at 20:00 (JST), July 31

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200731200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : local tv
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200731_06/

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has commended the democratic achievements of former President Lee Teng-hui, who died on Thursday.

Tsai said in a statement that she believes former President Lee's contribution to Taiwan's democratization is irreplaceable and his passing is a great loss.

She also instructed government agencies to offer Lee's family members whatever assistance they may need for his funeral and other matters.

Lee died at a Taipei hospital where he had been undergoing treatment. The causes of death included multiple organ failure. He was 97.

In 1988, Lee became the first person born on Taiwan to become its president. He pushed for democratic reforms, such as changing the parliamentary system.

In 1996, Lee realized Taiwan's first presidential election in a direct popular vote. He also won the poll.

Lee spoke Japanese fluently as he had been raised in Taiwan when it was under Japanese rule. He visited Japan for cultural exchanges and other purposes after he retired as president in 2000.

Local TV channels aired special programs to give extensive coverage to Lee's history and achievements.

Key words : Tsai Ing-wen organ
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200731_06/

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has commended the democratic achievements of former President Lee Teng-hui, who died on Thursday.

Tsai said in a statement that she believes former President Lee's contribution to Taiwan's democratization is irreplaceable and his passing is a great loss.

She also instructed government agencies to offer Lee's family members whatever assistance they may need for his funeral and other matters.

Lee died at a Taipei hospital where he had been undergoing treatment. The causes of death included multiple organ failure. He was 97.

In 1988, Lee became the first person born on Taiwan to become its president. He pushed for democratic reforms, such as changing the parliamentary system.

In 1996, Lee realized Taiwan's first presidential election in a direct popular vote. He also won the poll.

Lee spoke Japanese fluently as he had been raised in Taiwan when it was under Japanese rule. He visited Japan for cultural exchanges and other purposes after he retired as president in 2000.

Local TV channels aired special programs to give extensive coverage to Lee's history and achievements.

Key words : mike statement
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200731_16/

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he offers his sincere condolences over the passing of former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui.

Pompeo said in a statement on Thursday that Lee's reforms played a crucial role in transforming Taiwan into "the beacon of democracy" and had "cemented the deep friendship between the United States and Taiwan."

He said the US will honor Lee's legacy by continuing to strengthen America's bond with Taiwan.

Key words : Abe Shinzo special
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200731_17/

Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has offered his sincere condolences over the death of former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Abe said Lee greatly contributed to promoting friendship between Japan and Taiwan.

The prime minister said the former Taiwan president dealt with Japan with special feelings toward the country. He added that many Japanese feel particularly close to Lee, who brought Taiwan freedom, democracy, human rights and other universal values, and built the basis of today's bilateral ties.

He said he is deeply sorry about Lee's death, and will pray for his soul.

Key words : report Takada Wakako
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20200731153826040/

People in Taiwan are mourning the death of the island's first democratically elected leader, Lee Teng-hui, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 97. NHK World's Taipei correspondent Takada Wakako explains about how Lee is being remembered.

Key words : hong kong government qualified
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_35/

The Hong Kong government says election authorities have disqualified 12 candidates for the Legislative Council election scheduled for September. Those candidates are all from the pro-democracy camp.

The government made the announcement on Thursday, one day before candidacy registration closes.

It says the 12 nominees were barred because they are advocating Hong Kong independence, soliciting intervention of foreign governments in Hong Kong affairs, and expressing an objection to the national security law for Hong Kong.

Hong Kong media say the candidates include not only pro-democracy leader Joshua Wong and other activists who have made a clear stand against Beijing, but also moderate pro-democracy party members.

Registration of candidacy began on July 18, with the voting scheduled for September 6.

The government says it does not rule out the possibility that more nominations would be invalidated.

The move is the latest by Hong Kong authorities to tighten grip on opposition forces under China's national security law for the territory that took effect on June 30.

The pro-democracy forces, who aim to clinch a majority in the Legislative Council, lashed out at the decision.

Joshua Wong tweeted, "Clearly, Beijing shows a total disregard for the will of the Hongkongers, tramples upon the city's last pillar of vanishing autonomy and attempts to keep HK's legislature under its firm grip."

He also wrote, "However, in order to safeguard the city's future, HKers will not surrender. Our resistance will continue on and we hope the world can stand with us in the upcoming uphill battle."

Key words : world health
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200731_08/

The head of the World Health Organization says some European countries have seen a resurgence in coronavirus cases partly because young people are not taking the risk seriously enough.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was speaking at a news conference in Geneva on Thursday.

Cluster infections have occurred among young people who gathered at beaches or night clubs in the summer break in Spain, France, and other parts of Europe.

The WHO head said, "Evidence suggests that spikes of cases in some countries are being driven in part by younger people letting down their guard during the northern hemisphere summer."

Tedros added, "Young people are not invincible. Young people can be infected; young people can die; and young people can transmit the virus to others."

He called on young people to take anti-infection measures, such as wearing face masks and avoiding crowds of people.

The WHO's technical chief for coronavirus responses, Maria Van Kerkhove, also spoke at the news conference.

She said some of those who have recovered from coronavirus symptoms have longer-term effects, including extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty in resuming normal activities, such as going to the gym and returning to work.

She said the WHO has reached out to some of those patients to determine the causes of the longer-term effects and explore effective methods of rehabilitation and longer-term care.

Key words : report Catherine Kobayashi young people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20200731121656316/

The number of daily deaths in the US from coronavirus has risen back to levels seen at the height of the crisis. A thousand people are dying every day. And doctors worry the numbers will escalate if attitudes don't change. NHK World's Catherine Kobayashi reports.

Key words : America tech
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200731_13/

America's top tech giants have reported healthy profits, even while the US economy shrank by nearly a third due to the coronavirus pandemic. The earnings results for Amazon.com, Apple, Facebook and Google's parent company cover the April-to-June quarter.

Amazon posted the highest profits in its 26-year-history. Sales shot up 40 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Apple and Facebook saw sales rise by 11 percent. Yet revenue fell at Google's parent company, Alphabet.

Officials say the companies' business thrived as the pandemic forced many people to work from home, while they spent more of their leisure time playing video games and streaming TV and movies.

Amazon is predicting its strong results to continue into the current quarter with a jump in sales of over 30 percent.

The tech giants' leaders faced lawmakers the day before their earnings came out. During the hearing, they were accused of abusing their market dominance to destroy rivals.

Key words : industry ministry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200731_14/

Japan's industry ministry says industrial production rose 2.7 percent in June from the previous month. That's the first increase since the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

The output index had been falling since January.

Ministry officials says the slide in production activity seems to have bottomed out and is now showing signs of recovery.

Key words : unemployment 2.8 percent
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200731_12/

Japan's internal affairs ministry says the country's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 2.8 percent in June, down 0.1 percentage points from a month earlier.

The ministry said on Friday that the number of unemployed in June rose for the fifth consecutive month to 1.95 million.

Key words : weather Yoko Komagata
#N/A

at 20:00 (JST), July 30

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200730200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : explosion at least 17
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_21/

One person has died and at least 17 have been injured in an explosion at a restaurant in Koriyama City in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

Police say the blast occurred shortly before 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Japan time.

Police and fire department officials say that a body was found at the site. They say two people are seriously injured and 15 others have minor injuries.

Officials at a nearby bank say two of its employees and two customers who were using the ATM were injured. The bank's employees and customers have been evacuated.

Police say propane gas was spewing out of several cylinders that had toppled over near the restaurant.

They have restricted entry to an area within a 300-meter radius of the building.

NHK footage shows the walls of the building have been blown away and only the steel framework is still standing.

Windows in nearby buildings and houses have been shattered, and walls damaged.

Key words : corona around 1,250
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_32/

The number of new coronavirus cases in Tokyo continues to rise with a record-high 367 infections confirmed so far on Thursday.

At a meeting with experts, Tokyo governor Koike Yuriko called on people and businesses to make every effort to prevent infections.

Koike said, "I'd like to ask citizens to refrain from going out to entertainment districts and dining out at night."

The Tokyo Medical Association says the number of people asking to be tested has exceeded capacity at some testing sites and is causing delays. NHK has learned the association is planning to increase the number of sites from around 300 to 1,400.

Around 1,250 infections were reported across the country on Wednesday.

The government says now is not the time to declare another state of emergency. Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide added that many of the new infections are among young people, and that there are fewer serious cases.

In total, more than 34,000 cases have been confirmed in Japan. Over 1,000 people have died.

Key words : Osaka surpass
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_07/

Japanese authorities confirmed 1,264 new coronavirus cases nationwide on Wednesday. That is the highest daily total and the first time the symbolic threshold of 1,000 has been crossed.

The total number of cases in Japan now stands at 34,220. The death toll has reached 1,019. The health ministry says the number of patients critically ill with the coronavirus is 81.

Eight prefectures reported their highest number of new cases on Wednesday, including Osaka in the west of the country, where officials reported 221 cases. That is the highest ever daily total and the first time the figure has surpassed 200 in the prefecture.

The central prefecture of Aichi saw 167 infections, another daily record. In Fukuoka in the southwest, more than 100 new cases were found. That is also a record high.

Of Japan's 47 prefectures, Iwate had been the only one with no confirmed infections, but that changed on Wednesday, when it reported two cases.

Tokyo continues to be the hot spot, with 250 cases on the day. The daily figure in the capital has been above 200 on eight of the past nine days.

Key words : united states 1,000 death
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_06/

Confirmed fatalities from the coronavirus in the United States have topped 150,000.

Data compiled by researchers at Johns Hopkins University show that the US death toll from the virus had reached 150,034 as of 20:00 UTC on Wednesday.

The United States recorded the latest figure two months after crossing the threshold of 100,000 on June 2.

The New York Times reports that as of Wednesday, the number of coronavirus fatalities had been surging in 23 states, or nearly half of the US states, including Arizona in the west and Texas in the south.

Around 1,000 deaths have been reported daily around the country for the past several days.

Key words : several states new outbreak
#N/A


Key words : police hong kong
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_04/

Police in Hong Kong have arrested four former members of a pro-independence group on suspicion of violating a national security law for the territory.

The police arrested 19-year-old Tony Chung and three other people aged 16 to 21 on Wednesday for allegedly inciting secession. They belonged to a group called Studentlocalism, and Chung was its leader.

The police say the four were involved in forming a new group this month and called for the foundation of a "Republic of Hong Kong" through social media. The police also say the young activists called on pro-independence people to unite and fight all out for that goal.

Studentlocalism was established in 2016 but disbanded in Hong Kong at the end of June this year. The group said it would continue operating overseas.

Some people have been arrested for carrying Hong Kong independence flags after the Beijing-imposed national security law came into effect.

But the arrests of the four activists are the first of their kind, in that they took place not at the scene of street protests, but as a result of a police investigation.

Hong Kong police say the four will be questioned in a newly established department dedicated to cases regarding the national security law. Attention is focused on what criminal procedures will be taken.

Key words : commander
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_02/

The commander of United States Forces Japan has pledged support for Japan over islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Japan and claimed by China.

Lieutenant General Kevin Schneider said in an online news conference on Wednesday that Beijing "continues to take aggressive and malign actions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea."

He pointed to "unprecedented" Chinese intrusions into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands for the past 100 to 120 days.

Japan controls the islands. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. China and Taiwan claim them.

Schneider said that "the United States is 100 percent absolutely steadfast in its commitment to help" the Japanese government with that situation.

Regarding coronavirus infections among US military personnel in Japan, Schneider said there are 139 active cases, and that US Forces Japan is taking strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Schneider also talked about an agreement on the cost of stationing US forces in Japan, which is concluded every five years. It will expire next March.

He said there has been no substantial progress yet in negotiations on the accord. But he suggested concrete discussions will begin later this year.

Key words : cut troop
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_14/

The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to reduce one-third of the troops stationed in Germany and relocate its European headquarters from Germany to Belgium.

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Wednesday unveiled a plan to move the European Command from Stuttgart, Germany, to Belgium.

Under the plan, the US troop presence in Germany would be downsized from roughly 36,000 to 24,000.

Nearly 5,600 personnel would be repositioned in other NATO countries, such as Italy and Poland, and 6,400 would return to the US.

Esper said the repositioning of US forces in Europe "constitutes a major strategic and positive shift, wholly in line with the National Defense Strategy, and consistent with other adjustments the United States has made within NATO in previous times."

But US President Donald Trump gave his own reason, telling reporters on Wednesday, "We're reducing the force because Germans are not paying their bills. It's very simple. They're delinquent."

Trump aims to bring troops stationed abroad back home to cut costs, but Democrats and even some Republicans are voicing concern over reducing the US military presence in Europe amid threats from Russia.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg issued a statement on Wednesday saying Esper's announcement "underlines the continued commitment by the United States to NATO and to European security."

He stressed that "the US has consulted closely with all NATO allies ahead of today's announcement."

Key words : boeing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_11/

Boeing has reported a net loss for the third consecutive quarter.

The US aerospace giant has been struggling ever since it grounded its 737 MAX passenger jet after two fatal crashes. And the coronavirus pandemic has only compounded the company's financial problems.

Boeing says sales stood at 11.8 billion dollars in the April-June quarter. That's down 25 percent from a year earlier. The net loss was almost 2.4 billion dollars.

The company is currently in the middle of layoffs it outlined earlier in the pandemic. It says it will cut 19,000 jobs by the end of the year.

Boeing has also announced it will end production of its 747 jumbo jet in 2022. The aircraft went into service in 1970 and is credited by experts with making global air travel more widely affordable.

But the model is less fuel efficient than newer passenger jets, and is now mainly used for the shipment of cargo.

Key words : US federal decided
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200730_10/

The US Federal Reserve has decided to keep its current monetary-easing policy unchanged, as the world's biggest economy struggles to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Fed policymakers unanimously agreed to keep the key interest rate at near zero. They will continue to buy bonds, injecting massive volumes of money into the financial system.

The officials wrapped up their two-day meeting on Wednesday. A statement afterward said, "Following sharp declines, economic activity and employment have picked up somewhat in recent months but remain well below their levels at the beginning of the year."
Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters that consumer spending has weakened since late June and job growth is slowing.

Powell said, "The current economic downturn is the most severe in our lifetimes. It will take a while to get back to the levels of economic activity and employment that prevailed at the beginning of the year."

The continuing spread of the coronavirus is forcing some states to restrict economic activities again, dashing hopes for a V-shaped recovery.

Analysts were awaiting the release of gross domestic product numbers, another crucial indicator of US economic activity. Most expect GDP for the April to June quarter to shrink by around 35 percent annualized.

That would be the biggest drop since officials started keeping quarterly records in 1947.

Key words : weather Tsietsi Monare
#N/A

at 20:00 (JST), July 29

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200729200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : after torrential urging people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200729_07/

Japanese weather officials are urging people in Yamagata Prefecture in northeastern Japan to ensure their safety after torrential rain caused the Mogami River to overflow.

The Meteorological Agency says unstable atmospheric conditions brought record-level rainfall to parts of the prefecture on Tuesday.

The river overflowed its banks between late Tuesday and early Wednesday.

The agency and the land ministry are calling on residents to exercise maximum caution and check evacuation information from local authorities.

Flood risks are extremely high in other places along the river.

If flooding has already begun, people are advised to seek shelter in sturdy buildings nearby or the upper floors of their home.

Even in areas where rivers have not broken their banks, people must not lower their guard because water levels may rise, causing flooding.

A mudslide alert has been issued to parts of Yamagata Prefecture.

Elsewhere, thunderstorms are forecast in wide areas from western Japan to Tohoku on Wednesday. Localized downpours are likely in northern Kyushu.

The Meteorological Agency is urging people to stay on the alert for mudslides, swollen rivers, lightning strikes and gusty winds.

Key words : Murayama
#N/A


Key words : Europe tourism
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200729_05/

European countries are on the alert against a resurgence of coronavirus infections that could deal another blow to their hard-hit tourism industries.

Spain is seeing a rise in cases mainly in the northeastern region of Catalonia. The nationwide case count topped 900 on Tuesday.

In response, Britain brought back a two-week quarantine on Sunday for people who arrive from Spain.

Germany is urging citizens to refrain from making non-essential travels to Catalonia and some other regions of the country.

France saw its daily tally exceed 1,000 for two straight days last week. Officials say they are tracking 135 clusters of infections.
The virus is spreading in Germany as well, with more than 800 new cases reported last Friday.

The president of the country's Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, said on Tuesday that he is deeply worried because people have become negligent.

Wieler urged them to make sure they take preventive measures such as social distancing and hand-washing.

Key words : johns hopkins 650,000 people have died
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200728_07/

Johns Hopkins University in the United States says there were more than 16.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide as of 18:00 UTC on Monday.

More than 650,000 people have died.

The US has the most cases at 4.2 million, followed by Brazil with 2.4 million, and India with 1.4 million.

The US also has the most deaths, with more than 147,000, followed by Brazil with 87,000, and Britain with nearly 46,000.

Key words : foreign and defense agreed vietnam
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200729_10/

The foreign and defense chiefs of the United States and Australia have agreed that China's maritime claims in the South China Sea are unacceptable.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, and Defense Minister Linda Reynolds met in Washington on Tuesday.

After the meeting, they released a joint statement that mostly contained criticisms of China.

The United States and Australia expressed "deep concern" about China's imposition of national security legislation for Hong Kong that is designed to crack down on anti-government activities in the territory.

They also stated that Beijing's maritime claims in the South China Sea are not valid under international law. They said they support the rights of claimants, such as Vietnam and the Philippines, to "lawfully exploit offshore resources, including in relation to long-standing oil and gas projects as well as fisheries in the South China Sea, free from harassment and coercion."

Earlier this month, the United States shifted its policy on disputes in the South China Sea. It switched from one that urged parties involved to resolve their disputes to a more hardline stance calling Beijing's claims "completely unlawful."

Pompeo praised Australia after Tuesday's meeting for "standing up for democratic values and the rule of law," despite pressure from China.

Key words : heads of four testify
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200729_13/

The heads of four US tech giants are scheduled to testify to Congress in an antitrust hearing. Critics claim the companies have taken advantage of their power in the marketplace to hinder competition.

The CEOs facing questions are Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com, Tim Cook of Apple, Sundar Pichai of Google and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.

The hearing is part of investigations by the House Judiciary Committee, which has been looking into whether the four firms have violated antitrust law.

The chief executives are expected to be grilled on their business practices, including whether they have made a monopoly of technologies or data.
Attention is going to be focused on the firms' role in the US economy, especially amid the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Key words : McDonald
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200729_14/

McDonald's has posted sharp drops in sales and net income for its second quarter earnings. The declines come as the coronavirus pandemic hammers the restaurant business in the US.

The fast food chain said total sales sank 30 percent during the April-to-June period compared to last year, falling to about 3.8 billion dollars.

Net income plummeted 68 percent to about 483 million dollars.

McDonald's temporarily shut down its outlets globally amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company notes that losses in the US narrowed as the second quarter went on, falling to a little over 2 percent in June.

The results come as a recent survey shows the US restaurant industry struggling.

Review site Yelp says about 60 percent of over 26,000 restaurants in the country that closed temporarily during the pandemic have shut down for good.

The US government has launched large rescue packages to help small and medium-sized businesses cope with the fallout.

But the survey shows many were still unable to overcome the crisis.

Key words : trade fair
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200729_15/

One of the world's largest annual technology trade fairs, the CES, will be held as an online event next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The US consumer electronics show usually takes place every January in Las Vegas, attracting IT firms, automakers and other tech companies from around the world.

This year more than 4,400 firms took part and over 170,000 people attended the event.

However, the organizer says it is not possible to safely convene tens of thousands of people amid the pandemic.

It says the all-digital format will allow participants to safely see cutting-edge technology and take part in meetings from their homes and offices.

The organizer plans to hold CES 2022 in Las Vegas again, combining elements of physical and digital shows.

Key words : southern france
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200729_02/

An international project to recreate the Sun's energy has entered a new phase as assembly of a nuclear fusion reactor gets underway in southern France.

Representatives from seven members of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project attended a ceremony on Tuesday.

Japan, the United States, China, the European Union, India, Russia and South Korea have been working since 2007 to achieve nuclear fusion.

The aim is to extract massive energy and see whether it can be used as a new carbon-free energy source.

Leaders of the countries involved in the project sent video messages to the ceremony.
French President Emmanuel Macron called ITER a promise of peace, saying "it's a proof that what brings together people and nations is stronger than what pulls them apart."

Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's message was read out by science minister Hagiuda Koichi.

The message said, "disruptive innovation will play a key role in addressing global challenges, including climate change, and realizing a sustainable carbon-free society."

Abe expressed hope that the project will "continue progress through the strong solidarity among the ITER members, despite the COVID-19 pandemic."

Japan is in charge of producing the reactor's main parts, including one of the world's largest superconducting coils to confine the high-temperature plasma necessary for nuclear fusion to occur.

Assembling the reactor is likely to take four and a half years.

The project aims to achieve nuclear fusion in 2035.

Key words : report Catherine Kobayashi culture war
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20200729113830783/

The US Attorney General has been called before Congress to defend the government's role in nationwide protests. His testimony underscored, once again, the deep division in the country. NHK World's Catherine Kobayashi reports.

Key words : weather Tsietsi Monare
#N/A

at 20:00 (JST), July 28

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200728200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : world health good success
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200728_02/

The head of the World Health Organization says the coronavirus pandemic continues to accelerate as the total number of cases has roughly doubled in the past six weeks.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters on Monday that almost 16 million cases and over 640,000 deaths have been reported to his organization.

Tedros called on people to continue taking such steps as maintaining distance from one another, washing hands and avoiding crowded and enclosed areas.

He said by taking such basic measures carefully and consistently, Canada, China, Germany and South Korea have brought large outbreaks under control.

The WHO's top emergency expert, Mike Ryan, touched on countries like Japan and Australia, where cases of infections are low relative to other countries.

He said those countries "have had a good success in containing the disease."

He said governments should be praised when they pick up clusters of cases and when they are communicating transparently.

Key words : Trump national security positive
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200728_05/

US President Donald Trump's national security adviser Robert O'Brien has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The White House said on Monday that O'Brien has mild symptoms. It noted he has been self-isolating and working from a secure location off site.

The White House added that there is no risk of exposure to Trump or Vice President Mike Pence.

Earlier this month, O'Brien accompanied Trump on a trip to Florida. Trump told reporters that he hasn't seen O'Brien lately.

White House staff are tested on a regular basis. O'Brien is the most senior of the staff to be found positive for the virus.

Infections are spreading in the southern and western parts of the US. The total number of cases in the country has topped 4.2 million.

Key words : philippines
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200728_08/

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says his country cannot afford to go to war with China over territorial issues in the South China Sea.

Duterte delivered his State of the Nation Address on Monday.

He said China is in possession of the contested waters, so "what can we do?"

The remarks came at a time when the Philippines is working to mend ties with the United States. Recently the Philippine government suspended its earlier decision to end a troop deployment agreement with the United States that allows American forces to train in the country.

The Philippines also built a port on an island controlled by the country in the disputed sea.

The latest development is widely seen as a shift in the country's attitude toward Beijing.

Duterte also revealed that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to give the Philippines priority access to vaccines China is developing to fight the coronavirus.

Philippine media said Duterte made friendly overtures to China in order to gain access to the vaccines.

Key words : Japan is planning
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200728_15/

Japan is planning a reservation system for business people to get coronavirus tests before they go abroad. This comes as the country prepares to boost international business travel, mainly with other parts of Asia.

The government is in talks with 16 countries and territories about allowing entry to business travelers. These include China, Thailand and Vietnam.

But many places require certificates of negative PCR test results rather than keeping visitors in quarantine for extended periods.

The Japanese government aims to set up the reservation system in late September. Business people should be able to get PCR tests quickly at nearby hospitals.

The trade and industry ministry says that at the moment, only a few hundred people can be tested a day before going abroad on business. PCR testing therefore needs to be significantly expanded. As many medical institutions as possible will be registered in the system.

Testing facilities may also be set up at airports.

Key words : Sony
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200728_16/

The media has been given its first look at an electric vehicle being developed by Japan's Sony.

The electronics maker is developing the self-driving EV as a platform for its state-of-the-art imaging sensors and other technologies. It has no plans to mass produce or sell such a car.

The vehicle has 33 sensors that support self-driving. They read road conditions, locations of buildings and the driver's movements and facial expressions.

The current prototype needs a driver, although Sony's goal is to have a fully autonomous vehicle. It also plans to install a screen and high-quality audio equipment to provide occupants with a wealth of entertainment while on the road.
The company hopes to test the car on public streets in Japan, the United States and Europe by the end of the current fiscal year to refine its sensor technologies.

Sony's Senior Vice President, Kawanishi Izumi says as the automobile industry is in the midst of a "once-in-a-hundred years" transformation, his company is looking forward to making contributions in this field.

He says he hopes the vehicle will be able to expand its capabilities by acquiring data on weather and road surfaces.

Key words : US state department intellectual
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200728_06/

The US State Department has expressed disappointment at China's order to close a US consulate in the country.

The US consulate in Chengdu, Sichuan Province was shut down on Monday after the Chinese government demanded it close.

Beijing said this was in retaliation for a US order to close the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas.

A State Department spokesperson commented on Monday that the US is disappointed by the Chinese Communist Party's decision.

The spokesperson said the US consulate in Chengdu has stood at the center of the country's relations with the people in western China, including Tibet, for 35 years.

The official added the US will continue its outreach to people in that important region through other US posts in China.

The administration of President Donald Trump has accused Beijing of stealing American intellectual property through the consulate in Houston.

Washington has also been attacking China for its maritime activities and handling of human rights issues.

Key words : Suga Yoshihide stable
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200728_04/

Japan's government is keeping an eye on the confrontation between the US and China that grew more intense with a tit-for-tat closure of consulates in each country.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide stressed the importance of stable relations between the US and China.

He said international cooperation has become increasingly crucial amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The remarks came after the US ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, Texas. In retaliation, Beijing ordered the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

Some Japanese government officials say the closures are simply an issue between the US and China, but that it is significant from a diplomatic point of view. They say there is no doubt that their confrontation is now at a different stage.

Other officials say Washington cited protection of intellectual property in demanding the closure, and that the move may have been based on some kind of evidence. They expressed hope that the confrontation won't get worse.

Key words : Iran drill
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200728_01/

Iran has reportedly moved a mock-up of a US aircraft carrier to the Strait of Hormuz, raising speculation that the country is preparing to use it for live-fire drills.

Media outlets, including the Associated Press, reported that the vessel was moved to the strait from the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas. They cited satellite imagery taken on Sunday.

The vessel, which is some 200 meters long and 50 meters wide, carries 16 mock-ups of fighter jets.

There has been no official word from Tehran about the development. In 2015, Iran conducted a military exercise involving a similar vessel being destroyed by missiles.

Relations between Iran and the US have been strained since Washington unilaterally withdrew from a nuclear agreement in 2018.

In January, Iran fired ballistic missiles at US-related facilities in Iraq in retaliation for the US killing of an Iranian general.

Key words : report Catherine Kobayashi respect
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20200728120730489/

Americans are honoring a civil rights leader who became the Conscience of Congress. John Lewis rose from humble roots to become a man respected throughout Washington. NHK World's Catherine Kobayashi reports.

Key words : weather Yoko Komagata
#N/A

at 20:00 (JST), July 27

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200727200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : florida
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_08/

Florida has become the second US state, following California, to exceed New York's total number of coronavirus cases.

The spread of infection remains serious across the country, especially in the West and the South.

The data by Johns Hopkins University shows the national daily increase on Saturday was more than 65,000. The daily figure has been above 60,000 for more than 10 days.

New York initially had the most cases among the US states, but recently its daily cases remain at about 700.

The total number of cases in California topped 400,000 on Wednesday, overtaking New York.

On Sunday, the total number of cases increased in Florida, topping the number in New York.

Florida health authorities said that more than 9,000 people are hospitalized, and at least 50 medical institutions are operating at full capacity.

Meanwhile, the southern state of Texas is also seeing a spike in cases, mainly near the border with Mexico.

The state was also hit by a Category One hurricane, which brought heavy rain and strong winds over the weekend, causing power outages and flooding.

Precautions are being taken at shelters to avoid coronavirus infections, including limiting the number of evacuees to maintain social distancing.

Key words : annual hajj
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_06/

Pilgrims from across Saudi Arabia have begun arriving in Mecca for the annual Hajj season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The first bus carrying pilgrims arrived in the holy city on Saturday. People were seen wearing masks and social distancing. Their body temperatures were checked at the hotel entrance.

Hajj is a religious duty all Muslims are required to perform at least once in their lifetime. More than 2 million pilgrims from around the world visit Mecca and surrounding areas every year.

But this year, the Saudi government decided not to accept pilgrims from abroad for the season that continues until early August to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Only a limited number of domestic pilgrims will be allowed to attend the pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia is seeing more than 2,000 new cases daily. Authorities require disinfecting and other measures to prevent the spread of infection.

Key words : south military crossing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_01/

South Korea's military said it has identified an individual who appears to have illegally crossed the border into North Korea after authorities in Pyongyang said a person suspected of being infected with the coronavirus entered the country this month.

North Korea's state-run Korean Central Television reported the man fled the North three years ago but returned to the southwestern city of Kaesong on July 19 after illegally crossing the demarcation line.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly instructed officials to completely seal off the city, and to put maximum emergency systems in place.

The South Korean military said it sees "high chances" that an individual appeared to have crossed the border.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said authorities suspect the man is a defector in his 20s who is a resident in the city of Gimpo, west of Seoul.

The report said it is highly possible that the man swam back to the North.

The news agency said the incident is expected to intensify criticism of the military for its security breaches.

Military officials are analyzing surveillance camera footage around the areas the man is thought to have passed through.

Key words : over 800 corona not only 239 new
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_11/

Over 800 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Japan on Sunday. The cases are spreading not only in Tokyo but beyond its borders.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials reported 239 new infections in the capital. It's the sixth straight day that the figure for Tokyo has topped 200.

In Fukuoka Prefecture in western Japan, 90 people were confirmed to be infected. Sixty-one cases were confirmed in Fukuoka City alone -- the highest number ever in a single day for the city.

A Fukuoka Prefectural government official said, "We strongly urge people to practice a new lifestyle that includes social distancing, to prevent infections from spreading."

Hyogo and Kumamoto prefectures saw new records of their own, with the highest numbers of infections for a single day confirmed in those areas as well.

The minister in charge of the coronavirus response says experts are assessing the situation.

Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi said, "We will make every effort to secure medical services. The expert panel will meet this week to analyze and assess the latest developments. I am looking forward to hearing their opinions."

Across the country, confirmed infections have exceeded 31,000 cases. That includes 712 people who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked near Tokyo in the early stages of the crisis.

The death toll has surpassed 1,000, including 13 from the cruise ship.

Key words : restaurant revenue tick up
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_18/

Restaurants in Japan are seeing their revenue tick up again, two months after the government lifted a declaration of emergency over the coronavirus. But one new survey has found that customer traffic is still only about half the level seen this time last year.

Tokyo-based IT firm Toreta compiled data from about 5,800 restaurants across Japan. The company makes systems for taking reservations and managing customer information.

The results show that the number of customers began falling in February, when the coronavirus started spreading.

In the fourth week of April, when a nationwide declaration of emergency was in place, customer traffic hit bottom, down by nearly 93% year-on-year.
The numbers have been gradually recovering since the declaration was lifted near the end of May. But their total in the third week of July was down by about half from last year's level.

The survey also found that many customers are dining alone or in pairs. The number of parties with more than 10 people is down by more than 80% from last year.

Toreta founder Nakamura Hitoshi says restaurants in busy areas and those targeting large groups are still struggling, and should change their strategy to cater better to smaller groups.

Key words : trading
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_19/

Trading began Monday on a new comprehensive derivatives exchange in Osaka, western Japan. The aim is to attract investment from around the world with the one-stop trading platform for financial and commodities futures.

The newly integrated exchange handles contracts for precious metals like gold and silver and farm products such as corn that were transferred from Tokyo. Investors will also be able to trade the Osaka Exchange's financial futures instruments linked to the Nikkei stock average.

Until now, regulations had hampered the integration of such a broad array of derivatives products under one roof. But investors can now trade them with a single account.

In Japan, trade in commodities futures has shrunk to one-sixth of the level seen in 2005. In the same time, it has grown nearly 10-fold globally, led by US and European markets.

Key words : Chinese media Beijing will
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_04/

Chinese media are reporting that Beijing will close the US consulate general in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on Monday. The closure was ordered on Friday in retaliation for a similar move by Washington.

The United States ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday, citing the need to protect American intellectual property and private information.

Staff members of the US consulate in Chengdu are believed to have begun clearing the premises. Buses and trucks were seen entering and leaving the compound on Sunday.

Local media reports say the Chinese government ordered the US consulate to be closed within 72 hours -- exactly the same period given by the US to close the consulate in Houston.

The US and China have been at odds over the situation in Hong Kong, trade and other issues.

Consulate closures in Houston and Chengdu may escalate tension between the world's two largest economies.

Key words : united states shooting
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_02/

Shooting incidents have been reported at some of the anti-racism protests held over the weekend in the United States.

Demonstrations were held across the US on Saturday -- exactly two months after George Floyd, a black man, died after a white officer held him to the ground with a knee to his neck.

In Austin, Texas, a man was killed after several shots were fired at protesters. About 100 people chanted "Fists up! Fight back!"

Police said they had detained a suspect, but further details are unknown.

In the suburb of Denver, Colorado, a demonstrator fired a weapon at a car that drove through a crowd of protesters on an expressway, injuring at least two participants.

Tension has been heightened at recent protests against racial injustice since the Trump administration sent armed federal officers to quell demonstrations.

Key words : French investigator setting fire
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_05/

French investigators have detained a man from Rwanda in connection with a fire at the Nantes cathedral in western France.

Investigators said on Sunday that the 39-year-old man, who worked as a volunteer warden at the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, admitted setting fires in three different places in the building. He was detained on suspicion of arson.

Local media reports say the man had lived in France for several years and that his application for asylum had been rejected.

The man's lawyer said he bitterly regrets his actions and is cooperating with investigators.

The July 18 blaze was put out about two hours after it began. It burned part of the cathedral, destroying its 400-year-old grand pipe organ. The Gothic structure was built between the 15th and 19th centuries.

French government officials, including Prime Minister Jean Castex, visited the site and pledged to quickly rebuild it.

In April of last year, a devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, a World Heritage site in Paris, shocked people in France and around the world.

Key words : at the age of 104
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_09/

Olivia de Havilland, a two-time winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress, has died at the age of 104.

US media report that she died of natural causes at her home in Paris on Sunday.

She was born in Tokyo in 1916 to British parents, and soon moved to California.

She started her career in the theater at a young age. She appeared in the movie "Gone With the Wind" in 1939, playing the role of Melanie Hamilton, who marries the first love of main character, Scarlett O'Hara. She won an Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.

De Havilland went on to win two Best Actress Oscars for "To Each His Own" and "The Heiress."

Key words : weather Tsietsi Monare
#N/A

at 20:00 (JST), July 26

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200726200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : 239 new
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_19/

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials reported 239 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday.

It's the sixth straight day that the figure has topped 200, and the 18th consecutive day with more than 100 cases.

The cumulative tally in Tokyo now stands at 11,214.

Key words : across the country
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_03/

The total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Japan now exceeds 30,000 cases.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 295 new cases on Saturday. It's the fifth straight day that the figure has topped 200.

Amid a four-day holiday, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko called on residents to refrain from going out as much as possible, especially the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.

The number of infections is also rising outside Tokyo. In the southern prefecture of Okinawa, 14 new cases were reported. The US military also reported 64 confirmed infections at its bases in the prefecture.

Both figures are the highest in a single day.

Nishimura Yasutoshi, the minister in charge of coronavirus response, asked people to avoid the Three Cs, speaking loudly, and poorly ventilated spaces.

Nishimura said, "the major causes are the so-called Three Cs...closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings like restaurants, bars, and nightclubs."

Across the country, over 800 new cases were reported on Saturday. The total figure of 30,000 cases includes more than 700 people who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that docked near Tokyo in the early stages of the crisis.

The death toll has reached more than 1,000, including 13 from the cruise ship.

Key words : johns hopkins
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_13/

The number of people confirmed infected with the coronavirus worldwide is nearing 16 million.

The tally, compiled by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, was 15,811,700 cases and 641,243 deaths as of 18:00 UTC on Saturday.

The United States has the most infections at 4.14 million, followed by Brazil and India.

The death toll in the US is also the highest, at over 146,000, followed by Brazil and the UK.

Japan has confirmed more than 30,000 cases. That includes more than 700 people who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked near Tokyo in the early stages of the crisis.

The death toll has passed 1,000, including 13 from the cruise ship.

Key words : north possibly
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_08/

North Korea's state-run media says a person possibly infected with the coronavirus illegally returned to the country a week ago.

The North's ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun wrote on Sunday that the country's leader Kim Jong Un ordered the city of Kaesong near the border with South Korea to be sealed off.

The newspaper reported that the person had defected to South Korea three years ago. It says the "runaway" entered Kaesong on July 19.

The newspaper reported that Kim presided over the emergency meeting of Political Bureau of the party's Central Committee on Saturday.

The paper adds that Kim warned of a critical situation in which the "vicious virus" could have entered the country.

It says that upon his instruction, the meeting adopted the decision to implement the maximum emergency system in the country.

Members of the meeting, reportedly, took up the issue of lax performance of the border guard and discussed severe punishment on the military unit that allowed the illegal crossing.

Pyongyang has so far insisted that there were no confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection in the country.

North Korea's economy has been hit severely, as it has banned flights and trains to and from China and Russia for about six months as a preventative measure against the virus.

Key words : uematsu
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_16/

Mourners have offered prayers for the victims of the stabbing rampage four years ago at a care facility for people with intellectual disabilities near Tokyo.

On July 26, 2016, 19 residents between the ages of 19 and 70 were killed and 26 others were injured at the home in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Uematsu Satoshi, a former care worker at the facility, was indicted on murder charges and sentenced to death. His sentence was finalized in March.

The annual memorial service was canceled this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, but many people visited the site on Sunday to leave flowers.

Ono Takashi, whose son Kazuya was seriously injured, said the trial is over but he feels that time stopped that morning.

Ono said memories will fade if people do not talk about what happened. He added that he wants to make sure the victims are never forgotten and he would also like the welfare system for people with disabilities to be improved.

A couple in their 40s who visited the site for the first time with their autistic son said they don't feel that attitudes have changed, and they hope that society will be kinder to people with disabilities.

Key words : Niigata
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_07/

A group in Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan Coast has resumed collecting signatures for a petition to gain the return of Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korea.

The group suspended the activity in February of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Group members wearing face masks or face shields asked people to sign the petition on Saturday in the city of Niigata.

One of the abductees, Yokota Megumi, vanished in 1977 on her way home from a junior high school in the city.

Her father, Yokota Shigeru, was a leader of a group of families of Japanese abductees.

He died in June before he could see his daughter again.

His photo was put up at the site where the group collected signatures.

A man from Gunma Prefecture who signed his name said that as a parent he feels for Yokota. He added that he wants to have Megumi return to Japan.

The leader of the group, Takahashi Tadashi, said they decided to resume the activity with due precautions in light of the pandemic.

He said that they do not want Yokota Shigeru's legacy to be forgotten and that they are carrying on his work.

The group said more than 850 people signed the petition on Saturday.

They said they will continue collecting signatures around the prefecture with proper precautions to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

Key words : atomic energy
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_14/

Japanese atomic energy experts have proposed two ways to decommission the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The Atomic Energy Society of Japan floated the two methods in a report.

One proposal is to dismantle and remove all parts of the reactor buildings and leave the site vacant. The other is to dismantle and remove parts of the reactor buildings that are above ground and leave behind the underground structures.

The experts say each method has been studied in the United States and European countries.

They say amounts of radioactive waste to be generated during decommissioning work will vary significantly, depending on when the dismantling of reactor buildings begins -- namely, starting to dismantle contaminated buildings soon or waiting a certain period for their radiation levels to drop.

A decommissioning timeline released by the Japanese government and the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, shows the scrapping process will be completed by 2051. But the plan is unclear on how the reactor buildings will be decommissioned.

Miyano Hiroshi, a member of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan, says it will be difficult to draw a conclusion from various arguments on how to decommission the plant. But he adds discussions are important and that he hopes the society's report will contribute to the debate.

Key words : US non-governmental
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_01/

A US non-governmental organization predicts that the amount of plastic waste flowing into the world's oceans would nearly triple by 2040 unless proper action is taken.

The Pew Charitable Trusts made the estimate in cooperation with a research institute. In their calculation, the amount of plastic waste ending up in seas would reach 29 million tons by 2040 unless appropriate measures are taken. That's about 2.6 times the present level.

Assuming that all ocean plastic waste washes ashore somewhere in the world, 50 kilograms of it would pile up along every single meter of coastline by 2040.

The NGO attributes the forecast surge in the figure to population growth and an increase in per-capita plastic consumption driven by production of cheap plastic.

Ocean plastics are a serious global problem. Used face masks and disposable gloves are recent additions to the waste, apparently due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The group says, however, bold measures could reduce the amount of ocean plastic by more than 50 percent from the current level by 2040. It cites a significant reduction in the use of plastic products and design modifications to make plastic easier to recycle as examples of effective measures.

Winnie Lau, a scientist at the Pew Charitable Trusts, calls on all of society to act. She says this is everyone's problem as ocean plastics affect tourist destinations, fisheries, and many other aspects of society.

Key words : mitsubishi
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_15/

Japanese companies have developed shopping bags that degrade in seawater to help reduce plastic waste in the oceans.

Mitsubishi Chemical and a wrapping material maker created the product, drawing on the same mechanism by which microorganisms dissolve garbage in soil.

Company officials say the material is made from plant-based ingredients, such as sugar cane, and is easily dissolved in seawater, which usually contains fewer microorganisms than soil. They say it takes about a year for the bag to be completely broken down in seawater.

The officials say manufacturing the bag requires an advanced technique, which led them to estimate that the price will be more than six times that of conventional plastic bags.

A Mitsubishi Chemical official says the firm wants to help resolve the issue of marine plastic waste by promoting the use of the bag.

A similar biodegradable bag has been developed by Japan's largest shopping bag maker, Fukusuke Kogyo, in conjunction with Gunma University. They are preparing to sell the product.

Earlier this month, the Japanese government began requiring all retailers to charge customers for plastic shopping bags as part of its efforts to discourage their use.

Key words : farmer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200726_12/

Farmers in the city of Minami-Alps in Yamanashi Prefecture west of Tokyo are busy harvesting Japanese plums.

Yamanashi Prefecture is the largest producer of the fruit in the country, and Minami-Alps is known for a variety called "Kiyo".

Kiyo, which was developed by a farmer from the area, is large and sweet.

Guinness World Records has recognized the fruit produced in the city as the heaviest Japanese plum.

It is not easy to produce, as growing Kiyo requires a lot of attention so a single one can fetch 700 yen, or about 6.50 dollars.

A long rainy season this year delayed the harvest.

An official of a local farmers' cooperative said the total shipping volume will be about 70 percent of the usual. But he added that what was harvested is very good and tasty.

Kiyo will be shipped through early August.

at 20:00 (JST), July 25

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200725200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : set up a special
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200725_13/

The US Department of Homeland Security says it has set up a special panel to counter threats from China.

The formation of the China Working Group comes after the two sides ordered the closure of a consulate in each other's country, further ratcheting up tensions.

In a statement released on Friday, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf said the threat from China is intensifying at an "alarming rate" through what he called the Chinese Communist Party's "malign activity in the trade, cyber security, immigration and intellectual property domains."

Wolf said his department will continue to respond to cyber-attacks, economic espionage, and disinformation campaigns by China.

He added the department will also target fraudulent Chinese medical supplies that exploit the coronavirus pandemic, as well as consumer goods forcibly produced in detention by Uighurs and other Muslim minorities.

The US Justice Department has already launched a team called the China Initiative, which is focused on legal cases related to China.

The China Working Group represents another organizational step by the Trump administration against China.

Some say the US and China are on the brink of a new Cold War.

Key words : UN security smuggle
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200725_14/

The United States has reported to the UN Security Council that North Korea continues to import more refined petroleum products than allowed under a sanctions resolution.

Diplomatic sources say the United States and 42 other states sent a document to the Security Council Sanctions Committee on Friday.

The document says North Korea smuggled at least 1.6 million barrels of refined petroleum products between January and May, exceeding the annual cap of 500,000 barrels.

It says there have been 56 illicit transfers of the products at sea, and that the North is in clear violation of UN resolutions.

The US has submitted similar documents in the past, asking the sanctions committee to inform all UN member states that they should step up their monitoring.

But the moves were blocked by China and Russia, friends of the North.

The representatives of Washington and Beijing at the Security Council have also clashed over the matter of humanitarian aid to Syria and North Korea.

A UN spokesperson told reporters on Friday that growing tensions between China and the US could impact the work of the Security Council, which needs unity to move forward.

Strained relations could affect international cooperation in preventing Pyongyang from evading sanctions.

Key words : corona military
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200725_08/

The commander of US forces in Japan has directed incoming personnel to take a coronavirus test before leaving a mandatory 14-day period of restricted movement upon arrival in the country.

The commander made the announcement on Friday, when it was confirmed that there have been 189 infections across US military facilities in Japan to date.

All US military personnel in Japan, and their families, are currently required to enter the period of restricted movement.

Colonel Robert Firman, Director of Public Affairs for US Forces Japan, says, "We will continue to be as transparent as possible as we confront this challenge together."

Key words : 295 new
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200725_18/

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko said 295 new cases of coronavirus infection were confirmed on Saturday.

It's the fifth straight day that the figure has topped 200, and the 17th consecutive day with more than 100 cases.

The cumulative tally in Tokyo now stands at 10,975.

Key words : across the country diamond
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200725_02/

Coronavirus infections are continuing to increase in Japan. There were more than 700 new cases on Friday, including 260 in Tokyo.

It's the fourth straight day that the figure has topped 200, and the 16th consecutive day with cases in the triple digits.

On Thursday, a record high 366 infections were reported in the metropolis, and the total number of confirmed cases has now surpassed 10,600.

In western Japan, Osaka Prefecture reported a record 149 infections. It's the third consecutive day the prefecture has seen over 100 new cases.

Aichi Prefecture in central Japan reported 63 new infections. On Thursday, the prefecture reported a record 97 cases.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo referred to the recent spike in infections as Japan observes a long weekend.

Abe says " We once again ask everyone to take thorough preventive measures to help stem the spread of the virus during the 4-day holiday. That means avoiding close contact with others as well as refraining from speaking loudly in public."

Across the country, the total figure has exceeded 29,000 cases. That includes over 700 people who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked near Tokyo early in the crisis. The death toll has now reached over 1,000, including 13 on the cruise ship.

Key words : foreign student
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200725_10/

US immigration authorities say they may not issue visas to newly enrolled international students for the fall term, if their universities or high schools plan to offer their courses entirely online.

The announcement made by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday rolls back an earlier decision to grant visas for courses conducted only online.

The series of policy changes began after a number of schools and colleges switched their classes to online-only, due to the coronavirus.

On July 6, immigration authorities announced that foreign students whose classes are offered 100 percent online would not be issued visas.

They rescinded the plan on July 14 after Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology filed a lawsuit in federal court, seeking to block the move. State governments also filed a similar lawsuit.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged schools to resume in-person classes to promote the recovery of economic and social activity.

Observers say Trump may intend to put pressure on schools by suspending the issuance of visas for international students.

The US Institute of International Education says nearly 1.1 million international students studied in the US during the academic year that started in September 2018.

Key words : ISS world heritage
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200725_11/

Crowds have gathered for the first Muslim prayers at Istanbul's historic Hagia Sophia in 86 years. Neighboring Greece, which is predominantly Orthodox Christian, reacted sharply to the move.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently issued a decree to convert the UNESCO World Heritage site back into a mosque. He joined worshippers at Friday's prayers.

Hagia Sophia was built as an Orthodox Christian cathedral, and turned into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest.

The building was then converted into a museum after the founding of the Republic of Turkey, and became a symbol of the coexistence of different faiths and cultures.

Orthodox churches across Greece lowered flags to half-mast in protest against the move.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the reconversion contravened universal values. He denounced Turkey as a troublemaker.

Turkey and Greece are both members of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

But relations have been strained over the issues of migrants and refugees entering Greece via Turkey, and resources development in the eastern Mediterranean.

Key words : weather officials torrential rain Kanto-Koshin
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200725_07/

Japanese weather officials are warning of more torrential rains this weekend in western and eastern parts of the country.

The Meteorological Agency says a lingering seasonal rain front and a low-pressure system are causing unstable atmospheric conditions across wide areas.

In the 24-hour period through Sunday morning, 250 millimeters of rainfall is forecast in the Tokai region, 200 millimeters in Shikoku, 180 millimeters in Kinki, and 120 millimeters in southern Kyushu and Kanto-Koshin.

Officials are urging people to stay on the alert for landslides, rising rivers and flooding in low-lying areas.

In Kyushu and other areas recently hit by torrential rains, even a small amount could trigger disasters.

Officials are urging people to pay attention to evacuation information issued by local governments, and to flee early if necessary.

Key words : US major
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200725_17/

US Major League Baseball has gotten underway after a delayed start with a number of Japanese players taking part in their debut game on Friday.

Slugger Tsutsugo Yoshitomo of the Tampa Bay Rays belted a two-run homer in the fifth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Akiyama Shogo of the Cincinnati Reds notched a pinch-hit in the sixth inning in a game against the Detroit Tigers, recording an RBI and his first big-league hit.

Ohtani Shohei of the Los Angeles Angels marked his first hit of the season as a designated hitter in a game against the Oakland Athletics. Ohtani is expected to take the mound in a game on Sunday as he returns to his two-way role for the team.

at 20:00 (JST), July 23

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200723200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : marks one year
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200723_04/

An NHK survey on the Tokyo Olympic Games, postponed for a year, has found that sport-related bodies expect organizers to decide at least six months prior to the scheduled opening whether the event will take place.

Thursday marks one year until the opening of the Tokyo Games, which were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

NHK sent a survey to Olympic committees across the globe and international sport governing bodies in June and July.

Of the 206 Olympic committees, 19 responded. Of the 33 international sport bodies, three did so.

Asked when a conclusion on whether to hold the event should be reached, 16 of the 22 groups that responded said the decision should be reached at least six months before the scheduled opening.

The Slovenian organizing committee suggested by October, or nine months before, to allow athletes to fully prepare for the games so they can give their best performances.

Denmark replied before year-end on the grounds it will give the host country and the International Olympic Committee enough time to closely monitor the trends of the coronavirus.

The international governing body of judo replied a notification six months ahead would be appropriate, as the decision to postpone the event was also made around that time.

Brazil's organizing committee, meanwhile, told NHK one cannot specify the right timing as the situation changes by the day, but that it expects the IOC, the World Health Organization and medical experts in Japan to make the right decision.

NHK asked if the event cannot take place next summer whether it should be called off or postponed once again.

Five organizing committees, including Uganda, said another postponement is more appropriate for the sake of the athletes, who have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Fifteen replied that the event should be canceled, citing the need to prepare for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, which begin seven months later.

Key words : saitama
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_45/

NHK has learned that the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games is studying detailed measures to prevent coronavirus infections.

Informed sources say committee officials have drawn up more than 400 proposals for anti-virus measures. They are working with Saitama Super Arena, the venue for basketball, as a model.

The proposed measures for athletes cover transportation by bus, media interviews and doping tests.

Under the proposals, athletes will be asked to ride on several buses even when they are on the same team. They will be asked to open windows in the bus and maintain social distancing.

In locker rooms, athletes will be asked to refrain from eating or shouting.

During media interviews, athletes and interviewers are to remain at least 1.5 meters apart, with a transparent partition placed between them.

Proposals for spectators include the mandatory use of cashless payment system at shops. They will also be asked not to shout and will be required or recommended to wear face masks.

The committee plans to assess the feasibility of the proposals. It will then look into measures for all 43 venues for the Games by the year-end.

Key words : disposable
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200723_03/

People in Japan celebrate Marine Day, a national holiday, on Thursday.

Environmentalists are raising the alarm over disposable masks and gloves discarded by people protecting themselves against the new coronavirus that are littering rivers and oceans across the globe.

A nature conservation group based in Hong Kong and active mainly in Asia says the spread of the virus has resulted in masks and gloves being washed up on beaches near Hong Kong since late February.

Meanwhile, a nonprofit organization retrieving litter in waters mainly off southern France reported that masks and empty disinfectant containers began to increase in May. Over 100 masks were recovered last month alone.
France-based Tara Ocean Foundation, which employs survey ships to study marine pollution across the world, says its survey last month of 10 major rivers in Europe, including the Seine and the Thames, found gloves and masks in all of them.

The foundation's executive director, Romain Trouble noted that some disposable masks are made from plastic, which animals not only mistakenly swallow, but could be threat to the ecosystem as it degrades into microplastic or microfiber.
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Key words : similar situation in Japan
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Key words : johns hopkins 15 million
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200723_06/

The global coronavirus pandemic continues to gain steam, with infections topping 15 million.

Data compiled by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the United States show that 15,016,440 cases around the world were reported as of 18:00 UTC on Wednesday. The global death toll has reached 610,000.

Coronavirus infections began to explode outside China, the epicenter of the virus, after the World Health Organization announced on January 14 a pneumonia outbreak in China could be linked to a new type of virus.

The number of global infections reached the 5 million mark on May 21, or about four months later.

The figure had doubled to 10 million by June 28.

The pandemic has continued to accelerate since, with new cases reaching the 15 million threshold less than a month later.

Record single-day increases have been renewed on a near daily basis in July. Over 250,000 cases were confirmed on July 16.

The resumption of economic activities has been blamed for the infection surge in countries with the highest number of cases, including the United States and Brazil.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on July 13 that "too many countries are headed in the wrong direction."

He also warned that "if governments do not roll out a comprehensive strategy focused on suppressing transmission and saving lives, the pandemic is going to get worse and worse and worse."

Key words : white house ordered
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200723_07/

The White House has formally acknowledged that it ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, Texas.

State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement on Wednesday that the closure was "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information."

The statement also reads that under the Vienna Convention, states "have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs" of the host state.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met reporters in Denmark, where he is visiting. Without offering any specifics, he reiterated accusations about Chinese theft of US intellectual property.

He stressed that the action was made to protect national security, US economy and jobs.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio, known to take a hardline stance against China, on Wednesday tweeted that "China's consulate in Houston is not a diplomatic facility. It is the central node of the Communist Party's vast network of spies & influence operations in the United States." He added that the building must close.

The Chinese government appears set to retaliate.
Multiple US media outlets have reported that China will order the closure of a US Consulate General in Wuhan, a move that will further strain chilled bilateral relations.

Key words : murder Afghan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200723_08/

Afghan authorities have detained a man in connection with the murder of Japanese doctor and aid worker Nakamura Tetsu.

Nakamura spent years in Afghanistan offering humanitarian support and helping with water projects. He was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen while traveling by car in Jalalabad, in the eastern province of Nangarhar, on December 4, 2019.

Multiple sources at the Afghan intelligence service have told NHK that a man has been detained and is being questioned.

The man was apprehended during a sweeping operation against a terrorist network in eastern Afghanistan. He has not acknowledged any involvement in the murder.

Sources say the whereabouts of two other men are being investigated.

Four men were detained following Nakamura's murder, but were released by June due to lack of evidence.

A spokesperson for Nangarhar Province told NHK that the murder may be complicated to solve, and doing so will take a long time.

Key words : sumo
#N/Ahttps://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20200723010947868/

Sumo wrestlers are back in action at the July tournament in Tokyo. NHK World's sumo announcer Morita Hiroshi tells us what wrestlers are doing to make the tournament exciting for spectators after four months of forced downtime caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Key words : backstories landmark
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at 13:30 (JST), July 22

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20200722200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : US secretary global
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_05/

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he wants to build a global coalition to counter what he calls the threat the Chinese Communist Party poses.

Pompeo made the remark after meeting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in London on Tuesday.

Pompeo told reporters that China has exploited the coronavirus outbreak to further its own interests. Rather than helping the world, Pompeo said, the country has been bullying its neighbors and pushing its claims for maritime regions that it has no lawful claim to.

He said he wants every nation to work together to push back against the Chinese Communist Party's efforts in every dimension.

He went on to say, "We hope we can build out a coalition that understands this threat."

Pompeo said in a statement last week that Beijing's claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are "completely unlawful."

Key words : Esper aggressive
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_06/

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has criticized what he called China's aggressive behavior in the East and South China Seas.

Esper delivered an online speech on the security in the Indo-Pacific region on Tuesday.

He said the Chinese People's Liberation Army continues its aggressive behavior in the East and South China Seas, including sinking a Vietnamese fishing boat and harassing Malaysia's oil and gas development.

Esper added that the Chinese military has also increased the number and duration of its incursions into the waters surrounding the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands.

Japan controls the islands in the East China Sea. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.

The US Defense Secretary said Japan's security role is growing. He said Japan is clearly an anchor of security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Esper's remarks come about a week after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement, calling Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea "completely unlawful."

Pompeo said that the US is aligning with a 2016 international tribunal that found China's claims have no legal basis.

He went so far as to say the world will not let Beijing treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire.

Key words : hong kong pro-democracy activist Trump
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_09/

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has met with a prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, who fled the territory after China enacted a national security law for the region.

The US State Department said on Tuesday that Pompeo and Nathan Law met in London.

Law fled Hong Kong on July 3 in protest against China's enactment of legislation that restricts anti-government activities in the territory. In Britain, he is continuing to fight for democracy in Hong Kong.

Pompeo told reporters before the meeting that he expected to have "eye-opening and important discussions" with Law.

The meeting is believed to be part of the US government's effort to keep in check China's increased control over Hong Kong.

Last week, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending preferential trade treatment for the territory.

Key words : United States analyze
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_08/

Data released in the United States indicates that the number of coronavirus infections could be more than 10 times the reported figure in parts of the country.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed blood samples from 10 areas for coronavirus antibodies. The samples were collected and tested by commercial labs from March to June.

The results show that in New York City, 6.9 percent of the samples had antibodies soon after the virus began spreading in mid-March, while the figure rose to 23.2 percent in early May.

Around five percent of the blood samples tested in neighboring Connecticut had antibodies.

In the state of Missouri, where the number of confirmed infections is relatively small, 2.8 percent had antibodies as of late May.

The CDC says the data shows that the estimated number of infected people could be several to more than 10 times the reported figures in the targeted regions.

CDC officials say it is unknown whether the presence of antibodies means immunity from future infections. They say basic measures such as washing hands frequently, wearing masks and social distancing remain important to prevent infections.

Key words : Japanese government pushing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_24/

The Japanese government is pushing forward with its plan to reopen the economy. It comes as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise across the country.

Part of the government's strategy is the "Go To Travel" campaign. It officially kicked off on Wednesday and offers discounts on transportation and accommodation, and coupons that can be used at tourist facilities and souvenir shops.

A man traveling to Okinawa said the campaign has a lot of benefits and he would like to take advantage of it.

Another male tourist heading to Okinawa said he is excited about his trip but also concerned about the virus.

The number of infections is rising across Japan. Six hundred and thirty-two cases were reported on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Abe Shizo said, "There is no change in the policy of cautiously resuming economic activities with the cooperation of the people. At the same time, we will take thorough measures to prevent infections."

Tokyo has been one of the hardest hit areas. It reported 237 new infections on Tuesday, and is expected to top 10,000 total cases on Wednesday.

The high numbers caused the government to exclude businesses and residents in the capital from taking part in the "Go To Travel" campaign.

Key words : do not follow
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_01/

The Japanese government's travel incentive program has started to promote domestic tourism hit hard by the coronavirus.

The "Go To Travel" campaign involves discounts for travel costs, and issuing coupons that can be used at tourist facilities and souvenir shops. Discounts became available on Wednesday.

The government last week dropped travel to Tokyo from the program, due to a recent spike in the number of coronavirus cases in the capital. Travel by Tokyo residents was also excluded.

On Tuesday, the government announced that it will cover fees for cancelling trips that had already been booked.

The government also decided to compensate travel agents and hotels for losses caused by cancellations.

Those last-minute arrangements have triggered confusion among both travelers and businesses.

Meanwhile, some people are concerned that travelers could spread the virus.

The government is urging travel agents and hotel operators to take thorough preventive measures. It plans to delist businesses that do not follow the request.

The government says group tours by youngsters or the elderly should be avoided. It also says trips featuring big parties are not desirable.

Key words : JTB
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_22/

The head of one of Japan's biggest travel agencies is downplaying the campaign's prospects. JTB President Yamakita Eijiro says the decision to exclude Tokyo is a big blow for the tourism sector.

Yamakita said, "Tokyo is a very big market. Cutting out the capital city will make it extremely difficult to generate demand."

Yamakita welcomed the government's decision to compensate people for canceled trips to and from Tokyo.

He also said last-minute changes in policy were inevitable given the circumstances ... but have made it hard for his agency to do its job properly.

Key words : Arai
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_19/

The head of a Tokyo-based travel agency is even more pessimistic. Konan Travel President Arai Mikio said that the government's erratic approach is causing major headaches for small and medium firms.

Arai said, "The government now says it will reimburse people, but it keeps flip-flopping on this. Honestly I'm ready to quit this industry. Maybe I can drive a truck or a bus instead."

He said from April to June ... his company had no revenue at all. He said other agencies were in the same boat.

Arai added the handling of the "Go To Travel" campaign is now adding insult to injury.

He also said that many of his customers are struggling to keep up with the government's policy changes.

Key words : survey summer holiday
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_21/

A survey of summer holiday budget plans in Japan suggests that households are expected to spend the least in 15 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance surveyed 1,120 men and women aged from their 20s to 50s online in June.

Their planned vacation spending averaged about 65,000 yen, or about 608 dollars. That's about 4 percent less than last year and the lowest since the survey started in 2006.

Just over 45 percent of respondents said they intend to spend less than last year.

Asked why their outlays will be lower, 63 percent of the respondents said they have no spending plans as they choose to refrain from going out due to the pandemic.

Nearly 33 percent said they would save money for time of need, while about 26 percent said they would spend less because their income has been reduced.

The chief economist at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute says a mood of self-restraint and cuts to summer bonuses are the major reasons for the projected lower spending.

Kodama Yuichi who is Chief Economist at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute, said, "Many households say they have no chance to spend money due to the mood of self-restraint. Traveling during the summer holidays is a big opportunity for people to spend. So consumption will remain sluggish if people simply choose not to travel."

Kodama added that weak consumption is likely continue for some time as people remain concerned about another wave of coronavirus infections.

Key words : report Catherine Kobayashi Trump
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20200722121630845/

US President Donald Trump is threatening to send federal troops into big cities. He suggests he wants to order. But his opponents say it's just an election-year ploy. NHK World's Catherine Kobayashi reports.

Key words : weather Tsietsi Monare
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