at 18:00 (JST), September 21

20250921180000_english_1.mp3

 Glad to have you with us on NHK Newsline. I'm Yuko Fukushima. 

NOTO REGION STRUGGLING AFTER 2024 QUAKE, HEAVY RAIN

Sunday marks one year since torrential downpours at the Noto region in Ishikawa Prefecture, Central Japan. The region had already been hit by a massive earthquake on New Year's Day. Survivors are struggling to recover from the double disasters.
People also remember the victims by laying flowers at Wajima City Hall.

The pain of disaster victims and bereaved families remains even after a year. I can only pray for those who died and say I will never forget them. 

Heavy rain in September last year caused river flooding and mudslides. The disaster killed 19 people, including three who died later from related causes. About 1,900 houses were destroyed or partially damaged. The rain came less than nine months after the quake devastated the region, dealing a double blow to quake survivors. Many businesses and residents are in debt. The prefecture says the estimated population in the hardhead Okunoto region declined in the past year by more than 3,000, or about 6%. Local governments are rebuilding with support from the central and prefectural governments, but efforts have been slowed by the aging population and labor shortages. 

RECORD DOWNPOURS HIT PARTS OF HOKKAIDO

Now parts of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido experienced record rainfall early Sunday morning. Weather officials are calling on people to be on the alert for storm related hazards. The alert for severe downpours with bands of heavy rain clouds. has been issued for the regions of Kushiro and Tokachi. A radar analysis shows that more than 80 millimeters of rain likely fell in Tomakomai City, Atsuma Town and Kushiro City in one hour. Rain intensified in the early hours in Hokkaido's Iburi region.

The wind and rain were so intense, water reached above the floor. I've never experienced such weather.

Atsuma town recorded more than 165 millimeters of rainfall during a six hour period through 1:00 AM. This is a highest on record there, topping the monthly average for September. The severe weather brought blackouts, mainly in the Hidaka region.
Thousands of households were affected Sunday morning. Developed rain clouds are gradually moving out of Hokkaido, but officials are calling for caution as strong winds and sudden downpours are still expected.

ZELENSKYY SAYS HE WILL MEET TRUMP IN NEW YORK

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he'll meet US President Donald Trump in New York, where he plans to attend the United Nations General Assembly, which starts on Tuesday.
Ukrainian media say Zelenskyy told reporters Friday that he will hold bilateral talks with the US leader. He said he expects to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine after a ceasefire with Russia is reached. Zelenskyy reportedly said he would like to see how close both sides are on the security guarantees from all partners and what Ukraine needs. Trump and Zelenskyy previously met in Washington on August 18. During that meeting, Trump expressed his intention to be involved in providing security guarantees for Ukraine alongside European countries.

WAR IN UKRAINE
UKRAINE, RUSSIA TRADE DEADLY AERIAL ATTACKS

A Russian newspaper says four people died in a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian fuel and energy complex. Meanwhile, three people in Ukraine were reportedly killed in Russian missile and drone strikes.
The Ukrainian general staff also said on Saturday its forces struck oil refineries in Samara and in the southern Russian region of Saratov.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy posted on social media on Saturday that Russia launched 40 missiles and about 580 drones toward Dniprov in Ukraine's east, Nikolayev in the south and elsewhere. He said three people have been killed in the attack so far and dozens of others injured. 

UKRAINE PROMOTES DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government held a defense equipment exhibition in the western city of Lviv on Tuesday and Wednesday, aiming to attract private sector investment for the country's defense industry. About 230 companies presented unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles, artificial intelligence and other defense technologies that they have manufactured or developed.

Ukraine is at war and companies have been dramatically boosting their profitability by proving their products in combat.

More than 5-thousand people from over 50 countries, including Western nations, attended the event. 

The cost is low and the innovation cycle is fast. I think Ukraine is leading the world right now in in new innovations.

ISHIBA TO PUSH FOR UN REFORM, TWO-STATE SOLUTION IN MIDDLE EAST

NHK has learned that Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru intends to underscore the need to reform the United Nations Security Council at the upcoming UN General Assembly session.
Ishiba is Ishiba plans to visit New York from Tuesday. He is expected to point out that the world body, which marks its 80th anniversary this year, has become dysfunctional. He may cite as an example the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a permanent Security Council member. Ishiba is expected to argue that the veto power granted to the council's permanent members is no longer able to play its intended role as a safety wall to deter clashes between major powers.
He intends to highlight the need for reforms, including an expansion of the number of Security Council seats.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Ishiba plans to condemn Israel's ground operations in Gaza City.
He's expected to explain that whether Japan will recognize Palestine as a state is not a matter of if, but when. He is currently considering indicating the possibility of that recognition if Israel should move further to block the path to a two-state solution. He is also considering urging the Palestinian side to bolster governance and disarm Hamas.

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CLOSEUP VIEW OF SHINKANSEN WOWS TRAIN BUFFS

Enthusiastic trainspotters have gotten a behind-the-scenes look at Japan's Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train at an event held by a major railway company.
20 people took part in an event organized by East Japan Railway at a rail yard in Nagano, Central Japan on Saturday.
The participants were thrilled to be allowed into the driver's cabin of the E7 series bullet train. The E7 runs on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line between Tokyo and Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture.
The fans also got to see an inspection of the train's undercarriage. A special train used to check the condition of rails was also on display next to the Shinkansen.

I was speechless to go inside the train that I usually only see from the outside.

The head of the rail yard said he was really encouraged by the passion of the visitors. He added that he wants to hold more events to further increase awareness of what railway staff do.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

And those were the main stories for this hour. This is NHK Newsline.
That wraps it up for this hour on HK Newsline. I'm Yuko Fukushima. Thanks for joining us.