at 18:00 (JST), July 03

 

20250703180000_english_1.mp3

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

BREAKING NEWS  
ANOTHER QUAKE ROCKS JAPAN'S SOUTHWESTERN ISLANDS

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake has struck Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima. The tremor reached a lower six on Japan's seismic intensity scale, which goes from zero to seven. Officials say no injuries have been reported. The intensity is the largest among over a thousand jolts that have rocked the region for almost two weeks now.
The quake struck at about 4:13 p.m. on Thursday. According to meteorological agency officials, the epicenter was off the coast of the Tokara Islands. The depth was about 20 kilometers, but there was no threat of tsunami. There's been a marked increase in seismic activity around the island chain for nearly two weeks. More than 1-thousand noticeable tremors have been recorded.
The shock comes just a day after a magnitude 5-point-6 quake struck the same area. Officials say residents should stay on the alert and that the shaking could continue. Toshima Village administers the island chain.
Village officials say they've confirmed everyone is safe. Police say they have not been told of any major quake damage or deaths or injuries. They say they are collecting information on damage to homes and roads. Arikawa Kazunori lives on Aksekijima Island.
An intensity of lower 6 was recorded there. Adikawa says he felt shaking for quite a long time. He says he was outside and that people around him were astonished. He says many residents have gathered at an evacuation center.
Japan's top government spokesperson has just spoken to reporters about the quake.
Based on the Prime Minister's instructions, we are fully committed to disaster response. That includes assessing damage,and conducting life-saving rescue operations. We will work closely with local governments to gather information and urgently carry out relief efforts. He also says the Prime Minister has told officials to swiftly provide information about instructions to evacuate.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has just given a briefing on the quake.
Buildings may collapse and landslides may occur in hard-hit areas.
Please remain vigilant for further tremors and rains. Do not enter areas with risks unless it is absolutely necessary. Please watch out for more tremors of intensity door 6, similar to the one registered earlier today. Night is approaching. As I said yesterday,Make sure furniture do not fall in your bedroom, and be careful of any falling objects. Sudden tremors may still occur, and you may need to evacuate outside. If possible, please keep your shoes and a torchlight near your pillow when you sleep tonight.
We'll keep you updated on this developing story as information becomes available.

UPPER HOUSE ELECTION: PARTY LEADERS MAKE FIRST PITCHES

Japan's upper house election kicked off Thursday. Candidates will have just 17 days to court voters. The ruling coalition is working to keep its majority despite pressure from opposition parties.
The 248 members of the upper house are elected for six-year terms. Every three years, half of those seats go up for grabs. This time, the usual 124 spots are on the table, plus one extra, a vacancy.
Seventy-five of them will be decided via electoral districts. The other 50 are elected through proportional representation, counting votes from across Japan. Prime Minister Ishibashigeru says his goal is to keep his ruling coalition's majority. On top of the 75 seats they hold that are not up for grabs, this time they will need to win at least 50 of the open seats. It is the first test of Ishiba's administration since the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Ko Meito lost their lower house majority last October. The campaign is expected to focus on inflation.
Consumer prices have been soaring, with many households struggling with the rising cost of food. Other major issues include the country's pensions and population decline. Security and foreign policy will also be big topics, including tariff negotiations with the United States. Here's a taste of what party leaders are pitching tovoters.
We aim to raise wages to outpace price hikes. And we want to increase pay even more next year.
We want to deliver cash handouts quickly to those who are struggling to make ends meet, delivering the benefits to them by the end of this year.
Handouts are not a pork barrel policy at all. It's mainly for people in economic difficulty. The consumption tax is a valuable revenue source for medical care, pensions, nursing care and childcare.
We'll sincerely tell the public. that we'll do what's needed to treasure these resources for the generations to come.
We will protect you from high prices. The biggest factor is the price hikes on rice. There are concerns consumers are shifting away from eating rice. But if farmers quit growing it, Japan's food security will never be guaranteed. We want to increase the agricultural budget 10 times so we can have more farmers.
The consumption tax on food is currently 8%, but we will try to bring it down to zero. We have clearly presented the financials. We want to carry out tax cuts responsibly.
Given our aging society and declining population, we're found that lower social insurance premiums is absolutely necessary and essential. Please let us do this. We want to create what we call the second capital economic zone. Let's make our local economies grow and lead Japan, instead of just relying on Tokyo and its greater metropolitan area. Let us create such a place where, if young people try hard, they can reach their goals and make their dreams come true.
We'll focus our election campaign on fighting to build an economy and a social security system that can overcome high prices. The most basic way to do that is to introduce policies that will raise wages and pensions, so they outpace the price hikes. We will also cut taxes and provide benefits.
When Kemeto says it will do something, we will deliver and see it through.
Instead of giving out 20 or 40,000 yen before an election,The Democratic Party for the People wants to create a society where the working generation can feel like their hard work will pay off and that their dreams will come true if they keep trying their best.
This summer, we want to increase people's take-home pay and change Japanese politics.
The big issue is how we can protect people's daily lives from soaring prices.
We aim to urgently lower the consumption tax to 5% with the goal of abolishing it completely. Isn't that the most effective way to tackle price hikes?Let's pave the way for reducing the consumption tax no matter what.
30 years of recession, then the pandemic.
Before we recovered, prices surged. We need to totally improve things. First, abolish the consumption tax. Money you can use will increase by 300,000 yen per year. 25,000 yen a month. That will save small and medium sized firms. Let's reinvigorate the country.
Our slogan for this election campaign is Japanese first. We will firmly protect the daily lives of Japanese people through fiscal expansion, childcare support and maintaining public safety. Sanseito will focus on the people and their sovereignty.
In Japan, the average salary has hardly risen over the last 30 years. That's nothing but a lack of political policy.
We cannot wait to lower taxes. To start, the 8% consumption tax on food must be reduced to 0.
When it comes to consumption tax, we will immediately make food tax-free. We are here to support your everyday life and your future. That's why we, the Social Democratic Party, are needed, no matter what. We're paying for pensions we're not sure we'll even get.
Those premiums are already high, and they say taxes might rise. We need to say no and create a society where people needing help will absolutely be protected.
Since long ago, humans have fought over territory. If we are naive, we will be invaded in no time. Our party will drive out illegal immigrants.
Our one and only agenda is to make education a top priority. The only way forward is to empower each and every citizen. We want to build politics that look to the future.
If young people don't enter the world of politics, politics will not change. We can make the change by using technology that is already taken for granted by private companies.
Now let's look at the final list of those competing in electoral districts.
Liberal Democratic Party. 
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Innovation Party.
Komeito. 
Democratic Party for the People. 
Japanese Communist Party. 
Rewa Shinseengumi.
Sanseito.
Conservative Party of Japan.
Social Democratic Party. 
The Collaborative Party, 
Tax Cut Japan. 
NHK Party. 
The Path to Rebirth, 
Team Mirai.
Nippon Sei Shinkai.
Party of Sincerity and Truth Japan.
Japan Reform Party,.
Alliance of Independent Politicians.
Other Groups, Independents.
And here are those running under the proportional representation system.
Japanese Communist Party, 
Japan Innovation Party.
Alliance of Independent Politicians
Conservative Party of Japan.
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Sanseito.
Democratic Party for the People,.
Team Mirai. 
Nippon Sei Shinkai. 
Party of Sincerity and Truth Japan. 
Social Democratic Party. 
Reiwa Shin Sengumi. 
Japan Reform Party.
Liberal Democratic Party. 
The Path to Rebirth. 
Komeito. 
NHK Party.
Voters will head to the ballot box on July 20.
Now for more on the Upper House election, I spoke earlier with NHK World's political commentator Kikuyama Kengo.

ANALYSIS: STAKES HIGH FOR RULING COALITION IN CRUCIAL ELECTION

Ohh What's the key benchmark for victory and what are Ishiba's goals?

The focus is on whether the ruling coalition can keep its majority in Upper House.
Ishiba has said we will do everything we can to secureuh majority combined with the uncontested seats. The key number is 50. That's what the ruling parties must win to keep their majority because they have other seats that aren't being fought this time.
This means they can lose up to 16 seats and still maintain an overall majority.
But there's been criticism from both the opposition and from inside the main ruling LDP that this goal is too low. Senior members of the ruling parties are worried after the LDP and Komeito both lost seats in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election last month. 

So what are the main issues?

Well, one of the crucial topics is tariff negotiations with the United States. Ishiba's top negotiator has been to the US seven times, but they haven't clinched a comprehensive agreement. President Trump has indicated his administration could impose levies of 30 or 35% on Japanese products. So another issue is inflation fight policy. The biggest difference here is over direct payments versus cutting the consumption tax. The ruling coalition says cash handouts are quicker and more effective. The ruling bloc has taken a cautious stance on cutting the consumption tax, citing its role in funding Social Security and that time-consuming legal procedures needed for any change.
But most of the opposition is emphasizing tax cuts amid a wave of rising food prices, hitting household budgets, Many are calling for lowering or abolishing the consumption tax to ease the burden on consumers.

So how significant is this election, and what could it potentially bring to Japanese politics? 

Right. Ishiba's government was weakened after losing its majority in a more powerful lower house last year.
If the ruling coalition fails to hold on to upper house majority this time, it will become extremely difficult for him to manage his administration. So this election carries unusual weight.
Normally, lower house elections are considered a choice of government, while upper house elections are viewed as a midterm evaluation of the sitting administration. But this time, the dynamics are different. Voices from both the ruling and opposition camps suggest that this upper house election is a de facto referendum on the Ishiba government.

4 DEAD, OVER 30 MISSING AFTER FERRY SINKS NEAR BALI

Rescue efforts are underway in Indonesia for at least 32 people who went missing after a ferry sank Wednesday night near the island of Bali. Officials say the vessel was traveling from Java to Bali. They say the accident has claimed at least four lives. They also say the ferry was carrying 65 passengers and crew members, as well as vehicles and trucks.

When the ferry started to tilt, I initially intended to jump into the sea, but the ship quickly sank, so I didn't jump, but sank with the water entering the ship, maybe about 7 meters deep. So I immediately climbed up to the top.

Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 10-thousand islands and ferries are commonly used as transportation.
Reuters News Agency says accidents are frequent due to poor safety standards. 

S. KOREAN PRESIDENT LEE HOPING TO VISIT JAPAN SOON

South Korean President Lee Jae-mil says he is hoping to visit Japan soon to meet Prime Minister Ishibashigeru. The two leaders are aiming to foster bilateral ties through dialogue.
Lee held a news conference at the Blue House with domestic and international journalists on Thursday, one day before marking his first month in office.
Noting the many sensitive issues between the two countries, the president reiterated the importance of bilateral ties. He added, There are also a number of areas in which Seoul and Tokyo can cooperate, including the economy, as well as addressing North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

Lee Jae-myung / South Korean President (translation)
As we are neighbors, I hope frequent visits by the leaders of both countries can reduce misunderstandings and enable us to cooperate through dialogue where we can.

Lee referred to communication through so-called shuttle diplomacy, with mutual visits by the two leaders. He said he plans to visit Japan, but the schedule has yet to be fixed, as the country's upper house election will be held later this month. 

PENTAGON: US "DEGRADED" IRAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM BY UP TO 2 YEARS

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said on Wednesday US strikes destroyed uranium enrichment facilities as well as components Iran would need to build a bomb. 
The US Department of Defense says its intelligence indicates that US air strikes have set back Iran's nuclear program by up to two years.

We have degraded their program by one to two years, at least until assessments inside the department assess that. 

Parnell said Pentagon officials believe that in addition to the physical damage, the strikes may also have degraded Iran's ambition to build a bomb.
US President Donald Trump claims that Iran's key nuclear sites have been completely obliterated, but assessments vary. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has said the strikes caused severe damage, but he cautioned there's a possibility Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months.
Tehran has vowed to continue its nuclear development program.

MACRON, PUTIN DISCUSS UKRAINE IN FIRST CALL IN THREE YEARS

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin by phone on Tuesday. It was the first exchange between the two in almost three years. They discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, among other issues. The French president's office said Macron expressed unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and integrity.
He called for a ceasefire and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin said Putin reiterated his position that the conflict was a direct consequence of the West's policy, which he said ignored Russia's security interests for years.
The Russian presidential office said that conditions for a peaceful settlement should include the elimination of the root causes of the Ukraine crisis and be based on new territorial realities.

CBS PARENT AGREES TO PAY $16 MIL. TO SETTLE TRUMP LAWSUIT

CBS News says its parent company has agreed to pay 16 million dollars to settle a lawsuit filed by the US president. It has to do with an interview with then Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. It aired before last year's election on the program 60 Minutes. Trump sued Paramount Global, alleging that CBS News deceptively edited the interview to her advantage.
Trump's legal team calls the outcome a win for Americans, and it says he held, to use his team's words, The fake news media accountable for their wrongdoing and deceit. But Paramount insists the interview followed a standard editing process. It says it settled the lawsuit to avoid high legal costs and the risk of confusion. CBS also notes the settlement does not include an apology. Experts are voicing concerns that the settlement could become a dangerous precedent, putting press freedom at risk.

business

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

Miki, thanks in our top business story this hour. 

WSJ: JAPAN-US TALKS STALLED OVER AUTO TARIFFS

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Japan-US trade talks have been stalled for more than a month due to disagreements over auto tariffs. The newspaper on Wednesday said top US officials told Japanese negotiators in late May that time was running out to reach an agreement. It quotes sources as saying Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jameson Greer warned that additional punitive measures might be taken against Japan. The report said these could include a Trump administration demand that Japan cap its vehicle exports to the United States. The Japanese side reportedly maintained its stance that there could not be any agreement that preserves the 25% tariff America has imposed on autos. The pause in what President Donald Trump calls reciprocal tariffs is due to expire next Wednesday. 
Meanwhile, US Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Falconer said in a TV interview he expects a number of trade deals will be announced next week. Falkinder added that he thinks there will also be a tariff rate announcement next week for US trading partners that have not advanced their negotiations. 

TRUMP SAYS FED CHAIR SHOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY

US President Trump has ramped up the pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell calling on him to quit immediately. Trump posted on social media on Wednesday that too late should resign immediately. He also shared an article about a federal a regulator who said Powell should be investigated over his Senate testimony. Trump has repeatedly lashed out at the Fed chair, demanding that he promptly cut interest rates. He said earlier this week that he had sent Powell a chart showing rates set by other central banks. Trump had written on it. Jerome, you are, as usual, too late. Powell has maintained a cautious stance on lowering rates. Citing the need to assess the impact of Trump's tariff measures, the Fed's position has also drawn criticism from Trump administration officials.

TESLA SALES DOWN FOR 2ND QUARTER AMID MUSK BACKLASH

US electric vehicle giant Tesla has seen its global sales fall for the second quarter in a row. This comes as some consumers boycotted the brand over the political activities of chief executive Elon Musk.
Tesla said on Wednesday. Sales in the April through June period dropped more than 13% from the same quarter a year before to around 384,000 units.
That's a slight acceleration of the pace of decline in the first quarter of this year. Musk led the Department of Government Efficiency under President Trump until May. His campaigns to slash the federal workforce and spending sparked backlashes from car buyers in the US and abroad. Analysts also attribute the sales drop to intensifying competition from rivals such as China's BYD.

All right, let's have a look at the markets.

♪
And that's it for business news.

Thank you very much, Gene. 

ANOTHER QUAKE ROCKS JAPAN'S SOUTHWESTERN ISLANDS

The tremor reached a lower sixth on Japan's seismic intensity scale, which goes from zero to seven. Officials say no injuries have been reported. The intensity is the largest among over a thousand jaunts that have rocked the region for almost two weeks now.
The quake struck at about 4:13 p.m. on Thursday. According to meteorological agency officials, the epicenter was off the coast of the Tokara Islands. The depth was about 20 kilometers, but there was no threat of tsunami. There's been a marked increase in seismic activity around the island chain for nearly two weeks. More than 1,000 noticeable tremors have been recorded.
This shock comes just a day after a magnitude 5.6 quake struck the same area. Officials say residents should stay on the alert and that the shaking could continue. 
As we've been reporting, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake has struck Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima.

And those were the headlines for this hour.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And that's it for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Yamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thank you for staying with us on NHK World Japan.