NHK WORLD - JAPAN English News Podcast Script

日本放送協会（NHK）の国際放送「NHKワールドラジオ日本/NHK WORLD JAPAN News」のポッドキャスト・スクリプト/Podcast Scriptです。英語のシャドーイング用に、通勤で使っていました。現在はリモートワークが多いので使う機会は少ないですが、最新の英語の勉強を兼ねて掲載しています。 TV版ニュースには、クローズドキャプションが付くので、最初はそれを使っていましたが、音声から直接文字起こしした方が、精度が高いのが分かり、現在は音声から直接スクリプトを生成しています。日本人には難解な Jonathan Oh のアナウンスも、ほぼ完璧なスクリプトが生成されているようです。

2023年6月30日金曜日

at 18:30 (JST), June 30

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/20230630183000_english_1.mp3

Key words : hiroshima pearl harbor signed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230629_31/

The Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in the US state of Hawaii have established sister ties despite dissent by people including atomic survivors.

A signing ceremony was held at the US Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday.

Hiroshima City Mayor Matsui Kazumi and US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel signed a sister park agreement.

Based on the agreement, the two parks plan to organize peace events for young people and share ideas and expertise about how to attract more visitors.

A group of organizations whose members include atomic bomb survivors had asked Hiroshima City to suspend the plan to establish sister ties.

The group argued that the meaning and aim of such ties was unclear as the decision was made abruptly without discussions involving citizens and atomic bomb survivors.

Mayor Matsui said at a news conference that he believes the agreement will become a major step toward realizing an international community that can contribute to peace.

He said he was aware of citizens' concerns, but reflected long on the idea before he made the decision as mayor.

Emanuel told NHK that the main purpose of the agreement is reconciliation.

He said he hopes it will inspire citizens in Japan and the United States to learn from what happened in Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor.

The ambassador added that he understands anger and anguish that exist in both countries, but that people have to look to the future and not be held captive by the past.

A civic group co-led by former Hiroshima Mayor Akiba Tadatoshi on Thursday submitted a petition to the city, asking it to scrap the agreement.

It said the park in Pearl Harbor is designed to inspire US forces, and that it is the point of origin for justifying the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The group said the US side argues that the two parks have common goals, but that the city of Hiroshima should make it clear what common ground they have.

It added that since the agreement was signed so abruptly, the city should scrap it and discuss the matter with the public.

Key words : philippines rescued
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230629_34/

Police in the Philippines have rescued over 2,700 alleged human trafficking victims during a raid in a Manila suburb. The victims say they were tricked into working for illegal online gambling sites by false ads on social media.

Authorities raided 7 buildings inside a commercial complex in Las Pinas City on Tuesday. They were targeting a cybercrime syndicate and found firearms, documents, and digital evidence of the group's activities.

It was not immediately clear how many suspected leaders of the syndicate were arrested.

More than half of those rescued are Filipinos, while the rest are from at least 17 other countries, including China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Foreign citizens that police deem to be victims will be sent back to their home countries.

Human trafficking incidents linked to cybercrime groups are on the rise in Southeast Asia.

False ads promising high salaries and good working conditions attract people from around the world. But they are then forced to take part in online scams and work in conditions of near-slavery.

Key words : myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230629_32/

At least 10 people are dead and 7 others injured after Myanmar's military bombed a village in the country's northwest. It comes as the junta increasingly resorts to airstrikes to target pro-democracy forces in remote parts of the country.

Residents in the region of Sagaing said a military aircraft dropped at least 3 bombs and opened fire on a village on Tuesday. The attack destroyed a monastery and 13 houses.

"By the time I heard the sound of the aircraft, it was too late to do anything," said a resident. "There was an explosion and all my family members were dead."

Fighting between the military and pro-democracy forces is particularly intense in this region. But residents say this village was not home to any fighters.

A non-profit organization in Myanmar says the military had conducted more than 450 airstrikes this year as of the end of April, killing 292 civilians. The death toll has already surpassed that of the whole of last year.

Key words : me too movement taiwan
#N/A

2023年6月29日木曜日

at 18:30 (JST), June 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/20230629183000_english_1.mp3

Key words : legislation control
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230629_10/

China has passed a law stipulating its basic diplomatic policies.

The legislation asserts the ruling Chinese Communist Party's control over foreign relations, implying the country's diplomacy will reflect the intentions of President Xi Jinping.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress adopted the Law on Foreign Relations on Wednesday.

The law states it aims to safeguard China's sovereignty, national security and development interests, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

It also makes clear that the conduct of China's foreign relations is under the centralized and overall leadership of the Communist Party.

The law says -- apparently with the US and its allies in mind -- the state will take necessary measures to protect the safety, security and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and organizations overseas, and safeguard China's overseas interests against any threat or infringement.

It adds that foreign nationals and foreign organizations in the territory of China must abide by its laws and not endanger the nation's national security. The law will take effect Saturday.

China's revised anti-espionage law, which broadens the definition of spying activities, is scheduled to take effect the same day.

Key words : united nation 1,000 civilians killed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230628_39/

The United Nations says more than 1,000 civilians have been killed in Afghanistan, and over 2,600 injured in violent attacks since the Taliban returned to power almost two years ago.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, released a report on Tuesday on civilian casualties of explosive devices, including suicide attacks. The report covered the period between August 2021 and May this year.

It says the majority of victims had been caught in bombings in crowded places, such as mosques, schools and markets. It blamed the Islamic State militant group for the violence.

The figures indicate a significant increase in suffering and death from improvised explosives, even though armed conflict has declined since the Taliban took over and US and NATO troops withdrew.

UNAMA also pointed out that the situation for victims has become worse because it's harder to get essential support due to the country's poor economy.

The UN body is calling on the Taliban to take protective measures to prevent further attacks at public places.

Key words : learned ukrainian police
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230629_04/

NHK has learned that police officers from Ukraine will visit Japan next month to learn skills to identify badly damaged human remains amid the war with Russia.

Sources familiar with the matter told NHK that the delegation of about 10 officers will arrive in early July and attend training sessions given by Japanese police.

The sources say the Ukrainian government requested the training through the United Nations Development Programme and other channels.

Ukrainian police said at least 2,800 deceased people remained unidentified as of March.

The sources say the Ukrainian officers will learn postmortem and forensic skills in Tokyo. They add that the group will also visit Fukushima Prefecture, where the officers will hear from local police about how they identified those who died in the 2011 massive earthquake and tsunami using DNA analysis and other methods.

The sources say Ukraine wants to use what the group learns in Japan not only to identify victims of the ongoing conflict but also to collect evidence of war crimes allegedly committed by the Russian military.

Key words : north criticized
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230628_17/

The North Korean Institute has criticized the Japanese government for hosting a UN symposium on North Korea's abduction of Japanese and other foreign nationals.

The online symposium, jointly hosted by Japan, the United States, Australia, South Korea and the European Union, is scheduled for Thursday.

The Institute for Japan Studies, a body under North Korea's Foreign Ministry, released a commentary by one of its researchers on Tuesday.

The commentary reiterated Pyongyang's position that the abduction issue has been completely, finally and irreversibly settled thanks to North Korea's sincere efforts.

It said Japan's persistence in bringing the unfeasible issue to the fore in the international arena is a waste of time.

It added the move is equivalent to Japan's denying its position of seeking a summit without preconditions.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsudo Hirokazu said Wednesday the government can never accept the commentary's claim that the abduction issue has been settled.

He said based on the 2002 Pyongyang Declaration between Japan and North Korea, the government will seek a comprehensive solution to the pending bilateral issues of the abductions, and North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

He added the Japanese government will seek to normalize ties by settling the unfortunate past between the two countries.

Matsuno said the government is determined to settle the abduction issue, which is a pressing humanitarian matter.

Last month, North Korean vice-minister of foreign affairs Pak Sang Gil released a statement on the abduction issue. While stressing it has been resolved, he said there is no reason for a summit not to take place if Japan tries to make a new decision and seeks a way out for improving the relations.

The statement came after Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio told the families of Japanese abductees that he is ready to start high-level talks without preconditions toward a summit with North Korea.

He said the talks will aim to secure the return of all Japanese abductees.

Key words : university hiroshima
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230628_34/

A university in western Japan has submitted to Hiroshima City a request to include foreign students in a registry containing the names of victims of the 1945 atomic bombing of the city.

Hiroshima University said 20 foreigners who came to study at its former institutions were likely exposed to radiation at the time of the bombing.

It conducted research and confirmed the deaths of 17 such students from China and areas in Southeast Asia that are now present-day countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

The registry is kept in a cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The students' names would be registered as early as July, before the updated version is returned to the cenotaph on August 6, the day of a ceremony marking the anniversary of the bombing.

The request is the first of its kind made by the university. City officials say they're now checking whether the registry already contains any of the students' names.

Hiroshima University President Ochi Mitsuo said he reconfirmed that the victims include the foreign students, and conveyed his condolences.

Key words : early warning
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230628_10/

Japan's environment ministry says it will move forward with plans to help introduce early warning weather systems in developing countries in Southeast Asia that are vulnerable to disasters brought on by climate change.

The ministry says it will work with Japanese firms to survey the needs of member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by the end of fiscal 2023.

Environment Minister Nishimura Akihiro says the impact of climate change, including frequent and severe weather, is becoming increasingly apparent.

He says Japan hopes to share its technologies with the Asia-Pacific region to help protect the lives, property and livelihoods of as many people as possible.

Early warning systems will require setting up weather radars and other observation equipment, analyzing data and issuing forecasts, and building networks to convey the risks of disasters.

The environment ministry says introducing these systems overseas is likely to motivate Japanese firms to improve their technologies and expand their markets.

The World Meteorological Organization has announced a campaign to ensure that everyone around the world is protected against hazardous weather by early warning systems by the end of 2027.

Key words : fukushima fisheries
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230628_11/

The head of the Fukushima fisheries federation has again expressed opposition to a plan to release into the ocean treated and diluted water from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Nozaki Tetsu was speaking Tuesday at a meeting with the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company.

Nozaki later said the government and TEPCO had told the prefectural fisheries federation eight years ago that they will not dispose of the treated water without gaining the understanding of the parties involved.

He said he takes it seriously that the government and TEPCO have repeatedly provided explanations about the discharge plan. But he said the fishers have not endorsed it.

Water used to cool molten nuclear fuel has been building up at the plant. After mixing with rain and groundwater, the water is treated to remove most radioactive materials, but tritium remains.

The Japanese government says it plans to release the treated water after diluting it to reduce the concentration of tritium to about one-seventh of the level the World Health Organization deems safe for drinking water.

TEPCO finished assembling the facilities on Monday. The Nuclear Regulation Authority is due to start inspecting their functions from Wednesday.

If the NRA gives the greenlight, the hardware will be ready for the discharge operation, which TEPCO plans to begin around this summer.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said on Tuesday that the government will determine the timing of the discharge.

He said this will be done after officials from various government offices check progress in efforts to ensure safety and prevent the spread of harmful rumors.

Matsuno said officials will also brief the fishers when the International Atomic Energy Agency comes up with its report on the water release plan.

The IAEA is due to present a comprehensive evaluation report shortly.

2023年6月28日水曜日

at 18:30 (JST), June 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/20230628183000_english_1.mp3

Key words : south welcome
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230627_36/

South Korea's presidential office has welcomed Japan's reinstatement of South Korea to its list of countries with preferential trade status which allows simplified export procedures.

Presidential office spokesperson Lee Do-woon said Tuesday the reinstatement is a symbolic measure which shows that bilateral trust has been restored and uncertainties over trade have been eliminated.

Lee noted the move came as the leaders of Japan and South Korea resumed shuttle diplomacy and economic cooperation has become more active. He added that Seoul hopes exchanges between corporations of the two countries will accelerate.

Seoul's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement that the bilateral trust over export controls has been fully restored. It said the two countries' authorities have held intensive trade policy talks since President Yoon Suk-yeol visited Japan in March.

The ministry said South Korea will continue to push for close cooperation with Japan on various bilateral and multilateral trade issues.

Earlier in the day, Japan's Cabinet approved restoring South Korea to the preferential trade status list. In 2019, Tokyo tightened export controls against Seoul and removed it from the list of preferential trade status countries, citing security concerns.

Key words : researcher sword
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230627_22/

An iron sword from the fourth century, unearthed at an ancient burial mound in western Japan, was shown to the media for the first time, after preservationists finished cleaning one side of its blade.

The snake-like, wavy sword is more than 2.3 meters long. It was discovered last December at the Tomio Maruyama Tumulus in Nara City.

It was found alongside a shield-shaped bronze mirror. The mound dates back to the latter half of the fourth century.

The sword is the longest one of its kind ever found in Japan. It is also said to be the longest of all the contemporary swords unearthed in East Asia.

It is undergoing preservation work at the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara in Nara Prefecture.

The sword's snake-like shape is clearly visible now that the soil and rust have been removed. Parts of the sword's wooden sheath and hilt can be seen, as well.

If a viewer looks closely at the surface of the sheath and hilt, red pigment on a layer of black lacquer can be observed.

After the other side of the sword has been cleaned, researchers will try to determine where the red pigment and the wood used to make the sheath came from.

Key words : civic group
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230627_35/

A civic group including atomic bomb survivors has asked Hiroshima City to suspend a plan to establish sister ties between its memorial park and that of Pearl Harbor in the United States.

Representatives of Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in the US state of Hawaii are set to sign a sister park agreement on Thursday.

The group of 10 organizations including the Hiroshima Congress against A- and H-Bombs submitted a petition on Tuesday.

It says Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and the US bombing of Hiroshima are not things that the two sides have forgiven each other for, but historical lessons that should never be repeated.
It also says the aim of establishing sister ties between the parks is unclear.

The group argues that the decision was made abruptly without discussion involving citizens and atomic bomb survivors. It calls for suspending the signing and holding thorough discussions involving various parties.

Hiroshima officials say the US side proposed the arrangement in the run-up to the Group of Seven summit held in the city in May.

They say they will go ahead with the signing as planned, but will discuss with their American counterparts how to promote the ties, taking citizens' opinions into consideration.

Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in late 1941 marked the beginning of the Japan-US war. The Hiroshima park memorializes the US atomic bombing of the city near the end of the war in 1945.

Key words : kaneko misuzu
#N/A

2023年6月27日火曜日

at 18:30 (JST), June 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/20230627183000_english_1.mp3

Key words : tokyo police arrested suspicion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230627_12/

Tokyo police reportedly arrested kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke on Tuesday on suspicion of aiding and abetting his mother's suicide.

Ennosuke, whose real name is Kinoshi Takahiko, and his parents were found collapsed in their home in Tokyo in May. His parents were later confirmed dead.

He has been quoted as telling investigators that he and his parents talked about dying and being reborn before his parents took sleeping medication.

Investigators suspect Ennosuke gave his parents drugs that he had in his possession.

Key words : tokyo police together
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230627_26/

Tokyo police say kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke is admitting to allegations that he helped his mother kill herself.

Investigators say the 47-year-old kabuki star is telling them that he and his parents decided to die due to a weekly magazine report on his involvement in a scandal.

Ennosuke, whose real name is Kinoshi Takahiko, was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of helping his mother kill herself by giving her sleeping drugs.

Ennosuke and his 76-year-old father and 75-year-old mother were found collapsed at their home in Tokyo on May 18. His father was a kabuki actor known as Ichikawa Danshiro. Both parents were confirmed dead.

Tokyo police said they may have died of psychotropic drug poisoning on May 17 or the next day.

Ennosuke was found semi-conscious and taken to a hospital, where he was questioned by investigators. He was initially quoted as saying he and his parents talked about dying together and being reborn, before the parents took sleeping medication.

Ennosuke also told investigators that he helped with his parents' suicides, and was going to follow them by killing himself.

Police said ingredients of two kinds of sleeping medicine were detected in Ennosuke and his parents. They suspect the medication is one that had been prescribed to Ennosuke.

Investigative sources say Ennosuke also said in questioning prior to the arrest that he and his parents decided to bid farewell together because of a magazine article. The report on Ennosuke's personal scandal was published on the day they were found collapsed.

Theater critic Kamimura Iwao said Ennosuke's absence from kabuki has had a huge impact, as he is a key actor who has attracted the largest audiences among actors of his generation. Kamimura said the incident could at least temporarily affect kabuki's box office sales and popularity.

Key words : north korea war 120
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230626_17/

North Korea held mass anti-US rallies nationwide on Sunday to mark the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

Ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on Monday that about 120,000 workers and students took part in events in the capital Pyongyang.

A participant said in a speech that North Koreans "have firmly grasped the strongest absolute weapon to punish the US imperialists and the war deterrence for self-defense which no enemy dares provoke."

Participants also held marches at the venues, holding placards with the slogan "The entire US mainland is within range of our missiles."

The slogan was accompanied by illustrations of various ballistic missiles attacking the United States mainland.

This is the second straight year that North Korea has held anti-US rallies on the anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, which broke out on June 25, 1950 when the country's troops invaded South Korea. The US-led United Nations forces fought on the side of South Korea.

Rodong Sinmun also stated that the country will push forward to achieve the party's economic goals with a determination to take a decisive blow to its enemy.

Key words : high-ranking italy
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230627_04/

A high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official has visited Italy amid media reports saying that the European nation is considering a withdrawal from Beijing's Belt and Road economic zone initiative.

The Communist Party said Liu Jianchao, the head of the International Department of the party's Central Committee, attended a meeting with businesspeople in Milan on Sunday.

Italy is the only Group of Seven country to have signed a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road initiative.

In the meeting, Liu hailed Italy's signing of the memorandum, saying the country made the right decision, keeping in mind not only the current situation but also the future.

Liu also said the deal would make the two countries more confident in bilateral cooperation and set a good precedent for other countries to follow in building a global network of partnership.

The party said Italian business people expressed their resolute support for continued cooperation between the two countries.

Media in the US and elsewhere have reported that the government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who took office last year, is weighing a withdrawal from the Belt and Road initiative.

Liu's visit to Milan came amid growing wariness of China among EU countries. The trip was seen as an attempt by Beijing to keep Italy in the initiative.

Key words : coronavirus adviser
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230626_15/

The Japanese government's chief coronavirus adviser says a ninth wave of infections may have started in the country, and additional vaccinations and other measures are needed to curb the number of deaths.

Omi Shigeru, who heads the government advisory panel, spoke to reporters on Monday after exchanging views on the COVID-19 situation in Japan with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Omi said recent data from medical institutions show the number of infections is trending slowly higher nationwide, with some regional differences.

He said it is possible the ninth wave has already started, though it's unclear how the situation will change going forward.

Omi stressed the importance of protecting elderly people and others with a high risk of becoming seriously ill and reducing the number of deaths.

He suggested local governments should continue thorough anti-infection measures at nursing facilities for the elderly. He also advised elderly people to consider receiving a sixth vaccination as immunity weakens over time.

Omi referred to Britain as an example of what could happen in Japan. He said the number of deaths has gradually fallen as Britain went through repeated waves of cases and appears to have reached an "endemic" phase.

He predicts that the situation in Japan will also shift to an endemic phase, where the disease repeatedly occurs within a community but only at a certain level, if the number of deaths in the ninth wave is smaller than in the eighth.

Omi said the fatality rate in Japan appears to remain much the same, and the number of new infections must be closely watched.

He said an increase in cases to a certain extent had been expected when the coronavirus was downgraded to the same category as seasonal flu in May.

He said it is important to keep society going while trying to reduce the number of deaths.

Key words : corona okinawa tamaki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230626_25/

The Okinawa prefectural government started operating a medical facility in Naha City on Monday to accept coronavirus patients with mild symptoms amid a rapid spread of the virus.

In Okinawa, Japan's southern prefecture, the average number of COVID-19 patients per medical institution was 28.74 during the seven-day period through June 18, the highest number in the country.

More than 500 people have been hospitalized in the prefecture. Okinawa also faces a shortage of medical resources due to in-hospital infections, forcing some institutions to restrict emergency medical services.

Against this backdrop, Okinawa governor Tamaki Denny said Monday the prefecture will take measures to address the situation.

He said the prefecture began operating a facility from Monday that can accept up to 25 coronavirus patients with milder symptoms aged 65 or older. A team of experts of infectious diseases has been set up to advise the prefecture.

Tamaki expressed a sense of crisis, saying emergency medical facilities are being strained, making it difficult to treat people suffering cardiac infarction or strokes, or those injured in traffic and other accidents.

He added he fears that lives that could be saved may no longer be saved.

Key words : south change entrance exam
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230627_07/

The South Korean government has announced it will eliminate extremely difficult questions on subjects often not taught in public schools from the annual college entrance exam starting this year.

The move follows President Yoon Suk-yeol's instruction to drop the so-called killer questions.

The government says the aim is to reduce private education expenses.

Education minister Lee Ju-ho said on Monday that the questions will be eliminated from the College Scholastic Ability Test, which takes place in November.

He said the existence of such questions forces students to prepare for the exam by enrolling in private cram schools.

He added that the move will allow students to take the entrance exam regardless of their parents' financial situation.

South Korea's media cite education expenses as a major factor behind the nation's declining fertility rate. South Korea is traditionally known for its academic-oriented society.

But the change of course, revealed just five months before this year's test, is provoking significant discussion. Some have expressed concern that it may cause confusion for those taking the exam in November.

Key words : trade and industry ministry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230627_13/

Japan's government has drawn up a draft policy on "resources diplomacy," aimed at securing stable supplies of materials critical to its industries and economy.

Japan imports most of its natural resources. The document from the trade and industry ministry stresses the importance of hydrogen fuel and minerals needed to make electric-vehicle batteries.

But the country faces fierce competition from the United States, China and European countries in acquiring such materials.

The ministry lays out a strategy to improve ties with 25 "key nations" that are producers of these resources as well as oil and natural gas.

It underlines 19 of the nations for important minerals like lithium and nickel. They include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Peru, Canada and Australia.

The ministry also plans to invest in resource-development projects through joint public- and private-sector efforts. It aims to promote Japan's new-energy related technologies and other expertise in the key countries.

Key words : kyoto gion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230626_13/

The ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto is offering premium seats priced at 400,000 yen each, or about 2,800 dollars, for the climax of the annual Gion Festival.

The Kyoto City Tourism Association is now selling the 84 premium seats on its English website, ahead of the one-month-long festival in July. The association hopes to attract wealthy visitors from overseas.

The one-meter-high special seating area with tatami mats and floor chairs will be set up for the July 17 parade of decorative floats. The procession is called Yamahoko Junko and it is the highlight of the festival.

The spectators in the special seating area can watch up-close the heavy floats negotiate turns at an intersection, using wet bamboo sticks laid beneath their wheels.

Drinks and snacks will be offered, and an audio guide with simultaneous interpretation will be available.

The tourism association says revenue from the seats will be used to repair the Yamahoko floats and fund a project to pass on the traditions of the festival to future generations.

The association says it hopes that the premium seats will help many people understand the city's history and the value of its culture. It also says it wants to draw attention to the importance of the preservation of traditional events and cultural assets.

2023年6月26日月曜日

at 18:30 (JST), June 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/20230626183000_english_1.mp3

Key words : standing committee
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230626_05/

The Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress is expected to begin deliberations on a draft bill promoting patriotic education.

The Standing Committee of the Chinese legislature is set to convene a session from Monday to Wednesday.

While the legislation's details have not been disclosed, the committee's spokesperson noted at a Sunday news conference that it is based on the guiding principles of President Xi Jinping.

The spokesperson said the bill encourages love for the country, the Chinese Communist Party and socialism. It also focuses on achieving the nation's rejuvenation.

The bill reportedly stipulates the guiding principles, leadership mechanism and content of patriotic education.

Its overall aim appears to be boosting allegiance to the administration and achieving social stability.

Patriotic education has been emphasized in China before.

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin promoted education that asserted China was victorious in its war of resistance against Japan.

Jiang's focus on historical issues strained relations between Japan and China.

Key words : north reacted sharply
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_02/

North Korea has reacted sharply to remarks made by the top US diplomat on China's role regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

The country is warning of an "overwhelming" response to the United States' policies against Pyongyang.

North Korea's foreign ministry issued a statement on Saturday blasting comments by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

After Blinken met China's President Xi Jinping on Monday, he held a news conference at which he described China as being in a unique position to press North Korea to engage in a dialogue aimed at stopping Pyongyang's "dangerous" activities.

A director general at the North Korean foreign ministry accused the US of causing the heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula for persistently maintaining hostile policies towards Pyongyang.

The director warned that the scale and scope of North Korea's countermeasures will be extended more "overwhelmingly and offensively" when the US escalates its military provocations on the peninsula and the region.

The warning is apparently made in response to cooperation between the US and South Korea, including joint military exercises.

The statement also reflects North Korea's increased criticism of the US, as Sunday marks 73 years since the start of the Korean War, which Pyongyang regards as "the day of the struggle" against the US.

Key words : ballet dancer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_10/

Two Japanese dancers have won gold medals in one of the world's three major ballet competitions.

Sasaki Ryo, a 24-year-old from Osaka Prefecture, won the gold medal in the senior male division of the 2023 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi.

Toku Sayako, a 21-year-old from Kobe, won the top honor in the senior female division. Dancers 19 to 28 years of age are eligible for the senior division.

The results of the final screening were announced on Friday. The competition started on June 10, with about a hundred dancers from around the world taking part.

This is the first time a Japanese dancer has won the gold since 2014, when Kase Shiori achieved the feat in the senior female division.

The competition, held every four years, is considered a gateway to success for young ballet dancers, along with the competitions in Moscow and the Bulgarian city of Varna.

Key words : japanese nationals
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_18/

Family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have recorded encouraging messages for a radio broadcast aimed at the country.

The messages were recorded in Tokyo for Free North Korea Radio, a shortwave broadcaster. Its daily radio program is run by a group of people who defected from the North to South Korea.

The abductees' relatives called on their loved ones never to give up until they are rescued.

The leader of the relatives' group, Yokota Takuya, is a younger brother of Yokota Megumi, who was abducted in 1977 at the age of 13. He asked his sister how she is doing. He also said he is sorry that she has had to spend a long time in North Korea without freedom.

He added that the relatives will never give up until they achieve the return of all the abductees.

His twin brother, Yokota Tetsuya, told his sister about their parents. He said that their father, who died three years ago, thought about rescuing his daughter every day.

He added that their 87-year-old mother often falls over, but is doing well. He vowed to get back his sister and asked her to stay healthy until she can be reunited with her mother.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said last month that he wants to start high-level talks under his direct control to hold a summit with North Korea at an early date.

Yokota Takuya said after the recording that he wants the Japanese government to continue its steady diplomatic efforts until all the abductees are returned.

He expressed hope that a Japan-North Korea summit can be held and that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will decide to hand over all the abductees.

Key words : NHK found record
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_11/

NHK has found a record of conversations among US Marines who were on the ground during the Battle of Okinawa in the final stages of World War II.

More than 30 hours of unedited audio tape reveals the fierceness of the fighting.

NHK has obtained the tape kept in a conservation center of the US Library of Congress in the eastern state of Virginia.

The recording was made by a Marine in charge of radio correspondence. It was intended to deliver the voices of the troops to the people back home in the US.

This recording got underway in March 1945, just before US forces landed on Okinawa.

The tape, believed to be made shortly after landing, says, "There are some big guns going off now, pounding the hell out of Okinawa." It goes on to say, "From our smallest to the largest guns, they are all opening up in Okinawa."

Sound believed to be captured during battle on the Motobu Peninsula in the northern part of Okinawa's main island says, "That was close. Get away from that recording jeep. Get up here by the hill."

It was a tense moment for the Marines, who were apparently being targeted by Japanese snipers in the forest.

The recording also revealed difficulties faced by Marines in distinguishing Japanese soldiers from civilians. It also depicted the battle over a hill in Naha City called a sugar loaf.

Hosaka Hiroshi, a former professor at the University of the Ryukyus and an expert on the Battle of Okinawa, called the finding an important one that helps testify to the fierceness of the combat there.

He said even specialist researchers like him did not know such recordings of voices of US Marines on the battle ground existed.

Key words : young artist
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_13/

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has turned vacant space in public housing into studios for young artists.

The project was launched in April to provide young artists with space for creating and showing their artwork. Store spaces without tenants in two apartment buildings in Shibuya Ward have been made available.

The move was supported by the results of a metropolitan government survey that indicated many artists are struggling to find a space for their creative work.

The monthly rent is about 280 dollars, lower than the market rate. Officials plan to rent out the space for three-month periods.

On Sunday, some artists were seen giving the finishing touches to their work just before the first public viewing at one of the apartment buildings.

Graphic designer Yamada Yutaro expressed his gratitude, saying he can concentrate better in the space that is separate from his home.

Tokyo official Miyata Naoyuki says he hopes the space will someday produce the world's famous artists.

2023年6月25日日曜日

at 18:00 (JST), June 25

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20230625180000_english_1.mp3

Key words : wagner fighter Lukashenko
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_06/

The leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claims his mercenaries have turned back from their advance on Moscow to avoid bloodshed. The mercenaries were said to be heading toward the capital on his orders.

Prigozhin made the remark in an audio recording posted on social media on Saturday. He said, "Understanding... that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned."

Prigozhin is the head of the private military group, and has been increasingly at odds with the Russian Defence Ministry over military operations in Ukraine.

On Saturday, he claimed that his forces had captured the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in the southern Russian region of Rostov.
President Vladimir Putin delivered an emergency speech on Saturday in which he said his country was facing a "betrayal" and instructed the military to take decisive action.

Prigozhin has refused to surrender.

Meanwhile, the Belarusian presidential office announced that Alexander Lukashenko brokered the withdrawal of Wagner's mercenaries.

It said Lukashenko spoke with Prigozhin to encourage him to defuse tensions by halting the movement of his mercenaries operating in Russia.

Prigozhin reportedly admitted that he had accepted the proposal. But it is still unclear whether this is the result of Lukashenko's proposal.

It also remains unclear where the mercenaries are retreating to, and that is raising doubts about an early end to the situation.

At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video message on Saturday evaluating the leadership in the Russian government.

He said, "...the world saw that the bosses of Russia do not control anything. Nothing at all." And he described the situation as, "Complete chaos" with "Complete absence of any predictability."

Zelenskyy spoke in Russian to express confidence that Ukraine will win against Russia, saying Putin is "...obviously very afraid and probably hiding somewhere, not showing himself."

Zelenskyy warned that, "...the longer Russian troops stay on Ukrainian land, the more devastation they will bring to Russia."

He also warned that, "...the longer this person is in the Kremlin, the more disasters there will be."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said authorities will not persecute Wagner fighters who took part in the armed mutiny "given their achievements on the frontline."

He said a criminal case against Prigozhin "will be dropped, while he will go to Belarus."

Key words : senior national security
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_14/

Following recent developments in Russia, a Japanese senior national security official spoke with his US counterpart about the situation there.

The Secretary General of Japan's National Security Secretariat, Akiba Takeo had a 10-minute conversation over the phone with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Saturday. Akiba was in Copenhagen, Denmark, for an international conference on Ukraine.

They discussed Wagner and broader Russian issues and agreed that the two nations will closely cooperate with each other and monitor the situation.

Meanwhile, the White House has announced US President Joe Biden spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak via telephone on Saturday.

It says the leaders discussed the situation in Russia and affirmed unwavering support for Ukraine.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian private military firm Wagner Group said on Saturday his fighters were marching toward Moscow, but have turned back. The Russian presidential office says it is dropping a criminal charge against the group's leader, who reportedly will head to Belarus.

Key words : sasaki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_10/