at 20:00 (JST), September 20

US researchers say satellite images suggest North Korea may be preparing to deploy a ballistic missile-capable submarine.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Iran is responsible for the September 14 attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

エラー 2042

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190920200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : north satellite image capable
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190920_10/

US researchers say satellite images suggest North Korea may be preparing to deploy a ballistic missile-capable submarine.

Researchers at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and satellite operator Planet Labs have told NHK that they have analyzed images of a shipyard in the eastern port city of Sinpo.

On September 3 at least 13 pillar-like objects could be seen along a quay, with some vehicles moving around.

Images taken on September 12 show the construction of a large structure straddling the quay and the water.

The most recent images from Thursday, show the structure covering almost the entire quay.

The researchers say the structure is now about 100 meters long, which is much longer than what is used to build North Korea's conventional submarines.

They say Pyongyang may be preparing to launch a new submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles.

Senior Research Associate David Schmerler says the structure could be used for the maintenance and development of submarines, and drive the country's submarine-launched ballistic missile program.

Key words : unidentified
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190920_27/

A US research group says its analysis indicates the presence of two previously unidentified underground facilities at the Nyongbyon nuclear complex in North Korea.

38 North released the analysis based on satellite images of the nuclear complex on Thursday.

The group reported that one underground facility is located across a river from a test reactor, and that it is accessible by a road tunnel.

It said the other underground facility is located in an area next to an abandoned reactor. A power line, which appears to be connected to a tunnel entrance, indicates some kind of electrical equipment inside.

38 North said it is not possible to determine the purpose of the two underground facilities.

In a summit meeting with the United States in February, North Korea requested that sanctions against the country be lifted in return for dismantling the nuclear facilities in Nyongbyon. The meeting ended without an agreement, as the US demanded that the North scrap other nuclear facilities as well.

Key words : Mike is responsible
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190920_09/

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Iran is responsible for the September 14 attacks on Saudi oil facilities. He made the comments during a visit to the Middle East to investigate the attacks. Tehran has denied responsibility.

Pompeo spoke to reporters in the United Arab Emirates after visiting Saudi Arabia.

Pompeo said the US wants a peaceful resolution to the issue, but that Washington is set to impose more sanctions on Iran.

Tehran has repeatedly rejected the US allegations. Iran-backed anti-government Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told CNN Thursday that if the US or Saudi military strike the country, the consequence would be an "all-out war."

The United Nations plans to send a team to investigate the attacks in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government has said it will cooperate with the UN probe.

Key words : US department defense
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190920_22/

The US Department of Defense says it will wait until the final assessment is completed with Saudi Arabia regarding a recent attack on Saudi oil facilities.

Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman spoke to reporters on Thursday for the first time since the attack last Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Hoffman described it as well-planned and sophisticated. He added that all indications point to Iran being in some way responsible.

Hoffman said the department is supporting Saudi investigators with teams on the ground. But he said the Pentagon will leave it up to the Saudis to make any declarations regarding where the attack came from and who holds ultimate responsibility.

US Vice President Mike Pence in New York called the attack an "an act of war." He said it is necessary to examine whether the weapons used were fired from Iranian-backed Houthi insurgents in Yemen, or from Iran.

Pence said the national security team will have a meeting on Friday to continue a review of the facts.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, will return to the US on Friday and is expected to join other officials to discuss a response.

Key words : Japanese government has announced
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190920_42/

The Japanese government has announced that it will enter into talks with South Korea over Tokyo's tighter export controls.

South Korea launched a procedure earlier this month to file a complaint at the World Trade Organization over the Japanese measure. Seoul asked Tokyo to hold bilateral negotiations on the matter as such talks are a requirement for seeking WTO arbitration.

Japan's trade minister Isshu Sugawara said on Friday that the government decided to accept the request.

Sugawara said, "There is no change in Japan's stance that its review of export controls is consistent with WTO rules. We will give South Korea a thorough explanation."

In July, Japan started implementing tighter export screening on three types of materials destined for South Korea. The items are used to make high-tech products, including semiconductors.

Seoul says Tokyo's action is politically motivated and a discriminatory move against South Korea.

But Japan says the measure is necessary to properly manage its exports.

The two sides need to reach an agreement within 60 days of commencing talks if they hope to prevent the case from going to a WTO arbitration panel.

But the countries remain far apart, making it seem certain they will face off at the WTO.

Key words : Moon record low lowest figure
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190920_28/

The approval rating of South Korean President Moon Jae-in has hit a record low of 40 percent.

Gallup Korea released on Friday the results of a survey of 1,000 people conducted from Tuesday to Thursday.

Moon's approval rating fell by 3 percentage points from two weeks ago. It's the lowest figure since he took office in May 2017.

His disapproval rating rose 4 points to a record high of 53 percent. Of those who disapprove of Moon, about 30 percent cited his personnel appointments as the reason for their dissatisfaction.

Most of the respondents in their 50s and 60s disapprove of Moon. The same tendency is also seen among people in their 20s, a generation that used to include many supporters of the president.

Earlier this month, Moon appointed a close aide, Cho Kuk, as justice minister despite a series of corruption scandals.

South Korean prosecutors arrested a relative of Cho earlier this week on suspicion of involvement in questionable investment practices. They have also questioned Cho's daughter over allegations of her unfair enrollment in a prestigious university.

Key words : rugby opened Asia
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Key words : news key word segment rugby world cup opened in Japan
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Key words : large power outage
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Key words : another large also expected
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190920_08/

Another large tropical storm is approaching Japan. It may affect wide areas across the country over the three-day weekend.

The Meteorological Agency says Tapah is moving westward over waters south of the southern island prefecture of Okinawa.

The storm is moving at 10 kilometers per hour on Friday morning, and is expected to change course northward toward Okinawa on Saturday and move toward Kyushu on Sunday, bringing strong winds.

The agency says Tapah may advance on northern Japan on Monday and Tuesday.

On Friday morning, the storm has an atmospheric pressure of 990 hectopascals at its center, and is packing winds of up to 72 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 108 kilometers per hour.

Tapah is expected to gain strength. Its maximum wind speed is forecast at 90 kilometers per hour gusting up to 126 kilometers per hour through Saturday. Extremely rough seas are expected.

Heavy rain is also expected in Okinawa and southern Kyushu through Sunday.

Over the 24 hours until Saturday morning, up to 150 millimeters could fall in southern Kyushu and 120 millimeters in Okinawa.