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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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