at 18:00 (JST), May 10

 

20250510180000_english_1.mp3

Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Ramin Mellegard in Tokyo.

US President Donald Trump is keeping global economies off balance with more announcements on tariffs. Trump says he will essentially maintain a 10% baseline duty on all countries. Even after trade deals are reached, the levy went into effect early last month.

There could be an exception at some point. We'll see. You know, somebody does something exceptional for us. That's always possible. But basically, you have a baseline of a minimum of 10%.

Trump was speaking one day after the US announced a trade deal with Britain, reducing the levy on its vehicles from the current 25% to the 10% minimum. Trump also said he foresees four or five trade deals with other countries. He said they would be coming immediately. Regarding China, Trump said in a social media post on Friday that an 80% tariff seems right, suggesting he may reduce the duty from the current additional 145%.
He has slapped on Chinese goods. A White House spokesperson addressed Trump's post hours later.

The president still remains with his position that he is not going to unilaterally bring down tariffs on China. We need to see concessions from them as well.

Top US and Chinese negotiators are gathering this weekend for trade talks in Switzerland.

Now, the heads of four European countries are in Kiev for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit comes amid calls for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire.
French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Meltz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the trip on Friday. Macron posted a photograph online of the leaders on route to Kiev. It's Meltz's first visit to the country as Germany's new chancellor. They plan to have a meeting with Zelinskyy, highlighting their solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing invasion of the country.
The leaders have called on Moscow to agree to a full and unconditional 30 day ceasefire. The British government says the leaders will host an online meeting alongside Zelenskyy.
They'll discuss the progress being made in creating a so-called air, land, maritime and regeneration force that would help uphold Ukraine's security after any peace deal.

And leaders in Europe want to hold the Russian government and military officials to account. For the crime of aggression against Ukraine, they plan to establish a special tribunal as early as next year. European foreign ministers met in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. They say the tribunal will likely be set up under the Council of Europe, which monitors human rights violations. EU foreign policy chief Kaya Kalas said no one can be left unpunished for the crimes committed.
Sitting presidents and some leaders cannot be prosecuted under international law, even by a special tribunal.
But work such as gathering evidence can be conducted. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on suspicion of war crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine. However, prosecuting him on charges of aggression would be difficult and would require a referral by the UN Security Council.

And Pakistan says Indian forces carried out a missile attack targeting three of its military bases, but it claims there was no damage. The Group of Seven nations in the European Union averged the two countries to exercise maximum restraint. A spokesperson for the Pakistani military said on Saturday that the missiles were fired from Indian aircraft. The targeted bases were in the city of Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad and other locations. Most of the missiles were set to be intercepted by air defense systems.
Pakistani state television cites sources as saying that retaliatory measures are underway. The tit for tat military clashes between the two countries have continued for the past several days. On Wednesday, the Indian military carried out a missile strike on the Pakistani side in retaliation for last month's deadly assault in the India controlled part of Kashmir. The two neighbors later accused each other of carrying out drone and other attacks.
India says he was hit by more than 300 drones from Pakistan on Thursday and Friday.

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito has been released from a hospital in Tokyo after undergoing a heart exam.
The 91-year-old Emperor Emeritus was diagnosed with a high probability of myocardial ischemia in a regular checkup and subsequent examination. The condition occurs when blood flow from the coronary arteries to the heart muscle is insufficient. He had not complained of any symptoms. The Emperor Emeritus was admitted to the University of Tokyo Hospital on Tuesday for a detailed exam.
Empress Emerita Michiko visited her husband daily at the hospital. The Emperor Emeritus, accompanied by Empress Emerita, returned to their residence at the Akasaka estate on Saturday morning.

Now, Japanese electronics giant Panasonic Holdings plans to shed about 10,000 workers, or about 5% of its global workforce. The move is part of a drastic overhaul, focusing on unprofitable parts of the business. Officials say about 5,000 jobs will be slashed both domestically and overseas this fiscal year through measures such as an early retirement program. The cuts will mainly be in sales and administration. Panasonic aims to put more resources into AI-based services for corporate customers. CEO Kusumi Yuki lamented the decision when speaking to reporters.

It's deeply regrettable that we are turning our attentions to employment.

The firm is considering selling its TV business and breaking up a unit that specializes in home appliances, air conditioners, and lighting. Now, Panasonic also announced its earnings forecast for the current fiscal year.
Sales are expected to fall by more than 7%, and net profit will likely fall over 15%. Officials say the figures do not take into account the potential impact of sweeping tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

Now, the central Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka has enacted a new ordinance to discourage risky behavior by hikers heading to Mount Fuji. 
Trekkers will now have to pay a fee of 4,000 yen, or about $28, to climb from the Shizuoka side. Yamanashi Prefecture has initiated the same fee. The ordinance also limits the hours that hikers can pass through the gates at the 5th station on Shizuoka's three trails. The measures are designed to discourage overnight climbs and prevent accidents.

I believe the new regulations are necessary as trekking can be dangerous.

Some hikers were seen climbing over France to head up the trail, even though it was closed. The prefecture has started a registration system via a dedicated app that allows people to pay the entrance fee in advance. The official climbing season on the Shizuoka side starts on July 10.

And hundreds of people have paraded a giant snake-shaped portable shrine. through the streets of a hot spring resort north of Tokyo to mark the Year of the Snake, the zodiac symbol for 2025.
The festival was held at the Oigami Onsen Hot Spring Resort in the city of Numata.
Legend has it that the god of the nearby Mount Akagi turned into a giant snake before spewing out hot spring water.
The annual event usually features a 30 metre portable shrine, but this year, for the first time in 12 years, in line with the Zodiac cycle, it was extended to more than 100 metres. Scores of people, including local students, took part in carrying the two ton shrine.

I felt energised. I'm happy, I came.

And those are the top stories for this hour.

♫～

And that's a wrap for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Ramin Mellegard. Thank you very much for joining us.