Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Gene Otani in Tokyo.
The 2025 World Expo Opening Ceremony Saturday was attended by Japan's Emperor, Empress, and Prime Minister, along with others one day before the public opening.
Welcome to Expo 2025, Osaka Kansai, Japan.
The six-month expo in western Japan's Osaka features attractions from 158 countries and regions, and seven international organizations, the theme is Designing Future Society for Our Lives.
Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru spoke at the ceremony, which was also attended by Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino, and Princess Kiko.
(Japanese)
The expo gets underway Sunday on Osaka's Yumeshima man-made island amid some challenges. Ticket revenue is supposed to cover most of the running costs, but organizers say they have only sold 11 million tickets in advance, fewer than their target of 14 million.
Construction costs were initially estimated at 125 billion yen, or about $870 million, but the figure has been revised up to as much as 235 billion yen, or about $1.64 billion. That's mainly due to surging material prices and design changes to the grandroof, which is one of the event's centerpieces. The cost will be split between the central government, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, and the private sector.
Nepal's pavilion is the only one out of 42 built by participating countries that is unlikely to be ready in time for Sunday, as the interior has not been completed. More than 140,000 people are expected to visit the Expo on Sunday.
The tariff war between the US and China is heating up. Beijing has hiked levies on American goods to 125%.
The move comes after the administration of US President Donald Trump has repeatedly imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods. The US said on Thursday that the levies add up to 145 percent. The Chinese government, in response, announced on Friday that additional tariffs on US imports will total 125 percent.
Beijing also said it will ignore additional tariff hikes by Washington. A Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said the US repeatedly raising tariffs has become a numbers game that has no practical economic significance.
White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt spoke Friday at a news conference.
If China continues to retaliate, it's not good for China. We will provide updates moving forward, but the president has made it very clear he's open to a deal with China.
It is unusual for the world's top two economic powers to impose tariffs of more than 100% on each other.
Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei is preparing for his first talks with US officials over tariffs recently announced by the Trump administration.
Akazawa will make a three-day visit to Washington from Wednesday to negotiate a review of the measures. He'll meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and Trade Representative Jameson Greer. Akazawa co-hosts the government's Tariff Task Force launched on Friday, along with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa.
We will develop an all-Japan approach across ministries and agencies to negotiate with the United States and to take the necessary measures for domestic industries.
Akazawa plans to explain in the first round of talks. How Japan has contributed to the US economy and employment through large-scale investments, it's hoped that will set the stage for constructive negotiations.
The White House says a high-level US meeting scheduled for Saturday with Iran over its nuclear program will consist of direct talks.
The meeting in Oman would be their first face-to-face negotiations since the US in 2018 withdrew from an international nuclear deal under President Trump's first administration.
But Iran says they will be indirect discussions mediated by Oman.
US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi are expected to hold talks in the country. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday that they will be direct talks.
I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they can't have a nuclear weapon.
Witkoff told the Wall Street Journal that Washington will demand Tehran eliminate its nuclear program, but he said compromises might be needed to reach a deal.
A group of 250 reservists and former members of the Israeli military's intelligence unit have called for an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip and the return of Israeli hostages. The group said in a letter published on Friday that continuing the war does not help achieve any of Israel's declared goals. It added that doing so will lead to the deaths of the hostages, soldiers and innocent people. Their petition came a day after a similar letter from about 1,000 Israeli Air Force reservists. The moves came as talks with Hamas to extend the ceasefire have stalled. Casualties are mounting in Gaza after Israeli forces resumed attacks on March 18. Health authorities there say more than 1,500 people have been killed since then.
There's increasing criticism in Israel that the resumption of attacks puts the lives of the hostages held by Hamas at risk. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement rebuffing the letters. He called them unforgivable expressions that weakened the military and strengthened the enemies in wartime.
And now here's a look at the world weather. Here's a look at the world weather.
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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.
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