at 20:00 (JST), December 28 AS

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Tokyo's Nikkei Average ended lower on the last trading day of 2018, posting its first annual loss in seven years.

Japan's Justice Ministry has compiled a draft ordinance specifying rules employing foreign workers under a new visa program starting next April.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20181228200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : defense ministry release
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Key words : three years after
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181228_13/

Three years after Japan and South Korea reached an accord to settle the issue of people referred to as wartime comfort women, its implementation appears increasingly difficult as bilateral ties worsen.

The agreement was concluded in 2015 between Japan and South Korea, then led by former president Park Geun-hye. The two countries agreed at the time the deal was final and irreversible.

Japan provided about 9 million dollars to set up a foundation to support the women concerned.

In November, the current South Korean administration of President Moon Jae-in unilaterally announced it would close the foundation. This came after a panel commissioned by the president issued a report saying the agreement did not sufficiently consider the views of surviving victims.

Japan stresses that South Korea has a responsibility to implement the accord. But the matter was not discussed when diplomatic officials from the two countries met on Monday in Seoul.

Bilateral ties have rapidly soured due to the recent developments, and due to a ruling by South Korea's top court ordering Japanese companies to compensate citizens for what they say was forced labor during World War Two.

The relationship has been further strained by a recent incident involving a South Korean destroyer directing its radar at a Japanese patrol plane.

Key words : Nikkei lower first annual
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181228_21/

Tokyo's Nikkei Average ended lower on the last trading day of 2018, posting its first annual loss in seven years. The yearly decline is the first since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe started his economic policy dubbed Abenomics.

The index fell on Friday by 62 points, or 0.3 percent, ending at 20,014. Some investors sold stocks to book profits after the Nikkei marked this year's biggest jump on Thursday.

Friday's close was down 12 percent from the end of 2017.

The Nikkei had a volatile year. It surged in January thanks to hopes for global growth, and hit the highest in nearly 27 years.

But stocks tumbled in February. That's as robust US economic data triggered speculation that the US Federal Reserve would start to raise rates at a faster pace.

The index recovered toward October as trade tensions eased somewhat, and the Nikkei marked fresh 27-year highs.

But then the tide turned again, this time more dramatically. The benchmark plunged by about 20 percent toward the year end as sentiment soured. Some analysts said the main reason was concern about an economic slowdown due to resurging US-China trade friction.

There are many worrying factors in 2019, including the partial government shutdown in the US, President Donald Trump's critical stance against the Fed and the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. And in Japan, there is a consumption tax hike in October.

Key words : justice
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181228_20/

Japan's Justice Ministry has compiled a draft ordinance specifying the duties of those that employ foreign workers under a new visa program starting next April.

A recent revision to the immigration control law will allow a wider range of foreign nationals to obtain residential status in Japan, which faces a serious labor shortage.

Justice Ministry officials want to make sure that the foreign workers are properly paid and treated.

Their draft ordinance requires employers to pay wages into bank accounts, and help the non-Japanese employees obtain contracts for mobile phones.

Employers must also grant such workers at least the same wages as their Japanese colleagues, and cover the travel costs of returning workers if they lack the necessary funds.

Measures to eliminate malicious job brokers are also included. Employers must check upon the arrival of foreign workers that they have not paid bonds to brokers.

People aged 18 or older can apply for the new resident status.

Japan's government estimates that up to 345,000 foreign workers with certain skill levels will be employed by 14 sectors over a five-year period from April.

Key words : government finalize
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181228_17/

The Japanese government has finalized policies on free education for preschoolers.

Ministers worked out the policy measures at a Cabinet meeting on Friday.

Free education for preschoolers is scheduled to come into effect in October of 2019 when Japan's consumption tax will be raised to ten percent from the current eight.

Children aged three to five will be able to attend kindergarten or certified daycare facilities for free. Aid will be provide to non-certified daycare users if local municipalities approve the household's necessity for daycare. An upper limit will be set for the aid.

All non-certified daycare centers will be subject to the program in the first five years. From the sixth year, only the daycare centers that meet supervision requirements will be approved for the program.

Local governments say that daycare centers subject to the program should be determined from the beginning to ensure the quality of preschools. Measures are being discussed between the central and local governments.

For households exempt from resident tax, certified daycare will be offered for free to children up to age two. Aid will be provided up to a specified limit when using non-certified daycare with the municipality's approval.

The central and local governments were at odds on how to divide costs. For private daycare services, the central government will bear half the burden. The prefectural government and local municipality will shoulder one-quarter each.

For facilities operated by municipalities, the operator will bear the entire cost.

The government has also decided on policy measures for free higher education. Low income households will be exempt from most of the enrollment and tuition fees.

A significant increase of scholarships that do not need to be paid back is also planned.

Key words : Honjo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181228_14/

Japanese Nobel laureates Tasuku Honjo and Shinya Yamanaka spoke to Kyoto University students on pursuing a career in scientific research.

Honjo of Kyoto University is the co-winner of this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Yamanaka, also of Kyoto University, received the same prize in 2012. It is the first time the two scientists have spoken in public since Honjo received this year's prize.

More than 80 students studying medicine or pharmaceuticals participated in the event hosted by Kyoto University on Thursday.

Honjo first spoke about a pending problem. He said that if immune therapy could be applied to cancer patients at an earlier stage in their treatment, it would reduce their burden, as anticancer drugs and radiation therapy weaken the immune system.

Yamanaka spoke about how he got involved in research. He said he initially became an orthopedist, but was tremendously excited by unexpected results produced by a drug that was tested on mice.

In a message to students, Honjo said one needs to have curiosity in order to succeed as a research scientist. He advised students to determine what they want to do and what they are good at when making their choices.

Yamanaka said that now is a good opportunity to become involved in research, as cancer is becoming curable.
A female medical student said she felt the warmth of the two scientists, who both had their own unique interests. She said it made her think about the path she should take.

Key words : weather official strong winter pressure urging
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181228_01/

Japanese weather officials say snow is intensifying along the Sea of Japan coast. They are warning of possible transportation disruptions during the year-end holiday season.

The Meteorological Agency says heavy snow is expected in mountainous areas in eastern and western Japan in the coming days. It adds snow may accumulate on the ground in some parts of the Tokai and Kansai regions.

Expected accumulations during the 24 hours through Friday evening are up to 80 centimeters in Niigata Prefecture, 70 centimeters in the Tohoku, Hokuriku, and Kanto-Koshin regions, and 50 centimeters in the Tokai region and Hokkaido.

The agency officials say a strong winter pressure pattern will continue until around Sunday. It may bring heavy snow to many areas.

Blizzards are also expected, mainly in areas along the Sea of Japan coast in northern Japan and the Hokuriku region.

Maximum wind speeds of 72 kilometers per hour are projected for Hokkaido and the Hokuriku region, and 65 kilometers per hour for the Tohoku region, with occasional gusts of up to 108 kilometers per hour.

The officials are urging people to prepare for snowstorms, high waves, and disruptions to transportation caused by snow and blizzard conditions.

They say people should watch out for snow that has piled up on overhead power lines and tree branches, and also be alert for possible avalanches.

Key words : visitors from south
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20181228_22/

Visitors from Southeast Asia have enjoyed a rare taste of winter, when a blanket of snow covered tourist spots in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan.

Takayama City on Friday was dusted with two centimeters of snow that fell overnight.

Foreign visitors were seen snapping photos in front of a popular bridge, with its red parapets capped in white.

Some children threw snowballs, while the adults helped themselves to warm grilled rice cakes. The treat, called "Gohei mochi," is a local specialty.

A man from Thailand said he saw snow for the first time, as it never snows in his country. He said he was touched by the beauty of the scenery.

Key words : apple
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