at 18:00 (JST), February 24 / Fushimi Inari Shrine

                                 

20250224180000_english_1.mp3

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

Germany's largest opposition alliance of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union has won the most seats in Sunday's general election. The center-right bloc is on course to lead post-election coalition talks to form a government.
The bloc's candidate, Friedrich Merz, is expected to become German Chancellor. He expressed hope to launch a new government by about mid-April during a TV appearance on Sunday. Germany's Election Commission has released ballot counting results that show the CDU, CSU, taking 28.6% of the vote. The Alternative for Germany Party, or AFD, won 20.8%. The anti-immigrant AFD is seen as being far right and not supportive of Ukraine. The party has gained double the share of votes compared to Germany's last election four years ago. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left Social Democratic Party captured 16.4% of the vote. Local media outlets say the results reflect a desire for change from the government led by Scholz and to end Germany's political gridlock.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is prepared to resign if it will bring peace to his country.
Zelenskyy made the comment during a news conference in Kiev on Sunday, one day before the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

If you really want me to leave my position and it will bring peace to Ukraine, I'm ready to do that.

Zelenskyy also said he would exchange his presidency for Ukraine membership in NATO. US President Donald Trump has called Zelensky a dictator without elections. He says Ukraine needs to hold a presidential vote. Zelenskyy spoke about conversations with the United States over its rights to access Ukraine's minerals. He said the initial plan Washington presented contained no security guarantees. Zelensky said US companies have interests in his country, and he asked the US why he cannot send its forces to Ukraine. He said he hasn't received a response.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's former deputy prime minister has welcomed the possibility of a Ukrainian mineral deal with the US as a good opportunity.

I think it will be a good opportunity to have, again, a strategic partner, a strategic investor in this area.

He expressed hope that the investments will bring stability to his country.

Cycle of such projects, it's quite long term. So having this US business, US side on the ground in such like large scale and long-term project means that probably they will secure also on this part of they will try to secure the investment.

Kubrkov also noted that Russian attacks have damaged Ukraine's energy sector. He said that's where Ukraine needs Japan's cooperation most, including to help reconstruct energy facilities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked his soldiers who have fought in Ukraine, where he said Russia is achieving its goals.
Putin delivered a speech at the Defender of the Fatherland Day ceremony on Sunday.

We are achieving our goals thanks to your hard effort. You are the country's pride.

In a video released on Sunday, Putin said that amid rapid changes in the world, Russia has not changed its strategic course for strengthening and developing the armed forces. And he said the country will continue to build up the combat capabilities of its army and navy.

Japan and the Philippines have agreed to set up a framework for high-level dialogue to enhance operational collaboration. That includes joint drills between Japan's Self-defense Forces and the Philippine military.

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Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen. and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbelter Teodoro held talks on Monday. Nakatani said at the start of the meeting that defense cooperation is increasingly necessary as international tensions rise. He expressed hope to advance strategic discussions. The two ministers agreed to promote bilateral defense cooperationin the face of China's increasing military activities in the South and East China Seas.
They also agreed to discuss ways to protect their shared military intelligence. The two sides will also promote cooperation in defense equipment, including the export of a warning and control system from Japan. Tokyo will soon send a public-private team to the Philippines for this purpose.

We firmly agreed on the need to raise our cooperation and collaboration to a new level. We will do our best to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

We share also the common cause of resisting any unilateral attempt to reshape the global order without the consent of the participants of this global order and the attempt to reshape international law by force.

The two also reaffirmed the importance of coordination with the United States and Australia.

The Vatican says Pope Francis remains in critical condition, with blood tests revealing the pontiff suffering mild kidney failure.
The Vatican made the announcement on Sunday. The 88 year old Pope has been undergoing treatment for pneumonia at a hospital in Rome since February 14.
On Saturday, the Vatican said the Pope's condition deteriorated with asthma like symptoms, but on Sunday it said he had not experienced further respiratory crises. The Vatican said he would continue getting high flow oxygen therapy, but could take meals and attend a mass held at the hospital. So far there is no prospect of the pontiff being discharged.

We that believe in God, they believe in Pope. We are a little bit worried because it's it's important for us.

I believe the Pope will be able to return to his duties. I'm praying to God.

Many people were seen offering prayers near his hospital and at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Basilica.

Heavy snow has been blanketing a wide area of Japan, mainly along the Sea of Japan coast. People in the area are being advised to exercise caution when traveling. Weather officials say a winter pressure pattern and a strong cold air mass are causing intermittent snow in areas between the Tohoku and the Chugoku regions. As of 11:00 AM on Monday, snow was over 3.8 meters deep in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. It was nearly 3.3 meters deep in Okura Village, Yamagata Prefecture. Heavy snow can be expected even in areas that usually don't get much, such as central Kinki and low lying areas of Shikoku. Snow predicted for the 24 hour period through Tuesday morning. could reach up to 30 centimeters in Niigata Prefecture, the Hokuriku region, the Chiugoku and the Kinki region. Weather officials are calling on people to be on the alert for traffic disruptions, avalanches, snow falling from roofs, power outages and fallen trees.
Let's take a look at the weather in your part of the world.

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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 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 Heiankyo, which means the capital of peace and tranquility. The city was modeled after the Chinese Tang Dynasty capital of Changwang, 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 1300 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 Shiminari 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 tori to Inari shrines, hoping that their wishes would be fulfilled, or to give thanks when their wishes came true.
As the headquarters shrine, Fushimi Inari 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 torii, 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.