at 20:00 (JST), January 05 AS

The Japanese government plans to strengthen the protection of crucial domestic infrastructure to guard against cyber-attacks.

An international research team has found that about 70 percent of the Earth's bacteria and other microorganisms inhabit a vast, hidden world far below the Earth's surface.

Japan's Defense Ministry has said that the content of a video clip released by South Korea presents claims that are different from Japan's stance over a radar incident.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190105200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : government strengthen
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190105_21/

The Japanese government is taking steps to strengthen the protection of crucial domestic infrastructure against cyber-attacks.

The government will this month meet with officials from infrastructure operators to discuss preventive measures. The operators will include electricity, gas, and water providers as well as rail and airport firms.

In April, the government will also meet with officials from local governments, infrastructure operators and other entities. They will discuss ways to prevent the spread of damage from cyber-attacks.

Government officials have decided to take information leaks and other security risks into account in procuring communication equipment. They fear such apparatus could be embedded with malicious software for cyber-attacks.

The decision means the government will effectively exclude products manufactured by Chinese telecom giants Huawei Technologies and manufacturer ZTE Corporation from the Japanese market.

Key words : international research
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190105_17/

An international research team has found that most of the Earth's bacteria and other microorganisms likely live in a vast, hidden world far below the Earth's surface.

They say studying this world can shed new light on questions such as whether there is life on other planets.

Among the findings of the 10-year study are microbes that use rocks as energy sources. Others thrive in hydrothermal vents on the seafloor at temperatures above 120 degrees Celsius.

Researchers from around 50 countries are taking part in the project, called "Deep Carbon Observatory." They have examined microbial life contained in samples extracted from about 100 sites around the globe.

The sites include deep mines and narrow shafts bored more than 5,000 meters into the Earth's surface and 2,500 meters into the seafloor.

Fumio Inagaki, principal senior scientist of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, or JAMSTEC, calls this world a third biosphere, in addition to those on the surface and in the oceans.

Scientists think that up to 70 percent of Earth's bacteria and single-celled microorganisms known as archaea likely live there.

They estimate the size of this deep biosphere at about 2.3 billion cubic kilometers, almost twice the volume of all of the oceans combined.

Inagaki said looking into this world provides a new perspective on whether there is life on Mars or other planets.

Key words : defense ministry video clip different
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190105_10/

Japan's Defense Ministry has said in a statement that the content of a video clip released by South Korea presents claims that are different from Japan's stance over a radar incident.

Japanese officials say a South Korean destroyer directed its fire-control radar at Japan's P-1 patrol plane in the Sea of Japan on December 20th.

Japan released a video of the incident about a week later, calling the destroyer's action dangerous. South Korea denies the claim.

In turn, South Korea's Defense Ministry released a video clip on Friday. It said the Japanese patrol plane's actions were intimidating. It added the destroyer's crew could hear the noise and feel the vibration of the Japanese plane.

Japan's Defense Ministry released a statement Friday night asserting again that directing a fire-control radar is a hazardous act.

It said that defense officials from the two sides will discuss the incident. Japan plans to rebuff the South Korean claim, based on objective data such as the flight route and altitude recordings of the patrol plane.

The majority of the South Korean video clip consists of footage also shown in the Japanese video.

Japan's Defense Ministry does not think the South Korean video shows any new evidence contradicting its claims.

Key words : stock prices
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190105_08/

Stock prices in New York surged after the Federal Reserve chairman said on Friday that the central bank will be patient as it watches how the economy evolves.

Jerome Powell stressed a more cautious approach to policy making, signaling a willingness to back off rate hikes planned for this year.

Former Fed chairs Janet Yellen and Ben Bernanke also made positive remarks about the economy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average temporarily gained more than 830 points during the day's trading after Jerome Powell made the remarks during a discussion with two of his predecessors.

The benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the session at 23,433, up 746 points from Thursday's close.

Market players say a sense of relief spread among investors following Powell's remarks.

They add that jobs data released on Friday morning also led to increased buy orders.

Key words : China central bank
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190105_04/

China's central bank has announced more monetary easing in the form of cutting the minimum reserve level for commercial banks by a total of one percentage point.

The People's Bank of China said on Friday that reductions by 0.5 percentage points will be made on January 15th and again January 25th.

The reserve requirement ratio refers to the percentage of cash that financial institutions are required to place in the central bank as reserves, against the amount of deposits they hold. Lowering the ratio is expected to boost lending.

Bank officials say the measure will unleash 800 billion yuan, or about 116 billion dollars, into the market and effectively increase loan funding sources of small and private businesses.

The announcement comes as concerns are growing over the effects of the trade conflict with the United States on the country's economy.

The Chinese government is stepping up support efforts. At the Central Economic Work Conference in December, Chinese leaders indicated their intention to enact further monetary easing measures.

Key words : US media grand jury
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190105_15/

US media say federal judge has extended the term of the grand jury being used by special counsel Robert Mueller.

The grand jury was impaneled in July, 2017, after Mueller began a probe into possible collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign team.

The term was set to expire over the weekend, but it has reportedly been extended for up to 6 months.

A federal grand jury consists of citizens empowered to review evidence and determine whether criminal charges should be brought.

The jury in Mueller's investigation has approved indictments of more than 30 individuals and entities, including former officials of the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence officials.

Key words : United Nation human rights
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190105_07/

The United Nations human rights office says the criminal trial in Saudi Arabia related to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is "not sufficient".

Khashoggi was murdered at Saudi Arabia's Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, last October. Eleven people were indicted for allegedly taking part in the killing.

In the trial's first session on Thursday, Saudi prosecutors demanded the death penalty for five defendants who allegedly played key roles.

Saudi authorities have denied that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had any involvement in the slaying.

A spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Friday that the trial is taking place without an independent and international probe as requested by the office.

The UN has been calling for the involvement of international experts in the investigation, with full access to evidence and witnesses.

Key words : auction
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190105_09/

The auction bell at Tokyo's new wholesale food market rang for the first time this year on Saturday, with bidding marked by a record price for a blue fin tuna.

The auction began shortly after 5:00 AM.

A 278-kilogram blue fin tuna caught in Japan's northern prefecture of Aomori fetched more than 333 million yen, equivalent to over 3 million dollars. The new record is more than double the previous one.

The new market opened in October last year in Toyosu, moving from Tsukiji.

A wholesaler's representative said there were a lot of tuna up for bidding at the start of the New Year's trade, just as there typically was at Tsukiji market. He called on dealers and bidders to work together to develop the new market.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said she is looking forward to Toyosu establishing itself as a great market loved by everyone.

A new visitor's space will open on the first floor of Toyosu on January 15th, allowing people to better experience the atmosphere of the auctions.