at 20:00 (JST), May 14

The United States has begun procedures to raise tariffs on almost all Chinese imports.

US President says he will meet with the Chinese and Russian leaders on the sidelines of the upcoming Group of 20 summit in Osaka.

A group of ancient burial mounds in Osaka Prefecture is expected to be added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190514200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : United States begun procedure raise tariff
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_25/

The United States has begun procedures to raise tariffs on almost all Chinese imports.

The Office of the US Trade Representative announced on Monday that it had begun procedures to charge duties of up to 25 percent on about 300 billion dollars' worth of Chinese goods.

The higher taxes will be imposed on 3,805 items. They include smartphones, laptop computers, toys, sports shoes and clothes such as T-shirts. The items are mass-produced in China.

If the move goes into effect, almost all imports from China will be subject to the higher rate, which may impact personal consumption in the United States.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said on Monday that he intends to discuss trade with Chinese President Xi Jinping when they meet at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, next month.

Trump will apparently step up pressure on China and seek concessions, as procedures to raise the tariffs are expected to be completed before the summit.

Key words : fundamental differences
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_19/

An expert says fundamental differences between the economies of the US and China will stand in the way of a solution to the countries' trade dispute any time soon.

Joshua Meltzer, senior fellow of Brookings Institution, told NHK, "There are real issues between the US and China which come from differences in economic models, with US concerns about the direction of Chinese development, the role of the communist party, the state and the economy."

He went on to say, "Even if we get a deal tomorrow, there would remain tensions and a lot of work that has to continue bilaterally between the US and China, and that could potentially go on for years."

Meltzer says the continuing trade tensions will disrupt supply chains between China and Japan.

Key words : tariff dispute
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_36/

The tariff dispute between Washington and Beijing has taken a toll on stocks in Tokyo. The benchmark Nikkei Average marked a 7th straight day of losses for the first time in three years.

The Nikkei closed at 21,067 on Tuesday, down 124 points, or 0.6 percent, from Monday. The index briefly fell more than 400 points, sinking below the key 21,000 level for the first time since late March.

Analysts say sentiment worsened on the growing uncertainty surrounding the US-China trade dispute.

Key words : Trump will meet
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_12/

US President Donald Trump says he will meet with the Chinese and Russian leaders on the sidelines of the upcoming Group of 20 summit, scheduled for late June in Osaka, Japan.

Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that he plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20.

The move comes as the US and China engage in a fresh round of tit-for-tat trade tariff increases.

The United States is also at odds with Russia over how to deal with North Korea, Venezuela and other issues.

Trump's attendance at the G20 summit will mark his second visit to Japan in as many months. He is due to visit Japan as a state guest from May 25 to 28.

Key words : north return cargo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_33/

North Korea's foreign ministry has demanded the return of its cargo ship seized by the US government, and condemned the move as a betrayal of the spirit of the bilateral summit agreement.

The US Justice Ministry announced last Thursday that it had seized the cargo ship Wise Honest which was used to export coal in alleged violation of UN Security Council sanctions resolutions.

A North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday that the sanctions violate North Korea's sovereignty, and the country has been entirely rejecting them. The spokesperson called the ship's seizure a robbery.

The spokesperson said the act was typical of the way the US uses pressure to force North Korea into submission, and a total denial of the fundamental spirit of the summit agreement that promised to establish a new relationship.

North Korea says the US refusal to lift sanctions until Pyongyang is fully denuclearized is unilateral and unacceptable. This month, the North fired short-range ballistic missiles in violation of UN sanctions.

Key words : Kono consider measures
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_41/

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono says the government will consider measures to deal with growing tension in the Persian Gulf, which could lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States has sent a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Gulf in a show of force against Iran. Saudi Arabia is also increasingly at odds with Iran.

Kono told reporters on Tuesday that the situation near the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for Japan's energy supply, is extremely serious.

He added that Japan's government will give serious thought to how to react if the strait becomes closed off. He said it's necessary to prevent a possible closure from directly impacting the Japanese and global economies.

Key words : nippon ishin decided
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_39/

The Nippon Ishin Japan Innovation Party has decided to expel Lower House lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama over remarks on four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.

On Saturday, the opposition lawmaker joined a group of former residents on a visit to one of the islands. The trip was part of a visa-free exchange program between Japan and Russia.

During the trip, Maruyama asked the group's leader whether he supports a return of the islands by means of war. Maruyama retracted the remark and apologized on Monday evening.

Nippon Ishin convened its disciplinary committee at party headquarters in Osaka on Tuesday.

The committee decided on expulsion -- the heaviest punishment for a party member -- on grounds that the party cannot condone what Maruyama said.

Committee chair Yasuyuki Yokokura, a member of the Osaka prefectural assembly, said the remark has affected the party and invited public mistrust. He added that no one on the committee objected to the decision.

Japan calls the islands the Northern Territories. The country's government maintains that they are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.

Key words : burial mounds expected to world heritage
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_07/

A group of ancient burial mounds in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan is expected to be added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List.

On Monday, a UNESCO advisory body recommended that the mounds be listed.

The Mozu-Furuichi Tumulus Clusters consist of 49 mounds that were built between the latter part of the fourth century and the latter part of the fifth century.

Among the mounds is a keyhole-shaped tomb, which is believed to have been built for an emperor. It is one of the largest of its kind in the world, measuring 486 meters in length.

A formal decision on the new listing is expected to be made during a world heritage committee meeting in Azerbaijan later this year.

Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs says it will work with local communities to protect the clusters from urbanization.

Japan now has 18 World Cultural Heritage properties and four World Natural Heritage properties.

Key words : NHK survey castle
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Key words : today's news keywords segment Japanese castle
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Key words : two Japanese cabinet
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_43/

Two Japanese Cabinet ministers have commented on the state of the country's economy, one day after a key gauge of business conditions showed some weakening.

Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said, "We do not believe the economy will sink to a level seen in the 2008 global financial crisis." He indicated the belief that the government will stick with its plan to raise the consumption tax from the current 8 percent to 10 in October. There are fears the hike could hurt domestic demand.

Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko said the basic conditions supporting domestic demand remain robust. He said, "On the whole, Japan's employment and income conditions are continuously improving. Corporate profits remain strong."

But Seko noted weakness in exports and industrial output, due to an economic slowdown in China.

The assessment for March suggested the economy may be in a recession, a view not seen in more than 6 years.

Key words : health officials
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_40/

Health officials in Japan say nearly 470 people across the country have been infected with measles this year.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases said 11 new cases were reported in the week up to May 5.

The officials said the number of patients this year has reached 467, or 1.7 times last year's total. They said 136 people were infected in Osaka and 71 in Tokyo.

The disease is highly contagious, causes fever and rashes all over the body, and can cause miscarriage or premature delivery.

The health ministry is calling on people who think they might be infected to call medical facilities first for consultation before making visits.

Key words : Tokyo metropolitan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_21/

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is planning to form a harbor squad to respond to emergencies during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Tokyo Bay area is expected to host the athletes' village, and be the site of many events.

The members of the Waterfront Response Team will be armed with submachine guns and use powered water bikes or rubber boats.

They will be tasked with thwarting terrorist attacks from the ocean and preventing suspects from escaping by sea.

Officials are also considering mobilizing the new team when foreign dignitaries visit Japan.

Tokyo police already have an emergency response unit armed with guns to deal with terrorist attacks on land.

Section chief Masaki Shigehisa said the mobile team on the water will help beef up security in the harbor area.

Key words : Ohtani belted his first
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190514_32/

In Major League Baseball, Japanese star Shohei Ohtani has belted his first home run of the season.

The Los Angeles Angels slugger batted third as a designated hitter in a game against the Minnesota Twins on Monday.

In the third inning, his second at bat and with a runner on third, Ohtani homered off Jose Berrios of the Twins.

The ball hit one of the stadium's electronic screens. It was Ohtani's first home run since September 26 last year and his 23rd in the Major Leagues. The Angels topped the Twins 5-4.

Ohtani told reporters he felt it was a good hit and a great result. He said he was happy to get a home run so soon.

Ohtani returned to the batting order last week following elbow surgery. Monday's game was the sixth in his comeback. The two-way player is unlikely to pitch this season, but is expected to play mainly as designated hitter.