Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Morishita Erika in Tokyo.
Trump and Xi Conclude Day 1 Talks
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have ended the first day of summit talks. Chinese media say trade and Taiwan came up at the meeting.
The two leaders sat down at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
00:00:31 話者 2/Xi Jinping
A stable bilateral relationship is good for the world.
China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals.
I hope that 2026 will be a historic landmark year to carry on the past and open up the future of China-US relations.
00:00:54 話者 3/Donald Trump
We're going to have a fantastic future together.
I have such respect for China, the job you've done.
You're a great leader. I say it to everybody, you're a great leader.
We have, we have the greatest businessmen, the biggest, and I guess the best in the world.
And they look forward to trade and doing business, and it's going to be totally reciprocal on our behalf. So I really look very much forward to our discussions.
00:01:20 話者 1
China's state-run Xinha news agency reported some of the details from the meeting.
It says Xi called their economic ties mutually beneficial.
He says while disagreements and frictions exist, the only right choice is to consult each other on equal footing.
Xi reportedly brought up Taiwan, saying it was the most important issue between them.
He says if it is handled properly, their overall relationship can remain stable.
A military band performed both national anthems at the welcoming ceremony.
The high-stakes meeting was Trump's first in Beijing since 2017.
The leaders greeted each other as children waved flags and bouquets.
At the ceremony, top executives from leading US companies were in attendance, including Apple's Tim Cook, Tesla's Elon Musk, and NBD's Jensen Huan.
The talks Thursday lasted just over two hours.
Afterwards, the two leaders visited the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
They will take part in the state banquet in the evening.
And Friday, they will sit down again before Trump leaves Beijing in the afternoon.
Key Takeaways From the Beijing Summit
For more on this Thursday's meeting, earlier I spoke with NHK World's Yoshida Mayu in Beijing. So Mayu, this was the US president's first visit to China in nine years.
How has it gone so far?
00:03:05 話者 4/Yoshida Mayu
From what we saw, the welcome ceremony appeared to be quite warm.
There were a lot of smiles and friendly handshakes between President Xi when President Xi greeted President Trump.
Both sides had positive things to say afterward and sounded optimistic when talking about future relations.
In the lead up, China's foreign ministry posted a video on social media titled Peaceful Coexistence.
It explained the history of cultural and economic exchanges between the US and China and emphasized the importance of cooperation.
Local media outlets have been reporting extensively on this meeting.
China's state broadcaster carried live coverage of the event, something rarely seen for visits by other foreign leaders.
Newspapers also gave the summit prominent front-page coverage and characterized it as a new beginning.
00:04:02 話者 1
So, as they continue their talks, what will China be prioritizing?
00:04:08 話者 4
President Xi sees this as an opportunity to show he is a leader who can negotiate on equal terms with the world's largest economy.
This would boost its authority within the country and project China as a major power on the world stage.
A key question is whether the two sides will extend the trade truce agreed upon a last October summit in South Korea.
China is expected to press the US on tariffs, export controls, and sanctions on Chinese companies.
To give President Trump a win he can take back home, experts widely expect China to make some concessions related to agricultural products and aircraft.
00:04:52 話者 1
And as we've been reporting, President Xi seems to have used strong words regarding Taiwan. What do you make of his remarks?
00:05:03 話者 4
It seems President Xi is sending a clear message on Taiwan today.
He said Taiwan is the most important issue in China-US relations.
Beijing has consistently maintained that Taiwan is at the very core of China's core interests.
US arms sales to Taiwan, worth enormous sums, are not acceptable to China.
Ultimately, China is hoping the US will move away from its long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity on Taiwan.
00:05:36 話者 1
And Mayu, they are also expected to hold in-depth talks on Iran.
How do you think China will approach that issue?
00:05:46 話者 4
It is likely to be a delicate balancing act for China.
The country is the world's largest crude oil importer.
Much of that comes from the Middle East, including Iran.
So the impact of a long, drawn-out conflict would be a major blow for China.
The challenge will be if China can find common ground with the US, while maintaining ties with Iran and other Middle East nations.
What the US Hopes to Gain
00:06:14 話者 1
And earlier, I also spoke with our senior international correspondent, Ishii Yusaku, about the US perspective on the talks. What exactly is the US hoping to gain from this meeting.
00:06:29 話者 5/Ishii Yusaku
Well, for President Trump, the top priority of this visit is trade and the economy.
00:06:36 話者 1
Trade and economy.
00:06:38 話者 5
The US and China, of course, started exchanging escalating tariffs and other trade measures in the early days of Trump's second term in 2025.
But after the last October summit in Busan, South Korea, Washington and Beijing agreed to what many have called a temporary truth, with both sides posing stricter measures.
But from Washington's perspective, China remains America's biggest long-term strategic competitor.
However, what stood out today in the meeting was Trump's notably friendly tone at the start of the meeting.
He praised President Xi as a great leader and said, It's an honor to be your friend.
And in a relatively short opening message, Trump said that relations between the two countries are in good shape.
He also noted that top American business leaders like Elon Musk and Tim Cook had joined him on the trip, and he said they are looking forward to doing business with China.
With the midterm elections approaching this fall, the president seems eager to demonstrate to voters that he is a deal maker who is capable of avoiding a direct confrontation with China while still achieving economic wins.
And we still do not know the details of what was discussed behind the closed door yet, but China may have signaled additional purchase of US products.
That's an issue with clear political significance, especially among American farmers, which are a key part of Trump's Republican base.
And if Trump can claim this visit as I'm the deal and the money is coming in from China, that alone may be enough for the White House to call this trip a success.
00:08:36 話者 1
And this visit also comes against the backdrop of the US-Israel military operation against Iran, right?
00:08:43 話者 5
Exactly Erika.
And in fact, President Trump had originally planned to visit China back in late March, but he postponed the trip, saying he needed to focus on the US operation in Iran.
And Trump has been criticizing Iran for its de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz,
The challenge for Washington is that the conflict has taken much longer to resolve than anticipated, and an exit strategy is becoming increasingly unclear.
So due to the situation in the Middle East, gas prices in the United States have risen significantly and leading to growing public dissatisfaction.
So before the summit, the US had imposed sanctions on a number of Chinese companies for aiding Iran's shipment of oil to China. And China has close diplomatic ties to Iran.
So there has been speculation that Washington might try to pressure Beijing to use its influence over Tehran.
But at this moment right now, it's still unclear how directly Trump addressed this issue in the talks.
00:09:56 話者 1
And also Taiwan. Earlier, the live report from Beijing explained China's position.
So what is the US stance on Taiwan.
00:10:06 話者 5
Of course, officially, the US position on Taiwan has not changed.
00:10:10 話者 1
Not changed.
00:10:11 話者 5
But countries across the region, including Japan, are closely monitoring whether President Trump could go further than previous administrations as part of a broader short-term deal with Beijing. For instance, arms sales to Taiwan.
The long-standing US position has been that this is not something that Washington consults with China about.
But if that were to change, it could have serious implication for regional security and stability.
And it's also important to note that the diplomacy doesn't end with today's meeting.
There's a state banquet tonight and followed tomorrow by a team meeting and a working lunch.
And that means there's going to be more opportunities for direct talks between Trump and Xi.
And as the talks between the US and China continues, the stakes extend far beyond the two major powers, and their outcome could have significant implications for the entire region and the world.
Massive Russian Strike on Kyiv
00:11:25 話者 1
Russia has carried out a massive drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
The Associated Press said on Thursday damage has been reported across six districts of the city.
Local authorities have been quoted as saying at least one person is dead and 31 have been injured.
Ukraine's state emergency service posted video on social media showing what the agency says to be the Donetsky District.
It shows a residential building with significant damage and emergency workers are rescuing people from under the rubble.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday, ahead of a meeting between the leaders of the US and China, that Ukraine expects the issue of ending Russia's war against Ukraine to be raised.
IEA Reports Sharp Global Oil Supply Drop
The International Energy Agency says global oil supply declined further in April amid the Iran situation, with daily losses exceeding 10 percent of the world's daily demand.
The IEA report released on Wednesday showed that global oil supply fell by 1.8 million barrels a day in April to 95.1 million barrels a day.
That brought total losses to 12.8 million barrels a day since February, when the United States and Israel began military operations against Iran.
The report said observed global inventories, including oil stored at sea, fell by 250 million barrels in March and April.
The report mentioned that crude oil exports from the United States, Brazil and other countries have increased, but it says overall supply has fallen as output from Gulf countries declined following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The IEA pointed out that even if a deal to end the US-Iran conflict is reached and flows through the strait gradually resume, supply will likely be slower to recover.
It said further price volatility appears likely, with global oil inventories already drawing at the record clip.
Japan-Linked Tanker Transits Strait of Hormuz
Meanwhile, an oil tanker managed by major Japanese oil wholesaler Eneos Holdings has reportedly passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters news agency and Bloomberg reported that data from a vessel trucking company showed the Panama-flagged tanker had transited the strait.
The reports say the tanker is carrying 1.2 million barrels of Kuwait crude and 700,000 barrels of Emirati Das blend oil. The vessel is expected to arrive in Japan on June 3.
On April, another Japan-linked oil tanker, the Idemitsumaru, sailed through the Strait of Hormuz after it was effectively closed.
JAXA Prepares for H3 Rocket Launch
Japan's space agency says preparations are underway to launch an H3 rocket next month as planned.
A project manager at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says its engineers have repaired the payload support structure and confirmed it can withstand its load.
Last December, liftoff of the previous H3rocket failed due to a problem with that part.
The new rocket, called Type 30, won't use boosters.
It will carry six ultra-small satellites.
00:15:22 話者 6
It'll be a challenge for us to make a comeback.
There will be no future for H3 rockets unless we overcome this hurdle.
00:15:30 話者 1
The project manager added all those involved in the mission are working with a sense of tension.
BUSINESS
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business.
Here's Ramin Mellegard from the BizDesk.
00:15:44 話者 6/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
Honda Posts First Full-Year Losses
Now, Honda Motor has posted heavy group losses for fiscal 2025, largely due to a scaling back of its EV strategy.
The Japanese automaker says this is the first time its full-year earnings fell into the red since it went public.
Operating loss for the year ending in March stood at 414 billion yen or $2.6 billion.
Net loss came to 423 billion yen.
The biggest losses stemmed from Honda's decision to pause its fully electric ambitions, canceling EV models and suspending projects in North America.
US tariff measures also took a toll on the company's bottom line.
Now, looking ahead, Honda says it expects earnings to return to the black for the current fiscal year.
The company projects an operating profit of 500 billion yen, or $3.1 billion, thanks to higher sales of cars and motorbikes. It is forecasting net income of 260 billion yen.
Nikkei Retreats After Intraday Record
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock index, right here on the screen, ended lower on Thursday after profit-taking raised record gains earlier in the day.
Now, the benchmark had set an all-time intraday high in the morning session.
The index ended at 62,654, down almost 1%. Market sources say the morning rally was led by buying of domestic semiconductor-related stocks.
That followed another strong performance from tech issues in New York.
But then investors moved to lock in profits in the afternoon after some AI-related firms released lower-than-expected earnings.
Sticker Boom Sweeps Across Japan
Okay, now, pokémon cards, purikura, photo booth capsules, toys.
Over the years, Japan has seen the emergence of countless fads that ended up becoming cultural fixtures. Now, could 3D bubble stickers be next?
Businesses see the latest craze as a promising opportunity for long-term growth.
NHK World's Amma Raimu has the more.
00:18:05 話者 7/Amma Raimu
For children, bubble stickers are serious business.
They keep their favorites in special albums and barter to expand their collections.
This group of friends gave us an exclusive look at their intense trade negotiations.
There's even an informal exchange rate, with some designs considered rarer and more valuable than others.
But no amount of wheeling and dealing can land the most popular stickers.
Even money isn't enough. Getting your hands on them requires some good fortune.
This store introduced a special lottery system for popular stickers.
Only a lucky few are actually able to buy them.
Shoppers who win the draw are given a 10-minute window to browse the store and buy what they want.
00:19:08 話者 12
I tried so many times and finally won today.
00:19:13 話者 13
I was missing a few of my favorites, so I'm glad I was able to get them today.
I'm so happy.
00:19:21 話者 7
The craze took off last September when Q-lia's bonbon drop stickers emerged as a surprise hit. The company has shipped 22 million sticker sheets as of the end of March.
The product was originally designed with children in mind, but the company says adults are also driving the demand.
00:19:45 話者 14/Kurakake Seiichi/Manager, Development Department, Q-lia
It's part social media, part adults looking back fondly on the toys and fads of their childhood. The stickers have grown far beyond anything we could have imagined.
00:19:57 話者 7
People in their 20s and 30s remember collecting stickers as children.
Now, it's a nostalgic hobby that remains affordable amid rising prices almost everywhere else.
Stickers are also a way for them to spend time and bond with their children.
00:20:20 話者 15/Harada Yohei/Professor, Shibaura Institute of Technology
It's rare to find something that kids, young adults and adults can enjoy in different ways.
Bubble stickers give each generation something different, and I think that's why they've become so popular.
00:20:36 話者 7
For businesses, the sticker boom is presenting a chance to expand.
This company made stickers of its character, hoping to win more hearts and create new opportunities.
Sunhoseki specialized in mail-order plushies, accessories, and handmade figurine kits.
But sales plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic, and the company came close to bankruptcy.
Product director Kanzaki Satomi believed the firm had to turn away from its traditional strengths to rebuild.
Her team launched a line of stickers featuring the company's original characters last November, and sales have been strong.
She's now planning to return to the firm's area of expertise with a DIY kit that allows customers to make their own unique stickers.
00:21:42 話者 7/Kanzaki Satomi/Director, Sunhoseki, Memory-tech Tsukuba
We want to tie stickers to our main business and turn them into something only we can make. Trends are opportunities for growth, and we have to take advantage of them.
00:21:47 話者 7
For now, nothing is stopping Japan's sticker craze. Companies are trying to make sure it's more than just the latest fad, and has a chance at sticking around.
Amma Raimu, NHK World.
00:22:03 話者 6
And that is it for Business News.
Over 2,000 Tickets Issued for Reckless Cycling
00:22:06 話者 1
Next, at the beginning of April, Japanese police began giving tickets for reckless cycling.
And they say they've issued more than 2,000 in just the first month.
The so-called blue tickets apply to cyclists aged 16 or over.
Police issue them for 113 types of violations.
Offenders basically get guidance or a warning.
Those who ignore a warning and still break a rule face fines.
The National Police Agency says officers issued 2,147 tickets across Japan in April.
The most common violation was not stopping at the stop line.
That was followed by using a smartphone while cycling and ignoring traffic signals.
Agency officials say some cyclists have reported difficulty understanding the new rules.
They say they'll keep promoting awareness while working to prevent accidents.
Niigata Pushes Traceability for Nishikigoi
The colorful carp, known as Nishikigoi , have been dubbed swimming jewels and are the center of an export industry worth millions of dollars.
Now, authorities in Japan want to protect the lucrative brand.
Niigata Prefecture will host a World Nishikigoi Summit this November, and traceability will be high on the agenda.
The multi-colored carp are said to have originated in Niigata and are now bred around the world.
There are said to be more than 100 varieties, but with no international standards for defining them.
The first summit was held back in 2022.
Organizers say this year's gathering will focus on creating a global traceability system.
The idea is to record information such where the fish are bred and how they're distributed.
The summit will also focus on how to promote the fish globally.
♪
Weather Across Japan and Europe
Now it's time to check out the weather. Japan is currently experiencing evening showers.
Our meteorologist, Yumi Hirano, has the details.
00:24:54 話者 8/Yumi Hirano
The combination of warm surface temperatures and cold air aloft is bringing scattered showers.
Thunderstorm probability will stay high, especially across Kanto, Koshin and Tokai on Thursday night.
Isolated severe weather is possible during the evening commute.
But the conditions will improve on Friday as the high-pressure system covers the country, so sunny skies are expected in many cities, and the temperatures will jump to almost 30.
Tokyo will see 25 on Friday and 28 on Saturday, which is typical of July.
So please stay cool and hydrated.
Moving to Europe, back-to-back storms have been affecting the continent.
Turkey is also experiencing severe weather this week.
Heavy rain in a Turkish coastal town caused severe flooding on Tuesday.
Rivers near the country's Black Sea coast overflowed, and water flooded streets and people's homes.
Many cars and debris were washed away, according to the Associated Press.
AP also reported that local media said 12 people were treated in hospital after sustaining minor injuries.
Along the frontal system, another day of wet weather is expected in Turkey.
In addition to downpours, gusty winds, lightning and large hail are possible.
For the west, another storm is bringing widespread showers to Germany, France and Italy.
Heavy snow is also expected in higher elevations.
Thundershowers are possible in Paris, Rome and Istanbul, but sunny skies are likely in Madrid and Lisbon with highs of 20.
That's it for now. Have a nice day.
00:27:35 話者 1
That's all for this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Morishita Erika in Tokyo. Thank you for joining us.
NHK World
00:28:01 話者 99
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