Welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sachno.
Thai School Shooting Leaves 6 Dead, Including Gunman
We start in Thailand, where six people have died in a school shooting north of Bangkok.
That includes the 14-year-old gunman.
The incident happened Friday at a school in Nonthaburi province.
Police say five teachers and school staff were among the victims.
More than 20 others were injured.
00:00:35 話者 12
We heard some noise in Building 5 and we had no idea what happened after that.
At first I thought there were sounds of firecrackers or someone banging onto something loudly. But then we started to realize that was not the case.
00:00:50 話者 1
Police say they recovered one handgun and ammunition from the suspect.
They believe the firearm belonged to his grandfather.
Local media report the gunman committed suicide after barricading himself in the school.
The educational ministry says the school has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students from age 12 to 18.
The Thai government tightened gun regulations in February following a spate of shooting incidents.
Typhoon Dolphin Batters Japan's Southern Islands
Typhoon Dolphin's storm zone is engulfing Japan's southern islands, bringing violent winds and high waves.
As of 4pm Friday, Dolphin was estimated to be near Nago City in Okinawa Prefecture.
It's moving west-southwest at about 15 kilometres per hour.
It has sustained winds of up to 162 kilometres per hour near its centre and gusts of up to 216 kilometres per hour.
Powerful winds capable of damaging homes could batter Okinawa and Kagoshima Prefecture's Amami region. Rain is already intensifying in Okinawa and Amami.
A level 4 urgent warning for landslides has been issued for some areas of those regions.
A level 4 urgent warning for heavy rain has also been issued for parts of Okinawa.
Bands of heavy rain clouds could develop over Okinawa's main island region through Saturday morning and over Amami through Friday night.
Torrential rain could sharply increase the risk of disasters.
Rainfall totals could reach 200 millimetres by noon Saturday.
Weather officials are urging people in those areas to remain on high alert for violent winds, high waves, landslides, flooding and rising rivers.
Kumamoto Quake
Survivors Continue To Struggle Amid Ongoing Heatwave
People in Kumamoto Prefecture are facing another challenge as recovery efforts continue after last week's massive quake.
Sweltering temperatures have prompted authorities to urge residents to take all possible measures against heat stroke.
The daytime high on Friday reached 37.6 degrees Celsius in Uki City and 37.4 degrees in Yatsushiro City.
The 7.1 magnitude tremor struck on July 28. The death toll stands at 38, including one person who's suspected to have died from post-disaster causes.
The Japanese government on Friday designated the quake as a disaster of extreme severity.
The designation will enable the central government to spend more resources to help quake-stricken areas recover.
Cameras installed in the operating rooms of Kumamoto General Hospital in Yatsushiro City captured the moment the quake struck.
Four surgeries were underway at the time.
In one room, doctors were seen shielding a patient as medical equipment swayed violently. The hospital says all surgeries were completed safely.
00:03:43 話者 23/Shimada Shinya/Kumamoto General Hospital director
They made a very appropriate decision and focused on protecting patients.
00:03:49 話者 1
Kumamoto officials say more than 6,700 people are staying in evacuation shelters and about 36,000 households are still without water.
Officials say damage to pipes is preventing water from running again.
It's expected to take until the end of this month for the water supply to be fully restored.
Business
Now for more business stories, here's Ramin Mellegard.
00:04:14 話者 4/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
US Crude Inventory Drop Could Impact Japan
Now the value of US crude oil exports fell in June.
This comes as Japan is relying more on the country as an alternative supplier amid the conflict in the Middle East.
US trade statistics show that crude exports were worth $13.5 billion in June.
That's down about 30% from 19.2 billion in May.
One analyst points out several factors behind the decline.
The first is the fall in inventories amid global growing global demand following the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The analyst also says a recovery in the Middle Eastern supplies and lower prices after the memorandum of understanding on ending the conflict between the United States and Iran in June prompted US oil suppliers to curb output.
Meanwhile, major Japanese Oil wholesaler, Cosmo Energy Holdings, says it has already arranged procurement up to October.
00:05:19 話者 32/Iwai Tomoki/Senior Executive Officer, Cosmo Energy Holdings
We may need to consider sourcing crude oil from countries other than the US.
However, as long as the oil meets our specifications, we are not committed to using US crude in particular.
So at this point we don't foresee a significant impact on the stability of our procurement.
00:05:42 話者 4
But analysts say Japan could feel the effects if US crude exports continue to decline.
The US is becoming increasingly important to Japan as an alternative source of imports.
Japan Spent Record ¥6.2 Tril. On One-Day Intervention In April
The Japanese finance ministry has revealed the government and Bank of Japan spent a record amount for a single day to support the yen on April 30.
The outlay of more than 6.2 trillion yen, or about $40 billion, was the most since such data became available in 1991.
It's been confirmed that the Japanese authorities intervened between April 30 and May 6.
They funneled a total of 11.7 trillion yen.
The Japanese currency had weakened to the 160 level against the dollar on April 30.
The yen then strengthened to the mid-155 level at one point due to the intervention.
It also surged against the dollar on May 4 and May 6.
But the yen started to retreat again and had been covering at a nearly 40-year low late last month. Japanese authorities intervened to support it on July 30.
On the following day, during US Eastern Time, financial authorities in the United States joined Japan to intervene in the market.
Japan's Food Self-Sufficiency Touches Record Low Level
The Japanese Agriculture Ministry says that the country's food self-sufficiency rate sank to its lowest in fiscal 2025.
Officials say higher prices of domestic rice are a major contributing factor.
The ministry says that the rate, which is based on calorie intake for the year ending in March, came to 37 percent. That's down one percentage point from a year before.
This marks the first decline in five years and has only been as low in the fiscal years 1993, 2018 and 2020. The ministry says consumption of rice fell amid surging prices.
A sharp increase in rice imports also pushed down the rate.
The self-sufficiency rate of the grain drop three points in the previous year to 96 percent.
The Japanese government is aiming for 45 percent in food self-sufficiency in fiscal 2030.
Based on production value, the rate stood at 66 percent.
The figure rose for the third straight year amid the higher prices for rice, as well as the cost of meat and dairy products. Compared to the previous year, it's up two points.
Biz Picks
OK, next NHK World's Gene Otani is here with Biz Fix.
00:08:31 話者 5/Gene Otani
Let's take a look at the key business and economic stories for the week ahead.
On Monday, private research firms announced the number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan for July.
On Wednesday, the US Labor Department releases figures on consumer prices.
Consumers To Feel More Heat From Producer Price Rise
And the Bank of Japan will disclose the producer price index for July on Thursday.
We now look at how the higher prices businesses are charging each other will affect consumers. The PPI measures the prices of goods traded between companies.
The figure rose 7.1% in June from a year ago.
That was largely driven by the higher cost of petroleum-related products.
Saito Taro of NLI Research Institute expects the continued volatility of crude oil prices will drive another sharp increase in the index in July.
00:09:23 話者 42/Saito Taro
I expect the year-on-year increase to accelerate to the mid to upper 7% range.
But it's not a phase of sharp acceleration. Rather, we are seeing a period where the year-on-year growth rate is steadily increasing month by month.
00:09:45 話者 5
Saito also points out that crude oil is being sourced through alternative import channels at higher prices. This is also adding inflationary pressure.
He says that Japanese businesses have grown less hesitant to pass on those higher costs to their customers in recent years. He adds they are doing this more quickly.
00:10:07 話者 42
In the past, many companies were reluctant to raise prices because they feared losing sales if they did so while their competitors did not.
Now they feel less resistance to raising prices when many companies are doing that.
It's because they won't lose competitiveness even if they jump on the bandwagon.
And what really stands out is the pass-through rate.
For example, Before, if a company's cost rose by 100, it might have passed on only 10 to 20% of that expense to its customers. Now it may pass on 50 to 60%.
A distinctive trend has emerged where there is a combination of a rapid cost pass-through and a high pass-through rate.
00:10:50 話者 5
Currently in Japan, consumer prices excluding fresh food are rising at a rate below 2%.
But Saito expects the figure to exceed 2% this fall and climb above 3% early next year.
00:11:05 話者 42
With CPI at the current rate, real wages are in positive territory.
So households are rather resilient to price increases.
But from now on, the pace of consumer price increase will rise significantly.
People will have a hard time coping if prices go up by 2 to 3 percent and real wages fall to zero or enter negative territory.
00:11:34 話者 5
Saito says companies are becoming increasingly willing to pass on their costs.
If that continues, households will start to feel more pressure from rising prices.
I'm Gene Otani, and that wraps up this edition of Biz Picks.
Markets
00:11:49 話者 4
OK, let's get a check on the markets.
♪
And that is it for business news.
Iran Conflict: Hormuz Plan Unveiled In Iranian Media
00:12:28 話者 1
Iranian officials say talks with Oman on new shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz are in the final stages.
Now an Iranian media outlet says the plan may include tolls and service fees.
Iran's Fars news agency cites a foreign ministry source on the matter.
It says Iran would control the entry of ships and it will jointly manage their exit with Oman.
It says ships entering the Persian Gulf would use a northern route near Iran, while those exiting would use a southern route near Oman.
After a period of time, all vessels would switch to a central route.
The report says ships must pay for maritime services like insurance and fueling, as well as environmental costs. The plan is facing backlash.
CNN reports that eight major shipping industry groups have sent an open letter to the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization.
They're urging them to reject the proposed tolls and fees.
They warn the move will set a precedent that will undermine the freedom of navigation, creating uncertainty for global shipping and trade.
Iran Conflict
Trump Admits Supply Of Some Weapons 'A Little Bit Tighter'
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has acknowledged his country's military is running low on some munitions, but he added the US is well stocked with other weapons.
00:13:43 話者 56/Donald Trump
We have certain types of munitions that are very powerful.
that we have unlimited, virtual unlimited supply.
We have others where it's a little bit tighter and we're getting them in on a daily basis.
00:13:58 話者 1
Trump's comments come several days after Reuters news agency published a report saying the US had depleted much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles.
He also said the US can still turn to certain types of weapons he described as not as elite.
Trump said the country is in great shape overall but added the US is always looking to add to its stockpiles.
Report: Pentagon Official Struggles To Arrange China Visit
A US media outlet says a senior Pentagon official is having difficulty setting up a visit to China due to Beijing's cautious stance.
News website Politico reported on Thursday that Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby has been trying for months to arrange a trip to the country.
Citing informed sources, it said the effort is aimed at stabilising bilateral relations, but has so far been unsuccessful.
Last December, President Trump's administration approved a record sale $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
The Politico article quotes a former senior Pentagon official as saying that the decision had delayed China's plans to host Kolbe in Beijing.
The article also says China's military is in the midst of a massive purge that has made communication between the two countries' senior officials more difficult.
Politico added it's possible that Kolbe's past hawkish statements on China have influenced Beijing's stance.
Memorial Held For US POW Killed In Hiroshima Atomic Bombing
Veterans and family members in the US state of Pennsylvania have gathered to remember an airman who was taken prisoner in Japan and died in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Joseph Dubinsky was memorialised on Thursday at a cemetery in a suburb of Pittsburgh.
Dubinsky, a B-24 bomber pilot, was initially believed to have died when his aircraft crashed in Hiroshima during World War II.
But research by Japanese atomic bomb survivor Mori Shigeaki found that Dubinsky survived the crash but died as a prisoner of war in the August 6 atomic bombing.
Fragments of Dubinsky's aircraft were buried beside his tomb, along with photos and other items.
His family members received the pieces when they visited Hiroshima in June.
They'd been stored at the crash site by a local resident.
Dubinsky's nephew Robert Tatalovich expressed his gratitude to Mori who died in March.
00:16:19 話者 66/Robert Tatalovich
Mr.Mori's message that reconciliation and love and outreach is just so, so important.
00:16:28 話者 1
Tatalovich also said that it gives him a very solemn feeling to know that August 6 is the date of not only his uncle's passing but of all the Hiroshima victims.
In Focus
Words A Mother Left Behind: Nagasaki Legacy
Sunday marks 81 years since Nagasaki was devastated by an atomic bomb.
Today we bring you the story of Hayashida Shinichiro, whose mother lived through the attack.
The A-bomb survivors, known as Hibakusha, are growing older and it's becoming difficult for them to share their experiences.
Nagasaki City has run a program since 2014 in which family members speak on behalf of their parents. Hayashida has recently joined the program.
00:17:20 話者 6/Narrator: Bill Sullivan//Reporter: Nakashima Ayari
In June, Hayashida gave his first talk as a registered family witness.
(Japanese)
From an early age, Hayashida often asked his mother, Mitsuno, what she had gone through.
(Japanese)
Breaking a long silence, she decided to speak about it 11 years ago after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Hayashida made sure to record her story.
(Japanese)
Two months after sharing her testimony, Mitsuno passed away at the age of 84.
Hayashida began to meet other survivors to learn more before their voices were silenced.
He felt he had to tell his mother's story.
But he wasn't sure if he was up to the task of explaining it properly.
00:19:24 話者 37/Hayashida Shinichiro
(Japanese)
00:19:58 話者 6
It was a Canadian documentary that gave Hayashida the push he needed.
The title is Okurimono, a Japanese word meaning gift.
(Japanese)
Second-generation survivor Oi Noriko finds some letters while sorting through her late mother's belongings.
It sets her on a journey to meet Hibakusha and uncover the story of her mother's wartime experience.
(Japanese)
Hayashida closely identified with Oi.
00:21:06 話者 37
(Japanese)
00:21:38 話者 6
Wanting others to think about how to carry forward the OKURIMONO left by survivors,
Hayashida decided to bring the film to Nagasaki.
About 150 people gathered at the venue.
(Japanese)
Encouraged by both Hibakusha and second generation survivors, Hayashida feels there is a role he can play, especially now.
00:22:39 話者 37
(Japanese)
00:23:14 話者 6
The words his mother left behind are driving Hayashida to ensure they can be heard around the world.
World Weather
00:23:24 話者 1
As we reported earlier, residents in the Okinawa and Amami regions are facing dangerous weather due to Typhoon Dolphin.
Our meteorologist Yoko Komagata has the latest in this World Weather Update.
00:23:36 話者 8/Yoko Komagata
The eye of the storm is moving across the Okinawa and Amami regions as a very strong and large typhoon.
Gusts exceeded 150 kilometers per hour in Yoronjima, causing major disruptions to both flights and ferries.
Typhoon Gulfin is expected to slow its speed as it moves off the west coast.
So heavy rain and strong winds will persist across the Okinawa and Amami regions throughout Saturday.
Additional rainfall of up to 200 millimeters is still possible with the risk of dangerous flooding and landslides. The center of the storm is far from Kyushu.
However, the outer band of the storm is also bringing stormy conditions across the eastern parts of the region.
The large-scale typhoon has brought almost the entire Miyazaki Prefecture into its strong wind zone.
Wind gusts of over 60 kilometers per hour have been reported at Miyazaki Airport.
All Miyazaki ferries were canceled on Friday and transport impacts are expected to remain on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the sea of Japan's side of the region is experiencing extremely hot and dry conditions.
Record-breaking temperatures have been reported in Tottori, with highs approaching 40 degrees.
Kumamoto, still dealing with the impact of the earthquake, soared above 35 degrees, increasing the risk of heat stroke.
Unfortunately, no relief is inside in Kumamoto over the weekend, with highs in the mid-30s. Osaka will also have scorching weather with have 37.
Finally in North America, a couple of high pressure systems will keep things hot and dry across a good portion of the western US.
The combination of high temperatures and low humidity could spark new wildfires in and around Las Vegas and Seattle.
That's all for now. Have a nice weekend.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
Wind Chime Tram Raises Donations For Quake-Hit Kumamoto
00:26:30 話者 1
One last story before we go. The sound of wind chimes in the breeze is a staple of Japanese summers and now they're being used to help quake hit Kumamoto Prefecture.
A tram decked out in the little bells is asking for donations.
Every summer, a street car in western Japan's Okayama City is decorated with chimes.
It's a bit to provide a sense of relief from the sweltering summer heat.
This year's event began on Wednesday.
00:27:02 話者 83
It's nice and makes you feel cool in the heat.
00:27:07 話者 1
There are a total of 44 wind chimes, with some bearing a face of Kumamon, a mascot from Kumamoto. A donation box has been installed on board.
The proceeds will go to the Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau, which operates its tram service.
00:27:24 話者 84
Even if we're far away, I want to encourage the people of Okayama to support Kumamoto.
00:27:29 話者 1
The wind chime tram will run through the end of the month.
And that wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Kanako Satya in Tokyo. Thanks very much for joining us.
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NHK World
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