From our studios in Tokyo, this is NHK Newsline. I'm Ross Mihara.
REPORT: WASHINGTON PROPOSES 15-POINT PLAN
US and Israeli media say Washington has sent Iran a 15-point plan to end their ongoing conflict.
The proposal reportedly calls on Tehran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and limit its missile capabilities. But Iranian officials deny any talks with Washington.
Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 says the two sides would discuss the plan during a month-long ceasefire.
The proposal includes dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities and decommissioning its facilities.
It would also commit the country to never seeking nuclear weapons.
The broadcaster says Iran, in return, would see all sanctions lifted.
It would also receive US assistance for a civilian nuclear energy program.
US President Donald Trump says talks are underway with what he calls the right people in Iran. He also says Tehran has offered what he describes as a very significant prize.
00:01:09 話者 10/Donald Trump
They gave us a present, and the president arrived today, and it was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money.
TRUMP: US 'IN NEGOTIATIONS RIGHT NOW' WITH TEHRAN
00:01:19 話者 1
He suggests the president is related to the Strait of Hormuz, but gave no further details.
Meanwhile, Iran says ships from countries not involved in hostilities can pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Its mission to the United Nations made the announcement Tuesday on social media.
CNN reports Tehran has signaled to the Trump administration it would prefer to negotiate with Vice President J.D. Vance rather than other senior officials.
Pakistan's prime minister is pushing for a diplomatic solution.
Shehbaz Sharif has offered to help mediate.
He says the country stands ready to host meaningful and conclusive talks.
REPORT: US ORDERS ANOTHER 2,000 SOLDIERS TO MIDDLE EAST
The US Defense Department has reportedly ordered about 2,000 airborne troops to begin moving to the Middle East. That's according to the New York Times.
It says the order gives Trump additional military options as he weighs a new diplomatic initiative.
Amid ongoing tensions, Al Jazeera reports Iran's health ministry says at least 1,500 people have been killed as of Tuesday in US and Israeli attacks.
It says more than 18,000 have been injured.
BUSINESS
Now for more business stories, here's Gene Otani.
00:02:37 話者 3
Ross, thanks.
TOKYO STOCKS FINISH HIGHER ON HOPES OF DE-ESCALATION
Tokyo shares jumped on Wednesday as investor concerns over the Middle East conflict eased somewhat.
Traders picked up stocks after Israeli media reported that the US is seeking a month-long ceasefire with Iran.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed nearly 2.9% higher at 53,749. Buying kicked in across the board at the opening. The index briefly recovered the 54,000 mark.
The finish marked the second straight day of gains and a rebound from two large losses through Monday. The Nikkei index had dropped more than 3% each day.
GASOLINE PRICES IN JAPAN FALL FOR FIRST TIME IN 6 WEEKS
Meanwhile, gasoline prices in Japan have fallen for the first time in six weeks.
That's after the government started providing subsidies meant to limit pain at the pump.
The Oil Information Center says retail prices of regular gasoline averaged over 177 yen per liter on Monday, or about $1.12. That's down nearly 7% from the previous week.
The subsidies began for fuel shipments from last Thursday and are intended to keep prices at around 170 yen per liter.
The industry ministry says the subsidies will be increased from Thursday this week to about 48 yen per liter.
The center says this will likely help lower the average price closer to the government's 170 yen target in the next survey.
CONCERNS GROW OVER NAPHTHA SHORTAGE IN JAPAN
The Iran situation is now raising concerns in Japan about the supply of an essential ingredient for making a wide range of plastic products.
It's called naphtha. It's distilled from crude oil.
This company in Chiba Prefecture uses naphtha to make plastic containers.
The company currently pays around a dollar and 50 cents per kilogram of naphtha.
But suppliers have recently told the company that they will have to raise their prices by about 60 cents per kilogram.
00:04:49 話者 21/Kanei Shunsuke/Company president
This will be the largest increase in naphtha prices my company has ever experienced.
We will have to raise our own prices accordingly.
00:04:59 話者 3
Kane said suppliers have also said they may have to limit the amount of naphtha they supply in the near future.
He is asking suppliers whether they could procure it from other sources overseas.
Naphtha is also used for making a broad range of plastic products that are commonly used in medical care.
This clinic in Tokyo provides dialysis, a treatment that filters waste substances from the blood of people with damaged kidneys.
The disposable tubes used in the process are plastic.
Plastics are used in equipment for purifying blood.
00:05:38 話者 22/Yoshida Hiraku/Clinic director
We have only enough stock to last for about two weeks.
Without supplies of these products, we'd be in big trouble.
00:05:48 話者 3
The plastic products must be replaced for each patient. Yoshida says he's concerned about whether their supplies might stop if the Iran situation drags on.
JAPAN SEEKS NEW SUPPLIERS AS NAPHTHA RESERVES RUN LOW
Japanese companies using naphtha say they have enough supply to keep production running through next month.
They are seeking new suppliers as shipments fall from the Middle East.
The head of the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association says the country does have larger stockpiles of plastic products made from the key feedstock.
Polyethylene inventories can meet demand for four months.
Stocks of polypropylene are sufficient for three months.
00:06:37 話者 23/Kudo Koshiro/Chairman, Japan Petrochemical Industry Association
It's our responsibility to do all we can to keep supplies flowing.
We are conducting a detailed analysis of the current situation with each firm.
00:06:48 話者 3
He said that the association is working on sourcing naphtha from outside the Middle East.
This includes suppliers in the US, Central and South America, and Asia.
PHILIPPINES DECLARES NATIONAL ENERGY EMERGENCY
The Philippines has declared a national energy emergency.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has set up a governmental committee to tackle what he calls an imminent danger. Marcos signed the executive order on Tuesday.
It states that hostilities in the Middle East end.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz have brought uncertainty to global energy markets and supply chains, posing a threat to the country's energy security.
Marcos chairs the committee, which includes officials of relevant ministries and governmental bodies.
It aims to ensure stable energy supplies to sustain economic activities and public services.
The energy crisis has been hitting the livelihoods of Filipinos.
Workers in public transportation, such as jeepney bus drivers, have gone on strike.
They are calling on the government to raise fares and abolish fuel taxes.
Authorities are negotiating with other countries in a bid to procure oil, as the Philippines has only 45 days of reserves left.
JAPAN ASKS AIRLINES TO KEEP DOMESTIC FLIGHTS ON TIME
NHK has learned that Japan's transport ministry has asked airlines to ensure they stick to scheduled departures for domestic flights.
The first ever request for concrete measures comes as on-time departures have fallen to their lowest level on record.
The ministry says 84% of domestic flights took off within 15 minutes of their scheduled departure times in fiscal 2024.
The rate was higher in 2015 at 91%, has fallen every year since, excluding the coronavirus outbreak.
The ministry says the figure has dropped partly due to a rise in inbound passengers and downsized planes. This has led to congested schedules.
Officials are asking airlines to take steps to correct the issue. These include creating more realistic flight schedules and stricter final boarding calls for passengers.
OPENAI AXES SORA VIDEO APP IN STRATEGY SHIFT
OpenAI says it's pulling the plug on the Sora app just six months after its latest launch as an advanced video generator tool.
The decision is seen as a shift to other priorities as AI competition intensifies.
OpenAI announced the termination of the app on Tuesday on X.
The updated version debuted in September last year and could generate high-quality short videos from text prompts.
The release kicked off a backlash amid allegations Sora had been trained on copyrighted materials such as anime characters without permission.
OpenAI in December reached an agreement with the Walt Disney Company that allowed Sora to use Disney characters.
Some US media report the Sora shutdown is one of many streamlining steps by OpenAI ahead of a possible initial public share sale this year.
MARKETS
All right, let's have a look at the markets.
♪
That's a look at business news.
Ross, I'm going to hand it back to you.
00:10:43 話者 1
All right. Thanks, Gene.
TOKYO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TESTING AI CLASSMATE
In Japan, the new school year starts in April, and generative AI may find its way into more and more Japanese classrooms.
Students at one Tokyo elementary school already have an AI classmate.
00:11:07 話者 4
This is a national elementary school in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward.
Shown on the monitor is a generative AI chatbot called Saya, a virtual classmate for children in this fourth grade class.
The school has been introducing the technology into its classes on a trial basis over the past year.
00:11:28 話者 4/Saya/
What do you think? Which is more important? Fulfilling dreams or promises?
00:11:33 話者 4
In this classroom, the goal is to help students deepen their thoughts through dialogue with the chatbot.
In an ethics class, students were told a story about the idea of sincerity.
00:11:48 話者 42/Kousaka Souhei/Teacher
There was a magician who knew his trade well, but struggled to win recognition.
00:11:55 話者 4
One day, the magician was given the opportunity of a lifetime to perform on a grand stage.
But he had already made a promise to a boy that he would show him his magic tricks.
00:12:06 話者 42
The magician couldn't make up his mind.
If he missed this opportunity, he might never be able to perform on such a grand stage again. But the boy was waiting for him.
00:12:19 話者 4
The magician decided to keep his promise to the boy instead of pursuing his dreams.
The students were asked how they felt about his decision.
00:12:28 話者 43
I think it was great that the magician went to the boy, even at the expense of giving up his dream.
00:12:34 話者 4
Most of the students agreed that the magician was being sincere. However.
00:12:41 話者 42
Now let's ask Saya what she thinks.
00:12:45 話者 4/Saya/
From the perspective of sincerity toward his own dreams, isn't the magician being untrue to himself? What do you guys think?
What do you think things might be like for him a year from now?
00:13:00 話者 4
This comment from the chatbot prompted active discussion among the students.
They started considering the magician's decision from angles they hadn't thought of before.
00:13:13 話者 44
I think Saya is great because she gives views that kind of contradict the rest of the class.
00:13:25 話者 45
We sometimes feel distant from our teachers, but we feel closer to Saya.
00:13:31 話者 4
Their teacher is optimistic about the role AI could play in his classroom, but says it needs to be used thoughtfully.
00:13:40 話者 42
I think the timing of when to use Saya is probably important. We need to use it at the correct time, because it has the potential to spark lively discussions.
Sometimes students have gaps in their thinking, so AI could be useful to make learning more exciting.
00:13:58 話者 1
For more on how AI is finding its way into Japanese classrooms.
THE FUTURE OF AI IN THE CLASSROOM
Earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Arakawa Maho.
She's been covering education in Japan and beyond.
Maho, can you tell me about how schools are using these new tools?
00:14:15 話者 5/Arakawa Maho
Right now, generative AI is still mostly limited to pilot projects, like the one we just saw at the Tokyo Elementary School.
Historically, Japan has been slow to adapt new digital technologies in classrooms compared to other developed countries.
So over the past few years, the government has made it a priority for Japan to catch up.
And so now we see things like students being provided with tablets or these trials with AI chatbots.
On Tuesday, a government panel approved the content of the textbooks that will be used in high schools starting April 2027.
The new textbooks includes suggestions for how to use AI to enhance learning of all kinds of subjects, including mathematics and Japanese language.
So we can probably expect AI to become more common in Japanese schools in the future.
00:15:19 話者 1
Generative AI is still a very new technology.
What type of risks might there be for kids using it in the classroom?
00:15:27 話者 5
There are definitely some risks.
For example, the systems might collect personal information that children enter, such as names or photos, which could lead to data leaks and compromised privacy.
AI systems also may sometimes present incorrect information as if it were true, and children may believe it without noticing the mistake.
I've also heard growing concerns that children are relying on AI too much.
When teachers ask a question, some students immediately turn to a chatbot for the answer instead of thinking for themselves.
So because of these concerns, some schools are restricting AI use by age.
AI and other digital learning tools are generally avoided in lower elementary grades.
00:16:24 話者 1
What concerns do teachers themselves have about this new technology?
00:16:29 話者 5
Many teachers are feeling uncertain about how to use AI in their classrooms.
Here's what one education expert told us.
00:16:41 話者 51/Mitsui Kazuki/Associate Professor, Yamanashi University
Generative AI is still very new as an educational tool, so we don't yet know what kinds of problems may arise and how to respond when they do.
It's hard for teachers to use something in class that they have never experienced themselves.
That's why sharing effective examples and information will be essential going forward, along with providing thorough training.
00:17:12 話者 5
AI has the potential to be a helpful tool, but as we talked about, it can also be harmful.
So the question teachers are struggling with is how to use it to enhance children's critical thinking skills and not take away from them.
Teachers know that they have a lot of responsibility in shaping children's futures,
So they are taking this test of their abilities very seriously.
UKRAINE TARGETS RUSSIAN OIL FACILITIES
00:17:48 話者 1
Ukraine's military has announced that it conducted attacks on key Russian oil facilities.
It has long accused Moscow of using oil sales to fund the conflict.
The General Staff says it struck the oil port Primorsk on the Baltic Sea.
Reuters news agency says the terminal had suspended oil exports after Sunday's attacks.
The Ukrainian military also says it hit a central Russian oil refinery about 1,400 kilometers from the border.
Kyiv has criticized the US for easing sanctions on Russian oil.
Washington took the step to bring down surging oil prices caused by the conflict in Iran.
Moscow retaliated for the attacks. The Russian Defense Ministry says its forces carried out strikes targeting Ukraine's defense industry.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's been briefed on the results of talks with the US. He says security guarantees need to be worked out to end the conflict.
NASA TO INVEST $20 BIL. TO BUILD MOON BASE
The US space agency NASA says it is going to invest $20 billion over the next seven years to build a base on the moon. It is also suspending plans to construct a new space station.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the agency's revised plans for the US-led Artemis program on Tuesday. NASA intends to land humans on the moon in 2028.
Isaacman says the agency will focus on building the lunar base while pausing plans for the new Gateway space station.
The Gateway was to serve as a staging point for the transportation of humans and supplies, preparing to build a future moon base.
00:19:24 話者 61/
The goal is not flags and footprints. This time, the goal is to stay.
Today, we are providing a demand signal for frequent crewed missions.
00:19:35 話者 1
He says NASA is now focusing on infrastructure that supports sustained operations on the lunar surface.
LAGUARDIA SAFETY SYSTEM FAILED TO ALERT BEFORE RUNWAY CRASH
US authorities say a runway safety system at New York's LaGuardia Airport failed to generate an alert before a passenger jet collided with a fire truck on Sunday.
The two pilots were killed in the incident, and more than 40 people were injured.
The National Transportation Safety Board held a news conference Tuesday to share its analysis of cockpit voice recorder data.
A safety board official said the air traffic control tower cleared the fire truck to cross the runway 20 seconds before the recording ended.
Nine seconds before the end, the truck was told to stop.
The airport uses a radar-based safety system that allows controllers to track the movement of aircraft and ground vehicles.
The safety board said the system did not generate an alert in this case because the proximity of multiple vehicles near the runway made them difficult to track.
It added that the fire truck had no transponder to broadcast its location, making it harder to detect on radar.
The agency says it plans to interview the firefighters who were on the truck as it continues to investigate the collision.
NEW US COMMANDER TO BOOST COOPERATION WITH JSDF
US Forces Japan is reorganizing its command structure.
The move is expected to help better coordinate with the Japan Self-Defense Forces to prepare for contingencies.
A ceremony Tuesday marked the assignment of the first dedicated commander of the US
Fifth Air Force.
The unit is deployed in Japan. Lieutenant General Joel Kerry took the new position.
00:21:18 話者 75/Joel Kerry
The security landscape in the Indo-Pacific is increasingly complex and dynamic, demanding a force that is perpetually prepared.
00:21:28 話者 1
Previously, the US Forces Japan commander led the unit.
The organizational change includes the establishment of a Joint Force Headquarters.
It will have operational command.
00:21:40 話者 76/Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost/US Forces Japan Commander
The USFJ transformation is underway and at full speed.
And it is the driver for today's historic change of command ceremony for Fifth Air Force.
00:21:50 話者 1
The headquarters is expected to work in coordination with the Japan Self-Defense Forces Joint Operations Command.
The new organization will help speed up communication between the two countries regarding command and control issues.
HONG KONG'S APPLE DAILY TO BE DEREGISTERED, DISSOLVED
The Hong Kong government has ordered that the Apple daily newspaper be struck off the corporate registry and dissolved.
The Hong Kong Daily was known for its critical coverage of the Chinese government.
In 2021, the newspaper was forced to stop publishing after its executives, including founder Jimmy Lai, were arrested and its assets frozen.
The deregistration order follows last month's court ruling that found Lai guilty and sentenced him to a 20-year prison term.
The court ruled that Lai and his company had colluded with foreign forces and harmed national security.
The Apple Daily was founded in 1995, two years before Hong Kong was returned to China.
It continued to publish articles critical of the authorities, despite Beijing's increasing influence over the media.
It was often referred to as the last bastion of free speech in the city.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong media reported that four people were arrested on Tuesday on charges of violating the National Security Ordinance for selling copies of Lai's biography.
Hong Kong has been tightening control over the publication and sales of books since the national security law came into effect.
WEATHER
It's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh.
So, Jonathan, we saw the clouds and some showers rolling through parts of Japan Wednesday. Will more be on the way later this week.
00:23:33 話者 6/Jonathan Oh
Hello, after a bright day on Tuesday as it went through Wednesday, rain started to pick up across a good portion of Japan.
The areas toward the northeastern portions of the country is the exception to that.
But as we go into Thursday, we might be seeing maybe some more activity up toward the north as well. We had high pressure that was in place.
That's pushing off toward the east and low pressure is coming in from the west.
And so we'll be talking about rain as we go through the overnight period and the eastern side of Japan picking up, or continuing the rain rather, as we go throughout Thursday before the low slowly tries to push off.
And so we're talking about the rain sticking around with slightly cooler temperatures in Tokyo with a high of 13 on Thursday. Might get a break on Friday.
Some folks might have to dodge some showers on Saturday.
I know a lot of people want to go out and check out the cherry blossoms coming up this weekend, but at least in the Kanto Koshin region, may have to look out for the possibility of some showers as you go into Saturday.
Speaking of some cherry blossoms, I want to show you some video coming out of Europe where it's over 8,000 kilometers away from Japan at the foot of the Alps in Italy.
145 cherry trees have burst into full bloom in the historic gardens of what once was a royal residence.
Each year, as the landscape transforms into a soft canopy of pink, thousands of visitors gather to experience hanami, the Japanese tradition of enjoying cherry blossoms at their peak.
The opportunity to view the blossoms is brief as the lead gardener says there are only 15 days to catch a glimpse as the petals rain down like snow.
So because of this, the gardens stay open late to offer a rare chance to see the blossoms at night.
Probably to bundle up as well coming up as we head toward Thursday and Friday as we have a big push of cold air coming in from the north.
And so we'll be seeing the temperatures falling.
So Wednesday is going to be slightly on the warmer side, highs in the mid-teens and upper teens in the central portions of Europe before the temperatures start to fall down.
Overnight lows will get chilly as well going to Thursday and Friday.
Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
JELLYFISH SET FOR COMEBACK AT AQUARIUM IN NORTHEAST JAPAN
00:26:30 話者 1
Among the creatures of the sea, jellyfish don't get much respect, but don't feel too bad for them. An aquarium in northeastern Japan has built up an impressive collection.
Kamo Aquarium in Yamagata Prefecture has renovated its facilities and is now set to welcome back visitors. Local residents can get an early look.
The jellyfish zone has grown by about 50 percent and the number of species on display has increased from around 80 to about 100.
There are six new tanks, each two-and-a-half meters across, where visitors can watch jellyfish drifting lazily past.
A research area allows visitors to examine tiny specimens using microscopes and magnifying glasses.
00:27:16 話者 7/Hirose Miho/Kamo Aquarium
Even people who aren't interested in jellyfish can learn something about them.
I hope people will take a close look at each display.
00:27:26 話者 1
Kamo Aquarium is set to welcome visitors back on April 1.
I'm Ross Mihara in Tokyo, and that's all we have this hour on NHK Newsline.
Thanks for staying with us.
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