The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a new set of sanctions against North Korea as early as Friday.
Japan's Cabinet has approved a plan for a record amount of government spending in the fiscal year that starts in April.
Kansai Electric Power Company has officially decided to decommission 2 aging reactors at the Ohi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20171222200000_english_1.mp3
Key words : UN security expected abroad
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171222_10/
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a new set of sanctions against North Korea as early as Friday. The US-drafted resolution seeks to put a cap on refined oil product exports to the North and the repatriation of North Korean workers abroad.
The United States presented the draft resolution to the council members on Thursday. It has held negotiations with China on the matter.
The draft text obtained by NHK condemns Pyongyang's launch of a new ballistic missile on November 29th that fell in the Sea of Japan.
In a bid to cut North Korea's sources of funding for its nuclear and missile programs, the draft resolution seeks to ban about 90 percent of exports of refined petroleum products to the North.
It also demands the repatriation of North Koreans working abroad within 12 months as well as a ban on imports of food items, machinery and other products from the North.
The Security Council seeks to further tighten sanctions against North Korea with the new resolution. The resolution adopted by the council in September already puts a cap on exports of refined petroleum products to the North and prohibits authorization of new work permits for North Korean workers.
But restrictions on crude oil exports to the North remain excluded from the draft resolution, as China is cautious about such measures.
UN diplomatic sources say China is not opposed to the draft resolution.
The United States presented the draft resolution to the council members on Thursday. It has held negotiations with China on the matter.
The draft text obtained by NHK condemns Pyongyang's launch of a new ballistic missile on November 29th that fell in the Sea of Japan.
In a bid to cut North Korea's sources of funding for its nuclear and missile programs, the draft resolution seeks to ban about 90 percent of exports of refined petroleum products to the North.
It also demands the repatriation of North Koreans working abroad within 12 months as well as a ban on imports of food items, machinery and other products from the North.
The Security Council seeks to further tighten sanctions against North Korea with the new resolution. The resolution adopted by the council in September already puts a cap on exports of refined petroleum products to the North and prohibits authorization of new work permits for North Korean workers.
But restrictions on crude oil exports to the North remain excluded from the draft resolution, as China is cautious about such measures.
UN diplomatic sources say China is not opposed to the draft resolution.
Key words : north become lowest
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171222_22/
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says his country has become a nation that is capable of posing a substantial nuclear threat to the United States.
The North's state media reported that Kim made the remark at the Conference of Cell Chairpersons of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang on Thursday.
Leaders of the lowest-level units called "party cells" met for the first time in about 5 years. The party's newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, carried a photo of the conference on Friday.
Kim said his country is facing grave challenges that should not be overlooked as the international community has been stepping up its sanctions.
He added that it has successfully realized the historic cause of completing the state's nuclear force, despite short supplies of everything.
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a new draft resolution as early as later on Friday. It seeks to ban about 90 percent of the exports of refined petroleum products to the North.
The North's leadership is tightening its control over the regime as the international pressure intensifies.
The North's state media reported that Kim made the remark at the Conference of Cell Chairpersons of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang on Thursday.
Leaders of the lowest-level units called "party cells" met for the first time in about 5 years. The party's newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, carried a photo of the conference on Friday.
Kim said his country is facing grave challenges that should not be overlooked as the international community has been stepping up its sanctions.
He added that it has successfully realized the historic cause of completing the state's nuclear force, despite short supplies of everything.
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a new draft resolution as early as later on Friday. It seeks to ban about 90 percent of the exports of refined petroleum products to the North.
The North's leadership is tightening its control over the regime as the international pressure intensifies.
Key words : security unanimously
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171222_18/
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by the United States to step up monitoring of terrorists who travel on airliners.
The resolution was adopted on Thursday. It expresses grave concern by the international community against foreign terrorist fighters involved in militant groups after they return to their countries of origin or relocate to third nations to engage in terrorist acts.
It obliges UN member states to collect passengers' biometric data such as fingerprints and iris imagery through aviation authorities and share them with other countries.
It also urges making lists of terrorists including foreign fighters and those considered potential threats.
US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Michele Sison called on member states to implement the resolution steadily. She said it will give countries around the world new tools and oblige them to protect all their citizens at home and traveling abroad.
The US, which promotes fighting terrorism, has been seeking adoption of the resolution since the previous US administration under then president Barack Obama. But some have expressed concern about human rights violations caused by the resolution.
The resolution was adopted on Thursday. It expresses grave concern by the international community against foreign terrorist fighters involved in militant groups after they return to their countries of origin or relocate to third nations to engage in terrorist acts.
It obliges UN member states to collect passengers' biometric data such as fingerprints and iris imagery through aviation authorities and share them with other countries.
It also urges making lists of terrorists including foreign fighters and those considered potential threats.
US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Michele Sison called on member states to implement the resolution steadily. She said it will give countries around the world new tools and oblige them to protect all their citizens at home and traveling abroad.
The US, which promotes fighting terrorism, has been seeking adoption of the resolution since the previous US administration under then president Barack Obama. But some have expressed concern about human rights violations caused by the resolution.
Key words : cabinet approved record
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171222_24/
Japan's Cabinet has approved a plan for a record amount of government spending in the fiscal year that starts in April.
The Cabinet compiled a draft budget totaling roughly 97.7 trillion yen. That's about 860 billion dollars.
The Cabinet ministers earmarked about 290 billion dollars for social welfare -- an all-time high.
And they assigned a record amount of almost 46 billion dollars to defense amid the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Tax revenues are projected to be about 520 billion dollars, an increase of about 12 billion dollars from this year.
But more than one-third of the budget still relies on debt.
The Cabinet members also approved a supplementary budget that includes funds for new childcare facilities, and for preparations for possible missile launches by North Korea.
The government plans to submit both budget plans to the regular session of the Diet in January.
The Cabinet compiled a draft budget totaling roughly 97.7 trillion yen. That's about 860 billion dollars.
The Cabinet ministers earmarked about 290 billion dollars for social welfare -- an all-time high.
And they assigned a record amount of almost 46 billion dollars to defense amid the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Tax revenues are projected to be about 520 billion dollars, an increase of about 12 billion dollars from this year.
But more than one-third of the budget still relies on debt.
The Cabinet members also approved a supplementary budget that includes funds for new childcare facilities, and for preparations for possible missile launches by North Korea.
The government plans to submit both budget plans to the regular session of the Diet in January.
Key words : Insight childcare support program
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Key words : Kansai prefecture coast
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171222_23/
Kansai Electric Power Company has officially decided to decommission 2 aging reactors at the Ohi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast.
The decision was made at a board meeting on Friday and conveyed to the prefectural government and the Ohi town administration.
Kansai Electric President Shigeki Iwane met Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa and explained the plan to scrap the No.1 and No.2 reactors.
Nishikawa showed understanding for the decision and urged the utility to implement thorough safety measures. The governor also asked the firm to contribute to regional development.
Both reactors have an output capacity of over one million kilowatts. They are larger than other ones that are due to be scrapped.
But their containment vessels are smaller than those in similar reactors, and special procedures are needed to cool them if emergencies occur.
The 2 reactors will reach their 40-year operational limit in 2019. This limit can be extended for up to 20 years if a reactor is updated and clears a special government screening.
Kansai Electric officials say the update would cost an enormous amount of money. They also say the refurbishment would further narrow the space inside the containment vessels, making it even more difficult to respond to any emergency.
Kansai Electric's decision will bring the total number of reactors to be scrapped in Japan to 8, excluding those at the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
The decision was made at a board meeting on Friday and conveyed to the prefectural government and the Ohi town administration.
Kansai Electric President Shigeki Iwane met Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa and explained the plan to scrap the No.1 and No.2 reactors.
Nishikawa showed understanding for the decision and urged the utility to implement thorough safety measures. The governor also asked the firm to contribute to regional development.
Both reactors have an output capacity of over one million kilowatts. They are larger than other ones that are due to be scrapped.
But their containment vessels are smaller than those in similar reactors, and special procedures are needed to cool them if emergencies occur.
The 2 reactors will reach their 40-year operational limit in 2019. This limit can be extended for up to 20 years if a reactor is updated and clears a special government screening.
Kansai Electric officials say the update would cost an enormous amount of money. They also say the refurbishment would further narrow the space inside the containment vessels, making it even more difficult to respond to any emergency.
Kansai Electric's decision will bring the total number of reactors to be scrapped in Japan to 8, excluding those at the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Key words : Fukushima damage factory
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171222_30/
The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has given a media preview of equipment that will be used to investigate the inside of the containment vessel of one of the damaged reactors.
Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, showed a tool called a "guide pipe" at a factory in Yokohama on Friday.
The pipe can be extended to 16 meters in length and has a camera and a dosimeter at its tip.
TEPCO plans to use it to get a better look inside the containment vessel of the No.2 reactor.
The operator believes fuel debris, made up of a mixture of molten fuel and broken interior parts, lies at the bottom of the vessel.
In January, workers confirmed the presence of a mass on the floor under the reactor.
But they could not confirm if it was fuel debris because they could not measure the radiation levels there.
In January next year, workers hope to confirm that it is fuel debris by sending in a camera and a dosimeter using the guide pipe.
The government and TEPCO plan to determine which reactor they should remove debris from first and how to conduct the procedure during fiscal 2019, which begins in April.
Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, showed a tool called a "guide pipe" at a factory in Yokohama on Friday.
The pipe can be extended to 16 meters in length and has a camera and a dosimeter at its tip.
TEPCO plans to use it to get a better look inside the containment vessel of the No.2 reactor.
The operator believes fuel debris, made up of a mixture of molten fuel and broken interior parts, lies at the bottom of the vessel.
In January, workers confirmed the presence of a mass on the floor under the reactor.
But they could not confirm if it was fuel debris because they could not measure the radiation levels there.
In January next year, workers hope to confirm that it is fuel debris by sending in a camera and a dosimeter using the guide pipe.
The government and TEPCO plan to determine which reactor they should remove debris from first and how to conduct the procedure during fiscal 2019, which begins in April.
Key words : full cost
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171222_26/
The Japanese government will bear the full cost of disposing of wooden boats that are believed to be from North Korea.
Environment Minister Masaharu Nakagawa announced the decision after a cabinet meeting on Friday.
Officials of the Japan Coast Guard and the Environment Ministry say they have confirmed 96 cases this year of suspected North Korean boats that were washed ashore on the Japanese coast or found drifting in Japanese waters. The figure is the highest in 5 years.
It costs about 8,800 dollars to dispose of each vessel. Local governments have been paying 2 to 6 percent of this amount.
Nakagawa told reporters that local residents are very concerned about the frequent arrivals of such boats.
He said the government will expand its support so local administrations can deal with the issue smoothly and swiftly without putting a financial burden on them.
The governors of Niigata and other prefectures along the Sea of Japan coast had earlier submitted a request for financial support from the central government.
Environment Minister Masaharu Nakagawa announced the decision after a cabinet meeting on Friday.
Officials of the Japan Coast Guard and the Environment Ministry say they have confirmed 96 cases this year of suspected North Korean boats that were washed ashore on the Japanese coast or found drifting in Japanese waters. The figure is the highest in 5 years.
It costs about 8,800 dollars to dispose of each vessel. Local governments have been paying 2 to 6 percent of this amount.
Nakagawa told reporters that local residents are very concerned about the frequent arrivals of such boats.
He said the government will expand its support so local administrations can deal with the issue smoothly and swiftly without putting a financial burden on them.
The governors of Niigata and other prefectures along the Sea of Japan coast had earlier submitted a request for financial support from the central government.
Key words : Yamanashi
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20171222_25/
People in a town in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, that got up early enough on Friday were treated to the sight of the sun rising over the peak of Mount Fuji.
About 100 photography enthusiasts braved sub-zero temperatures as they waited through the pre-dawn hours at a park in Fujikawa Town to enjoy the spectacle known as "Diamond Fuji."
The phenomenon occurs when the sunrise or sunset lines up with the peak, and the sun shines like a diamond.
People were busy snapping photos when the sun began to appear over the peak at around 7:20 AM.
A man from Yokohama said he has taken photos of "Diamond Fuji" at sunset, but that the sunrise is more beautiful.
A woman from Tokyo said she was very excited to see it.
"Diamond Fuji" can be observed from the town from mid-December through around New Year's Day.
About 100 photography enthusiasts braved sub-zero temperatures as they waited through the pre-dawn hours at a park in Fujikawa Town to enjoy the spectacle known as "Diamond Fuji."
The phenomenon occurs when the sunrise or sunset lines up with the peak, and the sun shines like a diamond.
People were busy snapping photos when the sun began to appear over the peak at around 7:20 AM.
A man from Yokohama said he has taken photos of "Diamond Fuji" at sunset, but that the sunrise is more beautiful.
A woman from Tokyo said she was very excited to see it.
"Diamond Fuji" can be observed from the town from mid-December through around New Year's Day.
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