at 18:00 (JST), July 02

20250702180000_english_1.mp3

Hello and welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yamaguchi Hiroaki in Tokyo. 

ANOTHER QUAKE ROCKS KAGOSHIMA'S TOKARA ISLANDS

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima Wednesday. It's one of the latest in a series of tremors that rocks the region in recent weeks. The quake struck at about 3:26 a.m. local time.
According to meteorological agency officials, the epicenter was off the coast of Tokara Islands. The depth was about 10 kilometers, but there is no threat of tsunami. The tremors reached a lower five on Japan's seismic intensity scale, which goes from zero to seven. Intense seismic activity has shaken the area for nearly two weeks. This shock came just 11 hours after a magnitude 5.1 quake hit the same area. Officials say residents should stay on the alert, saying the shaking could still continue.

TRUMP SIGNALS TARIFF HIKE ON JAPAN

US President Donald Trump has once again voiced frustration over the progress of trade talks with Japan. He says he's prepared to impose higher tariffs. Trump also indicated he will not extend the suspension of what he calls reciprocal tariffs, set to expire on July 9. 

I'll write him a letter to say we thank you very much, and we know you can't do the kind of things that we need, and therefore you'll pay a 30 percent, 35 percent, or whatever the number is that we determine, because we also have a very big trade deficit with Japan, as you know. And it's very unfair to the American people.

Japan faces a tariff of 24 percent.
Trump has accused the country of carrying out what he calls unfair trade practices, specifically in regard to agriculture and automobiles. A Japanese official says his remarks could be an attempt to gain an upper hand in negotiations. The government is analyzing his goals and preparing for the next round of top-level talks. Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi has weighed in on the matter. He had a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.

Tariff discussions are a critically important issue for the Japan-US alliance.
Both sides want to firmly support the ongoing ministerial-level negotiations.

He and Rubio agreed to pursue a mutually beneficial arrangement. Their goal is to further elevate the alliance.
And here's how officials in Tokyo have responded to Trump's comments.

Japan will continue to hold sincere and faithful talks to realize an agreement that benefits both Japan and the US. 

It's not worth overreacting to President Trump's every word. We'll accept his remarks in a calm manner.

FORMER JAPAN DIPLOMAT: TRUMP TRADE TALK IS FOR US AUDIENCE

Kanehara Nobukatsu is a former senior diplomat. He says Trump's comments should be analyzed from domestic USperspectives.

Mr. Trump, he wants something to explain to his supporters, among people. I want this from Japan. This is what he wants to say to his own people. Japan took this game as as a true trade war, and this is not a trade war. This is a part of American domestic politics. And China is fighting a trade war truly with the United States. We are not. 

He says Japan is negotiating from a position of strength, but that doesn't seem to be effective. 

The truth is, Japan is not in a very weak position at all. We are the biggest investor in the United States. Japanese companies are sustaining two million jobs every year in the United States. But this kind of logic does not precise it, Mr. Trump.

As for Ishiba's stance, Kanehara suggests Japan should take a more flexible approach, even though the political schedule of an upcoming election makes it difficult for him to compromise. Kanehara says Trump is looking for something that he can present to his supporters as a victory.

I understand that theThe Ishiba government is now facing the the upper house elections. It can't make a concession in in public. But to take the heightened pose against Trump is not very constructive. And so we should do something to just save his face.
And so we have to show some more flexibility.

Kanehana asks that Japan should stand steady against Trump's negotiating tactics giving him a symbolic concession that makes him look good.

JAPAN PM ISHIBA HAILS NIPPON STEEL ACQUISITION OF US STEEL

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba has welcomed Nippon Steel's acquisition of US Steel. He says it could serve as a model case to guide a strong economic relationship between the two countries.
Ishiba was briefed on the deal's completion by Nippon Steel Chairman and CEO Hashimoto Eiji at the Prime Minister's office. The Japanese company made the American firm a wholly-owned subsidiary last month for $14.1 billion. The deal followed lengthy negotiations to gain approval from the Trump administration.
Hashimoto thanked Ishiba for the government's support. He added he's determined to improve the quality of US Steel's products.

We want to prove that Japan-US cooperation in manufacturing is beneficial.
We are focusing more on investment than tariffs in the ongoing Japan-US negotiations. So in that sense, Nippon Steel is a symbolic case.

Hashimoto added he will strive to convince US companies that working with Japanese firms will help achieve Trump's goal of reviving American manufacturing.

JAPAN LAUNCHES NEW COMMAND POST AGAINST CYBERATTACKS

Leaders in Japan are ramping up the country's cyber defenses. They've launched a new command post to better protect the government and key infrastructure from being hacked. Prime Minister Ishiba spoke on Tuesday at the opening ceremony.

Threats in cyberspace can seriously undermine public safety, fair economic activities and national security. We must urgently strengthen our capability to respond.

The main aim of the new National Cyber Security Office is to minimize the potential damage from major cyber attacks. Authorities said in January that hackers with suspected links to China had launched more than 200 cyberattacks on the public and private sectors. The targets included both the foreign and defense ministries.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and tensions in the Taiwan Strait have compounded an already volatile global security environment. Japan's leaders are now keen to work more closely with like-minded nations. Defense Minister Nakatani Gen met his US counterpart Pete Hexeth in May. They agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of cyber defense.
NHK World spoke to a Japanese expert for more. Matsubara Mihoko is a chief cybersecurity strategist at telecommunications giant NTT.

Japanese version of active cyber defense means that to to deal with cyber attacks against Japanese government and Japanese critical infrastructure services that can threaten Japanese national security. And the Japanese active cyber defense registration has three pillars. The first one is public-private partnerships.
The second one is the usage of telecommunication data, and the third and the final pillaris the neutralization of cyberattacks, even before such cyberattacks that can threaten Japanese national security uh roads.

Matsubara says the digital realm has become a battleground for the world's two superpowers. 

The US government has repeatedly voiced concerns over Chinese actor called war typhoon. War typhoon is believed to be targeting US-based critical infrastructure services in the water, communications, transportation, and energy to launch disruptive or destructive cyber attacks in the event of conflict, to deter the deployment of US forces, and also to delay the US decision-making processes, and also to create a harbor. 

Japan's new National Cybersecurity Office is a good start for combating attacks. But Matsubara says it should really be the tip of the iceberg. 

The Japanese government is aware that to exit now active cyber defense, it means they need to have intelligence capabilities and also to have good skilled personnel. So that is why the Japanese government is planning to authorize the National Police Agency and also the Self-Defense Forces. And the Japanese Self-Defense Forces have been already working on to increase the size ofthe cyber defense command. But we should also remember that the number of personnel is just a number.
It doesn't specify each individual has enough skill set. So we we also have to make sure that the individuals in the national police agency and the self-defense forces will be empowered and also to to obtain good training and cultures to pursue their important missions.

QUAD FMs AGREE TO COOPERATE ON CRITICAL MINERALS

In other news, top diplomats from Japan, the US, Australia, and India have agreed to work closely to boost the production of critical minerals. It comes as China enhances its ability to control the supply.
The US Secretary of State welcomed the foreign ministers in Washington.
Therefore, countries make up the Quad Framework. This was the second time they met since Trump took office again.
Securing critical minerals appeared to be a key issue in their talks.

We agreed to build a comprehensive, cooperative relationship regarding critical minerals, one that extends from development and production to building a new supply chain.

China is a major source of strategic minerals. Critical rare-earth minerals are essential components for everything from smartphones, electric vehicles, to state-of-the-art military hardware. China's commerce ministry said in early April that it had tightened export restrictions on seven rare-earth elements and other materials.
The move had a significant impact on the global supply chain.

28 YEARS AFTER HANDOVER 
HONG KONG TO FOCUS ON NATIONAL SECURITY, CHINA TIES

Tuesday marked the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China. The head of the former British colony has vowed to keep society under tight control.
Chief Executive John Lee said his government will steadfastly safeguard national security. He added Hong Kong will proactively integrate into the overall national development with a view to fostering economic growth and development. Observers say Lee's remarks emphasized Hong Kong's efforts toward economic unity with China.
They note that Beijing has been urging business people in Hong Kong to show patriotism and contribute to the state.
Previously, every July 1, people of Hong Kong would hold massive rallies to call for democratization. They used to enjoy freedoms of speech and assembly under the one-country, two-systems framework. But such activities have been suppressed since Hong Kong's national security law took effect five years ago.

N. KOREAN ABDUCTIONS
UN RAPPORTEUR MEETS WITH JAPANESE ABDUCTEES' FAMILIES

Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago have met with the UN's Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the country. They renewed their call for the international community to help bring their loved ones home as soon as possible. Elizabeth Salmon met Yokota Sakie and other relatives on Tuesday. in Tokyo.
Yokota's daughter, Megumi, was abducted in 1977 when she was 13 years old. The families told Salmon during a private meeting that time is running out. They noted that 89-year-old Yokota is now the sole surviving parent of an abductee after the father of another victim died in February. Salmon reportedly told the relatives, the abductees human rights were gravely violated and she shares their anger, sorrow and suffering.

I asked her to do her best to get all abductees back home.

North Korea's hostage-taking diplomacy and human rights violations can never be tolerated. The definition of the resolution that we, the Family Association, are seeking is the immediate return of all the abductees.

The Japanese government says at least 17 citizens were abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and '80s.
Five returned home after a bilateral summit in 2002, but the other 12 are unaccounted for.

USAID FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OFFICIALLY COME TO AN END

The US Secretary of State says the Agency for International Development, more commonly known as USAID,Is officially ending its foreign assistance programs.
In a statement titled Making Foreign Aid Great Again, Rubio criticized USAID. He said its development objectives have rarely been met, instability has often worsened, and anti American sentiment has only grown. The statement said the foreign assistance programs will along with the administration's policies and advance American interests and will be administered by the State Department.
It said the programs will be delivered with more accountability, strategy, and efficiency under the department.
USAID has become a target for personnel cuts and program reviews under the Department of Government Efficiency.
Doge was created following the President Trump's inauguration in January.
Concern is growing that the measure will seriously undermine humanitarian assistance to developing economies.
The English medical journal The Lancet, in its most recent edition published Monday, estimated that the USAID funding cuts could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030. 

ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT
TRUMP: ISRAEL AGREES TO CONDITIONS FOR 60-DAY CEASEFIRE IN GAZA

Trump is set to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu at the White House next Monday.
US President Trump says Israel has agreed to conditions to finalize a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. He's urging the Islamic group Hamas to accept the deal. Trump said on social media on Tuesday that US and Israeli officials had a long and productive meeting. He said Qatar and Egypt will deliver the final proposal to Hamas. He added that he hopes the group takes it for the good of the Middle East. Trump gave no details of the ceasefire conditions he said Israel agreed to. It remains unclear if Hamas will agree, as it has been demanding a complete stop in the fighting. Prior to his social media post, Trump had referred to a possible deal next week.

business

Now, let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Gene Ohtani. 

Hiroaki, thanks. 

LNG CANADA MAKES 1ST SHIPMENT TO ASIA

In our top business story this hour, a liquefied natural gas plant in Canada has sent its first shipment to Asia. The facility is operated by five international firms, including a leading Japanese trading house. A tanker carrying the cargo from LNG Canada's plant in British Columbia set sail on Monday.
The company is a project run by British oil and gas giant Shell and four Asian firms, including Mitsubishi Corporation. The plant converts Canadian natural gas into a liquefied state to export for Asia. It can produce 14 million tons of LNG annually. They would account for about 20% of Japan's yearly consumption. 2.1 million tons of the total has been allocated to Mitsubishi.

Canada's new role as a source of LNG supply to Japan will enable Mitsubishi Corporation to meet the increasing demand for LNG in Japan. 

Mitsubishi officials say it will take about 10 days for the LNG to reach Japan. That's less time that it takes oil deliveries to arrive from the US and the Middle East. The start of the project comes at a time when Japan is looking to diversify its energy sources. Supply stability has been threatened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East. 

CHINA'S BYD TO START EV PRODUCTION IN BRAZIL WITHIN WEEKS

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD says production of several models at its factory in Brazil will start within weeks. The company unveiled its plant in the northeastern state of Bahia to the media on Tuesday. The facility is also BYD's first in South America.
The EV maker showcased a car it said was assembled at the factory.
The company said the plant will start with an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, with expansion planned to double in the future. A BYD official stressed the firm's contribution to the local economy, saying it is making Bahia State to be the Silicon Valley of South America. The factory became the center of attention when Brazilian authorities filed a lawsuit against BYD and its contractors in May.
Prosecutors said the firms were responsible for letting about 200 Chinese people work in slavery like.
Labor conditions to build the factory, demanding damages and compensation.
Other Chinese vehicle makers are also entering the Brazilian market, and competition will likely escalate with European and Japanese makers.

SHAVED ICE: COOL TREAT REBORN WITH TASTE TWISTS

Shaved ice is a summer dessert known as Kakigori in Japan for cooling down in the sweltering heat. It's made by cutting ice into fluffy flakes topped with sweet, tasty syrups, but some stores are now selling it year round with new unique flavors.

This outlet has come up with an original menu of offerings.
One item is based on watermelon and the syrup is flavored with soy sauce, which is said to enhance the sweetness of the fruit. Another features a savory combination of tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. The menu says it tastes like a Bloody Mary without the alcohol.
The owner, Kon Tomoko, an art college graduate, has created more than 1,000 recipes since the store opened 18 years ago. She focuses on visual impact as well as taste.

This is very artistic. I come here every week, but the menu is so large that I haven't tasted everything.

I believe that if I don't create something new, then I won't attract customers.

Shaved ice stores are diversifying to expand the market. A shopping arcade in front of Tokyo Station has a pop-up space for stores from across the country to sell varieties of the dessert. The outlets change every few weeks. Some of these chefs are putting a new spin on shaved ice treats. French cuisine chef Nakakita Wakaba opened a dessert cafe specializing in shaved ice two years ago.
He focuses on using seasonal ingredients: cherries in spring, peaches in summer, muscat grapes in the fall, and kumquats in winter. Nakakita buys ingredients at Tokyo's wholesale fruit and vegetable market. In mid-June, he bought figs for his new menu.

They are delicious, so I decided to buy them. This is why I come to the wholesale market. I find inspiration for new dishes. 

He opted for a sauce of red shiso or perilla leaf, a Japanese herb known for its refreshing taste and flavor. 

I want to add a sensibility to shaved ice by using seasonal fruits and to have it recognized as a sweet treat. I hope many people will enjoy it. 

Besides chefs and shops developing new shaved ice offerings to attract customers,The warming climate may be another factor to help boost demand for what was once just a summer treat.

That looks good in the heat. All right, let's have a look at the markets.

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And that's it for business news.

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weather 

It's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh. Jonathan, we've been getting all sorts of weather in Tokyo Wednesday, from clouds to sun, from rain to shine. How are things looking for Thursday? 

Hello, we're seeing an interesting pattern across Japan where even though we're under the influence of high pressure, we're getting kind of a smorgasbord of rain and the sunshine. And then we're seeing the heat, of course, in place when we have clouds rolling in that gets a little bit of the taking off the edge of the heat.

And it looks like we may be talking about some more popular showers and thunderstorms, especially for the central eastern areas of Japan as we go into the overnight period into a Thursday. I mean we're getting reports at least information from the Japan Meteorological Agency saying that there's some localized areas where some really intense rainfall is taking place from time to time. And so that's something with the lookout for because of the instability that remains in place, the high pressure kind of really feeding in that warm air and so that's kind of bubbling up and moving up into higher areas of the atmosphere and that's what's leading. Into some of these more intense storms popping up from time to time that will continue to be a part of the story as we go into Thursday as well. And we're also talking about temperatures are going to be on the hotter side again for Thursday, mid 30s from Fukuoka into Osaka, 32 in Tokyo and even as far north as Sapporo seeing a high of 29 on Thursday. So if you need to get a cool treat to try to. Take the edge off that heat. Probably need to do that because we're looking at some of those high temperatures continuing. 

Meanwhile, it's winter in Australia and we're seeing an intense storm that's located right off New South Wales. Let's take a look at some video that's coming out of Sydney, where a rapidly intensifying storm battered the city for a second day Wednesday, leaving thousands of homes without power. The central pressure dropped 20 hectopascals in 24 hours, reaching pressure levels equal to a category one cyclone. Winds over 100 kilometers per hour reported in a nearby city. Waves over 10 meters reported at Botsany Bay on Tuesday. At least 55 domestic flights to and from Sydney had to be canceled on Wednesday. And we're still looking at that stormy weather continuing, at least going to Thursday. And then we'll see that focusing over toward New Zealand as you go to the latter part of the week. 

Hope you have a good day wherever you are.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And that's all for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Yamaguchi Hiroaki. Thanks for watching.