at 18:00 (JST), June 09

 20250609180000_english_1.mp3

Hello, a very warm welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo.

WWII bomb explodes at storage depot in Okinawa, injuring 4 SDF members

We start with more details on an explosion in southern Japan's Okinawa Prefecture. Officials say there was a blast on Monday morning at a facility located within the US Kadena Air Base.
The facility is used to temporarily store unexploded devices and is managed by the prefecture. The officials say four Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel have been injured, but their condition is not life-threatening. The police, fire department and other relevant authorities are investigating.

Japan's southern Kyushu braces for downpours caused by bands of rainclouds

Weather authorities are urging people in the southern part of Japan's Kyushu region to brace for torrential downpours.
They say bands of heavy rain clouds are expected in the area through late Monday.
The meteorological agency notes that warm, moist air is moving toward a seasonal rain front located south of Japan. It says that is making atmospheric conditions unstable, mainly in western Japan. The rain front is expected to gradually move north through Wednesday.
It is then likely to remain over the western and eastern parts of the country.
The agency says heavy rain accompanied by localized thunder is also expected in the northern part of the Kyushu region.
Weather officials say as much as 180 millimeters of rain is expected in the southern and northern parts of the Kyushu region in the next 24 hours through Tuesday noon. They're calling on people to stay on high alert. because there may be landslides and floods in low-lying areas. Lightning strikes, gusty winds and tornadoes are also possible. Officials also say the rainy season appears to have started in the Chugoku, Kinki and Tokai regions. The season arrived three days later than usual in those areas.

National Guard troops deployed in LA on Trump's order

National Guard troops have been deployed in the US city of Los Angeles on the orders of President Donald Trump. The move was in response to street protests over crackdowns on immigrants.
On Friday, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency conducted a series of large-scale crackdowns on undocumented immigrants in the city. That triggered demonstrations with reports of some protesters turning violent.
President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard personnel. Some of them arrived in the city center on Sunday.

Well, we're going to have troops everywhere. We're not going to let this happen to our country. We're not going to let our country be torn apart.

Trump also posted on social media that Los Angeles has been invaded and occupied by illegal aliens and criminals.
The Associated Press and other news outlets said it is unusual for the National Guard to be mobilized without a request from a governor. The Los Angeles mayor says she was disappointed by Trump's action.

I was trying to encourage the administration that if they deployed the National Guard in Los Angeles, it would create a sense of chaos. It's the last thing our city needs.

The clash highlights a rift between Trump's Republican administration and both the city of Los Angeles and the state of California. Their democratic-run administrations are seen to take a more accommodative policy toward immigrants.

Israel stops aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg from reaching Gaza

Israel says its forces have prevented an aid boat from reaching the Gaza Strip.
Activists, including environmental advocate Greta Thunberg, on board.
In a social media post, Israel's foreign ministry said the boat is en route to its shores. It said the passengers are expected to return to their home countries. The vessel is operated by a human rights organization. It set sail to deliver food, medicine, baby formula, and other aid to Gaza.
But Israel's defense minister ordered Israeli forces to keep the boat away from the enclave. In a statement, the group said the ship was unlawfully boarded and its unarmed civilian crew was abducted.
It also said its life-saving cargo was seized. The news comes as fighting continues across Gaza. Palestinian media reported Sunday that 13 people were killed in Israeli attacks near US-backed aid distribution centers.

Syria: Success and struggle six months after Assad

More than half a year has now passed since the Bashar al-Assad regime collapsed in Syria. The US and other countries, including Japan, have begun lifting sanctions, raising hopes for reconstruction. Yet millions of Syrians still need humanitarian aid.

There are glimmers of hope in the capital, Damascus. Imported fruits and vegetables are appearing in markets, rare under the previous government.

It's wonderful to watch our country open up. People have jobs, products and sources of income, which before were limited.

Syria is now led by interim President Ahmed Al Sharra. The former rebel leader has been trying to improve his devastated country's standing on the world stage.
Last month, the US government announced it would ease some of its economic sanctions imposed during the Assad regime, as did the EU and Japan.
At the same time, businesses in neighboring Turkey have been eyeing the situation as potentially beneficial.
So far this year, over 800 new companies have started focusing on exporting to Syria.

Syria is rebuilding and there are business opportunities across many different fields. I think these conditions will only grow.

For many Syrians, an economic miracle seems far off. The UN estimates around 17 million of them desperately need supplies and assistance.
It's affecting the country's next generation. People like 14-year-old Ali Ibrahim, who stopped going to school and now works construction to support his family.

We don't have enough money.

What's made the situation even harder was the recent abrupt end to a key avenue of Western support. Syria has long relied on food and support from NGOs funded by USAID. But the Trump administration has made major cuts to that agency, leaving many Syrians without a lifeline.

And earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Kojima Mei from our Cairo Bureau to learn more about the situation.
Mei, what are the obstacles on Syria's road to reconstruction?

There are a few things. For one, Syria has been in a civil war since 2011.
Assad was ousted six months ago. That's a short time to rebuild after over a decade of conflict. As we saw, there have been more foreign goods entering the country.
But there is the issue of ongoing instability. Clashes continue in parts of the country between different factions, such as religious sects, the interim government, as well as those who still back Assad. Those include the Arawite minority group, which supported the previous regime. Members were reportedly attacked in the spring, and many have had to leave the country.
We actually had a chance to speak with displaced Arawites, who said they still hope to go home someday. The interim government says it will strive for harmony between all of Syria's different peoples. But right now, it seems to be having a hard time.

Obviously, a quick recovery is crucial for the roughly 17 million Syrians who are in need right now. What would it mean for the region and beyond?

Well, the war in Syria has already had big impacts around the world.
There's been a massive ongoing refugee crisis. Millions of people have fled to neighbors like Lebanon and Turkey, as well as Europe. The UN estimates over 500,000 Syrians have returned in the past six months. But some of those who've gone back are now living in tents and unable to make money, adding to Syria's humanitarian crisis. A Middle East expert told NHK that this has wide effects.

Instability in Syria means instability for the Middle East. Once people feel that the security situation in Syria has stabilized, more investment will come to the country, boosting its reconstruction process.

He says the lifting of sanctions by the US and other countries is the first step toward helping Syria recover.
But if the country cannot resolve its internal conflicts, there is not much the international community can do.

Biz Desk

Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Ramin Millegaard from the Biz Desk.

Thank you very much indeed.

Japan revises Jan.-Mar. GDP higher, but number still negative

Now, Japan revised up first quarter GDP to reflect higher private consumption than initially reported. However, the updated figures still shows the economy contracting in the three months.
The Cabinet Office says the economy in January to March shrank from the previous quarter at an annualized 0.2%.
The prior estimate was 0.7%. The last time GDP contracted was in the first quarter of 2024. The latest figures show private consumption rose 0.1% compared with the earlier reading of 0.04%. Consumer spending accounts for more than half of Japan's GDP.
Now, in other revisions, corporate capital investment came in a bit lower than estimates, up 1.1% compared to the earlier figure of 1.4. Japan's economy in the first quarter was not directly affected by additional US import tariffs. because they had not yet taken effect.

China's exports to US plunge 34.5% by value in May

China's exports. The United States tumbled in May amid tit-for-tat import tariffs between the world's two biggest economies.
Chinese customs authorities say US bound shipments slumped 34.5% in dollar terms from the same month last year. Imports from the US sank 18%. Beijing and Washington imposed tariffs of more than 100% in April. However, some of the heat came out of the trade dispute in May, as both sides agreed to cut back the levies and sit down for talks. The next round of negotiations is set for London on Monday. China is sending Vice Premier He Le Feng, who heads up economic policy.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be there for the US.

China consumer prices dip for 4th straight month in May

And China's consumer prices edged lower in May as deflationary trends continued to drag on the economy.
National Bureau Statistics figures show the Consumer Price Index fell 0.1% from the same month last year. That's the fourth straight month of decline. Prices of fresh vegetables fell, along with big ticket items like automobiles, as consumers grew more budget conscious. Sluggish housing sales, depressed prices of furniture and home appliances. The producer price index also weakened in May, falling 3.3% from a year earlier. China Central Bank last month introduced additional monetary easing measures to help boost domestic demand.

China's Huawei launches laptops that run on original operating system

Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei has released laptop computers that run on the company's own operating system.
Now, the firm developed the Harmony OS in-house after the United States restricted Huawei's access to US technology.
Harmony is already installed on Huawei's smartphones. The company says the operating system makes it easier for users to share files and data. Its previous laptops ran on US tech giant Microsoft's Windows OS.

I like the Huawei brand. I don't think it matters which operating system a computer runs on.

Until now, Microsoft and Apple have dominated the global market for computer operating systems. Last month, another Chinese smartphone maker, Xiaomi.
Unveiled new models powered by its own in-house advanced semiconductor.

OK, let's get a check on the markets.

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And that is it for business news.

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And please do access the NHK Rural Japan website for more details.

Russia says it has launched offensive in Dnipropetrovsk, eastern Ukraine

Russian defense officials say their forces have launched an offensive in Dnipropetrochsk in eastern Ukraine.
It's believed to be Moscow's first advance into the region since the invasion began three years ago.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that its forces had reached the western border of Donetsk and are continuing to develop an offensive in Doni-Propetrovsk. Elsewhere in Ukraine's east, Russian forces hit the second-largest city of Kharkiv with drones, missiles and guided bombs on Saturday. Local authorities say at least five people were killed and dozens were injured. The mayor of Kharkiv condemned the attack, describing it as the most powerful so far. On Friday, Russia pounded Ukraine with a round of missile and drone attacks, causing a large number of casualties. The bombardment is believed to have been in retaliation for Ukraine's recent drone strikes on air bases deep inside Russian territory.

Japan's Princess Kako welcomed by Japanese descendants in Brazil's Maringa

Princess Kako has praised Japanese immigrants in Brazil on her trip to the country. The South American nation is home to the largest overseas community of Japanese descendants.
The second daughter of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino visited Maringa in the state of Parana. She checked out a garden in the city managed by a local group of Japanese descendants. She planted a tree to commemorate an upcoming milestone. November will mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Brazil.
In a welcome ceremony that followed, Princess Kako noted that 110 years have passed since people from Japan began to settle in northern Parana. She said their journey must have been arduous. She says she's been left with a renewed appreciation of the community's legacy.

（Japanese）

The princess next heads to a city that attracted Japanese immigrants with its coffee cultivation. Her trip also includes a visit to another city with many descendants of people from Japan's Okinawa Prefecture.

Ex-Yokozuna vows to spread sumo far and wide ― from outside

Former Yokosuna Grand Champion Hakuho Sho has revealed he intends to promote sumo around the world. He announced his plans after officially retiring Monday from the Japan Sumo Association.

I really struggled with the decision, but considering my current situation, I ultimately decided on my own to retire, believing that I can contribute more to the future of sumo from outside the association rather than from within.

Hakuho won a record 45 tournament titles during his career that spanned two decades. He retired as a wrestler in 2021, and the following year, he became the head of the Miyagino stable.
Since then, the Mongolian-born wrestler has been known by the name Miyagino.
In February last year, he was demoted to the lowest rank of elders. It was over acts of violence by one of his wrestlers.
The stable was closed, and the master and wrestlers were transferred elsewhere.
Hakuho says, a year later, there's still no hope for the stable to re-open, and that's a big reason why he resigned.
In a news conference, Hakuho described his future plans. He says he will continue to host a boys' sumo tournament named Hakuho Cup, and focus on a project to show people everywhere the power of the sport.

Sumo, Motomoto.

Sumo originally began as a sacred ritual to pray for peace, national security and a bountiful harvest. I believe that the appeal of sumo has the potential to bring hope and help overcome the discrimination, prejudice and conflicts that exist in the world today.

Hakuho also says he hopes to see sumo become an Olympic sport.

special mailbox accepts letters to the deceased

Now, in Japan, postal mailboxes are typically red. However, one sitting in a Buddhist temple in Kyoto is a little different. It's green. The special mailbox accepts letters to the deceased from their loved ones. In our next report, we meet one family who finds comfort in writing to their late son.

Priests of Daishoji Temple in Kyoto Prefecture are performing a sacred ritual. They're burning letters with no stamps or addresses written to the deceased.
The green mailbox on the temple grounds collects around 600 letters a year.

I wanted to send a letter to my grandmother, who died six months ago.

I wrote ten letters today. My grandparents, uncle and aunt often appear in my dreams, so I feel the letters really are being delivered to them.

The temple originally used it as an offertory box, painting it green to avoid confusion with a real postbox.
However, one day, the head priest found something unexpected inside.

When I opened the box to collect the offerings, I found a letter addressed to a lost child. I realized it was important to have a place to express one's feelings to the deceased and stay connected to them.

The family of Yamada Nagatoshi also has a loved one they wish to connect with through the green mailbox.

We came to send a message to our eldest son, Yusei, who passed away last August.

Yusei was born in 2008, weighing just 840 grams. He led a life prone to illness.
When Yusei was 10 years old, he received a kidney transplant from his father.
But his condition gradually deteriorated as multiple organs began to fail.
Yusei died at the age of 15.

I stayed at the hospital until around 10:30 p.m., but went home a little earlier than usual that day because his condition seemed stable. So I wasn't with him at his final moment.
I couldn't regret that more.

On the day of the ritual, the letter he wrote to his son goes into the sacred fire.

Dear Yusei, thank you for being born. You were truly a strong child who never gave in to illness. I only have regrets.
Yusei, I know you saved us a few times. Please continue to watch over us from the sky.

The litter disappears in the flames. Then a single flake of ash slowly floats past the Yamada family before flying up into the sky.

Yusei loved his mother the most, so he must have come to her. I felt like Yusei was telling me to look at him, so I glanced up. The words I hadn't been able to say to him until now finally reached him.

The temple also offers pen and paper for those who wish to write letters while visiting. and the hope the special green mailbox will continue to help heal the sorrow of as many people as possible.

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check on the weather

And it's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh. So Jonathan, as we've been reporting, more regions in Japan have entered their rainy seasons. What can you tell us?

Hello, we're talking more of a cloudy and wet pattern that's now spreading across Japan as we have. The rainy season front moving this way slightly up toward the north and as the process goes, we're talking about more wet weather and some areas now entering the rainy season.
Here's a look at some video that's coming out from the area as the rainy season started in parts of central Japan Monday, just a few days later than average. Now hydrangeas are known in Japan for appearing during this time of wet weather and in Wakayama rain fell on the vibrant flowers that begin to bloom just last week. And although it's just the beginning of the rainy season, heavy rain is expected in the region on Tuesday and Wednesday. Now I want to mention that when we talk about the rainy season, it tends to be a bit of a concern when it comes to heavy rainfall. The reason is because, and I like to use this as an analogy, it's like taking a bucket of water and throwing it up against the wall and all that. that moisture just coming straight down toward the ground. And when you have high pressure down toward the south and low toward the north really competing against each other in the process, that's when we get these pockets of particularly heavy rain. That can lead to concerns of things like landslides, urban flooding, and river flooding. So just to let you know ahead of time what you should be planning for if this kind of concern comes up. If you live near slopes, make sure you go to the far edge away from that area as much as possible, and especially when it comes to flooding concerns, try to seek higher ground. Pay attention to the weather situation. Know what your evacuation plans will be around that time. So looking at what's happening on Tuesday, rain from Fukuoka into Osaka and Tokyo, all looking at what weather up into Niigata as well. And so get ready, we're gonna be seeing a lot more rain and clouds for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, across North America, southern areas of the United States look at some more strong thunderstorms as a cold front pushed on through and that's going to spread toward the east here. So look at thunderstorms into Chicago, Atlanta, also into Houston. Highs topping of the mid 30s in Houston as you go through Monday.
That's look at your forecast. Hope you have a good day wherever you are.

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And that's NHK Newsline for this hour.
I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thank you for staying with us.