An international group of journalists released a survey on the cross-border repression of Chinese dissidents. They claims Beijing is targeting those speaking out overseas.
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, or ICIJ, released the report Monday. It says it interviewed 105 victims in 23 countries and regions.
The ICIJ says it includes political dissidents from mainland China and Hong Kong, as well as Uighur and Tibetan minorities. The respondents said they were followed and threatened. Some say there were attempts to hack their devices. Half said the harassment extended to family back home who were intimidated and interrogated by police.
The report says the methods are allegedly consistent with investigative guidelines they say they found in internal Chinese government documents. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the allegations.
It said they are groundless and fabricated by those who want to slander China.
Ishiba is visiting Vietnam as part of a two-nation tour of Southeast Asia.
We'd like to work to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific and strengthen relations between Japan and Vietnam.
Ishiba said he would listen to Vietnam on how to respond to the Trump tariffs, as the issue affects many Japanese businesses operating in the country.
The two also exchanged views on the East and South China Seas, where China is increasing its maritime activities. They agreed to strengthen security ties by launching a framework for discussions between their foreign affairs and defense officials. The inaugural meeting will be held in Japan later this year. They exchanged views on regional issues, including North Korea's nuclear and missile development and deepening military ties with Russia. They also discussed Myanmar, which was devastated by a massive earthquake last month. Ishiba said after the talks that Vietnam is a country with great geopolitical importance and Japan must work with it to contribute to regional stability and prosperity.
I think the meeting went well. We'll see what happens over the next few days. We'll probably learn a lot.
Russia had been surprised and disappointed, very disappointed that they did the bombing of those places after discussions.
Asked if he would act to punish Russia, Trump said he was not looking to do it, but that he has a lot of options.
North Korea has confirmed for the first time that leader Kim Jong-un made the decision to send troops to fight for Russia in the conflict with Ukraine.
This comes from a statement by the ruling party's military commission carried on state-run media on Monday. It said North Korean soldiers had joined the fighting in the western Russian region of Kursk against cross-border incursions by Ukrainian forces. The statement said the troops had helped liberate the Russian territory and that their participation was basedon a strategic partnership treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow.
There was also a comment attributed to Kim. He referred to a monument of battle feats being erected in Pyongyang and flowers placed before the tombstones of fallen soldiers. This was taken to be confirmation of North Korean casualties in the fighting.
This was a good step forward as far as integrating both capabilities.
The joint exercises are due to continue until May 9th. Remote islands in the Philippines north, close to Taiwan, are also expected to be the venue for landing training, amid China's increasing maritime activities in the area.The Swedish Research Institute says last year's world military expenditures topped 2.7 trillion dollars, up 9% from the year before, and the largest single-year increase since 1989. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute says thatWith the conflict in Ukraine in its third year, military spending kept rising across Europe, including Russia.
It says Russia's spending rose 38% to an estimated 149 billion dollars, Ukraine's climb 2.9% to 64.7 billion. The institute says Ukraine shouldered the largest military burden of any country in 2024, as its spending made-up 34% of its gross domestic product. NATO is working to reinforce its deterrence against Russia. The institute says all 32 member countries of the alliance boosted their military spending last year. In Germany, Poland and Sweden, it surged about 30%. The institute says the United States was the largest spender at 997 billion dollars. It rose 5.7% and accounted for nearly 40% of the global total. China came second with an estimated 314 billion, up 7%.
Japan ranked 10th with its defense spending up 21% to 55.3 billion dollars. That's the largest percent increase for a year by the country since 1952.
It warns that governments increasingly prioritizing military security could have significant effects on societies for years to come.
The institute says China's military buildup has influenced the policies of its East Asian neighbors, prompting many to hide spending. The institute also says more than 100 countries around the world raised their military spending in 2024.
Well, Monday marks one month since a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar. In the worsted areas, many people are still having to live outdoors with no sense of when they will next have a proper roof over their heads.
I can't sleep at home, as I'm scared another quake could hit. I'm reliant on food aid, and I don't know what I'll do if it runs out.
In the northwestern region of Zagiing, near the epicenter, ongoing fighting between the military and pro-democracy forces makes the full extent of the damage hard to assess.
Comparing satellite images from before and after the quake shows buildings that have fully collapsed. The yellow dots indicate structures believed to have been damaged.
Just in an area of around 3 square kilometers, there are more than 100.
This 27-year-old man says he fled to Mandalay six months ago to escape fierce fighting in the northern state of Kachin. But the quake claimed the lives of his wife and 18-month-old son.
I want to go back, but it's difficult now. I'm suddenly all alone. Everything's changed.
Over 3.5 million people have been internally displaced by the fighting. For many, the earthquake has dealt them a second low.My sadness over their deaths hasn't gone away, but there are other people who are suffering even more. I think for now, we need to help each other, but I hope the day will come when we can live in peace again.
Japanese medical workers are taking part in relief efforts. They include Tomabe Chinoriko, who has spent about two weeks working in the worst-hit areas. She's worried that the coming rainy season could cause infectious diseases to spread, but she says some foreign aid workers are already starting to head back to their home countries.For people affected by the disaster, it doesn't matter if one month, two months, or a whole year have passed. Putting their lives back together is an ongoing process. I hope many people around the world will continue to take an interest in Myanmar.
Now let's get to the latest in business. Ramin Mellegard has the details. Ramin.
Thank you very much indeed.
Now, about half of Japan's rice wholesalers say there's been no change in the country's rice shortage, even after the government began releasing national stockpiles in mid-March. NHK questioned 13 members of the National Rice Wholesalers Cooperative Association. It asks about their transactions since the release. Now, seven said there has been no improvement in the recent shortage, just four said the situation has improved. All 13 said their purchase prices haven't fallen or remain nearly the same. Five said they've notified clients, including supermarkets, of plans to raise wholesale prices this month. Some wholesalers said that they're adjusting the amount of rice they sell to make sure there's enough to last until a new harvest hits the market later this year. Now, a wholesaler in Kyushu, southwestern Japan, said prices remain high and will certainly rise for this year's harvest over last year.
An expert on agricultural policy said prices will only fall if a big production increase is expected this year, but that does not seem likely at the moment.
Production capacity in Japan has been falling. Raising production depends on how much more can be harvested in the rice producing areas of eastern Japan.
But that is unclear and concerns persist as so many farmers are quitting due to old age.
Ando says the size of this year's harvest should give a clear picture of how much more rice can be produced in the country.
Now, duty-free sales dropped at a much faster pace, down 10.7% to around $307 million. Aside from the stronger yen, China's economic slowdown also played a role. Demand for watches and other luxury goods was especially weak. The Department Store Association says the outlook going forward is unclear, but there are reasons for optimism. They include higher wages here in Japan and the World Expo in Osaka, which should draw in more overseas tourists.
And, the Bank of Japan will hold a regular monetary policy meeting this week to decide on Interest rates. But there isn't anything regular in the challenge policymakers face in trying to assess how new US import tariffs will affect businesses and the broader economy.
BOJ board members meet for two days from Wednesday and we'll discuss the outlook for the economy and prices for the current and next fiscal years.
As of January, the central bank's median forecast for economic growth stood at 1.1% for fiscal 2025 and 1% for fiscal 2026. The median outlook for consumer inflation was 2.4% and 2%. For the same two years, however, most policymakers now believe the tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump this year will dampen exports and reduce capital investment. This is expected to lead to lower projections for both the economy and price growth. Now, considering the uncertainties, most analysts expect the BOJ to leave its interest rate unchanged this week.
BOJ Governor Ueda Kazuo last week said the bank will continue to carefully monitor economic and price data in relation to interest rate policy. The governor will hold a press conference after the policy meeting, and his comments are likely to be of special interest to investors.
A Japanese government survey has found that 20% of companies based in the country say the Trump administration's tariff measures could affect their business. Now, companies in the auto industry are the most likely to feel an impact. The Development Bank of Japan got responses from roughly 230 companies across a range of businesses, including the automotive, transportation, and machinery sectors.
Nearly 40% of firms in the auto sector said the tariffs could influence their business. Some said many of the products they export to the United States are made in Japan and Mexico. They said it's difficult for them to relocate production bases and replace supply chains. Meanwhile, a separate survey conducted by the Agriculture Ministry found that green tea producers are concerned about lower demand in the US due to price hikes there. The survey also found that beef exporting firms have heard from some of their clients that they don't want to receive any more products for now. The government has already decided on an emergency package that provides support for financing and helping companies maintain their workforce. It plans to compile other support measures if necessary.
OK, let's get a check on the markets.
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Today's In Focus is all about the upcoming grand sumo tournament. Here's NHK World Shibuya Aki with Raja Pradhan.
The action gets underway in less than two weeks. NHK World's in-house sumo expert, Raja Pradhan, is here to talk about the May tournament. So which wrestler are you tipping for big things?
Onosato.
The 24-year-old comes from Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast.In the ring, his imposing frame gives him a huge advantage. He weighs about 180 kilograms and can overwhelm his opponents in a flash.
Onosato was already a phenomenon in college. Thanks to his illustrious amateur career, he made his grand sumo debut from the third highest division, Makushita. He didn't disappoint after turning pro, rising to the top division, Makunoji, in just over half a year.
Onosato went on to claim his first championship in May 2024 in record-breaking fashion.
His second championship came in September. He was then promoted to the sport's second highest rank, Ozeki.
Onosato did it in just nine tournaments since his debut, a feat not seen in 100 years.
(Japanese)
But his form dipped over the next two tournaments.(Japanese)
Onosato was determined to turn things around. On the final day of the March contest, he faced off against former ozeki Takayasu and sealed his third championship.For an ozeki to be promoted to the top rank, they must win back-to-back tournaments or have an equivalent record.
(Japanese)
So Raja, the next tournament is really important. Can Onosato become a Yokozuna?I think he's the favorite if he stays fit.
Ohh Well, he has an extremely effective signature move, and it's like a lifeline when he's on the ropes. When Onosato uses his right hand to get an inside position on his opponent, he's virtually unstoppable. He used the technique in March to bulldoze his ozeki counterpart, Kotozakura. Look here, how Onosato quickly slides his right hand just under the armpit to take full control. And if that fails, Onosato has a plan B. He uses his left hand to execute a forearm attack called otsuke. He's refined that technique this past year and has taken his game to new heights.
What's more, Aki, I think Onosato's mentality is top-notch. Starting off strong will be vital in May, but also not hitting the deck on consecutive days. If Onosato avoids that, I think we'll see the fastest ever rise to Yokozuna.
Exactly, because we have this man over here, Yokozuna Hoshoryu. The Mongolian is a Sumo thoroughbred, whose uncle Asashoryu was a Yokozuna, too.
Hoshoryu debuted as the top-ranked wrestler in March, but he aggravated an elbow injury and pulled out from day 10. In fact, that was the first time in 39 years a new Yokozuna withdrew from competition.
For sure. Hoshoryu will be looking to channel that frustration from March, and if he stays injury free, he'll no doubt be a front runner and Hoshoryu's versatility.
That's what makes him such an exciting fighter. He doesn't actually rely on a specific move, and instead he uses all sorts of pushes, throws, leg tricks, you name it.
The list is prepared by the Japan Sumo Association about two weeks before each tournament. And this one over here is from March.
Well, it's packed with names.
Well, I can see Yokozuna Ho Shoriu's name on the east, and he doesn't have a counterpart on the west.
Ohh Thanks, Raja.
So, will Onosato earn promotion? Or will Hoshoryu claim his first title since becoming a Yokozuna himself?
Only one way to find out. Don't miss the Gran Sumo tournament in May. That's all from us.
It's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh. So, Jonathan, we're seeing some changes. Uh Changes in Tokyo's after a dry start to Monday. How are things looking for Tuesday?
Meanwhile, we're talking about a powerful spring storm that's starting to light up the skies in the northern portions of the plains states, and as we go through Monday, this lows are pushing toward the east and we're looking at the possibility of seeing some severe weather that could lead to some strong tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds, especially for those of you around the southern portion of Minnesota from the Twin Cities down South into Wisconsin into northern portion of Iowa. That's the focal point where you have the most elevated risk of severe weather. But even all on the cold front down toward the central and southern plain states, you're looking at the possibility of seeing some strong thunderstorms. So be on the lookout as you go. today on Monday and a much cooler temperature pattern coming in behind that front as we head toward Tuesday and Wednesday.
♫～
And that's it for this hour on NHK Newsline. I'm Yuko Fukushima. Thanks for joining us.
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