at 18:00 (JST), January 04

 

20250104180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Gene Otani in Tokyo.

Nippon Steel's $14 billion bid to buy U.S. steel has been blocked by U.S. President Joe Biden. The president cited concerns the deal could threaten U.S. national security. Sources say Nippon Steel would take legal action in the U.S. against the decision.
Biden released a statement on Friday saying the two firms should drop the planned acquisition within 30 days. He says there is credible evidence to believe Nippon Steel might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States had previously reviewed the planned buyout and referred it to the president for a decision. The two steel makers said in a joint statement that they were dismayed by Biden's decision.
They say that Biden's order violates due process and the law governing the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. They also said it is shocking and deeply troubling that the US government would treat an ally like Japan this way. The steel makers go on to say that Washington is sending a chilling message. To any company based in an ally country contemplating significant investment in the United States.
US Steel President and CEO David Burrett called Biden's action shameful and corrupt. He added the president had insulted Japan, a vital economic and national security ally, and put American competitiveness at risk. But the leader of the United Steel Workers Union, David McCall, welcomed the decision, saying the union has no doubt it is the right move for its members and national security. Nippon Steel could have to pay a breakup fee of $565 million to U.S. Steel if the deal does not go through. It would also be forced to reassess its strategy in the U.S. market, where demand is expected to remain stable.

Japan's Trade and Industry Minister has reacted to Biden's decision, describing it as unfortunate and incomprehensible.
Mutoyoji says it raises concerns about the future of investments between the countries. He also says the Japanese government will ask the Biden administration to explain the decision in more detail. An expert says President Biden's decisionTo block the deal was political, and that's why the committee, or SIFUS, couldn't reach a consensus. My colleague Yuko Fukushima spoke to Joseph Kraft, who heads an advisory firm specializing in Japan US relations.

In my opinion, it means that there isn't a serious national security issue as the president noted. In my opinion, first of all, Japan is an ally of the US. Secondly, even if Nippon Steel were to wind down production, in a case of national security, the government can deem production to be resumed. So in my opinion, there really isn't a national security issue here. And that is why CFIUS could not come to a consensus.

So what does this rejection of Nippon Steel's buyout mean for Japanese and other foreign companies to invest in US companies in the future?

I don't think this is as big of a deal that some make it out to be. In other words, that it's going to be more difficult in the future for foreign firms to make investments into the US, especially those who are aligned with the US. However,I think Nippon Steel could have taken different measures to alleviate some of that political risk.
The most important thing for Nippon Steel was to get support or agreement from the union workers in this case, but they failed to do that.
So this is a good example for foreign firms of what not to do in terms of politically sensitive transactions.

You were saying that this is all political and it would been better business wise for the US and Japan if this deal went through.

The tragedy here is that this was a tremendously good deal for not only US Steel, but for America as well, I mean. The US Nippon Steel is buying this at a hefty premium. They're making significant capital investments, which is more likely to secure jobs than otherwise.
So I think it would have been a win win for both sides.

Kraft says, in the end, the people who suffer most, will be the US steelworkers. He adds the outcome won't be good for Japan-US relations either.

The foreign ministers of Germany and France have visited Syria almost one month since the collapse of the administration of President Bashar al-Assad. They were representing the European Union and pledged to help the Syrian people build a democratic nation.
Annalena Berbach and Jean-Noel Berreau met for talks with Ahmed al-Sharraa. He heads the group that is leading the interim government.

The European Union will do everything to help that the future will be a free one and a safe one for everybody.

Murbach says that lifting economic sanctions imposed by Western countries would require guarantees that the rights of minorities and women are safeguarded.
The remark apparently reflects the EU's desire to build relations with the interim government to avoid rising tensions in the Middle East and eliminate the influence of Russia, which backed the Assad administration.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says clashes between Turkey-backed militants and Kurdish forces have continued in the northern part of the country. The group says more than 200 people, including civilians, have died in the latest round of violence.

Japan's weather authorities are calling on people returning from holidays to brace for traffic disruptions. This comes as snow piles up along the Sea of Japan coast.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says a winter pressure pattern and a strong cold air mass are bringing heavy snow mainly to mountainous areas from northern to western Japan. As of 11 AM on Saturday, 397 centimeters had piled up in Sukayu in the Hakoda Mountain Range in Aomori Prefecture.
Hirosaki City, also in Aomori Prefecture, had 114 centimeters. That's a record high for January. Aomori City had 112 centimeters, which is more than triple the average. 40 centimeters of snow is forecast in Hokkaido and 30 centimeters in the Tohoku region in the 24 hours through Sunday morning. Weather officials are urging people to be prepared for possible avalanches and power outages caused by snow accumulation on electricity cables and trees.

Friday marked 100 days until the World Expo opens in Osaka. To mark the occasion, runners took part in a 10-kilometer race around the site.
The expo will be held on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay.
Seven years ago, there was nothing there.
The grand ring encircling much of the site is now almost finished. The Expo will run for six months, starting on April 13. The theme is Designing Future Society for Our Lives. 158 countries and territories are taking part. The national pavilions will be the major attraction. Some of them are nearly ready. Electric buses will take visitors into the site. They will be charged by underground coils that do not need cables.
This charging system is the first of its kind in Japan. Users will realize electric vehicles can be more convenient.
But the expo has its problems. Advance ticket sales have been slow. Organizers were hoping to sell 14 million tickets in advance. But as of December 25, only about half that number had been sold.

Those were the main stories for this hour.

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

at 18:00 (JST), January 03 / Mount Takao

 

20250103180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Gene Otani in Tokyo.

Multiple U.S. media outlets say President Joe Biden has decided to officially block Japan's Nippon Steel from purchasing U.S. steel. They reported on Thursday that a White House announcement is planned as early as Friday. Nippon Steel has declined to comment on the reports.
The two steel makers inked the acquisition deal in December 2023.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States later began reviewing the plan over national security risks, but was unable to reach a consensus by the December 23 deadline. It deferred the decision to President Biden. The committee had warned in its final evaluation that nippon steel could reduce production in the US. Biden is believed to have determined this would pose a national security risk. Nippon Steel has argued its plan to protect jobs and maintain production capacity would contribute to strengthening U.S. national security.
Nippon Steel President Imaya Tadash told reporters on December 25 that the company has promised a range of measures to address the concerns. Imaya also said he feels support for the buyout deal is spreading significantly in communities where steel plants are located.

South Korea's investigators have halted their attempts to execute a detention warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol.
They had entered the premises of the presidential residence to detain Yoon, but were reportedly blocked by his security personnel. The joint investigation team says it will review its next steps. The warrant is set to expire on Monday. This move follows an hours-long standoff at the residence in Seoul. Over 150 officials were deployed to the compound on Friday morning to execute the warrant, but the Presidential Security Service reportedly told them they would not allow the residents to be searched. A court in South Korea issued the warrants to detain Yoon and to search his residents on charges of orchestrating an insurrection earlier this week. This comes a move month after Yoon's sudden declaration of martial law in early December. It's the first warrant issued against an incumbent South Korean president.
Earlier, NHK World's Kim Chan Joo told us more about the situation regarding the warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol.

I'm now overlooking Yoon's presidential residence in Hanam-dong. It's the white building near the top of the hill. The Presidential Security Service and Capital Defense Command troops are reportedly protecting Yoon inside the residence. There have been no rests for obstruction of official duties so far. Hundreds of protesters have been paralyzing traffic in the area.
They're shouting that the opposition party is insane to be pro North Korea and that they must protect the president who is trying to eradicate anti state forces. Yoon's legal advisor arrived here a little after noon, possibly to stop the arrest warrant. He said he can't attend the second preparatory hearing at the Constitutional Court scheduled for the afternoon. But the hearing has reportedly taken place with other representatives attending.

So Chun-joo, why did the investigators decide to execute the warrant today?

Local media say it took a long time to prepare for investigators to prepare to execute the warrant. It's the first time to do such a thing in the country. They have reportedly prepared a questionnaire of about 200 pages. And January 3 is a normal weekday in South Korea. The country also celebrates the New Year season, but it's limited to January 1st as the Lunar New Year holidays occur later in the month.
So they chose this day to avoid huge protests around the residents on a holiday.

So Chanji, going forward, how will the situation likely unfold?

If the arrest warrant is executed, Yoon will be questioned at the corruption investigation office for high-ranking officials near Seoul and then transferred to a detention center. Yoon's side has been obstructing the investigators.
A lawyer for the president says it is an illegal and invalid execution of a warrant. He said Yoon's lawyers will take action in accordance with the illegal execution and noted that an objection to the warrant has been filed to the court.
Investigators gave up on executing the warrant on Friday, but it's valid until next Monday, so all eyes are now on when and how the investigators will try to push ahead.

U.S. investigators say the man who drove into a crowd of New Year's revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, acted alone. They also say he was a U.S. military veteran under the strong influence of the Islamic State group.
The FBI made the announcement at a news conference on Thursday. The Bureau had earlier said it did not believe the driver, Shamsuddin Jabbar, was solely responsible for the attack.
The incident occurred in the early hours of New Year's Day. The FBI says 14 people are dead and at least 35 others are wounded. The 42 year old suspect was killed in a shootout with police at the site. The Bureau said surveillance video analysis shows Jabbar had planted explosive devices near the scene of the attack. It said it has recovered the devices. The FBI also said the vehicle used in the attack bore an ISIS flag.

He was 100% inspired by ISIS. And so we're digging, we're digging through more of the social media, more interviews.

The Bureau revealed that in video clips posted on social media, Jabbar expressed his support for the extremist group and claimed to have joined it before last summer. U.S. media say bomb-making materials were found at a rental property where Jabbar had stayed before the attack. The French Quarter, a popular tourist spot nearby, was cordoned off after the incident, but was reopened on Thursday afternoon.

A winter pressure pattern and a cold air mass are bringing heavy snow to parts of northern Japan. Large accumulations of are forecast for the northern and eastern regions through Saturday, mainly in mountainous areas along the Sea of Japan coast. Snow is also expected in mountain areas of western Japan.
As of 5:00 AM Friday, 412 centimeters of snow had piled up in Skaiyu in Aomori Prefecture. That's more than double the average amount. In the 24 hours through Saturday morning, up to 50 centimeters of snow is expected in the Tohoku region and up to 40 centimeters in Hokkaido and Niigata prefectures. Winds could intensify along the Sea of Japan coast from northern to western Japan through Sunday, with possible blizzards in some areas.
The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling on people to prepare for traffic disruptions. Weather officials are also urging caution against snow that accumulates on power cables and trees, as well as avalanches in snow covered areas. On Friday, atmospheric conditions will likely be very unstable, mainly in the Hokuriku region.
People are advised to watch out for lightning strikes, tornadoes and other sudden gusts of winds and hail.
Those were the main stories for this hour.

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And that's the news this hour. I'm Gene Otani from all of us here at NHK Newsline to all around the world. Thanks very much for joining us.

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Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors. They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting-edge technologies. The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places. In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature Mount Takao.
Mount Takao has long been a popular hiking destination as it's perfect for day trips. In recent years, many tourists from overseas have climbed its slopes as well. One reason for its popularity is its easy access from central Tokyo, less than an hour's train ride away.
But Mount Takao has much more to offer.
At the foot of Mount Takao, people are dressed in various styles. Some are wearing trekking shoes and backpacks, ready to go hiking. Others are dressed in a more casual style, better suited for cities. 
The reason?
Mount Takao has seven hiking trails. One is a full ascent to the summit. Another course includes a cable car and a lift ride, and winds around the halfway point up the mountain. Visitors can choose from several options depending on the season, the size of the group, who's climbing, and what they're in the mood for.
The cable car lift route is not only fast, it's also exciting. At one point, the cable car's ascent is at an angle of just over 31 degrees, the steepest in Japan. Riders ooh and uh as the cable car climbs the steepest part.
Meanwhile, the two-seater chairlift leaves riders' legs dangling in the air, which means it can be a bit of a thrill for some. But with the feel of the breeze, it makes for a great ride and many kids ride with their parents. Just be aware that the cable car and the chairlift may not be running when there's bad weather, and visitors should check ahead.
The hiking courses offer various sites each season. Come spring, there are canopies of cherry blossoms in full bloom, while violets cover the ground.
In the summer, visitors can splash around in rivers or explore what's upstream.
Gorgeous foliage of reds, yellows, and oranges welcome visitors in the fall. On New Year's Day, many people flock to Mount Takao to enjoy the first sunrise of the year.
Mount Takao has long been associated with a strict practice of mountain asceticism called shugendo. A traditional form of aesthetic training called sui-gyo involvesstanding under a waterfall to cleanse oneself. Mount Takao has two waterfalls, Jataki and Biwataki, where this is practiced. During the winter months, visitors can watch people training in the ice-cold water. For those willing to give it a shot, Yakuoin Temple offers a suigyo tryout experience at its dojo.
For hikers, Mount Takao offers gorgeous views. From an observation deck midway up the mountain, they can see Tokyo and its vicinity, including the iconic Tokyo Tower and Yokohama Landmark Tower.
It's a spectacular view of the metropolis while being surrounded by the great outdoors. When weather conditions are good, the summit of Mount Takao offers a view of Mount Fuji. In fact, the top of Mount Takao has been selected as one of the 100 best places in the Kanto region,To view Japan's most famous peak.
Thank you for tuning in to the back story of Japanese landmarks. We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.

at 18:00 (JST), January 02 / Kusatsu Hot Springs

 

20250102180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Gene Otani in Tokyo.

A truck ramming attack in New Orleans early on Wednesday has left at least 15 New Year's revelers dead and dozens more injured. The FBI says it is investigating the assault as an act of terrorism. The rampage took place in the popular French Quarter shortly after 3:00 AM.
The area was crowded with people celebrating the New Year. The FBI says the driver later exchanged fire with officers. It adds the man was killed on the spot. The Bureau identified him as 42 year old Shamsuddin Jabbar. He was from Texas. Investigators doubt Jabbar acted alone. They say other people may have been involved in the incident. They report what appear to be improvised explosive devices were discovered in the truck and the French Quarter. A flag of the Islamic State group was also found in the vehicle. The agency says it is trying to determine whether the suspect was associated with terrorist organizations.
The US president denounced the attack.
Joe Biden described the incident as despicable. He also mentioned information the FBI shared with him.

The FBI also reported to me that mere hours before the attack, he posted videos on social media indicating that it was inspired by ISIS, expressing a desire to kill, a desire to kill.

Biden added he directed his team to make resources available to federal, state, and local law enforcement so they can complete the investigation.
Hours after the New Orleans incident, a Tesla Cybertruck explodedIn Las Vegas, the blast happened outside a hotel operated by a company Donald Trump's family owns. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is close to thepresident-elect.

The explosion occurred in front of the Trump International Hotel at around 8:40 AM on Wednesday. One person died inside the vehicle. Seven others were injured.

We had three3 explosions. The third one was the the big explosion that smoked the entire area.

Police officers say the vehicle pulled up to the front of the hotel before smoke started pouring out of it. The authorities indicate a large explosion then occurred. Musk posted a message on X. He said it has been confirmed the explosion was caused by fireworks and or a bomb in the bed of the truck. He noted the blast was unrelated to the vehicle itself. Musk also said it appears the event was an act of terrorism. He suggested the incident and the attack in New Orleans may be linked in some way. U.S. media outlets say authorities are investigating the blast as a possible terrorist attack.

A fire earlier this week has claimed its fourth victim. The blaze erupted at a six story hotel near Bangkok's entertainment district of Khao San.
2 Japanese man and a woman in their 30s were severely injured and hospitalized for treatment. The Japanese embassy in the Thai capital confirmed that one of them died on Wednesday.
Embassy officials have not clarified the gender of the deceased, citing privacy protection. They said the other person is still undergoing medical treatment. Media reports say 5 foreigners were among those hospitalized. Local authorities are investigating what caused the blaze.

We now turn to Montenegro, where a mass shooting on New Year's Day has left at least 10 people dead. The gunman went on the run initially. He later died by suicide. Reuters and other media outlets say the first attack occurred on Wednesday afternoon. They report a man opened fire at a restaurant in a small town in the country's West.
The attacker then moved on. He continued shooting at three other locations. The owner of a bar and the owner's two children were among those killed.
Four people were seriously injured. The 45 year old attacker fled the scene. He then attempted to take his own life near his home. He was confirmed dead later. The man's motives and other details have not been revealed, but police say the suspect had allegedly been drinking heavily. They also say there was a brawl before shots were fired.
The nation's president posted a message on social media, Yakov Milatovic said. He was shocked and stunned by the incident. He also said he was deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives.

Russia's forces forces carried out drone attacks against Ukraine on New Year's Day. Among the area struck was the heart of the country's capital.
Ukraine's Air Force reported on Wednesday Moscow had launched 111 drones across the nation. The unmanned aircraft caused damage in central Kiev. Important government facilities are located in that area, including the presidential office.
Debris from a downed drone fell on residential buildings in the city.
Multiple fires broke out. The city's mayor says two people were killed and seven were injured. Some residents were forced to cover shattered windows with plastic sheets to keep out the cold.

There was a big explosion, and glass flew everywhere. We live in fear every day, and everyone is mentally exhausted. This is all because of Russia.

Ukraine's president condemned Moscow in a message posted on social media. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said even on New Year's Eve, Russia's only concern was hurting Ukraine.

People in Syria are voicing their expectations for the interim government to build a better future as the country ushers in the new year. Nation-building efforts have been underway since President Bashar al-Assad's administration collapsed last month. On New Year's Day, people in the capital Damascus said they wished for stable security and the civil war-battered economy to recover. A man who was jailed under Assad's rule says he hopes the future will be better.

I hope a new Syria will be more prosperous, and everyone will feel happy and safe.

Armed groups in different regions of Syria have agreed to disband and integrate under the Defense Ministry. It's part of an effort to reorganize Syria's military, but the country faces the challenge of uniting them as clashes continue in the north between Kurdish forces and other fighters.
Ahmad Al. leads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Group, or HTS, that runs the interim government. Media reports say that on Monday he met a Kurdish forces delegation for the first time. They say the two sides agreed to keep talking.
NHK has previously called the HTS leader by his nickname Abu Mohammed al-Golani. But after launching the interim government, he began using his real name Ahmad al-Shar'a.

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Those were the main stories for this hour.

♫

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

Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors. They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting-edge technologies. The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places.
In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature Kusatsu Hot Springs.
The first thing a visitor notices upon entering the town of Kusatsu is what appears to be a giant pond of hot water.
Some 4,000 liters of hot spring water gushes up every minute at this yubatake, or literally hot water field. It's 60 meters across and 20 meters wide.
The area is filled with the sound of flowing water, steam rising from the yubatake,and a sulfurous odor typical of hot spring resorts. It all adds up to create an atmosphere that helps visitors step away from their everyday mind state. Kusatsu Hot Springs is in Guma Prefecture in the central part of Japan. You can get there by the Shinkansen bullet train or buses from Tokyo. Kusatsu has been a renowned hot spring resort for many centuries. Emperors and shoguns, as well as regular people, have long taken a dip in its baths. The natural hot springs are said to ease fatigue from long travels and supposedly have curative effects for illnesses, bruises, and sprains. Kusatsu is ranked as one of the top three hot springs in Japan.
Bathing is a well-loved part of life in Japan, but bathing in hot springs is not the same as taking a bath at home. Under Japan's hot spring law, in order to be officially considered a hot spring, the water, steam, and gas must well up from the ground and contain certain natural elements, and the temperature must be at least 25 degrees Celsius.
One of the main features of Kusetsu Hot Springs is the sheer amount of water that wells up from the ground in the area. In terms of volume, it's the top hot spring in Japan, with more than 32,000 liters gushing out a minute. That's enough to fill 230,000 oil drums a day. The Yubatake hot water pond at the center of the town is where visitors can get a sense of the vast amount of water flowing out from the ground. Seven wooden conduits line the oval-shaped Yubatake.
Hot water of around 50 degrees Celsius cools as it flows through the conduits before being distributed for bathing to some baths. The conduits also accumulate what are known as yunohana, or literally hot spring flowers.
They're crystalline compounds that form from the elements in the water as it's cooled by the air. The crystals are gathered and dried and made into a powder. The powder is a popular souvenir, as it can be used as a natural bath salt.
But the most famous of the attractions at Kusatsu is a water stirring event called yumomi.
With a temperature of around 50 degrees Celsius, the hot spring water must be cooled down to a temperature suitable for bathing. One way to do this is yumomi, stirring the water using wooden paddles. Locals stir the water while singing traditional folk songs to keep rhythm. The most famous of these are the kusetsu folk songs. Visitors can enjoy umomi performances and even try their own hand at stirring the water.
Thank you for tuning in to the back story of Japanese landmarks. We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.

at 18:00 (JST), January 01 / Fushimi Inari Shrine

 

20250101180000_english_1.mp3

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

It's been one year since a massive earthquake struck Japan's Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day. Survivors stopped to remember loved ones at a public memorial Wednesday.
Kobayashi Yukiko represented the bereaved families at the event. Her father, Yoichi, died when the earthquake struck. It also destroyed her family's store, which it stood for over 130 years. 

(Japanese)

She said she considered not reopening the store. But she said her neighbors supported her with their kind words. For now, she's restarted the family business on the town's temporary shopping street.

(Japanese)

Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru also attended the ceremony. He said the country is committed to the recovery and reconstruction of the region.

I am deeply pained by the profound sorrow of the Bubi families who lost their loved ones and the regret of those who fell victim to the two disasters. It is truly a source of immense pain and an overwhelming sense of grief. To restore the vibrant towns here and the smiles of their people, the government will work as one to rebuild these lives and livelihoods and restore the affected areas.

The quake left 504 people dead across central Japan's Ishikawa, Toyama and Niigata prefectures. Then came a second blow last September when heavy rains battered the hard hit Noto region, claiming the lives of 16 people.
Residents and volunteers in Wajima welcomed the new year at a local shrine.
It was damaged by the earthquake and repairs are still ongoing. Visitors said they prayed for peace and the region's recovery, including this man who lost his entire house in the disaster.

I prayed that the town will recover, that people will return, and that the population will grow so Wajimo will prosper.

I'd like to make this year a year we can return to normal and live happily.

It's hit some people particularly hard. When this man lost his house, he also lost a Japanese restaurant he ran for 35 years. Now he lives alone in a temporary home in Wajima city.

The hardest part is that I still can't work. It's really frustrating. I want to cook and go back to my job, but things aren't going well.

The aftermath has taken its toll on the region's residents. After the quake, 276 people died due to indirect causes, such as fatigue and stress. They make up more than half the official death toll. That number could still rise as authorities continue to review cases submitted by the families.

The Washington Post says Nippon Steel is offering the U.S. government a veto on any potential cuts to U.S. Steel's production capacity. The Japanese firm is trying to complete its planned purchase of the US producer. The Post said on Tuesday that Nippon Steel proposed a 10 year guarantee not to cut output at any of U.S. Steel's mills without federal government approval. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States had been examining the security risks of an acquisition by the company after the panel failed to reach a consensus. It opted to have President Joe Biden decide whether to allow the deal. The committee had expressed concern that the purchase could decrease steel production in the U.S. But the Post cites a source saying that Nippon Steel may need to invest billions of dollars to maintain production ability in the U.S. in addition to its existing commitments.
The paper quotes government officials saying that President Biden might approve the takeover on the condition that American jobs are preserved. But it also reports them saying that administration officials are mulling an approach that leaves the final decision to president-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered a bullish New Year message to his people. He spoke of bright times ahead, but steered clear of details about the conflict in Ukraine. In his annual televised address, Putin said Russia will go only forward and he is sure that everything will be fine. He hailed the Russians fighting in Ukraine as true heroes and said the thoughts and hopes of millions of people all over Russia are with them. Putin declared 2025 the year of the defender of the Fatherland, noting that it marks 80 years since the former Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. But he didn't speak about how the Russian aggression in Ukraine is going or the prospect of a ceasefire.
Russia also marked New Year's Eve with attacks across Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities said Russia hit Kiev, the northeastern region of Sumy, and other regions with missiles and drones. They said one person in Kiev was injured.
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Agency said a special unit shot down a Russian helicopter and damaged another off the coast of Crimea with a missile-equipped drone.

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has delivered his New Year's message. In it, he vowed to build a Japan where the happiness of a diverse public can be realized by revitalizing regional communities facing serious population declines. Ishiba says the drop in population has resulted in diminishing vitality for both regions and the economy. He says he's determined to set his regional revitalization policy in motion. He wants to rectify the excessive concentration in Tokyo to build a Japan that fulfills his pledge. Ishiba adds that he will seek a transition to a growthdriven economy led by wage increases and investment so that people can feel in tangible ways that their lives have become prosperous.
Ishiba has also pledged to strengthen anti-disaster and public security measures. He says the government will steadily advance efforts to create a disaster management agency and work to protect people from robberies and scams perpetrated by people recruited to commit such crimes.
As for diplomacy and national security, Ishiba says the international state of affairs surrounding Japan is severe and complex. He cited Russia's invasion of Ukraine and North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches. The prime minister says the government will protect Japan's interests. Ishiba says he will sincerely and humbly take on issues based on the coalition between his Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, Komeito. He says he and his minority government will listen carefully to the views of other parties so that the broadest possible agreements can be achieved. He stresses that he will make the new year one that brings prosperity and smiles to everyone.

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And those were the stories for this hour.

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

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Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors. They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting-edge technologies. The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places.
In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Kyoto served as the capital of Japan for more than a thousand years until 1868, when the capital was moved to then Edo, now Tokyo. When the imperial capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto in the year 794, it went by the name Heian-kyo, which means the capital of peace and tranquility. The city was modeled after the Chinese Tang Dynasty capital of Chang'an, and built on a grid pattern system. In fact, the streets of Kyoto today continue to follow this well-arranged grid. The Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its seemingly endless rows of vermilion torii gates, is popular among tourists from both Japan and abroad. It's less than 10 minutes by train or bus from Kyoto Station, or about a 35-minute walk. The shrine has a history of more than 1,300 years. It serves as the headquarters for over 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan. As legend goes, more than 1,300 years ago, a deity was enshrined at Mount Inari. The mountain has since been considered sacred.
People express their belief by dedicating torii of various sizes. Another practice is engraving the deity's various names onto stones called otsuka and placing them on the mountain.
The most famous part of Fushimi Inari Shrine is the thousand torii gates.
Torii are the gate-like structures at shrines. Although the size may vary, the torii is generally made of two pillars and a beam.
It stands on the boundary of the shrine's precincts and indicates that the area inside is sacred.
Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto has long rows of vermilion tori that seem to stretch on without end.
Inari shrines are dedicated to a deity popular among common people, representing good harvest, prosperous business, safety for the family, and the accomplishment of ambitions. The Edo period from the 17th century to the end of the 19th century was when much of the popular culture leading up to the present age took shape. It was during this period that people started offering torii to Inari shrines, hoping that their wishes would be fulfilled, or to give thanks when their wishes came true.
As the headquarters shrine, Shiminari Shrine, received the most of these offerings, this is why there are nearly 10,000 torii gates in various sizes in the precincts. Particularly famous are the rows of Torii called Sembom Torii or Thousand Tori, which lead to the main shrine building.
The endless Torii make for a great photo background for tourists.
Fox statues are a common sight at Inari shrines. The foxes are believed to be messengers for the Inari deity.
Unlike actual foxes, these are imaginary creatures considered sacred and invisible. There are many scary stories about Inari shrines and foxes across Japan. Also, the sushi wrapped with deep-fried tofu is called inari sushi. This is because fried tofu is believed to be a favorite food of the sacred foxes. Inari shrines and foxes have long been a part of Japanese people's lives.
Thank you for tuning in to the backstory of Japanese landmarks. We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.