LDP LEADERSHIP ELECTION
RACE TO LEAD JAPAN'S RULING PARTY KICKS OFF
The race to lead Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party has officially kicked off. Five lawmakers filed their candidacy papers Monday morning in the hopes of succeeding Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.
Ishiba triggered the LDP's presidential election earlier this month after announcing his decision to resign. He had faced growing calls to take responsibility for back-to-back election losses. The candidates are former Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki,The party's former Secretary General Motegi Toshimitsu, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa, former Economic Security Minister Takaichi Sanae, and Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro.
I'm determined to build a strong economy. I will put forward policies representing the will of the working population, even though other candidates have been politicians for longer. I will not be intimidated and will challenge them for the future of our country.
We can revitalize Japan and the LDP in the next two years, and we can pass the baton to the next generation. I am determined to pave the way toward those goals.
I woke up again today feeling very refreshed. With less than two weeks to campaign, I'm determined to fight to the end while clearly presenting policies. I will also focus on expanding my circle of allies.
My determination for this election is absolute. I want to turn Japan into a nation that has a robust economy and stands strong. By returning to our founding spirit, I intend to rebuild the LDP into a party that sincerely listens to the people and translates their voices into real policies.
The LDP is currently in a truly dire situation. As the leadership election begins today, I am determined to carefully and sincerely fight through to the very end, alongside my colleagues.
The candidates are after the 590 ballots up for grabs. LDP diet members will cast 295 of them, the rest are voted on by rank and file members. If no one secures more than half of the votes, there will be a runoff between the two top candidates. 342 votes will be on offer in that case. LDP lawmakers would cast the most with 295. The party's local chapters would submit the other 47.
Becoming party leader does not guarantee becoming prime minister. The lower and upper houses of the Diet make that decision. The LDP and its coalition partner Komeito lost their majorities in the last two national elections.
The campaign lasts 12 days. The candidates will participate in debates. They also plan to deliver speeches at campaign rallies organized by the party in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.
Vote counting is set for October 4th.
Noda Yoshihiko, president of the largest opposition group, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said the LDP leadership candidate's policies and remarks are taking the opposition party's views into account. Noda said a considerable chemical reaction is occurring, and there's a chance to realize his party's policies. His party favors measures including cash handouts, tax breaks, and abolition of the provisional gasoline tax.
LDP LEADERSHIP CONTENDERS LAY OUT PRIORITIES AS RACE KICKS OFF
Now, to break things down as this race kicks off, we're joined by Shimada Yukiko, NHK World's political correspondent. So, Yukiko, five candidates to choose from. What's the LDP looking for in its next leader?First, the new leader must be able to bargain with the opposition. That's the only way they can have a stable government. Consider this, whoever takes over the LDP is not even guaranteed to become Japan's next prime minister. It is unlikely that opposition lawmakers would rally behind another person and elect them.
But the fact that is now a possibility shows how far the ruling coalition has slipped since Ishiba took power. That's why when we heard from the candidates, all five explained how they plan to work with the with opposition parties. Some suggested welcoming other parties to join the LDP and the Komeito coalition, or even forging the new one. All of them stressed cooperation to get policies passed. I think party members will pay close attention to which candidate seems best suited to organizing a functional government, despite the LDP's weakened state.
Umm And what's the other key point?
Basically, the LDP wants someone who can win. Ishiba oversaw two disappointing national elections. This happened in just under one year. The LDP cannot afford to let this happen again, so it needs someone who can bring supporters back.
One way, tackle rising prices, which was a huge issue leading into July's upper house race.
We're already hearing candidates pitch policies such as increasing real wages and reducing income tax. Some even suggested ideas pushed by the opposition. The LDP is also still dealing with fallout from political fundraising scandals that came to light in 2023.
So candidates may be pressed on how they intend to continue reforms to win back public trust.
Right, thanks for all this, Yukiko. NHK World 's political correspondent, Shimada Yukiko.
NOTO REGION STRUGGLING AFTER 2024 QUAKE, HEAVY RAIN
Sunday marked one year since torrential downpours hit 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 mud slides. The disaster killed 19 people, including three who died later from related causes.
About 1900 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 hard-hit 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.
NOTO ONE YEAR LATER: STRUGGLES AND HOPE AMID RUIN
Earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Sato Mariko. She went to one of the hardest hit communities, Machino Town in the city of Wajima, to learn how residents are faring one year later.Mariko, what are they telling you?
So they're describing a lot of mixed emotions. I'll explain more in a moment, but first, I want to draw your attention to this area in the distance.
This landslide is a powerful reminder. So much of the region had already been devastated by the massive quake. The rain was a disaster on top of another. Farmer Uda Kaoli had to deal with both. Her family planned to grow rice on their 45 hectares. But then the quake hit, damaging the land as well as the irrigation system. It left them with only 28 hectares for farming.
And then came the heavy rain. That made soil and drift food flow into the paddies. In the end, they could only harvest rice from one-third of the land.
The damage caused by the earthquake was huge. And then, just as we were moving toward recovery, the flooding happened. I felt like we were back to square one, or even worse off. So recovery is not progressing very well.
Umm A big frustration indeed for people who are trying to move on. Now Mariko, you mentioned mixed emotions. Are residents seeing any light at the end of the tunnel?
Yeah, so they're trying to, and many are finding it just over here. So this is the community's only supermarket. It stayed open even after the earthquake, but they had to stop operating after the flood, because the damage was so so heavy, and two months later, they reopened, so now we can buy like bread and ice cream, beverages and fresh vegetables. But still, we can see the damage. So here, You can see the line. So you can tell the water came up to this height. It's much higher than my height. So it's like about like two meters high. So now, the groceries are limited to just this space. But the shelves used to extend much further. So let me show you.
So here, it used to be our supermarket as well. So we can see the sign over there. It says it's fresh fish. That area in the corner used to be the fish section. It was filled with fresh catch that came from a short distance away. And over here, pre-made meals. The kitchen was just behind it. You can imagine people coming here for their daily needs. This space is now for volunteers who have helped the community recover.
They can stay and sleep here for free whenever they want. The owner says he wants to pay it forward and hopes the store serves as a hub for both locals and volunteers.
It's all about giving back. I'm the third generation owner of this store. It's been going for 80 years. It's continued this long because the community has supported it by shopping here. I was able to revive the supermarket because my resolve never wavered. I think that people are happy that the story has continued on. I think it has become a kind of beacon of hope in the community, if I may say so myself.
Despite this beacon, a lot of concern still remains. Residents say recovery efforts need to speed up. They point out that many people have already moving away because of the two disasters. The big fear here is that this community and others in Noto are being forgotten.
OVER 200 PHILIPPINE PROTESTERS ARRESTED, DOZENS INJURED
In the Philippines, over 200 people have been arrested and around 50 taken to hospital in connection with anti-corruption protests. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Manila on Sunday. Some held placards and voiced anger over alleged corruption involving government flood control projects. Clashes broke out with police, with people hurling rocks and firebombs. 216 people were arrested and at least 46 were taken to hospital. Nearly 100 police officers were also hurt. The Philippines is frequently hit by natural disasters such as typhoons causing landslides. and flooding. Public criticism has been mounting since it was revealed that some disaster prevention projects had not been implemented even though their budgets had been allocated.There have also been allegations of collusion between business people and lawmakers.
I want the government officials to end the corruption and improve governance.
I hope the issue will be resolved quickly so that people will not suffer any longer.
A spokesperson for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he condemned the violent protest actions, but that he values freedom of expression.
KIM: N. KOREA OPEN TO TALKS IF US DROPS DENUCLEARIZATION CALL
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says he is open to dialogue with the US as long as Washington does not ask him to give up nuclear weapons. He stressed that will never happen.State-run Korean Central Television reported Kim's comments on Monday. They came in a speech he delivered at a two-day meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly that wrapped up on Sunday.
Kim said if the US drops what he called its obsession with the denuclearization of North Korea and seeks real peaceful coexistence, there is no reason not to engage in dialogue. The report cited Kim as saying the world already knows what the US would do after making a country give up its nuclear weapons and disarm. The North Korean leader said he still had fond memories of US President Donald Trump, who he met three times during Trump's first term. Kim also said, without elaborating, that the North has acquired new secret weapons to beef up its military. But there was no sign of thaw in relations with the North's neighbor on the Korean Peninsula.
Kim stated he will not have any dealings at all with South Korea. He said his regime will enshrine in national law that the North and South are two different countries that can never become one.
PENTAGON IMPOSES NEW MEDIA RULES
President Trump's administration wants a tighter grip on news about US defense. Media outlets can only publish information approved for release, even if unclassified.The Pentagon says it remains committed to transparency and public trust, but all reporters will be required to read and sign a new in-brief form.
And it says those who fail to follow the rules may see their press passes suspended or revoked. The National Press Club released a statement describing the move as a direct assault on independent journalism.
Trump has filed a series of lawsuits against media outlets that do not align with his views. He has also threatened to pull broadcasters' licenses.
JAPAN CITY SEEKS TO LIMIT DAILY SCREEN TIME TO 2 HOURS
Now, how much screen time is too much?A Japanese city has passed an ordinance saying residents should limit their use of smartphones, tablets, video games and other devices to just two hours a day, not including time spent working or studying.The Toyoake City Assembly in Aichi Prefecture approved the measure by a majority vote on Monday. It will take effect on October 1. City officials say the statute is the first of its kind in Japan. It would apply to all Toyo Aki City residents, as well as to children under 18 who attend schools there. The ordinance calls on each household to create its own rules. It recommends that children through elementary school Asia should stop using devices at 9:00 PM. Those who are junior high school age and above should stop at 10:00 PM.
City officials say the ordinance is not binding and no penalties will be set. But they warn prolonged screen time may lead to a lack of sleep and other health-related issues. They also say excessive device use could have a negative impact on households, such as reducing communication between family members and may hinder the healthy development of children.
BUSINESS
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Gene Otani from The Biz. Gene.Miki, thanks. In our top business story this hour,
NIKKEI 225 INDEX KICKS OFF WEEK WITH ANOTHER RECORD HIGH
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock index finished Monday trading at a new record high. The benchmark carried on with its bullish run from last week, fueled by Wall Street's record gains on Friday.The Nikkei ended the day at 45,493, up almost 1% from Tokyo's Friday close.
All three main indices in New York hit new highs at the end of last week.
Stock prices are being driven by expectations the US Federal Reserve will cut rates again this year to support the economy. Equities rose across the board on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. On the view, a stronger US economy is good news for Japanese businesses.
JAPAN BOND YIELD HITS 17-YEAR HIGH ON BOJ RATE HIKE SPECULATION
The yield on Japan's benchmark bond has risen to the highest in 17 years, as investors bet the central bank will soon opt for a rate hike.The yield on the 10-year government bond briefly rose to 1.66% on Monday. That's the highest since July 2008. Investors are reacting to last week's Bank of Japan meeting when two out of nine policy board members proposed raising the key policy rate. A majority voted to keep the rate on hold for now.
RICE PRICES IN JAPAN'S SUPERMARKETS NEAR RECORD HIGH
The average price of rice sold at supermarkets across Japan has risen to a level just shy of the record high reached in mid-May. A survey by the Agriculture Ministry shows the price of a five kilogram bag of the staple food cost 4,275 yen, or nearly $29, in the second week of September. That's up about 80 cents from the week before. The survey, which covers about 1000 supermarkets, shows prices rose for the third straight week to close in on the all time high of 4,285 yen. The ministry says actual demand for the staple is expected to remain mostly unchanged in the year through next June at about 7 million tons.Officials included demand from inbound tourists this time around after their estimates fell far below actual consumption over the past two years.
In those previous forecasts, the Ministry believed demand would fall by around 100,000 tons a year due to the declining population and other factors. The erroneous projections have been cited as one reason behind the surge in rice prices over the past year.
ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR JAPAN'S GREEN SHIPBUILDING TILT
Japanese shipbuilders once ruled the world, but they have since ceded the top spot to their rivals in China. Now they are seeing a chance to fight back through green energy.But state-backed Chinese efforts in next generation shipbuilding mean the way forward may not be smooth sailing.
An expo in June brought hundreds of maritime firms from around the worldto the Chinese city of Tianjin. The world's biggest shipbuilder, China State Shipbuilding Corporation, showcased the model of a vessel powered by lithium-ion and hydrogen fuel.
China is relentlessly researching and developing new fuel sources.
Japan is also working hard on a new generation of ships with a view to clawing back market share.
Leading the push is the Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships, known as GSC. The organization brings together 36 firms from the shipbuilding, equipment making, trading and other sectors. Together, they're spearheading research into alternative fuel-powered ships.
Once the industry makes the shift to new fuels, every company will have to get on board. GSC is playing the role of coordinator and working with firms to find a path forward.
One of GSC's main projects is a cargo ship that can run on ammonia fuel, a technology yet to be used commercially anywhere in the world. Existing infrastructure for the production and transport of ammonia could make these ships cheaper to build than other next generation vessels. But there's a challenge. Ammonia is a toxic chemical that requires heavy equipment for safe handling and combustion.
GSC researchers are calculating how much weight that might add and studying hull designs that reduce drag to compensate.
The goal is to have the vessels seaworthy and in use within three years.
The organization is also working with a boiler maker in an effort to cut back on carbon emissions elsewhere.
Boilers play a critical role for ships.
They're essential for everything from heating systems to pump operation.
The plan is to produce a boiler that burns a blend of ammonia and heavy fuel oil within the next two to three years.
In this period of change, we have to be one of the leaders. That's how we can catch up to our rivals. If we don't take this chance, we'll find ourselves in trouble.
It's a make or break moment for Japan's shipbuilding industry. The challenge ahead is great, but the potential rewards on offer greater still.
And that's it for business news.
WEATHER
And it's time for a check on the world weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh. So Jonathan, a powerful typhoon is battering the northern coast of the Philippines. What's the latest?Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
And that's NHK Newsline for this hour.
I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thank you for staying with us.
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