at 20:00 (JST), July 31

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210731200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : revoke
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210731_20/

Tokyo Olympic organizers have revoked the accreditation of at least one person involved in the Games for leaving the athlete's village to go sightseeing. This is the first time they have taken such a measure.

The committee didn't disclose any details on the offender. Athletes and other credential holders are required to follow the playbook rules, including anti-coronavirus guidelines.

For 14 days after their arrival, they're allowed to leave their accommodations only to go to official games venues and other limited locations.

In the past, credential holders who disobeyed these rules were warned or had their accreditation temporarily withdrawn.

Key words : gender
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210731_21/

The Tokyo Olympics have seen an increase in gender equality on the field of play. The Games feature a record 18 mixed team events in 10 sports.

This figure is double the previous total in the 2016 Rio Games. The new events include mixed team judo, table tennis doubles, and swimming relays.

Saturday marked the Olympic debuts of some of these competitions, including mixed team in trap shooting.

Nakayama Yukie of Japan has competed in individual trap events at four previous Olympics. But the mixed event gave her a chance to compete for the first time with her husband, Oyama Shigetaka. The couple finished fifth.

Key words : caeleb katie
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210731_16/

US swimmer Caeleb Dressel has claimed a third gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics with a masterful performance in the men's 100-meter butterfly.

Dressel broke his own world record in the event with a time of 49.45 seconds. The win follows his gold-medal efforts in the 100-meter freestyle and 4-by-100 freestyle relay.

Hungary's Kristof Milak took silver in the butterfly, and Noe Ponti from Switzerland finished with bronze.

Another big name from the US swimming team, Katie Ledecky, returned to the pool in winning style, taking gold in the 800-meter freestyle to add to her 1,500-meter freestyle gold.

Her archrival, Australia's Ariarne Titmus, had to settle for silver. Italian Simona Quadarella took bronze.

Australia had success elsewhere, though, with Kaylee McKeown winning the women's 200-meter backstroke. She already has the gold in the 100-meter version of the event.

Canada's Kylie Masse finished second. And McKeown's teammate Emily Seebohm got bronze.

And in an Olympic first, mixed teams competed in a 4-by-100-meter medley race. Britain took the gold with a world record time, beating out China in second place, and Australia in third.

The result means Britain has scooped four swimming golds for the first time in more than a century.

Key words : triathlon
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210731_15/

Fans at the Tokyo Olympics were out in force early on Saturday as Great Britain took gold in the Olympic debut of the triathlon mixed relay.

The event features competitors racing in teams of two men and two women. Each athlete completes a 300-meter swim, 6.8-kilometer bike ride and 2-kilometer run before tagging a teammate to take over.

Two of the members of Team GB won silver in individual events earlier in the week. In Saturday's race, the US grabbed silver and France took bronze.

The event attracted attention for other reasons with many fans ignoring a request to stay home and watch the action on TV.

A man said, "I'm fully vaccinated, and I'm wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance from other people." Another man said, "I checked social media to see if the course would be crowded, and I didn't yell or cheer."

Most Olympic venues don't permit spectators, but organizers have less control over crowd attendance at outdoor events.

The government on Friday extended the state of emergency for the capital until the end of August. The decision comes amid a surge in coronavirus cases with Japan recording more than 10,000 infections per day for three days in a row.

Key words : baseball quarter
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210731_18/

Japan's Olympic baseball team has beaten Mexico 7-4 to finish top of its opening round group and book its place in the quarterfinals.

Yamada Tetsuto gave Japan a 5-1 lead with a home run in the fourth.

They tacked on runs in the seventh and eighth to back up a steady performance on the mound from Morishita Masato. The 23-year-old allowed just two runs over five innings.

Mexico pulled back two runs in the eighth, but Japan's closer retired the side in the ninth for the save.

Japan finished in first place in Group A, ahead of the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Its next game is on Monday, against the winner of South Korea versus the US on Saturday evening.

Key words : ethiopian runner 10,000-meter gold
#N/A


Key words : 21 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210731_13/

The Tokyo Olympics organizing committee says 21 people related to the Games tested positive for the coronavirus on Saturday.

Officials say the figure includes four people from overseas and three living in Japan. They say 14 Japanese and foreign contract workers were also infected.

No infections were reported among athletes or those staying at the athletes' village.

The latest tally brings the total number of infections connected with the Games to 241 since July 1, when the committee began announcing case numbers.

Key words : tobago
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210731_11/

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee has announced that three members who are in Tokyo for the Olympics have tested positive for the coronavirus.

In the announcement on Friday, the committee said that Andwuelle Wright, who competes in men's long jump, and Sparkle Ann McKnight, in women's 400-meter hurdles, returned positive tests and have been withdrawn from the qualifying events on Saturday.

Athletic coach Wendell Williams also tested positive.

The three are already in the designated isolation hotel.

Key words : anti-nuclear
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210731_17/

The 2021 World Conference against A and H Bombs has started ahead of the 76th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August.

Each year, anti-nuclear groups gather at venues in Hiroshima and Nagasaki around August. This year, the international conference has gotten underway in the northeastern Japanese city of Fukushima. The Japan Congress against A- and H-Bombs added Fukushima to its venues after the 2011 nuclear disaster.

The event on Saturday was streamed online as the number of people who can attend in person this year is being limited to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection.

The group has renewed the appeal to achieve a world free of nuclear plants, weapons and war.

The Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs will start its meeting on Monday. Both anti-nuclear groups will stream many of their gatherings online.

This year's world conference is the first since the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons came into force in January this year. Japan, which falls under the US nuclear umbrella, has not signed the nuclear treaty.

During the conference, survivors of the atomic bombings will urge the Japanese government to sign the treaty as soon as possible.

Key words : manila lockdown
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210731_10/

The Philippine government says it will reimpose a strict lockdown in Manila next week following the detection of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Officials announced on Friday that the capital region will be under the toughest possible restrictions based on a four-level scale from August 6 to 20.

Manila was most recently under the strictest version of lockdown in March.

As a general rule, people will not be allowed to go outside except to shop for groceries and other daily necessities.

Businesses will be asked to minimize the number of people working on site.

The presidential office said the decision was a painful one, but that it was necessary to stem the spread of the Delta variant.

Coronavirus case numbers have been rising across the Philippines in recent weeks, reaching 8,562 on Friday.

The emergence of the Delta strain this month is adding to concerns. So far, health authorities have recorded 216 cases involving the more transmissible variant. Experts estimate the real number is higher.

at 18:30 (JST), July 30

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210730183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : quasi-emergency omi
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210730_07/

Japan has confirmed more than 10,000 daily coronavirus cases for the first time. The nationwide record is fueled by a surge of infections in the capital and surrounding area. That spike has the central government looking to expand the current emergency declaration to include four more prefectures.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said, "The government is dealing with the situation with a strong sense of urgency. At the request of local governments, I decided to call a meeting of experts on Friday to discuss the state of emergency and quasi emergency measures meant to curb the virus's spread."

Tokyo and Okinawa are under a state of emergency, while four other prefectures have less restrictive "quasi-emergency" measures in place.

The government plans to expand the emergency to include Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa and Osaka.

If the plan becomes final, five other prefectures are expected to enter a state of "quasi-emergency."

Under the restrictive measures, restaurants in Hokkaido, Ishikawa, Hyogo, Kyoto, and Fukuoka Prefectures will be urged to stop offering alcohol.

Both types of states of emergency will likely be in effect between August 2 and the end of this month.

Tokyo's case count topped 3,800 on Thursday, continuing a record-breaking upward trend.

One expert within the Metropolitan Government called it an unprecedented, explosive surge.

The head of the government's expert panel is also concerned.

Government advisory panel chief Omi Shigeru said, "Now, there are barely any factors that could curb the number of infections."

Omi warned that Japan's health care system will soon be overwhelmed unless society shares a sense of crisis.

Key words : more foreigner indonesia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210730_02/

More foreigners have been leaving Indonesia amid a surge in the number of coronavirus infections there, driven by the rapid spread of the Delta variant first detected in India.

Indonesia has confirmed 30,000 to 50,000 coronavirus cases per day this month. It recorded 2,069 deaths on Tuesday, the highest tally in the world on that day.

Officials at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near the capital Jakarta say fewer than 20,000 foreigners left Indonesia per month from January through May.

However, they say the figure surpassed 20,000 last month, and as of Thursday, there have been 20,215 departures this month.

The officials say 3,320 Japanese nationals flew out of Indonesia so far in July, accounting for the largest proportion of departing foreigners in the month. They add that many people from China, South Korea and the United States also left.

The Japanese Embassy in Jakarta says 13 Japanese in Indonesia died from COVID-19 over a one-month period from late June.

One Japanese expatriate who will leave Indonesia next month said he is worried when the outbreak will subside. He added that he will not be able to return to Indonesia until its health-care system improves.

Key words : toyota Volkswagen
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210729_27/

Toyota Motor says its group sold nearly 5.5 million vehicles globally in the first half of this year.

The number exceeds sales at the Volkswagen group, which earlier announced sales of almost five million vehicles in the same period.

The Toyota group includes Daihatsu and Hino. A record 5.46 million units rolled off dealers' lots from January to June. That's up more than 30 percent from the first half of last year.

The automaker saw higher sales in North America, whose economies have been re-opening as more people get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Growth was also reported in China.

Toyota says it managed to minimize the impact of a global semiconductor shortage.

But surging coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia are weighing on production. Operations have been suspended at Toyota's plants in Thailand since last week.

Key words : olympic compare 1964 Roy Tomizawa
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/646/

The people of Tokyo are gearing up to host the 2020 Olympic Games, and Roy Tomizawa, a third generation Japanese-American, is looking forward to the world's biggest sports event. He recently published a book about Japan's first Olympics in Tokyo in 1964, and he hopes to be in Fukushima for the start of the torch relay next March.

at 18:30 (JST), July 29

Asian View

"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to "Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210729183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : health 9,500
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210728_36/

Health authorities across Japan confirmed over 9,500 new coronavirus cases for the first time since the pandemic started.

Tokyo is still the hot spot where officials announced an all-time daily record of over 3,000 infections on Wednesday.

The capital has seen record highs two days in a row.

Wednesday's number is up more than 1,300 from the same day last week.

The spike comes as Tokyo hosts the Olympics while it remains under a fourth state of emergency.

Japan's emergency measures are not as strict as the lockdowns enforced in other countries.

Officials here can only urge residents to avoid non-essential outings and ask restaurants and bars to close early. But the state of emergency did prompt the unprecedented decision to hold the summer games almost entirely without spectators.

Daily cases are also increasing in areas around Tokyo where less restrictive "quasi-emergency" measures are in place.

Kanagawa prefecture reported over 1,000 new cases on Wednesday, also an all-time high.

The governor says he plans to ask the central government to issue a new state of emergency.

Governor Kuroiwa Yuji of Kanagawa Prefecture said, "The situation with infections is extremely serious. We're facing a critical moment."

Kuroiwa says his prefecture's medical system is on the brink of collapse.

He says he's planning to request the state of emergency along with the governors of nearby Saitama and Chiba that also saw record daily cases on Wednesday.

Key words : tennis at 3 p.m.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210729_03/

The start time of tennis matches at the Tokyo Olympics will be delayed to avoid the intense heat and humidity in the Japanese capital.

The International Tennis Federation announced on Wednesday that matches will begin at 3 p.m. from Thursday in consideration of players' health.

The ITF made the decision after consulting with the International Olympic Committee, the Tokyo Games organizing committee and other related parties.

Tennis matches started before noon through Wednesday.

Some players had called for a delay in starting times as temperatures topped 30 degrees Celsius and humidity was high.

In a men's singles third-round match that began at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, world No.2 Daniil Medvedev from the Russian Olympic Committee told the umpire that he was having trouble breathing due to heat. The match was continued and ended with Medvedev's win. After the match, he told NHK he believed that tennis events should not be played in such heat.

In a women's singles quarterfinal match that started shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Spain's Paula Badosa retired after complaining of feeling unwell.

Days earlier, world No.1 Novak Djokovic also complained of the high temperature and humidity and called for games to take place in the evening.

The ITF has said that "even for a sport that spends most of the year chasing the sun around the globe" the heat and humidity tennis players will face during the Tokyo Olympics was expected to "rank among the most extreme conditions on tour in 2021."

It has modified its rules to allow players in singles matches to request a 10-minute break between the second and third sets if the heat and humidity reach certain levels.

Key words : olympic food
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210728_24/

Around 4,000 meals prepared for staff at last Friday's Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony were left uneaten.

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games told reporters on Wednesday that around 40 percent of the 10,000 meals for the event at the National Stadium went uneaten.

It said other Games venues were in a similar situation, and that about 20 to 30 percent of all meals ordered by last week remained unconsumed.

The committee said the surplus resulted from many factors, including overestimating demand and that staff and others were too busy to eat.

It said the leftover meals were recycled as feed and a source of biogas.

Committee spokesperson Takaya Masanori apologized, saying officials are working to order food more appropriately and that he expects the situation to improve.

The committee had made an operational plan aimed at sustainability, including reducing food loss.

Journalist Sakita Yuko served as chair of the working group that made the plan. She said it was done after five years of thorough discussions with the committee, and that she regrets the large food loss.

Sakita said the decision to ban spectators at the Games was made hastily in addition to many other changes. But she said the committee should have consulted food sellers when it learned of the disparity.

Key words : learned punish
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210729_08/

NHK has learned that Tokyo Games organizers are considering punishing foreign journalists who have violated anti-virus protocols.

Multiple sources say European journalists who are covering the Olympics ate, drank and conversed loudly in a group at a stair landing outside their hotel early Tuesday morning.

A security guard provided by the organizing committee and stationed at the hotel warned the group to disperse. But some of the journalists ignored the warning. There is information that this was not the only time such an action has been witnessed.

Anti-infection guidelines at the Games require individuals in the media to eat alone or to keep distance from others when eating.
They also must eat either at their hotel's restaurant or their hotel room. The rules are outlined in the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks.

Organizing committee officials are aware of the violation. They are consulting with the International Olympic Committee on whether to punish the journalists for violating the guidelines.

Key words : traffic congestion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210728_22/

Tough traffic regulations imposed during the Olympic and Paralympic Games are causing congestion on surface roads in central Tokyo.

The traffic jams are having a major impact on the trucking industry.

The toll for the Metropolitan Expressway between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. has been increased by 1,000 yen, or about 9 dollars. Many general drivers are opting not to use the expressway to avoid the extra costs, and are increasing congestion on the surface roads used by trucks.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department says weekday traffic on surface roads is up 17 percent from two years ago, before the coronavirus pandemic.

But on the expressway, it is down 77 percent.

The owner of one trucking firm says delays caused by heavy traffic are adding to the burden of the rising costs of fuel and overtime work.

Key words : kim no mention
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210728_13/

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has delivered an address on the anniversary of the Korean War armistice, but unlike last year, made no mention of nuclear deterrence.

Wednesday's edition of Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers' Party's paper, says Kim spoke at a conference of war veterans on Tuesday. North Korea calls the anniversary a day of victory over the United States.

Kim said the unprecedented global health crisis and prolonged blockade has caused difficulties and hardship no less challenging than during the war. He called for internal unity, as the coronavirus pandemic and UN sanctions have been hitting the country's economy.

In last year's address, Kim said, "Thanks to our reliable and effective self-defense war deterrence, there will no longer be war on this land." He stressed his country's stance on possessing nuclear deterrence.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency says Kim may have avoided making provocative remarks this year, as Pyongyang has started efforts to improve its foreign relations.

The two Koreas reopened their direct cross-border lines of communication on Tuesday. The hotlines were severed by Pyongyang more than a year ago.

Tuesday's address comes amid discussions between South Korea and the United States on details of their regular joint military exercise scheduled every August. North Korea has called for canceling the drill.

Key words : sony
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_13/

A growing number of electronics makers in Japan are ditching plastic in their packaging. The companies are embracing eco-friendly materials amid growing consumer demand for products that produce less waste.

Sony Group's latest ear buds come in cases that use a material made from bamboo, sugarcane fiber and recycled paper. The material can be recycled. The firm may employ it in packaging for other items.

The company says consumers are showing growing concern for the environmental impact of the products they buy. They hope to further raise awareness about the issue.

Designer Hirose Kenichi of the Sony Group says, "People feel that packaging is something that's just meant to be thrown away. But we want to change this mindset by using recyclable materials."

Casio Computer has switched to packaging that has less plastic and more recycled paper for about 120 wristwatch models.

Precision-equipment maker Ricoh is also following the trend. The company uses bio-plastic made from sugarcane and other plants as padding for the glass in its photocopiers.

at 18:30 (JST), July 28

Asian View

"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to "Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210728183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Nepartak pacific coast along
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210728_01/

Tropical storm Nepartak is likely to make landfall on the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan on Wednesday morning.

The Meteorological Agency says Nepartak was spotted 170 kilometers east of Mito City in Ibaraki Prefecture at 9 p.m. on Tuesday. The agency says the storm was heading north.

Nepartak has an atmospheric pressure of 990 hectopascals at its center. It is packing winds of up to 72 kilometers per hour and maximum gusts of 108 kilometers per hour.

Winds of more than 54 kilometers per hour are blowing within 500 kilometers north and 390 kilometers south of the center.

Rainfall of 20 millimeters in one hour was recorded in Minamisoma City in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Tuesday afternoon.

Nepartak is likely to cause downpours accompanied by thunder in the Tohoku and Kanto-Koshinetsu regions.

For the 24 hours through late Wednesday afternoon, weather officials forecast up to 180 millimeters of rain along the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region, 100 millimeters along the Japan Sea coast of the Tohoku region, and 80 millimeters in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region.

Winds of up to 72 kilometers per hour and maximum gusts of 108 kilometers per hour are forecast on the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region through Wednesday.

Officials are warning of mudslides, floods in low-lying areas, swollen rivers, gusts, high waves and lightning.

Key words : organizer disruption
#N/A


Key words : over 3,000
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210728_36/

Health authorities across Japan confirmed over 9,500 new coronavirus cases for the first time since the pandemic started.

Tokyo is still the hot spot where officials announced an all-time daily record of over 3,000 infections on Wednesday.

The capital has seen record highs two days in a row.

Wednesday's number is up more than 1,300 from the same day last week.

The spike comes as Tokyo hosts the Olympics while it remains under a fourth state of emergency.

Japan's emergency measures are not as strict as the lockdowns enforced in other countries.

Officials here can only urge residents to avoid non-essential outings and ask restaurants and bars to close early. But the state of emergency did prompt the unprecedented decision to hold the summer games almost entirely without spectators.

Daily cases are also increasing in areas around Tokyo where less restrictive "quasi-emergency" measures are in place.

Kanagawa prefecture reported over 1,000 new cases on Wednesday, also an all-time high.

The governor says he plans to ask the central government to issue a new state of emergency.

Governor Kuroiwa Yuji of Kanagawa Prefecture said, "The situation with infections is extremely serious. We're facing a critical moment."

Kuroiwa says his prefecture's medical system is on the brink of collapse.

He says he's planning to request the state of emergency along with the governors of nearby Saitama and Chiba that also saw record daily cases on Wednesday.

Key words : suga halt olympic
#N/A


Key words : myanmar election
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210727_07/

Myanmar's election commission has canceled the results of the election last November that was won by the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi, before she was ousted in a military coup.

The commission said in a statement issued through state-run TV on Monday that an inspection of voter lists and ballot papers had uncovered fraud.

It said the polls were not held in line with the country's constitution, and parties other than the NLD faced restrictions due to its abuse of power.

The commission concluded that the election was neither free nor fair due to a conspiracy to assume state power.

The election commission was appointed after Myanmar's military staged the coup in February, alleging irregularities in the election.

The claim had been rejected by the government led by NLD, which won a sweeping victory over a party linked to the country's former military administration.

The commission may now proceed with steps to disband the NLD, as it had hinted earlier.

Key words : hong kong waiter
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210727_27/

A 24-year-old former restaurant waiter has become the first person found guilty under Hong Kong's national security law enacted in June last year.

The Hong Kong High Court on Tuesday said the defendant incited secession and terrorism.

He was accused of driving his motorcycle into a group of police during protests in Hong Kong last July.

He was carrying a flag with the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times." His trial focused on whether the slogan refers to independence from China.

The court rejected a jury in favor of judges picked by Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Pro-democracy activists said the rejection undermines the independence of the judiciary.

Sentencing is set for Thursday.

Key words : watch tv sakai masahiko
#N/A

at 18:30 (JST), July 27

Asian View

"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to "Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210727183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : rowing and
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_14/

The organizers for the Tokyo Games say they will put top priority on safety of all those concerned in considering event schedule changes due to the approaching storm.

Spokesperson Takaya Masanori of the Tokyo organizing committee told a news conference on Monday that it has already rescheduled rowing and archery events.

Tropical storm Nepartak is threatening to make landfall in eastern or northeastern Japan on Tuesday.

Takaya said no changes have been made for the other events. But he said the committee has been talking with related organizations on how to proceed based on the latest weather information.

He said the committee will make decisions as quickly as possible and provide information.

Key words : china vice foreign minister stalemate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_17/

China has urged the United States to change its policy towards Beijing, blaming Washington for strained bilateral relations.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman held talks on Monday in the Chinese city of Tianjin, near Beijing.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Xie said that the two countries' relationship is now in a stalemate and faces serious difficulties. He also said that fundamentally, it is because some Americans portray China as an "imagined enemy." He added that his country urges the United States to change its "highly misguided mindset and dangerous policy."

The US response is unknown. On Sunday night, Sherman tweeted that the US administration is pushing for a level playing field for American companies in China. She is believed to be taking a tough stance on issues, such as the South China Sea and human rights.

Sherman, the first senior official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office, is scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday.

Key words : UN afghanistan fighting
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210727_01/

The United Nations has raised concerns about the increasing number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan as fighting between the Taliban and the country's security forces escalates.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan says in a report released on Monday that it has documented 5,183 civilian casualties in the first half of this year. The number includes 1,659 deaths.

That was up 47 percent compared with the same period last year, and the worst level since the organization began keeping records in 2009.

The number of child casualties stood at 1,682, accounting for 32 percent of the total.

In May, an explosion near a school in the capital of Kabul left 85 people dead, including high school students.

The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, said she implores "the Taliban and Afghan leaders to take heed of the conflict's grim and chilling trajectory and its devastating impact on civilians."

The situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating, as Taliban militants increase their offensive ahead of the full withdrawal of US troops from the country by the end of August.

Key words : russia state-run putin
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_06/

Russia's state-run Tass news agency says its Prime Minister has begun a visit to Etorofu. It's one of the four Russian-controlled islands that Japan claims as its Northern Territories.

This is the first time a Russian prime minister has been to one of the islands in nearly two years.

Mikhail Mishustin is expected to visit a clinic and a fish-processing plant, where he'll speak with workers.

Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the visits at a security meeting on Friday. He reportedly told Mishustin to pay special attention to the situation with the islands.

Japan and Russia have been negotiating joint economic activity on the islands. But there has been little progress in recent years.

Putin suggested there are plans for something "absolutely unique and unprecedented," but provided no details.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu said, "The Russian prime minister's visit to Etorofu Island is extremely regrettable, as it goes against Japan's stance on the Northern Territories."

Kato said the government will lodge a protest with Russia. He also said Japan is paying attention to Putin's latest remarks.

Key words : suga appeal
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_21/

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says the government has decided not to appeal a ruling that expanded the definition of the survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Suga made the announcement on Monday after the Hiroshima High Court issued the ruling that applies to people who were exposed to radioactive rain outside of an area designated by the government.

The 84 plaintiffs argue that they developed health problems due to exposure to so-called "black rain."

Suga told reporters that after much consideration, he concluded that all the plaintiffs should receive help, adding that they will become eligible for free medical care as hibakusha.

He said the government will consider offering support to those who are in similar circumstances as the plaintiffs.

Asked whether the advanced age of the plaintiffs affected the decision, Suga said many of them are old and have developed illnesses, so he concluded that they should receive support as soon as possible.

But he said part of the ruling is unacceptable to the government.

The prime minister added that the government will work closely with Hiroshima Prefecture and Hiroshima City to ensure newly recognized survivors will get help soon.

The prefecture and city have urged the central government not to appeal the ruling so the trial can end.

Key words : shionogi
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_19/

Japanese pharmaceutical firm Shionogi says it has launched the first phase of a clinical trial on a COVID-19 drug.

It says patients would take the antiviral drug orally.

The test began on Thursday on 75 men aged 20 to 55 with the aim of confirming the medicine's safety in healthy adults.

Shionogi says if taken in the early stages of infection, the drug can stop the virus from duplicating and prevent the onset of severe symptoms.

US major pharmaceutical firm Merck is conducting the final stage of a clinical trial on another orally administered drug for COVID-19 patients.

Key words : remote island
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_24/

Four natural sites with forests and diverse wildlife on remote islands in southwestern Japan have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has registered four locations in Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures: Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, the northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island.

The Japanese government had been pushing for the registration of about 43,000 hectares of forests and wildlife on the islands. It says the forests are home to diverse indigenous life, including the Amami rabbit, the Iriomote cat, and a species of bird known as Yambaru Kuina, or Okinawa Rail.

The areas have become Japan's fifth addition to the World Heritage list of natural sites.

On Tuesday, the committee will discuss whether to add a cluster of archaeological sites dotted across Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate and Akita Prefectures in northern Japan to the World Heritage list of cultural sites.

at 18:30 (JST), July 26

Asian View

"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to "Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210726183000_english_1.mp3

Key words : tropical storm
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_05/

Tropical storm Nepartak is moving north over the sea east of Japan and threatening to approach or make landfall on Tuesday, in eastern Japan or the Tohoku region.

Japan's meteorological agency is warning that the storm could bring strong winds, heavy rainfall and high waves.

The agency says Nepartak was heading north-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour on Monday, as of 6 a.m. local time.

It has a center atmospheric pressure of 992 hectopascals with a maximum wind speed of 72 kilometers per hour and maximum gusts of 108 kilometers per hour.

Winds of more than 54 kilometers per hour are blowing within a 600-kilometer radius southeast of the center, and within a 390-kilometer radius northwest.

Weather officials say the storm is growing stronger as it moves northwest.

They say along with thunder, more than 50 millimeters of rain could fall hourly in the center and northern areas of the storm.

Officials forecast that the maximum rainfall in the 24 hours through Tuesday morning will be 100 millimeters along the Pacific Coast of the Tohoku region; 80 millimeters in the Kanto-Koshin region; and 50 millimeters along the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku.

For the 24 hours through Wednesday morning, 100 to 150 millimeters of rain are likely to fall in the Pacific Coast of the Tohoku region, Kanto-Koshin, Hokuriku and Niigata Prefecture. Along the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku, 50 to 100 millimeters of rain are expected.

A maximum wind speed of 72 kilometers per hour and maximum gusts of 108 kilometers per hour are expected with rough seas through Tuesday in the Tohoku and Kanto-Koshin regions.

Key words : organizer rowing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_14/

The organizers for the Tokyo Games say they will put top priority on safety of all those concerned in considering event schedule changes due to the approaching storm.

Spokesperson Takaya Masanori of the Tokyo organizing committee told a news conference on Monday that it has already rescheduled rowing and archery events.

Tropical storm Nepartak is threatening to make landfall in eastern or northeastern Japan on Tuesday.

Takaya said no changes have been made for the other events. But he said the committee has been talking with related organizations on how to proceed based on the latest weather information.

He said the committee will make decisions as quickly as possible and provide information.

Key words : heat big problem Djokovic
#N/A


Key words : tennis federation new rule
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_16/

The International Tennis Federation says it is modifying its rules for the Tokyo Olympics due to intense heat.

Under the new rules, either player in a singles match can request a 10-minute break between the second and third sets when the temperature rises to a certain level.

During the break, players are allowed to eat and drink, shower and get re-taped.

But they cannot receive medical treatment, use electronic devices or receive any coaching.

Doubles matches will not have such breaks.

Key words : united nations refugee
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_20/

The head of a United Nations' agency says refugee athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics will inspire people facing challenges.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, spoke about the athletes, who are originally from 11 countries, in an online interview with NHK on Sunday.

The refugee team followed Greece as the second squad to enter the National Stadium at the opening ceremony on Friday.

Grandi said the athletes "have fled from war, persecution, discrimination. So the symbolism that they carried in the Tokyo stadium was so powerful in this very difficult situation" that Japan and the world faces amid the pandemic.

He also said, "the fact they are here in Tokyo, competing with the world's top athletes is such an incredible achievement" for people who "were on the run, escaping, deprived of all the basics."

He said, "through determination, through training, through a great deal of faith in the future, they have come to where they have come," adding that "this will inspire everybody."

Grandi touched on a memorandum the UNHCR and Japan signed last week. Japanese immigration authorities will seek advice from the UN agency to make their criteria for granting refugee status clearer.

He said Japan's system for recognizing refugees "is a bit slow and cumbersome" and "this memorandum can help us work together."

Key words : vaccine passport
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_01/

Municipalities across Japan are accepting applications from Monday for the issuance of COVID-19 vaccination certificates.

Travelers with a certificate will face no or eased self-isolation requirement upon arrival at their foreign destination. Five nations currently accept the document, Italy, Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria and Poland. South Korea also accepts Japan's certificate, but requires additional documentation.

Only passport holders are eligible to apply for the certificate, which contains information such as dates of vaccinations. Municipal authorities use the vaccination record of an applicant when issuing the certificate in paper form.

Japan is negotiating the acceptance of its vaccine certificate with other governments. The Foreign Ministry will release on its website, additions to the list of countries and territories that have approved the Japanese certification.

Key words : xi first visit
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_02/

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed the Communist Party's contributions to Tibet's economic development on his first visit to the autonomous region since taking office.

State-run China Central Television said Xi was there for three days through Friday.

He was quoted as saying economic development in Tibet has significantly improved people's living standards. He reportedly added that this justifies the Communist Party's policy in the region.

The report also said Xi presented a plan to tighten Beijing's governance over the region through measures including patriotic education.

Xi is the first Chinese Communist Party leader to visit Tibet since Jiang Zemin in 1990.

Some Western nations accuse Beijing of violating Tibetans' human rights.

Key words : about 30 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_01/

About 30 people believed to be foreign diplomats and their family members have arrived in northeastern China after leaving North Korea.

It comes amid continued reports about serious supply shortages in North Korea, which is tightly controlling the movements of people and goods over its borders due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 30 people were seen arriving by bus at the Chinese border city of Dandong on Friday. Indonesian embassy vehicles picked them up.

Indonesia's foreign ministry confirmed that its diplomats in North Korea had departed. The ministry also said it had been discussing their temporary return to Indonesia with North Korean authorities since late last year.

There has reportedly been an outflow of foreigners from North Korea recently, including more than 80 Russians in July.

Pyongyang continues to say that there have been no coronavirus cases in North Korea.

Key words : toyota
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210726_09/

Surging infections in Southeast Asia are bringing assembly lines to a halt for Japan's largest automaker. Toyota Motor has suspended operations at some plants in Japan and abroad amid a parts shortage.

Toyota has halted production in Thailand after local suppliers stopped making parts due to rising coronavirus cases.

The automaker says it closed down operations at its three assembly plants near Bangkok in the past week.
The three plants are Toyota's key factories in Southeast Asia. They can produce in total about 750,000 passenger cars and commercial vehicles annually.

Thailand has been reporting more than 10,000 coronavirus cases a day.

Toyota says it will monitor developments and decide whether it can restart assembly from Thursday following a holiday period.

Meanwhile, a coronavirus outbreak in Vietnam is denting Toyota's output in Japan as well.
Group firm Toyota Auto Body is suspending a production line at its plant in central Japan for five days from Thursday.

The plant gets components from suppliers in Vietnam. The company says the pandemic is disrupting parts production in the country.

Key words : soccer player
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_13/

A Myanmar soccer player awaiting a decision on his asylum application in Japan will join a professional football club in Yokohama as a trainee.

Pyae Lyan Aung came to Japan in May as a goalkeeper of Myanmar's national team to play in a World Cup qualifier.

He flashed a three-finger salute before the match in a gesture of protest against Myanmar's military government. He remained in Japan after his team left, out of fear of persecution in his country and applied for refugee status.

Y.S.C.C Yokohama, a soccer club in Kanagawa Prefecture that belongs to the J3 League, invited him for practice earlier this month.

Learning that he is eager to continue playing soccer in Japan, the club decided on Friday to take him on as a trainee.

Pyae Lyan Aung has been granted a 6-month permit to live and work in Japan as part of the Japanese government's special arrangement for Myanmar nationals who wish to remain in Japan.

He is expected to move to Kanagawa from Osaka, where he is currently staying, to start practice.

A representative of Y.S.C.C Yokohama, Yoshino Jiro, says the goalkeeper fell short of signing a pro contract with the club, but there is a possibility that he will be able to do so depending on his performance.

at 20:00 (JST), July 25

 

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210725200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : sibling gold same
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_22/

Japanese siblings Abe Hifumi and Uta have made history by winning Olympic judo golds on the same day.

Key words : yuto
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_18/

Japan's Horigome Yuto has won gold in the first-ever Olympic skateboarding event.

The 22-year-old got off to a slow start in the men's street competition, finishing sixth in the qualifying heat. But he was at his best in the final, where he landed four out of five tricks to rack up the highest overall score.

Horigome said afterwards that he felt he had nothing to lose and skated as aggressively as possible.

The Tokyo native beat a crowded field that included American star Nyjah Huston. The gold medal favorite fell repeatedly in the final and finished seventh.

Another sport made its Olympic debut on Sunday. Qualifying heats for the men's and women's surfing competitions were held in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo.

Meanwhile in swimming, Japan's Ohashi Yui won gold in the women's 400-meter individual medley. The 25-year-old has recently struggled with injuries and illness. But she cruised to victory on Sunday, finishing over half a second ahead of her closest rival.

Ohashi said afterwards that she never imagined she would be standing on the podium, and thanked her teammates for their support.

Chase Kalisz of the US won gold in the men's side of the competition. He took silver in the same event in Rio, but went one better this time around. It's the first gold for the US in Tokyo.

In the women's 400-meter freestyle relay, Australia set a world record as it won gold. Canada took the silver, while the US finished with the bronze.

Key words : osaka naomi final torch
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_09/

Surfing and skateboarding are making their Olympic debuts on day three of the Tokyo Games on Sunday, as Japanese tennis superstar Osaka Naomi begins her campaign.

Osaka was the final torch bearer at the opening ceremony on Friday, and will face off against China's Zheng Saisai on the court.

This will be Osaka's first match since she withdrew from the French Open in May after suffering long bouts of "depression."

The world's top-ranked male tennis player, Novak Djokovic, beat Hugo Dellien of Bolivia on Saturday. The Serbian described the game as "very tough" due to the extreme hot and humid weather, with the temperature hovering around 33 degrees Celsius.

Djokovic said "the hard courts absorb the heat. And with not much wind, not much breeze, it was challenging, definitely."

The first surfers to ever compete in the Olympics began the men's and women's heats in Tsurigasaki, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo.

Skateboarding also made its Olympic debut as the men's street heats got underway. The sport has its roots in street culture and has had a huge impact on art and fashion. The International Olympic Committee hopes its addition will win over younger fans.

In Judo, Japanese siblings are aiming for Gold medals. Abe Hifumi secured a spot in men's 66-kilogram class in a one-off playoff against a Japanese world champion last December. His younger sister, Uta, is competing in the women's 52-kilogram class.

Key words : gymnastics american
#N/A


Key words : tennis Andy Murray
#N/A


Key words : tennis avoid
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_14/

The top tennis players at the Tokyo Olympics are reportedly calling for matches to be rescheduled to avoid the heat.

CNN and other outlets quoted world number one Novak Djokovic as saying Tokyo's high temperatures and humidity are made worse by the hard court surfaces, which absorb the heat.

The reports say Djokovic has asked for matches to be played in the evenings. He won his first-round match on Saturday.

World number two Daniil Medvedev reportedly said the conditions in Tokyo are among the hottest and most humid he has ever experienced, and also suggested matches be rescheduled for later in the day.

Key words : tennis shower
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_16/

The International Tennis Federation says it is modifying its rules for the Tokyo Olympics due to intense heat.

Under the new rules, either player in a singles match can request a 10-minute break between the second and third sets when the temperature rises to a certain level.

During the break, players are allowed to eat and drink, shower and get re-taped.

But they cannot receive medical treatment, use electronic devices or receive any coaching.

Doubles matches will not have such breaks.

Key words : 10 people related
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_13/

Surfing and skateboarding have made their Olympic debuts on day three of the Tokyo Games, and Japan secured its second gold medal.

Japan's Ohashi Yui won the women's 400-meter individual medley. The 25-year-old swimmer has struggled to improve her performance amid injuries and health problems. She said she didn't imagine she would win and thanked her teammates. The silver and bronze medals went to US swimmers.

American swimmers took the gold and silver in the men's 400-meter individual medley. Chase Kalisz, who trains with Olympic great Michael Phelps, took the gold. Silver medalist Jay Litherland was born in Japan to a Japanese mother.

Japanese tennis superstar Osaka Naomi, who was the final torch bearer at the opening ceremony on Friday, took to the court to play China's Zheng Saisai.

It is Osaka's first match since she withdrew from the French Open in May after suffering long bouts of "depression."

Serbian Novak Djokovic faced Hugo Dellien of Bolivia on Saturday. The world's top-ranked male player won, but said it was tough going due to high humidity and no breeze. He added that the hard court absorbed the heat as temperatures hovered around 33 degrees Celsius.

The first surfers to ever compete in the Olympics began the men's and women's heats in Tsurigasaki, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo.

Skateboarding officially became an Olympic sport with the start of the men's street heats. Skateboarding has its roots in street culture and has had a big impact on art and fashion. The International Olympic Committee hopes its addition will win over younger fans.

In badminton, Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar failed to win in the women's singles' group stage. She has been criticized on social media for representing the country under the military rule. The military has been cracking down on protestors since the coup in February.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide congratulated Japanese judoka Takato Naohisa for winning the gold in the men's 60-kilogram category.

Suga called him to say he watched the semi-finals and the final and saw his tenacity and unwavering determination to win. The gold medalist replied that the victory has yet to sink in.

Takato said he was glad that he did his best, as his family is so proud and many people have sent him their congratulations.

Suga told him the win gives hopes and dreams to many young people.

The Tokyo Games organizers said on Sunday 10 people related to the Games tested positive for the coronavirus, including 2 athletes from overseas. Cases related to the Games since July 1 now stand at 132.

Key words : dutch rower
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_10/

Ten more coronavirus cases linked to the Olympics have been confirmed including two athletes who came from overseas. This brings the total of Games-related cases since the beginning of this month to 132.

The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee issued the results of the latest PCR testing on Sunday.

A Dutch rower tested positive after competing in a preliminary race. He is one of the two athletes in the latest cases.

The 10 cases also included Games officials from abroad who are staying in the Athletes' Village and media people.

The organizing committee also said it has confirmed six close contacts of a Czech cyclist who was confirmed on Thursday to have been infected with the virus.

Key words : metropolitan new cases
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_19/

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 1,763 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday.

The number is up 755 from a week ago, and the highest for a Sunday.

The daily tally in the capital has exceeded 1,000 for six straight days.

The seven-day average through Sunday stands at 1,453.6, up 36.1 percent from a week ago.

The total number of cases in Tokyo has reached 199,291.

Key words : volunteer saitama
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_12/

The prefectural government of Saitama, north of Tokyo, has asked Olympic volunteers who lost their assignments due to the Games spectator ban to work around venues.

Saitama is hosting golf, basketball and other sports.

About 4,000 volunteers who registered in the prefecture lost their opportunities to work following a ban on spectators.

The prefecture has decided to reassign them to tasks such as welcoming athletes heading for the venues and cleaning areas around the venues.

Twenty volunteers were seen on Sunday morning cleaning the area around the Saitama Super Arena, where basketball games will be held, and holding a banner to welcome athletes and officials.

One of them said when he learned there will be no spectators, he was so shocked that he did not even feel like seeing his Olympic volunteer uniform. But he added that now he is proud to contribute, even in a small way, to the Tokyo Games.

Key words : tropical storm rowing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_06/

The tropical storm Nepartak is moving north over the sea southeast of Japan and threatening to pass near or make landfall in the eastern or northeastern part of Japan on Tuesday.

Meteorological officials are warning the large storm could bring strong winds, heavy rain and high waves.

They say that Nepartak was heading north on Sunday morning at 6 a.m., local time, near the Minamitorishima Island of the Ogasawara Islands at 15 kilometers per hour.

It has an atmospheric pressure of 994 hectopascals at its center with a maximum wind speed of 72 kilometers per hour and maximum gusts of 108 kilometers per hour.
Winds of more than 54 kilometers per hour are blowing within a 650 kilometer radius southeast of the center and within a 390 kilometer radius northwest of the center.

Weather forecasters say the storm is growing stronger as it heads northwest. It could pass near or make landfall in eastern Japan and the Tohoku region on Tuesday.

A maximum wind speed of 72 to 86 kilometers per hour and maximum gusts of 90 to 126 kilometers per hour are expected with rough seas on the same day.

Weather officials say that in the 24 hours through Tuesday morning, 100 to 200 millimeters of rain in Tohoku and 100 to 150 millimeters in Kanto-Koshin are the maximum amounts expected.

Officials are calling for caution as the storm could bring very rough weather.

Key words : tropical storm rowing move
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_11/

A looming tropical storm has forced a change of schedule at the Tokyo Olympics. Organizers have moved up rowing events by one day to Sunday due to forecasts of bad weather.

The men's and women's single and double sculls' quarterfinals and semifinals are among those originally scheduled for Monday at the Sea Forest Waterway.

Sport association officials say these will now take place on Sunday, and there will be no races on Monday.

Bad weather is forecast for Japan with the approach of Tropical Storm Nepartak. It is expected to come close to northern to eastern Japan around Tuesday. Officials say they are still reviewing Tuesday's schedule.

This is the first time for events at the Games to be rescheduled due to weather.

Officials say no other sports are affected at present, but changes are possible depending on the course and strength of the storm.

Key words : flood india
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_16/

Landslides and floods triggered by heavy monsoon rain in western India have killed more than 130 people.

The western state of Maharashtra has been swamped by downpours which have continued since Thursday. A number of landslides have also been confirmed.

State authorities say that more than 30 people have died in a village about 100 kilometers from the commercial hub Mumbai after landslides submerged many houses.

Rescue operations continue in coastal areas of the state where the damage is concentrated. Local media are reporting that a total of 136 people have died and many others are missing.

Many people in India fall victim to landslides and floods every year during the monsoon season due to the country's weak infrastructure.

Damage could spread further in regions hit by the recent rain as weather officials are forecasting more downpours in the next few days.

Key words : eu automaker
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210725_04/

Europe's automakers are accelerating their shift to electric vehicles as the European Union announced plans to effectively ban sales of new cars powered by gasoline or diesel from 2035.

EU member nations are stepping up environmental restrictions on cars in line with the planned ban.

German automaker Daimler has hammered out plans to go fully electric with its luxury model Mercedes-Benz by 2030. That's nearly ten years ahead of an initial schedule of 2039.

The firm says it will invest 40 billion euros, or 47 billion dollars, to build new facilities to produce batteries and other equipment.

Other European brands, including Britain's Jaguar, Germany's Audi, and Sweden's Volvo, plan to follow suit.

There is a growing worldwide trend for going carbon-free. Automakers in other parts of the world are also expected to speed up efforts to make their lineups electric.

at 20:00 (JST), July 24

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210724200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : takato gold
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_18/

Japanese judoka Takato Naohisa has won gold in the men's 60-kilogram category in the Tokyo Olympics. It is Japan's first gold medal at the Games.

Meanwhile, in the women's 48-kilogram category, Tonaki Funa has won silver, finishing second to Kosovo's Distria Krasniqi.

These are the first medals for the host country this summer.

Key words : swimming tennis
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_15/

The first gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics has been awarded on an action-packed day featuring swimming and tennis among other sports.

China's Yang Qian became the first athlete to stand atop the podium. She won gold for the women's 10-meter air rifle. Yang had to put the medal on herself. It's a new measure in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.

Members of the refugee team have also been in action. Yusra Mardini from Syria is swimming in the women's 100-meter butterfly. This is her second Olympics, following a previous appearance in 2016.

Saturday also marks the Tokyo debut of Serbia's Novak Djokovic. The tennis superstar has won the year's first three grand slam events. A gold medal would keep his hopes of a so-called "Golden Slam" alive.

The spotlight will later be on Britain's Adam Peaty. The star swimmer took gold in 2016 in the men's 100-meter breaststroke.

Saturday also had the first shock of the Games. Japan's Uchimura Kohei crashed out of the qualifying stage in the men's horizontal bar. The three-time gold medalist is widely considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.

Saturday also features women's 3X3 basketball. The event is making its Olympic debut this summer.

Key words : distinct bay area daiba
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20210724141921285/

One of the things that makes this Olympics so distinct is all those empty seats in the stadiums. NHK World's Raja Pradhan gives us a view of the scene in Tokyo's Bay Area where many of the venues are.

Key words : Olympics-related
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_12/

The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee has announced that one athlete who came from overseas and one person related to the Games who is staying in the athletes' village have been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus on Saturday.

The committee also said 15 others, including 14 contract workers living in Japan, have tested positive for the virus.

The total number of Olympics-related infections since July 1, when the organizing committee started announcing the cases, to Saturday, is 123.

Key words : dutch rower
#N/A


Key words : metropolitan confirmed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_17/

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 1,128 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Saturday.

The figure was down by 282 from the tally a week ago, but has topped the 1,000 mark for five days in a row.

The seven-day average of the daily count as of Saturday is 1,345.7, up 33 percent from the preceding week.

The cumulative total of people who have tested positive in Tokyo stands at 197,528.

Key words : tropical storm
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_11/

A looming tropical storm has forced a change of schedule at the Tokyo Olympics. Organizers have moved up rowing events by one day to Sunday due to forecasts of bad weather.

The men's and women's single and double sculls' quarterfinals and semifinals are among those originally scheduled for Monday at the Sea Forest Waterway.

Sport association officials say these will now take place on Sunday, and there will be no races on Monday.

Bad weather is forecast for Japan with the approach of Tropical Storm Nepartak. It is expected to come close to northern to eastern Japan around Tuesday. Officials say they are still reviewing Tuesday's schedule.

This is the first time for events at the Games to be rescheduled due to weather.

Officials say no other sports are affected at present, but changes are possible depending on the course and strength of the storm.

Key words : G20
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_07/

Environment ministers from the Group of 20 nations have ended talks without an agreement on specific measures to combat climate change.

The ministers discussed efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral society in the Italian city of Naples on Friday.

Japan's Environment Minister Koizumi Shinjiro, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, environment ministers from Russia and China, and other delegates attended the meeting.

The discussions were seen as an important step ahead of United Nations climate talks, known as COP26, which take place in Britain in November.

The ministers disagreed on the appropriate pace of the transition from coal to clean energy for power generation. Many industrialized nations are trying to phase out coal from their power systems, while developing countries are opposed to do so.

The issue will now have to be discussed at a G20 summit in October.

Italy's Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani said at a news conference that negotiations with China, Russia and India had proved especially tough.

Cingolani said there had been differences with the three countries on accelerating efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. The goal was set in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

Key words : myanmar soccer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210724_13/

A Myanmar soccer player awaiting a decision on his asylum application in Japan will join a professional football club in Yokohama as a trainee.

Pyae Lyan Aung came to Japan in May as a goalkeeper of Myanmar's national team to play in a World Cup qualifier.

He flashed a three-finger salute before the match in a gesture of protest against Myanmar's military government. He remained in Japan after his team left, out of fear of persecution in his country and applied for refugee status.

Y.S.C.C Yokohama, a soccer club in Kanagawa Prefecture that belongs to the J3 League, invited him for practice earlier this month.

Learning that he is eager to continue playing soccer in Japan, the club decided on Friday to take him on as a trainee.

Pyae Lyan Aung has been granted a 6-month permit to live and work in Japan as part of the Japanese government's special arrangement for Myanmar nationals who wish to remain in Japan.

He is expected to move to Kanagawa from Osaka, where he is currently staying, to start practice.

A representative of Y.S.C.C Yokohama, Yoshino Jiro, says the goalkeeper fell short of signing a pro contract with the club, but there is a possibility that he will be able to do so depending on his performance.

at 18:30 (JST), July 23

 

Asian View

"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to “Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210723183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : suga biden also met
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210723_01/

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has started a series of meetings with foreign dignitaries visiting the country for Friday's opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.

But only about 15 countries and organizations have sent their representatives to Japan, partly due to the spread of the coronavirus.

Suga had dinner with US First Lady Jill Biden at the State Guest House in Tokyo on Thursday, with anti-infection measures in place. His wife, Mariko, was also present.

The prime minister said he welcomes the US First Lady's visit to Japan and that her attendance at the Olympics opening ceremony will be of great significance for Japan-US relations.

Jill Biden expressed her delight at seeing Suga again, after they met at the Group of Seven summit in Britain last month. She also conveyed her wishes for the success of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

The prime minister also met World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Suga expressed his gratitude for Tedros' commitment to anti-infection measures at the Tokyo Games.

Suga said he wants to send a global message that the world can unite and surmount the predicament with the efforts and wisdom of the people.

Tedros expressed his delight at the Tokyo Games going ahead and praised Japan for doing its best to prevent coronavirus infections. He voiced his gratitude to the country for helping with the global response to the virus.

Suga expressed Japan's intention to play an active role in discussions to review and reform the WHO. He emphasized the need for the information and expertise of different countries and territories to be shared more broadly. He also stressed the importance of an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.

Tedros responded by expressing his thanks for Japan's contributions to the WHO.

Key words : health authorities
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210723_07/

As organizers of the Tokyo Olympics make last-minute preparations for the opening ceremony on Friday, medical workers across the city are struggling with an alarming increase in coronavirus hospitalizations.

The number of COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in Tokyo hospitals passed 2,500 on Thursday, an increase of 100 percent from a month earlier. The number of people recuperating at home is also fast-rising.

Health authorities in the Japanese capital say the medical system is being stretched thin by the latest wave of infections.

Tokyo has imposed a coronavirus state of emergency in a bid to bring the situation under control, and is requesting that businesses close or reduce their hours of opening.

But the measures are yet to produce results across the city, where infections have been climbing since mid-June, reaching nearly 2,000 on Thursday. The numbers have prompted statements of concern from some senior Tokyo officials.

Others remain upbeat about the Games, and expect excitement to belatedly spread once the event is fully underway.

Health workers are concerned the extreme summer heat could trigger a sharp increase in cases of heatstroke, a condition that shares some symptoms with COVID-19, further burdening the medical system.

Key words : china 33
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210722_17/

The death toll in floods caused by record heavy rainfall in central China has risen to 33, with eight others still missing. More than 3 million people have been affected by the disaster.

Media outlets, including state-run China Central Television, say the city of Zhengzhou and surrounding areas in Henan Province have had downpours on and off since Saturday.

The rain flooded wide areas, causing mudslides and toppling homes.

Some parts of the city reportedly had rainfall exceeding the entire precipitation of an average year by Wednesday.

Although the rain largely let up in the city on Thursday, some roads remain submerged and many damaged vehicles have been abandoned on the street.

Damage to crops is expected to be extensive and serious. Local authorities estimate an economic loss of more than 180 million dollars.

Weather officials are warning of further strong rain and winds as Typhoon In-fa is expected to approach China's east coast and could make landfall.

Key words : olympic kicked off sakai masahiko
#N/A

at 18:30 (JST), July 22

Asian View

"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to “Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.

　

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210722183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : organizer just a day
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210722_12/

The Tokyo Games organizers have sacked one of the directors of the opening ceremony just a day before the event. They say Kobayashi Kentaro made anti-Semitic remarks as part of a comedy act in the 1990s.

It comes after an international Jewish human rights organization took aim at Kobayashi's comments, which were related to the Holocaust. The Simon Wiesenthal Center said nobody has the right to mock the victims of the Nazi genocide.

In the same statement, Rabbi Abraham Cooper said "Any association of this person to the Tokyo Olympics would insult the memory of six million Jews".

President of the organizing committee Hashimoto Seiko apologized for the latest scandal to hit the Games. Kobayashi was also helping to direct the closing ceremony.

The move follows the decision to cut music from the opening ceremony by a composer under fire for abusing classmates as a student.

Key words : expert critical level
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210721_24/

A panel of experts advising the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on the coronavirus says infections could surge to a critical level if the pace of increase picks up further.

The panel on Wednesday maintained its assessment of infections in the capital at the highest of its four levels.

The seven-day average of new cases on Tuesday stood at 1,170, up 50-percent from a week earlier. Experts said the virus is spreading faster than during the third wave of infections.

If the pace of increase continues, the seven-day average will be about 1,743 next Tuesday and 2,598 the week after, far surpassing the third-wave peak of 1,816 marked in January.
Panel members expressed strong concern, saying if more viruses are replaced by variants and the pace of increase speeds up, the seven-day average could top the third-wave peak in less than two weeks.

They also said 2,388 people were hospitalized as of Tuesday, and that the figure had doubled in roughly a month. Of those hospitalized, 60 were in serious condition.

Experts said if new cases keep growing, the healthcare system will become overwhelmed. They stressed the urgency of setting up a system to keep track of those in hospitals, staying at accommodation facilities or recovering at home.

Key words : china flood 25 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210722_01/

Floods caused by record torrential rainfall in central China have killed at least 25 people, while seven others are reported missing. More than 1.2 million people have been affected by the disaster.

The Chinese government has dispatched military personnel to the city of Zhengzhou in Henan Province to engage in rescue efforts.

State-run CCTV and others report that downpours have been pounding the city on and off since Saturday. The city experienced a record hourly rain of more than 200 millimeters on Tuesday afternoon.

Twelve people died in a flooded subway line in the city.

The floods have caused mudslides and toppled many homes.

Zhengzhou is a production base for foreign companies such as Japanese automaker Nissan. The company said it suspended operations on Wednesday.

Officials warn that rising water levels in rivers in the city may cause more floods.

Key words : australian chosen
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210721_34/

Australia's Brisbane has been chosen as the host city of the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

The International Olympic Committee made the decision at its session in Tokyo on Wednesday. Brisbane in southeastern Australia was the sole candidate for the Games.

Before the vote, the delegation from the city made its last presentation. They said they will operate the Games in a sustainable manner as existing facilities will account for more than 80 percent of the venues. They also stressed full financial support from the Australian government.

In the vote, 72 of the 80 members who attended were in favor of Brisbane hosting the Games.

It will be the third time for Australia to host the Summer Games. The 2000 Games were held in Sydney and the 1956 Games in Melbourne.

Preparations for next year's Winter Games in Beijing were reported at the session. Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, who heads the IOC's coordination commission, disclosed a plan to hold a test event at the end of this year, inviting athletes and officials from around the world.

Key words : police hong kong
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210721_26/

Hong Kong police have arrested another senior editor of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper for allegedly violating the national security law. The newspaper was known for its critical stance toward Beijing.

Police said on Wednesday that they arrested a 51-year-old former executive editor-in-chief on suspicion of endangering national security by colluding with foreign forces.

Police did not disclose specific details of the allegations. They said he was arrested in relation to a case involving another senior editor, who had been arrested in June for allegedly endangering national security through his articles.

Apple Daily was closed down on June 24 after its assets were frozen.

But police have been continuing to detain former senior members of the newspaper. On June 27, they arrested another senior member at a Hong Kong airport while he was attempting to leave for Britain.

Eight people related to Apple Daily have been arrested so far.

Key words : honda
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210721_30/

Honda Motor says it will halt production at a key plant in central Japan next month. The firm says the global semiconductor shortage is to blame.

Honda says the factory in Mie Prefecture will halt output from August 2 to 6. The plant assembles about 500,000 vehicles each year. The company previously stopped production temporarily in February and May.

Meanwhile, Toyota Motor says it too will suspend some assembly lines at a plant in Aichi Prefecture for the same period.

The spread of the coronavirus in southeast Asia has prompted many automakers with plants in the region to pause production there as well.

Key words : suzuki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210721_31/

Several Japanese automakers are joining hands to speed up the development of low-cost electric mini vehicles. Suzuki Motor and Daihatsu Motor are set to take part in a joint venture led by Toyota Motor.

Executives from the companies say Suzuki and Daihatsu each plan to acquire 10 percent of the issued shares of the joint venture. It's developing technologies such as those required for electric trucks.

Suzuki and Daihatsu excel in mini vehicles. By joining the initiative, they also plan to introduce a system to make distribution more efficient by using vehicle telecommunication technologies.

Two truck makers, Isuzu Motors and Hino Motors, are already investors in the joint venture.

The automakers aim to widen the application of so-called CASE technologies in areas such as connected cars and autonomous driving from mini vehicles to trucks.

Toyota President Toyoda Akio spoke at an online news conference. He said mini vehicle businesses are pressed to undergo a major transformation in the face of CASE technologies and amid calls for a carbon-neutral society.

He said mini vehicles must remain, adding that the participation of Suzuki and Daihatsu will boost collaboration, not only for commercial vehicles, but for mini vehicles as well.

Key words : indonesia extended remain high
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210721_40/

Indonesia is extending pandemic restrictions until Sunday as infections remain high, the controls were originally set to end on Tuesday.

The government hopes to gradually ease curbs from next week, if cases drop in the wake of the worst COVID outbreak in Asia.

The country confirmed nearly 34,000 new infections on Wednesday, and recorded 1,383 deaths.
Case counts have soared as the Delta variant spreads.

Tough restrictions started on July 3 in Java, where the capital Jakarta is located, and also at the tourist destination of Bali. Staff at non-essential businesses have been working from home.

Thailand is also seeing a sharp spike with a daily record of over 13,000 cases on Wednesday as it struggles to contain the rapid spread of the Delta strain.

The surge comes as authorities imposed tougher restrictions in 13 hard-hit areas including the capital.

Public transport has been ordered to cap passengers at 50 percent of capacity. All domestic flights to and from Bangkok and other high-risk provinces have been suspended starting Wednesday.

The government has extended a curfew for another two weeks until the beginning of August while encouraging people to work from home.

Key words : myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210721_32/

Japan plans to donate oxygen concentrators to Myanmar, which faces an acute shortage of oxygen for medical use amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Myanmar has seen coronavirus infections spread rapidly since June and numbers of deaths hit record highs on a daily basis.

The shortage of medical oxygen has become serious as the country remains in confusion following a February military coup.

Japan's government decided on Wednesday to send up to 700 oxygen concentrators to Myanmar heath care facilities that treat coronavirus patients.

The government is to provide about 900,000 dollars in grant money to procure the concentrators through a UN agency and deliver them to Myanmar as soon as possible.

Japan also plans to donate 14 ambulances to Myanmar.