Great to have you with us. From our studio here in Tokyo, this is NHK Newsline.
SHOOTING AT TEXAS ICE FACILITY LEAVES 1 DEAD, 2 INJURED
A shooting at an immigration detention facility in the southern US state of Texas has left one person dead and two others injured.Authorities said the gunman targeted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas on Wednesday. They said he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound... and rounds with anti-ICE messages written on them were found near the scene. Investigators are looking into the suspect's possible motive. The Department of Homeland Security said the three victims were detainees. It said the suspect fired from a nearby building toward the facility's entrance. In July, another ICE facility near Dallas was targeted. That prompted authorities to step up security measures.
US President Donald Trump described the latest shooting as despicable in a social media post. He said the attack was the result of radical left Democrats who demonize law enforcement and compare ICE officers to Nazis. He called on them to stop this rhetoric against ICE. Some US media noted that such claims were not backed by evidence... as officials have released little information about a possible motive.
CHINA UNVEILS NEW GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION TARGETS
Chinese President Xi Jinping is highlighting his country's efforts to tackle climate change. He announced new targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions.Xi was among leaders of around a hundred countries and regions who took part in a United Nations climate summit.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged countries to tackle climate change immediately.
It is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1-point-5 degrees by centuries' ends.
The United States did not take part. In a speech to the UN General Assembly the previous day, President Trump described climate change as the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world. The Chinese president appeared to have the United States in mind.
The international community should stay focused on the right direction, while some countries are acting against it.
Xi said China will cut economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10 percent from peak levels by 2035
TYPHOON RAGASA LEAVES 14 DEAD, 33 MISSING IN TAIWAN
Taiwanese authorities say 14 people have been confirmed dead as of Thursday afternoon, and 33 are unaccounted for due to Typhoon Ragasa.The powerfold storm dumped torrential rain on Taiwan's eastern region, causing a barrier lake in Hualien County to overflow. In Hualien, recovery work has started in areas where the water has receded. Residents are now removing mud from roads and buildings.
My refrigerator was floating inside like a boat.
My car was also drifting like a toy.
Firefighters and military personnel are continuing search and rescue operations.
Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru expressed his condolences to the victims and bereaved families on acts in Japanese and Chinese. He said he prays that the people of Taiwan will be able to return to their normal lives as soon as possible.
6 INJURED AFTER MOBILE BATTERY SPARKS FIRE IN TOKYO
Here in Japan, six people were injured after a mobile battery set a Tokyo apartment building on fire.Firefighters were called to the building in Tokyo's Suginami Ward shortly before 2 AM Thursday. They say it took two hours to extinguish the blaze.
The six victims were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. Their conditions are not believed to be serious. Among them is a teenaged girl who told officials a mobile battery sparked the blaze. She said she was sleeping with her smartphone plugged into a mobile charger. Then, she suddenly heard a booming noise... and saw her room was on fire.
Mobile batteries were responsible for several recent fires in Tokyo. The city's fire department says there were over 140 such cases in the first half of the year,... a new record.
JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW BACK ON AIR DESPITE PRESSURE FROM TRUMP
American late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is back on air, despite pressure from the Trump administration. The program had been suspended over his on-air comments in relation to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.That it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.
I don't
Kinnell also indicated that Washington is putting pressure on the media. He urged the audience to speak out even louder if a similar attempt happens again.
The Walt Disney Company, parent company of US broadcaster ABC, brought back the program amid increasing debate about government pressure on the media and free speech. President Trump expressed dissatisfaction in a social media post and hinted he might sue ABC. CNN said this is another crystal-clear example of Trump using his government power to pressure media.
PLEA BARGAINING TO BE EXPANDED TO CASES OF PHONE FRAUD
NHK has learned that Japanese prosecutors plan to expand the use of plea bargaining to help track down the ringleaders in telephone fraud and other scams. The system allows prosecutors to forego indictments or seek lighter sentences if suspects cooperate with investigations into the crimes of others, such as accomplices.Under the law, plea bargaining can be applied to crimes such as bribery and fraud. But there have been fewer than 10 cases since the system was introduced in 2018.
Starting in October, the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office will expand it to cases involving attempts to swindle individuals using phone calls or social media. Losses from telephone fraud totaled nearly 72 billion yen, or about 483 million dollars last year,... a record high. Prosecutors apparently want to use plea bargaining to obtain smartphone data and testimony to help catch the ringleaders.
But an expert and former judge warns there are risks to this approach.
There are risks of involving people who are innocent. Perpetrators may also shift their own crimes onto others involved in the incident.
Professor Misno says the challenge for prosecutors is to back up the information they obtain with hard, extensive evidence to uncover the ringleaders.
LDP LEADERSHIP CANDIDATES TALK POLICY AT DEBATE
Candidates vying to lead Japan's main governing Liberal Democratic Party have presented their pitches for the country's future. They also touched on their approach to relations with the US We take a closer look in this next report.The Japan National Press Club hosted the five candidates on Wednesday for a debate. Kobayashi Takayuki says he wants to make people feel that hard work pays off. He says support for the working population and people in the middle class will lead a society to grow and strengthen further.
Motegi Toshimitsu says he will produce results that people want. He says he will carry out swift and effective policies. including measures to address rising prices and getting rid of the provisional tax on gasoline.
Hayashi Yoshimasa says he will open the door to the future with his experience and achievements. He says that while the situation surrounding Japan is not right, he will focus on unity and overcome it.
Takaichi Sanei says she will bring about economic growth through strategic investment in crisis management. She says the global trend is for public and private investment to minimize various risks.
Koizumi Shinjiro pitches economic management that addresses inflation, abolishing the provisional tax on gasoline, and raising the basic deduction from taxable income in line with price and wage increases.
The debate had a foreign policy and security portion. They discussed topics including how they would deal with President Donald Trump's administration.
By cultivating cutting-edge technology, Japan will become an indispensable country for the USI believe that this approach is important. We will enter the competitive field of AI and robots. We should allocate sufficient funds for research and development.
China is America's biggest challenge. I think it's important to emphasize that Japan is the most important partner for the United States in dealing with China. And to demonstrate a willingness to work together with the US.
there's a strong possibility that another administration with similar thinking will emerge after President Trump. We should manage Japan, US relations based on that premise. Japan, China relations must be built up based on that premise.
Along with the Japan, US alliance, we should deepen the Japan, US, Korea and Japan, US, Philippines relationships. Concerns do exist about Japan's relations with China, and I intend to approach this issue with a stance of straightforward dialogue.
If I become Prime Minister and party president. I would like to meet with President Trump as soon as possible. I believe implementing the results of the tariff negotiations will be extremely important in building a win-win relationship in our alliance.
Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru triggered the party's presidential race this month after announcing his decision to resign. Becoming LDP leader does not guarantee becoming Prime Minister. The lower and upper houses of the Diet decide that. And the ruling coalition does not have a majority in either chamber.
Noda Yoshihiko heads the largest opposition group, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. He indicated his intention to begin talks as early as next week with other parties, with the aim of cooperating in the vote for the new Prime Minister. Noda added that it's important to make efforts to find some common ground among opposition parties.
Such as measures against rising prices and issues related to politics and money.
Campaigning in the LDP's leadership race lasts 12 days in total. Voting day is set for October 4.
BUSINESS
Now we're going to look at what's happening in the world of business.Here's Gene Otani from The Biz Desk.
Kyoko thanks in our top business story this hour.
BEER MAKER ORION IS OKINAWA'S 1ST PRODUCER TO GO PUBLIC
A beer brewer based in Okinawa Prefecture has been listed on the top-tier prime market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. TSC officials say the IPO on Thursday by Orion Breweries is the first for a maker from the Japanese southern prefecture.Orion President Murano Hajime marked the occasion at the stock exchange. The IPO price of Orion's shares was 850 yen, but it had no opening price in the morning session because of an overwhelming number of buyers. The shares first traded at 1,863 yen later in the afternoon and ended the session at 1,950 yen.
Japan's fifth largest beer brewery was founded in 1957. Today, it holds a dominant share and position in the Okinawan market. Japanese securities giant Nomada Holdings and the US-based investment fund Carlyle acquired Orion in 2019. The company aimed for an IPO by improving profitability through the development of new products and enhanced online sales. Company officials hope the listing will raise its brand recognition.
I hope to take advantage of this listing to enter the global market. We'd like to bring happiness to more people around the world by delivering Orion beer.
The brewery says it will grow its overseas sales. the United States and Taiwan have seen strong growth. People in Okinawa generally welcome the IPO.
I always drink Orion. It tastes good. I hope the IPO will help bring more tourists to Okinawa.
I'm so happy to see an Okinawa based company getting attention from across the country. I hope t-shirts and other licensed goods will help the brand grow.
The company also plans to strengthen the foundation of its beer and tourism related businesses in the prefecture, capitalizing on demand from tourists from overseas.
BOJ MINUTES: SOME POLICYMAKERS IN JULY SUGGESTED RATE HIKE
Minutes of the Bank of Japan's July board meeting show that some policymakers believed that the BOJ should consider hiking interest rates in the near future. The meeting followed an agreement between Tokyo and Washington to reduce US tariffs from those originally proposed.The BOJ decided to keep its policy interest rate unchanged at the two-day meeting through July 31. The minutes were released on Thursday. They reveal a meeting focused on how the new tariff measures would affect the Japanese economy. The notes show that some policymakers said the BOJ should move cautiously on a rate hike. One member said the central bank should wait for more data to come in before making policy decisions. Another believed that if the US economy were able to withstand the impact of its own tariff policy to a greater extent than expected, then downside effects to the Japanese economy would likely remain minimal. That scenario would make it possible for the BOJ to exit its current wait and see stance, possibly by the end of the year at the earliest.
The Bank of Japan decided to keep its policy rate on hold at the latest policy board meeting earlier this month, but two members opposed the decision, proposing a rate hike instead.
TAPPING INTO STRENGTHS OF TOHOKU STARTUPS
Global firms like Netflix and Uber began as startups with unique products and services. Moves are now underway to tap into such innovative companies in Japan's. Tohoku region, which was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011. NHK World's Yamada Nana reports.US venture capital firm Pegasus Tech Ventures held a preliminary competition for the startup World Cup in Tohoku for the first time in August.
This Silicon Valley firm has invested in more than 280 companies across the globe. Ten startups from Tohoku and elsewhere in Japan pitched their ideas.
We hope to turn Japanese farming into a growth industry.
We started from the challenge of making the reality in the quake-hit region more visible.
One participant was Azul Energy, based in Miyagi Prefecture. CEO Ito Koju co-founded the firm six years ago with Tohoku University.
They aim to promote the shift to clean energy by learning from the 2011 nuclear facility disaster.
This beautiful blue solution is the Asul catalyst that we are developing.
Azul means blue in Spanish.
Ito says the catalyst was developed by Chance during research on blue pigments.
It's an alternative to some critical minerals used in battery technology.
Azul Energy's research is tied to the global spread of generative AI.
The rapid data crunching of high-performance AI systems puts heavy loads on storage batteries.
So, an inexpensive catalyst that can enhance battery performance is useful indeed.
I hope our product can contribute to the creation of a carbon-neutral or recycling-based society.
Ito watched one of his staff making a presentation at the competition.
Do you know the real energy challenge that AI creates?
The presenter said the firm has acquired a patent portfolio for its catalyst technology, which has gained international attention. She added that the goal is sales of more than 1.6 billion dollars in 2040. Let's grow tomorrow's energy together.
And then, the results are announced.
Azul Energy Deshita! Congratulations!
With its victory, Azil Energy joins the Startup World Cup 2025 final in San Francisco in October.
We will emphasize that we are going to change the world with a new material created at Tohoku University.
They have very hardcore technology. It's a deep tech company, and I think deep tech is what Japan is good at. I think they will do well.
The Tohoku firm, with its sustainable energy solutions, now has a chance to claim the grand prize of $1 million in investment. Yamada Nana, NHK World.
NIKKEI 225 SETS RECORD HIGH FOR 3RD DAY
All right. The Tokyo stock benchmark Nikkei 225 closed at a record high on Thursday for the third consecutive trading day.MARKETS
Let's have a look at the markets.♪
And that's a look at business news.
Kyoko, I'm going to hand it back to you.
Thank you for that, Gene.
S. KOREA'S CLIMATE WHIPLASH BRINGS FLOODS, DROUGHT
Now, this summer, South Korea suffered two very different climate crises.Some regions were inundated with record rainfall, leading to deadly floods and landslides. In contrast, a prolonged drought gripped the northeastern city of Gangneung. NHK World's Kim Chan-jo tells us how people coped with the situation.
Oobong Reservoir supplies nearly 90 percent of Gangneung's water. This summer's drought catastrophically reduced its capacity to under 15% at one point, leaving local people anxious about their water supply for over three months.
Drought conditions are not unusual in the area. But after water levels hit their lowest point in decades, officials were compelled to introduce rationing. Authorities first reduced the household water supply by 50 percent in mid-August.
By September, restrictions intensified to 75 percent.
When I turn on the faucet, this is all I get. Some laundry stays unwashed. I can't take a shower even in the summer heat. Everyday life has become very uncomfortable.
Businesses were urged to cut consumption. This cafe saved tap water when washing utensils and used disposable cups.
I used to think water was unlimited, something we could always take for granted. Now I realize how valuable it truly is. Even money cannot guarantee it.
Farmers were also worried. One grower predicted rice yields could fall by more than 30%.
Water shortage is my biggest concern. For the first time, this irrigation canal has been completely dry for over a month.
At the end of August, President Lee Jae-myung visited Kangyung and declared a state of disaster.
You're asking us to declare a state of disaster. If it's possible and necessary, let's do that.
This move authorized the government to mobilize personnel, equipment and emergency supplies. Fire trucks, tankers and helicopters from across the country began delivering nearly 20,000 tons of water a day. The government distributed the bottled water to about 200,000 Kanglin residents, with each person receiving 2 liters daily.
Elsewhere, the opposite was true. Between July and August, torrential rain triggered floods and landslides, killing two dozen people. Property damage was estimated at over $750 million. Why is Gangnan different? One expert says a phenomenon known as the Fern Effect is to blame. The Tebek Mountains, up to 1,500 meters tall, are preventing rain clouds from reaching the city. He says other factors are at play, too.
In the Gangneung region, there are very few reservoirs compared to other areas.
The amount of running water is limited in a small area, but a large population needs it. Plus, the amount of water needed for agriculture and tourism is increasing.
Gangneung's beach and mountains make it a popular summer tourist destination. It attracts millions, and numbers have been rapidly increasing due to the recent development of railways and highways. But this summer, the city recorded just 190 millimeters of rain, less than one-third of its seasonal average. Record high temperatures accelerated the water shortage. Thankfully, recent days have seen the drought greatly eased thanks to the return of the rain.
The Obong reservoir has recovered to the 60% level. The state of disaster in Kon Nun City was officially lifted as of 6:00 PM on Monday.
The mayor has pledged to prevent a recurrence, but government efforts may not be sufficient to prevent droughts and flooding. The reality is that these hardships are now more frequent and extreme due to climate change.
Kim Chan-ju NHK World.
WEATHER
And now for world weather, we go back to the powerful storm Ragasa that's left the trail of disaster in parts of Asia. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details.Ragasa made landfall in China's Guangdong Province on Wednesday, bringing heavy downpours and gusty winds. The system has also caused significant damage in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong began cleaning up on Thursday after Typhoon Ragasa. The storm prompted Hong Kong to issue its highest typhoon warning twice. The last time a storm triggered a double warning was in 1964. Authorities received more than 1,200 reports of fallen trees and over 20 reports of flooding. The hospital said more than 100 people were injured.
The storm is moving westward along China's Guangxi and Yunang areas and may reach northern Vietnam, and total rainfall could reach 450 millimeters in parts of Vietnam, possibly causing floods and landslides. And Ragasa is not the only issue facing this region.
Another storm is now approaching the central Philippines and it's likely to head toward southern China early next week. The system is expected to intensify further and bring stormy conditions and high storm surges to the Bisayas, so people there should watch out for fresh flooding.
Moving to Japan, parts of Hokkaido experienced stormy conditions on Thursday. Gusts of around 100 kilometers per hour were reported due to developing low pressure and frontal systems. But conditions are expected to improve as the systems move away, and a high pressure system is likely to cover much of the country gradually on Friday.
Sunny skies are expected in Tokyo with a high of 31, summer white conditions are coming back.
And heat is also a concern in Taipei, with a high of 34.
That's it for now. Stay safe.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
That's all for this edition of NHK News Line. Thank you for watching and hope to join us again.
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