US IMPOSES VISA BANS ON PALESTINIAN OFFICIALS
The United States says it will deny visas for travel into the country for certain members of the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian Liberation Organization.The State Department made the announcement on Thursday. It accused the two organizations of supporting terrorism and taking actions to internationalize the conflict with Israel. The move reaffirms US backing for Israel at a time when other G7 nations are starting to shift their positions. Britain, France and Canada recently announced plans to recognize the State of Palestine. The State Department did not specify who would be subject to the sanctions. US media say it's unclear whether the measures will prevent Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other diplomats from attending September's UN General Assembly.
The US has an agreement with the UN to not impose transit restrictions on representatives as they travel to UN headquarters in New York.
Deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq told NHK, We expect the US as host country to live up to its obligations.
WAR IN UKRAINE
TRUMP CONDEMNS RUSSIA'S ATTACKS ON KYIV, SENDING ENVOY TO MOSCOW
The US President Donald Trump has strongly condemned Russia for continuing its attacks on Ukraine. He says he's sending special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow.Russia conducted a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on Kiev on Thursday.
Reuters news agency and other media quoted Ukrainian officials as saying the attacks killed 16 people, including children, and wounded 155 others.
Trump condemned Moscow over the casualties that resulted in the strikes on Kiev.
I think it's just Russia. I think it's disgusting what they're doing. They're also losing people now in the towns and cities because Putin's hitting them with rockets. No, I think it's disgraceful.
Trump reiterated his intention to impose sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire deal with Ukraine by the deadline he set for August 8.
Trump also said his envoy Witkoff will visit Russia without elaborating on who he will meet there. Witkoff is one of Trump's close aides and has met Putin before.
UKRAINE ENACTS LAW TO RESTORE ANTI-CORRUPTION BODIES
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a new bill to secure the independence of anti-corruption bodies. This comes in response to growing protests against the law he signed last week.
The previous law was enacted on July 22 to place two anti-corruption agencies under the control of the prosecutor general appointed by the president.
This sparked nationwide protests over the independence of the agencies. Some European countries also voiced concerns.
Legislators passed the bill on Thursday, which Zelensky had submitted last week following the protests and pressure from European countries.
It is very important that the state listens to public opinion, that it hears its citizens. Ukraine is a democracy without any doubt.
Outside the parliament building, a crowd watched the video and cheered when the law was enacted.
I think that the president made the right decision, that they re-voted, and now this issue has been solved. One of the biggest problems in our country is corruption. It needs to be controlled.
Some said the step was necessary, as European countries had been urging Ukraine to set up anti-corruption bodies.
WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES NEW $200 MIL. BALLROOM
The White House has announced a major project, the construction of a massive new ballroom. The cost estimated $200 million.The project will begin in September 2025, and it is expected to be completed long before the end of President Trump's term.
Trump has previously complained about the size of the White House's rooms and has long vowed to build a new one. The new space will be built in the East Wing. It's expected to have a seating capacity of about 650 people.
The White House says private donations, including from President Trump himself, will cover the $200 million price tag.
The current largest, the East Room, only seats 200. Trump said tents are often needed for large events, and said the new ballroom would be a great legacy project.
DIET HOLDS EXTRAORDINARY SESSION AFTER UPPER HOUSE ELECTION
Japan's Diet has convened an extraordinary session. It comes after last month's upper house election left the ruling coalition with minorities in both chambers.The Upper House welcomed 62 rookie lawmakers, 20 more than after the last election three years ago. Friday's session gave the newcomers a chance to lay out their policy priorities going forward.
My intention is to revitalize Japan. I want to focus on people's lives and livelihoods.
Miyazaki Prefecture, where I was elected, is known for its agriculture, so I'd like to work on agricultural policies.
I want to bring a new perspective without being bound by old customs, conventional wisdom, and the conventional wisdom of the political world.
I'd like to do something to reduce everyone's burdens as quickly as possible.
Fukuyama Tetsuro, a former Secretary General of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party was elected to be Vice President.
I am determined to do my best to run the Diet in a fair manner and fulfill the mission and role of the Upper House.
I'll work hard to ensure the Upper House performs as expected by the people and for the furtherance of our democracy.
Intense policy deliberations are expected to kick off now that the ruling coalition has a weaker hold in both the upper and lower houses.
BUSINESS
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business with Gene Otani.James, thanks.
TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER SETTING NEW TARIFF RATES
In our top business story this hour, US President Donald TrumpSigned an executive order on Thursday increasing tariffs on imports from dozens of countries, including Japan. The administration says the new rates will go into effect from midnight, August 7.The measures says the baseline tariff to be imposed on imports from Japan is 15%. That is the same rate that Japan and the US agreed on in their tariff negotiations last week. Japanese officials said at the time that US levies on Japanese automobiles would be 15%. That number is based on cutting a 25% rate in half to 12.5 and adding an already existing 2.5% levy. But the latest executive order makes no mention of the treatment of Japan made vehicles under the executive order. Tariffs that the Trump administration originally threatened to impose on many countries and regions are adjusted downward.
The US will continue to impose a uniform 10% tariff on its trading partners until August 7. Japan's top government spokesperson, Hayashi Yoshimasa, says Tokyo will continue to closely watch the effects of the new tariff rate on the country's exports.
I'm expecting the president's order and a series of agreements to reduce uncertainties surrounding US trade policies and lower downside risks to the Japanese and global economy.
Hayashi said. The government will continue to ask Washington. To promptly implement agreements affecting Japan's auto industry. This includes lowering tariffs on vehicles and auto parts.
US TO HIKE TARIFFS ON CANADA TO 35%
The US is not offering concessions to Canada. However, tariffs are going even higher. President Trump has signed an executive order raising the import duty on the country from 25% to 35%.The due rate goes into effect on Friday. Exports covered by the North American Trade Agreement, known as the USMCA, will not be affected. Trump imposed the current 25% tariff on imports from Canada in connection with the cross-border flow of illegal drugs. The White House says Canada has failed to cooperate in curbing the ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. It also criticized its northern neighbor for retaliating against what it called Trump's actions to address this unusual and extraordinary threat.
TRUMP: 90-DAY PAUSE ON HIGHER RATE FOR MEXICO
Separately, President Trump announced that a higher tariff rate for Mexico, due to go into effect on Friday, will be paused for 90 days.Trump said in a social media post that he and Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum had agreed to the reprieve in a phone conversation. He wrote that the current tariff rate of 25% will be extended while the two countries continue talks on signing a new trade deal.
YALE UNIV. REPORT: US TARIFF RATE HIGHEST IN 92 YEARS
Researchers at Yale University have been crunching numbers on Trump's trade policies and countermeasures from abroad. They say US consumers now face the highest average tariff rate in 92 years.The Budget Lab, a policy research center, calculated the effects of all US tariffs implemented this year through Wednesday. That's before Trump signed the executive orders the following day. It says US consumers are paying an overall average effective tariff rate of 18.4%. That's up from 2.4% before President Trump's inauguration for a second term in January. The lab says the short-term inflation rate has risen by 1.8% due to the tariff measures. That's equivalent to an average income loss of about $2,400 per household this year.
CONCERNS LINGER IN JAPAN AND US OVER TRUMP TARIFFS
There is growing anxiety among producers and consumers. Both in Japan and the US about what the levies mean for their bottom line.It started exporting sake around 3 decades ago.
1/4 of its total sales come from the US.
The company says on top of the new tariffs, raw rice, an essential ingredient in sake. Is expected to get more expensive, so it's considering to increase its prices overseas.
The US is an especially big market, so the impact is huge on us. If we don't raise prices, we will not be able to secure a profit.
This farm in central Japan has already decided to raise the price of its rice in the US by around 7%. The company says Trump's tariffs may force further increases, but it won't be an easy decision.
We can't raise prices again and again. I'm a little worried because there are still uncertainties.
There are similar concerns on the other side of the Pacific. This shop in Florida sells fruits and vegetables that come from Mexico and South America. Import prices are soaring. The owner says the cost of some mangoes jumped by 50% in just two months.
This mango come from Mexico and this is one of the the main sellers here in the United States. People will probably just walk away or will probably get stuck with the product that we buy. It's going to hurt the the small business. It's already hurt.
And from fruits to fashion, this major US clothing maker sells products made in Asia. It estimates that if tariffs of 30% on Chinese products and 10% on products from elsewhere continue, its cost will increase by up to $300 million a year.
I would buy less. You buy less. I would buy less. If you're a billionaire, you could care less about how much things cost. But for the common people, yeah, we're going to suffer through a lot of things. And it's not fair.
FED, BOJ 'WAIT AND SEE' AMID UNCERTAINTY
And US President Trump's tariffs remain a key concern shaping monetary decisions worldwide. This week, the Bank of Japan and the US Federal Reserve held policy meetings. They both left rates unchanged even though their monetary policies are heading in opposite directions. They share one worry, uncertainty over how the tariffs will impact the economy.FED STANCE TEMPERS HOPES FOR SEPTEMBER RATE CUT
The Fed decided on Wednesday to keep its target range between four and a quarter and four and a half percent. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stresses that officials will closely track economic data.Higher tariffs have begun to show through more clearly to prices of some goods, but their overall effects on economic activity and inflation remain to be seen.
Kato Izuru, chief economist at Totan Research, says that Powell's remarks dampened market expectations for the Fed to cut to make a cut in September.
If the Fed decides to lower the rate too early, it would rekindle inflation. And that's the last thing that Powell wants. A move too early could be seen by the markets as a response to political pressure from Trump. It could damage the Fed's credibility in the long term and raise doubts about its ability to control inflation. That's another reason why Powell has to show a cautious stance towards rate cuts. As the impact of high tariffs kicks in, the consumer price index will edge up. For the bank to lower the rate in September, employment data have to worsen to a serious level.
BOJ MONITORING DATA, KEEPS DOOR OPEN TO FURTHER HIKES
Roughly 10 hours after the Fed's decision, the BOJ also decided to wait and see. It hasn't changed its short term policy rate since January, when it raised it to around half a percent.This was the first meeting since Japan struck A tariff deal with the US. BOJ officials say they want to keep monitoring corporate profits and other aspects of the economy.
Well, uncertainty has eased somewhat. It remains high, especially regarding the impact of trade policies in various countries.
Kato says that by the end of the year, continued inflation will likely pressure the BOJ to raise its rate.
The BOJ is taking this position because the details of the tariff deal are still not clear. Another reason is the highly uncertain prospects of Japanese politics. The BOJ probably wants to see how things will develop on that front. But this attitude is inviting criticism. Some corporate executives have begun accusing the BOJ of being too slow to respond to soaring prices. So I think a rate hike sometime between October and December is highly likely.
The central banks of both Japan and the US see the impact of Trump's tariffs as being in the early stages, with more economic data on the way. They're carefully weighing when and how to shift policy, each in their own direction.
♪
And that's a look at business news. James, I'm going to hand it back to you.
Gene Otani from our business desk.
EXHIBITION MARKS JAPAN-US BASEBALL TIES
In other news, curators at a museum in New York State are celebrating athletic ties between Japan and the US They're holding an exhibition highlighting 150 years of baseball.The exhibition is called Yakyu Baseball: The Trans-Pacific Exchange of the Game.
It's being held at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown.
Samurai Armour greets visitors at the entrance. The owner of Japan's Yomiuri Giants gifted it to the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988. It was meant as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
About 50 items are on display, including Japanese legend Suzuki Ichiro's uniform.
This year, he became the first Japanese player to be inducted into the US National Baseball Hall of Fame.
The capped Japanese star Otani Shohei wore during his 2018 Major League pitching debut is also included.
We have some really wonderful artifacts on display here for visitors from both sides of the Pacific to come see, look at, learn, and really cherish this wonderful baseball history.
Baseball is believed to have been introduced to Japan in 1872, when an American English teacher taught the sport to his students.
EX-HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER ON LIFE IN CHINA AFTER 709 CRACKDOWN
Ten years ago, many lawyers working to defend human rights were rounded up in China. Some were convicted of attempting to overthrow the state. And even though they have served their sentences and have been released from prison, they remain under strict surveillance. NHK World's Tamei Takanori reports.
Wang Chunzhan is a former human rights lawyer in Beijing. He was able to evade scrutiny and agreed to be interviewed.
I was followed quite persistently today.
Suspicious people are always in front of his house. Wang says they followed him when he got out.
We are pressured because we are considered unstable elements by the authorities.
Wang has always wanted to protect the rights of vulnerable people through the law.
Wang and his colleagues did not hesitate to criticize the government and advocate for the rights of citizens.
The country is developing, but citizens are under pressure and their rights are restricted.
But on July 9, 2015, authorities started rounding up human rights lawyers and others. More than 300 people were interrogated across the country. These incidents were named the 709 crackdown due to its date.
Wang was sentenced to four years and six months in prison.
As a result of the arrests of not only lawyers but relevant people in the 709 crackdown, the passion of human rights lawyers to be involved has dropped significantly, even if there is a major incident. They are being cautious and remain silent.
However, his son has been denied schooling by his elementary school in the capital. Wang now lives separately from them.
Go! The fate of the Fa family. Where see your clothes?
Wang tried moving them to a foreign country. but they were not allowed to leave as it was deemed a risk to national security.
I am a failure as a father because I cannot even provide a stable life and an education for my child.
Even though he has lost his license to practice law,Wang still provides legal advice.
I want to see the creation of a system that truly and effectively guarantees human rights, that allows citizens to be freer. I want a society in which all people feel safe.
Although he has suffered great personal loss, Wang remains committed to protecting people's rights.
Tamei Takanori, NHK World.
Takanori, thanks.
WEATHER
A tropical system is approaching Japan. We have our meteorologist Sayaka Mori in the studio. Sayaka, what's in the latest forecast?Now, this is Krosa, and Krosa have been impacting the islands with strong winds, and also outdoor rain bands are covering central Japan. We have some video from Chiba and Tokyo. Take a look at this.
Rain and winds impacted the Kanto region during the day on Friday in Chiba Prefecture. Wind gusts of over 40 kilometers per hour have been reported.
Showers have hit central Tokyo as well.
Ferry services connecting Kanagawa and Chiba have been canceled. Now take a look at these numbers. Krosa now packing sustained winds about 90 kilometers hour, making it a severe tropical storm. It's moving towards the north at a relatively slow pace. Fortunately, it's going to veer towards the north and east. That's why it's going to move away from Japan. But as you can see this forecast metal, strong winds will affect the coastal area. So be careful of stormy conditions into Saturday morning at least. As for temperatures, after the system passes, temperatures will be climbing once again.
Tokyo's high on Friday was about 30 degrees, but warming up once again to 35 degrees. The sun may come out in the afternoon hours and then sunny weather at least into next Wednesday. For Osaka, it's going to be quite hot, sweltering hot. The World Expo is taking place. If you're going there, make sure to bring enough water to avoid heat stroke.
That's it for me. Have a nice day.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
CAVE IN SOUTHWESTERN JAPAN OFFERS COOL ESCAPE
The cave is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM through the end of September.
If only we could build a studio in that cave.
I'm James Tengan. Thanks for watching.
More to come here on NHK World Japan. So stay with us.
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