It's a Friday evening here in Japan. I'm James Tengan in Tokyo. Welcome to NHK Newsline.
Japan's high court overturns earlier ruling in Fukushima Daiichi damages suit
A Japanese court has overturned a ruling against former Tokyo Electric Power Company executives that had ordered them to pay damages to the utility. Plaintiffs brought the claim over the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.TEPCO shareholders filed the suit against five people. The defendants held top managerial posts at the company in March 2011. That was when the accident occurred after a powerful earthquake and tsunami. The plaintiffs alleged that poor safety measures at the plant caused the accident. They demanded that the defendants pay damages to TEPCO worth about $160 billion.
The aim was to cover the company's costs to compensate residents who had to evacuate for decommissioning the plant and conducting decontamination efforts. In 2022, the Tokyo District Court ordered four of the defendants to pay a total of about $92 billion in compensation.
The amount of damages is believed to be the highest ever ordered by a court in Japan. Both the plaintiffs and the defendants appealed the ruling.
At issue was a long-term assessment of possible seismic activities issued by a government panel in 2002.
The lower court ruling said the assessment was found scientifically reliable. Tokyo High Court Presiding Judge Kino Toshikazu said on Friday that the plant operators should have respected the assessment. But he also said it could not necessarily be judged that TEPCO had been legally liable to stop the operation in order to take anti tsunami measures.
The plaintiffs and their lawyers say they plan to appeal the ruling.
The judge says the executives don't need to do anything. We can't remain silent after receiving such a strange ruling.
North Korea's damaged destroyer launched after repairs: Workers' Party media
A North Korean ship that initially failed to launch has reportedly hit the water.North Korean media say the damaged destroyer is being repaired.
The ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported the news. It said the ship was successfully launched Thursday. The US-based research group 38 N released a satellite image of the destroyer that same day. It appears to show it floating in the harbor.
The destroyer was supposed to be put to sea last month, but the vessel apparently lost balance when its bow failed to detach from the shipway, damaging the ship. The report says more repairs are coming. The destroyer will be moved to another dockyard for the next stage of restoration work. It's expected to take seven to 10 days.
Leader Kim Jong-un ordered the ship to be repaired before a plenary meeting of the Workers' Party's Central Committee in late June.
No mention of North Korea in South Korean President Lee's Memorial Day speech
South Korea's new president has signaled a shift from his predecessor on the government's stance towards North Korea.Lee Jae-myung did not mention the North during a ceremony to honor the war dead.
Lee delivered a speech to mark Memorial Day at Seoul National Cemetery on Friday.
Those commemorated include soldiers who died during the Korean War.
Building a peaceful country free from the fear of war, a safe country where everyday life is stable, is the most responsible way to acknowledge their noble dedication and sacrifice.
The tone of his remarks contrasts with those of Lee's predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol, who used the event to condemn the North's provocations and call for stronger security arrangements in his Memorial Day speeches. Lee said on Wednesday that he would open a communication channel with Pyongyang and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation.
Taiwan facing political divide over China relations
It has been just over a year since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-de was inaugurated. Lai has been stressing the importance of democracy and freedom to China as the country increases its military pressure. But citizens in Taiwan are divided on how to deal with China and stabilize their relations. NHK World's Matsuda Tomoki reports.Participants said the KMT, which promotes dialogue and exchange with China, is complicit in China's infiltration efforts.
They urged 35 KMT legislators to resign. and collected signatures in view of the current congressional situation.
This campaign is aimed at reducing the KMT's share of seats. Of the 113 seats, the KMT holds 52, one more than the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
The DPP can secure a majority by adding six seats.
Michael Chen runs a photo studio.
After he volunteered to collect recall signatures, many people began to visit.
Chen says a DPP majority would stabilize President Rai's power base and end China's attempt at infiltration.
We need to become stronger to stop China from underestimating us and acting rashly.
Meanwhile, the KMT is trying to counterpunch. It's collecting signatures for a recall of DPP lawmakers calling President Rai dictatorial. But after it was discovered that the signatures included the name of a dead person, Prosecutors investigated KMT officials for suspected forgery. The KMT side says Lai is using prosecutors to attack the party.
Lai is not uniting, but is splitting Taiwan and turning Taiwan hostile rather than peaceful.
Li Qianlong is the head of a temple dedicated to a legendary emperor of ancient China. It has been in contact with temples in China for more than 10 years.
But when it invited people from China to an event last month, Taiwan authorities frightened their screening process, making it harder for the Chinese to make the visit. Lee is concerned that relations will deteriorate as the number of people traveling between Taiwan and China declines.
What everyone is afraid of now is that war breaks out on both sides, and their children need to go to war.
Matsuda Tomoki, NHK World.
Tomoki, thanks. Now let's see what's happening on the business and financial fronts with Gene Otani.
Thanks, James. Leading off this hour's business newscast.
US commerce secretary tells Trump US Steel, Nippon Steel deal possible
The US Commerce Secretary has indicated that an acquisition of US Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel is possible.Howard Lutnick told a House hearing on Thursday that the deal could be approved if it contained measures to mitigate national security concerns. He said he made that recommendation to President Donald Trump. News outlet Bloomberg reports that talks among the two companies and the US government are continuing. They are expected to wrap up before a June 18 deadline.
A government panel on foreign investment has been reviewing the deal. It submitted its recommendations to Trump last month. The president was expected to decide on the takeover bid by Thursday.
Japan's top tariff negotiator is in Washington for another round of trade talks, Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Rypsei and his US counterpart confirmed they will continue their utmost efforts to reach an agreement that benefits both nations.
Akazawa held discussions with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday and is expected to meet Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during the visit.
Akazawa repeated Japan's request for a review of Washington's series of tariffs, calling them regrettable. He also exchanged views with Lutnik on trade expansion, non-tariff barriers, and cooperation in economic security. Japan's government is maintaining its stance to place top priority on national interests and negotiations with the US.
Officials are also aiming to reach an agreement between the leaders of the two countries on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada. The summit starts in about 10 days.
US trade deficit falls in Apr. after importers eased back
The US trade deficit dropped sharply in April. That is because importers were not rushing in goods to beat new tariffs. The Commerce Department says the deficit came in at nearly $62 billion. That is down about 56 percent from March, when the deficit hit an all-time high.The department says imports of goods and services fell by 16 percent to around $350 billion. Exports increased 3 percent to about $290 billion.
President Trump's administration introduced a 10 percent universal tariff and additional levies on automobiles in April. That prompted US businesses to boost imports ahead of time, resulting in the widening of the trade deficit.
Now, NHK World's John LaDue is here with BizPicks. He looks at upcoming business and economic stories.
May seen as turning point for US inflation trend
Here are some of the topics we'll be tracking in the week ahead. On Wednesday, the US will release inflation data for May. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.3% in April from a year earlier. Inflation slowed for the third straight month, allaying concerns that it would pick up again. Yasaku Daisuke at the Daiwa Institute of Research expects the CPI to edge up to 2.4% in May.The weaker dollar is expected to push up import prices, but lower crude oil prices are putting the brakes on overall inflation. As for the impact of the Trump tariffs, increases in retail prices were likely limited through May. That's because companies imported large amounts of goods before their introduction and built up stockpiles.
Yasaku points out that earnings reports from retailers suggests that the Trump administration's tariff measures will lead to price hikes as early as June. He adds that a key indicator of raw materials price trends generally moves in line with the CPI and is signaling faster inflation.
The ISM prices index suggests that the CPI figure could go up to mid 3%, so it's likely the tariff effects will gradually push up inflation.
Solid consumer spending has been one of the drivers of US inflation to date, but it also underpinned the economy. Yasaku says concerns about high inflation and uncertainty over the economic outlook have a significant impact on consumer behavior.
Additional tariffs on China and other trading partners have now been suspended, and the outcome depends on further negotiations. All this uncertainty will ultimately have a negative impact on consumer spending.
Personal consumption accounts for about 70 per cent of US GDP. Yes, I could forecast that economic growth for 2025 will slow down sharply due to stagnant domestic demand.
I'm John LaDue, and that wraps it up for this week's BizPicks.
John, thanks.
Japan household spending down as consumers skip big-ticket items
Household spending. in Japan fell slightly in April as consumers refrained from buying big-ticket items like home appliances.An Internal Affairs Ministry survey shows households of two or more people spent an average of about 325,000 yen, or over $2,200. That was down 0.1 percent from a year earlier in yen terms when adjusted for inflation. It was the first drop in two months. Spending on furniture and household goods declined 0.4%. Appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines and microwaves saw lower demand as consumers stayed budget conscious.
Purchases of clothes and footwear dropped 2.1%. Unseasonably cold weather was set to dampen sales. Food expenditures rose 0.3%. That was the first increase in eight months.
People bought more fresh vegetables, including lettuce and tomatoes, as their prices began to fall. Rice purchases also rose, despite surging prices.
All right, let's have a look at the markets.
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And that's a look at business news. James, I'm going to hand it back to you.
Gene Otani from our BizDesk.
Averting tragedy when dementia patients go missing
New figures released by Japan's National Police Agency have highlighted the dangers of dementia-related wandering.Most people with dementia or suspected dementia who died after going missing were found within a 5-kilometer radius from where they disappeared. Now efforts are underway to avoid such tragic deaths with the help of local communities.
Three years ago, his mother, Yaeko, who has suspected dementia, went missing.
Everyone looked for her in all the places where she might be, but we couldn't find her.
Police and fire brigades also conducted a wide search. Yaeko's body was found two days later in an irrigation canal, about three kilometers from her home.
It was a place we could have checked. I really regret that she was somewhere so close by, but we still weren't able to find her.
Of those,more than 77% died within five kilometers of where they went missing.
Many were found in rivers and dry riverbeds. Others were found in irrigation canals and gutters, as well as mountains and forests.
Causes of death are thought to have included drowning, as well as slipping and falling. An expert says that in many cases,People go missing within 5 to 10 minutes walk from their homes, and he notes that they often gravitate towards bodies of water.
When searching for people who've gone missing, we should focus in particular on places near water.
Some communities are beginning to explore new ways to keep an eye out for each other. Nakamura Yoshiko, who runs a support group in Kyoto City, is trying to create safe spaces for people with dementia.
She is making banners for display of participating houses and shops.
They are designed to be easy to understand for people who need help.
Nakamura also hopes the initiatives will help raise understanding about dementia among locals.
I hope to create a community where everyone can watch over each other and help each other when they are in trouble.
Experts say in more than 40 percent of cases,Missing people were safely returned, thanks to reports from passersby.
Judge temporarily blocks Trump's ban on foreign Harvard students entering US
Foreign students will still be able to study at Harvard, at least for now. A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's proclamation, barring their entry.Trump signed the proclamation Wednesday.
It restricted foreign students and researchers from entering the country for academic activities at Harvard, citing national security concerns. The document also told the Secretary of State to consider revoking existing visas.
Harvard was quick to respond Thursday. It filed court documents in Massachusetts, asking the judge to block the order.
Harvard argued that the proclamation is retaliation against the school. The university had refused when the government demanded control of Harvard's governance. It also called the proclamation unconstitutional.
In a statement Thursday, Harvard President Alan Garber said, International students and scholars make outstanding contributions. He said they will continue to celebrate and support them, while asserting Harvard's constitutional rights. The government set its sights on Harvard over claims the school failed to address anti-Semitic harassment on campus. About 6,800 international students are enrolled at the university, making up over a quarter of the student body.
Japan plans steps to ensure foreign residents comply with society's rules
The Japanese government is taking steps to ensure the country's foreign residents are complying with regulations. It has created an office at the Cabinet Secretariat to efficiently implement related measures across government agencies.A meeting on creating what the government calls a society of harmonious coexistence between Japanese nationals and foreign residents was held on Friday.
Cabinet ministers with relevant portfolios attended. Prime Minister Ishiba noted the number of foreign residences on the rise.
Incidents involving them that annoy Japanese people, including crimes and breaking various regulations, have also occurred. I told the participants that those who do not abide by the rules should be strictly dealt with. I urge the ministers to implement the necessary measures.
A document of comprehensive government measures was revised at the meeting. It specifies the importance of making foreign nationals aware of Japanese rules and systems and demands responsible behavior from them. It also calls for checking whether foreign residents are paying their taxes and social security premiums when their visa applications are being processed.
Japan's Princess Kako honors Japanese immigrants to Brazil
Japan's Princess Kako is in Brazil, as the two countries mark the 130th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.The second daughter of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino prayed for the souls of the immigrants who went on to form the world's largest Japanese community outside of Japan.
Brazil is home to about 2.7 million people of Japanese ancestry. Almost half of them live in the state of Sao Paulo. Following her arrival in Sao Paulo on Thursday, the Princess visited the Mausoleum of Pioneers of Japanese Immigration. She offered flowers and a prayer to Japanese settlers who died in the region.
She also visited the Japanese Pavilion, which was built with contributions from the immigrant community and Japan's government. Built in authentic Japanese style, the facility is known for its garden with Nishikigoi carp swimming in the pond.
The facility has trees planted during previous visits by imperial family members. Princess Kako planted a cherry sapling near the tree her parents had put in 10 years ago.
The princess will stay in Brazil through June 15. During the second-half of her trip, she will attend a ceremony to mark the anniversary of bilateral ties in the capital, Brasilia.
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world weather
We now turn to world weather. Asia is entering not only the monsoon, but the typhoon season as well. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details.Philippine officials say the monsoon season has started this week. On top of that, a tropical low has formed over the Pacific. If the system develops into a tropical storm, it will be the first of 2025 in the Western Pacific. So people should prepare for heavy rainfall and also stormy conditions.
Further north, a frontal system is expected to develop in eastern China.
Up to 200 millimeters of rainfall is possible in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces by Sunday, leading to possible flash flooding. Showers are also likely in Chongqing and Taipei.
Shanghai may see heavy downpours and the rain will shift toward Japan over the weekend. Showers are expected to spread from western Japan, such as Fukuoka on Sunday. Some regions may enter the rainy season. At the same time, heavy downpours will be an issue, especially in the Kyushu region. And a big temperature change is coming. Tokyo will see 28 on Saturday, but only 20 on Monday.
Pilgrims braved the heat to attend Hajji's most important day in Mecca this week. Although temperatures soared to the mid-40s, some say this year feels a bit milder than last year.
To avoid tragedies like the previous year, authorities are taking serious measures to protect people from the heat.
Even though it's milder compared to last year, the high in Mecca will be 45 on Saturday, so please stay hydrated and take care. That's all for now. Have a nice weekend.
Moving to the Middle East, at this time of year, Saudi Arabia is hit by scorching heat.
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For all of us here on NHK Newsline, I'm James Tengan. Thanks for watching.
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