(2026/8/23) Rail Accident, Bear Attack & Paraguay Visit | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

Police probe a fatal rail accident, 

a bear injures a foreign tourist, 

and Japan’s Crown Prince meets migrants in Paraguay.

栃木の列車事故捜査、

外国人観光客の熊被害、

日本の皇嗣ご夫妻がパラグアイ移住者と面会。

20260823180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 (Maria Sato)

Hello, welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo with the top stories.

Police Investigating Fatal Rail Accident 

Police in Tochigi Prefecture north of Tokyo are investigating a train accident that left four workers dead. They raided a subsidiary of Tobu Railway.

Police seized materials at construction firm Tobu Kensetsu on Sunday.

The company is suspected of professional negligence resulting in death.

It was subcontracted to remove weeds along train tracks.

Police are studying whether there were any problems with safety measures.

Four workers were spraying herbicide along the tracks when they were struck by a train approaching a station. They were later confirmed dead.

At the station, there are staff members tasked with confirming the approach of trains and others who should confirm that workers have moved to a safe area.

Bear Attacks Foreign Tourist In Northern Japan 

A foreign tourist has been injured in a bear attack at a popular sightseeing spot in northern Japan. The attack comes as bear encounters become more common across the country.

Local authorities said the man in his 30s was attacked Saturday morning near an observation deck overlooking Lake Towada in Aomori Prefecture.

He was bitten on the arm and suffered injuries to his mouth and shoulder.

The man was airlifted to hospital and is reportedly conscious.

His injuries are said to be not life threatening.

Towada city officials say the bear escaped into the mountains after the attack.

The city has asked local hunters to set traps to capture the animal.

Police officers are patrolling the area and urging residents and tourists to remain alert.

Japan's Crown Prince, Princess Meet Migrants In Paraguay 

Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Akishino reflected on the hardships faced by early Japanese immigrants to Paraguay in a district where they first settled 90 years ago.

The couple visited La Colmena, about 130 kilometers from the capital, Asansion, on Saturday. It's a place where the first group of Japanese immigrants settled in 1936.

A total of about 380 Japanese immigrants and Japanese Paraguayans live there today.

The couple laid flowers at a cenotaph that has 530 names of people, including those who died in accidents or from illness in the early days of the settlement.

The couple then spoke to the immigrants and their descendants.

The prince asked Kanazawa Yotsuko how long it took to travel from Japan to La Comena when she and her family immigrated in 1941 at the age of three.

She said it took a 70-day ocean voyage and more days of traveling by train and ox cart.

The prince gave an address at a luncheon organized by a Japanese Paraguayan group.

He expressed his understanding that many people passed away without realizing their goal during the hard years and paid tribute to them.

He expressed his heartfelt pleasure and respect about the important positions of responsibility held by the Japanese and their families in Paraguayan society today in various fields such as growing delectable fruits.

Pairs Figure Skating Olympic Medalists To Wed

The Japanese figure skating duo that won hearts and won gold at this year's Winter Olympics is teaming up once again this time to get married.

Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi are known by the nickname Riku Ryu.

Kihara announced their engagement Sunday on social media, saying they will move forward together while always staying true to who they are.

Kihara is 34 years old and Miura is 24.

They began working together in 2019 and made their Olympic debut at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, finishing in seventh place.

They rose through the rankings thanks to close synchronization and challenging techniques such as lifts and won the world title twice.

At February's Milano-Cortino Olympic Winter Games, they experienced difficulty during their signature lift in the short program and fell to fifth place.

But in the free skating event, they staged a dramatic comeback and won with a record high score. It was the first Olympic medal for Japan in pairs figure skating.

After the games, they announced they were retiring from competition to focus on producing ice shows and other events to promote the sport of pairs figure skating.

Trump Tariffs: US Levies Additional 50% On Canadian Goods

US President Donald Trump's administration has imposed additional 50% tariffs on certain goods from Canada. 

The duties took effect at 12:01 a.m., US Eastern Time, on Saturday.

The levies reportedly affect products worth roughly 20 billion US dollars.

They include dairy goods, wine, and hockey sticks.

The duties also apply to items eligible for preferential treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, known as USMCA.

Western media say the move follows a failure to reach a deal in trade talks between Washington and Ottawa.

Businesses are concerned about the effects for Canada and the US.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reacted sharply to the move.

00:06:24 話者 12/Mark Carney/Canadian Prime Minister

We cannot accept what they've offered and we will not give what they've asked.

00:06:33 (Maria Sato)

Carney said his country will match the US tariffs dollar for dollar to protect its workers and businesses.

He said Canada will introduce additional tariffs on products from the US starting September 8.

Last month, the Trump administration revealed that it would slap additional tariffs on Canadian products based on section 338 of the Tariff Act.

It acknowledged at the time that Canada had expressed a commitment to remove the discriminations or unreasonable and unequal impositions at issue.

Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refinery, Logistics Center

Ukrainian forces have used drones to attack an oil refinery and a logistic hub in central Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post on Saturday that the refinery was 1,000 kilometers from the front line in Russia's Samara region.

Russian online retailer Ozon said the strike on its Samara logistics center started a fire.

Ozon said work at the facility was halted after the attack.

On Saturday, Russia's presidential office released an interview with Vladimir Putin by a Russian media outlet. Putin vowed to step up the offensive against Ukraine.

He said it has set the goal of harming Russia's economy and opened Pandora's box.

Putin also said Russia will undertake strikes on the most sensitive areas of Ukraine's economy.

On Friday, a Russian drone strike on a shopping center in eastern Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region left at least 16 people dead.

Russian attacks continued into Saturday across Ukraine.

In the capital Kyiv, a Russian missile attack hit a railway facility, killing an employee.

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

World Weather

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

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

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

checked.

NHK World

00:10:01 話者 99

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

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

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

For more details of our programs, nhk.jp/rj nhk.jp/rj 

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

(2026/8/22) Iran Conflict, ICC Warning & Paraguay Ceremony | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

US steps up Iran sanctions while keeping military options open; 

ICC chief warns US measures threaten rule of law; 

Japan’s Crown Prince attends Paraguay immigration ceremony.

米国はイラン制裁を強化し軍事オプションも維持、

ICC長官は米制裁が法の支配を脅かすと警告、

日本の皇嗣ご夫妻はパラグアイ移住90周年式典に出席。

20260822180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 (Maria Sato)

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

Iran Conflict
Trump to Ramp Up Iran Sanctions, Keep Military Options Open

US President Donald Trump says he will step up economic pressure on Iran while keeping open the possibility of further military action.

Trump announced Wednesday that he plans to impose what he called crushing sanctions on countries that cooperate with Iran.

On Friday, he told reporters he's not ruling out other forms of intervention.

00:00:37 話者 12

Schifting economic work there towards Iran, does that indicate that the military options in the region for the US are limited.

00:00:44 話者 10/Donald Trump

No, not at all. It just means that we're seeing what happens.

00:00:50 (Maria Sato)

NHK spoke on Friday with Victoria Coates, who oversaw Iran policy during Trump's first term as part of the National Security Council.

She said the goal is to show Iran it's a choice between making a deal on Trump's terms or economic collapse.

00:01:08 話者 14/Victoria Coates

Well the president as commander-in-chief always retains the possibility of restarting.

military intervention, I think there are apparently additional target sets that they could hit.

And so it'll be kind of a balancing act.

00:01:28 (Maria Sato)

Iran has condemned the planned sanctions as economic terrorism.

The US says it will announce more details on Monday.

ICC Head Warns Against End of Rule of Law After US Sanctions

International Criminal Court President Akane Tomoko has warned that US sanctions against her must not mark the beginning of the end for the rule of law.

The judge issued a comment through her Japanese publisher Bungei Shunju on Friday.

Akane said that she had anticipated the US action to some extent and was not surprised.

The Japanese judge added that what matters is ensuring that it doesn't mark the start of the demise of international rule of law.

She also said support from Japan and the Japanese people will be important.

The Trump administration announced sanctions against Akane on Tuesday.

It accused the court of maliciously abusing authority.

The United Nations and European countries have voiced concern over the US measures.

HK Court Convicts Group Behind Tiananmen Vigils

A court in Hong Kong has convicted the organizers of a vigil commemorating China's Tiananmen Square crackdown.

The group was found guilty of inciting subversion under a national security law.

The ruling came on Friday. The court says the group's use of the phrase and one-party dictatorship implies overthrowing or destroying.

The court also says the group tried to undermine trust in the Chinese Communist Party.

The annual vigil has been banned since 2020.

The wife of one defendant spoke to reporters after the ruling.

00:03:12 話者 25/Elizabeth Tang

My husband was convicted even though there is absolutely no evidence he acted unlawfully. I'm really angry.

00:03:24 (Maria Sato)

Britain's foreign ministry released a statement on Friday saying even peaceful acts of remembrance in Hong Kong are now treated as threats to national security.

China, Indonesia Hold Talks on Trade, Security

The foreign ministers of China and Indonesia have agreed to expand cooperation in areas including trade development and artificial intelligence.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono met in Jakarta on Friday for the first meeting of the two countries' comprehensive strategic dialogue mechanism.

China says the ministers agreed to work toward the early conclusion of a code of conduct between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

It says the code would aim to prevent conflicts in the South China Sea.

Beijing and Jakarta have differences over the South China Sea but are advancing bilateral cooperation. Earlier this month, their navies held joint drills in waters east of Taiwan.

The two countries also held a joint meeting involving their foreign and defense ministers.

China says both sides agreed to deepen defense cooperation, including through joint exercises. 

Indonesia is a major economic power in Southeast Asia. By strengthening relations with the country, China is believed to be aiming to enhance its influence in the region.

Meanwhile, Indonesia apparently hopes to boost economic growth by expanding trade with China and attracting investment.

War in Ukraine   Report: Russian Military Death Toll Passes 240,000

A new investigation suggests that Russia's military losses in Ukraine are continuing to rise.

Researchers say more than 240,000 soldiers have died since the invasion began in 2022.

And they say the actual number is likely much higher.

The figure comes from a joint investigation by the BBC and the independent Russian media outlet Mediazona.

They've tracked casualties using information from sources that include social media posts by relatives of the dead.

Experts estimate the real death toll could range from 430,000 to 530,000.

The report says the losses include a large number of well-trained officers.

That's made it harder for Russian forces to carry out complex operations.

It says they are now relying on heavy artillery and small unit assaults.

Meanwhile, the report cited publicly available data on Ukrainian casualties.

It estimates more than 210,000 soldiers have been killed or reported missing.

Japan's Crown Prince, Princess Attend Ceremony in Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Akishino have attended a ceremony marking 90 years of Japanese immigration to Paraguay.

The couple are in the South American country on an official visit.

On Friday morning, they laid white flowers at a cenotaph set up at an exhibition hall near the capital, Asoncion.

They paid tribute to Japanese immigrants and their descendants who died in the country.

The couple then attended the 90th anniversary ceremony, with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena and his wife.

About 650 people attended, including Japanese immigrants and Japanese Paraguayans.

Crown Prince Akishino delivered a speech.

00:07:17 話者 36/Akishino

Nihonjin ijū-sha, nikkei hito no minasama wa, kibishī shizen kankyō ya bunka, gengo no chigai o norikoete, muzukashī kaitaku o nashitoge, Paraguai no chiiki shakai ni nedzuku to tomoni, kyō no nikkei shakai no kiban o kizuite ko raremashita. Kongo tomo ryōkoku no yūkō no kakehashi to shite, kōken shite itadakereba saiwai ni omoimasu.

日本人移住者、日系人の皆様は、厳しい自然環境や文化、言語の違いを乗り越えて、難しい開拓を成し遂げ、パラグアイの地域社会に根付くとともに、今日の日系社会の基盤を築いてこられました。今後とも 両国の友好の架け橋として、貢献していただければ幸いに思います。

00:07:52 (Maria Sato)

Later in the day, the crown prince and princess attended a reception where they spoke with government officials and representatives of the Japanese community.

On Saturday, the couple will visit La Komena, where the first Japanese immigrants settled.

Plaque for New Zealand Quake Victims Possibly Stolen

Police in New Zealand say a plaque honoring the victims of a deadly earthquake in the country has gone missing. They say it may have been stolen.

The quake occurred in February 2011, killing 185 people, including 28 Japanese.

Many were studying or working at an English language school in Christchurch that collapsed.

Police say the brass plaque, which was put up in a square near a school, was removed sometime between August 11 and 12.

The city of Christchurch says the plaque bears an inscription saying, In the memory of the nine staff and 71 students of King's education who lost their lives in the earthquake on the 22nd of February 2011.

Another plaque in memory of New Zealand's war dead has also gone missing in Christchurch.

Police are treating both cases as theft and calling for any information from the public.

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

World Weather

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

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

I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo. Thank you for joining.

checked.

NHK World

00:10:01 話者 99

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

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

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

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

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

(2026/8/21) Paraguay Visit, Train Accident & Iran Conflict | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

Crown Prince Akishino visits a Paraguay school, 

Japan probes a fatal train accident, 

and global tensions rise with Iran and China.

秋篠宮ご夫妻のパラグアイ訪問、

日本の列車事故調査、

そしてイランや中国をめぐる国際緊張が高まっています。

20260821180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/Kanako Sachno

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

Crown Prince And Princess Akishino Visit School In Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Akishino have visited a school in Paraguay that offers Japanese cultural programs.

The couple first paid a courtesy call on President Santiago Pena at the presidential palace in the capital Asuncion.

They then traveled to the school, which provides Japanese language and cultural classes.

Tea ceremony is one of the subjects.

Paraguay is home to an estimated 10,000 Japanese people and people of Japanese descent.

The Crown Princess was taught how to make an origami hat and then shown the students' paper creations.

The school also held a ceremony for the couple, performing a song that included Japanese phrases.

The crown prince and princess applauded as they watched a traditional dance in which performers balanced bottles on their heads.

Bad Communication May Have Led To Fatal Japan Train Accident

Police are questioning people who were at the site of Thursday's fatal railway accident north of Tokyo.

Railway operators have said poor communication among those responsible for track worker safety may have played a role.

Four workers were struck by Tobu Railways Limited Express train in Tochigi Prefecture while they were spraying herbicide on the tracks. All were later confirmed dead.

Company officials told a news conference that 10 people were at the accident site.

Three were posted as lookouts to signal with flags before trains approached the station.

Officials said they may not have been able to establish communication among themselves.

They added that the train entered the platform after a signal that all the workers had left the tracks.

Police are investigating the accident for the possibility of professional negligence resulting in death.

Gold Mine Collapse In Central African Republic Kills Over 100

A gold mine in the Central African Republic collapsed on Tuesday, killing more than 100 people. Rescue operations are continuing as many remain missing at the site.

The mine is located near the border with Cameroon.

Local authorities say they're looking into the cause of the collapse and trying to identify those responsible for operating the mine.

The Associated Press reports that several thousand people work in small scale extraction mining in the Central African Republic.

The media outlet says the miners typically lack sufficient protection, often leading to deadly outcomes.

China Exports Of Rare-Earth Magnets To Japan Plunge

China's shipments of rare earth magnets to Japan dropped by more than half from a year earlier in July.

This follows moves by Beijing to tighten controls on so-called dual use items bound for Japan.

Data released by Chinese customs authorities on Thursday shows overall exports of rare earth magnets stood at more than 5,300 tonnes.

That's down 3.5% from the same month last year.

Rare earth magnets are used for electric vehicle motors, among other purposes.

Shipments to Japan totaled 111 tons, marking a significant decline of about 52%.

The Chinese government has been strengthening control since January on exports deemed to have both military and civilian applications.

The latest figures indicate the restrictions are having an impact.

The data also shows that Japan-bound exports of a key raw material used to refine tungsten remained at 0 from January through July.

Tungsten is a critical mineral used in a wide range of industries.

China's overall exports to Japan increased by 14% last month.

But shipments of minerals that Japan mainly imports from China and certain other commodities have been on the decline.

This has raised concerns about the impact on Japanese industries.

Russia Holds Drills Near Japan's Northern Territories

Russia's Pacific Fleet has conducted an exercise off the coast of Japan's northern territories. Russia controls the four islands. Japan claims them.

Moscow says the drill on Thursday simulated an attack on ships in the area.

Defence officials say it included a nuclear-powered submarine and a guided missile cruiser.

They say an anti-ship missile system known as the Bastion was also part of the exercise.

President Vladimir Putin inspected a separate exercise by the Pacific fleet last week.

He said at the time, Moscow sees a potential conflict in the Asia-Pacific region.

He says NATO is making inroads there and forming a new military-political bloc, and he described Japan's sanctions against Russia as unprovoked.

The inspection came a day before Putin visited one of the four islands for the first time.

The Japanese government lodged a strong protest against the visit.

It maintains that the four islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory.

It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.

♫～

Iran Conflict: Trump Warns Of 'Crushing Economic Operation'

US President Donald Trump has said he's launching what he calls a crushing economic operation against Iran and he's warned that any country helping them will face tremendous consequences. But Iran is pushing back against Trump's latest threats.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbasar Aqji has slammed Trump's move.

He says the US plan is a diversion and it will only bring further defeat.

He calls it economic terrorism that threatens the global economy and sovereignty worldwide.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke to CNBC about the plan.

He claims it's going to be the greatest coordinated economic isolation in the history of the world.

And he warns that countries that keep doing business with Iran will face the full might and force of US sanctions.

He points to transferring money, buying Iranian oil or doing seaborne ship transfers.

Bessent  declined to say if China will be targeted, but he says it's in Beijing's interest to get with the program. 

He says he'll hold a news conference on Monday to provide more details.

Taiwan Proposes Record Defense Budget For 2027

Members of Taiwan's cabinet have released details about their draft budget for next year.

They're allocating a record amount of spending for defence.

That comes against a backdrop of increasing military pressure from China.

The budget proposed on Thursday allocates more than 1.1 trillion new Taiwan dollars, or about 35 billion US dollars for defense. It's the first time the total has surpassed 1 trillion.

The amount is reportedly equivalent to just over 3% of Taiwan's gross domestic product.

President Lai Ching-te said earlier this week that the budget demonstrates Taiwan's determination to strengthen its self-defense capabilities.

Lai appears to be responding to pressure from the Trump administration for Taiwan to increase its defence spending.

But with the legislature controlled by the opposition, smooth progress of the proposal may prove difficult.

This year's budget was only passed last week after a process that took almost a year.

And those were the main stories for this hour.

World Weather

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

That wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline.

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

checked.

00:10:09 話者 2

Hi there, it's time for NHK World Japan's Easy Japanese.

I'm Erico Kojima.

00:10:14 話者 3

And I'm Michael Reese.

Let's have fun learning Japanese together.

Now today we'll be bringing you lesson 25 on saying you're not feeling well.

The main character in our skit is Tam, a student from Vietnam who lives in Harusan House.

She's been relaxing in the living room, but something seems to be wrong.

00:10:40 話者 2

Listen to the skit for lesson 25.

Now let's go over the skit line by line.

00:11:16 話者 3

Haru-san is on the living room table.

She is equipped with a sensor that detects problems.

So her cheeks start to glow pale blue.

00:11:28 話者 2

Tam, you look pale.

What's wrong?

Tam coughs and says, My throat hurts.

Haru-san says, Oh dear.

00:11:46 話者 3

Haru-san gives her some advice.

00:11:52 話者 2

In times like these, ginger honey tea may help.

Miya says, Kaito is making you some now.

00:12:03 話者 3

Then Kaito brings Tam the ginger honey.

00:12:08 話者 2

Tea.

All ready, Tam.

Here you go.

00:12:14 話者 3

Miya says to Tam.

00:12:18 話者 2

Take care.

Now, ginger honey tea is made by pouring hot water over grated ginger and honey.

It's said to work on sore throats and coughs.

00:12:28 話者 3

Poor Tam.

Let's hope she gets better soon.

Today's key phrase is, My throat hurts.

If you learn this pattern, you'll be able to say what's wrong with you when you're not feeling well.

00:12:50 話者 2

First, look at the meaning of the key phrase.

Nodo is throat.

The ga that follows is a particle that indicates the part where you're feeling pain.

Itaindesu means it hurts.

Today's point is contained within itaindesu, that is n-desu.

When you want to explain to someone that you're not feeling well, you add 'ndesu' to the end of the sentence.

'Itaindesu' is made-up of the 'i' adjective 'itai', which means 'hurt', followed by 'ndesu'.

In today's kit, Tam used it to explain her condition to Haru-san.

00:13:34 話者 3

Now listen and repeat.

00:13:42 話者 2

OK, got it.

00:13:58 話者 3

Listen to a conversation about other health problems.

00:14:15 話者 2

Let's review the conversation.

00:14:18 話者 3

What's wrong?

00:14:22 話者 2

This is a phrase used to ask about someone's condition.

Do is an interrogative meaning how or what.

Try to memorize the whole phrase.

00:14:33 話者 4

Atama ga itai in desu.

00:14:35 話者 3

My head hurts.

00:14:37 話者 2

Atama means head.

Atama ga itai means my head hurts.

00:14:43 話者 4

Netsuga arun desu.

00:14:45 話者 3

I have a fever.

00:14:47 話者 2

Netsu means fever, and aru is a verb meaning to have.

Netsuga aru means to have a fever.

As you can see in this case, not only adjectives, but verbs can also come before ndesu.

00:15:05 話者 3

Repeat the answer after listening to the conversation.

Now, what would you say if your stomach hurts?

Stomach is...

00:15:32 話者 2

Onaka.

Onaka.

00:15:35 話者 3

And hurts is...

00:15:37 話者 2

Itai.

Itai.

00:15:39 話者 3

Right.

Go ahead.

00:15:46 話者 2

Onakaga itai desu.

Onakaga itai desu.

How about if you were feeling sick from motion sickness?

Feeling sick is...

Now give it a try.

00:16:22 話者 3

Okay, now you can explain what's wrong when you're feeling sick.

Today's bonus phrase is this line by Mia.

She said it to Tam who was not feeling well.

Memorize it and make it yours.

00:16:43 話者 2

Odaishini means take care.

It's a phrase you use with someone who's ill or has been injured, hoping that person will get some rest and feel better soon.

00:16:54 話者 3

Listen to how various people say it.

Now it's your turn.

Listen and repeat.

00:17:14 話者 2

Now let's listen to today's skit one more time.

Oh yeah, oh yeah.

00:17:51 話者 3

Next up, Haru-san's bag full of advice.

Today, what to do if you get sick in Japan?

00:18:02 話者 2

Michael, how about you?

What would you do if you got sick here?

00:18:06 話者 3

Well, it would depend really on the symptoms.

If it's not too serious, I'd probably buy something at a drugstore.

00:18:13 話者 2

When the symptoms are not too serious, drugstores are convenient.

If you describe your symptoms, such as my stomach hurts or I have a fever, the pharmacist will show you some over-the-counter medicines.

00:18:27 話者 3

What if you have to go see a doctor?

00:18:29 話者 2

Well, you should find a clinic or a hospital that has the right kind of doctors who can treat your symptoms.

After an examination, the doctor will give you a prescription.

You can take that to the drugstore to be filled.

The website of the Japan National Tourism Organization has a list of medical institutions that are prepared to accept international tourists, such as by offering information in various languages.

00:18:54 話者 3

To access the site, search for safe travels in Japan JNTO.

You might want to bookmark it for reference.

And you can also find nearby institutions by asking at the tourist information centers and hotel reception desks.

In case of emergencies, however, dial 119 on the phone and ask for an ambulance.

00:19:16 話者 2

Yes, that's 119.

Please remember that number, although I do hope you never need it.

We hope you enjoyed today's Easy Japanese.

00:19:36 話者 3

Please join us again.

Kusatsu Hot Springs

00:20:19 話者 4

Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors.

They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting edge technologies.

The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places.

In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature Kusatsu Hot Springs.

The first thing a visitor notices upon entering the town of Ksatsu is what appears to be a giant pond of hot water.

Some 4,000 liters of hot spring water gushes up every minute at this yubatake, or literally hot water field.

It's 60 meters across and 20 meters wide.

The area is filled with the sound of flowing water, steam rising from the ubatake, and a sulfurous odor typical of hot spring resorts.

It all adds up to create an atmosphere that helps visitors step away from their everyday mind state.

Kusatsu Hot Springs is in Guma Prefecture in the central part of Japan.

You can get there by the Shinkansen bullet train or buses from Tokyo.

Kusatsu has been a renowned hot spring resort for many centuries.

Emperors and shoguns, as well as regular people, have long taken a dip in its baths.

The natural hot springs are said to ease fatigue from long travels and supposedly have curative effects for illnesses, bruises, and sprains.

Kusatsu is ranked as one of the top three hot springs in Japan.

Bathing is a well-loved part of life in Japan, but bathing in hot springs is not the same as taking a bath at home.

Under Japan's hot spring law, in order to be officially considered a hot spring, the water, steam, and gas must well up from the ground and contain certain natural elements, and the temperature must be at least 25 degrees Celsius.

One of the main features of Ksetsu Hot Springs is the sheer amount of water that wells up from the ground in the area.

In terms of volume, it's the top hot spring in Japan with more than 32,000 liters gushing out a minute.

That's enough to fill 230,000 oil drums a day.

The Yubatake hot water pond at the center of the town is where visitors can get a sense of the vast amount of water flowing out from the ground.

Seven wooden conduits line the oval-shaped Yubatake.

Hot water of around 50 degrees Celsius cools as it flows through the conduits before being distributed for bathing to some baths.

The conduits also accumulate what are known as yunohana, or literally hot spring flowers.

They're crystalline compounds that form from the elements in the water as it's cooled by the air.

The crystals are gathered and dried and made into a powder.

The powder is a popular souvenir as it can be used as a natural bath salt.

But the most famous of the attractions at Kusetsu is a water stirring event called Yumomi.

With a temperature of around 50 degrees Celsius, the hot spring water must be cooled down to a temperature suitable for bathing.

One way to do this is yumomi stirring the water using wooden paddles.

Locals stir the water while singing traditional folk songs to keep rhythm.

The most famous of these are the kusetsu folk songs.

Visitors can enjoy yumomi performances and even try their own hand at stirring the water.

Thank you for tuning in to the backstory of Japanese landmarks.

We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.

NHK World

00:25:01 話者 99

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

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

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

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

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

(2026/8/19) S.Korea Drills, Trump–Kim Summit & Global Health | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

South Korea shortens joint drills with the US as President Trump seeks a summit with Kim Jong-un, 

while WHO warns Ebola in DRC is far from under control.

韓国は米国との合同演習を短縮し、トランプ大統領は金正恩との首脳会談を模索、

WHOはコンゴ民主共和国のエボラが未収束と警告。

Japan engages in Middle East diplomacy 

and faces domestic challenges from heavy rainfall and foreign resident support.

日本は中東外交を進める一方、豪雨被害や外国人住民支援など国内課題にも直面。

20260819180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/Ross Mihara

From our studios in Tokyo, this is NHK Newsline. I'm Ross Mihara.

S.Korean Military: Joint Exercise With US Shortened

South Korea's military says ongoing joint military drills with the United States will be shortened to end on Friday.

It says the change is being made at Washington's request.

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began on Monday.

It was scheduled to last through August 27.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on Wednesday the duration would be cut by almost half.

They also said the two sides are discussing scaling back field maneuvers that are part of the exercise.

This comes after US President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military drills with South Korea.

Trump said the exercises send a totally inappropriate and hostile signal to North Korea.

South Korean media outlets say training based on counterattack scenarios against the North will be canceled. Pyongyang has strongly denounced such drills.

Report: Trump Seeking Summit With North Korean Leader Kim

Meanwhile, a US media report says President Trump is pushing for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as soon as this autumn.

The Wall Street Journal said the move would be a renewed attempt at convincing Kim to abandon North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

Trump tried and failed to do so in his first term.

The report said the meeting could occur during Trump's next trip to Asia in November.

That's when he's set to take part in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum summit in Shenzhen, China.

The report added that Trump is searching for a crowning diplomatic success since victory in Iran remains elusive.

WHO: Ebola In DRC Far From Under Control

Ebola is running rampant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The World Health Organization chief warns the outbreak is far from being under control.

WHO Director General Tedros Adonom Guebresos told an emergency meeting the outbreak is moving unprecedentedly fast. It started spreading in May.

The WHO says almost 5,000 people have been infected and more than 2,300 have died.

The agency also says there are no effective vaccines for the virus behind the latest outbreak.

Officials plan to mobilize over 1,000 more health workers and increase the number of hospital beds to 3,000.

Japan FM Motegi Meets Yemen's Interim Leader

Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has met the leader of Yemen's interim government, Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi.

Their discussions included the need to safeguard shipping in the Middle East.

The talks took place on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Alimi's interim government is based outside Yemen due to a civil war involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The country sits on the Bab el Mandeb Strait, which serves as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz for oil shipments.

Moteghi said Yemen's stability is important for the development of the global community.

He also condemned the Houthis for attacking ships and other targets in the waterway.

Al-Alimi expressed gratitude for Japan's support.

He also said he highly values Japan's policy of pursuing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Motegi and Al-Alimi agreed to develop bilateral ties.

US Sanctions ICC Chief Akane Tomoko

The administration of US President Donald Trump is escalating its campaign against the International Criminal Court.

It's imposing sanctions on the court's leadership, including President Akane Tomoko.

Akane is a Japanese judge who took office in 2024.

The State Department released a statement from Marco Rubio on Tuesday.

It described the ICC as corrupt and fatally politicized.

It accuses the court of abusing its authority.

The sanctions call for any assets held in the US to be frozen, and the State Department says it's ready to take further action until the ICC can no longer threaten US sovereignty.

US officials have objected to the court's approval of an investigation into alleged war crimes by American troops in Afghanistan, and they've condemned arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes.

They've imposed sanctions on judges and prosecutors involved in those cases.

The ICC criticized the sanctions. It says targeting the court will undermine the rule of law and place the international legal order at risk.

It insists that it will continue to work independently.

Removing Cars Urgent Issue After Heavy Rainfall

People in Japan's Chiba Prefecture outside of Tokyo are dealing with the aftermath of last week's record-breaking rainfall.

Local officials confirm at least 13 people have died and one is still missing.

This man's car was swept away by floodwaters and stopped moving.

A male relative who rushed to the scene to help him went missing.

The man eventually managed to get out of the car on his own, but his relative was found in a nearby rice paddy on Monday and confirmed dead.

00:05:36 話者 11

When I think about it, I made a lot of mistakes.

The road was the one I always used, so I followed it. but I regret doing so.

00:05:49 話者 1

Over 2300 houses were damaged by flooding. Work has been underway to move roughly 2500 vehicles that were abandoned on roads in the city of Chiba after the deluge.

Authorities say they expect all of them will be moved as early as Wednesday.

Some drivers have hit abandoned vehicles.

Police had confirmed at least eight such cases by Tuesday.

Most of them happened when it was dark.

Japan Mulls Plan To Help Foreign Residents Adapt

Members of a Japanese government panel are working on a plan to help foreign residents.

It includes learning about the language and rules for daily life.

The program is aimed at creating an environment that enables a smooth adaptation to Japanese society. The plan will broadly cover medium to long-term residents.

The online learning environment will also be available outside Japan.

00:06:42 話者 21/Suzuki Hayato/Japanese State Minister of Cabinet Office

The establishment of the program is an important issue from the perspective of realizing an orderly and inclusive society.

Topics at the meeting included the content and target participants of the program, as well as how to reflect the results in resident status screening.

The panel confirmed it will continue discussions with the aim of starting the program in fiscal 2028.

Japan's Crown Prince And Princess Akishino Head To Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Akishino have departed for Paraguay.

Their visit comes 90 years after the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the South American country.

The couple left on a government plane from Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Tuesday.

Ahead of the trip, they held a news conference on Thursday.

(Japanese)

During the nine-day trip, the two are scheduled to attend a commemorative ceremony in the capital Asuncion and meet President Santiago Pena Palacios.

The crown prince and princess plan to visit a number of Japanese settlement sites.

They include La Comena, where the immigrants first settled, and Iguasu, a leading farming district for wheat and soybeans.

The couple is also expected to offer flowers at a monument dedicated to the pioneers and talk with the settlers and their descendants.

♪

Those were the stories for this hour. 

World Weather

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

I'm Ross Mihara in Tokyo. We thank you for joining us on NHK Newsline.

checked.

Easy Japanese

00:10:09 話者 2

Hi there, it's time for NHK World Japan's Easy Japanese.

I'm Erico Kojima.

00:10:14 話者 3

And I'm Michael Reese.

Let's have fun learning Japanese together.

Now today we'll be bringing you lesson 25 on saying you're not feeling well.

The main character in our skit is Tam, a student from Vietnam who lives in Harusan House.

She's been relaxing in the living room, but something seems to be wrong.

00:10:40 話者 2

Listen to the skit for lesson 25.

Tam-san, how are you?

Do you like this?

No, it's not.

Now let's go over the skit line by line.

00:11:16 話者 3

Haru-san is on the living room table.

She's equipped with a sensor that detects problems, so her cheeks start to glow pale blue.

00:11:28 話者 2

Tam, you look pale.

What's wrong?

Tam coughs and says, My throat hurts.

Haru-san says, Oh dear.

00:11:46 話者 3

Haru-san gives her some advice.

00:11:52 話者 2

In times like these, ginger honey tea may help.

00:11:57 話者 3

Miya says.

00:12:01 話者 2

Kaito is making you some now.

00:12:03 話者 3

Then Kaito brings Tam the ginger honey.

00:12:08 話者 2

Tea.

All ready, Tam.

Here you go.

00:12:14 話者 3

Mia says to Tam, Take care.

00:12:20 話者 2

Now, ginger honey tea is made by pouring hot water over grated ginger and honey.

It's set to work on sore throats and coughs.

00:12:28 話者 3

Poor Tam.

Let's hope she gets better soon.

Today's key phrase is, my throat hurts.

If you learn this pattern, you'll be able to say what's wrong with you when you're not feeling well.

00:12:49 話者 2

First, look at the meaning of the key phrase.

Nodo is throat.

The ga that follows is a particle that indicates the part where you're feeling pain.

Itaindesu means it hurts.

Today's point is contained within itaindesu.

That is n-desu.

When you want to explain to someone that you're not feeling well, you add 'ndesu' to the end of the sentence.

'Itaindesu' is made-up of the 'i' adjective 'itai', which means hurt, followed by 'ndesu'.

In today's kit, Tam used it to explain her condition to Haru-san.

00:13:34 話者 3

Now listen and repeat.

00:13:42 話者 2

Okay, got it.

00:13:58 話者 3

Listen to a conversation about other health problems.

00:14:15 話者 2

Let's review the conversation.

00:14:18 話者 3

What's wrong?

00:14:22 話者 2

This is a phrase used to ask about someone's condition.

Do is an interrogative meaning how or what.

Try to memorize the whole phrase.

00:14:33 話者 4

Atama ga itai in desu.

00:14:35 話者 3

My head hurts.

00:14:37 話者 2

Atama means head.

Atama ga itai means my head hurts.

00:14:43 話者 4

Netsuga arun desu.

00:14:45 話者 3

I have a fever.

00:14:47 話者 2

Netsu means fever, and aru is a verb meaning to have.

Netsuga aru means to have a fever.

As you can see in this case, not only adjectives but verbs can also come before ndesu.

00:15:05 話者 3

Repeat the answer after listening to the conversation.

Now, what would you say if your stomach hurts?

Stomach is...

00:15:32 話者 2

Onaka.

Onaka.

00:15:35 話者 3

And hurts is...

00:15:37 話者 2

Itai.

Itai.

00:15:39 話者 3

Right?

Go ahead.

00:15:46 話者 2

Onakaga itai desu.

Onakaga itai desu.

How about if you were feeling sick from motion sickness?

Feeling sick is kimochi gawarui.

Now, give it a try.

00:16:13 話者 4

Kimochi gawarui in desu.

00:16:23 話者 3

OK, now you can explain what's wrong when you're feeling sick.

Today's bonus phrase is this line by Mia.

She said it to Tam who was not feeling well.

Memorize it and make it yours.

00:16:43 話者 2

Odaishini means take care.

It's a phrase you use with someone who's ill or has been injured, hoping that person will get some rest and feel better soon.

00:16:54 話者 3

Listen to how various people say it.

Now it's your turn.

Listen and repeat.

00:17:14 話者 2

Now let's listen to today's skit one more time.

Thomas-san.

00:17:51 話者 3

Next up, Haru-san's bag full of advice.

Today, what to do if you get sick in Japan?

00:18:01 話者 2

Michael, how about you?

What would you do if you got sick here?

00:18:06 話者 3

Well, it would depend really on the symptoms.

If it's not too serious, I'd probably buy something at a drugstore.

00:18:13 話者 2

When the symptoms are not too serious, drugstores are convenient.

If you describe your symptoms such as my stomach hurts or I have a fever, the pharmacist will show you some over-the-counter medicines.

00:18:27 話者 3

What if you have to go see a doctor?

00:18:29 話者 2

Well, you should find a clinic or a hospital that has the right kind of doctors who can treat your symptoms.

After an examination, the doctor will give you a prescription.

You can take that to the drugstore to be filled.

The website of the Japan National Tourism Organization has a list of medical institutions that are prepared to accept international tourists, such as by offering information in various languages.

00:18:54 話者 3

To access the site, search for safe travels in Japan JNTO.

You might want to bookmark it for reference.

And you can also find nearby institutions by asking at the tourist information centers and hotel reception desks.

In case of emergencies, however, dial 119 on the phone and ask for an ambulance.

00:19:16 話者 2

Yes, that's 119.

Please remember that number, although I do hope you never need it.

We hope you enjoyed today's Easy Japanese.

00:19:36 話者 3

Please join us again.

Tokyo Skytree

00:20:19 話者 4

Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors.

They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting-edge technologies.

What led to their creation and what were the challenges involved?

The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places.

In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature the world's tallest broadcast tower, Tokyo Skytree.

Tokyo Skytree is 634 meters tall.

Other landmarks such as the Tokyo Tower and Paris's Eiffel Tower have wide bases.

But Tokyo Skytree is slim and more like a spire.

Its color, named Skytree White, is based on the lightest shade of Japanese indigo blue.

The tower can be seen from a great distance, but when people first see it, some think its form is rather simple.

Tokyo Skytree was built using state-of-the-art Japanese technology.

But that's not all.

Traditional skills respected and handed down over generations of craftspeople also played a vital role in its construction.

The base of Tokyo Skytree is triangular in shape when seen from above.

This was designed to let people enter from the three sides of the surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the two observation decks at the heights of 350 meters and 450 meters are round and offer a 360-degree panoramic view.

This means the cross-section of the tower's base is a triangle but becomes round toward the top.

Looking more carefully, Tokyo Skytree's outline is not made of straight lines.

The lines are actually slightly curved.

Depending where the tower is viewed from, some parts of the tower warp inwards, while other parts bulge outwards.

This comes from traditional Japanese architecture.

The inward warp is called sori, while the outward curve is called mukuri.

Tokyo Skytree's towering outline is a combination of sori and mukuri.

A particularly important feature of Tokyo Skytree is its earthquake resistance.

The tower's construction began in 2008.

Three years later, in 2011, a massive earthquake struck eastern Japan.

After overcoming a number of challenges posed by the disaster, the tower was completed in 2012.

Tokyo Skytree has an outer frame and an inner column.

The two are structurally detached.

During an earthquake, the column acts as a weight and moves in the opposite direction as the outer frame.

This reduces the impact of tremors.

This anti-seismic structure was inspired by a traditional Japanese structure, the five-story pagoda.

Five-story pagodas of Buddhist temples have a column at the center, similar to Tokyo Skytree.

Due to their excellent quake resistance, there are no records of any wooden pagodas collapsing in an earthquake in Japan's history.

Japan's oldest five-story pagoda is in Horyuji Temple in Nara, built more than 1,400 years ago.

The wisdom of ancient people lives on in today's advanced technologies.

Thank you for tuning in to the backstory of Japanese landmarks.

We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.

NHK World

00:25:01 話者 99

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

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

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

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

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

(2026/8/18) N.Korea Talks, Northern Territories & Colombia Quake | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

Trump says Kim Jong-un is “very positive” toward talks, 

while Russia summons Japan’s ambassador over Putin’s visit to the Northern Territories.

 Colombia reports $9.6 billion in quake losses as recovery efforts continue.

トランプ氏は金正恩氏が「非常に前向き」だと述べ、

ロシアは北方領土訪問を受け日本大使を召喚。

コロンビアでは地震被害額が96億ドルと見積もられ、復旧作業が続いている。

20260818180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/Ramin Mellegard

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

Trump Says N.Korea's Kim 'Very Positive' Toward Talks

US President Donald Trump says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has responded positively to his call for talks.

Trump made the remark at a meeting with reporters at the White House on Monday.

He did not disclose any details.

00:00:32 話者 11

Why hasn't Kim Jong-un responded to your request to have a conversation?

00:00:35 話者 10/Donald Trump

How do you know he hasn't responded?

00:00:37 話者 11

Has he?

00:00:40 話者 10

Yes, he has.

00:00:44 話者 11

Where are you in conversation?

00:00:45 話者 10

Very positive.

00:00:47 話者 1

Trump also expressed discontent with South Korea, saying it refused to help the US in its conflict with Iran. He recalled telling Seoul the US is guarding them from Kim Jong-un.

He called it strange that South Korea isn't helping with Iran.

Trump said on Sunday he had ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea set to begin the following day.

He said they send a signal that is totally inappropriate

and hostile to Pyongyang.

Trump was asked about criticism.

He is prioritizing the interests of adversaries over longtime partners.

He said he was actually making things safer.

Japan Ambassador Summoned After Putin Visits Northern Territories

Russia has summoned Japan's ambassador following President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the Northern Territories.

Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to reporters on Monday.

He says he summoned Japan's envoy following unacceptable statements from Tokyo implying the Russian president cannot visit Russian territory.

Lavrov also suggested Japan did not give a clear response after he issued the summons.

But Japanese diplomatic sources say Ambassador Muto Akira will respond on Tuesday.

They say Japan did not initially respond out of concerns Russia would dominate discussions and make a balanced exchange difficult.

Putin's first ever visit to Japan's northern territories took place on Thursday.

He inspected a seafood processing facility on Etorofu Island.

Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae responded that day.

She said the northern territories are an inherent territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based on international law.

She also described Putin's visit as incompatible with the Japanese government's consistent position.

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu lodged a protest with Russia's ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev.

The Japanese government maintains that the four islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory.

It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War II.

Russian Anti-War Politician Sentenced to 11 Years

A prominent critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is facing more than a decade behind bars.

Lev Schrozberg is accused of discrediting and spreading false information about the military.

Schlossberg is the deputy chair of the Yabloko party.

A court in the northwestern city of Vskov sentenced him on Monday to 11 years in one month. Schlossberg says he is innocent and he calls the trial politically motivated.

Moscow made it illegal to discredit the Russian military after invading Ukraine.

Independent media outlet Mediazona says Schlossberg was put on trial after calling for an immediate cease-fire on YouTube in January 2025.

Russia is scheduled to hold a lower house election in September.

The Russian Supreme Court recently banned Yabloko from taking part.

Colombian President: Quake Losses Estimated at $9.6 Bil.

Colombia's president says the losses from the huge earthquake that struck the country last week have been estimated at approximately $9.6 billion.

Avelaro de la Esperia said on Monday that 289 people were killed and over 4,100 injured in the magnitude 7.4 quake

that struck the country's west on August 10. Another 143 are still unaccounted for.

He said nearly 27,000 homes were destroyed, and the estimate relates to damage to buildings and infrastructure.

In the hard-hit city of Pereira, people gathered to pray at a church on Monday, one week after the quake.

One woman said she was still shaking with fear and does not want any more tragedies to happen.

Local media report say Colombian singer Shakira has visited severely affected areas and pledged to help build 10 new schools.

Kumamoto Quake: Evacuees at Risk Three Weeks On

A powerful earthquake struck Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto three weeks ago.

Over 3,000 residents are still in evacuation shelters, while others are living in their cars or damaged homes.

The quake on July 28 registered the highest level of seven on Japan's seismic scale.

As of 8 am on Tuesday, the death toll was 39, including deaths believed to be linked to the disaster. 70 designated evacuation shelters still house 3,050 people.

It is difficult to track the number of residents taking shelter elsewhere and that is raising concerns that a lack of aid could lead to further fatalities.

A support group in Kumamoto City is checking if people are inside vehicles.

Some residents have chosen not to go to shelters but are spending the night in their cars or other places. The group delivers supplies and other aid every evening.

00:06:37 話者 21

I'm exhausted.

My house was not completely destroyed, but I'm worried that it could collapse again.

00:06:46 話者 1

Others remain in their damaged homes.

The support group says assessing the situation is crucial, as residents are increasingly showing signs of fatigue.

00:07:00 話者 22/Takaki Satoshi/minori

We want to step in to help, but it's sometimes difficult for us to reach them.

And the people often find it hard to ask for help. 

There is a risk that they will be overlooked.

00:07:11 話者 1

The prefecture has asked cities and towns to report the number of such evacuees and the type of support they are providing.

Children Hone Ninja Skills by Dashing Across Pond on Mats

Now, children at a park near Mount Fuji are honing their ninja skills by dashing across a pond on floating straw mats called goza.

The event is hosted every summer by Mt. Fuji Children's World in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Participants run about 25 meters to the other side of the pond, across plywood covered with mats as the path sinks beneath them.

(Japanese)

00:08:06 話者 31/Kuwabara Jun/Director, Mt. Fuji Children's World

I hope people enjoy the summer holiday experience of taking on such an exciting adventure while feeling the coldness of the water.

00:08:15 話者 1

And most of the children made it across successfully, but some of the adults were not so lucky.

And those are the top stories for this hour.

World Weather

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And that is a wrap for this edition of NHK Newsline.

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

checked.

Easy Japanese

00:10:09 話者 2

Hi there, it's time for NHK World Japan's Easy Japanese.

I'm Erico Kojima.

00:10:14 話者 3

And I'm Michael Reese.

Let's have fun learning Japanese together.

Now today we'll be bringing you lesson 25 on saying you're not feeling well.

The main character in our skit is Tam, a student from Vietnam who lives in Haru-san House.

She's been relaxing in the living room, but something seems to be wrong.

00:10:40 話者 2

Listen to the skit for lesson 25.

Tam-san, how are you?

Doors tan desk, huh?

Nodoga, itain desk.

Now let's go over the skit line by line.

00:11:16 話者 3

Haru-san is on the living room table.

She's equipped with a sensor that detects problems, so her cheeks start to glow pale blue.

00:11:28 話者 2

Tam, you look pale.

What's wrong?

Tam coughs and says, My throat hurts.

00:11:41 話者 3

Haru-san says, Oh yeah, oh yeah.

00:11:44 話者 2

Oh dear.

00:11:46 話者 3

Haru-san gives her some advice.

00:11:52 話者 2

In times like these, ginger honey tea may help.

Mia says, Kaito is making you some now.

00:12:03 話者 3

Then Kaito brings Tam the ginger honey.

00:12:08 話者 2

Tea.

All ready, Tam.

Here you go.

Mia says to Tam, Take care.

Now, ginger honey tea is made by pouring hot water over grated ginger and honey.

It's set to work on sore throats and coughs.

00:12:28 話者 3

Poor Tam.

Let's hope she gets better soon.

Today's key phrase is My throat hurts.

If you learn this pattern, you'll be able to say what's wrong with you when you're not feeling well.

00:12:49 話者 2

First, look at the meaning of the key phrase.

Nodo is throat.

The ga that follows is a particle that indicates the part where you're feeling pain.

Itaindesu means it hurts.

Today's point is contained within itaindesu.

That is n-desu.

When you want to explain to someone that you're not feeling well, you add 'ndesu' to the end of the sentence.

'Itaindesu' is made-up of the 'i' adjective 'itai', which means 'hurt', followed by 'ndesu'.

In today's kit, Tam used it to explain her condition to Haru-san.

00:13:34 話者 3

Now listen and repeat.

00:13:42 話者 2

OK, got it.

00:13:58 話者 3

Listen to a conversation about other health problems.

00:14:15 話者 2

Let's review the conversation.

00:14:18 話者 3

What's wrong?

00:14:22 話者 2

This is a phrase used to ask about someone's condition.

Do is an interrogative meaning how or what.

Try to memorize the whole phrase.

00:14:33 話者 4

Atama ga itai in desu.

00:14:35 話者 3

My head hurts.

00:14:37 話者 2

Atama means head.

Atama ga itai means my head hurts.

00:14:43 話者 4

Netsuga arun desu.

00:14:45 話者 3

I have a fever.

00:14:47 話者 2

Netsu means fever.

And aru is a verb meaning to have.

Netsuga aru means to have a fever.

As you can see in this case, not only adjectives, but verbs can also come before ndesu.

00:15:05 話者 3

Repeat the answer after listening to the conversation.

Now, what would you say if your stomach hurts?

Stomach is...

00:15:32 話者 2

Onaka.

Onaka.

00:15:35 話者 3

And hurts is...

00:15:37 話者 2

Itai.

Itai.

00:15:39 話者 3

Right?

Go ahead.

00:15:46 話者 2

Onakaga itai desu.

Onakaga itai desu.

How about if you were feeling sick from motion sickness?

Feeling sick is Kimochi gawarui.

Kimochi gawarui.

Now give it a try.

00:16:13 話者 4

Kimochi gawaru in desu.

Kimochi gawaru in desu.

00:16:22 話者 3

OK, now you can explain what's wrong when you're feeling sick.

Today's bonus phrase is this line by Mia.

She said it to Tam who was not feeling well.

Memorise it and make it yours.

00:16:43 話者 2

Odaishini means take care.

It's a phrase you use with someone who's ill or has been injured, hoping that person will get some rest and feel better soon.

00:16:54 話者 3

Listen to how various people say it.

Now it's your turn.

Listen and repeat.

00:17:14 話者 2

Now let's listen to today's skit one more time.

00:17:51 話者 3

Next up, Haru-san's bag full of advice.

Today, what to do if you get sick in Japan?

00:18:01 話者 2

Michael, how about you?

What would you do if you got sick here?

00:18:06 話者 3

Well, it would depend really on the symptoms.

If it's not too serious, I'd probably buy something at a drugstore.

00:18:13 話者 2

When the symptoms are not too serious, drugstores are convenient.

If you describe your symptoms, such as my stomach hurts or I have a fever, the pharmacist will show you some over-the-counter medicines.

00:18:27 話者 3

What if you have to go see a doctor?

00:18:29 話者 2

Well, you should find a clinic or a hospital that has the right kind of doctors who can treat your symptoms.

After an examination, the doctor will give you a prescription.

You can take that to the drugstore to be filled.

The website of the Japan National Tourism Organization has a list of medical institutions that are prepared to accept international tourists, such as by offering information in various languages.

00:18:54 話者 3

To access the site, search for safe travels in Japan JNTO.

You might want to bookmark it for reference.

And you can also find nearby institutions by asking at the tourist information centers and hotel reception desks.

In case of emergencies, however, dial 119 on the phone and ask for an ambulance.

00:19:16 話者 2

Yes, that's 119.

Please remember that number, although I do hope you never need it.

We hope you enjoyed today's Easy Japanese.

00:19:36 話者 3

Please join us again.

the Great Buddha of Kamakura.

00:20:19 話者 4

Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors.

They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting-edge technologies.

What led to their creation and what were the challenges involved?

The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places.

In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature the Great Buddha of Kamakura.

Kamakura is a popular tourist destination located near Tokyo.

It's about a one-hour train ride from the capital.

One of Kamakura's landmarks is the Great Buddha.

As its name suggests, the Great Buddha is a colossal copper statue of Amitabha Buddha.

It was built as the principal deity of Jodo Sect Temple Kotokuin.

The Buddha is nicknamed Brozano Daibutsu, meaning the great Buddha sitting out in the open.

It's a national treasure of Japan.

From central Kamakura, the train ride and walk to Kotoku-in Temple takes about 15 minutes.

After passing through the temple's gate, the grand statue of Buddha comes into view.

The Buddha sits in a Zen meditation posture and is over 11 meters tall.

Kamakura was the seat of Japan's feudal government from the end of the 12th century to the early 14th century.

The construction of the Great Buddha began during this period in 1252, almost 800 years ago.

Today, the statue is covered with verde gris, a bright green substance that forms on oxidized copper.

A closer look reveals slight traces of gold leaf, indicating that the statue was originally gilded.

The Great Buddha was made by copper casting.

It's a manufacturing method of melting copper and pouring it into a mold.

But creating a statue that's over 11 meters high wasn't easy at the time.

and it wasn't possible to melt over 120 tons of copper in one go.

So the metal was cast in 40 sections.

This is why joints can be seen on the statue's surface.

The Buddha is hollow.

The statue has two windows on its back.

After the statue was completed, the inner mold was removed through these openings.

Today, the windows let in light and air.

The Buddha was enshrined when it was first built, but over time the hall was damaged by earthquakes and typhoons.

A tsunami at the end of the 15th century swept it away, leaving the Buddha exposed to the open air.

The temple was also abandoned for a certain period, but was restored in the early 18th century.

After a period in which Japan secluded itself from the rest of the world, the Yokohama Port near Kamakura was opened for foreign trade in 1859.

Following this, many foreigners are said to have visited the Great Buddha of Kamakura.

Built nearly eight centuries ago, the Great Buddha of Kamakura has a magnificence that continues to captivate people.

Thank you for tuning into the backstory of Japanese landmarks.

We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.

NHK World

00:25:01 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.

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

(2026/8/17) US–S.Korea Drills, Iran Conflict & Chiba Rain | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

US–South Korea begin joint drills as Trump calls for reductions; 

Iran talks miss deadline with tensions ongoing; record rain in Chiba leaves 10 dead.

米韓が共同演習を開始し、トランプ氏は縮小を要求。

イラン交渉は期限切れで緊張継続。千葉の記録的豪雨で10人が死亡。

Japan’s economy grows for a third quarter, Brazil election campaign starts, 

and a former Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism is found dead.

日本経済は3期連続で成長、ブラジル大統領選キャンペーン開始、

盗作疑惑の元ケンブリッジ教授が死亡。

20260817180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/Ramin Mellegard

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

US–S.Korea Joint Drills Begin Amid Trump Call for Reduction

The United States and South Korea have kicked off an annual military exercise aimed at preparing for a contingency on the Korean Peninsula.

This comes even as US President Donald Trump says he has ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint drills with South Korea.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will run through August 27th in South Korea.

It will include drills to prepare for possible drone strikes and cyber attacks in view of North Korea's dispatch of troops to Russia.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency says field maneuvers will be held on a smaller scale than last year.

The South Korean military says this is because it conducts exercises in a well-balanced manner year-round.

The military has been spreading out its drills since June of last year, when the administration of President Lee Jae-myung was inaugurated.

He seeks to hold dialogue with North Korea.

North Korea's foreign ministry issued a comment on Friday.

It said Pyongyang's stance is that it will reject any threat or challenge by exercising the right to self-defense.

North Korea has been reacting sharply to recent joint US-South Korean exercises.

It launched ballistic missiles during drills in March.

And what appears to have been ballistic missiles were also fired on August 6 and 12.

Meanwhile, Trump said in a social media post Sunday he had instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hexeth to substantially reduce the size of joint drills with South Korea.

He said he was not happy with US participation in them and said he had a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un of North Korea.

Iran Conflict : Two Sides Still at Odds as Talks Deadline Passes

The United States and Iran remain at odds as a deadline passes to conclude talks to end their fighting.

The two sides set out a 60-day timeline for the negotiations in their memorandum of understanding.

The document was signed in June. 

US Vice President JD Vance said the period for talks began on June 18, meaning a final agreement should have been completed by Sunday at the latest.

The topics included ending a maritime blockade by the US and the resumption of vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Also to be discussed were Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions.

But the two countries continued their attacks during the negotiation period.

Almost nothing stated in the document was implemented.

US President Donald Trump made reference to the memorandum, saying he thought it was over.

Now, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqi said there was no cease-fire that would need to be extended.

Tehran has listed six conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The two sides remain apart over vessel traffic in the strait and show no sign of starting discussions on Iran's nuclear program.

Japan's Economy Grows for 3rd Straight Quarter

Preliminary data shows Japan's economy has grown for three straight quarters, but personal consumption fell.

The Cabinet Office released the figures on Monday.

GDP adjusted for inflation rose 0.3 percent between April and June.

That's 1.1 percent at an annualized rate.

Personal consumption, which accounts for about half of Japan's GDP, fell 0.02 percent.

There had been expectations of a rise on the back of real wage growth, increased automobile sales and demand for air conditioners.

Government spending rose by 1.6 percent.

Exports grew half a percent, and imports dropped by 1.5 percent, partially because of fewer oil shipments from the Middle East.

Death Toll Rises to 10 After Record Rain in Chiba

And communities in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, are grappling with the aftermath of unprecedented rain. Authorities say 10 people have died.

The downpours began on Thursday evening.

In just half a day, Chiba City saw about three times as much rainfall than the average for the whole of August. Flooding has affected nearly 1,500 homes.

Prefectural officials say two residences have been destroyed.

They say 11 are assessed as being half damaged and 29 as partially damaged.

Officials in Chiba City say about 2,500 empty vehicles were found on Saturday and Sunday.

Most were left on roadsides. Work is underway to move those hampering traffic.

People were seen on Sunday bringing damaged furniture and possessions to a temporary

disposal site.

00:05:32 話者 12

All my hobby tools were submerged.I have no choice but to buy them again.

00:05:38 話者 1

They must now attempt to clean their homes and rebuild their lives.

Ex‑Cambridge Professor Accused of Plagiarism Found Dead

A former professor at the University of Cambridge has been found dead following weeks of accusations of plagiarism.

Media reports say police found Jason Arday dead at his home in London on Friday.

In 2023, he became the university's youngest ever black professor at the age of 37, having researched the impact of racial discrimination in education, among other subjects.

He resigned from his post on August 5 after allegations of plagiarism came to light, including his Ph.D. dissertation.

In a statement announcing his decision to resign, Arday referred to the impact of what he called relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary.

In an interview with a local media outlet before his resignation, Arday admitted he had made mistakes but denied academic fraud.

He also said there had been what he called a very well orchestrated and coordinated campaign that was racially motivated.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham called our day's death tragic and urged reflection.

00:07:06 話者 11/Andy Burnham

It's a tragedy on so many levels, but particularly just for everybody who knew Jason, his family, obviously, his friends, we think of them today.

It's not a moment for any rushing to judgment.

It's a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how things came to this.

Brazil Presidential Election Campaign Kicks Off

Campaigning for Brazil's presidential election kicked off on Sunday for a vote that will be held in October.

The country's left-wing leader, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, is standing for reelection.

Right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is seen as his leading opponent.

Lula pledged in a speech to take steps to narrow the gaps in society, including measures to address poverty.

He vowed that the right wing will not govern Brazil as long as he is alive.

Bolsonaro says a change of leadership is needed because Lula has failed to meet the people's expectations. He said only he can restore Brazil's credibility in the world.

Now, the latest opinion poll shows Lula leading Bolsonaro by 7 percentage points.

The first vote is due to take place on October 4.

If no candidate wins a majority of votes, the top two will compete in a runoff.

And those are the top stories for this hour.

World Weather

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And that is a wrap for this edition of NHK Newsline.

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

checked.

Easy Japanese

00:10:09 話者 3

Hi there, it's time for NHK World Japan's Easy Japanese.

I'm Erico Kojima.

00:10:14 話者 4

And I'm Michael Reese.

Let's have fun learning Japanese together.

Now today we'll be bringing you lesson 25 on saying you're not feeling well.

The main character in our skit is Tam, a student from Vietnam who lives in Haru-san House.

She's been relaxing in the living room.

But something seems to be wrong.

00:10:40 話者 3

Listen to this kit for lesson 25.

00:10:47 話者 5

Tom-san, how are you?

Doge turn desu, ka?

Nodoga ita in desu.

Oh yeah, oh yeah.

So natakini wa, shoga hachimitsu yugai desu.

Kaitonga ima tsukutimasu.

00:11:13 話者 3

Now let's go over the skit line by line.

00:11:16 話者 4

Haru-san is on the living room table.

She's equipped with a sensor that detects problems, so her cheeks start to glow pale blue.

00:11:28 話者 3

Tam, you look pale.

What's wrong?

00:11:35 話者 4

Tam coughs and says, My throat hurts.

Haru-san says, Oya, oya.

00:11:44 話者 3

Oh dear.

00:11:46 話者 4

Haru-san gives her some advice.

00:11:52 話者 3

In times like these, ginger honey tea may help.

Miya says, Kaito is making you some now.

00:12:03 話者 4

Then Kaito brings Tam the ginger honey.

00:12:08 話者 5

Tea.

00:12:09 話者 3

All ready, Tam.

Here you go.

00:12:14 話者 4

Mia says to Tam, Take care.

00:12:20 話者 3

Now ginger honey tea is made by pouring hot water over grated ginger and honey.

It's set to work on sore throats and coughs.

00:12:28 話者 4

Poor Tam.

Let's hope she gets better soon.

Today's key phrase is my throat hurts.

If you learn this pattern, you'll be able to say what's wrong with you when you're not feeling well.

00:12:49 話者 3

First, look at the meaning of the key phrase.

is throat.

The ga that follows is a particle that indicates the part where you're feeling pain.

means it hurts.

Today's point is contained within itaindesu.

That is, ndesu.

When you want to explain to someone that you're not feeling well, you add ndesu to the end of the sentence.

Itaindesu is made-up of the i adjective itaii, which means hurt, followed by ndesu.

In today's kit, Tam used it to explain her condition to Haru-san.

00:13:34 話者 4

Now, listen and repeat.

00:13:42 話者 3

Okay, got it.

00:13:58 話者 4

Listen to a conversation about other health problems.

00:14:16 話者 3

Let's review the conversation.

00:14:20 話者 4

What's wrong?

00:14:22 話者 3

This is a phrase used to ask about someone's condition.

Do is an interrogative meaning how or what.

Try to memorize the whole phrase.

00:14:33 話者 6

Atama ga itai in desu.

00:14:35 話者 4

My head hurts.

00:14:37 話者 3

Atama means head.

Atama ga itai means my head hurts.

00:14:43 話者 6

Netsuga arun desu.

00:14:45 話者 4

I have a fever.

00:14:47 話者 3

Netsu means fever.

And aru is a verb meaning to have.

Netsuga aru means to have a fever.

As you can see in this case, not only adjectives, but verbs can also come before ndesu.

00:15:05 話者 4

Repeat the answer after listening to the conversation.

Now, what would you say if your stomach hurts?

Stomach is...

00:15:32 話者 5

Onaka.

Onaka.

00:15:35 話者 4

And hurts is...

00:15:37 話者 3

Itai.

Itai.

00:15:39 話者 4

Right.

Go ahead.

00:15:46 話者 3

Onakaga itai desu.

Onakaga itai desu.

How about if you were feeling sick from motion sickness?

Feeling sick is Kimochi gawarui.

Kimochi gawarui.

Now give it a try.

00:16:13 話者 6

Kimochi gawarui in desu.

Kimochi gawarui in desu.

00:16:23 話者 4

OK, now you can explain what's wrong when you're feeling sick.

Today's bonus phrase is this line by Mia.

She said it to Tam who was not feeling well.

Memorize it and make it yours.

00:16:43 話者 3

Odaishini means take care.

It's a phrase you use with someone who's ill or has been injured, hoping that person will get some rest and feel better soon.

00:16:54 話者 4

Listen to how various people say it.

Now it's your turn.

Listen and repeat.

00:17:14 話者 3

Now let's listen to today's skit one more time.

00:17:21 話者 5

Tama-san, kawoiroga warui desuyo?

Dojitan desu ka?

Nodoga ita in desu.

Oh yeah, oh yeah.

So natakini wa, shoga hachimitsuyu gai desuyo?

Kaitonga ima tsukutimasu.

Tama-san, dekitao?

Haitozo?

Odaizuni.

00:17:51 話者 4

Next up, Harusan's bag full of advice.

Today, what to do if you get sick in Japan?

00:18:01 話者 3

Michael, how about you?

What would you do if you got sick here?

00:18:06 話者 4

Well, it would depend really on the symptoms.

If it's not too serious, I'd probably buy something at the drugstore.

00:18:13 話者 3

When the symptoms are not too serious, drugstores are convenient.

If you describe your symptoms, such as my stomach hurts or I have a fever, the pharmacist will show you some over-the-counter medicines.

00:18:27 話者 4

What if you have to go see a doctor?

00:18:29 話者 3

Well, you should find a clinic or a hospital that has the right kind of doctors who can treat your symptoms.

After an examination, the doctor will give you a prescription.

You can take that to the drugstore to be filled.

The website of the Japan National Tourism Organization has a list of medical institutions that are prepared to accept international tourists, such as by offering information in various languages.

00:18:54 話者 4

To access the site, search for safe travels in Japan JNTO.

You might want to bookmark it for reference.

And you can also find nearby institutions by asking at the tourist information centers and hotel reception desks.

In case of emergencies, however, dial 119 on the phone and ask for an ambulance.

00:19:16 話者 3

Yes, that's 119.

Please remember that number, although I do hope you never need it.

We hope you enjoyed today's Easy Japanese.

00:19:36 話者 4

Please join us again.

Mount Takao

00:20:18 話者 7

Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors.

They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting edge technologies.

The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places.

In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature Mount Takao.

Mount Takao has long been a popular hiking destination as it's perfect for day trips.

In recent years, many tourists from overseas have climbed its slopes as well.

One reason for its popularity is its easy access from central Tokyo, less than an hour's train ride away.

But Mount Takao has much more to offer.

At the foot of Mount Takao, people are dressed in various styles.

Some are wearing trekking shoes and backpacks ready to go hiking.

Others are dressed in a more casual style better suited for cities.

The reason?

Mount Takao has seven hiking trails.

One is a full ascent to the summit.

Another course includes a cable car and a Lyft ride and winds around the halfway point up the mountain.

Visitors can choose from several options depending on the season, the size of the group, who's climbing, and what they're in the mood for.

The cable car and lift route is not only fast, it's also exciting.

At one point, the cable car's ascent is at an angle of just over 31 degrees, the steepest in Japan.

Riders ooh and ah as the cable car climbs the steepest part.

Meanwhile, the two-seater chairlift leaves riders' legs dangling in the air, which means it can be a bit of a thrill for some.

But with the feel of the breeze, it makes for a great ride and many kids ride with their parents.

Just be aware that the cable car and the chairlift may not be running when there's bad weather, and visitors should check ahead.

The hiking courses offer various sites each season.

Come spring, there are canopies of cherry blossoms in full bloom, while violets cover the ground.

In the summer, visitors can splash around in rivers or explore what's upstream.

Gorgeous foliage of reds, yellows, and oranges welcome visitors in the fall.

On New Year's Day, many people flock to Mount Takao to enjoy the first sunrise of the year.

Mount Takao has long been associated with the strict practice of mountain asceticism called shugendo.

A traditional form of aesthetic training called suigyo involves standing under a waterfall to cleanse oneself.

Mount Takao has two waterfalls, jataki and biwataki, where this is practiced.

During the winter months, visitors can watch people training in the ice-cold water.

For those willing to give it a shot, Yakuoin Temple offers a Suigyo tryout experience at its dojo.

For hikers, Mount Takao offers gorgeous views.

From an observation deck midway up the mountain, they can see Tokyo and its vicinity, including the iconic Tokyo Tower and Yokohama Landmark Tower.

It's a spectacular view of the metropolis while being surrounded by the great outdoors.

When weather conditions are good, the summit of Mount Takao offers a view of Mount Fuji.

In fact, the top of Mount Takao has been selected as one of the 100 best places in the Kanto region to view Japan's most famous peak.

Thank you for tuning in to the back story of Japanese landmarks.

We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.

NHK World

00:25:01 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 11.8 0 0 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.