at 20:00 (JST), March 05 AS

The Tokyo District Court has granted bail to Nissan Motor's former chairman Carlos Ghosn.

The National People's Congress is underway in Beijing giving China watchers an idea of what to expect in the world's second largest economy.

The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog has suggested that operations at North Korea's Nyongbyon nuclear facilities continue while country's leader was in talks with US President.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190305200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Tokyo Distric Carlos not disclosed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_31/

The Tokyo District Court has granted bail to Nissan Motor's former chairman Carlos Ghosn. The 64-year-old auto executive could be released from detention by the end of Tuesday after being held for 107 days.

Ghosn's bail has been set at about 8.9 million dollars.
The court has also imposed a travel ban that won't let him leave Japan. Details of the other conditions were not disclosed, but sources say they include ways to prevent attempts to flee and tamper with evidence.

It was his third bail attempt. His new legal team appointed in February lodged the bid last week. It follows two unsuccessful attempts by his previous team. His new lawyers include Junichiro Hironaka who is known for winning acquittals in many high-profile cases.

It is understood that the court has judged there is no possibility for destruction of evidence, a concern that led to the rejection of Ghosn's previous bail applications.

Prosecutors are expected to appeal the court's decision.

Ghosn was charged with aggravated breach of trust and underreporting his compensation on Nissan's financial reports. He denies all the allegations.

While in detention, he resigned as chairman and CEO of Renault and as the head of its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi.

Key words : Nissan continuing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_49/

Nissan Motor is continuing its in-house investigation into misappropriation of funds and other possible improprieties by its former chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Nissan suspects Ghosn shifted company investment funds and other money for personal use, in cases other than those prosecutors have pressed charges over.

The automaker regards such acts as a grave violation of compliance rules.

The company plans to report findings from the probe to the board of directors this month, and seek damage compensation from Ghosn.

Nissan also plans to have a panel of third-party experts and outside directors draw up proposals on corporate governance this month.

Key words : national people underway watcher
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_32/

In China, the National People's Congress is underway. While it's a rubber stamp event, it does offer China watchers a look at what to expect from the world's second largest economy. A key part is the growth target. Leaders have set it at 6 to 6.5 percent for the year. That's a drop from last year as the government expects a slowdown.

Premier Li Keqiang made the official announcement at the opening session.

He also made the unusual move of mentioning the United States by name, saying trade frictions are having a negative effect on business activities and markets.

Li said "China will continue to promote China-US trade negotiations. China is committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, win-win development and settling trade disputes through discussion as equals. We faithfully honor our commitments and are resolute in safeguarding our lawful rights and interests."

Li did not specifically mention the "Made in China 2025" initiative, a strategic plan aimed at turning the country into the world's leading manufacturer. In the past Beijing mentioned it every year.

He also stressed China will strengthen efforts to protect rights and interests of foreign companies. The Congress is expected to pass a new bill banning local governments from forcing foreign firms to transfer key technology to domestic companies.

Experts say these announcements were likely made out of consideration to the US which sees the plan and business practices as threats to its technological dominance.

Li also said leaders will to try to counter the economic downturn through tax breaks and infrastructure spending.

Experts say China needs to pull off a tough balancing act in steering its economy. It has to ease credit conditions to support growth in the short term. But for long-term stability, it's critical to reduce financial risks.

Key words : Chinese government defense spending
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_25/

The Chinese government says the country's defense spending in 2019 will rise by 7.5 percent from last year.

Officials on Tuesday disclosed a draft budget that will be debated at the National People's Congress, the annual session of China's parliament.

The planned growth in the defense budget is smaller than last year's 8.1 percent. But total spending will still reach 1.19 trillion yuan, or about 180 billion dollars.

A spokesperson for the National People's Congress brushed aside concerns raised by the United States and others over China's military buildup.

Zhang Yesui said on Monday that the defense budget is aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territory, and will not pose a threat to other countries.

China is producing domestic aircraft carriers and introducing state-of-the-art fighter jets, under President Xi Jinping's goal to create a world-class military.

It's also said to be focusing on developing hypersonic weapons that can bypass US missile defense systems, and applying Artificial Intelligence for military purposes.

China has not provided a breakdown of its defense budget. The lack of transparency has raised concerns. Analysts say the true size of the country's defense spending is most likely larger than the official figure.

Key words : chief of nuclear Amano
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_24/

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency says there are indications North Korea continued operations at its nuclear facilities in Nyongbyon when its leader was meeting with the US President in Vietnam.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano spoke on Monday at the agency's annual board meeting in Vienna.

Amano said, based on analysis of satellite imagery as of the end of February, construction of a light-water reactor continued and there were indications of operations at a facility designed to enrich uranium.

He added that an experimental graphite-moderated nuclear reactor was shut down last December and there were no indications of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.

He said the agency cannot confirm the purpose of the recent activities, which coincided with the second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump.

At a news conference after the speech, Amano said he hopes the US and North Korea can reach an agreement.

He said that IAEA will continue to prepare for the resumption of inspections at North Korean reactors based on an agreement between the two governments.

Key words : prime minister expressed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190304_35/

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed readiness to hold summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to resolve the abduction issue.

Abe made the remark at an Upper House committee session when asked by a ruling party member if he was ready to hold direct talks with the North Korean leader.

Abe said the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea is a bilateral issue that will not be resolved unless talks take place between the two nations. He pointed out that he links the issue to dialogue between the leaders of Japan and North Korea.

Abe also referred to an incident in which Tokyo says the South Korean military directed its fire-control radar at a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force plane in December.
He noted that Japan is telling the truth, and the side that is truthful always has an advantage. He remarked that Japan has shown evidence, and he believes the navies of countries across the world know where the truth lies.

He pointed out that close coordination between Japan, the United States and South Korea is essential in addressing North Korea, and Tokyo's partnership with Seoul is crucial in securing the safety of Japanese nationals living in South Korea. He said he will deal with these matters properly.

Key words : Mike
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_40/

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he hopes to send a delegation to North Korea in the "next couple weeks" to resume denuclearization talks.

Pompeo was speaking on Monday at a citizens' meeting in Iowa. He added that he has no commitment concerning the plan.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met in Hanoi last week. But they ended the summit without reaching an agreement. Pompeo was on the US delegation.

Pompeo suggested that the US side tried in vain to convince Kim that his country should give up its weapons systems in a way that allows the North Korean people to flourish. But he said North Koreans are confident that nuclear weapons will protect them.

The second US-North Korea summit showed a wide gap between the two sides in terms of how to denuclearize. But they have shown intent to continue their talks.

Key words : south named
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_03/

The South Korean government has named Nam Gwan-pyo as its new ambassador to Japan.

The 62-year-old diplomat is to replace Lee Su-hoon as the country's top envoy to Tokyo.

Nam joined the foreign ministry in 1981 and served as the country's ambassador to Hungary and Sweden.

Under the government of President Moon Jae-in, he served as deputy chief of the presidential National Security Office from 2017 until last month.

As for his career in Japan, he was first secretary at the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo between 1992 and 1995.

His appointment comes amid worsening bilateral ties over issues, including South Korean court rulings awarding compensation to those who say they were forced to work at Japanese firms during World War Two.

South Korean media say the feud between the two countries is mostly attributed to the interpretation of a 1965 bilateral agreement on wartime claims. The media say expectations are high for Nam, who is well-versed in treaty issues, to demonstrate his expertise.

Key words : revision unmanned
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_35/

Japan's government has approved a bill that expands the areas where drones are prohibited from operation.

The Cabinet decided on Tuesday revisions to the law restricting the use of small unmanned aircraft.

Such aircraft will be prohibited in principle above and near key airports and venues during the World Cup rugby matches that will start in September and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bases of US military troops and Japan's Self-Defense Forces will be added to the current no-fly zones, which now include the Diet building, the Prime Minister's Office and nuclear power plants.

Police and other authorities will be able to confiscate unauthorized aircraft in no-fly areas.

The government plans to submit the revision to the current session of the Diet and have it enacted.

The Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association has protested the move, saying it infringes on people's right to know. It has submitted an opinion to the government.

Key words : telecommunication
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_44/

Japan's Cabinet has approved a bill to revise the telecommunication law and cut the cost of monthly mobile phone charges.

The bill requires phone carriers to separate handset costs from communication fees. The goal is to make it easier for users to identify cheaper plans.

Mobile phone plans have faced criticism for being too complex. Carriers try to recover the cost for discounting handsets by charging higher monthly fees for voice and data services.

The bill bans plans that offer discounts on handsets on condition subscribers sign up for fixed two or four year contracts.

The new legislation says such plans unfairly prevent users from cancelling contracts. The bill will likely lower monthly bills, but increase the cost of purchasing handsets.

Communications Minister Masatoshi Ishida said, "The revision will allow consumers to compare and select mobile phone carriers based on communication charges. This will lead to competition among carriers and eventually help lower fees."

The government aims to pass the bill in the current Diet session through June.

Key words : metropolitan in New york inspired
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190305_43/

An exhibition of art inspired by the classic Japanese novel "The Tale of Genji" kicks off on Tuesday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The 11th-century masterpiece about the life and loves of the handsome prince Genji has influenced many artists for centuries.

The museum has brought together more than 120 works, from paintings and calligraphy to robes and pop art.

One highlight is a pair of folding screens painted by Tawaraya Sotatsu in the 17th century, showing Genji meeting a former lover by chance. The work is designated as one of Japan's national treasures.

Also on display is the first modern Japanese translation of the novel, written by poet Akiko Yosano in the early 20th century. The book's front page and illustrations are showcased.

The show ends with a series of manga drawings by Yamato Waki, who created a comic book version of the novel.

The event's organizer says the introduction of the visual world of Genji is the most extensive ever shown outside Japan. The exhibit runs through June 16.