A dissident group says it was behind an incident in which armed men stole computers from North Korea's embassy in Madrid last month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the country may carry out further attacks against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
A team of Japanese researchers says an existing drug could be effective in treating an intractable motor neuron disease ALS.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190327200000_english_1.mp3
Key words : incident behind
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_20/
A dissident group says it was behind an incident in which armed men stole computers from North Korea's embassy in Madrid last month.
The group, which calls itself "Free Joseon" and is also known as Cheollima Civil Defense, has been engaged in activities criticizing North Korea's government. The group posted a statement on its website on Tuesday night acknowledging its involvement in the embassy incident.
On February 22, armed men reportedly tied up and gagged embassy personnel and stole computers and cellphones before they fled. However, the statement said the men were invited into the embassy, and that no one was gagged or beaten. It says its "fight is only against the regime's practices."
A Spanish judge announced on Tuesday that the 10 intruders included South Korean and American citizens and that the main culprit is a Mexican resident of the United States.
The group says there were no other governments involved with or aware of its activity. However, it said it "shared certain information of enormous potential value with the FBI in the United States." The group says it shared that information based on the bureau's request.
The FBI refused to comment on the statement.
Before the group released the statement, US State Department spokesperson Robert Palladino denied that the US government had anything to do with the incident.
In 2017, the dissident group released a video clip purportedly showing the son of Kim Jong Nam, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother, who was killed at an airport in Kuala Lumpur. The group announced that it had moved the son and two other members of Kim Jong Nam's family to a safe place.
Key words : Israel warned prepare
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_06/
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the country may carry out further attacks against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu said on Tuesday that in the last 24 hours, the Israeli military had destroyed major Hamas installations on a scale not seen since the end of the military operation in Gaza four years ago.
He said they are prepared to do a lot more to defend the people and the state of Israel.
He made the remarks after cutting short his trip to the United States due to the escalating violence.
There was information from Hamas that the two sides had agreed on a ceasefire, and the violence had halted.
But Israeli media quoted a government source on Tuesday as saying that no ceasefire agreement has been reached and the military can resume attacks anytime.
The Israeli military has mobilized tanks along the boundary with Gaza and called up reserves.
Key words : militant group check
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_28/
The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for an attack at a checkpoint in northern Syria on Tuesday. Seven fighters from Kurdish-led forces were killed.
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces say the attack took place in the town of Manbij. The troops control the area.
In January, more than 10 people were killed in an apparent suicide bomb attack in the same city. Victims included four US military personnel.
The Syrian Democratic Forces announced last week that the eastern village of Baghouz was freed, declaring the total elimination of the militant group's stronghold.
US President Donald Trump also said that Islamic State militants no longer control any territory in Syria.
The US administration plans to withdraw most of its troops from Syria.
But the attack on Tuesday indicates that remnants of the Islamic State group are still active in the country.
Key words : International energy
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_11/
The International Energy Agency is calling for an increase in efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The Paris-based agency said in a report on Tuesday that global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions totaled 33.1 billion tons in 2018. The figure is the largest-ever and up 1.7 percent from 2017. The rate of increase was also the highest since 2013.
The IEA attributes the rise to higher energy consumption amid economic growth. It says weather conditions around the world also added to the CO2 discharge, with increasing demand for heating and cooling systems.
The report says China, India and the United States accounted for 85 percent of the net increase in emissions.
It noted a 2.5 percent increase in China, the largest emitter, and 3.1 percent rise in the United States, the second largest emitter. India's emissions grew by 4.8 percent.
The agency says CO2 emissions declined in countries such as Japan, Germany and France.
The IEA says that there is expanding use of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. But it says the rise in CO2 emissions demonstrates that more urgent action is needed on all fronts.
Key words : lawmaker passed a bill
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_31/
Lawmakers in the Diet have passed a bill that will fund Japan's biggest-ever budget.
They have approved more than 101 trillion yen in spending measures for the 2019 fiscal year starting in April. That's about 917 billion dollars. It's the first time an initial budget has topped 100 trillion yen.
Members of the Upper House passed the bill with majority support on Wednesday.
A centerpiece of the bill is an 18-billion-dollar stimulus package. The government hopes it will offset the impact of a consumption tax hike scheduled for October.
The package includes a rewards system for cashless payments and energy-saving measures in homes.
Spending on social security has ballooned to a record high of about 310 billion dollars, a reflection of Japan's aging society.
Part of that money will also cover the cost of free preschool education, a new government initiative.
Defense spending will also hit a fresh high of 47 billion dollars partly to pay for a missile defense system.
Newly issued government bonds are expected to generate nearly 300 billion dollars. That's slightly less than this fiscal year, but the debt still accounts for about one-third of the total revenue.
Key words : team of existing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_21/
A team of Japanese researchers says an existing drug could be effective in treating an intractable motor neuron disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
The group, comprising researchers at Kyoto University and other institutions, announced on Tuesday that it has begun clinical trials based on its studies involving iPS cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells.
The researchers tested various drugs using patients' motor neurons developed from iPS cells. They discovered that a drug called bosutinib can slow the progress of ALS. Bosutinib is currently used for patients suffering from chronic myelocytic leukemia.
The researchers say they want to check the safety of using Bosutinib on ALS patients through clinical trials that began on March 18. They plan to administer it to up to 24 patients at four hospitals for 12 weeks.
About 9,000 people in Japan suffer from ALS, but a basic cure has yet to be found.
The group says its effort to find a treatment using iPS cells is the third such attempt anywhere and the second in Japan.
Professor Haruhisa Inoue of Kyoto University's Center for iPS Cell Research and Application is leading the research. Inoue says he wants to accelerate the development of ALS treatment.
Key words : mobile phone simplify
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_29/
Japan's government has asked the country's mobile phone carriers to simplify contract procedures for foreigners. The move comes as Japan prepares to take in more foreign workers next month.
The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry made the request on Wednesday to four groups of mobile carriers and dealerships.
The ministry wants foreigners who are staying for a short period and do not have a residence card to be able to use their microchip-installed passport as proof of identity. It also wants them to be able to pay phone fees in advance.
Most dealerships now only provide services in Japanese.
The ministry is therefore asking them to make foreign-language versions of contract-related documents and offer translation services via videophones.
Some foreigners may want to make payments from their bank accounts. But to open an account, they must have a phone number.
The ministry has asked the Japanese Bankers Association to enable mobile subscribers to open an account before they have a phone number.
State Minister Yukari Sato told reporters her ministry hopes to offer foreign visitors to Japan trouble-free mobile phone services in the run-up to the Rugby World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Key words : government make sure long holiday
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_18/
The Japanese government is taking measures to make sure people are ready for a long holiday at the end of April as many services and businesses will be closed for extended periods.
The break starting April 27th runs for 10 days due to the Imperial abdication and enthronement events.
Officials are reaching out to local facilities to make sure people can get the services they need.
The government has told prefectural officials to inform residents of the hours for medical facilities by the end of this month, and whether they will handle outpatients or emergencies.
Officials will introduce extra subsidies for child daycare facilities for parents who have to work over the holidays.
The central government is also urging financial institutions to inform customers of when they're open before and after the break.
It's telling them to warn customers of heightened trading risks as well, including greater fluctuations in asset prices.
Key words : Akihito and enjoyed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_23/
Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have enjoyed viewing cherry blossoms at Kyoto Gyoen National Garden in the ancient capital of Kyoto in western Japan.
The couple is now in Kyoto to attend ceremonies leading up to the Emperor's abdication on April 30.
On Wednesday, the couple visited an area inside the garden that used to be a noble family's residence where about 60 weeping cherry trees are planted. They spoke with tourists and local people.
A man walking his dog said although he was nervous at first, he was happy and excited as the couple talked to him frankly and patted his dog. He added that as the Emperor's abdication is close, he conveyed his appreciation for all his hard work.
Later in the day, the couple will attend a tea party celebrating the Emperor's 30 years on the throne and the 60th anniversary of the couple's marriage. The party will be hosted by officials of the Imperial Household Agency's Kyoto office.
Key words : Sumo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190327_19/
Sumo wrestler Takakeisho has been promoted to Ozeki, the sport's second highest rank.
The Japan Sumo Association made the official decision to promote the wrestler, who was Sekiwake, the third highest rank, on Wednesday. Representatives from the association conveyed the decision to the wrestler and his stablemaster, Chiganoura, in a ceremony.
Takakeisho told the representatives that he will strive in the art of sumo to maintain the honor of the title of Ozeki, while respecting the samurai spirit and never forgetting his feelings of gratitude.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, the wrestler expressed his joy at fulfilling his childhood dream.
Takakeisho scored 10 wins and 5 losses in the latest Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that ended on Sunday. He has racked up a total of 34 wins in the last three tournaments. The JSA considers wrestlers with 33 wins in three consecutive tournaments to be eligible for promotion to Ozeki.
The 22-year-old wrestler, who is from Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, is the youngest wrestler in the top Makunouchi division.
He rose to the sport's second highest rank after competing in 28 tournaments since his debut in September 2014. The promotion is the sixth fastest since the current six-tournament-a-year system was introduced in 1958.
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