Welcome back to NHK Newsline. Here's the latest we have for you at this hour.
NORTHERN JAPAN ROCKED BY QUAKE, TSUNAMI ADVISORY
Northern Japan was rattled by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake late Friday morning.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued, but has since lifted a tsunami advisory.
The JMA says the quake struck off Aomori Prefecture's eastern coast at 11:44 a.m.
It had a depth of 17 kilometers. 20-centimeter-high tsunami were observed in some areas.
Across Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, tremors reached an intensity of four on the Japanese scale of zero to seven.
00:00:51 話者 2
It is almost the same type of earthquake as the one that struck off the coast of Aomori Monday. There's been seismic activity in the area since Monday's magnitude 7.5.
There have been several quakes with a magnitude of at least six, including this one.
00:01:10 話者 1
That Monday quake prompted the JMA to issue a subsequent earthquake advisory.
The agency is continuing to urge residents to prepare for a possible mega-quake.
WH EXPRESSES HOPE TO KEEP GOOD TIES WITH JAPAN, CHINA
The United States says it can maintain its close partnership with Japan while still pursuing a constructive relationship with China.
A White House spokesperson was responding to a reporter. She had asked if the US is concerned about a conflict involving the Chinese military and Japan.
00:01:41 話者 2
Japan is a great ally of the United States, as evidenced by their personal relationship in our continued trade relations with Japan.
With respect to China, the President also has a good working relationship with President Xi, which he believes is a good thing for our country.
And he believes that the United States should be in a position to have a good working relationship with China while maintaining our very strong alliance with Japan.
00:02:06 話者 1
A remark last month from Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae triggered a sharp response from China.
She said a possible Taiwan emergency involving the use of force could be considered a situation threatening the survival of Japan.
Last Saturday, at least one Chinese fighter jet aimed its radar intermittently at a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force aircraft.
Beijing has also urged its nationals to refrain from traveling to Japan.
JAPAN, US DEFENSE CHIEFS SHARE CONCERNS OVER CHINA INCIDENT
The defense chiefs of Japan and the United States have shared serious concerns over the recent radar incident.
Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held telephone talks for about 40 minutes on Friday, Japan time.
Koizumi said Japan will continue to diligently carry out patrols and surveillance around the country and to respond calmly and resolutely to contingencies.
The two chiefs shared the view that China's act is not conducive to regional peace and stability. They agreed to closely communicate with each other.
Koizumi and Hegseth also reaffirmed their countries will work with a sense of urgency to enhance the Japan-US alliance's deterrence and response capabilities.
Koizumi later spoke to reporters.
00:03:27 話者 9
Japan will continue to appropriately convey its position to the international community.
We will also strongly urge China to prevent a recurrence.
00:03:37 話者 1
The two plan to make arrangements for Koizumi to visit the US as early as the beginning of next year for talks with Hexeth.
CONCERNS GROW IN CHINA ABOUT IMPACT OF STRAINED TIES WITH JAPAN
With China's backlash against the recent remark by Prime Minister Takaichi has raised concerns about a drop in Chinese tourists to Japan. But in China, there are similar concerns that the flow of people from Japan could also dry up.
00:04:03 話者 3
Japanese pop culture has a thriving presence in China.
But it's one of the first things to feel the impact when relations turn sour.
The release of at least two Japanese films has recently been postponed.
State-run media say the decision was made cautiously based on the sentiment of local audiences. The Shanghai International Comedy Festival is being held until January, but all four performances by Japanese entertainers have been canceled.
So have concerts by popular singers.
Concerns are rising even at places that have long welcomed Japanese visitors.
This giant panda research center is located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
Over 50 Japanese tourists visited on several tours in November.
It is the home of Fu Hin, a female panda who arrived in June after living since birth in Wakayama prefecture, western Japan.
00:05:09 話者 9
Happy birthday to you.
00:05:12 話者 3
Visitors celebrate Fu Hin's fifth birthday. The company that organized the party runs regular tours for panda lovers from Japan, costing around $1,000.
However, an estimated 15% of reservations for tours to panda research centers were canceled in just a month.
The main reason appears to be the sharp drops in flights between the two countries.
00:05:40 話者 4
Customers are worried about things like the uncertainty of flight cancellations.
Cancellations in December are clearly up.
00:05:50 話者 3
The admission fees to these facilities go toward research on breeding and conservation.
A drop-off in visitors could seriously hurt that.
00:06:01 話者 4
I'm worried that the unstable relations between the two countries will cause Japanese people to stop coming to see the pandas. I hope the disruption is only temporary.
00:06:13 話者 3
It will take some time for the economic impact on the two countries to show up in the data. But there are already concerns about the drawn-out effects on private sector exchanges. People in China are watching the situation closely, with some unease.
TIME PICKS AI LEADERS AS '2025 PERSON OF THE YEAR'
00:06:39 話者 1
TIME has named leading figures in artificial intelligence development as its 2025 Person of the Year.
The US magazine released a cover image with the title, The Architects of AI on Thursday.
It features an AI-made illustration based on an iconic photograph of New York City in the 1930s. The image includes eight CEOs of high-tech firms, including OpenAI's Sam Altman and Nvidia's Jensen Huang.
TIME says the Trump administration has encouraged AI investments.
The magazine also describes how Trump wields AI in diplomacy, such as using Nvidia's chips as leverage in trade negotiations with China and for strengthening ties with the Middle East.
TIME states that AI emerged as arguably the most consequential tool in great power competition since the advent of nuclear weapons.
It mentions improved workplace productivity and convenience, but also some of AI's negative aspects, such as job losses and addiction to the technology.
DISNEY TO LICENSE CHARACTERS TO OPENAI
While AI is also spreading into the entertainment industry, The Walt Disney Company has announced it has reached a licensing agreement with OpenAI, allowing the startup to use its characters in the video generator, Sora.
Disney announced a three-year agreement on Thursday. The deal allows Sora users to make short videos featuring more than 200 Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse and Cinderella.
Disney says it will also make a $1 billion investment into OpenAI and use the startup's products in its work.
CEO Robert Iger says the deal will help the company extend the reach of our storytelling while respecting and protecting creators.
The agreement is seen as a change in approach by the entertainment industry, which has expressed concerns about the impact of AI on jobs and copyright.
TRUMP TALKS WITH EUROPEAN LEADERS
US President Donald Trump is making another effort to broker a peace deal in Ukraine.
He spoke with European leaders by phone about the latest proposal from Kyiv.
Trump says he used strong words with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany.
He says they asked Washington to attend a meeting this weekend.
Axios reports it is scheduled for Saturday in Paris.
00:09:02 話者 2
If there is a real chance of signing a peace agreement, if we feel like those meetings are worthy of someone on the United States's time this weekend, then we will send a representative.
00:09:14 話者 1
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters about the latest proposal.
He says it includes a 20 point framework to end the conflict.
There are separate documents on security guarantees.
Zelenskyy also spoke about holding a referendum on any territorial concessions.
Trump has warned him that he has to be realistic.
And Trump has accused him of using the war as an excuse to avoid a presidential election.
But Zelenskyy says they're ready to hold one.
He says it would take place within 90 days if the US and Europe can guarantee security.
An election scheduled for last year was postponed due to martial law.
MACHADO, IN OSLO, CALLS TRUMP'S ACTIONS 'DECISIVE'
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has appeared in public in Oslo.
She's this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, but she missed her earlier award ceremony.
00:10:05 話者 4
I want to take advantage of your question to thank all those men and women that risked their lives so that I could be here today.
00:10:17 話者 1
She says pressure from US President Trump's administration is important for bringing change to Venezuela.
00:10:25 話者 4
In our case, I believe that President Trump's actions have been decisive to reach the point where we are right now, in which the regime is weaker than ever.
00:10:37 話者 1
She asked for support from democratic nations to cut resources that come from illegal activities and the support of repressive approaches.
Now, how she got to Norway remains vague.
A Wall Street Journal report says the Trump administration was aware of the efforts to help her escape Venezuela, but it adds the extent of its involvement was unclear.
It quotes a person close to the operation as saying she went by fishing boat to the Caribbean island of Curacao.
Trump says he wouldn't be happy if she got arrested.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's administration has warned that Machado would be treated as a fugitive if she left the country.
But Machado says she will return to Venezuela when she finishes the things that she came out to do and the conditions are right.
JAPANESE NOBEL WINNERS CALL FOR RESEARCH SUPPORT
Japan's two newest Nobel Prize laureates say there needs to be more support for scientific research. They spoke after receiving their awards in Stockholm.
The Japanese embassy held a news conference with Sakaguchi Shimon and Kitagawa Susumu on Thursday.
Sakaguchi is a co-winner in physiology or medicine, while Kitagawa won in chemistry.
They first posed with their commemorative medals, which were presented by the Swedish king.
00:11:58 話者 2
We received our medals one by one. That's when it finally hit me that I won a Nobel Prize.
00:12:09 話者 1
Kitagawa says more long-term support is needed. For scientists in Japan, he says it takes at least 20 years of research to potentially win a Nobel Prize.
Sakaguchi echoed the sentiment.
00:12:26 話者 8
It's true that for basic science in Japan now, there's less support than there was in the past.
00:12:39 話者 1
He added that researchers should also promote their work to get funding instead of relying on receiving assistance.
BUSINESS
And now let's see what's happening in the world of business.
Here's Rami Malegaard from the BizDesk.
00:12:54 話者 5
Thank you very much indeed.
JAPAN BANKS GREENLIGHT $12.8 BIL. LOAN FOR CHIPMAKER RAPIDUS
Now, Japanese semiconductor maker Rapidus has secured more funding in its ambitious drive to mass-produce cutting-edge chips.
Three local megabanks have reportedly agreed to provide loans of up to 2 trillion yen, or about 12.8 billion dollars.
Sources say MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Mizuho Bank had informed Rapidus of the offer by Thursday.
The loans are expected to start in or after fiscal 2027.
Rapidus is aiming to raise nearly 45 billion dollars to cover investment through fiscal 2031.
The money will be used to mass-produce two nanometer chips and develop even more advanced 1.4 nanometer chips. The funding plan came to light last month.
The Japanese government is already on board. It has pledged funding of 642 million dollars with an additional 6.4 billion to follow starting in fiscal 2021.
That brings the total government support to more than $17.9 billion.
The focus for investors now is whether Rapidus will be able to deliver results that match the significant support from the public and private sectors.
CHINA'S NEW VEHICLE SALES RISE ON STRONG EV DEMAND, EXPORTS
China's new vehicle sales rose in November, on the back of robust demand for electric models and soaring exports.
The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers says sales, including exports, rose more than 3% year-on-year to just over 3.4 million units.
Sales of electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles jumped over 20% to account for more than half of last month's total.
That was mainly due to government incentives for consumers to switch to so-called new energy vehicles.
Total exports, including gasoline-powered vehicles, surged more than 48% to almost 730,000 units. But the Chinese market faces uncertainty.
The business environment is getting tougher for both automakers and dealers as price competition intensifies.
Meanwhile, some local governments have decided to cut subsidies for consumers who replace their gas-powered cars with NEVs.
BIZ PICKS
OK, now NHK World's John LaDue is here with Biz Picks.
00:15:35 話者 6
Let's look at the upcoming business and economic stories we'll track in the week ahead.
On Friday, the Bank of Japan comes out with its monetary policy decision.
Many in the market are expecting the BOJ to hike its key rate for the first time since January this year.
In the US, the focus will be on Thursday's release of the Consumer Price Index for November.
The figure for October has not been released because of the partial government shutdown, but inflation has been hovering around 3% from a year earlier.
This comes as the year-end shopping season is in full swing.
SPENDING 'POLARIZATION' POSES RISK FOR US ECONOMY
For this edition of BizPicks, we'll look at what spending trends say about the overall health of the US economy.
In New York, stores are jammed with shoppers amid the holiday season.
A retail industry group forecasts sales in November to December to exceed $1 trillion for the first time.
An expert agrees that US consumers are still eager to spend, although their enthusiasm may be down a bit from last year.
He's also concerned about what some see as a growing polarization among shoppers.
00:16:52 話者 2
High-income earners making more than $200,000 a year are willing to spend and feel they have enough to do so. But for others, it's a bit tough. Young people, especially Gen. Z are more cautious, and many are said to have set a smaller budget for Christmas gifts compared to last year.
00:17:13 話者 6
Kato says a rise in stock prices has benefited high-income households, and they are spending more on luxury items such as jewelry and designer clothing.
On the other hand, many mid- to low-income consumers are limiting their budgets or waiting for prices to drop.
Kato points to the impact of the Trump administration's tariff hikes on lower-income households.
00:17:41 話者 2
The ratio of income spent on items like food tends to be higher for lower-income families.
This makes them vulnerable to the higher tariffs.
Their wage growth is also significantly slower compared to skilled workers in high-paying sectors. Affordability for them has fallen far below the economy-wide standard.
00:18:02 話者 6
Kato says this polarization of spending could be a risk for the US economy.
Even if consumption appears solid from a macroeconomic viewpoint, companies targeting lower-income households could see worsening performance and hiring limits.
He adds the possibility of a sudden drop in share prices is another concern.
Kato says spending among lower-income families is unlikely to recover until we see both a stabilization of prices and a stronger job market.
00:18:37 話者 2
Labor demand is slowing as businesses adjust their employment to cover higher tariff costs.
I believe this will continue through the middle of 2026, as will moves to pass on costs to consumers. The overall economy likely won't recover until this trend ends.
00:18:56 話者 6
Now, an added uncertainty is the direction of the Trump administration's policies ahead of US midterm elections next year.
A major shift, especially on global trade, could dampen consumer confidence.
I'm John Ladue, and that was BizPicks.
MARKETS
00:19:14 話者 5
Okay, let's get a check on the markets.
♪
And that's it for business news.
SLIPPERY SLOPE: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GRAPPLES WITH EEL BOOM
00:19:58 話者 1
Eel is big business in Japan, but concerns are growing over how to keep the global supply sustainable.
A recent international meeting on the endangered species trade even considered a proposal to regulate all varieties of eel.
In this next report, we see how one eel-rich Caribbean country is trying to balance economy with ecology.
00:20:21 話者 4
When the sun sets in this town on the Dominican Republic's northern coast, that's when the eel fishes come out. Clutching large nets, they gather at the mouth of a river.
Their headlamps illuminate the water, revealing their tiny but lucrative target, juvenile American eels.
00:20:43 話者 2
We have to keep pulling up our nets all night.
I've heard these eels are eaten in the US, Japan, and China.
00:20:59 話者 4
At almost 500 US dollars per kilogram,
Fishers can earn about one-tenth the average monthly income in just two hours.
Alejandro Gonzalez drives a bus by day and harvests eel by night.
He says his family suffers health problems, so the added income has become a lifeline.
00:21:30 話者 9
If I go fishing, and earn at least 2,000 pesos. I can get the medicine and things I need.
00:21:43 話者 4
Despite being a world away, fishes like Alejandro are the origin for much of the eel-adorning Japanese rice bowls.
Juvenile American eels are one of three varieties brought to farms in China, then exported to Japan.
They now account for around 70% of farm stock because Japanese eels have become scarce and the European variety is subject to stricter regulations.
But the boom can only go on while supplies last.
Local fishing cooperatives know they need to be careful.
00:22:19 話者 2
In recent years, juvenile eel fishing has been carried out without any limits.
with rivers stripped of their resources for profit.
00:22:32 話者 4
Two years ago, the Dominican Republic began limiting permits to designated cooperatives to stop overfishing. It also placed a cap on juvenile eel exports.
00:22:44 話者 2
We're monitoring the situation to ensure fishing isn't affected and that the current boom can be sustained.
00:22:52 話者 4
But there are other challenges, including smuggling operations in the region.
Last year, Dominican authorities seized an illicit shipment from Haiti containing about 60,000 young eels.
Even as supplies face threats from criminal enterprises, officials say they do not want to disrupt the boon.
00:23:15 話者 6
As a nation, we don't want to impose bans that would deprive Dominican fishermen of their income.
Our goal is to protect the species while promoting orderly, sustainable fishing at the same time.
00:23:34 話者 4
Starting next year, the country will enact new regulations around American eel exports under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
Certificates of origin will become mandatory, including for batches from other countries like Haiti.
Officials hope it will give them a leg up against the smugglers and poachers so that a cash crop linking Caribbean fishes with Asian diners doesn't slip away.
WEATHER
00:24:04 話者 1
And now it's time for world weather. A Siberian cold air mass is gripping much of Northeast Asia, and our meteorologist, Yumi Hirano, has the details.
00:24:13 話者 7
People in Beijing experienced the coldest day of the season so far. The high rise only minus 1.1 degrees on Friday.
Cold air also brought heavy snow to northern Japan.
45 centimeters in just 12 hours has been reported in Miyagi Prefecture, setting a record.
The winter storm has created some disruptions in Japan.
Snow is falling across northern Japan. In Hokkaido, eight trains between Sapporo and New-Chitose Airport and 18 flights have been canceled due to the weather.
In Niigata City, strong winds were reported with gusts reaching about 90 kilometers per hour.
All ferries between Niigata City and Sado Island have been canceled due to the conditions.
Heavy snow and blizzard conditions are expected to continue in northern Japan on Friday, and another system has brought heavy snow to northern China, including Beijing, and it's now moving toward the Korean Peninsula.
So snow is likely in Seoul.
Tokyo will see sunny skies in the morning, but showers will arrive by Saturday night.
Moving to the United States, cold air is bringing winter conditions.
Heavy snow is possible in the northern plains.
Over 30 centimeters of snow is expected in Montana by Saturday.
and while below average temperatures will also be a concern.
The high in Chicago will drop to -10 on Saturday and -11 on Sunday.
New York and Washington will see freezing temperatures with snowy conditions on Sunday.
And Atlanta are expected to face big temperature changes from 17 on Saturday to only 5 on Sunday.
That's it for now. Stay warm.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:38 話者 1
And that's a wrap for this edition of NHK Newsline. We will have more for you soon.
Thank you very much for joining us.
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