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.
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.
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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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.
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