Welcome back to NHK Newsline. Here's the latest we have for you at this hour.
CHINA SUSPENDS IMPORTS OF JAPANESE MARINE PRODUCTS
NHK has learned that China has notified Japan that it is suspending imports of Japanese marine products. This comes amid the ongoing fallout over Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's Taiwan comments.
China's notification does not reference her remarks.
Instead, it reportedly cites concerns over treated and diluted water accumulated at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
The facility suffered a triple meltdown during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Over the years, water used to cool molten fuel has been mixing with rain and groundwater.
The accumulated water is being treated to remove most radioactive substances, but it still contains tritium.
Before releasing the treated water into the ocean, the plant's operator dilutes it.
This reduces the tritium levels to about one seventh of the World Health Organization's guidance level for drinking water.
China suspended imports of Japanese marine products when the release started in August 2023.
This June, Beijing announced it would lift those restrictions for Japanese products, except those from 10 specified prefectures, including Fukushima and Miyagi.
The new suspension comes the same month marine shipments from Japan to China resumed. It also follows Takaichi's remarks to the diet earlier this month.
She told lawmakers that a military emergency involving Taiwan could be considered a threat to Japan's survival. Beijing reacted strongly, demanding a retraction.
FISHERIES MINISTER PLEDGES SUPPORT AMID POOR OYSTER HARVEST
Well, China's move could reduce international sales for one part of the seafood industry already struggling with supply issues.
Japan's fisheries minister has pledged support for Hiroshima's oyster farmers who were dealt a bad harvest this year.
The kickoff was already delayed after record-breaking summer heat waves slowed the growth of the shellfish.
But now, farmers are reporting huge numbers of dead oysters impacting their yields.
Fisheries Minister Suzuki Norikazu traveled to the region to inspect the damage.
He was told some farmers lost as much as 90% of their harvest.
Suzuki met with a local fishers' cooperative and Hiroshima governor, Yuzaki Hidehiko.
They presented him with a written request to probe the mass oyster die-offs.
00:02:44 話者 2
I'm well aware of the extreme severity of this situation. I think we need to find out what's causing this damage by conducting thorough research and launching an investigation.
00:02:55 話者 1
Suzuki was also asked for financial aid to the farmers.
He says he'll work with the new municipal governments to provide assistance.
SNOWFALL IN NORTH TO EAST JAPAN AS SEVERE COLD SETS IN
Many parts of Japan will experience severe cold weather on Wednesday.
A winter pressure pattern and a cold air mass are bringing intermittent snow showers to areas from northern to eastern Japan, mainly along the Sea of Japan coast.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says the cold air mass is the strongest of the season.
As of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the snow reached a depth of 1.1 meters in the Tsukaiyu area of Aomori Prefecture.
In Yamagata and Hokkaido prefectures, the snow was 35 centimeters deep.
The agency is calling on people in mountainous areas from northern to eastern Japan to be careful of snow piles and frozen roads.
Severe cold has gripped many parts of the country since Wednesday morning.
The mercury fell to minus 11.7 degrees Celsius in Hokkaido's Rikubetsu town and 11.6 degrees in Iwate's Morioka city.
They are the lowest temperatures seen in those areas and many others so far this season.
ONE DEAD IN MASSIVE FIRE IN SOUTHWEST JAPAN
One person has been found dead as firefighters continue to battle an extensive fire in Oita Prefecture in southwestern Japan.
Ground Self-Defense Force personnel have also been working to extinguish the place since Wednesday morning.
Prefectural authorities say more than 170 houses and other buildings have been burned so far, and a man in his 70s remains unaccounted for.
Police say they searched his home and found a body, but have yet to identify it.
00:04:43 話者 9
I thought the scenery of the place where I grew up would change drastically.
So I came here to see what's going on.
00:04:57 話者 1
Fire officials received an emergency call from a resident before 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
The fire has spread widely, engulfing a residential area and burning the surrounding forests. The blaze is still not under control.
Prefectural officials say 175 people were sheltering at a nearby community center at one point on Tuesday night.
00:05:22 話者 2
There was a pillar of fire that rose. The sky turned red and the wind was strong.
I didn't expect it to spread so much.
00:05:33 話者 1
The residential area is surrounded by mountains about 25 kilometers east of Oita City Center, close to Saganoseki Fishing Port.
The city revealed that the burned area covers about 49,000 square meters.
TRUMP DEFENDS SAUDI CROWN PRINCE OVER KHASHOGGI KILLING
US President Donald Trump gave a warm welcome to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
On top of securing some new deals, Trump defended the crown prince for his suspected involvement in the murder of a dissident Saudi journalist in 2018.
The pair spoke to media on Tuesday. A reporter asked about the Saudi royal's link to Jamal Khashoggi's killing at the Saudi consulate in Turkey.
Trump reacted strongly.
00:06:26 話者 10
He knew nothing about it and we can leave it at that.
You don't have to embarrass our guests by asking a question like that.
00:06:32 話者 8
It's painful and it's a huge mistake and we're doing our best that this doesn't happen again.
00:06:38 話者 1
Trump's comments contradict a US intelligence report issued under the Biden administration.
It concluded that the crown prince had approved the murder of Khashoggi, who had written critically about the Saudi government.
US TO SELL F-35 JETS TO SAUDI ARABIA
Meanwhile, Trump announced that Saudi Arabia plans to boost investment in the US
from $600 billion to $1 trillion, and he says he struck a deal to sell the kingdom state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets.
Currently, Israel is the only Middle Eastern country flying the advanced warplane.
Trump says Israel is aware of the deal and that people there will be happy about it.
00:07:17 話者 10
As far as I'm concerned, I think they are both at a level where they should get top of the line.
00:07:25 話者 1
The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter equipped with advanced stealth and combat capabilities.
Multiple media outlets report that providing the jet to the Saudis could affect the balance of power in the region by eroding the Israelis' technological edge.
The Associated Press notes the kingdom's close ties with China could also cause issues.
At the same time, Trump and the crown prince also discussed Saudi Arabia possibly normalizing relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords.
00:07:56 話者 8
We want to be part of the Abraham Accord, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of two-state solution.
00:08:06 話者 1
He indicated that discussions on the matter will continue.
N.KOREA'S KIM VISITS SECURITY MINISTRIES TO SIGNAL CONTROL
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited security ministries and judicial entities to mark the 80th anniversary of their founding.
South Korean media say his appearances apparently signal the regime aims to tighten social control.
Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central Television reported on Wednesday that Kim made the visits the previous day.
He reportedly highlighted the Ministry of Public Security's mission to guarantee the party's activities by law and arms.
He also appeared at the Supreme Court and the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office.
Kim reportedly told senior officials at the Ministry of State Security that their service personnel are reliable comrades and defenders of the ruling Workers' Party.
That ministry accessed the country's secret police force, which cracks down on dissidents.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency says it is rare for Kim to publicly visit the state security ministry.
US CONGRESS PASSES BILL TO ALLOW RELEASE OF EPSTEIN FILES
The US Congress has almost unanimously voted for a bill requiring the release of the Epstein files. US President Trump changed his earlier position and now says he will sign it into law.
00:09:22 話者 7
The yeas are 427. The nays are one. Two-thirds being in the affirmative.
The rules are suspended. The bill is passed.
00:09:34 話者 1
The House passed the bill on Tuesday.
It requires the Justice Department to release the files it possesses on the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, within 30 days of its enactment.
This includes all unclassified records, including investigative materials related to his death. The Senate unanimously voted also in favor of on the same day.
American financier Epstein was indicted on charges including the sexual abuse of minors and reportedly killed himself in jail in 2019.
Trump said he had socialized with Epstein before, but said he severed ties with him about 20 years ago. Despite his promise to release all the files during his election campaign, Trump refused to do so after taking office.
He dismissed the matter as a hoax when questioned by Democrats.
The president's U-turn came on Sunday when he agreed to release the files.
US media reports said the move possibly reflects his decreasing power within the Republican Party.
Many Republicans joined Democrats in calling for the release of the files.
BUSINESS
And now let's go to the world of business. Here's Gene Otani from the BizDesk.
00:10:49 話者 2
Minori, thanks. In our top business story this hour,
MICROSOFT, NVIDIA TO INVEST UP TO $15 BIL. IN ANTHROPIC
Microsoft and Nvidia say they plan a combined investment of up to $15 billion in US-based AI startup Anthropic.
The software and semiconductor giants also say Anthropic will spend $30 billion on computing capacity from Microsoft's cloud platform.
It's the latest in a series of strategic partnerships among big technology companies competing fiercely in generative AI.
Anthropic has created the Claude chatbot and received funding from Amazon and others.
It's considered a rival to OpenAI, the operator of ChatGPT. Microsoft is also a longtime backer of OpenAI. Nvidia said in September it will invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI.
JAPAN FUNDS GEAR UP FOR MORE BIG BUYOUTS
Japan-based investment funds are preparing for more large-scale domestic buyouts to compete with leading foreign rivals.
Financial services firm Oryx has launched a Japan-focused $2.5 billion private equity fund with the Qatar Investment Authority.
The partnership aims to invest in Japanese businesses and projects worth over 30 billion yen, or $190 million.
Some stakes could be in companies worth more than 100 billion yen.
00:12:31 話者 7
We hope to contribute to the Japanese economy by improving the governance and value of companies the fund invests in.
00:12:43 話者 2
The government-backed Japan Investment Corporation established a new fund this month with more than $5 billion.
It focuses on large growth opportunities and start-ups.
More Japanese companies are delisting or spinning off non-core businesses as they restructure. Many of these moves have been financed by foreign investors.
JAPANESE EEL ON AGENDA FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES CONFERENCE
Japanese eel is included on the agenda for the upcoming International Conference on Endangered Species Trade, starting next week in Uzbekistan.
The gathering will draw representatives from among the more than 180 countries that have signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The parties set trade regulations by agreement.
Japan is opposed to a proposal to regulate trade in Japanese eel as part of broader limits on all varieties of the species.
The proposed changes by the EU and others would require each country to issue a permit when exporting all types of eels.
That requirement applies to all species listed in Appendix II of the Convention, European eel has already been added to the appendix, if approved.
The new rules could raise prices in Japan, which imports about 70% of the eel it consumes.
The EU claims that European eels are being exported under false labels, such as Japanese eel. Regulating all eels is part of the bloc's aim to better protect the species.
But an expert says restricting trade would not resolve the problem.
00:14:38 話者 6
Within the EU, catches of European eel still amount to around 2,000 tons annually, and how to reduce this fishing pressure is far more critical to conservation efforts.
00:14:49 話者 2
The changes sought by the EU and others would require approval of more than two-thirds of parties that attend the conference. The meeting runs through December 5.
MARKETS
All right, let's have a look at the markets.
♪
And that's a look at business news.
Minori, I'm going to hand it back to you.
00:15:36 話者 1
Thank you, Gene.
HOW HUNGRY LITTLE BOOKWORMS ARE THREATENING JAPAN'S HISTORY
Japan is no stranger to invasive species, but this tiny insect isn't targeting crops or plants.
Its preferred food is paper. The older, the better, and it's putting some of Japan's historical documents at risk. For more, earlier I spoke with NHK's science correspondent Teranishi Genta.
Genta, thanks for joining us. Tell us a bit more about this bug.
00:16:05 話者 3
It belongs to the family commonly known as bookworms, insects that feed on paper.
Look at this book, for example. It's been damaged by a kind of bookworm.
You can clearly see where it's eaten away at the paper.
This new species is known in Japanese as New Hakushin, or the ghost silverfish.
I've seen it myself. It's small and moves really quickly.
It was discovered about a century ago in Sri Lanka.
It was first detected here in Japan three years ago.
But since then, it's been spreading rapidly across the country.
At first, it was found in just five prefectures, but a new survey found it's now in at least 19.
00:16:57 話者 1
Why is it spreading so much?
00:16:59 話者 3
One reason, they just reproduce fast.
Researchers found that, unlike other species, the bugs here in Japan can reproduce without males. Every offspring is female.
That means even a single egg can lead to massive population growth.
Estimates suggest that in a single year, one bug can turn into 130.
And by three years, you are talking up to 20,000 insects, all from a single source.
Institutions often trade documents for events or for research, but that just makes it easier for the bugs to get around.
Because they damage valuable papers, museums, and other facilities, treating them as a serious threat.
00:17:57 話者 5
They are spreading way faster than we thought they would. If the number of these bugs keeps rising across the country like this, eventually some cultural assets will be at risk.
00:18:10 話者 1
Well, Japan has such a long, storied history. Have we already lost some of it?
00:18:15 話者 3
So far, there are no reports of national treasures or important cultural properties being damaged. But experts fear it's just a matter of time.
One group even launched a website dedicated to fighting the insects.
They are also providing free sticky traps and poison to facilities with outbreaks.
But make no mistake, this will be an uphill battle.
Once invasive species take hold, it's extremely difficult to eradicate them.
Japan is already grappling with the white moss from America, which devastates urban trees and fire ants from South America, which can threaten humans and infrastructure.
When it comes to tackling these bookworms, sharing information and acting fast is our only hope of preventing further spread.
BREWING UP SUCCESSFUL TEAMWORK
00:19:41 話者 1
A barista competition for people with disabilities took place in Tokyo this fall.
Held annually since 2021, the event aims to encourage inclusivity by improving skills and creating employment opportunities.
NHK World's Kawaharada Akari followed one team making its debut this year.
00:20:03 話者 4
From grinding the beans to serving the perfect cup.
Nine teams that won online qualifiers gathered in Tokyo to showcase their skill at making and serving delicious coffee.
One team new to the competition called Ippo Cafe hails from Mie Prefecture.
Each member has experience of working at a cafe.
They heard about the contest from employment support centers, and practice for months.
00:20:38 話者 3
I'll start brewing coffee.
00:20:39 話者 4
Team leader Izumi Hiroyuki suffered a debilitating injury about 15 years ago.
He made time to prep for the ballista contest between rehab sessions.
00:20:52 話者 3
In order to get a top ranking, you need to produce coffee of consistently high quality.
My aim is to achieve a top-tier finish through diligent practice.
00:21:03 話者 4
One challenge facing the team was the need to complete the process within 10 minutes.
They started out with a total time of about 12 minutes, as they struggled to coordinate tasks.
Izumi spent hours studying videos of past competitions to get ideas on how to save time.
He found that the top-performing teams had a leader giving instructions with members responding in turn.
00:21:37 話者 3
Pour the coffee into the cup, please.
00:21:41 話者 4
They immediately adopted this approach and practiced repeatedly.
00:21:47 話者 3
Nine minutes.
00:21:49 話者 4
They became able to consistently beat the 10-minute time limit. Each member of the team practiced their part of the routine diligently. They received pointers from supporters.
00:22:06 話者 5
What about the alignment? Is it right?
00:22:16 話者 3
Perfect.
00:22:22 話者 4
The day of the competition arrives.
00:22:31 話者 3
22 grams, please.
00:22:35 話者 4
They demonstrate the results of their hard work and serve cups of a blue they call Shiny Blend. The name embodies their hope that everyone will be given an opportunity to shine in their work.
How fast were they? They kept it below 10 minutes. And now, the results.
They won second place for a taste of their unique blend.
00:23:17 話者 3
It was a good experience because I thought things through myself.
I hope I can apply these skills at my workplace.
00:23:28 話者 4
The team is already looking forward to taking part in next year's competition, and a chance to shine even brighter.
Kawaharada Akari, NHK World.
SEA BREAM PREPARATION PEAKS IN CENTRAL JAPAN
00:23:43 話者 1
The sea bream has long been a symbol of good fortune in Japan, and now workers are busy preparing the fish to be sold as year-end gifts for the New Year holidays.
At a local fish processing firm in central Japan's Mie Prefecture, the fish are gutted and soaked in salt overnight.
Their bellies are stuffed with wakame seaweed through the gills to make them look plump and enhance the flavor.
This preserves the integrity of the fish, as it is considered auspicious.
They are then sprinkled with salt and roasted whole for about 30 minutes.
The processing firm says the sea breams this year are rich in fat and well-shaped with a vibrant color.
00:24:24 話者 3
They turned out delicious. I hope everyone enjoys them during the New Year holidays.
WEATHER
And now let's check out the weather. It's gotten chilly here in Tokyo and much of Japan is being affected by the cold air. Our meteorologist, Yumi Hirano, has the details.
00:24:43 話者 5
Tokyo experienced its coldest morning of the season so far on Wednesday.
Sukayu in Aomori Prefecture recorded a snow depth of 115 centimeters, which is more than four times the average.
Much of western and eastern Japan is also affected by the cold air.
The first snow cap of the season was reported on many mountains in western and eastern Japan on Wednesday.
In Mie Prefecture, the snow created beautiful winter scenes on Mount Gozaisho.
The mountain is known for its ropeway, which takes visitors near the summit, where they can enjoy a view of frost-covered trees.
In the mid-mountain area, the autumn leaves are at their peaks.
As a high-pressure system covers western and eastern Japan, sunny skies are expected in many cities such as Fukuoka, Osaka and Tokyo.
The high in Tokyo will stay below avarage, with a high of 14.
The next round of wet weather will arrive in northern Japan on Thursday night.
Moving to Europe, a low-pressure system is bringing severe weather to southern Italy and the Balkans.
Strong gusts and lightning were already reported, but the conditions are not expected to improve on Wednesday or Thursday.
There is a risk of thundershowers, gusty winds, and even tornadoes.
Another system is bringing windy and snowy conditions to the British Isles, France, and Germany.
Behind the system, strong cold air is surging in, so the highs in these cities will stay in the single digits.
People in London will see only 4 on Thursday despite sunny skies, and high in Berlin might be only 3 on Friday.
That's it for now. Have a nice day.
00:27:36 話者 1
And that wraps it up for this edition of NHK Newsline. We'll have more for you soon.
Thank you very much for watching.
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