S.KOREA STARTS REMOVING LOUDSPEAKERS ON BORDER WITH NORTH
South Korea's defense ministry says it has started removing loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border that sent broadcasts toward the north.It's a practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and North without affecting the military's readiness.
South Korean media say all of the approximately 20 loudspeakers will be removed within the week. Seoul had already suspended loudspeaker broadcasts along the border in June. It's part of a shift in policy led by South Korean President Lee Jae-myeon, who took office in June. He is seeking an early resumption of dialogue with Pyongyang.
His predecessor had taken a tough stance toward the North. Pyongyang considers South Korea a hostile nation. Last month, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong-un, rejected South Korea's call for dialogue. She said her country has no interest in any policy adopted by Seoul.
THAILAND, CAMBODIA START TALKS TO MAINTAIN CEASEFIRE
Thailand and Cambodia have started talks over how to maintain a ceasefire after a series of border clashes between the two nations.The four days of discussions began in Malaysia on Monday. That's one week after Bangkok and Phnom Penh agreed to halt fighting in the disputed region.
Officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations say a primary task is to establish a team to monitor and maintain the ceasefire. A defense ministerial-level meeting is expected to take place on the final day of the talks, with representatives from the US and China attending. The question now is how the talks will progress as Thailand and Cambodia continue to trade barbs.
The Cambodian defense ministry on Sunday night claimed that the Thai military is planning to launch attacks along the border, but a Thai military spokesperson dismissed the claim. Fighting between the nations broke out on July 24, but the ceasefire deal was struck four days later in negotiations mediated by other countries, including this year's ASEAN chair, Malaysia.
UNEASY TRUCE ALONG THAI-CAMBODIA BORDER AFTER CLASHES
Earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Takaoka Chikashi in Bangkok for more.It has been a week since the truce, so has the fighting stopped along the border?
There have been no reports of major crashes or attacks on civilians like the ones we saw late last month, but I would have to say the tensions are still high and the ceasefire has been fragile. Some scaffolds have been reported since the day the truth took effect.
Both sides have accused the other of breaching the ceasefire agreement, and both have denied this. At the same time, the two nations have have been keen to gain international understanding. Both organized visits to the border area last week, inviting foreign envoys and international media. Defence officials showed the damage they say came from the clashes and claimed they are honoring the ceasefire. Last month, armed clashes erupted at many locations in the disputed border region. Both countries are at odds over the alleged treatment of Cambodian soldiers captured by Thailand.
So officials have sat down to talk about the ceasefire. What can we expect from the dialogue?
Well, one of the key issues is the deployment of a monitoring team, which will be crucial to keep the ceasefire in place. This year's ASEAN chair, Malaysia, is expected to lead the team if Thailand and Cambodia agree to maintain a ceasefire in this week's meetings. But even if the truth holds, it's not easy for the two countries to overcome their animosity for each other. The tensions have been simmering since May 28, when troops briefly exchanged fire, killing one Cambodian soldier. That was followed by a string of spats These included leaked foreign arguments between the leaders and the explosion of landmines that Thailand accused Cambodia of bearing recently. Both countries tightened border controls, restricting the movements of people and goods.
The territorial disputes have persisted on both countries for over a century.
Major armed clashes broke out back in 2011, three years after a border temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 20 were queued. Now, the very root of the crisis, which is a dispute over the border demarcation, doesn't show any sign of being resolved. So the talks in Malaysia are just the beginning of a long process for the neighbors to mend their relationship, which is one of the key factors in maintaining stability and economic exchanges in the region.
WAR IN UKRAINE
MOSCOW, KYIV CONTINUE HOSTILITIES AS TRUMP DEADLINE NEARS
Russia and Ukraine exchanged attacks as US President Donald Trump stepped up pressure for a truce, Trump has set August 8 as a ceasefire deadline.Ukraine's Air Force said that Russia launched more than 70 drones and seven missiles toward the country over the weekend. A missile attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Nikolayev reportedly injured 7 people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday condemned Russia for targeting ordinary buildings, energy infrastructure, and essentially just people's lives.
Meanwhile, a local governor in Russia said a fire broke out at an oil tank in the southern city of Sochi following a Ukrainian drone attack. President Trump has announced that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Russia in the coming days.
He may be going, I think next week, Wednesday or Thursday, may be going to Russia. They would like to see him. They've asked that he meet. So we'll see what happens.
Trump has been threatening sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire deal with Ukraine by the deadline. He has also suggested that secondary levies could hit imports from countries that buy Russian products. Putin has said Russia will not agree to a deal unless its demands are met.
MORE HUNGER-RELATED DEATHS REPORTED IN GAZA
Hunger still haunts the Gaza Strip a week after Israel's military began daily pauses in operations to allow the UN and others to deliver aid. Israel claims there is no starvation in the enclave, but footage taken by staff at NHK's Gaza office shows evidence of deprivation.People rush wildly to claim supplies dropped from the United Arab Emirates plane.
Fights break out as soon as the supplies land.
Malnutrition-related deaths have surged under the Israeli military's restrictions of deliveries. Israel claims over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid have already entered Gaza, but health officials there on Sunday reported six more hunger related deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 175. Food prices are soaring. A liter of cooking oil now costs about $17. That's more than six times the price before the fighting began in 2023.
This flower is all I can get my hands on. Many people have starved to death. I feel like I'm waiting my time.
One trader was selling items still in their original aid packaging. He said he's reselling goods brought in by others.
I have no choice but to sell them to feed my family, but honestly, I don't want to sell them at such high prices.
MASSIVE PROTEST IN SYDNEY OVER GAZA FAMINE FEARS
In Australia, tens of thousands of people took to the streets, shutting down Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge. Demonstrators marched through rain in solidarity with the Palestinians, calling for the food to flow and the fighting to seize.This is not for any other thing other than humanity. People should not be starved of their human rights.
We've been trying to make an impact for a very, very long time now. And there we have been making an impact and I think just crossing the bridge just to show the momentum, the volume, the amount of people that have come.
Sydney has seen protests against the war in Gaza every Sunday since 2023. This one appeared to be the largest. Police estimate the crowd numbered around 90,000.
JAPANESE LAWMAKERS DEBATE TARIFF AGREEMENT WITH US
Lawmakers have pressed Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru for his plans on dealing with US tariffs on Japan's auto industry. Ishiba says he wants to get the other side to lower them through an executive order. The debate at a lower house committee comes after the US and Japan made a trade deal last month, lowering the overall tariff rate threatened by Trump. Japanese autos will face a 15% levy, and there's still no written agreement between the two countries. The main opposition party's leader asked whether Japan is in a vulnerable position.Japan and the US created a document when the countries reached a trade deal in 2019, but that's been effectively scrapped. If we don't make a document for this recent bilateral agreement, what's to stop the Trump administration from stretching its interpretation and ripping Japan off?
President Trump makes his own rules. Our concern is that pursuing a document would delay our goal of cutting the tariffs. That's the most important thing for our country, and it's why we should try our best to convince the president to lower auto tariffs through an executive order.
Ishiba has said he negotiated with the US by emphasizing investment. A senior member of his main ruling Liberal Democratic Party says that strategy seems to be working for others.
The US and European Union's agreement also shows the principle of investments has become key for dealing with Trump's tariff measures. What does this mean for the Japan-US deal?
I think Japan-US relations will be a win-win, with both countries combining their technology, labor forces and capital to offer better things to the world, with jobs created in the US and no jobs lost in Japan. Some say implementing this agreement will be more difficult than the effort required to reach it. I ask for your continued support on this.
Trump's new tariff rates are set to kick in for Japan and other countries on August 7.
LDP ANALYZES REASONS FOR UPPER HOUSE ELECTION SETBACK
Candidates of the ruling LDP, who were unsuccessful in last month's upper House election, say they had difficulty explaining policy to voters. An LDP panel, set up last week to analyze the party's bitter election setback on July 20, interviewed unsuccessful candidates who ran for electoral districts. The panel is headed by LDP Secretary-General Moriyama Hiroshi. Some suggested the party's policy message to voters, including its use of social media, was insufficient compared to other parties.Others said the LDP should have done more to highlight its achievements as the main ruling party. Some candidates were also quoted as saying that the party needs to clarify its organizational responsibility for the election results in a way that will convince rank-and-file members.
Panel is to draw up a report on why it suffered the defeat by the end of this month.
BUSINESS
Now let's get you the latest in business with Ramin Mellegard. Ramin.Thank you very much indeed.
JAPAN FARM, FOOD EXPORTS REACH RECORD HIGH FOR JAN.-JUN.
Now the world is hooked on Japanese food. I definitely am. And that's helping suppliers carving out to carve out new markets across the globe. Exports reached a record high for the first six months of the year, driven by demand from the United States.Officials have released export data on agriculture, forestry and fishery products, along with food items. All told, they brought in 809.7 billion yen, or about 5 1/2 billion dollars. That's up 15 1/2% in yen terms from last year and marks the first time the figure has topped 800 billion yen for the period. Period. The agriculture ministry points to the growing number of Japanese restaurants operating abroad. At the same time, it says the influx of foreign tourists is winning broader recognition for the local cuisine. Exports of scallops posted the biggest increase in value terms, rising more than 45% to $237 million. Suppliers reeled in new customers in the US, Vietnam and Thailand. Now green tea was among the 19 items posting record high shipments abroad. Exports of green tea jumped by 65%, with matcha building a strong fan base in Europe and the US by country and region. US bound exports surged 22%. To around $960 million. However, US tariffs are clouding the outlook. A baseline duty of 15% is due to apply to Japanese food and other items from August 7.
NIKKEI 225 BRIEFLY FALLS BELOW 40,000 ON US JOBS DATA SLUMP
And Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock index briefly fell below the 40,000 mark on Monday, the first time it's dropped through that key level in about two weeks. Now that came after US employment numbers on Friday missed expectations, signaling a slowdown in the world's largest economy.The benchmark ended at 40,290, down one and a quarter percent. Investors offloaded shares soon after the opening.
The Nikkei index briefly declined almost 950 points, or 2.3%, but it later trimmed the loss. Concerns grew that the Japanese yen's rise against the dollar could negatively impact the performance of domestic exporters. Analysts say many investors look to avoid risk after the release of US jobs data.
TRUMP TO END TARIFF EXEMPTION FOR LOW-VALUE GOODS
US tariff policies are not restricted to raising barriers. President Donald Trump has shut down another trade passage by scrapping a duty waiver for low value imports.Trump signed an executive order last week coming into effect August 29, ending the so-called de minimis exemption. It allows goods worth $800 or less. To be shipped into the United States duty free. Trump's executive order cancels the tax break for low value goods from all countries and regions. US Customs and Border Protection says the tariff exemption was applied to over 1.3 billion shipments in 2024.
The figure has grown nearly tenfold over the past decade. The White House says removing the trade loophole is aimed at preventing companies from dumping goods in the US at below market value. It says the move is also needed to stem the flow of illicit drugs into the country.
Now, import duties are already back in place for small packages coming in from mainland China and Hong Kong. The exemption on these imports was repealed in May. Shipments from online shopping businesses based in China exploded in recent years. Those firms have now started raising prices of their goods sold in the US market.
JR EAST TO HIKE TRAIN FARES AVG. 7% IN MARCH 2026
East Japan Railway plans to raise fares by an average of 7.1% from next March in its first across the board price hike. Now the company, better known as Jr. East, says it needs to raise funds to maintain and improve safety and services.The rail operator says the government has approved the move, which will see starting fares for tickets rise 10 yen to 160 yen. The new price is the equivalent of $1.09.
Bigger fare increases are planned for services in the Tokyo area, including the Yamanote train line that loops around the capital. The blanket hike is the first since Jr. East was formed in 1987 from the privatization of Japan National Railways, with the exception of consumption tax adjustments. Jr. East says it needs more than 400 billion yen, or about $2.7 billion, to invest in safety and services. It says the price increases are needed because inflation and higher labor costs are weighing on its bottom line.
ADDING A SWEET TWIST TO HIKING IN JAPAN
Now, hikers on Japan's mountain trails may come across more than just nature.A woman known as Tekuteku-san is turning heads by selling handmade cookies on foot high up in the hills. Her unique approach is adding a sweet surprise to the outdoor experience.
At over 1900 meters, Mount Jirogyu rises high on the island of Shikoku.
At its summit, one woman is warmly welcomed by hikers.
For hikers, Ogawa's sweets are a tasty reward for their hard work.
It's mountain-shaped.
What I'm doing is a very old-fashioned thing, but I am happy if I can offer hikers a little extra joy.
Four years ago, Ogawa moved from Tokyo to Kochi Prefecture. While turning to online channels and events for her baking business, she discovered a woman in Hokkaido selling sweets on mountain trails. A passionate hiker herself, Ogawa was inspired.
She learned the ropes directly from the trailblazer and began selling her own cookies in the mountains of Shikoku one year ago.
Ogawa focuses on making sweets that give hikers a boost. One of her most popular items is a cookie topped with coarse salt. Its crunchy texture and salty kick make it stand out.
When I saw this, all I could think of was a mountain.
Ogama often takes inspiration from the scenery she sees.
Mountains in Shikoku are adorned with cherry flowers in the spring, and the pink blooms are so cute. So I add pink icing with raspberry toppings.
Ogawa usually treks up the mountain twice a week during the season. She announces her plans on social media. And there are people who hike just to meet Tekuteku-san.
I was surprised to learn that some people started mountain hiking because they were inspired by me. I am happy if more people enjoy the charm of mountains.
Step by step, Ogawa keeps moving forward.
Great stuff.
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And that is it for business news.
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It's the most impressive castle I've ever seen.
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WEATHER
It's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh. So, Jonathan, toward the end of last week, things cooled off a bit in the greater Tokyo area due to a tropical system nearby. But we're starting this week with heat. So what's ahead?Meanwhile, we're talking on some major rain taking place into the northeastern portions of India. I want to show you some video that's coming out from the region as the southwest monsoon continues to bring heavy rain, causing rivers to overflow and flood parts of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal over the weekend. In one city, personnel had to rescue people from a police building where the first floor was underwater. A couple additional facts regarding some of the rain in that general area. According to the Uttar Pradesh government's post on X, over 14,000 people. Were moved to safe places and another post on eggs from the National Weather Authority said that the primary river in the region is still at a severe flood situation as of Monday morning. The rain continues to be an issue, will still be in place not just for the northeastern portions of India, but all throughout the country as well from north down toward the South. So we will continue to look out for the flooding concerns as we go forward in time.
Quick note North America eastern area seeing a bit of a cool off a back to the West on the hotter side as we go into the day on Monday.
Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
And that's it for this hour on NHK Newsline. I'm Yuko Fukushima. Thanks for joining us.
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