EVACUATION ON QUAKE-HIT ISLAND IN SOUTHWESTERN JAPAN
Officials say 13 people boarded a ship from Akusekijima Island on Friday morning to Kagoshima City. The seismic activity has kept residents on edge.People on the remote island in southwestern Japan have evacuated after a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck. It was one of more than 1,000 tremors to Radori area in recent weeks.
I was so scared, I grabbed hold of my daughter. There are still children and students on the island. I'm worried about them.
It was the first time I saw an electric pole or guardrail shaking. It surprised me. It's a relief that I can now sleep without worry.
The ship will reach Kagoshima later in the evening. The evacuation is expected to last about a week, but may vary depending on earthquake activity.
Toshima village is comprised of a chain of islands called Tokara. A flurry of earthquakes has shaken the area over about the past two weeks. Thursday's quake in Aksikijima registered a seismic intensity of lower 6 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says this is the first quake of such intensity to be recorded in Toshima Village. Officials are calling on residents to be on alert for more quakes with an intensity of up to around lower 6.
They are also warning of rain that could cause mudslides.
For more on this, earlier my colleague Yamamoto Miki spoke with NHK World's Shimakawa Eisuke, who covers issues surrounding natural disasters. She asked him what's happening near the Tokara Islands.
JAPAN RATTLED BY SERIES OF EARTHQUAKES NEAR TOKARA ISLANDS
The islands have been hit by a series of earthquakes in a limited area since June 21. There have been 1,180 earthquakes with an intensity of 1 or higher.The region, that's as of 11 a.m. today. The region has experienced extended seismic activity before, but this year it's much more pronounced.
Please see this lab. It compares this time to similar periods in the past. The vertical axis shows the cumulative number of quakes. The horizontal axis shows the number of days on which tremors of intensity one or higher occurred. In the past, there was a gradual decrease in the number of earthquakes after about five days of seismic activity, but this time. The graph goes steeply upwards, meaning that number has been increasing.
Very concerning for the residents there. But why is this kind of earthquake occurring and what's going to happen next?
The area around the islands is a place where earthquakes are likely.
An undersea plate on the east side is sinking towards the islands.
While on the western side lies the Okina Trough, which is widening.
But Japan Meteorical Agency says it is unclear why things are so active right now. We interviewed Professor Nishimura Takuya of Kyoto University, who is an expert on earthquake mechanisms.
This level of seismic activity, with tremors shaking the area over such an extended period, indicates an unusual external force is being applied. The current activity is likely volcanic in nature and related to something like magma activity.
Professor Nishimura said the earthquakes won't stop until external factors diminish. So at this stage, the prospects for future quake activity are hard to say.
Umm Now, one of the reasons why these earthquakes are attracting attention from overseas is because of the spread of a basis rumor that a major earthquake and tsunami will hit Japan in July. And as you know, it's caused a decrease in travel demand to Japan from Hong Kong and led to reduced flights from there. And the fact that these Tokata earthquakes have been occurring just before that rumored date for the disaster is increasing attention. But, you know, is it really possible to predict an earthquake?
Yep. The world's prediction and focus are different, with the story around the world just for rumor. Japan Meteorological Agency officials spoke about earthquake prediction on Thursday.
There are three conditions that would make it possible to predict earthquakes: the time, the place, and the scale. That's not possible with today's science and technology. So the story that's going around is a false rumor.
hmm So why is this rumor spreading?
Yeah. Sekiya Nawa, a professor at the University of Tokyo's graduate school, who is an expert in disaster communication, says that emotional factors such as anxiety and high interest have more of an impact on daily communications than scientific correctness. Not spreading rumor is the most important thing Japan is a country with earthquakes and a large one could occur at some point. But just feeling anxious isn't good. People should get ready for an earthquake or a tsunamis by checking in advance for dangerous places where injuries could occur and finding out where to evacuate.
With this kind of preparation, people can feel safe even if an earthquake takes place.
EARLY VOTING STARTS FOR JAPAN'S UPPER HOUSE ELECTION
Early voting is now underway across Japan in the lead up to the upper house election on July 20.People who may not be able to cast their ballots on the election day due to travel, work, or other reasons are eligible. Venues will include university campuses, shopping centers and railway stations to encourage more people to vote.
Official campaigning for the election kicked off on Thursday. There are 522 candidates.
Key issues include how to tackle rising prices and the future of social security.
The number of early voters has been increasing since the system was introduced in 2003.
In the latest Upper House election three years ago, more than one in three voters cast early ballots.
Many polling stations are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Some will stay open longer in consideration of voters who work on weekdays. Early voting will continue through July 19, the day before the election.
REPORT: US PLANS NUCLEAR TALKS WITH IRAN NEXT WEEK
The White House is reportedly planning to resume nuclear talks with Iran next week. The meeting will be between the US special envoy to the Middle East and Iranian foreign minister. That's according to news outlet Axios. It reports the talks will happen in Norway, though a final date has not been set yet.They will be the first direct talks since the US carried out military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last month.
Iran does want to speak, and I think they'd like to speak to me. And it's time that they do. We're not looking to hurt them. We're looking to let them be a country again.
Earlier this week, Iranian President Mossad Pezeshkian announced his country would suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.A US State Department spokesperson called that decision unacceptable.
US TO RAISE NATIONAL PARK FEES FOR FOREIGN VISITORS
Foreign tourists hoping to visit US national parks may soon be hit with a bigger bill. President Trump signed an executive order increasing entrance fees for non-Americans.Trump said the move would help make America beautiful again.
We're going to take it America first for the national parks. And these are just a few of the many programs, initiatives, celebrations that we'll renew for our national pride. We're going to have great pride.
The order is also supposed to improve services, access, and affordability for US citizens. The White House said Americans already fund the parks through their tax dollars. It said it was unfair to charge them the same entry fees as foreign visitors.
How much the price will charge and when are expected? How much the price will change and when are expected to be decided later.
RUSSIA OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES AFGHANISTAN'S TALIBAN GOVERNMENT
Russian state-run media says the country has officially recognized Afghanistan's Taliban government, making it the first nation to do so.The Russian Foreign Ministry said the recognition will help promote bilateral cooperation. This includes in the areas of energy and agriculture, as well as responding to terrorism. The Taliban's Foreign Minister Amiyu Ka Muchaki thanked Russia.
He said the move will further expand relations and set an example.
No other country has officially recognized the Taliban's interim government. Many point to its record on human rightsas the group restricts women's education and employment. Russia designated the Taliban a terrorist organization in 2003, but Moscow began warming ties with the Islamist group as it retook power in 2021. Russia removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations in April of this year.
business
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here is Gene Otani from The Biz Desk.Mariko, thanks.
JAPAN RICE PRICE INDEX PROJECTS DECLINE
In our top business story this hour, a survey shows growers and wholesalers expect rice prices to drop in Japan over the next three months as government stockpiles have been released into the market. The price outlook index as of June fell by the most on record.An industry organization released the findings of its June survey on Friday. The index on the outlook for the next three months dropped by 24 points from a month earlier to 35 on a zero to 100 scale. The margin of decline was the largest since the survey began in 2012. The index for the current rice prices fell 10 points to 83. A reading of 100 means respondents strongly expect prices to be higher compared with the previous month.
JAPAN WAGE HIKES WIDEN; SMALLER FIRMS MISS TARGET
Japan's biggest labor group says average wage increases were higher than targeted in spring negotiations. even though small and mid-sized companies missed the goal for raises. Average monthly pay went up 5.25% based on 5,100 firms that provided information as of July 1. That's up by 0.15 percentage points from last year and exceeded the 5% target set by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation or Rengo. But the labor group says companies with fewer than 300 employees raised pay an average of 4.65%, missing the organization's 6% goal. Rengo says smaller firms face sluggish demand as consumer prices rose and they were not able to pass along higher costs.LARGE JAPAN FIRMS SEE RECORD-HIGH SUMMER BONUS
Meanwhile, the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, says summer bonuses at major firms in Japan averaged about 990,000 yen, or roughly $6800.That's a 4.37% from last year, marking an increase for the fourth straight year.
The figure was the highest. The Federation started the survey under the current method in 1981.
BizPicks
Now NHK World's John LaDue is here with BizPicks. He looks at upcoming business and economic stories.BOJ REGIONAL REPORT SEEN REFLECTING US TARIFF UNCERTAINTY
Here are some topics we'll be tracking in the week ahead. The Bank of Japan will hold a meeting of branch managers Thursday and will issue its quarterly regional economic report. The central bank's assessment covers each of the nine regions in Japan and compares activity with levels. in the previous quarter. BOJ regional branch officials gather information by speaking directly with local business leaders to compile the report. We spoke with Kato Izuru, chief economist at Totan Research, about his outlook for the report.I expect the overall assessment to remain almost unchanged. The BOJ released the results of its Tankan survey earlier this month. The business sentiment in the survey was largely unchanged as a whole. It indicated that businesses cannot judge the current situation because of the high level of uncertainty. They are very worried and cautious, but their performance has not significantly worsened.Kato has been focused on effects of tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump and responses to the duties in each region. He says he has been looking closely at areas with many auto-related firms.
Tariffs on automobiles are drawing the most attention. Cars make up one of the biggest industries in the Japanese economy.
Toyota and its partners are in the Tokai region.
Subaru produces mainly at plants in Guma Prefecture in the Kanto Koshinitsu area.
Mazda is based in Hiroshima Prefecture in the Chugoku region.
Kanto said that Japanese automakers are facing some difficulties in setting sales strategy for the US market.
I was on a business trip to the US recently. And the general trend seems to be that Japanese firms are trying to avoid passing on the full tariff increases to consumers by raising prices in the US. They are seeking a proper balance between cost and price to avoid a large negative impact on revenue.
Kato also says he will pay attention to the cost of rice. He's looking at how the pace of wage increases in each region affects consumer spending amid rising prices.When rice prices increase, prices of many other food items tend to rise alongside. Prices of processed food, including rice ingredients and costs of dining at restaurants that use rice, tend to rise. If prices rise faster than wage increases in a region, that could have a negative impact on consumption.
Kato says it is important in reading the regional economic report to understand what businesses feel by listening to the real voices of those who run them.I'm John Ladue, and that wraps it up for this week's BizPicks.
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And that's it for business news.
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S. KOREA'S LEE TACKLES 'ECONOMIC CRISIS' IN 1ST MONTH IN OFFICE
South Korean President Lee Jae-myeon says his country is facing an economic crisis and has taken steps to address it in his first month in office. NHK World's Kim Chan-ju reports on how people there are reacting as they grapple with inflation and rising personal debt.For South Korean office workers,The lunch break is a time-honored ritual, a bit of relief from the hectic workday. But these days, it's losing its appeal for some.
There's nothing for less than 10,000 won. Lunch has become such a burden.
I don't want to spend so much money on having lunch, so I just eat something like yogurt at my desk.
The country's consumer price index has surged 16% over the past five years driven by post-pandemic inflation. Staple items like eggs are up 42%. Pork has risen 30%.
Small restaurant operators in particular are hit hard.
Lee Dae-jung and his wife Kim Yang-hee sell kimbap broths starting at just over $2.00 each.
They've been fighting to keep prices low, but the couple recently made the tough decision to charge more for some menu items.
We are impacted by both shrinking consumer spending and the price hikes.
That's a big problem.
The situation is getting so tough, I want to cry.
The centerpiece is a stimulus plan involving so-called consumption coupons. This would give people up to nearly $400 to spend, depending on their income.
Facing an economic crisis, it would be irresponsible for the government to sit on its hands and insist only on austerity. It would perhaps even be a denial of its reason for existence.
The government's vouchers are to be used at small or middle-sized local shops.
It's certainly a welcome gesture for those struggling to make ends meet, but I do wonder if the government can afford it.
Those who would normally buy three items are now buying just one or two. If there are subsidies like this, I think it will be good for us and our customers.
Lee's government also has a debt relief plan for business owners. It would erase long overdue personal debt up to 50 million won. But some small business operators who have been keeping up with their debt repayments view the idea as potentially unfair.
And an expert says any move to wipe out personal debt could have pitfalls.
I expect that coupons circulating in the local community will help. But the government must be very careful about making debt adjustments or erasing debts entirely. There is an issue of moral hazard.
South Korea has just gone through a period of political turmoil. The professor says that's why stability is needed to boost confidence among consumers and investors.
The question is whether President Lee can unite the country to lay the groundwork for an economic recovery. Kim Chan-ju, NHK World.
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EARLY VOTING STARTS FOR JAPAN'S UPPER HOUSE ELECTION
Early voting is now underway across Japan in the lead up to the upper house election on July 20.People who may not be able to cast their ballots on Election Day due to travel, work, or other reasons are eligible.
Venues will include university campuses, shopping centers, and railway stations to encourage more people to vote.
Official campaigning for the election kicked off on Thursday. There are 522 candidates.
Key issues include how to tackle rising prices and the future of Social Security.
The number of early voters has been increasing since the system was introduced in 2003.
In the last upper house election three years ago, more than one in three voters cast early ballots.
Many polling stations are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Some will stay open longer in consideration of voters who work on weekdays. Early voting will continue through July 19, the day before the election.
weather
Now it's time for weather. Japan has been experiencing sweltering heat this week.Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details.
The rainy season ended in the Tokai region on Friday, which is 15 days earlier than normal. It was tied with the third earliest on record. This year's rainy season was also much shorter, lasting 25 days compared to the average of 43, according to weather officials.
In one part of the Mie Prefecture, total rainfall was less than half the usual amount. The early end of the rainy season could bring drought to some areas.
Nagoya in the Tokai region will have sunny skies with a high of 36. The heat is also expected to continue in much of the country. The highs will be 33 in Osaka and 34 in Tokyo. Even Sapporo will see 32.
In the bigger picture across Asia, there are two tropical systems over the ocean.
One is moving northward east of Japan. Another is also moving northward toward Taiwan. The system is expected to intensify and has a possibility to affect the weather in Taiwan, eastern China, and also Japan's Okinawa next week. So please keep an eye on it.
But before the wing, Taipei will see sunny skies on Saturday with a high of 33.
The temperature in Shanghai may hit 38. Thunder showers are possible in Manua because the tropical system will enhance the monsoon rain. Flood warnings have been issued in parts of western Luzon.
Moving to Europe, intense heat waves are still gripping the southern parts of the continent. The highs will be 38 in Madrid and 35 in Rome.
That's it for now. Have a nice weekend.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
That's all for this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Sato Mariko in Tokyo.Thanks for joining us.
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