at 18:00 (JST), September 30 (CC at 17:00 > Copilot)

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20240930180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome back to NHK Newsline. Here’s the latest we have for you at this hour.

Japan’s incoming prime minister says he will call a snap election on October 27th. He announced it just days after becoming the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party.

“I believe it’s important for our new administration to receive the public’s mandate as soon as possible,” he said.

Official campaigning will begin on October 15th. Ishiba is set to become prime minister on Tuesday. He’s already finalized his incoming administration’s lineup. Ishiba has appointed former prime minister Suga Yoshihide as the LDP’s vice president. Ishiba plans to appoint General Counsel Chairperson Moriyama Hiroshi as secretary general and Suzuki Shunichi as chairperson of the General Counsel. Ishiba has appointed the former defense minister Onodera Itsunori as defense minister and former environment minister Koizumi Shinjiro as chairperson of the Election Strategy Committee. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister chairs the Diet Affairs Committee, and Taro becomes the party’s top adviser. Ishiba will form his new cabinet after he’s elected prime minister in both Diet chambers.

The outgoing chair met with his counterpart in the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party. The LDP intends to convene an extraordinary Diet session for nine days starting Thursday. They also met counterparts from other opposition parties, calling on parties to allow deliberations for the incoming Ishiba administration before the lower house dissolves. The opposition parties also want the government to compile a supplementary bill for deliberation during the extraordinary Diet session. Their goal is to secure help for the Noto region recently affected by heavy rains while recovering from the New Year’s Day earthquake. They also want to call testimony for the Noto region as soon as possible. The opposition also called for testimony in front of the ethics panel if they haven’t done so already.

Search efforts continue as the region is recovering from a powerful earthquake in January. Thirteen people have been confirmed dead, and four remain missing or unaccounted for, including a 14-year-old girl. Residents like this woman are now dealing with the impact of compounding disasters. Her home was damaged in the quake, and she lost her husband while staying in a shelter. Then her temporary housing was flooded.

“It’s shocking to go through so many devastating events. It really breaks me down. I never thought I would be in such terrible situations,” she said.

Five temporary housing complexes in Wajima City used in the aftermath of the quake were also hit with floods. On Monday, residents at one complex were asked to evacuate while they wait for repairs.

“My mother wants to stay here because it’s in a good location, close to the shops and the hospital. So if she decides to return, I’ll come back with her,” one resident said.

“Every time it rains, it’s traumatic for me now. I can’t stay here any longer. I’m just going to move and never come back,” another resident said.

The latest disaster has forced some residents to turn to friends and family or find other shelter to survive. Officials say they plan to restore two of the five housing complexes by the end of the year, but they don’t have a timeline for the others.

NHK World’s Ando Kento was in Wajima City for a closer look at the situation. “Just nine months ago, this area was devastated by an earthquake. Now, as you can see behind me, it’s suffered a second disaster. Record-breaking rain triggered flooding and landslides, hitting residents here hard. Over 80,000 homes and buildings were damaged in the quake. Temporary housing was finally made available recently, but now some of those homes are flooded. Even some of the houses that survived the quake now have major damage. We still don’t know how bad the situation really is. Earthquakes and heavy rain are common in Japan. It happens almost every year. But it’s rare for the two to happen in quick succession like this. Experts say the damage caused by the earthquake likely contributed to what we see here today, but obviously, this is having a huge impact on the residents of Noto. The rain hit just as they began to think about recovery and reconstruction. For people here, it feels like there is no end to their struggles. More than anything, it’s clear they need long-term support,” Ando Kento reported.

Israeli forces have staged an air strike on the Lebanese capital of Beirut. The attack appears to be the first within the city limits. The Reuters news agency said the air strike hit in a district early Monday. The agency reports that the Palestinian militant group says that three of its leaders were killed. It’s thought to be the first time Israel has attacked within the Beirut city limits as hostilities with Hezbollah escalated. Most of Israel’s previous attacks were carried out in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has strongholds. U.S. President Joe Biden spoke about the conflict Sunday.

“Can an all-out war in the Middle East be avoided?” he was asked.

“It has to be. We really have to avoid it,” Biden said. He added that he will speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid fears that a ground invasion of Lebanon may be imminent.

Austria’s far-right party is heading for its first victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election. The anti-immigration Freedom Party is projected to come first but is far from an absolute majority. The focus is now on how coalition talks will unfold. Austria’s public broadcaster announced the projected results as of Sunday night. The Freedom Party, or FPO, is projected to have won almost 30% of the vote. It was ahead of the center-right ruling Austrian People’s Party, which is projected to have taken just over 26%. The Freedom Party was founded by a former Nazi member in the 1950s. It advocates policies against immigrants and refugees. The party is pro-Russia and opposes support for Ukraine. The FPO is considered Eurosceptic and has been critical of the European Union’s immigration policies. It’s uncertain whether it can form a coalition government as Austria’s other parties have refused to work with it. The FPO’s victory comes as far-right and right-wing political parties gain ground in countries including Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

A Japanese research team says it has developed an ultra-thin wearable sensor that may have applications in the world of sports. It notes the device could potentially be used to collect data on professional baseball pitchers. The team members are from Japan’s RIKEN Institute. They say the elastic and durable sensor is about 1/200 of a millimeter thick. The sensor is powered by a battery and connected to a communication device. It’s attached to a person’s fingertip. The sensor can measure changes in the shape of a fingertip when an individual throws a ball. The researchers say they have confirmed strong force is applied to a fingertip about 1/10 of a second before a ball is released.

“My dream is to see Ohtani Shohei’s fingers. We want to improve the durability of the sensor and develop the device further so that it can actually be used in sports,” one researcher said.

The researchers say they also hope the device will have uses in other fields.

And now it is time for us to check the world weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh. People in parts of the southeastern United States are left with devastation after Helene stormed through at the end of last week. Jonathan, what is the latest on that?

Hello, we’re talking about a historic storm as Helene moved through Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas into Tennessee. We’re talking devastation that’s going to be taking weeks, if not months, in terms of recovering in some of those locations. Look at this individual and get an idea of what the situation was like. This begins on Friday, Ashton, where entire cities were underwater. Authorities say more than 90 people have died as Helene watered the southeastern U.S. The storm caused catastrophic flooding, destroyed roads and bridges, and left millions without power and service. 80 millimeters of rain. And also led to fuel supply issues. People are having to spend long waits in order to get any type of fuel. Some even crossing state lines to try to get into other areas where the storm did not hit nearly as hard. The problem is that the low that’s nearby will bring instability that means any additional rainfall which will compound the issues will be part of the concern. Areas downstream of the rivers, major river flooding concerns will continue for the next several days. Those of you who live near rivers need to be moving away from that and keep an eye on the situation as you go through the rest of the week. Areas in the west much drier, and skies Oklahoma City as you go through Monday. We’re also talking about a serious flooding situation in Nepal, keeping an eye on that. In rain and thunderstorms throughout the next couple of days. A quick note across East Asia. We have a couple of tropical storms, south of Japan, not nearly as concerning the other storm south of Taiwan which is really going to bring forceful winds and high waves into the area with significant rainfall. So keep an eye on that as you go throughout the next several days. Hope you stay safe wherever you are.

And one more story before we go. A town in Fukushima held a fireworks event over the weekend to promote revitalization of the area which was devastated by the earthquake and nuclear accident of 2011. A total of 10,000 fireworks lit up the night sky of Futaba Town on Saturday. About 4,500 people viewed the spectacle. The event was organized by residents and a pyrotechnics association in Fukushima. ........ The CC continue for a lttle longer , but I failed to get the rest.

at 18:00 (JST), September 29 (CC.srt at 17:00 and 18:00 > Copilot)

 

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20240929180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK “Newsline.” I’m Gene Otani in Tokyo.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country is at what will be seen as a historic turning point after killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

“Citizens of Israel, we have great achievements, but the work has still not been completed. In the coming days, we will face significant challenges, and we will face them together,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu said eliminating the head of the Lebanon-based Shia Muslim group was a necessary condition in achieving the objectives Israel has set. He said those objectives are returning the residents of northern Israel safely to their homes and changing the balance of power in the region for years. Netanyahu suggested the blow dealt to Hezbollah will bring about the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah has shown solidarity with the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas. Israeli air strikes on Lebanon continue even after Nasrallah’s death. The Lebanese Health Ministry says 33 people died and 195 others were injured in attacks on Saturday. Hezbollah insists it will continue its battle against Israel to support Gaza and Palestine and defend Lebanon.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden released a statement after Nasrallah’s killing, and Biden called his death a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians. He said Nasrallah and Hezbollah were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over what he called a four-decade reign of terror. The president said he had directed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to further enhance the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East. He said their task is to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war. The U.S. State Department on Saturday ordered the evacuation of some of its U.S. embassy staffers and their families from the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

Russia’s Foreign Minister has warned the United States and European countries to stop supporting Ukraine, stressing Russia is a nuclear power. Sergey Lavrov gave a speech at the U.N. General Assembly Saturday. He accused the U.S. of trying to use Ukraine to harm his country.

“Current Anglo-Saxon strategists don’t hide their intentions. They’re still planning to defeat Russia with the hands of the illegitimate neo-Nazi Kyiv regime, but they’re already preparing Europe for it to embark on a suicidal escapade. I won’t talk here about the senselessness and danger of the very idea of trying to fight to victory with a nuclear power such as Russia,” Lavrov said.

In Ukraine, Russian drones attacked medical facilities in the northern region Saturday. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry says nine people were killed and ten were injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced Russia for targeting hospitals and other civilian infrastructure. He said in a social media post, only strength can force Russia into peace.

Nepal has been battered by heavy rain since Friday with landslides and flooding hitting many areas. Police have confirmed over 100 deaths so far. In the capital Kathmandu and its suburbs, rivers overflowed, flooding houses and blocking major roads. Police say many people are unaccounted for, and urgent rescue operations are under way. Rescue teams are using small boats to evacuate people from their flooded houses.

“What can we do now? The disaster is affecting people everywhere, not just us. We are just thankful our lives have been saved,” a resident said.

An earlier landslide in July swept two buses into a river. Twenty people were killed and about forty are still listed as missing. Nepal is in the middle of its monsoon season, when torrential rains often cause havoc across the country.

Japan’s incoming Prime Minister has been preparing the ground for his new administration. One day after Ishiba Shigeru was elected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, he’s been picking his top party officials and cabinet members. Ishiba plans to reveal his new executive lineup on Monday and his cabinet the following day. Ishiba has chosen General Council Chairperson Moriyama Hiroshi as Secretary-General. He’s apparently counting on Moriyama’s network of connections and political expertise to build a united party. Ishiba also intends to ask Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa to remain in his post. Hayashi finished fourth in the first round of the presidential vote. Koizumi Shinjiro, another leadership contender, is all but certain to be appointed chair of the party’s election strategy committee.

Meanwhile, Ishiba attended the leadership convention of the LDP’s coalition partner, Komeito. The party has elected Ishii Keiichi as Chief Representative. He’s Komeito’s first new leader in fifteen years.

“The top priority is to restore people’s trust in politics. We are determined to continue participating in the coalition government and devote all our efforts to political reforms and the realization of policies that prioritize the people,” Ishii said.

“There will be a national election within a year. We will help each other and work together for Japan. I will devote my entire being to maintaining this administration,” he added.

On the opposite side, Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda Yoshihiko has suggested Ishiba may be moving too quickly toward a general election. Ishiba said he will dissolve the lower house as soon as possible following Diet debates between the ruling and opposition parties.

“If these debates are no more than, for example, half-day budget committee meetings or debates that are only between party leaders, they should not be considered sufficient Diet debates. More thorough discussions will be necessary as a basis for seeking the people’s mandate,” Noda said.

Unexploded bombs from World War II are still being discovered in Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Okinawa. About 400,000 people were asked to evacuate for a bomb disposal operation on Sunday. The bomb was found during sewage work in a residential area of the prefecture capital last December. The site is near the headquarters built by the now-defunct Japanese military during a castle during Okinawa 79 years ago. Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force says the object is believed to be a 250-kilogram bomb dropped from a U.S. military aircraft. City officials set up three evacuation centers for people within a radius of about 280 meters from the bomb.

“I felt shocked when I saw an unexploded bomb in front of me after 80 years had passed,” said a translator. “If it explodes, we could die!”

In March 1974, a land mine buried by the Imperial Japanese military exploded near a kindergarten in Naha. Four people, including a 3-year-old girl, died and 43 others were injured. Okinawa was pounded by shells toward the end of World War II. The total amount is estimated at around 200,000 tons. It is thought about 10,000 tons did not explode. Analysts say it may take another 70 to 100 years to get rid of the bombs that exploded in the Japanese prefecture.

Japanese weather officials say over the next few days, Typhoon Krathon will likely approach the southwestern islands of Okinawa Prefecture. Tropical Storm Jebi is also expected to come close to the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo. The Meteorological Agency says that on Sunday, Krathon developed into a typhoon east of the Philippines. The storm is expected to move north-northwest while gaining strength and approach Ishigaki, Miyako, and other southwestern islands. Agency officials also said that as of Sunday, Tropical Storm Jebi was moving north/northwest near the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The agency predicts that over the next few days, Jebi will approach the southwestern island chains.

And those were the main stories for this hour.

That is the news this hour. I’m Gene Otani. Thanks for joining us.

at 18:00 (JST), September 28 (CC.srt > Copilot)

 

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20240928180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK “Newsline.” I’m Gene Otani in Tokyo.

The newly-elected president of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Shigeru, is currently developing his leadership slate. He hopes to launch new leadership on Monday and form a cabinet on Tuesday. Ishiba beat his opponent in a runoff vote. ..... He is expected to become Japan’s 102nd Prime Minister. Ishiba is considering appointing to key posts those who ran against him in the leadership race, including Takaichi. ..... Another is expected to be named to a key post. ..... Ishiba does not intend to accept recommendations from former party factions. Rather, his attention is focused on how to form a united party.

Russia’s Foreign Minister has criticized the United States, South Korea, and Japan for creating what it called serious regional security threats. He said that in light of this situation, the term denuclearization when applied to North Korea is meaningless. Sergei Lavrov also accused the three powers of openly acknowledging the U.S.-South Korea ties as a nuclear alliance similar to NATO. The comments were posted online on Thursday. Lavrov also said the United States and South Korea are attempting to form a tripartite pact with Japan. ..... He said denuclearization of North Korea under such conditions is off the table. Russia has strengthened ties with North Korea since it launched its invasion of Ukraine. In June, Moscow and Pyongyang signed a treaty pledging mutual assistance in case of emergency.

..... A Japanese Self-Defense destroyer took part in an exercise along with five other vessels from the United States, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. The drill is the first maritime cooperative activity among the five countries. The Japanese Defense Ministry said the drill aims to actively uphold the freedom of navigation and overflight and respect maritime rights under international law. Informed sources said the Japanese destroyer and vessels from Australia and New Zealand sailed through the Taiwan Strait before the drill. The Chinese government protested the ships’ transit, calling it a provocative act that undermines China’s sovereignty and security. In August, Chinese government vessels collided with Philippine government ships and fired water cannons in the South China Sea.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he expects a U.S.-China summit in the near future. Blinken made the remark after he held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. “I emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and raised concerns about the dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea.” Blinken said he also expressed strong concern that China is providing Russia with materials that could be converted to military use, even though Beijing says it wants to see the Russia-Ukraine conflict ended. He added that the two diplomats agreed on the importance of the leaders communicating, saying he fully anticipates there will be a summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the weeks and months ahead. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry commented with respect to the meeting that the United States should not always approach China with two faces: on the one hand, encircling and suppressing China brazenly, and on the other hand, having dialogue and cooperation with China as if nothing is wrong.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to help achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia if he wins the presidential election in November. Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York. Zelenskyy was visiting the city for the U.N. General Assembly. “Long before January 20th, before I would take the presidency, I think that we can work out something that’s good for both sides.” Zelenskyy said he had explained to Trump Ukraine’s newly-compiled path for victory. “After November, we have to decide, and we hope the United States will be very strong.” On the previous day, Zelenskyy met with Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate. Zelenskyy apparently aims to secure continued support from the U.S., regardless of who wins the presidency.

♪

Massive Israeli attacks sent thick smoke over the capital of Lebanon on Friday. Military commanders say they carried out a precise strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters, and tensions are rising as more Israeli troops head to the border. A video released on social media shows multiple airstrikes pounding the suburbs of Beirut. Israeli media reports the primary target was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. “Nasrallah must be stopped. Israel is doing what every sovereign state in the world would do if they had a terror organization that seeks their destruction on their border.” Paramedics and rescue workers searched through the rubble for survivors. The Lebanese Health Ministry says at least six people were killed and 91 wounded. A U.N. relief official says more than 30,000 people have fled into neighboring Syria in just three days. Israel has also hinted at a possible operation on the ground. The IDF said on Friday it’s deployed two reserve brigades to northern Israel, raising fears of a wider conflict.

Japan is sending Self-Defense Force planes to Jordan and Greece, ready to evacuate citizens from Lebanon. The Defense Minister gave the order in light of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese-based Shia Hezbollah. The Defense Ministry said it’s arranging to send one plane to Jordan and one to Greece.

Those were the main stories for this hour.

♪

And that’s the news this hour. I’m Gene Otani. From all of us here at NHK Newsline to all around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

at 18:00 (JST), September 27 (CC > Copilot)

 

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20240927180000_english_1.mp3

Hello and welcome to NHK Newsline. I’m Yoshikawa Ryuchi in Tokyo.

Ishiba Shigeru has been elected leader of Japan’s main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The former Secretary General is now virtually assured of becoming the next Prime Minister.

“I believe in the people and will speak the truth with courage and sincerity. I will do my best to make Japan a safe and secure country again, a place where everyone can live with a smile,” Ishiba said.

The 67-year-old Ishiba was first elected to the Lower House in 1986. He was 29, making him the youngest Diet member at the time. Ishiba beat Economic Security Minister Takachi Sanae in a runoff, winning 215 votes to Takachi’s 194. He has held several ministerial positions, including Defense Minister, as well as executive posts within the LDP. This was his fifth, and he claimed, final attempt at becoming party leader.

U.S. President Joe Biden has announced another $7.9 billion in military aid for Ukraine. He said it’s essential that Kyiv gains the battlefield advantage against Russia. Biden pledged his support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Thursday.

“Russia will not prevail in war. Russia will not prevail. Ukraine will prevail, and we’ll continue to stand by you every step of the way,” Biden said.

“We deeply appreciate that. Ukraine and America have stood side by side from the very first moments of this terrible Russian invasion. Your determination is incredibly important for us to prevail,” Zelenskyy responded.

Zelenskyy has been working to get Western leaders on board with his so-called plan of victory. He says it will help bring an end to the war. The White House says the Biden aid package will include long-range missiles and a Patriot air defense battery system. Biden also vowed to meet with the leaders of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany next month. Zelenskyy also met with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. She told him her support for Ukraine is unwavering. Zelenskyy said he intended to share the details of his plan with her.

Japan has provided Ukraine with more than a million textbooks to support the country’s education sector amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. A handover ceremony took place on Thursday at a school near the capital Kyiv. It was attended by Ukrainian and Japanese government officials. The textbooks are on Ukrainian and foreign literature. They will be distributed to fifth graders at about 10,000 schools across the country. The Japanese government responded to a request from Ukraine for textbooks. Their provision was organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

“The younger generation has a key role to play in Ukraine’s future recovery,” a translator said.

Japan’s ambassador added that Tokyo supports the country on its path to recovery and prosperity. Ukraine’s education minister expressed his gratitude.

“Japan was the first country to offer help in 2022 when all budget resources were allocated to the war effort, and we had no money left for textbooks,” the minister said.

“I want to help rebuild Ukraine and make it better, and also work at an international company in the future. That’s very important for Ukrainian ties. I also want to visit Japan one day,” a student said.

An air raid warning on the same day forced the school’s students to evacuate to a shelter temporarily. Analysts say securing a safe education environment for students in Ukraine remains a challenge as the war continues.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced alarm that global tensions are spurring a new nuclear arms race. He’s called on nuclear-armed countries to commit to never use their weapons and pursue disarmament. Guterres made the comments Thursday at a high-level U.N. meeting to mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

“Not since the worst days of the Cold War has the specter of nuclear weapons cast such a dark shadow. Nuclear sabre-rattling has reached a fever pitch,” Guterres said.

His warning comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to use nuclear arms. Guterres said almost 80 years after what he called “those horrifying nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” nuclear-armed states continue to resist disarmament. The president of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, was among the delegates to the meeting. The United States conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Pacific archipelago. Heine also urged the leaders of nuclear-armed nations to work toward nuclear disarmament.

The Japanese government plans to set up a system to provide free legal advice to Japanese nationals in China, especially those who become victims of crimes there. Foreign Minister Kanikawa Yoko spoke of the plan Friday. This followed a stabbing of a 10-year-old Japanese boy on the way to school in Shenzhen. The government is preparing to set up the system on a trial basis. Japanese nationals will be able to arrange consultations with lawyers working in China through the Japanese embassy in Beijing or consulates in other cities.

“We would like to provide necessary support and stand with residents in China who, unfortunately, become victims of crime,” a translator said.

She said the government aims to test the new system’s operations as soon as possible.

Authorities in Hiroshima have urged residents to evacuate after roads near an underground construction site in the city caved in. The sinkhole caused nearby buildings to tilt and crack. A section of road measuring roughly 40 meters long and 15 meters wide collapsed in the city’s Nishi Ward on Thursday. Eight nearby buildings suffered damage. Excavation work was being carried out in the vicinity to construct storm drains about 30 meters underground. City officials suggested a possible link between the work and the sinkhole’s appearance. Forty-two people had evacuated the area as of Friday morning.

“I really don’t feel safe. I just want it to be fixed as soon as possible so I can return home soon,” a resident said.

The city and the construction consortium held a briefing for residents in the area on Friday. They said a survey had found no new cavities underground. Residents within a 50-meter radius of the sinkhole are being urged not to return to their homes yet.

Anime fans, gamers, and cosplayers are gathering for Africa’s biggest pop culture festival. Media companies are aiming to expand their opportunities in the region. The festival opened Thursday in South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg. About 350 companies are taking part, including streaming giants and anime merchandisers. At this stand, people can try the marble challenge featured in the South Korean series “Squid Game.” Other booths are showcasing Japanese manga comics and anime model kits.

“I like One Piece because it’s all about adventure. I really love to watch more Japanese films,” a fan said.

“Africa has a lot of potential for Japanese companies that are eyeing new markets. So I think there are a lot of chances here for them,” a translator said.

That’s because the region’s growing population is increasingly consuming online media, including anime and video games.

Giant pandas who have spent years delighting visitors to a zoo in Tokyo will soon head home to China. Fans have been flocking to see them for one last time. A male, Ri Ri, and a female, Shin Shin, came from China to Tokyo in 2011. They’ve been living at the Ueno Zoo. They had their 19th birthdays this year. They are both heading back to China this weekend. They’ll spend the rest of their lives there. Ri Ri and Shin Shin fans braved the rain to get in line to see them before the zoo opened Friday morning. Visitors can also see messages from people, including their keepers. The messages recall happy memories of time with the animals and express appreciation to them.

“I started lining up in the morning. I was here at 6:30. They’ve made everyone happy. They’re so adorable,” a fan said.

“They were here when people were down after the Great East Japan Earthquake. They really cheered people up. I’m totally grateful to them,” another fan said.

Fans will have their last chance to see them in Tokyo this Saturday.

Now it’s time for the world weather. Hurricane Helene, a life-threatening storm, has been battering Florida. Our meteorologist Yuumi Hirano has the details. Helene made landfall in Florida late on Thursday with a Category 1 hurricane. Winds of 225 kilometers per hour. It brought massive waves and torrential rain to the state, some areas receiving about 400 millimeters of rain. The storm left more than a million customers without power and forced many airports to cancel all flights. Authorities say at least one person has died due to the hurricane. High storm surges and damaging gusts are still expected in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, and are likely to cause long-lasting power cuts. The storm is expected to slow down as it moves inland, so total rainfall could be over 300 millimeters in western North Carolina. There are risks of flash flooding and landslides. We also have to monitor two tropical systems over the Pacific. One is expected to approach Japanese islands over the weekend and move northward next week. Another system is expected to move toward Okinawa and Taiwan next week. So please keep your eye on these. Also, two systems are bringing heavy rainfall to Tokai and Tokyo into Saturday. A low-pressure system in the north will bring a mix of precipitation and cooler air. Ulaanbaatar will see snow over the weekend with a high of 3 on Sunday. The cooler air in the south, Chongqing is still dealing with a heat wave but dropping from 36 on Saturday to 19 on Monday. That’s it for me. Have a nice weekend. 

♪ 

And that wraps up this edition of NHK “Newsline.” I’m Yoshikawa Ryuchi in Tokyo. Thanks for joining us.

at 18:00 (JST), September 26 (CC at 17:00 > Copilot)

 

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20240926180000_english_1.mp3

Hello and welcome to “NHK Newsline.” We’re starting in central Japan where a lower court has acquitted an 88-year-old man who had been convicted of committing a mass murder more than half a century ago. The judge accused the investigative authorities of having fabricated key evidence. The retrial concluded with a ruling Thursday at the Shizuoka District Court. Hakamada Iwao was accused in 1966 of killing his boss and the man’s family at a miso soybean paste factory where he worked. Hakamada maintained his innocence even after his death sentence was finalized in 1980. The court gave the go-ahead to a retrial in 2014 and released him after he had spent 48 years in detention. Prosecutors appealed the ruling. The retrial finally got underway last year. The main point of contention was the color of bloodstains on five pieces of clothing. They were found in a miso tank 14 months after the deaths. The items served as crucial evidence that led to Hakamada’s conviction. Defense lawyers said experts who conducted forensic analysis found the clothes would not retain a red hue after being buried under miso paste for more than one year. ..... This is the fifth time in postwar Japan for a court to rule in retrial of a defendant whose death sentence has been finalized. All of them resulted in acquittals. While Hakamada was not well enough to attend court for the judgment, his sister Hideko was there. She has long supported him.

“We have had to go without summer or New Year’s holidays for a long time. We have been separated from the outside world,” she said.

He sent letters pleading his innocence. This one reads, “I am not the culprit. I’m shouting this with all my heart, praying that my voice will reach everyone.” Hideko vowed to keep fighting until her brother was found innocent. She continues to visit Hakamada’s prison facility and appealed for retrial. When he was released, he was no longer able to communicate well. It was due to effects of being detained so long under the fear of the death penalty. “He doesn’t say anything, but more than 40 years, that must have been an incredible amount of time,” Hideko spoke with reporters ahead of Thursday’s ruling. “It’s been a long battle. I feel we have been fighting an invisible opponent for more than 40 years. I’ve always believed that my brother is innocent. That’s what drives me.”

Our reporter was in the courthouse as the judgment came out. She explains how Hakamada’s case connects to a broader issue in Japan. "It was an emotional scene as a judge announced the decision. People clapped their hands in the courtroom. Hakamada’s sister Hideko aboard on his behalf. She bowed deeply to the judge. This trial attracted a lot of attention, not just in Japan, but also around the world. It put the spotlight on some fundamental problems in the judicial system. Hakamada applied for the retrial more than 40 years ago. Critics say it’s a disgrace that he had to wait so long. The rules regarding retrials took effect 100 years ago, but there are no details in an ordinary trial and the rules have never been revised. Critics are pushing for change. The Japan Federation of the Bar Association points out two main problems. First, there are no detailed rules on the disclosure of evidence that makes access difficult for a defendant. Evidence, of course, is key when trying to convince a judge to order a retrial. Problems is prior toers may appeal decisions to allow retrials. It points out – evidence, of course, is key when trying to convince a judge to order a retrial. The federation says another problem is prosecutors may appeal decisions to allow retrials. It points out England, Germany, and France ban prosecutors from doing that. France revised their law ten years ago. That made it easier for defendants to access evidence before they request a retrial. In Japan, lawmakers have been discussing legislation and procedures for retrials. The nonpartisan group numbers almost 350. In June, they met the justice minister and submitted a petition for reform. The judgment made here is a big moment in the history of Japan’s judicial system. It’s also a big moment for Hakamada, but it has come far too late. All the time in detention has taken a big toll on his mental state. He’s now 88 years old and has spent so much of his life trying to prove his innocence.

The United States and its allies are calling for a 21-day cease-fire in Lebanon. Hundreds have died amid fighting there between Israel and the Shia Muslim group Hezbollah. The White House released the statement Wednesday. Japan, the European Union, and Saudi Arabia also co-signed the letter. It calls for a diplomatic settlement to allow civilians to return to their homes, but the group cautioned that diplomacy cannot succeed amid escalation. Israel has suggested it’s considering a ground invasion of Lebanon. The U.N. Security Council also held an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss the conflict. France’s minister for Europe and foreign affairs put forward the proposal. He said they were counting on both parties to accept and begin negotiations. Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Danny Meron, responded, saying Israel does not want a full-blown war, but he said his country is within its rights to neutralize the threat. He said Israel faced a new wave of attacks in the last 24 hours.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling on the world to support his peace plan. He said it was the only way to stop Russia’s invasion of his country. Zelenskyy spoke before the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. “And maybe somebody wants a Nobel Prize for their political biography for frozen truce, instead of real peace. But the only prize Putin will give you is more suffering and disasters.” Zelenskyy said the U.N. is powerless to stop the war. He pointed to Russia’s veto power as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. Meanwhile, at a Russian meeting on nuclear deterrence, Putin hinted at using nuclear weapons. “If an attack against Russia comes from a nation without nuclear weapons, if it’s supported by a nuclear weapons state, we should consider it a joint attack,” Putin said. He said Moscow must consider the shifting military and political situation. Ukraine has been asking the West to green light the use of long-range weapons to attack Russian targets. Putin also said his country would consider deploying nuclear weapons if it saw many missiles and aircraft crossing the Russian border.

A Japanese destroyer has passed through the Taiwan Strait. It’s the first time since a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer has sailed through the area. Sources say the destroyer Sazanami traveled through the strait Wednesday to join a multinational exercise in the South China Sea. They say navy vessels from Australia and New Zealand also passed through the waterway. The United States and other nations claim the Taiwan Strait to be international waters and open to all navy vessels. But China has protested every time a Western warship passed through it. Observers say the first transit by a Japanese destroyer appears intended to underscore freedom of navigation.

The governor has agreed to lose his seat after a no-confidence vote last week. But Hyogo plans to run for re-election. “I will lose my job on Monday, without dissolving the assembly. And I will run in the next gubernatorial election. I have been criticized for what I’ve done, things that people consider to be wrong. I think it’s important for me to seek public approval on my own.” Saito has been accused of power harassment and other misconduct. The prefecture assembly passed a no-confidence motion against him last Thursday. He was given until September 29th to resign, lose his post or dissolve the assembly. The gubernatorial election is going to be held within 50 days of his exit. Japan has seen four other cases of a no-confidence motion against a prefecture governor. In those cases, the assembly was never dissolved.

And now, let’s check out the world weather with our meteorologist Yuumi Hirano.

We have tropical systems over the Pacific. The system near Japan is not expected to develop but will bring a lot of moisture to the mainland of the country. Tokyo may see heavy downpours on Friday and Saturday, with risks of flash floods and strong winds. Wet weather is likely in Tokyo, Taipei, and Hong Kong. But heat is a concern with a high of 38°C.

Moving through the Americas, Hurricane Helene has gone to the Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba. Helene brought rain and high winds to Mexico and Cuba on Wednesday. Part of the Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba had 200 millimeters of rain in 24 hours. The hurricane flooded streets, knocked down trees, and destroyed homes and crops. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings are in effect for western Cuba as well as Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Due to above-average sea temperatures, the system is expected to develop into a major hurricane and to make landfall in Florida on Thursday evening. Storm surges and hurricane-force winds are likely. On top of that, total rainfall could be over 400 millimeters from northern Florida to North Carolina. People should watch out for multiple floods and landslides. The moisture and the frontal system will bring heavy downpours along the East. Showers are likely in New York, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. Sunny skies are coming in Chicago and Denver.

That’s it for me. Stay safe.

And that wraps up this edition of “NHK Newsline.” Thanks for joining us.