at 18:00 (JST), July 25

20250725180000_english_1.mp3

It's a Friday evening here in Japan. I'm James Tingan in Tokyo. Welcome to NHK Newsline. 

THAI-CAMBODIA BORDER CLASHES CONTINUE

Clashes continue between Thai and Cambodian forces along their disputed border. Thailand says at least 14 people on its side have been killed and dozens injured. More than 100,000 people have fled the violence. Fighting began on Thursday, quickly spreading to different parts along the border region. Thailand says buildings in its areas, including a hospital and a convenience store, came under shelling from Cambodia.
The Thai military said its fighter jets have carried out strikes on Cambodian forces. So far, Cambodia has not provided casualty figures. Thai residents living nearby have been sheltering in schools and other evacuation centers. Both sides have vowed to continue retaliating against further aggression.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is holding an emergency meeting Friday, chaired by Pakistan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging both sides to exercise maximum restraint. His spokesperson says Guterres called on Thailand and Cambodia to find a lasting solution to the dispute through dialogue and in a spirit of good neighborliness.
Washington also says it's gravely concerned by reports of the escalating border conflict. 
A US State Department spokesperson urged both sides to cease attacks immediately and to protect civilians.

THAI-CAMBODIA CLASHES CONTINUE AS INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE MOUNTS

For more on this, earlier I spoke with two reporters, NHK World's Takaoka Chikashi in Bangkok, as well as our Hanoi bureau chief, Suzuki Kota, who is covering the story from Cambodia's neighbor, Vietnam.
First, let's go to NHK World's Takaoka Chikashi, who's in the Thai capital for us. Chikashi, what can you tell us? 

Well, people are concerned about this conflict escalating and we have reports of more clashes Friday morning. I'm in Bangkok about several hundred kilometers away. News of the civilians killed at the border has put residents here on edge. The Thai government says it's working to keep people safe, but it has also vowed to protect its sovereignty. It's calling on the Cambodian side to end its attacks to start the diplomatic process.
So far, we don't have a sense when that will happen. 

Chikashi, I'd like you to take us back and walk us through what sparked this violence on the border.

So Thailand and Cambodia have a history of these kinds of border disputes dating back a while. Earlier this year, in May, there was a shootout that left one Cambodian soldier dead. Then earlier this month, several Thai soldiers were reportedly injured by landmines.
Thailand accused Cambodia of planting the explosives recently, violating the Ottawa Convention. Both countries began taking actions against each other, including expelling diplomats, and now they are clashing. We should also mention that Thailand and Cambodia were already in a politically sensitive situation.
A phone call between now-suspending Thai Prime Minister Phet Thong Thang Sinawat and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen leaked. Their conversation involved this disputed border issue. All of this comes after years of relative calm.
Thailand and Cambodia are important trading partners. This kind of fight could have a serious impact on the entire region, so ASEAN and China are watching closely. But this is a chaotic situation without an easy solution. 

All right. Thanks for that, Chikashi. NHK World's Takaoka Chikashi in Bangkok. Now let's turn to the Cambodian side. Covering that for us from neighboring Vietnam is NHK's Hanoi bureau chief, Suzuki Kota.
Kota, what's the latest on your end? 

So far, Cambodian government has not provided any casualty figures on its side, but it is stepping up criticism against Thailand, accusing Bangkok of conducting multiple airstrikes. Cambodia claims Thai forces have damaged Pura Bihir, a temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in disputed area.
Prime Minister Hu Mannet has been trying to get the international community involved. He's the one who asked for the emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss de-escalation.
Cambodia does not appear to want classes to intensify. That's because its military is believed to lag behind Thailand, meaning a prolonged conflict could be diversity for the country.

Right. So is there any sense there could be a pathway to a diplomatic end between these two with outside help? 

Potentially. especially if regional power ramp up pressure. My local colleague Chikashi mentioned ASEAN, the block's 2025 chair. Malaysian President Anwar Ibrahim says he spoke with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia Thursday evening. He appealed for an immediate ceasefire. Crushes appear to be continuing, but clearly ASEAN has a keen interest in getting both sides to talk things out. The problem, as Chikashi also mentioned, is that political turmoil in Thailand appears to be causing issues. One of my sources in Cambodia tells me that the country's government doesn't even know who in Thailand has the authority to oversee ceasefire talks. This kind of confusion could prolong the details. It's still hard to say how long this will drag on, but very few. especially ASEAN wanted to drag on for one.

Thank you, Kota. That was NHK World's Suzuki Kota reporting from our bureau in Vietnam.

ISHIBA PLEDGES IMPLEMENTATION OF US TRADE DEAL

Japan's prime minister has instructed his government to try to reduce any negative impacts stemming from the new trade deal with the US. The agreement would bring tariffs on Japanese products to a baseline of 15%, down from the 25 figure previously threatened. At a task force meeting on Friday, Ishiba Shigeru said it's important for the countries to work for tangible results that will benefit both sides.
He said the potential impact from the deal on domestic industries and jobs must be closely analyzed. And he proposed creating consultation centers nationwide to explain tariffs and offer financial advice as a way to reduce any negative impact.
Ishiba also met leaders of the ruling and opposition parties to explain how the deal was reached and ask for their cooperation.

Since I made a proposal to President Trump at our summit in February, the Japanese side consistently called strongly for the US side to prioritize investment over tariffs. As a result, we have reached a deal that meets the national interests of Japan and the United States, while protecting what needs to be protected.

But the head of the largest opposition party says worries remain about the agreement.

All parties were concerned the US may make further demands on Japan depending on how it interprets the agreement, since it has yet to be written in a document signed by both sides. The matter needs to be debated in detail in diet sessions. I had the impression that the trade deal could remain fragile unless the deal is signed into a document.

Ishiba says his government will handle the matter. He added he received valuable comments from the leaders and will take them into account. Following his meeting, a reporter asked if he had explained his reasons for staying in office. Ishiba said he had not, and that there had been no questions or comments on the issue. Ishiba has been facing pressure from within his own party to step down after his ruling coalition was battered in Sunday's upper house election. 

S.KOREAN MILITARY PLANE ENTERS JAPAN'S AIR DEFENSE ZONE.

Japan's top government spokesperson has revealed that a South Korean military transport plane entered Japan's Air Defense Identification Zone earlier this month.
The incursion prompted a scramble by Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters on Friday that the incident occurred on July 13.
The transport plane declared an emergency and landed at the US military's Kadena base. in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. The South Korean side explained its plane was low on fuel. 

It is regrettable the situation led to a scramble. Japan asked the South Korean government to take measures to prevent a recurrence. In any case, South Korea is an important partner of Japan, and we hope to continue our close bilateral cooperation.

South Korean Air Force officials said its plane was heading to Guam for drills, but ran low on fuel after avoiding a thunderstorm. The officials also said the country's defense ministry is investigating the plane's entry into Japan's air defense identification zone.
They said the Air Force will reconfirm compliance with proper procedures to prevent any recurrence.

MACRON: FRANCE TO RECOGNIZE STATE OF PALESTINE IN SEPTEMBER.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that his country will recognize Palestine as a state. The move would make France the first among the Group of Seven nations to do so. Macron announced his decision on social media on Thursday, saying the French people want peace in the Middle East.
He added that it is the responsibility of French citizens to prove that peace is possible. Macron said in a post on X that he will formalize the decision at a UN General Assembly in September. The move is seen as consistent with France's objective of promoting peace through a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine amid intense Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned Macron's decision on Thursday on social media. He said a Palestinian state would be a launchpad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace beside it.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also posted a strong rejection of Macron's plan. He described it as a reckless decision that only serves to set back peace. Meanwhile, Israel says it has decided to recall its negotiating team from indirect talks with the Islamic group Hamas that have been taking place in Qatar. This came after Hamas announced on Thursday that they had asked for an amendment to the US proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. 

EU SAYS RELATIONS WITH CHINA AT 'INFLECTION POINT'

A top European official says the region's relationship with China is at an inflection point. Beijing held a one-day summit with the European Union Thursday amid ongoing tariff disputes with Washington.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen in Beijing.
Xi expressed his desire to strengthen relations with the EU. But van der Leyen pushed back, pointing at Europe's huge trade deficit with China.

The more complex and challenging the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe need to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, and deepen cooperation so as to contribute greater stability and certainty to the world through a steady and healthy China-Europe relationship.

As our cooperation has deepened, so have we imbalances. We have reached an inflection point. Rebalancing our bilateral relation is essential, because to be sustainable, relations need to be mutually beneficial. And to achieve this, it is vital for China and Europe to acknowledge our respective concerns and come forward to real solutions. 

The European leaders asked Xi to lift export controls on rare earths. They also asked China to not support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Von der Leyen told reporters she hopes Beijing will urge Moscow to accept a ceasefire. She said how China interacts with the war will be a determining factor in their relationship.
These talks come as Chinathe continues tariff negotiations with the US. The meeting was an attempt to develop its relations with Europe, but highlighted their stark differences.

ZELENSKYY MOVES TO RESTORE INDEPENDENCE OF ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCIES

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a new bill to reinstate the independence of two anti-corruption agencies. This comes just days after the largest anti-government protests in Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's invasion over three years ago erupted nationwide.
The demonstration started after Zelenskyy enacted a law that grants oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies to the prosecutor general, who was appointed by the president. Critics say, under the law, independence from the government could be lost. 

I like how he represented our country during the war, but now this decision we cannot support.

Some European countries had voiced concerns over the legislation.
Zelenskyy submitted the new bill to Parliament on Thursday. It is designed to guarantee the independence of two agencies, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, that cracks down on corruption by government officials. The new bill limits the power of the Prosecutor General. The two agencies welcomed the new bill, saying that it restores all their procedural powers and guarantees their independence.

N. KOREA ARMY DRILLS POSSIBLY LINKED TO RUSSIA EXPERIENCE

North Korean state media say the army has held artillery drills observed by the country's leader Kim Jong-un. Korean Central Television says the drills simulated conditions including nighttime and summer with targets on the ocean.
Kim Jong-un said artillery tactics need to constantly evolve in response to the harsh, quickly changing environment of modern warfare. NHK got insight on the drills from a South Korean government affiliated think tank, the Korea Institute for National Unification. A researcher there said the goal may have been to enable troops to learn from the experience of those sent to Russia.

BUSINESS 
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business with Ramin Mellegard.

Thank you very much indeed. 

LOWER US TARIFF SEEN REDUCING HIT ON AUTOMAKERS BY $10 BIL

Now, the recent trade deal between Japan and the United States is projected to reduce the tariff impact on Japanese automakers by about 1.6 trillion yen or $10 billion. And that's according to the investment house Goldman Sachs. The agreement drastically cut the tariff on Japanese cars from 27.5% to 15%. Goldman Sachs estimates the gross impact on the operating profits of seven major car makers. In the current fiscal year will now be $13 billion, down from $24 billion. Under the new levy, Toyota Motors operating profit is projected to drop by about $6 billion. That's far less than the $11 billion expected if the higher tariff had remained. For Honda Motor, the loss is now projected at around $2 billion, down from $3.8 billion. But people in the industry say the tariff is still high and difficult to bear. An official at Mitsubishi Motors says the impact is considerable and it is hard to be optimistic even if the tariff is lowered further. Mitsubishi reported an operating profit of about $38 million for the April to June quarter, down 84% in yen terms from a year earlier. It says profit fell by about $98 million due to the tariff impact.

JETRO: READY TO HELP JAPAN FIRMS NAVIGATE US TARIFF DEAL

And as the tariffs take a bite out of earnings at automakers, the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO, says it will help companies navigate and find opportunities in the new trade deal with the US.

We believe it is possible to ease the effect of the tariffs through various creative measures, Japan's industry, agriculture, forestry and fisheries. and food businesses should take this opportunity to further increase their competitiveness.

Ishiguro said the fact a deal was reached before the August 1st deadline is a welcome development. He says JETRO offices nationwide will offer consulting services to companies to explain the details of the tariffs on specific products exported to the US. Ishiguro adds that Japanese firms will also need to examine their supply chains as US tariff rates differ by country. 

DINOSAUR, ADVENTURE THEME PARK OPENS ON OKINAWA ISLAND

A jungle-themed adventure park opened on Japan's main Okinawa island on Friday. It includes a dinosaur chase and hot air balloon rides over subtropical forest.
Junglia Okinawa was created on a former golf course in the north of the island at a cost of 70 billion yen, or about $476 million. It has 22 attractions and 15 dining spots spread over 60 hectares of land. The Dinosaur Safari features an off-road vehicle ride to escape from a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Visitors can also enjoy island and jungle views from a hot air balloon.

Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs.

There's a lot of people, but it was really fun. The dinosaurs is really like the real dinosaurs. Very cool. Yeah. It's a very realistic experience.

The park also features zip line rides and a spa with infinity pools offering views over tropical forests. The park uses a two-tiered pricing system for residents and overseas visitors. A one-day ticket for adults living in Japan is 6,930 yen, or $47. The same ticket for non-residents is 8,800 yen, or $60. Local officials hope the park will create jobs, stimulate the economy, and boost tourism in the northern region of Okinawa.

BIZPICKS
Next, NHK World's John Ladue is here with Bizpicks, a look at upcoming business and economic stories.

FED, BOJ STRUGGLE UNDER UNCERTAINTY

Let's look at the topics we'll be tracking. On Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve will set its latest monetary policy, and the next day, the Bank of Japan does the same. Today's feature looks into what policies are likely to come out of these two central banks. The Fed's previous meeting in June was the 4th in a row that ended with interest rates kept the same. The benchmark rate is locked between four and a quarter to four and a half percent.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell says before cutting rates, there should be confidence that inflation is coming down. He stressed the need to assess the effect of President Donald Trump's tariffs. An expert predicts that the Fed will once again keep rates unchanged in order to further scrutinize prices and other data.

Recent economic indicators show the economy is steady, with employment remaining strong and personal consumption in not very bad shape. On the other hand, prices for some goods are showing signs of rising. I think before the Fed decides to cut rates, it will need to look at two more rounds of data to determine if inflation will accelerate or not.

But President Trump has been calling for rate cuts and criticizing Powell for moving slowly. Iwashita says despite the pressure, the Fed makes decisions based solely on data. She predicts that the US economy will gradually slow down, prompting the Fed to lower rates, most likely in winter.

Given the solid economy, the Fed will probably start cutting rates at the end of the year, when the jobless rate approaches 4.5%, and will lower rates consecutively in December, January and March. There will be preemptive cuts to prevent the economy from deteriorating quickly.

Looking to Japan, the consumer price index, excluding fresh food, has climbed 3% or more for seven months in a row, and the US will impose tariffs on Japanese imports of 15% on August 1. Under these circumstances, Iwashita expects the BOJ won't hike rates from around 0.5%.

The BOJ is likely to keep rates on hold, citing a high degree of uncertainty on the influences of Trump's tariffs.
Iwashita says Japan's auto industry and related sectors have been hit by the higher US tariffs, but the service industry is posting steady growth, buoyed by brisk inbound tourism. Iwashita says the Japanese economy is basically not in bad shape. She predicts that the next rate hike will come in January next year.

By January, we will know how spring wage negotiations are likely to go and the influence of US tariffs. We will know the worst-case scenario for the economy, and that will at least ease some uncertainty. But if political instability in Japan causes the yen to be sold off, or the dollar rises as expectations fade for US rate cuts, there's a slight chance that the BOJ will raise rates a bit earlier.

Prolonged uncertainty is creating a tough situation for the central banks in both the US and Japan. I'm John Ladue, and that wraps up this edition of BizPicks. 

OK, let's get a check on the markets.

♪

And that is it for business news.

WEATHER
Let's check, check in with our meteorologist Setsi Monari for an update on world weather.

Hi there. We start immediately by looking at the temperatures across Japan. It's been quite a hot week and it looks like it's not even going to be stopping there. Some of these temperatures have tied to their all time records. You can see up north in Hokkaido, a place that is usually. Much cooler for this time of day and here in Tokyo, again exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. 
Let us take a look at this following video. Lots and lots of people are just trying their best to deal with the heat as the temperatures in Tokyo have been above average for 9 consecutive days. Many people were seen using parasols or drinking cold beverages to cool down from the heat. According to the Tokyo Fire Department, the number of people taken to hospital with heat stroke has exceeded 3,600 so far, more than at the same time last year. So yeah, that is basically what we are dealing with. Temperatures are not going to be cooling down much, except maybe if you're in Sapporo. Only for Saturday though, 28 just below 30 degrees, that's basically all I can give you for now. And then we've seen those mid 30s from Osaka, Tokyo, including Fukuoka down in Kyushu. 
And on top of all of that, if you move further down, this is Japan as you can see up north there. She moved further down, got a couple of tropical storms active in various places leading to rough seas and also heavy rainfall bringing. Some flooding in certain places. If you're out on holiday in the Philippines, for example, please make sure you stay safe at all time. 
And the rest of Asia will be seeing a sharp rise in temperature as well. Seoul 38 and it's going to be quite dry. Manila 29, a lot better there, but rainy weather is going to be something that you need to be extra cautious of. 
Finally, across Europe, dry weather can be seen across the Iberian Peninsula going all the way into the Balkans because of that high pressure system. Other than that, Temperatures into the upper 20s, Paris, Vienna, including Berlin, and then Istanbul jumps up to 34 degrees. 

That's all for the weather. Bye for now.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

More to come here on NHK World Japan, so stay with us.

at 18:00 (JST), July 24

20250724180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Morishita Erika in Tokyo. 

BREAKING NEWS
RUSSIAN MEDIA: 49 PASSENGERS, CREW FEARED DEAD IN PLANE CRASH
We have an update on our breaking story. A passenger plane carrying 49 people has crashed in Russia's Far East. State-run task news agency quoted an aviation official as saying there are no signs of survivors. The plane was headed to Tinda from Blagovyaschensk, a major city in the Amur region that's near the border with China. Reports say the plane was an Antonov An-2-4 operated by local carrier Angara Airlines.The governor of the Amur region says 43 passengers and six crew members were on board. Past reports that the plane crashed in a forest area near Tinda airport. Footage released by emergency officials shows smoke rising at the site where the plane was believed to have gone down.

BREAKING NEWS
THAILAND-CAMBODIA BORDER CLASHES LEAVE AT LEAST 9 DEAD

Thai and Cambodian forces have exchanged gunfire in a deadly escalation of the country's long-running border dispute.
The Thai military says nine people were killed on the Thai side and more than ten were injured.
The clashes started on Thursday morning and were said to be continuing in several locations along the border. Both sides blamed the other for firing first.
The Cambodian government said its forces returned fire in self-defense.
The Thai army said it deployed F-16 fighter jets that attacked Cambodian military targets. The two countries' forces exchanged fire in the area in May, leaving one Cambodian soldier dead. Earlier this month, several Thai soldiers were injured by landmines near the border that Thailand claims Cambodia had recently laid.

EXTREME HEAT CONTINUES TO WALLOP MUCH OF JAPAN

Those hoping for a break from Japan's punishing heatwave will have to wait a little bit longer. Weather officials say Thursday will still be a scorcher, especially in the country's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido.
The daytime high in Hokkaido's Obihiro City reached 38 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. Officials are calling it an unprecedented heat that could even be life-threatening. Some places were even hotter. The mercury hit 39 degrees in the nearby city of Kitami, a record high.
Similar temperatures were seen across Japan, including Fukushima in Fukushima, Gunma, Kyoto, and Hyogo prefectures.
Heatstroke alerts span most of the country, from Hokkaido in the north all the way to Okinawa in the south.
Officials say it could lead to unstable atmospheric conditions. Eastern Japan, in particular, could be hit by sudden localized downpours. They are asking people to stay on alert. Officials say flooding, landslides, swollen rivers, lightning strikes, gusts and hail could also occur.

HOKKAIDO WILTS UNDER UNUSUAL HEAT WAVE

For more on this, earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Aoki Midori in Obihiro.
Midori, you're in one of the hottest places in the country right now. How are you feeling?I have lived here for two years and I have never felt the heat like this. We are in Tokachi region, which has been under a heat stroke alert for three straight days, but today is definitely the worst so far. So the sun is especially strong. So it was hot even early in the morning. Well, I don't know if you can tell onBut I can't stop sweating and it feels like my skin is just burning. I can't overstate how crazy it is to have feet like this here in Hokkaido of all places. As I understand, the region is just not used to coping with this, right? Exactly. Because Hokkaido usually has cooler summers, many buildings don't have air conditioning. So even if you are inside, you are at risk of heat stroke. Hospitals and schools are trying to keep things cool by installing fans, for example. But some schools even went a step farther and shortened classes or cancelled them entirely.
Officials are also going door to door to make sure people are safe. They are visiting elderly residents at home to see if they are staying hydrated. Cooling shelters have also been set up in some public facilities. But the heat is not just putting people's health at risk. There's fears about what it could do to people's livelihoods.
This region is one of Japan's dairy powerhouses. Many veterinarians say heat stroke is also hitting the area's cattle population. Even agricultural farms are struggling. If the heat drags on, their crops may die.
If things don't cool down soon, people across Japan will startto see the impact at the dinner table.

NEARLY 900 ELECTION-RELATED THREATS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Last Sunday, Japan held an upper house election. Now, authorities say they found hundreds of social media posts containing threats against candidates and lawmakers. In several weeks leading up to the election, the National Police Agency identified nearly 900 threatening posts, Officials say they identified the posters, warned them, and had them take their posts down. They also say many of the posts were responses to social media comments from lawmakers.
Agency officials say none of the posters were actually planning to inflict harm. They say some posted while drunk out of dissatisfaction with politics.

JMA REVEALS NEW TSUNAMI MESSAGE FOR EQUIPMENT FAILURE

Japan's Meteorological Agency is making changes to its tsunami warning system.
Now, it will display data not available when its equipment is damaged. The change comes from lessons learned after 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. When there's a risk of tsunami, the JMA typically issues a warning in about three minutes. Using equipment along the coast, it also provides updates on the observed height and time of the tsunami. But in Suzu City, that system failed. A sudden uplift of land made some tsunami gauges inoperable. As a result, the agency was unable to publish the data, even as waves approached the city. Now the JMA says if people see or hear data not available, They should assume a large tsunami is coming and evacuate immediately.

TRUMP TARIFFS
US PUSHES OTHER PARTNERS AFTER JAPAN DEAL

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday what he describes as a massive trade deal with Japan. Now he's increasing pressure on other trading partners ahead of his tariff deadline of August 1st.
Trump posted on social media that the agreement with Japan was wished because of so-called tariff power. He said Japanese leaders agreed to open their markets for the first time ever.
This photo was posted by the White House official. It shows the negotiations on Tuesday. Trump is holding a board with the words Japan invest America. The figure of 400 billion dollars has been closed out and new numbers have been written in by hand. He later said Japan will invest 550 billion dollars in the US White House disclosed other details of the plan. It says Japan agreed to buy 100 Boeing aircraftand increased defense spending with US firms. It says purchases of American rice will rise by 75 percent and Japan will buy 8 billion dollars of agricultural and other goods.
Treasury Secretary Scott Besson told Bloomberg TV that Tokyo was ready to deal and proposed a very innovative solution. He described the Japanese side as tough negotiators, but said Trump is tougher.
A White House spokesperson warned other trading partners about dealing with the president. He will only lower tariff rates if a country agrees to open their market to American-made products. If not, they will continue to face tariffs and pay a steep price to do business in the United States of America. South Korea is one of the countries still trying to cut the deal. Negotiators will hold talks with Besant later this week. And discussions with China are expected to take place early next week.

BUSINESS

Staying with the trade agreement, Ramin Malagar from our business desk has more of the details. So Ramin, tell us about what's involved. 

Yeah, quite a lot of details. Let's get into that exactly.

WHITE HOUSE UNVEILS DETAILS OF JAPAN-US TRADE DEAL

Now, the White House has published a fact sheet on what it calls a landmark economic agreement with Japan. It says Japan will invest $550 billion to rebuild and expand core American industries.
The document released on Wednesday says President Trump will direct the funds to revitalize the strategic industrial base in the US. This includes energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and commercial and defense shipbuilding. The document says the US will retain 90% of the profits from this investment.
So that's the investment part. President Trump has called for more access to Japan's markets for US products. So what does it say about that?Yeah, they go into a lot of details on that as well, specifically what the White House has said. Now, the White House does give details on the increased access to Japanese markets.
Beside the item mentioned earlier on rice, it says Japan will purchase billions of dollars of US corn, soybeans, fertilizer, bioethanol, and sustainable aviation fuel. The document says the agreement includes a major expansion of US energy exports to Japan. It adds that the two nations are exploring a new off take agreement for Alaskan liquefied natural gas. as well as the purchase of Boeing aircraft, Japan will spend additional billions of dollars each year on US defense equipment to enhance alliance security in the Indo-Pacific.
Now, on the auto sector, the White House says longstanding restrictions on US cars and trucks will be lifted and that US automotive standards will be approved in Japan for the first time.
Imports from Japan will be subject to a baseline 15 percent tariff rate.
So what is the take away about the state of the Japan US relationship after this agreement?Yeah, again, the White House did give specific details on this. The White House says the deal is a generational shift in US Japan economic relations and reflects the strong and enduring relationship between the two countries.
It calls the agreement a foundation for shared prosperity, industrial resilience, and technological leadership.

ECONOMISTS PROJECT US TRADE DEAL TO DENT JAPAN'S GDP

Now, a senior economist at Daiwa Institute of Research says the new trade agreement between Tokyo and Washington will hurt Japan's economy.
President Donald Trump announced a deal which includes what he calls a 15% reciprocal tariff on imports, Daiwa's Kugo Shotaro says the tariffs may reduce Japan's GDP by 1.1% in real terms this year. He estimates that could widen to 3.2% in 2029. Japanese vehicles imported into the US now face the 15% levy.
Daiwa's Kugo says the tariff rate is not as bad as projected, but it is still high. Other economists are wading in with projections. Kyuichi Takahide at Nomura Research Institute says the deal could trim Japan's GDP by 0.55 percent over the coming year. He says Washington's America First policy adds to business risk for Japanese companies, and they may reconsider investments in the US. 

NIKKEI 225 REACHES NEW HIGH FOR THE YEAR FOR 2ND DAY

And Tokyo's benchmark stock index has reached a new high. For the year for the second day in a row now, shares continued to climb following the Japan US deal on hopes for more agreements between Washington and other trading partners. The Nikkei 225 closed Thursday at 41,826, up 1.6%. Investors picked up. A wide range of shares soon after the opening. The index briefly hit the 42,000 mark for the first time since last July, when it set its all time high. The benchmark jumped 3 1/2% on Wednesday after Japan and the United States struck a trade deal.
Analysts say there are growing expectations among investors for an agreement between the US and the European Union. Meanwhile, the broader Tokyo Stock Price Index or topics. Closed at its all time high of 2,977.

TOYOTA TO BUILD EVs IN INDONESIA AS MARKET HEATS UP

Toyota Motor says it will start making electric vehicles in Southeast Asia this year for the first time. The move to begin production of the vehicles at its plant in Indonesia comes as the region's EV market heats up.
Toyota said on Wednesday that it plans to make electric SUVs at its plant in a suburb of Jakarta starting in December.
The Japanese automaker's strategy is focused on providing a range of vehicle types, including EVs, hybrids and plug-ins. Its decision to build EVs locally may have been swayed by Indonesian government efforts to popularize the vehicles. Toyota is also facing greater competition in the region. Japanese automakers have enjoyed a high market share in the country and in other Southeast Asian nations, but Chinese and South Korean firms have recently made inroads with their own EVs in these markets. 

JAPAN POLICE TO TRIAL BODYCAMS FROM AUGUST

Now, Japanese police will trial the use of body cameras from August. The aim is to prevent disputes arising from questioning or traffic stops. The move comes as officers have faced incidents of verbal abuse during stops.
Meanwhile, there have been complaints about police behavior during some encounters. Certain instances have been recorded, edited out of context and shared on social media. The body cameras are meant to preserve reliable evidence of what happened. Officers will wear cameras on their chest or head, along with armbands to indicate the recording is in progress. Videos will be kept for about one week to three months before being deleted. The National Police Agency says the trial will run for three months to one year in 13 prefectures across Japan. Now, based on the outcome, body cams could be introduced nationwide as early as fiscal 2027.

OK, let's get a check on the markets.

♪

And that is it for Business News. Going to hand it back to you. 

Thank you, Ramin.

QUAD COAST GUARDS HOLD 1ST JOINT MISSION ON SAME VESSEL

Next. The Coast Guards of the four member nations of the Quad Security Framework have carried out their first joint mission aboard the same patrol ship. It was apparently aimed at strengthening communication in the face of China's growing maritime activities.
Japan's Coast Guard announced on Wednesday it had conducted the five-day exercise on a US patrol ship from late June to early July.
It was joined by teams from the US, Australian, and Indian coast guards.
The mission included a firefighting drill simulating a blaze on the vessel as it traveled from Palau to Guam. The exercise stems from an agreement reached at the Quad Leaders Summit last September to boost maritime security cooperation.

TV SHOW DEPICTING CHINESE INVASION SET TO AIR IN TAIWAN

A Taiwan-produced TV show that depicts a fictional Chinese invasion of Taiwan has been previewed to audiences ahead of its debut.
Zero Day Attack will be available on TV and streaming in Taiwan, Japan and other places next month. The 10-episode show depicts possible scenarios of an invasion,such as a blockade of borders around Taiwan and a cyberattack.
I hope people will watch this show and think about war and how to prevent it.
Production was subsidized by Taiwan's government. The opposition Clomington Partywhich has adopted a more conciliatory stance toward Beijing, has criticized the series as propaganda.

NOBEL CHAIR VISITS HIROSHIMA, NAGASAKI

We are approaching 80 years since two atomic bombs devastated the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Last year, a group of survivors who've campaigned against nuclear weapons won the Nobel Peace Prize. Now, the Norwegian Nobel Committee's chair has paid them a visit.
The Peace Prize for 2024 to the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyu.
Jorgen Britnes was the one who announced last year's winner.
Nihon Hirankyo and the Hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have never wavered in their efforts to erect a worldwide moral and legal bulwark against the use of nuclear weapons.
This week, Creedness spent time in the places that experienced firsthand the horrors of those weapons. He visited Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and offered prayers to the victims who were honored there.
Welcome to Hiroshima. Then, he reunited with the co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo. Mimaki Toshiyuki visited Oslo last December to accept the Peace Prize on his group's behalf.
This is where the atomic bomb exploded.
Free Nest then went on to Nagasaki, visiting the city's Atomic Bomb Museum.
The site offers exhibits detailing Nihon Hidankyo's efforts and displays banners carried by its members, including one brought to Norway last year.
He spoke with more A-bomb survivors, who were known as Hibakusha,who told him the Nobel Prize has encouraged them to keep campaigning. Freeness told them how important their mission is. We want the world's attention on a very important topic, and we want world leaders and the citizens of the world to listen to the voice of the hibakusha.

NOBEL CHAIR VISIT PUTS A-BOMBED CITIES IN SPOTLIGHT

For more, earlier I spoke with NHK World's Ikeda Mayumi from Nagasaki.
She's been covering the Nobel Chair's visit.
So, Mayumi, how did this visit seem to affect freedness? I think he was moved emotionally by being here. He had a somber expression throughout his visit, especially at the memorials. It's one thing to know the history, but it can be very impactful to come and see these exhibitsunderstand what happened and why it must never happen again. I also think the Nobel chair was left feeling hopeful.
He repeatedly expressed his gratitude toward the survivors for continuing to testify about their experiences.
Fritnes says he thinks they helped save the world. That's because nuclear weapons have not been used since the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He says that is thanks in part to Hibakusha's efforts to raise awareness. Friedness was also impressed by the young people working here to preserve survivors' memories.
He told them, You are the future and you are our hope. So how do people in Nagasaki receive his visit?They were very happy about the international attention. The Peace Prize was a big deal here, and this visit shows how seriously the Nobel Committee takes nuclear abolition.
There is a sense we are fast approaching a time when there will be no survivors of the bombings left. That's driving a huge effort to preserve their memories and pass them on to the next generation in Japan and beyond. This feels especially urgent for people here.
because the global security situation is has grown so tense.
They fear some decision makers on the world stage may have forgotten how devastating nuclear weapons are.
So a visit like this one provides much welcome publicity.
Right. And the conversation doesn't end there. Can you tell us a bit more about that?Yeah, so Fritnes is not done visiting Japan just yet. He will be at Tokyo's Sofia University this Sunday. The Norwegian Nobel Institute is hosting a conference entitled Responding to the Threat of Nuclear Arms that will focus on how to deal with these issues at a time when tensions are escalating. And there doesn't seem to be a clear roadmap of how to get rid of nuclear weapons.
I should also note that Hiroshima and Nagasaki are about to be in the global spotlight even more so. As you said, next month marks 80 years since the atomic bombings, and representatives from all around the world will travel for the memorials. This will be a critical time for Hibakusha to speak out because their numbers are getting smaller. Nuclear abolition has been the spotlight since last year's Nobel Peace Prize.
Campaigners in Hiroshima and here in Nagasaki want to keep the momentum going long after these upcoming ceremonies conclude.

WEATHER 

Now let's check out the world weather update. 

Hi there. Unfortunately I do not have such great news. We've seen record-breaking temperatures right across many parts of Japan, especially for people here in the north of Bihiro 38.8 degrees all time record. Some other places are breaking their monthly record such as that day in Fukuoka, but the rest of the country is really just reeling under those extremely high temperatures due to the high pressures that are sitting on those really opportune conditions or locations making it. big culmination of heat roll across much of the country. Sapporo will have a big improvement between Saturday and Sunday as temperatures go below 30 degrees. But Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, these big cities, these big boys are not going to change much. In fact, Tokyo will be into those mid 30s for the next three days.
Now, Now into Southeast Asia, we've got these two tropical storms that are active, Francisco and Kome bringing someDisastrous weather conditions, strong winds, heavy rainfall has been reported.
And then we've got another one over here.
You can see it's sort of moving all the way towards the north, targeting parts of Japan, but we'll talk about that a little bit later on. Before that, there was another storm that led to some damages.
Take a look at this following video.
We're talking here about the Tropical Storm Wepa, which left the central Vietnam submerged in flood waters on Wednesday. Strong winds from the from the storm damaged some homes, while others were left without electricity.
Authorities had warned people, though, of possible landslides and also put more than 300,000 soldiers just on standby to help affected victims. The heavy rain is expected to continue at least for next couple of days, and as you can see, there are. These other storms that are active, including the monsoonal systems. So you should see more rainy conditions towards northern Philippines, parts of Taiwan and along the Indochina Peninsula into parts of Vietnam. Well, Australia, some cooler weather here and there with a bit of showers, particularly towards the southern Australia. So please do dress warm if you are in that part of the world.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

That's all for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Morishita Erika in Tokyo.
Thank you for joining us.

at 18:00 (JST), July 23

20250723180000_english_1.mp3

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

PM ISHIBA SAYS HE INTENDS TO STAY ON

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru says he is not stepping down. Some media reports had claimed that he would resign after the Liberal Democratic Party's set back in Sunday's upper house election. Ishiba spoke to reporters at LDP headquarters on Wednesday. He was there to meet with three former prime ministers, Aso Taro, Suga Yoshihide, and his immediate predecessor, Kishida Fumio.

We shared a strong sense of crisis over the current situation and agreed that we must avoid division within the party at any cost. There were several conversations which the LDP secretary-general will tell you about. But we did not discuss my political future or the possibility of resigning at all. 

The Prime Minister said he would stay on to tackle what he called important policy issues including wrapping up the newly announced Japan US tariff agreement.

And to tell us more about that deal, let's bring in Ramin Mellegard from the BizDesk, Ramin. 

Thank you very much indeed.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES 'MASSIVE' TRADE DEAL WITH JAPAN

Now, Japan and the United States say they've reached an agreement after months of trade negotiations. US President Donald Trump broke the announcement, calling it a massive deal for both countries. Trump posted on social media that 15% reciprocal tariffs will be placed on Japanese imports to the US That's down from 25% tariffs, which he had threatened would take effect from August 1st. Trump says Tokyo agreed to trade goods like cars and trucks, rice and certain other agriculture products and other things, and invest $550 billion into the US. He claims the deal will create hundreds of thousands of jobs. Trump spoke about the deal at an event shortly after his announcement. It's a great deal for everybody. I always say it has to be great for everybody. It's a great deal. A lot different from the deals in the past, I can tell you that. But we're doing really well as a country. We're strong. We have a lot of money flowing in. It comes after Japan's chief tariff negotiator Akazawa Ryose arrived in Washington for the eighth round of talks this week. His team was racing to strike a deal before the August 1st deadline.

ISHIBA HAILS US TRADE DEAL

And Japan's Prime Minister Ichiba Shigedo confirmed news of the trade deal.

Japan's tariff rate, which was supposed to be raised to 25%, has been kept to 15%. This is the lowest figure ever negotiated by a country that has a trade surplus with the United States, and Japan won't be treated less favorably than other countries if tariffs are imposed in the future. On goods important for economic security, such as semiconductors and medicines.

Ishima said the deal does not include tariff reductions on the Japanese side, including for agricultural products. He also said the deal was made possible because of Japan's push to prioritize investment over tariffs. 

JAPAN-US DEAL IMPACTS AUTOS AND AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS

And as we mentioned, the deal is said to have big impacts on how Japan and the US trade vehicles and agricultural goods.
The auto industry had been a major sticking point between both countries' trade teams. Japanese government sources say extra US tariffs on automobiles from this country will be cut in half, from 25% to 12 and a half. That's in addition to Washington's existing 2 1/2% levy, so all totaled Japanese auto imports will be tariffed at 15%. Both sides also agreed to raise how much rice Japan imports from the US. Tokyo says it will do so by expanding the ratio of American rice shipped to Japan tariff free under what's called the Minimum Access Framework. Japan already imports A mandatory amount of the staple grain, roughly 770,000 tons, annually from its trade partners without any tariffs. Now, one notable issue has been left out of this trade deal. Government sources say an existing 50% tariff on steel products and aluminum will stay in place. 

WINDING ROAD TO JAPAN-US TRADE DEAL

Now, the agreement comes after months of back and forth between the two countries. Here's a look at the winding road the negotiations have taken. 

Japan first sent Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei to the US in April.
He's the chief tariff negotiator for the Ishiba administration. Akazawa met with Trump ahead of the first round of talks. The president described the visit as a great honor in a social media post, calling it big progress.
Akazawa continued to make trips to Washington over the weeks, with automobile tariffs a key focus.

We have to work quickly, but also take our time. 

The Trump administration wants to bring more auto production back to the US and create jobs. The Japanese government proposed a system of phased reductions in auto tariffs. They would be tied to manufacturers' contributions to the US auto industry, including job creation. Ishiba met with Trump at the G7 summit in Canada in mid-June, but they failed to reach a package agreement.

There are some points we have yet to agree on, so we have not reached a package agreement.

But in late June, Trump started complaining about Japan's stance. 

Dear Mr. Japan, here's the story. You're going to pay a 25% tariff on your cars, you know. So we give Japan no cars. They won't take our cars, right? 
And yet we take millions and millions of their cars into the United States. It's not fair. 

On his seventh visit to Washington, Akazawa didn't meet his opposite number in negotiations. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant. 
Trump warned in a letter to Ishiba on July 7 that he'd slap a 25% tariff on imported Japanese goods from August 1 if Tokyo didn't reach a trade deal.
He repeated his claim that Japan wasn't doing enough to open its markets to US products.

Japan, as you know, and and we're very close to Japan, but they sell us millions and millions of cars a year. We sell them no cars because they won't accept our cars and they won't accept much of our agriculture either.

Last week, both Ishiba and Akazawa met with Bessent , who was visiting Japan.
Ishiba asked him to continue negotiations to reach a mutually beneficial trade agreement. Ishiba vowed to stay in office and continue tariff negotiations after his ruling coalition lost its majority in Sunday's upper house election. Akazawa flew to Washington again on Monday. The first sign of a breakthrough came with the news that Akazawa had visited the White House on Tuesday.

NIKKEI SURGES TO 1-YEAR HIGH ON JAPAN-US TRADE DEAL

And Tokyo's benchmark stock index rose to the highest level in a year after US President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement had been reached with Japan.
The Nikkei 225 surged 3.5% to end Wednesday's session at 41,171. The index regained the 41,000 mark for the first time since July last year. At one stage, it was up more than 1,500 points, or 3.9%. Investors bought a wide range of shares right from the opening on the view the trade deal removes some of the uncertainty over Japan's economic outlook. Now automakers LED gains as the agreement halves the extra tariff on imported Japanese cars to 12 1/2% from the current 25%.
Meanwhile, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond briefly rose to 1.6%, the highest level in about 17 years. Market sources say the trade deal eased uncertainty over tariffs and triggered speculation that the Bank of Japan may be more likely to raise interest rates again.
And Minori has more on the trade deal with our business correspondent. 

DONE DEAL?: ANALYSIS OF JAPAN-US TRADE AGREEMENT

Yes, thanks, Ramin. I did speak earlier with NHK World senior business correspondent Esaki Daisuke. Is this a good deal for Japan? 

Well, the Japanese government's assessment is that, yes, it is.
We heard Ishiba earlier paint a very positive picture. He says Japan has been able to negotiate the lowest tariff rate among countries with a US trade surplus. As we mentioned, Japanese imports will face a 15 percent levy.
For example, other Asian countries, Indonesia and the Philippines, both secured a 19% tariff, while Vietnam's rate will be at 20%. Ishiba also said he believes this is a critical agreement for Japanese economic security. Take a listen.

Japanese companies will invest in the United States across key sectors vital to economic security, such as semiconductors, medicines, steel, shipbuilding, critical minerals, aviation, energy, cars and AI and quantum technology. We agreed that Japan and the United States will work closely together to build a robust supply chain that benefits both countries.

We should mention that this marks an about faith for Trump. He had been pressuring Japan, insisting there was no room for negotiation on the agriculture sectors. Japan's willingness to give the US craw makers and rice growers more access to its market helped clear the way.

But are there any potential downsides, especially for Japan's economy? 

Some economists suggest there could be. One Japanese economist says it could trim Japan's GDP by 0.55 percent over the coming year. Nomura Research Institute executive economist Kiyuichi Takahides adds that economic impact could be granted.

The Trump administration made a big compromise by lowering not just the reciprocal tariff, but also the auto levy. We had estimated that Japan's GDP will shrink. by 0.85% if the tariffs were raised to 25%. However, the 15% auto levy will have some negative impact on the industry and the overall economy.

Kyuchi also told us that business risks will remain high if the US continues to stick to an American-first policy. Japanese companies may throw their investment pace in the US or forecast elsewhere, such as Europe.
Another economist gave this deal high marks. I spoke with Mizuho Securities Chief Economist Kobayashi Shunsuke. He says Japanese automakers will have an advantage in the US market over some non-US rivals now that auto tariffs are set to be lower. We still have to see how this all shakes out.
Trump has a history of being unpredictable. Just because he says a deal has been made doesn't mean that's the end of the end of the story.

DANGEROUS, RECORD-HIGH HEAT SCORCHES PARTS OF JAPAN

Temperatures across Japan on Wednesday may reach record highs, posing a danger to people in eastern Hokkaido, including areas near the Sea of Okhotsk. The Japan Meteorological Agency says the heat wave is expected to intensify across the country while a high pressure system blankets the archipelago. The mercury has topped 38 degrees Celsius in several places, including in the town of Bihoro in Hokkaido. Similar readings were seen in the prefectures of Fukushima and Kyoto. In Hokkaido's Shari Town, a woman in her 90s died after suffering from suspected heat stroke. Heat stroke alerts have been issued across Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa Prefecture in the south. High temperatures during the day and cold air above are expected to cause extremely unstable atmospheric conditions. The weather may change suddenly in inland areas on Wednesday afternoon, possibly causing heavy rainfall.

NORTHERN JAPAN BAKES UNDER INTENSE HEAT

kitami was one of the hottest cities in Hokkaido. On Wednesday, we sent our Tokudai Ryosuke there to look into the impacts of that designation I spoke with him earlier.
It's 36 degrees Celsius right now, and it definitely feels like it. I can't stop sweating. I used to live and report here until two years ago. I don't remember many hot days like this one. We would normally see a lot of children cooling off here. More than 10 played in the water on Tuesday, but we've barely seen anyone all day. I spoke with a couple of kindergarten teachers who came to see if they could bring their students here next month.

It is meltingly hot. There is no shade over the water, so I will have to get my supervisor's approval before my kids can play here. 

When I get home, I'm turning on the AC and the fan and eating ice cream. 

I think the temperature was above 30 degrees Celsius all last week. This water is not cold at all. It's more like a lukewarm hot spring. 

You have to realize that people here are used to a much different situation. Kitami City cools down to nearly minus 20 degrees Celsius in the winter. And that season brings a notable attraction to the region, drift ice. It's a big tourist draw. I should also mention that Kitami is known for being the curling capital of Japan.

Right, curling, drift ice. That's quite the contrast compared to the conditions you're describing now. Tell us more about those and their impacts.

Well, The biggest concern, of course, is around health. Earlier, we heard about that death, but on Tuesday, at least four people in the region also reported symptoms of heat stroke, and almost 50 schools in Hokkaido have been temporarily closed.
The heat is also causing problems in the prefecture's key industry, agriculture, wheat,Potatoes and beets are not growing as large as normal and there has been little rain this year. The weather is forecast to cool down a bit next week, but remember the summer is still far from over.

DANGEROUS, RECORD-HIGH HEAT SCORCHES PARTS OF JAPAN

And now we're joined by our meteorologist Tsietse Monare to talk more about this subject. So Tsietse, it's very rare for northern Japan to reach this level of heat. How do we get here?

Yeah, it is quite rare. And you can see on the image here, we've got some really intense and shocking numbers in terms of temperatures, all-time records being broken. Well, normally we have warm air coming in from northern China and it spreads all the way into the western side of Hokkaido, and that is absolutely normal and acceptable. And that is the first reason why we have these extremely hot temperatures. The second reason is when that warm air combines with a phenomenon called the Fern effect, then it becomes a little bit difficult for people to handle. The Fern effect is when we have these strong dry winds coming in across the West and then it meets a lot of these mountains here, including the Teshio and Kitami mountains in the region and as it flows down. It affects people on the eastern side, leading to temperatures rising significantly. Places such as Obihiro sees intense temperatures and it creates these long term heat waves or heat domes. 

Well, how long are these conditions expected to last?

I do not have a straightforward answer for that one, but it looks like. This system here, it's called the Tibetan High on the far western side and then across the east we see that Pacific High. These two pressures looks like they're going to remain solid and they're going to stay there in place for at least a few days and that will intensify. The heat will go up. I mentioned a place called Obihiro.
They might see temperatures going as high as 40 degrees Celsius, but shortly after that they will loosen up quite a little bit and then they would lead to a slightly cooler conditions, but it's still not going to be optimum. It's not going to be what we all expect and what we are used to. And unfortunately over the 100, the last 100 years or so, you can see these summer temperature anomalies. You can see from the 1920 fours all the way to present time, temperatures have been steadily increasing and very close to you there.
You can see two circles at the top there.
That's sadly 2023 and 2024 and unfortunately 2025 is going to be the same with these temperatures. staying very high up. 

Right. Well, thank you, Tessie, for sharing your insight on these extreme weather conditions. Thank you for having me.

♪

JAPAN'S AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE JOINS HUGE US-LED EXERCISE

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force is taking part in a US-led exercise in the Indo-Pacific for the first time. It comes amid a rise in China's activities in the region. The US Air Force is conducting the exercise called Resolute Force Pacific with other nations from July 10 through August 8th. On Tuesday, Japanese media were allowed to watch some of the drills at the US military's Yokota Air Base in Tokyo.
AC-130 transport plane took off as part of exercises aimed at strengthening American frontline deployment capabilities. This comes after two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted in the Pacific for the first time last month. The Liaoning and the Shandong entered the area simultaneously. At the time, a fighter jet from the Shandong flew close to a patrol plane from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force. The incident prompted the defense ministry to express serious concerns to Beijing. The commander of US forces in Japan, Lieutenant General Stephen Jost, stressed the importance of drills in which the US and Japan work together. He underlined the need for strong alliances to effectively meet the complex security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region.

HIGHER COCOA PRICES SPUR SWEET INNOVATION

Chocolate makers in Japan are facing tough times amid rising costs.
Cocoa prices have surged following a poor harvest for the crop in West Africa.
The higher costs have sent chocolate prices up about 40% in June compared to a year ago. The situation is seeing firms bring new innovation to sweets.

One way to cut the higher cost of cocoa is to go beyond the bean. A promising alternative is burdock, a root vegetable common in Japanese cuisine.
This company noticed roasted burdock and chocolate share similar aromatic compounds. It was able to use burdock to recreate the texture of chocolate and added sugar and other ingredients to match the taste. After a lot of trial and error, a new confectionery was born. It allows the company to avoid fluctuations in the price of cocoa.
The firm says the product is high in fiber. It's selling it at convenience stores, targeting budget and health-conscious consumers.

The product doesn't use cocoa, but it's similar to chocolate. We'd also like drugstores and supermarkets to carry it as a new kind of product.

A major Japanese confectionery maker has also found an innovative way to keep prices steady. In Japan, chocolate is labeled based on its cocoa content. Products that are at least 35% from cocoa beans are called chocolate. Those with a minimum of 15% are categorized as semi-chocolate. The company switched the category for about a third of its chocolate items, but this also reduced the fat. To keep the taste, it's developed the new vegetable-derived fat from sunflower and palm oil. The bowl on the left has fat from cocoa. The bowl on the right uses the new ingredient.
The firm's researchers were able to make it soften at body temperature, keeping that melt-in-your-mouth quality.

That's really important for chocolate. We've been able to keep that experience while holding costs down. We'll continue pursuing both taste and affordability.

The global price of cocoa has more than tripled in the last three years and is expected to remain high. It could mean more chocolate innovation is on the way.

♪

WEATHER 

Time now for a check on the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh. So, Jonathan, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, talking over and over again about this heat in Japan, but we really are breaking records. Will we cool off anytime soon? 

Hello. If you think that we're talking a lot about the heat in Japan, you're right, because it's hot. I mean, look at some of the temperatures that we're seeing across Japan, way over in parts of Hokkaido, breaking a record in Bihoro with a high of 38.2 degrees. Not necessarily the hottest spot in Japan, though. We go to western Japan in the high top level at 38.7 degrees, and everyone's like, yeah, I know it's July, but when are we going to get cooler weather? Well, there's really not an answer to that.
It's going to take some time. The only place that might see a little bit of reprieve from the current heat is in Sapporo later toward the weekend. We go from 36 on Thursday, that's still hot. Down to 33 to 31 by Saturday with some rain coming into the picture.
So that should help. But I mean Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka will be in the mid 30s. We'll be under partly sunny to partly cloudy skies to mostly sunny skies over the next few days, which means take those precautions, stay indoors, get an air conditioned area, stay hydrated because this is definitely going to be a story that we will talk about for the next several days. 
Meanwhile, down to the southwestern portions of Japan in Okinawa, you're talking about a very different story because of Francisco.
Here's look some of the video to give you an idea of the situation on the ground.
Yeah, that's some wild wind right there as Francisco is south of Okinawa, but the fierce rain and strong gusts are swinging through the area. Naha already reporting gusts of over 60 kilometers per hour by Wednesday afternoon, with the storm expected to make its closest approach to the islands late Thursday into early Friday, up to 150 millimeters of rain in 24 hours. And wind gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour are possible through Friday. It's not just Okinawa that's been the impact of this. You see this huge trail of wind coloration here across the Philippines. Yeah, we're talking about enhancement of the monsoonal rainfall. So flooding is going to continue to be an issue across the area. So thunderstorms is a Manila rain into Taipei as well. And we're talking about highs into 30s from Shanghai to Beijing for the day on Thursday. 
Stay safe wherever you are.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And that's all we have for this edition of NHK Newsline. We'll have more for you soon. Thanks for watching.

at 18:00 (JST), July 22

20250722180000_english_1.mp3

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

HEAT WAVE INTENSIFIES THROUGHOUT JAPAN

A major heat wave continues to bake Japan this week. From Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south, the mercury hit dangerous levels Tuesday.
It was very hot. I'm relieved to be in the shade right now.
The Meteorological Agency says a high pressure system was near Japan, pushing up temperatures throughout the archipelago. The mercury topped 38 degrees Celsius in many places.
Authorities issued heat stroke alerts for some areas, including those in Tokyo and Hokkaido. The Hokkaido Board of Education announced around a dozen school closures in the towns of Nakashibetsu and Shibetsu in the northeastern part of the prefecture. People were advised to use air conditioners appropriately, consume adequate amounts of water and salt, and rest frequently while doing outdoor activities to prevent heatstroke.
Meanwhile, extremely unstable atmospheric conditions led to heavy rain north of Tokyo Tuesday afternoon. It was due to the rising temperatures meeting a cold air mass. Officials are urging people to be on the alert for flooding in low lying areas. There could also be mudslides, swollen rivers, lightning strikes, tornadoes and hail.

SOME LDP MEMBERS REJECT ISHIBA'S PLEDGE TO STAY IN OFFICE

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has pledged to stay in office after his ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house in Sunday's election. The disappointing results have stirred calls from inside his Liberal Democratic Party for him to step down as party leader.
We must listen carefully to the voices of the people and fulfill our responsibility as the leading party in the upper house.
as well as our responsibility to the people of the country to prevent politics from becoming stalled or from falling into disarray.
The LDP and its coalition partner, Koh Maito, secured 47 of the seats up for grabs. That was below the 50 they needed to maintain a majority. It's the first time in the LDP's 70-year history for it to lead a coalition that does not control either house. Upper house lawmaker Ao Yamashige Haru has called for Ishiba to resign.
How can the Ishiba administration negotiate with the strong Trump administration on behalf of Japan after it was denied by voters in both houses of the Diet? One of the party's prefectural chapters plans to demand that Ishiba step down as party leader. Former Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki says Ishiba, as head of the party, needs to take responsibility for the election results.
But Kobayashi also says party members should not pull each other down.
The LDP is planning a meeting of its lawmakers in both chambers of the Diet.
Executives want to gain support for Ishiba staying in office amid tariff negotiations with the US. 

OPPOSITION PARTIES ON ISHIBA'S FUTURE, WHAT'S NEXT

The opposition parties are also chiming in on the Prime Minister's future and their next steps. Here's what some of the key figures have to say.
My impression is that he is ignoring public opinion and intends to stay where he is. In that sense, Shiba's pledge to stay in office is not convincing at all.
I once again feel we must continue to take a tough stand against the Yeshiva administration. As for a no confidence motion, I would say we are not in the stage of responding with preconceived notions. I think the election result, with the ruling coalition losing its majority, is favorable for us in terms of implementing our policies. We've always conducted politics on a case by case basis. We should push on issues where other parties can agree with us, no matter if they're from the ruling parties or the opposition. That, I believe, is the mission of politicians. It's hard for me to imagine nobody taking any responsibility for the election result.
The Yeshiba administration has been giving the coal shoulder to proposals for reducing income and residents taxes, as well as removing the provisional tax rate on gasoline. We would like to keep promoting those ideas, and I believe that other opposition parties and some in the ruling parties will agree.
If I were in that position, I would step down. Perhaps it is not our place to say anything about personnel matters in other parties. We will prioritize how to organize and structure our party. Our positioning and our negotiations with other parties will be a secondary consideration. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is the largest opposition party. It has dismissed the idea of forming a grand coalition with the ruling parties.
We will work closely with other opposition parties as much as possible and continue to face off against the LDP Kometo coalition.

HOW SANSEITO USED SOCIAL MEDIA TO RESONATE WITH VOTERS

One opposition party in particular has grabbed a lot of attention, Sanseito.
Its catchphrase, Japanese first, helped it grow from two seats to 15.
Let's take a look at how they got that message to voters.
The party held a rally in Tokyo after its big election game.
If the public were asked who is more suitable to be Prime Minister between Shiba and Kamiya, I think most people would probably pick Sanseito leader Kamiya. The biggest reason I voted for the party is its slogan, Japanese first.
Many Sanseito supporters say they learned about the party via social media.
My friends recommended the party to me, so I started watching its YouTube videos.
As of July 3rd, the party had 210 politicians, including elected officials and candidates. More than 90% of them used their social media accounts to spread posts about Sanseito.
Supporters have also done the same.
This one posts political videos under the name Sagawa. He has more than 100,000 subscribers on YouTube.
I thought it would be a good idea to cover Sanseito as it has attracted a lot of attention rapidly. I'm glad that my business is doing well and I hope it makes people become more interested in the election. Starting around May, the number of video clips created by third parties increased substantially.
This month alone, Sanseito related videos were viewed 155 million times. One social media expert says despite being small and relatively new, the party succeeded at harnessing the Internet.
People on social media, who weren't really politically active before, seemingly spread Sanseito's message.
The party's campaign likely attracted people who were not very interested in politics before.
He says right now it's possible to profit from online videos about politics, even during elections. He says addressing that would createa healthier ecosystem overall.

LESSONS FOR THE LDP: UPPER HOUSE LOSS MARKS MAJOR SHIFT

For more, we're joined by Kikuyama Kengo, an HK World's political correspondent. So Kengo, the LDP felt a drop in support as Sanseito received a surge.
Were these connected?Well, it seems they were linked for a few reasons. As we saw, Sanseito appeared to benefit from this grassroots online campaign, but that's not all. For one, even though it's a relative newcomer on the national stage, the party already has about 100 elected members in local assemblies across Japan. So this allowed it to match the outreach of bigger parties. Sanseto's leadership also skews younger.
One of the LDP's big issues this election was that it appears to represent the old guard of Japanese politics. This put them at the disadvantage with young voters and those unsatisfied with the status quo. We can look at the exit polling around which party people chose to vote for through proportional representation. About twice as many people in their teens to their 30s selected Sansseto compared to those who picked LDP.
The new party also did better among independents. 15% of voters with no affiliation went for Sanseto, compared to the 12% who supported LDP. Finally, Sanseto's Japanese-first slogan was controversial, but it also seemed to have struck a chord, especially with people who are politically conservative. Some critics saythe party promotes exclusionary or divisive rhetoric at a time when there are record numbers of foreign residents and tourists in Japan.
We'll see what happens now that Sanseto has more seeds in the diet. And we'll have to see what kind of lessons the LDP learns to rebuild its younger support base for next time. Let's shift gears a bit now. The ruling coalition is in a challenging spot, and we know that Ishiba is facing some pressure. So should we expect a change at the top? Normally, if a prime minister lost majorities in both houses of the Diet less than a year into their tenure, you might expect them to resign. But these are not normal times.
That's thanks in part to US President Donald Trump's tariffs. These are set to kick in on August 1st.
Japanese imports are set to receive a 25% tariff. So Ishiba's administration is racing to get the deal. His chief trade negotiator flew to Washington on Monday to continue talks with his US counterparts. Ishiba also said he hopes to meet with Trump as soon as possible in hopes they can come to an agreement.
Tariff talks aside, Ishiba has also made no indication he's ready to leave. Instead, he wants to make the best of a bad situation. He says he want to work with the opposition parties to reach a consensus with them on policies that would tackle things like the rising prices.
The question is which opposition parties will be willing to collaborateAnd will his party accept this strategy? Only time will tell. Yes, interesting times ahead. Thanks for this, Kengo. NHK World's political correspondent, Kikuyama Kengo.

BUSINESS

And now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Ramin Mellegard from the Biz Desk. 

Thank you very much indeed. 

NIKKEI 225 BRIEFLY TOPS 40,000 IN POST-ELECTION TRADING

Now, Tokyo's benchmark stock index briefly regained the 40,000 mark in the first trading day after Japan's upper house election on Sunday. Now, investors widely viewed the outcome as within expectations, but the Nikkei 225 ended the day slightly down. The index closed on Tuesday at 39,774 to lose 0.1%. Monday was a national holiday in Japan. The benchmark gained more than 450 points or 1.1% at one stage, but it later lost steam as many traders locked in profits. Meanwhile, investors bought the yen against the dollar in the wake of Japan's election.
The dollar briefly traded at the lower 147 yen level.
Analysts say investors foresaw no major political upheaval after Prime Minister Ishibashige expressed his intention to stay in office. But with some voices calling for Ishiba to resign, the analysts say there may be a period of volatility ahead.

ANALYST: MARKET DIRECTION DEPENDS ON JAPAN'S FISCAL POLICY

And one analyst says market direction will likely depend on what fiscal measures Japan's government implements.
The ruling coalition has lost its majority in the diet, so it now has to consider the opinions of opposition parties in parliamentary sessions. Many of them have pledged to cut the consumption tax, so that may stoke concern among market participants about. Japan's fiscal deterioration.
This could in turn weaken the yen against the dollar, and pressure on yields for long-term Japanese government bonds could remain, especially for super-long bonds.
Ichigawa adds that investors apparently see Prime Minister Ishiba staying in office and negotiating tariffs with the US as a positive because it indicates stability.

KANSAI ELECTRIC TO RESTART SURVEYS ON BUILDING NEW REACTOR

The operator of a nuclear power plant in central Japan says it will resume on site survey. toward constructing a next-generation reactor within the facility. If built, it would be the first new reactor in Japan after the 2011 Fukushima Daichi accident.
Kansai Electric Power Company announced the plan for geological and other studies at the Mihama plant in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast.
We will seek the understanding of local communities and continue to promote the nuclear power generation business. Now, in 2010, Kansai Electric started voluntary surveys toward replacing an aging reactor at the plant, but they were suspended after the Fukushima Daiichi crisis the following year. 2 reactors at Mihama were decommissioned in 2015. The utilities latest move comes as the government approved a new basic energy plan that calls for maximum use of nuclear power along with renewables.
The government had been trying to reduce dependency on nuclear energy as much as possible after the 2011 accident. A geological survey is the first step for the construction of a new reactor, but Kansai Electric says it will not decide on the rebuilding work solely on the results of the upcoming studies.

JAPAN CARMAKERS DEVELOPING RARE-EARTH RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY

Nissan Motor is developing technology with Waseda University to recycle rare earth metals from magnets in scrapped electric vehicle motors. The project has taken on a new urgency since China announced in April it will restrict exports of rare earths.
The process involves melting the motor in an electric furnace. with other chemicals to separate off the rare earths. The metals are essential to manufacturing EVs. A Nissan engineer says a technical challenge is to increase the amount of rare earths they can recycle from the magnets.
We hope to have the system in practical use for when more scrapped electric motors are available. That is expected to be around 2030.
Toyota Motor is also testing a technology to recycle rare earths from hybrid car motors.

JAPANESE RETAILERS STEP UP AI USE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

Retailers in Japan are using artificial intelligence to improve efficiency as they face labor shortages. AI is helping to place orders and manage inventory. The Family Mart convenience store chain introduced AI at about 500 nationwide outlets in June. The technology analyzes sales over the past year, people flow and weather to recommend purchase orders for each store.
Family Mart uses a system for placing orders for bread, sandwiches, onigiri, rice balls and other products. Officials say the system cuts in half the time needed for placing orders and reduces out-of-stock rates by about 4%.
The company says it may introduce the technology at more outlets. A Family Mart official says AI can make calculations from large amounts of data at speeds beyond human capabilities. We want to use AI and digital technology for efficiency and labor-saving efforts.
In addition, we hope to increase the profitability of our stores by optimizing purchase orders in terms of quantity and quality. Retail giant EON is also using AI to on price to decide on price discounts for packaged meals and fresh foods at supermarkets. 

KNITTING MAKES A COMEBACK AMONG JAPANESE YOUTH

Now there's a hot new trend snagging the youth of Japan, knitting. Spurred on by social media buzz, Generation Z is taking up the hobby.
They're going beyond the usual sweaters and scarfs and putting their own spin on the industry.
Show us what you've knitted.
It's cute, and I feel relaxed makingthem.
I'm busy, but I enjoy knitting because I can forget about things and just focus on it.
This high school student made a bouquet of flowers for a friend after seeing a video on social media.
I did this in about two days. Since they're not real, they'll last and I can make my own original design.
This handicraft store started seeing a surge in young customers last fall.
Its sales of yarn and needles in May were up more than 50% compared to a year ago.
well I'm surprised by the number of young shoppers. I hear the store hasn't seen anything like it in 40 years. The shop even changed its products to cater to the new customer base. Instead of selling large quantities of the same yarn in bags, it separated them into individual units, since young people are making smaller items.
Sample creations have also been put on display, with information about what's needed to knit them. I want to help young people create fashionable items at a reasonable price.
The knitting craze got its start, in large part, thanks to pop star Miyawaki Sakura, a Japanese member of the Korean group Lute Seraphim. Her handmade creations trended on social media,Especially among Generation Z, the boom has also seen a surge in knitting clubs.
They bring together young beginners and veterans, creating community across generations. as they share trends and techniques.
Local businesses like this hotel are capitalizing on the trend. It has started hosting knitting meets that have drawn in new customers.
Participants only pay for food and drink and can stay as long as they like.
It's a way for me to reward myself.
Everyone is knitting all kinds of things, so it's even fun just to watch.
About 100 guests come to the hotel to knit every month.
For many of the people joining the knitting club, it's their first time to come to the hotel. It's proven to be a great way to appeal to new customers.

And that is it for business news.

♪

WAR IN UKRAINE
RUSSIA LAUNCHES HEAVY STRIKES ON UKRAINE

Russia launched a heavy assault on Ukraine with missiles and drones overnight. Officials in Kiev say the strikes killed one person and injured nine others.
Ukrainian Air Force officials say Russia launched more than 20 missiles and nearly 430 drones. They've seen drone damage and debris in multiple locations.
The attack also damaged a subway station in a central area. Locals nearby say they remain anxious about the attacks. One woman says she doesn't put much hope in a peace deal before the 50-day deadline that the US president has given Moscow.
The direct talks with Russia probably won't lead to any solution. If there's 50 days, places like train stations could be gone. And one shop owner says he must repair his store again. It's the third time this year to have damage.
Ukraine has proposed holding a new round of direct ceasefire talks with Russia, and Moscow is responding positively.
But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says the draft memorandums on a peace treaty from both sides are diametrically opposed, and he notes a lot of diplomatic work remains to be done. He also mentions that Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to meet Trump if they both visit China at the same time.
Putin's trip is planned for late August to early September.

POLICE PROBE ALLEGED CHEATING SCHEME ON ENGLISH TEST

Tokyo police are investigating what appears to be a systematic cheating scheme on English proficiency tests.
Police served a fourth arrest warrant to Wang Li Keng, a 27-year-old graduate student at Kyoto University. His alleged actions have included using a false name to take the test of English for International Communication, or TOEIC.
The Chinese national has reportedly remained silent during police questioning. Officials believe one tried to give answers to other examinees through smart glasses and a small microphone. hidden under his face mask.
Police say test takers allegedly received earphones measuring three millimeters across, a pendant-type repeater, and a video guide in advance. They suspect others may have collaborated in the scheme.
Good afternoon.

WEATHER

Now it's time for us to check the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh.
So Jonathan, we've been talking about this heat wave that's been hitting all the way across north to Japan. How are things looking for Wednesday? 

Hello, we're been, we've been talking about the heat over the past couple of days where temperatures have been moving into the mid to upper 30s here in Japan, up in Hokkaido, temperature high at Shibetsu 35.2 degrees.
That's hot. And also over into a western Japan, some locations getting close to 40 degrees. And I don't really have good news for you. We're going to be seeing mid-30s for a good portion of Japan, some areas maybe even upper 30s for Wednesday.
If you want to cool down, down here at Okinawa, a high of 32. And so, folks, this is serious heat. Make sure that if you can, take frequent breaks. Stay hydrated. If you can get into air-conditioned space, do so, because this kind of heat, especially with the sunshine on top of you, it can get really serious very quickly. Meanwhile, we're talking about some serious rainfall down towards Southeast Asia as we have one tropical system that's moved on land, with another one that's moving across the northern portions of the Philippines and is enhancing the monsoonal flow. So heavy rainfall will continue to be a story in both of these locations as you go throughout the next couple of days.
Meanwhile, across Europe, southern areas, it's hot and it's dry. Here's some video that's coming out from the area to give you an idea of the situation on the ground. It's been sizzling hot around the Mediterranean and it's been causing plenty of problems. Northwestern Turkey, hundreds of firefighters have been battling wildfires in forested areas on Sunday, so that's been a real problem.
And then over to the West on the island of Sicily, a strong heat wave hit on Monday, temperatures soaring over 40 degrees Celsius for daytime highs and excessive heat just. People trying to find some shade and some respite from that as well. High pressure continues to be the big Donald story down to the South. Highs topping off near 40 in Athens, 35 in Istanbul. A little bit cooler though to the north with some showers as we go through today on Tuesday.

 Stay safe wherever you are.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

That wraps it up for this edition of NHK Newsline. We'll have more for you soon.
Thanks for watching.

at 18:00 (JST), July 21 /Easy Japanese /Mount Takao

20250721180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Ramin Mellegard in Tokyo.

ISHIBA VOWS TO STAY ON AS PRIME MINISTER

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru stressed that he plans to stay in office despite his party's disappointing results in Sunday's upper house election.
Ishiba said in a news conference on Monday that the government can't afford to get bogged down.

It is extremely regrettable that many of our capable colleagues from the LDP and its coalition partner, Ko Mei To have lost their seats. As President of the Liberal Democratic Party, I offer my sincere apologies. We must listen carefully to the voices of the people and fulfill our responsibility as the leading party in the upper house, as well as our responsibility to the people of the country to prevent politics from becoming stalled or from falling into disarray.

The LDP and its coalition partner, Kometo, lost their majority in the House, securing just 47 of the seats up for grabs. That was below the 50 they needed to maintain a majority. It's the first time in the LDP's 70-year history for it to lead a coalition that does not control either House. Ishiba met with the Komeito leader before the news conference. The two confirmed their intention to continue running the government together. Ishiba told reporters he's not considering expanding the coalition at this point. He said he will address the major issues facing the country. These include tariff negotiations with the United States as the August 1 deadline to reach a trade deal approaches.

With regard to the US tariff measures, Japan's basic principle is to protect our national interests. With the new date of August 1 in mind, I want to reach an agreement that benefits both Japan and the United States based on the idea of investments rather than tariffs.

Ishiba said he wants to meet with US President Donald Trump as soon as possible and get tangible results.

TRUMP TARIFFS
JAPAN'S TOP NEGOTIATOR HEADS TO WASHINGTON

Japan's top negotiator for trade talks with the United States has left for Washington. This comes as the US is set to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Japan in just over a week's time. Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryoze departed from Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Monday morning. It's his eighth trip to the US capital for tariff negotiations.

We will continue sincere and honest discussions to find a point where an agreement can be made with the United States. 

Akazawa is seeking to meet with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik as early as Monday, local time. He also plans talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jameson Greer. Japanese officials say Washington is now reviewing a proposal by Tokyo to cut the US trade deficit with Japan through massive investments and increased imports. Akazawa says he wants to see how the review is progressing. His aim is to reach an agreement by August 1, and that's the deadline for the start of what US President Donald Trump calls reciprocal tariffs on Japan.

WAR IN UKRAINE
ZELENSKYY: UKRAINE PROPOSED TO RUSSIA NEW CEASEFIRE TALKS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country has proposed to Russia holding new talks on a ceasefire.
Zelenskyy said on Saturday that the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umirov, made the proposal to meet next week. Zelenskyy said everything must be done to realize a ceasefire. He also said a meeting at the leadership level is needed to ensure lasting peace. The president added that Ukraine is ready. He did not mention a specific date or location for the talks.
Russia's TASS news agency quoted a source close to Moscow's negotiators as saying the Ukrainian side made the proposal.
Now, in May, the two countries held direct talks for the first time in about three years. Last month, a second round took place in Istanbul. Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange prisoners of war. The Ukrainian side sought an unconditional ceasefire of at least 30 days. Russia demanded the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions in the country's east and south.
The two countries apparently remain far apart.

RIGHTS GROUP: SECTARIAN CLASHES IN SYRIA LEAVE OVER 1,000 DEAD

A series of hostilities in southern Syria involving Bedouin tribes and the Druze religious minority has reportedly left more than 1,000 people dead.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 1,017 people have died since July 13 due to the fighting, executions, and Israeli airstrikes. It says scores of civilians, including women and children, are among the dead. Bedouins and Druze clashed last week in the southern city of Sweda, prompting Syria's interim government to deploy troops to intervene. Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Syria and the country's capital, Damascus, saying it aimed to protect the Druze community. The interim government declared a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire on Saturday. But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says sporadic clashes occurred in the suburbs of Sweda on Sunday. Shortages of drinking water, food, and other supplies have also been reported in the area, in a sign of deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

IRAN, 3 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO HOLD NUCLEAR TALKS

Iranian state television reported that Tehran is scheduled to hold talks on its nuclear development program with Britain, France, and Germany.
It said the talks will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on the 25th of this month. Britain, France and Germany are moving to trigger the snapback mechanism that automatically reimposes UN Security Council sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. This is apparently aimed at pressing Tehran to return to negotiations with the United States that have been suspended since Israel and the US attacked nuclear facilities in Iran last month. The Iranian government appears to be seeking to fend off resumption of the UN sanctions by agreeing to talk with the three European nations. However, it remains adamant that it will not make any concessions on its nuclear program.

UNIVERSITY IN TOKYO SHOWCASES SHIP LINKED WITH MARINE DAY

People in Japan are marking Marine Day, and a university in Tokyo has given visitors a chance to explore the historic ship linked to the national holiday.
The Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology opened its Etchujima campus on Monday. Visitors were allowed to board the Meiji Maru to view its luxurious interior. Emperor Meiji's voyage on the vessel in July 1876 later led to the establishment of Marine Day.
The ship was also used by high-ranking government officials. It has since been designated as an important cultural property. Visitors were also able to see demonstrations at the university's laboratories. This experiment examined the force of water flowing against a ship's rudder in a tank.
Visitors could also tour a huge freezer space cooled to minus 20 degrees Celsius. On a day of scorching heat, some expressed great surprise upon entering it.

♪

And those are the top stories for this hour.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And that's a wrap for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Ramin Mellegard. Thank you very much for joining us.