Key words : people in Japan about 550
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200815_11/
People in Japan are commemorating the end of World War Two -- 75 years on. A government-organized ceremony was held in Tokyo on Saturday to honor those who died in the war.
About 550 people attended the event held every August 15th. The number this year was the smallest ever because of the coronavirus. Attendance was less than one-tenth of last year's.
At the stroke of noon, the participants, along with people across the nation, observed a moment of silence to remember approximately 3.1 million people who died in the war.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako took part in the memorial event. While the Imperial couple have been involved in events within the palace, this was their first time in public since the outbreak began in Japan.
Emperor Naruhito said, "Looking back on the long period of post-war peace, reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated. I now pay my heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives in the war, both on the battlefields and elsewhere, together with all of our people and pray for world peace and for the continuing development of our country."
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo reiterated Japan's commitment to making the world a better place.
Abe said, "Under the banner of a proactive contribution to peace, we will join forces with the international community and play a greater role in solving the various challenges facing the world. We shall overcome the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and carve out the future of the nation for the sake of the generations alive now and the generations of tomorrow."
As the anniversaries of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki earlier this month also showcased, the people who experienced the war firsthand are growing older. About 80 percent of the relatives of the war dead who attended the memorial event are 70 or older.
To symbolize the passing on of memories to a new generation, a 12-year-old student whose great-grandfather died in the war also attended.
Events will be held nationwide throughout the day to remember the war dead and pray for peace.
Key words : kamikaze
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200815_12/
Japanese and US museums linked by the kamikaze attacks of World War Two have formed a sister partnership 75 years after the end of the war.
The Chiran Peace Museum in Japan and the Battleship Missouri Memorial held a virtual signing ceremony on Saturday, the day Japan commemorates the end of the war.
The Chiran Peace Museum in the city of Minamikyushu is built on the site of a former Imperial Japanese military base, where kamikaze pilots took off to launch suicide attacks. It exhibits personal belongings left by the pilots.
The USS Missouri was targeted by a kamikaze attack during the Battle of Okinawa. The Japanese surrender document was also signed aboard the ship in September 1945.
A representative of the USS Missouri Memorial Association said the vessel is a symbol of the strong ties between Japan and Hawaii, and he hopes it will continue to send a message of peace.
The two museums have been building a relationship through various exchanges, including a jointly organized exhibition and a gift of Japanese fighter plane fragments from Hawaii to Japan.
They plan to deepen ties through an exchange of curators.
Minamikyushu Mayor Nuruki Hiroyuki said the partnership is helping to promote peace.
Key words : expert assessing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200815_04/
Japanese experts assessing the impact of an oil spill caused by a Japanese ship off Mauritius say they have no idea how long it will take to clean up contaminated areas.
Specialists in maritime anti-pollution measures began working at sites where oil from a ship operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines washed ashore. The vessel ran aground off the Indian Ocean island nation on July 25.
The team reported its initial findings online on Friday, three days into the survey. One member said the contamination is widespread, with oil reaching some 10 kilometers north of the stranded ship.
He said the vessel suffered such severe damage that an attempt to retrieve it from shallow waters of only 10 meters deep would be challenging.
Another expert said mangrove swamps are inundated with oil, making it difficult to gain access and clean the entangled roots of the trees.
Key words : Soviet candidate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200815_05/
In the former Soviet republic of Belarus, an opposition candidate is challenging the results of last Sunday's presidential race.
The country's Central Election Committee said on Friday that incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won 80 percent of the vote, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanouskaya garnered 10 percent.
Later on Friday, Tikhanouskaya released a video message in neighboring Lithuania, where she fled to safety following the ballot.
In the video, she virtually announced her election victory saying results from precincts where ballots were fairly counted show her winning 60 to 70 percent of the vote.
She vowed to form a coordinating conference consisting of representatives of civic groups and distinguished Belarusians to take over the reins of government.
She is seeking support from European nations and has asked them to mediate a dialogue with the incumbent government.
Another opposition hopeful is a former diplomat whose candidacy was denied. Valery Tsepkalo, who now lives in Ukraine, announced the formation of his National Salvation Front that aims to oust Lukashenko.
He has expressed hope for Russia's involvement in resolving the issue. Observers say the response of President Vladimir Putin's government will be closely watched.
Key words : vote reflect
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200815_06/
European Union foreign ministers have moved to impose sanctions on Belarus as security forces continue their crackdown on daily protests over the presidential election.
The ministers discussed measures in an emergency online meeting on Friday. The EU has accused the Belarusian authorities of using violence and arbitrarily detaining protesters following last Sunday's election.
It also says the vote did not reflect the will of the people. President Alexander Lukashenko claims to have won the election amid charges of vote rigging.
The ministers agreed to draft measures and prepare a list of people to be targeted by sanctions.
The EU had imposed sanctions on Belarus in 2011, saying the Lukashenko administration had detained opposition supporters and censored the media. The measures included an asset freeze and travel restrictions on government officials.
But the EU lifted some of the measures four years ago, saying the country's human rights situation had improved.
Key words : basketball
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200814_08/
A pair of sneakers worn by US basketball legend Michael Jordan has fetched a record price for sports shoes. It sold for 615,000 dollars.
The model called "Air Jordan 1" was sold in an online auction by Christies on Thursday.
Jordan wore the shoes during an exhibition game held in Italy in 1985, shortly after his professional debut. During the game he memorably shattered the backboard with a powerful dunk, and a splinter of glass remains in the sole.
The previous record for sports shoes was set in May, when another pair of Jordan's sneakers was sold for 560,000 dollars.
Other items of memorabilia from the basketball icon have drawn high prices. His uniform fetched 288,000 dollars.
Some people suggest that a TV documentary mini-series broadcast earlier this year helped raise their financial value.
There is also speculation that Jordan's items are being bought for investment purposes.
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿