TRUMP FILES $15 BIL. DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST NEW YORK TIMES
US President Donald Trump has filed a defamation case against the New York Times. He's seeking damages worth $15 billion. Trump filed the suit on Monday in Florida. He says the Times is a full-throated mouthpiece for the Democrats, and he accuses the paper of industrial-scale defamation and libel against political opponents. The Times says Trump's lawsuit lacks any legitimacy, and it accuses the president of attempting to stifle independent reporting.In July, Trump had also filed a $10 billion damages suit against the parent firm of the Wall Street Journal.
MINISTRY: JAPAN'S AGING SEWER PIPES NEED URGENT ATTENTION
Japan's infrastructure ministry says urgent steps are needed to deal with aging sewer pipes around the country.Inspections found there are defective pipes in 35 prefectures.
In March, the ministry asked municipalities around the country to inspect local sewer pipes. This came after a section of Rd. in Yashio City near Tokyo collapsed in January, resulting in the death of a driver.
Experts believe a corroded sewer pipe ruptured due to hydrogen sulfide from wastewater. On Wednesday, the ministry reported the results of the inspections.
Pipes in the priority areas are similar to design to the one in Yashio.
The results show several problems, including severe corrosion and ruptures in roughly 72 kilometers of pipes.
Those sections are deemed in need of repairs or other steps within a year.
By prefecture, about 14 kilometers of the total figure is in Aichi, followed by Ibaraki and Osaka. Ministry officials plan to provide technological and financial support to the municipalities to repair the aging pipes.
It's asked that the results of inspections still underway in other areas be reported by early next year.
FORMER UNIFICATION CHURCH
GROUP LEADER APPEARS BEFORE S. KOREAN PROSECUTORS
The leader of the religious group formerly known as the Unification Church has appeared before prosecutors in South Korea. Hang Hak-ja arrived at the special prosecutor's office, which operates independently from the central government. She had been previously summoned three times, but declined to appear, citing health reasons. A special prosecution team is investigating a claim that former First Lady Kim Goni allegedly received luxury bags from the religious group. Kim was indicted last month on charges of bribery. The team is also investigating a former senior official of the group who allegedly offered illegal political funds worth 100 million won, or about 72,000 dollars, to a major lawmaker. This lawmaker had served as the floor leader of the then-ruling People Power Party. The former official is believed to have also offered the bags to Kim through an acquaintance.Attention is focused on whether Han was involved in these cases. She has released a statement denying any role, saying she never asked for political favors or monetary deals.
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JAPAN SEES RECORD CASES OF EMERGING TICK-BORNE ILLNESS
Japan is seeing a record number of cases of an emerging infectious disease. It's called severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or SFTS. It's mainly transmitted through tick bites, though human-to-human transmission has been reported. SFTS is caused by a virus. It was reported in China in 2009 and has now been detected in other East Asian countries.Severe cases can lead to a drop in blood platelets,causing bleeding, impaired consciousness, and in some cases, deaths.
The fatality rate ranges from 10 to 30%. So far, Japan has reported 152 cases this year, the highest since SFTS was first detected in this country. Infections are also spreading to new areas. For the first time, cases have been seen in the Kanto region and as far north as Hokkaido Prefecture. Well, the risk doesn't come just come from tick exposure. Experts are warning health workers to take extra precautions to prevent infection from their patients. NHK spoke with a doctor who developed SFTS two years ago after treating an elderly patient with the virus on the condition of anonymity.
I was about 30 centimeters from the patient. He had a severe hearing problem, so I had to examine him up close so he could hear me. I was only wearing a mask without any other protective gear.
The patient died two days after seeking care. Nine days later, the doctor developed cold-like symptoms and tested positive for the virus. It's believed to be the first case of a person passing SFTS on to another person in Japan.
I was a little surprised because there had been no reports of human-to-human transmission in this country. I was not around the patient for a long time, yet I became infected. So I think it's essential for us to take proper protective measures.
Experts are advising medical staff to use tools like gloves, face shields, and other kinds of protection from fluids as SFTS cases become more common.
SFTS CASES ON THE RISE IN JAPAN: WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?
For more on this, earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Soe Tetsutaro.How concerned should people living in Japan or visiting Japan be about this virus?
Experts say even in areas where the virus is spreading, only a small proportion of ticks carry the virus. As well, ticks are most active during the warmer months when it's about 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Typically, spring and autumn are the riskiest times, but because it's staying warmer later into the year, tick season is growing longer as well. So people...
Right, so then how should we protect ourselves?
If you're doing these, wear long-sleeved shirt, pants, and gloves to avoid skin exposure. And use bug spray, too.
If you're bit or suspect you have been bitten, it's important to be on alert for cold-like symptoms. Remember, the doctor developed symptoms over a week after he was exposed,So keep your guard up. The earlier you seek care, the better the outcome.
So what treatments are available? Is there a vaccine?
It's an oral medicine called Fabipiravil.
It suppresses a virus's ability to replicate. and is believed to be more effective when taken early on.
And what is the situation in other countries?
These countries have also seen rare cases of human-to-human transmission between close contacts like family members or medical workers. One thing we should mention is that people in parts of Southeast Asia have tested positive for SFTS antibodies, so the virus could be spreading beyond the East Asia.
BUSINESS
And now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Ramin Mellegard from the Biz Desk.Thank you very much indeed.
TARIFFS TAKE TOLL ON JAPAN'S EXPORTS TO US
Now Japan's exports to the United States took another hit in August. Their value dropped for the 5th month running as US tariffs squeezed car shipments.Finance Ministry data show exports to the US dropped almost 14% from a year earlier to 1.38 trillion yen, or about 94 1/2 billion dollars. Auto shipments were the biggest factor, plunging 28%. Now, at the same time, imports from the US rose nearly 12%, led by a jump in aircraft purchases. It was the first increase in seven months. Overall, Japan's exports edged down 0.1% in August year on year. The country logged a trade deficit of $1.65 billion, its second shortfall in as many months.
ORACLE-LED CONSORTIUM REPORTEDLY SET TO CONTROL TIKTOK IN US
The battle over TikTok's future in the US may be nearing a turning point.Reports say an American investor group led by IT giant Oracle is set to take control of the app's operations.
US media say the deal would see a new entity created to run the app, with US investors owning about 80% and Chinese shareholders retaining the rest. A law passed last year by US Congress prevents China owning more than 20% of TikTok's US assets. The deal's details are likely to be discussed in a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled on Friday. US and Chinese trade officials wrapped up trade talks in Spain on Monday. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides had reached a framework for a deal to keep TikTok running in the US.
And President Trump has signed an executive order delaying the deadline for a divestiture of Chinese ownership.
The enforcement date has been pushed back to December 16 the fourth such extension.
JAPAN'S RISING LAND PRICES ATTRACT YOUNGER BUYERS TO CONDOS
A sustained rise in Japan's land prices has started to attract younger buyers.With an increase number increasing number of them looking to pick up condominiums as investment properties. Now a survey by the Ministry of Land shows average prices nationwide as of July 1 climbed a 1.5% year on year. Gains accelerated in the Tokyo and Osaka metropolitan areas.
A Tokyo-based real estate agency specializing in investment properties says people in their 40s and 50s previously made-up most of their customers. But now, investors in their mid-20s are more common.
Today's younger people will be a key demographic in Japan's future, but they're very worried about funding their retirement. As a result, I think members of this generation are looking for investment opportunities.
The agency says investors in their 20s now account for about 60% of its customers. That's up from a little over 30% around 10 years ago. This 27 year old customer, who wished to remain anonymous, bought a used unit in central Tokyo in July for about 27 million yen or over $180,000. He rents it out. He says his annual income is about 1/5th of the unit's price. He took out a variable rate 35 year mortgage.
It's good to have an extra source of income when other expenses are rising, such as taxes and social insurance premiums. The broad range of price increases are making life difficult for me, so it's good to know that my property is unlikely to lose its value.
He adds that the loan repayment and other monthly outlays amount to 90,000 yen, and he receives 80,000 yen a month as rent.
He says that net monthly cost is manageable, and he hopes the property will increase in value.
CONVENIENCE STORES CUT PRODUCT DELIVERIES AMID DRIVER SHORTAGE
Japan's convenience store operators are reducing daily product deliveries to their outlets because of a shortage of drivers and higher costs.Family Mart on Tuesday cut deliveries of rice balls, boxed meals and other items to twice a day from the previous three.
The move affects more than 540 of its stores in central Japan. Family Mart says the goal is to improve delivery efficiency and help offset the effect of higher logistics costs on product prices. It's also adjusting the recipes of products like rice balls to extend their shelf life.
Once we confirm this strategy is working, we want to use it in other areas.
The company is following similar moves by other convenience store chains. 7-Eleven Japan has reduced the number of daily deliveries to three from 4, mainly to outlets in non-urban areas. The Lawson chain has cut its daily deliveries to two from three. mostly to stores in urban areas.
LOCAL GOVTS. SEEK NATIONAL HELP WITH OFFSHORE WIND-POWER PROJECTS
Japan's push into offshore wind power projects is running into turbulence, with costs rising and one major player already pulling out. Local leaders are asking the national government to help keep projects going.Officials from Niigata, Aomori, Yamagata, and Nagasaki prefectures visited the industry ministry on Tuesday and handed a written request to State Minister Koga Yuichiro. It asked the ministry to move quickly to create conditions that will allow the projects to survive unpredictable economic shifts.
Koga responded by saying recent events haven't changed the government's stance.
We still believe that offshore wind power generation is a key pillar of Japan's renewable energy plan. We will make sure we carry these projects through to completion, in line with the requests we have received.
The appeal follows Mitsubishi Corporation's shock withdrawal last month from an offshore wind power plant, citing rising costs that threatened profitability.
MARKETS
Japan's DOC benchmark Nikkei 225 fell on Wednesday for the first time in five trading days. Let's have a look at the markets.♪
And that is it for business news.
ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT
OFFENSIVE UNDERWAY IN GAZA, DRAWS INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM
The Israeli military has launched a large-scale ground offensive aimed at taking control of the Gaza Strip's biggest city. Concerns are rising that the move will further increase civilian casualties. Israeli media outlets say the military estimates there are thousands of Hamas fighters in Gaza City.It also reportedly believes that about 600,000 civilians have yet to be evacuated. An Israel Defense Forces official has described the operation as a significant step aimed at bringing remaining hostages home and dismantling Hamas. The US president has warned Hamas against using human shields.
If they put the hostages in front of them, Hamas, as protection, as they call them bodyguards, Hamas is going to have health attack.
Israel's forces have also been conducting intensive airstrikes in the enclave.
Local health authorities announced on Tuesday that nearly 60 people had died in the previous 24 hours. The international community is criticizing Israel's new offensive. British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper wrote that it will only bring more bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians, and endanger the remaining hostages. German Foreign Minister Johann Wanderfull has stressed the need for a ceasefire. He told reporters that the current operation is the wrong approach.
ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT
UN COMMISSION SAYS ISRAEL IS COMMITTING GENOCIDE
Israel also faces criticism from a United Nations commission. It says the country is committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.The panel is called the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel. It released a report on its findings on Tuesday.
The ongoing genocide in Gaza is a moral outrage and a legal emergency. Member states must act now. There is no need to wait for the International Court of Justice to declare it a genocide.
The report covers the period from the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023 to July 31 of this year. The Commission says its analysis is based on the determination of genocide under the Genocide Convention of 1948.
Among its findings, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israeli security forces have forced the displacement of Palestinians, and they have blocked essential aid, food and water from reaching Palestinians. The commission concludes that Israel has and continues to commit these and other criminal acts of genocide, and it says Israeli authorities and security forces have had and continue to have the genocidal intent to destroy the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The report also says Israeli Prime Minister Binyami Netanyahu has, in a televised speech, incited the commission of genocide. The Israeli ambassador to the UN in Geneva strongly condemned the report.
Israel categorically rejects the libelous rant published today by this commission of inquiry. It spreads malicious, the malicious genocide narrative.
He adds that the report relies entirely on Hamas falsehoods. The commission's chair says she wishes the Israeli side would tell the commission where it went wrong on the facts, or just cooperate.
A CASTLE TOWN WEIGHS THE COST OF PROGRESS
CASTLE TOWN STRUGGLES TO BALANCE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Japan's castles rank among the country's most popular tourist spots. Symbols of its samurai past, they draw visitors from around the world. But as we see in our next report, a castle town in western Japan is caught between preserving this cultural heritage and moving forward.Matsue Castle stands not far from the center of the city in Shimane Prefecture.
Completed in 1611, it is one of the 12 remaining original castles nationwide.
It was designated as a national treasure a decade ago. Tourists from both inside and outside Japan come to experience a slice of history.
It was much more beautiful than I'd expected.
Yeah, the view is really beautiful.
But now the castle is facing an uncertain outlook. Just 200 metres away, construction is underway on a 19 Storey apartment building.
At 57 metres high, it will be taller than the castle.
Some residents are protesting, saying it will damage the city's skyline.
Architect Teramoto Kazuo is one of them.
He's been involved in public works projects in Matsue for over 40 years.
Matsue Castle is the city's foremost symbol, and the significance will be drastically diminished. I believe we must put the brakes on to stop Matsue from losing its uniqueness.
Teramoto and others have collected more than 18,000 signatures for a petition demanding a halt to construction.
But the developer hasn't changed its plans, saying they have already been approved by the city.
Now the outcry from residents is forcing officials to rethink the city's approach.
Until now, height restrictions were only enforced for a limited area around the castle, but efforts are underway to change that. The city plans to designate 9 viewpoints that have historical significance and a clear view of the castle. If a new building threatens to obstruct the view from one of these spots, the city will request the developer to change his plans.
But balancing urban renewal with preserving the traditional landscape continues to pose a challenge.
If we regulate too much, it might cause the local economy to stagnate.
We have to consider the pros and cons and compare the impact of each while striving to preserve and shape Matsue's unique landscape.
While the city rushes to revise its regulations, the apartment block is scheduled to be completed next summer.
The skyline of this old castle town will never be the same again. The question for Matsue now is how much further it is willing to change.
KAMAKURA SHRINE HOLDS TRADITIONAL HORSEBACK ARCHERY RITUAL
Visitors to a shrine near Tokyo have been treated to a display of traditional Japanese archery on horseback.It's a ritual called yabusame. The archers shot arrows at three targets while their horses galloped along a 250-meter course. The event originated as a form of archery practice and to pray for peace. It was started by Minamoto no Yoritomo, who founded the Kamakura shogunate in the late 12 century.
From up close, it was dynamic and worth the applause.
I was able to feel how hard the training was. I really enjoyed it.
The event is usually held every September 16th at a festival at the shrine.
♫～
WEATHER
And it's time for a check of the weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh. So Jonathan, on Tuesday you mentioned possibly cooler weather is on the way here in Japan, but are we still on track for that?Hello, we did see some hot weather again for Wednesday in place like Kyoto as we expected, but we are going to be seeing the changes still on track for us as we head into Thursday and Friday we have. A stationary front that is slowly making its way down to the South and then eventually going to be pushed toward the east with the push of moisture. And along that front we are talking about temperatures that are going to drop it down into the low 20s for daytime highs as we head toward in this week in Tokyo now. I do need to point out that along this front we may be talking about some heavier rainfall along the east and central portions of Japan going through day on Thursday and that could lead to some concerns of flash flooding and even landslide concerns and even over into western portions of Japan need to be on the lookout for that possibility. So keep an eye to the sky as we go forward in time. But check this out 35 in Tokyo for Thursday, down to 26 for the high on Friday, down to 23 on Saturday. Kind of rebound again on Sunday, but the rain will be a part of the story. At least it'll be a bit cooler. 18 Saporo 18. Yeah, we're going to be seeing that coming up on Sunday for daytime highs there and even in Osaka will be dropping slowly, slowly down toward that 30 degree mark as we go through this week.
Meanwhile, across North America, central portion of the United States looking at some rain and thunderstorms. We have a pesky low low over toward Virginia and Washington, D.C. and Maryland. It's just kind of sitting there and kicking up the winds as well as the rain. That will still be the case as we go through the day on Wednesday. So looking at showers, high only 19 in New York, 22 in Washington, D.C., thunderstorms from Denver into Oklahoma City, 33 in Houston as we go through the day on Wednesday.
Across Europe, we have one low pressure system pushing toward the east with some rain, another one coming in from the north and west. So that means rain will be a part of the forecast for Wednesday from Stockholm, Warsaw and Kiev have the umbrellas nearby. Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
That wraps it up for this edition of An HK News Line. We'll have more for you soon. Thanks for watching.
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