Hello, a very warm welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yamato Miki in Tokyo.
We start this hour with the latest US levies that are now in effect. And for this, let's go to a business anchor, Gene Ohtani, for the latest. So walk us through the details.
Definitely this topping the news, Miki.
The United States has launched what President Donald Trump calls reciprocal tariffs as scheduled. The measures are imposed on countries and regions with large trade surpluses with the US. The levies came into force from midnight US Eastern Time. That is 1 p.m.
Wednesday in Japan. Trump already imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff worldwide from April 5. The rates will be raised for certain countries and regions based on the sizes of their respective trade surpluses with the US. The rate for Japan is 24 percent. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says nearly 70 countries have contacted the US asking to negotiate the tariffs, including the reciprocal ones. She added the Trump administration will prioritize its allies in the talks. The discussions with Japan will be led by Trade Representative Jameson Greer. He says he wants to take up a further opening of
Japan's market for US agricultural products and easing restrictions on industrial goods.
Businesses in Japan are expressing worries about the impact of Trump's tariffs.
Shiraishi Masaharu makes video camera parts in Tokyo's Ota Ward. The area is home to many small, privately owned factories. The first thing he checks when he arrives at his factory is news related to Trump. Shiraishi himself doesn't export to the US, but fears large domestic firms he supplies may ask for price cuts.
I would have no choice but to obey, but I will negotiate very small cuts.
One of Japan's top brush makers is based in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan. It is scrambling to minimize the impact of tariffs. Some of its cosmetics brushes are for export. The US accounts for about 20% of total sales.
Such high tariff rates imposed across the globe exceeded our expectations.
I'm afraid that if the US economy comes to a standstill, our sales may go down.
The baker had already cut production since late February, with Trump's policy in its mind. Now it is discussing additional measures to mitigate the impact. Boosting sales in Southeast Asia through its outlet in Thailand is one such step. The firm is also thinking of increasing sales to foreign visitors to Japan. More use of social media for promotions is also being considered.
Japan's benchmark stock index slumped on Wednesday in another day of volatile trading. Investors sold shares across the board amid the escalating trade conflict between the world's two biggest economies. The Nikkei 225 index, at one stage, fell more than 1,700 points, or over 5 percent. The slump came as the US raised tariffs on China to 104 percent and slapped reciprocal tariffs on other trading partners.
The benchmark ended at 31,714, down 1,298 points, or 3.9 percent. The fall adds to the Nikkei's roller coaster week. It lost 7.8 percent on Monday and rebounded 6 percent the following day. The dollar, meantime, weakened against the Japanese currency in Tokyo on Wednesday. It briefly fell to the mid-144 yen level amid concern that tariffs will speed up inflation in the US and slow the economy.
Japanese government and central bank officials have held an extraordinary meeting on the sharp fluctuations in financial markets triggered by the increase in US tariffs.
Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs Mimura Atsushi, Financial Services Agency Commissioner Ito Hideki and the Bank of Japan's Executive Director Nakamura Koji took part in the discussions on Wednesday. The officials were expected to share analyses of market trends and consider how to respond. Stock markets worldwide have been volatile amid concern that rising trade friction betweenUS and China could lead to slower global economic growth in Tokyo. The benchmark Nikkei index logged its third largest single day drop on Monday, but it rebounded on Tuesday, marking its fourth biggest gain, the start of US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs. Dragged the benchmark lower on Wednesday. The meeting by the Finance Ministry, Financial Services Agency and the Bank of Japan is the first since August 6th last year. The previous talks also followed a record drop in the Nikkei index.
The trade conflict between the US and China has shifted toward. Retaliatory moves by both sides. Trump is slapping additional levies totaling 104% on imports from China.
Here's how the White House justifies the move.
It was a mistake for China to retaliate. The president, when when America is punched, he punches back harder.
Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imports by 20% after taking office. Then he announced a sweeping new round of levies worldwide, with an additional 34% on China.
Leaders in Beijing retaliated by announcing their own 34% tariffs on US imports. Trump responded by threatening and is carrying through on additional tariffs of 50%.
Beijing issued a statement calling the threat a mistake on top of a mistake, adding China will fight to the end.
Trump said online Tuesday that his administration is waiting for their call, suggesting an openness to dialogue.
Meanwhile, leaders of China and the European Union have stressed the importance of working together to safeguard free trade.
Chinese Premier Li Chuan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held phone talks on Tuesday. China's Foreign Ministry quoted Li as saying the country and the EU should strengthen communication to protect open trade and investment. The EU says Van der Leyen called on Europe and China to support a strong reform trading system on a level playing field.
China and the EU have been at odds over issues, including the bloc's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, but they appear to agree on the need to address Washington's disruptive trade policy.
For more on this, we spoke to an expert on China, Professor Korogi Ichiro. He says the country can't pull back from tit-for-tat exchanges with the US despite a possible heavy blow to the Chinese economy.
In President Trump's first term, the US imposed tariffs only on China to try to block imports from the country and reduce the trade deficit. This time, the US is trying to block imports by imposing tariffs on countries that Chinese goods go through, such as Mexico, Canada and Vietnam.
Korogi said China's government has no choice but to continue to take a hard line stance against the US. That's because it is concerned about the reaction of the people.
People in China are watching the moves of President Xi's administration. If it compromises with the US or becomes weak, Xi's unifying force will be threatened. So far, the current situation in which China is competing with the US has not been politically negative. In terms of the economy, trade will be affected, so it will be a big disadvantage.
Korogi says China doesn't want to play chicken with the US forever. He says Beijing wants dialogue from an equal position with Washington. The professor says China is waiting for more people in the US to oppose tariffs like Elon Musk.
As a result of imposing tariffs, prices of all goods entering the US, including smartphones, will be higher. When prices rise, people in the US will have difficulty making ends meet and suffer losses in stocks. Even though the US is supposed to suppress inflation, if such a situation becomes a major source of public discontent, Trump will see his support rate drop and he will be forced to weaken his hardline stance. And China is aware of this. The country's so-called unified front work is designed to divide opponents without China doing anything.
Korogi adds that China will continue to call on US allies such as the EU, Japan and South Korea. To cooperate on protecting free trade, but it will continue domestic economic stimulus measures.
The Asian Development Bank says US trade tariffs will slow growth in a basket of developing economies in the Asia Pacific region. The bank's forecast released on Wednesday predicts average growth of 4.9% in 2025, down from 5% last year. However, it does not take into consideration the latest so-called reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US. The ADB says China's economy will likely expand by 4.7%, down 0.3 points from last year. Growth projections range from 6.6% for Vietnam, 4.9% for Malaysia, and 2.6% for Singapore. All these figures are lower than last year. The ADB says this outlook may worsen, as the reciprocal tariffs for Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia range from 32% to 49%. The bank adds that the latest levies could do major damage to economies in Southeast Asia. The forecast excludes Japan and other industrialized countries in the region. All right, let's have a look at the markets.
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And that's a look at business news. Miki, I'm going to hand it back to you.
Thank you very much, Gene, for the update.
We are now four days away from the World Expo in Osaka, featuring futuristic innovations from around the world. Ahead of that, reporters were given exclusive access to the venue, and NHK Wolrd's Sato Mariko is at the site now with the latest. Mariko?
Hello, Miki. We were given a sneak peek before opening day, along with media from around the world. It almost looked like the expo was in full swing. There were so many crowds of journalists from different countries gathering near the most popular pavilions. This is all happening in this so-called Grand Ring. It's the largest wooden structure on Earth. It will host exhibits from 158 countries and regions, as well as seven international organizations.
There will be 84 pavilions, and we had a chance to see some of them, including one called Wa! Germany.
That's Wa as in harmony, and Wa as in wow. It looks like a series of rings within the grand ring. It's based on the concept of the circular economy, reducing waste and working with it within the cycle of nature.
There are also exhibits showcasing cutting-edge Japan. The signature area, Inochi Park, features projects from top Japanese creators and thinkers based on the Expo's core theme,designing a future society for our lives.
With four days to go, there's still construction going on. Walking around the venue, we saw booths and pavilions that are not yet finished.
Organizers say they do expect the expo will be ready for visitors by Sunday.
Umm And we know that there have been some concerns about just how many visitors they will actually receive. Is that right?
Yes, as of earlier this month, organizers say they had sold about 8.7 million advance tickets. That's well below their target of 14 million. The expo says it hopes to receive a total of 28 million visitors before it closes October the 13.
There are worries over the costs. The budget has almost doubled from the original plan. Security is another concern, with so many crowds and staff coming from all over the world.
About 10,000 police officers are being deployed here. This has been a major project with major challenges.
Still, organizers hope this celebration of coming together to create a better future captures the world's attention.
All right, Mariko, thank you very much. That was NHK World's Sato Mariko in Osaka. Now, as Mariko said, the expo is set to focus on the societies of the future. NHK World's John LaDue went to see what that could look like.
I'm here at the Osaka Expo for an inside peek into their signature pavilions. The theme is life in the future and what that might look like in the decades and even centuries to come. Let's take a look.
This pavilion explores the idea of humanity's relationship with food.
It imagines having a hologram sushi chef to prepare sashimi remotely before it appears on your plate.
Other areas explore humanity's future in other ways, such as how we can co-exist with the planet, AI and each other. And last but not least, this pavilion imagines a future where humans and androids co-exist. Let's check it out.
Visitors are welcome to the Future of Life pavilion not by people, but by robots.
The exhibit explores the idea of living with machines in the past, present, and future.
The pavilion imagines society 50 years from now, where humans and androids live side by side. It asks how androids will fit into our society, from spending time with us at cafes to playing the piano. Technology could soon make this our new reality. If so,Humans will have to ask ourselves some tough questions.
Visitors are urged to think about what it means to be human. That means challenging our preconceived notions about what androids could be.
The pavilion is the brainchild of Professor Ishiguro Hiroshi. a global robotics pioneer from Osaka University.
Do you believe androids have a soul?
Androids do not have a soul. The concept of a soul is deeply tied to human imagination and belief. What we perceive as a soul in them is merely a projection.
This, of course, is not the human Ishiguro, but an Android clone he created fully equipped with AI trained on his work. The flesh and blood, Ishiguro says, unlike other robots that help with tasks, his androids are designed to be companions.
Humans will increasingly use AI androids, and that will help their abilities grow. Then the border between US and them will vanish. In a society where you can't distinguish between robots with AI and people, we will face various challenges unless we really think about what it truly means to be human.
After everything I've seen here today, seeing the line between man and machine blurring, I wonder how long it will be until we just can't tell. John Ladue NHK World, Osaka.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says over a month has passed without a drop of aid entering the Gaza Strip. He said on Tuesday that Israel's cut-off of supplies means no food, fuel, or medicine is going into Gaza.
As aid has dried up, the floodgates of water have reopened. Gaza is a killing field, and civilians are in an endless death slope.
Israel has also resumed attacks against the enclave amid a stalemate in talks on extending a ceasefire with Hamas.
Guterres said as the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law. He urged the country to quickly allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Guterres also commented on US reciprocal tariffs. He said that nobody wins in a trade war. He added that he was particularly worried about the most vulnerable developing countries. He said the impact there will be more devastating.
Iran's foreign minister has urged the US president to stop putting pressure on Tehran by indicating Washington could take military action. It comes ahead of upcoming bilateral talks on Iran's nuclear program.
Abbas Arakji is set to speak with Trump's special envoy in Oman on Saturday, the first talks between the countries since Trump returned to office.
Arakji wrote an opinion piece published Tuesday in the Washington Post. He says Tehran is ready to engage in earnest and with a view to seal a deal.
That's in regard to the nuclear program.
But he cautioned, In order to move forward, they must first agree that there can be no military option, let alone a military solution. President Trump threatened in an interview last month to bomb Iran if if it does not reach an agreement with the US over the program. Arakji concluded his piece by writing, There is a chance for the US to finally have a president of peace, and whether or not to seize that opportunity is a choice.
Japanese police say arrested actor Hirosue Ryoko was so agitated during questioning that she was unable to communicate properly. She was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly injuring a nurse at a hospital where she was taken after a car accident.
Hirosue is best known internationally for her role in the Oscar-winning movie Departures. The actor was reportedly restless and pacing around inside the hospital in the central prefecture of Shizuoka while waiting to be treated. She allegedly kicked and scratched the female nurse who had followed her. The police have not said whether Hirosue has admitted to the allegations. The 44-year-old actor was taken to the hospital after she rear-ended a large truck on an expressway. The police have checked the car she was driving and her possessions.
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Now let's bring in our meteorologist Jonathan Oh for weather updates. So Jonathan, I'm starting to see some of the cherry blossom petals fly through the air in Tokyo. It was a bright and warm Wednesday, but how are things looking for Thursday?
And so you want to try to catch a glimpse as soon as you can before we see the transition away. I mean, look at the high on Wednesday in Tokyo. We made it up to 23.8 degrees on Wednesday. We should see temperatures cooling off just a little bit, the reason why is as high pressure which has been the dominant force bringing the calm weather pushing off toward the east, back toward the West, we have a developing low pressure system that's going to help bring in some more rain for the western portion of Japan as you go through Thursday and then into places like Tokyo by Friday. So you will need to have the umbrellas here by as we see some of the wet weather taking place. High of 20 in Tokyo on Thursday, down to 17 on Friday with that rain and up to 23 by Saturday.
Osaka Fukuoka. We'll see some rain as we go through Thursday as that low pushes on through.
Meanwhile, down toward Australia, we're keeping an eye out on a little bit of tropical storms north of the continent where we may be talking about a possible tropical system developing as we go through the next couple of days. Most of the continent relatively dry except for the northern coastal areas where we're seeing the tropics, rain from Darwin to Cairns, Brisbane also seeing some showers, but heat still part of the story into Western Australia, Port Hedland seeing a high of 38 degrees as we go through Thursday. And we're going into the fall months now and we are seeing the temperatures still quite on the hot side, but they should be on their way down as we head throughout the next few weeks. Looking at what's happening across North America, we have a low that's moving across the central portion of the United States may help to usher in some rain and even some snow into the Great Lakes area, but down toward the south we have to look at as we head toward Friday, we may be seeing a developing situation where we may be seeing some strong storms as we go through the latter part of the week.
Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～
And that's NHK Newsline for this hour.
We're at Yama Motomiki in Tokyo. Thanks for staying with us.
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