINESS

Now for more business stories, here's Ramin Mellegard.

00:08:26 話者 7/Ramin Mellegard

Thank you very much indeed.

NIKKEI 225 RETREATS FROM ALL-TIME HIGH

Now, Tokyo's benchmark stock index retreated on Friday from the record high closing the day before as investors took their profits.

The Nikkei 225 ended its three-day winning streak at 58,475, down 1.7 percent.

Traders offloaded shares in semiconductor companies and related businesses.

Analysts say some locked in profits as the index approached the psychological milestone of the 60,000 mark. The Nikkei closed above 59,000 for the first time on Thursday.

The benchmark had fallen significantly in March,  as the United States and Israel started attacking Iran. But the trend turned upward at the beginning of April.

IRAN CONFLICT
LUFTHANSA GROUNDS SOME AIRCRAFT AMID SURGING FUEL COSTS

German airline Lufthansa Group says it will ground 27 passenger planes of its regional subsidiary amid soaring fuel costs due to the Iran conflict.

The company announced on Thursday it will remove all 27 aircraft of Lufthansa City Line from operations starting on Saturday.

It cited fuel costs that have more than doubled, as well as labor disputes.

Lufthansa said that will be followed by a reduction of six planes on intercontinental routes and five on short- and medium-haul ones to accelerate a planned group consolidation.

Concern is mounting in the aviation industry about the energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

On April 9, Airports Council International Europe warned of a systemic jet fuel shortage in the European Union if the Strait of Hormuz did not reopen to shipping within three weeks.

IRAN CONFLICT
TOTO TO GRADUALLY RESUME PREFAB BATH ORDERS

In another example of the impact of oil supply disruptions here in Japan, Toto says it was forced on Monday to stop taking orders for prefabricated bathrooms.

But the company plans to gradually resume orders starting next week.

Prefab baths are one of its core products.

Toto says it halted orders because it couldn't secure enough adhesives and other petroleum-based materials.

The company says the situation in Iran is still disrupting supply chains, but it says the Japanese government is working to ease bottlenecks, so it decided to restart orders.

Toto says it doesn't know when it can return to previous order volumes, but it says it will do everything it can to secure stable supplies.

BIZ PICKS

Next, NHK World's Gene Otani is here with BizPix.

00:11:27 話者 8/Gene Otani

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

On Tuesday, the US Commerce Department will release its retail sales data for March.

On Wednesday, Turkey's central bank will announce its latest policy rate decision.

The bank left its benchmark interest rate at 37% in the March meeting.

Inflation that month was still high. It stood above 30% from a year earlier.

ANALYSIS: OIL PRICE CRISIS COULD DRIVE JAPAN INFLATION

And on Friday, Japan's Internal Affairs Ministry will announce the Consumer Price Index for March. The CPI, excluding fresh food, was up 1.6% in February from a year earlier.

Inflation slowed for a third consecutive month.

Senior economist at Mizuho Research Institute Tsuiki Saori expects consumer prices to rise to nearly 2% in March.

She points to higher global crude oil prices amid turmoil in the Middle East.

00:12:28 話者 9/Tsuiki Saori

Since March 17, the government has been trying to help reduce retail gasoline prices through the use of subsidies. As a result, gas prices were lowered in about two weeks.

But in mid-March, when the CPI survey was conducted, pump prices were still high.

00:12:47 話者 8

More than 90 percent of Japan's crude oil imports come from the Middle East.

The government says it will release oil reserves again in May.

It wants to keep supplies stable.

00:13:03 話者 9

Compared with other Asian countries, Japan has an ample amount of petroleum stockpiles, so I think there is still time before they run out.

Meanwhile, the procurement of crude oil and petroleum products, such as naphtha, has been on the decline, affecting a wide range of chemical derivatives, as well as materials and processed goods.

Coupled with difficulties connected to procuring related materials, the rise in the price of crude oil and other items can impact consumer prices with a time lag.

00:13:37 話者 8

Tsuiki estimates that crude at around $90 a barrel could lift the CPI by 0.2 percentage points in six months. She says it could add 0.4 points over a year.

Tsuiki points out that concern about rising prices is already hurting consumer sentiment.

She says businesses may feel the same pressure.

00:14:01 話者 9

A rise in crude prices alone will push down corporate performance as well.

For example, if they stay at the $100 per barrel level, the value created by businesses will be pushed down by about one percent.

There is also concern that this could adversely affect corporate performance.

00:14:30 話者 8

Tsuiki  says Inflationary pressure will come from supply constraints.

She stresses that the government needs to continue working on securing alternative sources in a timely manner.

It also needs to work closely with businesses.

I'm Gene Otani, and that's this week's Biz Picks.

00:14:49 話者 7

Great stuff.

MARKETS

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.

00:15:22 話者 1

Thanks, Ramin.

MASTER AND APPRENTICE: AN UNBREAKABLE AIKIDO BOND

Up next, the story of a 30-year friendship built on a martial art.

NHK World's Endo Yuka tells us about an American man who returned to the Japanese town where he met his master to carry on his legacy.

00:15:45 話者 10/Endo Yuka

Daniel Schmitt has come to Ishinomaki City for one reason: to retrieve a memento.

Daniel first came to the city in 1997 as an assistant English teacher.

In a bid to better understand Japanese culture, he became curious about martial arts.

He quickly fell in love with aikido, which focuses on self-improvement.

00:16:11 話者 13/Daniel Schmitt

We started with a bow, which is manners to express respect. That was the first lesson.

00:16:24 話者 10

That's how he met Sakai Masayuki, a master living in Ishinomaki.

He started teaching Daniel the basics of aikido.

But they didn't speak each other's language, and relied on an electronic dictionary to communicate.

（Japanese）

With time, Daniel learned not only the Japanese language, but also the culture and way of life.

After moving back to the US, he also started teaching aikido.

He felt it was his responsibility to pass Sakai's lessons on to his peers.

But the two never lost touch. They even introduced their families to each other.

In 2011, Daniel considered moving back to Japan and decided to visit.

But then...disaster struck. Three days before Daniel's flight,

The Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami rocked Japan's northeast.

Ishinomaki was among the hardest hit.

00:17:41 話者 13

I looked with horror and just astonished that such a thing could happen.

00:17:48 話者 10

Daniel organized a fundraiser and brought the donations later that year.

He's come several times since, visiting both Sakai and the town he once called home.

He's watched Ishinomaki rebuild itself after the tragedy.

Though this time, he's here for a different reason. Sakai passed away in 2023.

His widow says he left one last thing for his star pupil.

It's Sakai's Aikido uniform. Chieko says she's been waiting years to give it to him.

She says she thinks Daniel's dedication to Aikido earned him Sakai's trust.

00:18:54 話者 15/Sakai Chieko

Please keep it with you. He seemed to have trusted you the most. So keep it close.

(Japanese)

00:19:22 話者 10

Daniel says he plans to display the uniform in his dojo.

Even if his master is gone, He sees Sakai's Aikido spirit in the people of Ishinomaki.

00:19:34 話者 13

I think that there's a strength in the human heart that will fight back to stand up again when knocked down and not to give up, to keep trying, to keep striving for something better, to keep on living.

00:19:55 話者 10

It's a lesson he hopes to impart to his own students.

In Sakai's memory, Endo Yuka, NHK World.

FOCUS ON CHINA

JAPANESE FIRMS IN CHINA TURN TOUGH TIMES INTO OPPORTUNITY

00:20:12 話者 1

Japanese firms in China have been facing a challenging situation as ties between the countries come under strain and the economy struggles.

We see how two companies have managed to adapt to the shifting landscape.

00:20:26 話者 9/Narrator: Yoshino Mika

A Japanese company runs this socks and innerwear shop.

It has more than 100 stores in China, including Shanghai.

00:20:37 話者 21

I want items that feel comfortable when I wear them. 

Japanese brands also have cute designs.

00:20:45 話者 9

The firm started business in China 17 years ago. But it has cut the number of stores down to about half its peak due to the pandemic and the economic slowdown.

In February, the company's president checked on operations in China.

Despite the harsh environment, he's seeking a turnaround.

00:21:12 話者 6/Ueda Takaatsu/President, tutuanna

Even in a recession, people don't stop wearing underwear.

They're definitely going to buy some.

00:21:18 話者 9

It's aiming to double the number of stores in a few years by shifting its focus to inland regions, where populations are growing.

00:21:29 話者 6

First, we need to establish ourselves in key cities.

Once we have a solid foothold, expansion will follow.

00:21:38 話者 9

The population in Chengdu in Sichuan Province has been increasing for more than 20 years, and consumer spending remains strong. Company staff visit a store there.

They find that products are displayed differently from their instructions.

00:21:55 話者 22

We originally showed the items as directed, but they sold better when they were displayed like this.

00:22:04 話者 9

The company decided to adopt feedback from the field, flexibly responding to local needs to boost sales.

Through these measures, last year's sales rose 3 percent from the previous year.

00:22:20 話者 6

The Chinese economy will recover from the downturn. 

That's why we must do what we can now.

Headwinds mean others stay away, and that's exactly when we need to move in.

00:22:33 話者 9

Another Japanese firm in China is weathering the harsh environment by seeking opportunities with state-owned enterprises.

This company sells machines that test the strength of plastics.

They can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Its products are widely used in China.

For firms aiming to meet global standards, high-quality Japanese testing equipment is seen as essential.

00:23:03 話者 23/Nakaseko Seigo/Chief Manager, Foreign Sales Dept., Yasuda Seiki Seisakusho

Talking to our clients, I think there is strong demand and we can compete effectively.

00:23:10 話者 9

The company believes that doing business with state-owned enterprises will help further boost credibility in sales.

One of their distributors requested a redesign of terminals based on client needs, some of which are state-owned firms.

The company responded flexibly and made the changes, demonstrating its meticulous service to gain a competitive edge.

Revenue recovered to pre-pandemic levels last year and are expected to grow further this year.

00:23:45 話者 23

It's important to steadily pursue every avenue and work with our distributors to get results.

00:23:53 話者 9

Japanese firms in China are turning tough times into opportunity, finding new ways to flourish as they wait for an economic turnaround.

♪

WEATHER

00:24:33 話者 1

Now it's time to check out the world weather. The season of scorching heat has begun in South Asia. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details.

00:24:42 話者 11/Yumi Hirano

New Delhi saw a high of over 40 degrees for the first time this year.

People in India have been experiencing scorching temperatures.

Intense heat pushed temperatures into the 40s in southern and western India on Thursday.

Many locals could be seen covering their faces and drinking cold water to beat the heat.

The weather department says the mark is expected to rise farther in the coming days, creating what feels like a heat wave.

People have an urge to avoid the outdoors during peak hours.

The heat will continue to intensify on Saturday.

The highs will be 41 in New Delhi and 42 in Varanasi. A heat watch is widely in effect across the country over the weekend, so please stay hydrated.

Moving to the Pacific, a powerful typhoon has brought heavy rain and gusty winds to the Mariana Islands this week.

The storm is moving away. However, it's a large system, so the impacts are still persisting.

People should watch out for strong winds and coastal flooding.

The typhoon is not hitting the Ogasawala Islands, but the high waves of up to six meters are possible. Western and eastern Japan may also see up to 4 meters on Saturday.

In the bigger picture across Asia, downpours are expected to ease in southern China.

Further north, high-pressure systems are expected to bring calm and dry conditions.

Sunny skies are likely in Tokyo with a high of 23.

The highs will be 27 in Seoul and 26 in Beijing, which are both much warmer than usual.

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

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

00:27:35 話者 1

That wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline.

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

NHK World

00:28:01 話者 99

This is NHK World Japan English Radio Service.

Here's a frequency notice.

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

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

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

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

checked.

at 18:00 (JST), April 16

20260416180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/Morishita Erika

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

SOURCES: FATHER ADMITS TO KILLING 11-YEAR-OLD KYOTO BOY

Investigative sources say the father of an 11-year-old boy whose body was found earlier this week in Kyoto Prefecture has admitted to killing his son.

The man has been referred to prosecutors.

Police arrested the 37-year-old Adachi Yuuki early Thursday on suspicion of abandoning the boy's remains.

Police say the father may have moved the body several times between the time the boy went missing in late March until he was found dead on Monday in a wooden area of Nantan City. They say he has admitted to doing so and regard him as the only suspect.

Kyoto police set up a special headquarters for the investigation on Thursday.

They say they arrested him after a thorough probe into the case, including revealing footage from security cameras.

Police say an autopsy shows that boy, Adachi Yuki, died around the time he disappeared.

Officials say there were no obvious injuries, such as stab wounds or cuts, and no major tears in his clothing. Here's the summary of the circumstances so far.

The father called the police on March 23 to tell them his son went missing after he drove him to school that morning.

But the school security camera didn't show the boy, and other students also didn't see him, according to the police and school officials.

The police searched the entire city and its surrounding area.

On March 29, the boy's backpack was found in a mountainous area about three kilometers west of the school.

On April 12, shoes, apparently those of a child, were found in the mountains between the boy's home and his school.

The location was more than five kilometers south of where the backpack was discovered.

The following day, three weeks after the boy went missing, a body was found in a thicket about five kilometers northeast of the mountain where the shoes were found.

After a detailed investigation, the police confirmed that it was the body of the missing boy.

The site where the body was found is not one where children would normally wander to without wearing shoes. Police arrested the father on Thursday

After searching his residence, investigative sources say the father admitted to killing his son.

KUMAMOTO HONORS VICTIMS OF 2016 EARTHQUAKES

Thursday marks 10 years since the second massive earthquake hit Japan's South Western Prefecture of Kumamoto.

The prefecture and its 45 municipalities held a joint memorial service for the first time since the disasters.

The tremors killed 278 people, including those who died from causes related to the disaster.

00:03:27 話者 2/Kimura Takashi/Kumamoto Governor

The earthquake should never be forgotten.

We will pass on our memories to the next generation so they can prepare for disasters like these, because we never know when they will occur.

00:03:39 話者 1

Communities gathered to honor those lost and reflect on the lessons learned.

The family of a university student, relieved to have been swept away by a massive landslide, offered prayers near the site.

00:03:56 話者 3

I haven't been able to see my son, whose presence I had taken for granted, for more than 10 years.

00:04:06 話者 1

People across the prefecture paid their respects, including at the site of a collapsed apartment building. Three university students and one resident died there.

The second tremor also had an intensity of seven, the maximum on Japan's seismic scale.

It struck the town of Mashiki on April 16, 2016, just two days after the first jolt hit.

It was the first time in Japan's recorded history that an earthquake that strong happened twice in the same region.

The second quake caused houses to collapse in Masaki and triggered massive landslides in the Aso region. More than 198,000 homes were damaged across Kumamoto.

Reconstruction has been ongoing.

A new bridge was completed in 2021 to replace one that collapsed.

The Minami-Aso Railway resumed full operations in 2023 after part of its service was suspended following the quake.

And a major road running through Masiki fully reopened last month, signaling that rebuilding efforts are almost complete.

SEISMIC ACTIVITY STILL A CONCERN IN KUMAMOTO

Increased seismic activity continues in areas around the epicenter of the Kumamoto earthquake, and that is something experts are keeping a close eye on.

Nishimura Takuya is a professor at Kyoto University's Disaster Prevention Research Institute.

He says he's paying attention to the southern side of the Hinagu Fault Zone in Kumamoto Prefecture.

According to him, over 1,400 earthquakes with a magnitude of 1.5 or higher have hit that area in the last decade.

That is about three times the yearly average the region saw before 2016.

Nishimura says it's possible that areas around active faults that shifted 10 years ago are still slowly moving. He says that strain could be building up.

00:06:22 話者 12/Nishimura Takuya/Professor, Kyoto University Disaster Prevention Research Institute

If there are active faults in the vicinity, we must be even more careful and strengthen our earthquake preparedness measures.

00:06:33 話者 1

To mark 10 years since the Kumamoto earthquake, Kumamoto City has created a brochure to educate people.

It outlines the recovery efforts to date and explains how the city is rebuilding to be more resilient against possible future disasters.

It was also written in several languages, including English, Chinese, and French.

The hope was that the lessons learned from the earthquake could be used in other countries and regions.

IRAN CONFLICT
PAKISTANI MEDIATORS IN TEHRAN TO PLAN 2ND ROUND

Pakistani officials are in Tehran to continue to mediate negotiations between the US

and Iran. Pakistan hosted talk last weekend, but the two sides failed to reach a deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi welcomed the Pakistani officials, including the army chief Ashim Munil, at the airport.

Iran's state-run media says this visit is aimed at relying new messages from the US side and planning a second round of talks.

US President Donald Trump says he thinks the conflict is coming to an end.

He made a comment during an interview on Fox Business Network's Mornings with Maria.

00:07:54 話者 10/Donald Trump

I view it as very close to over. 

You know what, if I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country.  And we're not finished. We'll see what happens. 

I think they want to make a deal very badly.

00:08:10 話者 1

Bloomberg cited the sources saying the US and Iran are considering extending their ceasefire, which ends next week.

The White House press secretary addressed this issue at the briefing.

00:08:24 話者 13/Karoline Leavitt/White House Press Secretary

I saw some reporting, again bad reporting this morning, that we had formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true at this moment.

00:08:33 話者 1

Levitt also says the talks will most likely be held in Islamabad, saying the Pakistanis are the only mediator in this negotiation.

CNN cited sources as saying that Vice President JD Vance is again expected to lead the possible second round of talks.

IRAN CONFLICT
FINANCE CHIEFS URGE ALL PARTIES TO UPHOLD CEASEFIRE

Meanwhile, finance ministers from 11 countries issued a joint statement on Wednesday.

They are calling on all parties in the conflict to implement the ceasefire agreed earlier this month in full.

The statement says the ceasefire will be crucial to protecting civilian populations and the security of the region.

It also calls for a lasting negotiated resolution and a return to free and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

It goes on to say, Renewed hostilities, a widening of the conflict, or continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz would pose serious additional risks to global energy security, supply chains, and economic and financial stability.

IRAN CONFLICT
JAPAN FACES CHALLENGES DESPITE OIL STOCKPILE RELEASE

It's been one month since Japan began releasing its oil reserves due to the conflict around Iran. Some oil products remain in short supply.

The Japanese government decided last month to release its largest-ever amount of stockpiled oil.

Japan had 241 days' worth of oil in public and private reserves as of March 16.

Seven out of a total of 146 days had been discharged from national reserves as of April 12.

Private sector stockpiles had dropped to 78 days by then from '89.

Japan also released one day's worth of oil from six days it has stored in cooperation with oil-producing countries.

The government plans to start releasing about 20 more days of national reserves from early May.

Japan has also been seeking alternative sources to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

It has begun to purchase more US crude oil.

Shortages of some petroleum-derived products have already been reported, including building materials and medical supplies.

The government has asked major oil wholesalers to sell petroleum products directly to key facilities such as medical institutions and public transport operators.

FORMER SUNTORY CHAIRMAN REFERRED TO PROSECUTO

We turn now to an investigation into one of Japan's most prominent businessmen.

Sources say police have referred former Suntory Holdings chairman Niinami Takeshi to prosecutors.

That's over a suspected shipment of products containing a cannabis-derived substance from an acquaintance in the United States.

Sources say police in Fukuoka Prefecture sent documents to prosecutors alleging Niinami and his acquaintance broke the narcotics control law.

Ni Nami is denying the allegation.

The prosecutors are expected to determine if he bears criminal liability.

Niinami has been under investigation on suspicion of smuggling products, including selling capsule from containing THC, which is illegal in Japan.

Fukuoka police searched his home last August. They reportedly did not find the products.

In September, Niinami resigned as chairman of Suntory Holdings and as chair of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives.

Also in September, Ninami told a news conference he had not used or possessed the products in Japan.

PRO BASEBALL WINS NEW FANS IN S.KOREA

With the arrival of spring, South Korea's professional baseball league has started its regular season.

The league has seen a surge of popularity in recent years, and a unique fun culture is growing that goes beyond just the games themselves, bringing in new audiences.

We now go live to NHKR's Kim Chan-ju at the baseball stadium in Seoul.

So Chan-ju, what's the atmosphere like there ahead of today's game?

00:13:16 話者 4/Kim Chan-ju

Well, as you can see, there are lots of fans already here wearing their baseball gear.

It really shows just how popular professional baseball has become in South Korea.

And one of the most notable changes in recent years is who is coming to the games.

In 2025, more than 56 percent of the audience at pro baseball games were women.

And there's been particularly strong growth among younger female fans.

00:13:52 話者 14

It's really become more of an experience you come to enjoy, and even people who don't know all the. Rules still come just for the atmosphere.

00:14:00 話者 15

In the past, we only heard men's cheers.

But recently, many more female fans come, and we hear cheers from women.

It's much different.

00:14:13 話者 4

The merchandise market is growing rapidly as well.

The industry is starting to offer a wider range of products.

00:14:25 話者 16

There are so many cute uniforms and customizable items these

and collecting them has become part of the fun.

00:14:37 話者 4

Female fans are enjoying baseball not just as a sport, but as part of a fandom culture.

They actually support players through cheering merchandise and shared enthusiasm, much like supporting idols.

And collecting photocards of their favorite players has become another way for fans to enjoy the game. You can see some that I have with me here.

The photocard machines have become one of the hottest spots around the stadium.

Another reason pro baseball is becoming more popular with young people is that it's an affordable way to spend time with friends or enjoy a casual date.

Fans enjoy it like a picnic. Fried chicken with beer is the number one food at stadiums.

Pork belly and a spicy rice cake called tteokbokki are also very popular.

Another defining feature is the cheering culture, which will be familiar to fans of Japanese baseball. 

Fans sing team chants with cheerleaders follow choreographed moves and actively participate throughout the game. Each team has its own songs and cheering style.

Tens of thousands of people shouting and singing together feels almost like a concert.

It's become one of the main reasons people visit the ballpark.

The summer heat can make watching outdoor games uncomfortable, but a major movie theater company has capitalized on that by showing the games in their climate-controlled cinemas.

More than 100,000 fans attended the league's opening games this year, with all stadiums nationwide selling out for a fourth consecutive year.

Total attendance hit 12 million last year, which was a new record.

And league officials are expecting even more people heading to the ballpark this year.

00:16:51 話者 1

Thanks for that report, Chan-ju. That's NHK Award's Kim Chan-ju from Seoul.

BUSINESS

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

Here's Ramin Mellegard from the BizDesk.

00:17:04 話者 5/Ramin Mellegard

Thank you very much indeed.

IRAN CONFLICT
TOKYO'S NIKKEI 225 FINISHES AT RECO

Now Tokyo's Nikkei 225 roared to an all-time high finish on Thursday.

The stock index closed above 59,000 as investor worries over the Iran conflict eased.

The benchmark has stained its winning streak to a third day at 59,518, up nearly 2.4%.

Analysts say reports that the United States and Iran may extend their ceasefire for two weeks helped traders breathe a sigh of relief about crude oil supplies.

The Nikkei's last record close came on February 27.

That was a day before the US and Israel began attacking Iran.

The index then went on extended roller coaster ride, but the trend turned upward at the start of this month.

IRAN CONFLICT
G7 FINANCE CHIEFS WARN OF DAMAGE IF CONFLICT EXTENDS

Finance chiefs from the Group of Seven Nations called for the situation in the Middle East to be quickly de-escalated. They cited the global economic fallout caused by the conflict.

G7 finance ministers and central bank governors met in Washington on Wednesday.

They discussed the state of the global economy and financial markets.

Japanese finance minister Katayama Satsuki and Bank of Japan governor Ueda Kazuo represented Japan. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besson did not attend the meeting.

The finance chiefs are worried that rising energy costs could drag down global economic growth. They say this makes it hard to form an outlook.

The group agreed that tensions need to be eased as soon as possible.

Katayama said Japan plans to offer financial support to Asian countries that rely heavily on crude oil from the Middle East.

Everyone understands that if the situation continues for a long time, it will cause unbearable damage to the global economy in ways that can't be known.

A meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors will be held on Thursday.

FOREIGN VISITORS TO JAPAN HIT RECORD HIGH FOR MARCH

Now, the number of foreign visitors to Japan last month set a record high for March, despite fewer arrivals from China and the Middle East.

The Japan National Tourism Organization says more than 3.61 million foreigners visited the country, 3.5% more than in March last year.

Visitors from China plunged 56% to below 292,000 in a fourth straight month of declines due to souring bilateral relations.

Travelers from the Middle East slumped by over 30% to 16,700 amid the conflict in the region.

But those declines were offset by increases in visitors from elsewhere in the world.

Travelers from South Korea were up 15% to almost 800,000, while those from Taiwan jumped by about 25% to over 650,000.

The number of visitors from the United States rose by almost 10%, while those from the United Kingdom increased nearly 21%.

HEALTH FOOD LOVERS EMBRACE TOFU'S NEXT FRONTIER: EUROPE

Japanese tofu is attracting attention worldwide as a low-calorie, high-protein health food.

The processed soybean staple originated in China. 

It has taken on various forms and now seems to be undergoing further revolution in Europe.

00:20:35 話者 3/Narrator: Yokoyama Erika

In February, one of the world's largest organic food trade fairs was held here in Germany.

The center of attention? European-made tofu.

Products on display included basil-flavored and almond-flavored varieties, as well as the Indian beverage Lassi, which is made from tofu.

The ways to eat it have also been adapted to European tastes.

00:21:02 話者 22

I'm really enjoying the taste. Especially, like, when you bake it or you fry it.

00:21:18 話者 3

These tofu products are all made by a German company.

It has developed 25 different flavors and is marketing them to households across many European countries.

00:21:31 話者 23

???

00:21:40 話者 3

Recently, tofu dips and pizza toppings are also gaining popularity.

Tofu is now an indispensable organic food in Germany.

Sales across Europe are expected to double within five years.

00:21:55 話者 24/Elias Hauguth/Taifun-Tofu

More and more people want to have quality plant-based foods, and not just something that tries to copy the taste of meat, I think.

00:22:07 話者 3

Japanese manufacturers participated in this trade show for the first time.

This tofu manufacturer was founded approximately 160 years ago.

Three years ago, they opened a store in Spain and localized production and sales there to try and expand sales overseas.

As matcha has caught on in Europe, They decided to blend it into their tofu.

Right now, their marketing efforts are promoting a matcha-flavored sweet tofu.

00:22:46 話者 25

Very nice. You can offer your tofu and matcha, right?

00:22:51 話者 26

Matcha is really trimming.

00:22:53 話者 27

We're trying to extend our product range.

It fits the best for the product range that we have.

00:23:00 話者 3

Today, several suppliers who tasted it expressed interest in purchasing matcha tofu.

So, the company immediately started negotiations.

00:23:12 話者 25/Kobayashi Masaya/General Manager, Somenoya

Our ultimate goal is for people to use our products in their daily lives at home.

00:23:18 話者 3

An organization that supports Japanese companies expanding overseas says the future looks bright for those trying to sell tofu in Europe.

00:23:30 話者 28/Okamoto Shigeki/Director General, JETRO Berlin

I believe if we effectively promote the Japanese companies' dedication to production and the background of their products and manufacturers, consumption will keep growing.

00:23:41 話者 3

And  new Japanese products are riding the wave of the global health craze.

Little by little, they're finding their way into European homes.

00:23:58 話者 5

And that is it for Business News.

♪

WEATHER

00:24:22 話者 1

Now it's time to check out the world weather. 

The US has been experiencing unseasonable heat and severe storms.

Our meteorologist, Yumi Hirano, has the details.

00:24:34 話者 6/Yumi Hirano

Warm air is covering the US northeast, bringing summer-like conditions.

New York City had a high of 32.2 degrees, setting a daily record.

But between warm and cold air, storms developed, so people in parts of Michigan experienced severe weather.

The eastern US faced unseasonal heat. In New York, a rare, long heat wave pushed temperatures up, and many residents seemed to be enjoying the heat.

Meanwhile, an EF-1 tornado ripped through parts of Michigan, tearing down rooftops and uprooting trees.

Even after the tornado ended, strong winds damaged a building and tore off roof panels.

The next system is already expected to develop over the Great Lakes region and the Mississippi Valley.

Severe thunder showers, gusty winds, large hail and even tornadoes are possible from Illinois to Oklahoma through Friday.

The heat will continue in the east on Thursday, so the highs will be 28 in New York and 33 in Washington, which are both over 10 degrees higher than usual.

Now moving to Asia. A stationary front is still lingering along southern China, and a low-pressure system is expected to form, intensifying downpours.

Up to 100 mm of rain is possible by Friday afternoon.

Additional downpours could easily lead to potential flooding.

Showers are also likely in Hong Kong and Taipei, but sunny skies are expected in Tokyo with a high of 21.

coaching conditions will continue in Bangkok, the high will be 37.

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

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

00:27:40 話者 1

That's all for this edition of NHK Newsline.

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

NHK World

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