Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a personal New Year's message to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as well as to other world leaders on Saturday.
Major cities in Europe and the US are tightening security on New Year's Eve on growing concerns in the wake of terrorist attacks over the past year.
Japan's land ministry says this year has seen the highest number of land-related disasters in Japan in a decade.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20171231200000_english_1.mp3
Key words : Russian president
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171231_04/
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a personal New Year's message to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as well as to other world leaders on Saturday.
In the message, Putin noted that Russian-Japanese relations have recently intensified on a number of aspects, including political dialogue. He also cited the resumption of the 'two-plus-two' foreign and defense ministerial talks between the two nations as a positive development.
Putin expressed his expectation for better mutual understanding next year between peoples of the 2 countries through exchange events.
The events are designed to pave the way for conclusion of a bilateral peace treaty, which includes the resolution of the Northern Territories issue. Russia controls the islands; Japan claims them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory.
A variety of cultural exchange events are planned for next year, which is designated as Japan-Russia cross exchange year. The 2 leaders designated it in their summit in December 2016 to expand people-to-people exchanges.
In the message, Putin noted that Russian-Japanese relations have recently intensified on a number of aspects, including political dialogue. He also cited the resumption of the 'two-plus-two' foreign and defense ministerial talks between the two nations as a positive development.
Putin expressed his expectation for better mutual understanding next year between peoples of the 2 countries through exchange events.
The events are designed to pave the way for conclusion of a bilateral peace treaty, which includes the resolution of the Northern Territories issue. Russia controls the islands; Japan claims them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory.
A variety of cultural exchange events are planned for next year, which is designated as Japan-Russia cross exchange year. The 2 leaders designated it in their summit in December 2016 to expand people-to-people exchanges.
Key words : Major US attack
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171231_06/
Major western cities are tightening security on New Year's Eve on concerns over numerous terrorist attacks which have taken place in the US and Europe over the past year.
A heavy security presence is seen at venues of various events to celebrate the New Year.
London ramped up security at a New Year's fireworks event. Britain suffered a suicide attack near a concert venue in May and a bomb was detonated on a subway in September.
On Friday, security fences were set up and a helicopter hovered over the venue.
A police official says security personnel are keeping an eye on everything --both visible and invisible.
A Christmas market was attacked in the German capital of Berlin last year when a truck drove into crowds killing 12 people. One year on, an outdoor concert and other events are planned in the city for revelers celebrating New Year. Concrete roadblocks have been placed to prevent vehicles from entering event sites.
In New York, an improvised pipe bomb exploded earlier this month in an underground passage near Times Square. The square is a popular gathering spot for crowds to ring in the New Year. Police have mobilized more armed officers and sniffer dogs than last year.
A heavy security presence is seen at venues of various events to celebrate the New Year.
London ramped up security at a New Year's fireworks event. Britain suffered a suicide attack near a concert venue in May and a bomb was detonated on a subway in September.
On Friday, security fences were set up and a helicopter hovered over the venue.
A police official says security personnel are keeping an eye on everything --both visible and invisible.
A Christmas market was attacked in the German capital of Berlin last year when a truck drove into crowds killing 12 people. One year on, an outdoor concert and other events are planned in the city for revelers celebrating New Year. Concrete roadblocks have been placed to prevent vehicles from entering event sites.
In New York, an improvised pipe bomb exploded earlier this month in an underground passage near Times Square. The square is a popular gathering spot for crowds to ring in the New Year. Police have mobilized more armed officers and sniffer dogs than last year.
Key words : protest Iran frustration
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171231_07/
Anti-government demonstrations continue in Iran. Clashes with police have been reported in the capital Tehran and elsewhere in the country.
The protest began in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Thursday with participants expressing frustration at rising prices and the high unemployment rate.
Protesters at Tehran University on Saturday lashed out at the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, chanting "Death to the dictator" as they faced police forces.
Footage from the western city of Dorud shows a demonstrator being carried away from the protest site. Some foreign media reported that at least two protesters were fatally shot by the police.
Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli has called on people through local media not to take part in illegal gatherings. The government has detained about 100 demonstrators so far.
Images of the protests have spread via social media, and some are urging citizens to take further action.
The protest began in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Thursday with participants expressing frustration at rising prices and the high unemployment rate.
Protesters at Tehran University on Saturday lashed out at the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, chanting "Death to the dictator" as they faced police forces.
Footage from the western city of Dorud shows a demonstrator being carried away from the protest site. Some foreign media reported that at least two protesters were fatally shot by the police.
Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli has called on people through local media not to take part in illegal gatherings. The government has detained about 100 demonstrators so far.
Images of the protests have spread via social media, and some are urging citizens to take further action.
Key words : solid batteries
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171231_14/
Competition is intensifying over the development of a new type of battery. It would enable electric vehicles to cover more than twice the distance that they currently can, using conventional batteries.
All solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes. They have a greater capacity to produce electricity, compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes.
Researchers say the new type of battery can, in addition, shorten the time required for a full charge from hours to minutes.
After one charge, electric vehicles powered by conventional batteries cannot run as long as gasoline-powered cars can.
Toyota Motor and Panasonic are jointly working to put the all solid-state battery into practical use by the early 2020's.
Nissan Motor and Honda Motor are also developing the new battery.
Non-automotive companies, such as Hitachi and Asahi Kasei, as well as battery manufacturer GS Yuasa, have initiated research in the field.
Professor Ryoji Kanno of the Tokyo Institute of Technology says many technical hurdles must be overcome before a manufacturing method can be established. He adds that more researchers and engineers are needed, in order to come up with various ideas.
All solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes. They have a greater capacity to produce electricity, compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes.
Researchers say the new type of battery can, in addition, shorten the time required for a full charge from hours to minutes.
After one charge, electric vehicles powered by conventional batteries cannot run as long as gasoline-powered cars can.
Toyota Motor and Panasonic are jointly working to put the all solid-state battery into practical use by the early 2020's.
Nissan Motor and Honda Motor are also developing the new battery.
Non-automotive companies, such as Hitachi and Asahi Kasei, as well as battery manufacturer GS Yuasa, have initiated research in the field.
Professor Ryoji Kanno of the Tokyo Institute of Technology says many technical hurdles must be overcome before a manufacturing method can be established. He adds that more researchers and engineers are needed, in order to come up with various ideas.
Key words : number of adult
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171231_10/
The number of Japanese who became adults in 2017 was unchanged from the previous year, pausing a decline in the figure over recent decades.
The internal affairs ministry estimates 1.23 million people -- 630,000 men and 600,000 women -- turned 20 this year. They account for 0.97 percent of the population. The figure has been below one percent for 8 consecutive years.
The number of 20-year-old Japanese had been steadily falling since 1994, when 2.07 million 2nd-generation baby boomers came of age.
Ministry officials say the decline in people of this age group is expected to continue.
The internal affairs ministry estimates 1.23 million people -- 630,000 men and 600,000 women -- turned 20 this year. They account for 0.97 percent of the population. The figure has been below one percent for 8 consecutive years.
The number of 20-year-old Japanese had been steadily falling since 1994, when 2.07 million 2nd-generation baby boomers came of age.
Ministry officials say the decline in people of this age group is expected to continue.
Key words : firefighter put out
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171231_11/
Firefighters in Tokyo are working to put out a blaze that broke out in a busy shopping and tourist district on Sunday.
The Tokyo Fire Department says it received a call about a fire at a commercial building in Shibuya Ward at around 1:30 PM. The building houses a restaurant and other facilities.
25 fire trucks responded. Authorities say firefighters rescued a man trapped in the building. They say flames were still seen between the 2nd and 4th floors.
The area, which has many fashion-related stores and restaurants, is about 300 meters north of JR Shibuya station. The fire attracted a crowd of onlookers, including locals and tourists.
The Tokyo Fire Department says it received a call about a fire at a commercial building in Shibuya Ward at around 1:30 PM. The building houses a restaurant and other facilities.
25 fire trucks responded. Authorities say firefighters rescued a man trapped in the building. They say flames were still seen between the 2nd and 4th floors.
The area, which has many fashion-related stores and restaurants, is about 300 meters north of JR Shibuya station. The fire attracted a crowd of onlookers, including locals and tourists.
Key words : temple final
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171231_12/
Shrines and temples across Japan are busy making final preparations to welcome millions of visitors for the New Year.
Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo usually attracts more than 3 million visitors during the first 3 days of January.
The dog is next year's animal in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Shrine maidens made displays of dog-shaped bells. They also prepared wooden votive tablets and other good luck items.
One of the main gates is decorated with a 3.8-meter-long arrow amulet and a wooden plaque with a painting of a dog.
Visitors praying for good luck will be able to throw offerings of coins and banknotes into a large enclosure.
Meiji Jingu is reroofing its buildings ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2020. About 7,000 new copper plates now cover the roof of one of the halls.
A shrine official, Miki Fukutoku, says more foreigners have been coming to Meiji Jingu in recent years, and the shrine is taking steps to ensure that everyone will have a safe visit.
Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo usually attracts more than 3 million visitors during the first 3 days of January.
The dog is next year's animal in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Shrine maidens made displays of dog-shaped bells. They also prepared wooden votive tablets and other good luck items.
One of the main gates is decorated with a 3.8-meter-long arrow amulet and a wooden plaque with a painting of a dog.
Visitors praying for good luck will be able to throw offerings of coins and banknotes into a large enclosure.
Meiji Jingu is reroofing its buildings ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2020. About 7,000 new copper plates now cover the roof of one of the halls.
A shrine official, Miki Fukutoku, says more foreigners have been coming to Meiji Jingu in recent years, and the shrine is taking steps to ensure that everyone will have a safe visit.
Key words : Japan land ministry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171231_02/
Japan's land ministry says this year has seen the highest number of land-related disasters in Japan in a decade.
The ministry says the number of landslides, mudflows and other earth-related disasters caused by heavy rain or snow melt in 2017 stood at 1,462. These disasters left 24 people dead or missing and destroyed or damaged about 700 homes in total.
370, or a quarter of the disasters, were caused by Typhoon Lan, which hit Tokyo and surrounding prefectures in October. Heavy rain in July in the northern Kyushu region was the second largest contributor with 307.
Fukuoka Prefecture in northern Kyushu had the largest number of land-related disasters at 235.
The ministry says this type of disaster affected all of Japan's 47 prefectures.
It says many typhoons moved from south to north along the Japanese archipelago, affecting wide areas across the nation.
It also blames a lingering active front on the Japan Sea coast that brought unusually heavy rainfall.
The ministry says the number of landslides, mudflows and other earth-related disasters caused by heavy rain or snow melt in 2017 stood at 1,462. These disasters left 24 people dead or missing and destroyed or damaged about 700 homes in total.
370, or a quarter of the disasters, were caused by Typhoon Lan, which hit Tokyo and surrounding prefectures in October. Heavy rain in July in the northern Kyushu region was the second largest contributor with 307.
Fukuoka Prefecture in northern Kyushu had the largest number of land-related disasters at 235.
The ministry says this type of disaster affected all of Japan's 47 prefectures.
It says many typhoons moved from south to north along the Japanese archipelago, affecting wide areas across the nation.
It also blames a lingering active front on the Japan Sea coast that brought unusually heavy rainfall.
