JAPAN TOP COURT RULES WELFARE REDUCTIONS WERE ILLEGAL
Japan's top court has ruled the government's decision to lower welfare benefits a decade ago was illegal, but it's not ordering the government to pay compensation. The plaintiffs went to the Supreme Court to learn the outcome. The ruling nullifies the benefit reductions that were in place between 2013 and 2015.The Health and Welfare Ministry had lowered the payouts by up to 10% in stages, citing the need to reflect deflationary price trends. About 2 million people were reportedly on welfare at the time. Recipients across the country filed lawsuits, saying the ministry's decision violated a legal requirement to ensure the minimum standard of wholesome and cultured living. More than 30 lawsuits have been filed to date. The Supreme Court ruled on two of them in Nagoya and Osaka.
Presiding Justice Uga Katsuya on Friday said the decision by the welfare minister lacked expertise and consistency.
He also said that the procedures involved were flawed and unlawful. While lower court rulings have been split, the top court's decision provides A unified judgment on the case. It may also lead to demands for the state to cover the lost benefits.
JAPAN EXECUTES SERIAL KILLER WHO LURED VICTIMS ONLINE
Japanese authorities have executed a 34 year old man convicted of killing nine people. Shiraishi Takahiro was dubbed the Twitter killer by media outlets for his method of seeking out victims.Shiraishi was arrested in 2017 after police searched his apartment in Zama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Inside, investigators found the remains of nine victims between the ages of 15 and 26 stored in coolers.
They said Shiraishi targeted people who were suicidal. He enticed them over social media to come to his residence where he killed them. Shiraishi was found guilty on multiple counts, including robbery and murder, as well as sexual assault. Defence lawyers initially appealed the conviction, but Shiraishi later withdrew the motion. He was put to death on Friday morning in Tokyo.
Justice Minister Suzuki Kisuke spoke to reporters.
This case hugely impacted society and caused a lot of anxiety. As Justice Minister, I very carefully considered the matter and ordered the execution to take place.
This is Japan's first execution since July 2022.JAPAN EXECUTES SERIAL KILLER WHO LURED VICTIMS ONLINE
The White House has suggested it may call on US allies in the Asia-Pacific region to boost defense spending. This follows a similar agreement reached at this week's NATO summit in the Netherlands.Alliance members vowed to raise defense and related spending to 5% of their respective countries' GDP figures over the coming decade. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says the move means the US will carry less of the burden and make NATO stronger than ever.
She was asked about the impacts on other US allies.
Look, if our allies in Europe and our NATO allies can do it, I think our allies and our friends in the Asia-Pacific region can do it as well.
HEGSETH: ATTACK ON IRAN 'HISTORICALLY SUCCESSFUL'
Washington and Tehran are providing conflicting accounts of the damage caused by US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last weekend. The Pentagon leadership maintains the facilities were obliterated, paving the way for fresh talks with Iran.This was an historically successful attack. We should celebrate it as Americans, and it gives us a chance to have peace, a chance to have a deal, and an opportunity to prevent a nuclear Iran, which is something President Trump talked about for 20 years.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has commented on the US assessments of the strikes.
Obliteration, annihilation, total destruction, et cetera, I don't know. What I can tell you, and I think everyone agrees on this, there is very, very, very considerable damage.
IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER CLAIMS VICTORY
Meanwhile, Iran's supreme leader declared victory over the US and Israel. In a TV address, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said his country will never surrender and claimed his nuclear program survived the US attacks.They failed to do anything significant. The president of America greatly exaggerated what it is that happened. It became clear that he needed to say this exaggeration.
Tehran's foreign minister has also denied Washington's claims that the US and Iran have agreed to resume nuclear talks.FOND FAREWELL TO FOUR PANDAS IN WESTERN JAPAN
People have flocked to a theme park in western Japan to catch a last glimpse of four giant pandas that will soon be returned to China.A crowd of about 1,400 waited at the gates of the park in the town of Shirahama Wakayama Prefecture ahead of opening time on Friday. It's the last day the pandas will be on view. The four female pandas, Raohin and her daughters Yu Hin, Sai Hin and Fu Hin, have been part of a joint conservation project with China that's set to expire.
Visitors were waiting in line for up to 90 minutes at the facility for Raohin and Sai Hin. They snapped pictures and called out the pandas' names. The four pandas will leave Shiro Hama on Saturday and return to a panda breeding center in Sichuan province, China. The only remaining giant pandas in Japanwill be the two at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo.
For more on this, I spoke earlier to NHK World's Miyamoto Rikuya in Shirahama.
The panda is basically the local mascot.
Many of the visitors I saw at the zoo earlier were wearing panda T-shirts and holding up panda toys. Some lined up with messages expressing their gratitude to the animals. I spoke to some of them.
I couldn't stop crying today.
I don't know what will happen, but I hope the pandas come back. That will make my children so happy.
And how do residents feel about having to say goodbye to the pandas?Many of the people I spoke to are quite sad. They say they are losing a big part of the community's identity.
Everywhere you look in Shirahama, there are pandas. People arrive in town on a panda-themed train. Restaurants, shops, hotels, they all make a reference to the famous animals. And it's not just a matter of identity. Pandas are crucial to the town's livelihood. One estimate puts the total economic impact of the animals at over 125 billion yen, or 871 million dollars. One souvenir shop sells dozens of panda-related snacks.
The owner says he had plans to release another product, but stopped when it was announced the pandas were leaving.
Shirahama is known as Panda Town, and we've been making products to go along with this. I never thought they would all leave. I'm worried about the future.
The zoo started raising pandas in 1994 as part of a joint research project with China. 17 pandas have been born here,the most of any site outside of China. The research project will now be suspended.The staff are worried they will be unable to pass on their expertise.
And what is China's motive for recalling the pandas?
Do you think they'll ever be back?
Some people suspect China is flexing its soft power through panda diplomacy.
But I spoke to an expert who says that probably isn't the case. He says the fact China called back all the pandas, despite the huge economic cost, suggests it has some concerns. As for whether they return, he says that's unclear. But he adds, If China decides the partnership with Shirahama is a net positive for the country, the pandas will be back.
For China, it's important that sending pandas to Shirahama is beneficial to the country. Beijing requires good reasons to do so. For example, that Shirahama does a good job protecting the animals. Another factor is national image. It's important that sending pandas to Japan improves China's national image. That's what Beijing values.
The West Japan Railway Company says it will continue operating the panda trains for the time being. And the themed restaurants and shops are not going anywhere either. But Panda Town will feel empty with all the pandas. Residents and tourists are hoping their cuddly friends are back soon. ♪the world of business
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Ramin Mellegard from the Biz Desk.Thank you very much indeed.
LUTNICK SAYS US WILL SOON ANNOUNCE SERIES OF TRADE DEALS
Now, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the US is set to reach new agreements with many of its trading partners.In an interview with Bloomberg TV on Thursday, Lutnick said a series of deals will be announced over the next week or so. He said there will be one category for what he called the top ten agreements and others in different groups. He added that President Donald Trump is going to close the deals himself. Lutnik indicated agreements will be signed by July 9, or when a 90-day pause on what Trump calls reciprocal tariffs ends. Lutnik gave no details on whether Japan is in the top ten group or what criteria is used to define the categories. Japan's trade tariff negotiator Akazawa Ryosei is in Washington for talks with Lutnik and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
JAPANESE AUTOMAKERS SEE MIXED US SALES
Now, six major Japanese automakers operating in the United States have reported contrasting unit sales results for May. They say demand slowed in the US market as the buying rush to avoid the impact of additional tariffs eased.Nissan says its sales fell about 4% from a year earlier to nearly 77,000 vehicles. Subaru saw a decline of just over 10%.
Mazda's sales fell more than 18%. Some companies that cut sales incentives or had inventory shortages experienced lower sales. Now, in contrast, three other firms announced positive results.
Toyota says its unit sales climbed almost 11% last month to just over 240,000.
Honda's rose 6 1/2% and Mitsubishi's jumped nearly 14%.
Companies with competitive hybrids saw sales increases. Japanese automakers are set to raise prices in the coming months to deal with inflation in the US, but they say it is not due to a direct impact of the additional tariffs.
NIKKEI 225 RECOVERS TO 40,000 MARK TO HIT YEAR'S HIGH
And Tokyo's benchmark stock index recovered to the 40,000 level on Friday for the first time in about. Six months to close at a year to date high.Now investors bought in after the Trump administration indicated trade tariff deadlines may be extended, easing concerns about a slowdown in the global economy. The Nikkei 225 finished the day at 40,150, up 1.4%. The gains were led by semiconductor and export-related shares.
The index extended its winning streak to four days. Analysts say investors are finding more reason to be optimistic about the US economy amid speculation the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates sooner than expected.
Bizpicks
ECONOMIST: JAPAN BUSINESS MOOD DIMS ON TRUMP TARIFFS
The central bank's Tankan will be the first concrete data expected to show how US tariffs are affecting business confidence and activity in Japan.Ueno Tsuyoshi of the NLI Research Institute predicts the survey will reveal that sentiment among major manufacturers deteriorated for a second straight quarter.
I expect major manufacturer sentiment to worsen by about four points from the previous poll. By industry, automobiles and steel, on which high levies are already imposed, will likely see a significant deterioration.
Sure enough, there are signs that Japan's auto industry, the backbone of its economy, is being hurt by US tariffs. Export prices for North America-bound passenger cars plunged almost 19% in May from a year earlier.In contrast, prices for exports to other regions remained mostly unchanged.
Ueno notes that the export price declines show Trump's tariffs are likely to weaken profits for Japan's automakers.
The sharp drop in export prices suggests companies are covering a significant portion of the tariffs. As a result, the profit of exporting companies appears to be worsening considerably. Automakers may be taking a wait-and-see attitude right now, while carefully watching tariff developments and the moves of other auto firms. If the tariffs issue drags on, car makers may have no choice but to start to pass tariffs on to local prices.
The Trump tariffs have raised concerns about profit squeeze and uncertainty about the future, gradually forcing businesses to postpone investment.
Looking at Japan's GDP growth rate in the last fiscal year, capital investment made substantial contributions.
If companies present restraint plans for capital investment, it would be difficult to find a driving force for the Japanese economy.
And that is it for business news.
GUTERRES SOUNDS ALARM ON 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF UN CHARTER
Thursday marked 80 years since the signing of the United Nations Charter, which aims to maintain international peace and security. But the UN chief has sounded strong alarm over what he called assaults on the world world body's founding document.UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres addressed a General Assembly meeting held to commemorate the anniversary, Guterres said. Over the decades, we've celebrated the end of wars while witnessing the start of others. He was apparently referring to conflicts and humanitarian crises in the Middle East, Ukraine and elsewhere.
Today we see assaults on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Like never before, we cannot and must not normalize violations of its most basic principles.
International Court of Justice President Iwasawa Yuji called for compliance with the law.
The vision of the Charter's drafters to uphold the rule of law for the maintenance of international peace and security remains not only relevant but indispensable today.
Analysts say the UN needs to undergo structural reform. They say its Security Council has become dysfunctional.N. KOREAN ABDUCTIONS
JAPANESE ABDUCTEES' RELATIVES ADDRESS UN SYMPOSIUM
Relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents decades ago have attended a UN symposium. They called for international cooperation to bring all remaining victims home as soon as possible. The online event was held on Thursday by the governments of Japan, the United States, South Korea and Australia, as well as the European Union. Yoko Tatakuya, who heads a group of Japanese abductees families, addressed the event.His older sister, Megumi, was abducted in 1977 when she was 13 years old.
The international community must not merely stand by while national sovereignty and human rights are violated. People in Japan and around the world, please fight with us to bring our families back.
Yokota's mother, Sakiya, has been a core member of the group for decades. She says time is running out as the 89 year old is the only surviving abductee parent.Yokota later added he wants Tokyo to promptly realize a summit with Pyongyang.
He said no progress can be expected without a decision by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Japanese government says at least 17 of its citizens were abducted in the 1970s and 80s. Five returned home after a bilateral summit in 2002. Megumi and the other 11 remain unaccounted for.
OHTANI TO PLAY IN MLB ALL-STAR GAME FOR 5TH TIME
Major League Baseball sensation Ohtani Shohei is returning to the MLB All-Star game for the fifth straight year.The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player was chosen in the first round of fan balloting for fielders. Ohtani earned nearly four million votes as a designated hitter in the results announced on Thursday. That was the most among National League fielders. The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge led the American League with just over four million votes. Ohtani and Judge were tied for second place in the MLB home run race as of Thursday. Both have 28 homers. The top vote getters in each league in the first phase of voting are eligible to play in the All-Star game without waiting for the second round. The complete roster will be announced on July 6. The game happens on July 15 at the Atlanta Braves Truest Park.
NEW IOC CHIEF UNVEILS SHIFT ON GENDER ELIGIBILITY DISCUSSIONS
The new president of the International Olympic Committee has indicated a shift from the IOC's prior stance on gender eligibility criteria in sports.Kirsty Coventry took over the post from Thomas Bach following a handover ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland on Monday.
She addressed an online news conference after the first executive board meeting of her presidency on Thursday.
We should make the effort to place emphasis on the protection of the female category and that we should ensure that this is done in consensus with all the stakeholders.
The first female IOC chief also said that the IOC should be the ones to bring experts and international sports bodies together to discuss gender regulations.We're going to actually set up a working group made-up of experts and international federations. It was agreed by the members that the IOC should take a a leading role in this.
Up to now, the IOC has entrusted the governing bodies of individual sports with drawing up their own gender rules. In recent years, eligibility criteria for transgender athletes in Olympic competitions has been criticized. Given biological differences in muscular strength, there's a debate over whether it's fair for athletes who've changed their gender from male to female to take part in women's events.
check on the weather
Now it's time to check on the weather. While northern Japan is seeing heavy rainfall, western Japan is sweltering. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details.The Japan Met Office says the heat is expected to continue into next week with a risk of heat strokes.
With the end of the rainy season, we need to be prepared for intense summer heat. The highs will be over 30 in many cities including Fukuoka and Osaka.
Tokyo may see the sun with a high of 34. Please be sure to avoid the heat and stay hydrated.
In the bigger picture across Asia, high pressure systems are covering Japan and eastern China, but a low pressure system is moving toward the Korean peninsula, so showers are likely in Seoul on Saturday. Heat is also a concern in Shanghai with a high of 36.
Finally, across Europe, a front swinging across Germany and Poland will bring severe weather such as intense rain, gusty winds,and lightning. But behind the system, clear skies are coming back. So sunny weather is expected in London, Paris and Lisbon.
That's it for now. Have a nice weekend.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST(+72h) ～♫
That wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sachno in Tokyo.Thanks very much for joining us.
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