Welcome back to NHK Newsline. Here's the latest we have for you at this hour.
YOMIURI GIANTS MANAGER ABE RESIGNS AFTER ARREST
The manager of Japanese professional baseball team, the Yomiuri Giants, has resigned after being arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting his daughter.
Abe Shinosuke was released and held a press conference to apologize.
00:00:33 話者 2/Abe Shinnosuke
Because of a personal family matter of mine, I have caused great concern and trouble to many baseball fans, to people involved in professional baseball, and to the organization.
I have also tarnished the title of manager of the proud and storied Giants Club.
I would like to offer my sincerest apology. I am truly sorry.
00:01:13 話者 1
Abe has admitted to allegations including that he pushed down his 18-year-old daughter.
He apparently was trying to mediate a fight between her and a younger sister at the family's home in Tokyo's Shibuya ward.
Police arrested him after receiving a report from a local child guidance center.
Sources say the daughter asked Generative AI what to do and it gave her the center's contact information. She then called the facility.
The sources add alcohol was later detected on Abe's breath.
Authorities say they are continuing their investigation.
A lawyer also read out a letter by Abe's daughter.
She expressed regret for the incident and said she was ashamed it escalated into such a big issue. She also said she had already made-up with her father.
The 47-year-old Abe joined the Miyomyori Giants in 2001.
As a player, he had over 2,000 hits and 400 home runs.
This was his third season managing the team.
ANALYSIS: YOMIURI GIANTS MANAGER ABE'S RESIGNATION
For more on this, I spoke with NHK World sports correspondent Ganda Koji.
Koji, this news has really drawn a lot of attention.
00:02:23 話者 3/Ganda Koji
Yes, Abe Shinnosuke's arrest and resignation has sent a shockwave across Japan today.
Baseball is one of the most popular sports here.
About 27 million people come out to watch baseball games at the stadiums every year.
And the Yomiuri Giants are one of the most well-known Japanese teams, comparable to the New York Yankees in the US.
They are the longest running team in pro-Japanese baseball.
And Abe has been a significant figure in pro baseball for many, many years.
00:03:02 話者 1
Abe has resigned shortly after being released. Why do you think that this happened so fast?
00:03:07 話者 3
Well, he might have thought that he needed to act quickly for the sake of the team and its reputation.
Abe told reporters that he has damaged the title of manager of the Yomiuri giants.
Remember, He's been involved with this team since first joining as a player 25 years ago.
His comments suggest how special the team is both to him and to Japanese baseball in general.
00:03:37 話者 1
Well, where might things go from here?
00:03:40 話者 3
Well, this has already been a big blow to the team's public image, so I would expect the team to be very careful in choosing its next manager.
So it could take some time before they make any sort of decision.
FOREIGN STUDENT BOOM SPARKS DEMAND FOR LANGUAGE CLASSES
00:04:04 話者 1
More people are moving to Japan from abroad, and as the number of foreign residents goes up, so too does the need to help kids learn the language of their new home.
More than 84,000 children required language support last year, nearly doubling over the past decade.
As NHK World's Mitsui Shoko reports, local governments are struggling to keep up with the surge.
00:04:30 話者 4/Mitsui Shoko
Learning Japanese is hard, and the kids who come to this school know that firsthand.
The students who need help are from around the world, including China, Mongolia and the Philippines.
They are part of a growing number of children making Tokyo's Adachi world their new home.
But there's a major barrier for them: keeping up with their classmates, who all grew up speaking the language.
So the world created what they call Japanese study rooms in 2020.
Kids from different public schools gather at these centers several days a week.
With so much demand, this study room was filled up with more than 60 students last fiscal year. It was so popular, the world opened up another location nearby last month.
Students might start lessons here at any time during the year.
The manager says the problem is that Japanese language skills vary from student to student.
00:05:37 話者 5/Osakabe Tetsuya/Manager, Adachi Japanese Language Room
There was no guidance about what kind of textbooks or curriculum we should use.
The room started as a total trial and error.
I hope we'll start to see some guidelines on these things.
00:05:49 話者 4
Osaka Betetsuya says although the study room has had its challenges, he hopes it leads to his students getting into high school and integrating into Japanese society.
If they do, the benefits are worth the struggle. Mitsui Shoko, NHK World.
ANALYSIS: JAPAN'S FUTURE HINGES ON BRIDGING LANGUAGE GAP
00:06:09 話者 1
While study rooms are one solution for language learning, earlier I spoke with NHK World's Arakawa Maho to hear about other ways to meet this rising demand.
Maho, we've seen what local governments are doing to help the newcomers learn Japanese. Can you tell us what more is happening on a brighter scale?
00:06:30 話者 6
Well, Japan's education ministry asked an expert panel for advice.
They released a draft report Monday calling for even more ways to tackle the issue.
The panel says language classes are key, but they are not enough by themselves.
So they made a few other recommendations.
Notably, they are calling for local governments to set up pre-classes for newly arrived children on a national scale.
These programs would allow the kids to learn basic Japanese as well as customs that might be strange and new to them, like school lunches, student-led cleaning, and school events.
Some schools already have this, that there is no standard model for local governments to follow.
00:07:20 話者 1
Well, are there any other challenges in ruling out these changes?
00:07:24 話者 6
There are. Funding is one problem.
The panel says the Japanese government needs to make sure that municipalities have enough money to run these expanded programs.
Finding enough skilled teachers is another issue.
Foreign children used to live mostly in urban areas like Tokyo and Osaka.
That's no longer the case. Labor shortages caused by population decline and Asian has led to a need for foreign workers in all parts of the country.
But in regional areas, there are fewer teachers who are trained to teach Japanese as a second language. or help these children settle into their new home.
So the panel says teacher training at universities should include classes on how to educate foreign children.
00:08:20 話者 1
Well, how are the students themselves doing in this current system?
00:08:24 話者 6
Right now, foreign students tend to drop out of high school a bit more often, and they are also less likely to enroll in university.
The panel says they need more guidance on building their careers.
One expert I spoke to noted how important that is, not just for these kids and their futures, but for Japanese society as a whole.
She said the time will come when Japan's industries simply can't function without foreign workers.
00:08:59 話者 7/Yoshida Miho/Professor, Hirosaki University
Population decline is a serious problem.
So it's crucial that children who move here with their families gain enough understanding of the Japanese language and society and learn how the system works.
They need to be able to study and live well within this society.
I think this will have a big impact on Japan's future.
00:09:30 話者 6
The influx of children moving to Japan is a lot of change in a short period of time for the Japanese education system.
That's why the panel believes it's crucial for these suggestions to be taken seriously.
IRAN CONFLICT
TRUMP SAYS TALKS 'PROCEEDING NICELY' AMID US STRIKES
00:10:05 話者 1
US President Donald Trump says negotiations toward a peace deal with Iran are proceeding nicely.
But on that same day, the US military also carried out what it called self-defense strikes against Iranian forces.
Trump wrote on social media on Monday, he said it will only be a great deal for all or no deal at all.
He also threatened a return to hostilities, which he said would be bigger and stronger than before.
Also on Monday, US Central Command told NHK that US forces had struck a number of Iranian targets.
They include missile launch sites and ships they claimed were laying mines.
Captain Tim Hawkins of CENTCOM told CNN they were self-defense strikes to protect US troops.
Fox News cited two additional sources as saying the strikes do not mean the ceasefire is over.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismael Baghi also gave an update on Monday.
In a briefing, he said the talks are progressing, but an agreement is not yet imminent.
Baghi said Iran is not seeking to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but he said it is necessary to collect fees to provide navigation assistance and environmental protection measures.
Baghui also emphasized that negotiators are not currently discussing specifics on the nuclear issue.
CNN cited US officials who say that has been a sticking point.
Disputes over the language around Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions have reportedly held up the finalization of a deal.
But they also said there's optimism those differences will be resolved relatively soon.
Multiple Iranian media outlets say officials arrived in Qatar Monday for talks.
They include Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baghir Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqshi.
They are reportedly scheduled to meet Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The agenda will focus on ending the conflict with the US and removing sanctions.
PAKISTAN: US-IRAN DEAL CLOSE
It comes as mediator Pakistan held its own meeting.
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Beijing.
Their talks included the US-Iran negotiations with Pakistan suggesting a deal is close.
Xi and Sharif sat down together on Monday.
The meeting follows recent summits that Xi has hosted with the US and Russia.
The Chinese president expressed appreciation for Pakistan's proactive role in mediating the restoration of peace in the Middle East.
Sharif said his country will cooperate with China to promote peace and stability.
Sharif was accompanied by army chief Asim Munir, who was recently in Tehran for talks with the Iranian leadership.
He told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a separate meeting that Tehran and Washington are closing in on an agreement.
JAPANESE-OWNED VESSEL TRAVERSES STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Meanwhile, ships are managing to traverse the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan's Transport Minister Kaneko Yasushi says another Japanese-owned vessel passed through the waterway.
00:13:24 話者 5/Kaneko Yasushi
I was told that a ship linked to Japan passed through the Strait of Hormuz Monday.
And I was informed that 38 ships linked to Japan remain in the Persian Gulf.
00:13:37 話者 1
Mitsui OSK Lines confirmed it was its liquefied natural gas tanker Fuairito that crossed the waterway. It did not disclose the vessel's destination.
Kaneko said securing the safety of Japanese-linked ships and crew is the utmost priority.
He said he will continue to work closely with relevant government departments to collect and share information.
WAR IN UKRAINE
RUSSIA URGES FOREIGN DIPLOMATS TO LEAVE KYIV
Russia has warned Ukraine that Moscow will begin systemic strikes on Kyiv and has urged foreign diplomats to leave the city immediately.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that Moscow's patience has been exhausted.
The ministry said Russian armed forces will target defense industry enterprises and decision-making centers in the Ukrainian capital.
The statement urges foreign citizens, including diplomats and representatives of international organizations to leave Kyiv as soon as possible.
It also advises residents not to approach military and administrative facilities.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told reporters Monday that Ukraine must not give in to this Russian blackmail.
00:14:52 話者 5/Andrii Sybiha
Moscow's move is a mockery of all peace efforts.
Russia is escalating the situation and showing no sign of engaging in the peace process.
The international community also needs to take appropriate action.
00:15:05 話者 1
Moscow said the move is in response to a Ukrainian drone attack last week on an academic building and student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region.
Moscow says the attack killed 21 people and wounded more than 40.
Ukraine's security service said its targets in Luhansk had included a drone base and a building belonging to authorities and caused more than 80 casualties.
On Sunday, a large-scale Russian strike against Ukraine left four people dead in Kyiv and elsewhere.
The Russian defense ministry said it used various weapons, including a new ballistic missile.
Moscow claimed the assault was in retaliation for Ukraine's strikes on civilian facilities on Russian territory.
BUSINESS
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business.
Here's Ramin Mellegard from the BizDesk.
00:16:04 話者 8/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
IRAN CONFLICT
JAPAN TAPS ¥510 BIL. TO EASE HOUSEHOLD ENERGY BILLS
Now, Japan is allocating billions of dollars to ease household energy costs this summer.
The policy reflects a jump in fuel prices due to the Iran conflict.
The government approved the move at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
It will spend about 510 billion yen or $3.2 billion to help pay for electricity and gas bills from July to September.
The money will come from contingency funds of 1 trillion yen set aside in the current fiscal year budget.
Now officials say the spending will reduce gas and electricity costs at an average household by about 5,000 yen over the three months.
That's equivalent to a little over $31.
Finance Minister Katayama Satsuki says the government is monitoring energy supply from the Middle East. She said appropriate steps will be taken to shield the national economy from any adverse effects.
The government plans to introduce a supplementary budget bill to the Diet next week as the spending will cut the contingency fund in half.
The bill will be worth 3.1 trillion yen or about 19 and a half billion dollars.
JAPAN CALLS FOR SUMMER ENERGY-SAVING EFFORTS 'AS USUAL'
Meanwhile, the government is asking households and businesses to take measures to cut energy use this summer, but no more than in other years.
00:17:30 話者 18/Akazawa Ryosei
Japan has secured all the crude oil and liquefied natural gas it needs for now, so we're not at the stage of asking for additional energy-saving efforts.
00:17:42 話者 8
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akazawa Ryosei said people should do their best to conserve energy as usual, but he said it shouldn't be to the extent that everyday lives and the economy are adversely affected.
Akazawa gave the example of raising the temperature setting on air conditioners slightly, which could cut household electricity bills by about 5%.
Lowering lighting levels in rooms could save roughly 3%.
Akazawa also said gradually accelerating when moving off in a car is also estimated to improve fuel efficiency by about 10%.
PRUDENTIAL LIFE TAKES $29 MIL. HIT OVER STAFF MISCONDUCT
Japan's Prudential Life Insurance says it has set aside tens of millions of dollars to compensate customers affected by employee misconduct.
The company booked an extraordinary loss of about 4.7 billion yen or over $29 million in fiscal 2025.
It emerged in January that individuals working for the insurer and some former employees had misappropriated customer funds.
The scandal prompted Prudential Life to suspend sales of new policies until November.
It also set up an independent panel of specialists to confirm the damage incurred by customers and the appropriate compensation.
The unit of US-based Prudential Financial previously said the misappropriations amounted to about 3.1 billion yen or roughly $20 million.
But more customers have since filed claims and the figure has risen sharply.
Prudential Life reported a 52% drop in net profit to 28.2 billion yen or about $177 million for the fiscal year that ended in March.
The insurer has said it is carrying out fundamental structural reform and the independent panel is continuing to assess compensation cases.
SOUTH KOREA SERVES ITS LATEST HIT: K-FOOD
Japan's food exports hit a record $10.6 billion last year, powered by global cravings for sushi, snacks, and more.
But one regional neighbor is quickly catching up, riding the wave of K-pop, K-beauty.
South Korea is serving up its next cultural export, K-food.
00:20:11 話者 9/Narrator: Kitadai Hiroko/Reporter: Ishii Riki
This new store in Seoul caters to foreign tourists.
K-Food Lab offers more than 150 varieties of ramen.
Korean ramen is characterized by its spicy broth and chewy noodles.
The instant noodles make up the biggest slice of South Korea's food exports.
And with dramas showing characters slurping ramen becoming streaming hits, the noodles are getting plenty of global close-ups.
00:20:47 話者 28/From China
It's just like a drama.
00:20:51 話者 29/From Japan
I came to find exactly what I see on TV.
00:20:55 話者 9
Ramen exports have more than doubled over the past five years, reaching a record high last year of more than $1.5 billion.
The government even helped organize a ramen expo in the hopes of turning instant noodles into instant business.
Officials teamed up with the private sector to bring in more than 30 buyers from the Middle East, Southeast Asia and other promising markets.
One importer from Turkey said that even with big differences in food culture, South Korean products are proving irresistible.
00:21:36 話者 23/Ufuk Tulunay/Manager, Spicy Seoul
Young people in Turkey are glued to K-dramas and eat ramen day and night.
00:21:46 話者 22/Yang Myeong-hwan/Executive Director, Can
South Korean culture is spreading more widely than we ever imagined.
I want to help make K-food even more popular.
00:21:56 話者 9
Seaweed is also riding the K-food wave.
It set its own record last year, with exports reaching $1.13 billion.
The South Korean variety is seasoned with salt and sesame oil, giving it a distinct flavor.
This company already exports to the United States, Thailand, Russia, and 10 other countries, and is hungry for more.
Their products are low in calories and rich in nutrients, making them the go-to snack for health-conscious shoppers.
The company is tailoring products especially for the US and Southeast Asian markets.
And they're preparing to enter Africa as part of a plan to reach 50 countries by 2030.
00:22:52 話者 24/Cho Myoung-choo/CEO, Haenong
South Korean seaweed is loved around the world.
We're studying different markets as we develop new products and export strategies, aiming to become the world's largest producer.
00:23:05 話者 9
The government has designated food exports as a strategic industry.
and hopes to cook up new synergy with cultural exports like TV dramas and movies to expand its global reach.
00:23:20 話者 8
And that's it for business news.
WEATHER
00:23:30 話者 1
It is time for us to check the weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh.
So Jonathan, we've seen a lot of rain in western parts of Japan. Can you tell us more?
00:23:40 話者 10/Jonathan Oh
Hello, we've been talking a lot about the heat that has been in the story in terms of the weather in Japan, but it's also rainy season in some portions of the country.
I want to show you some video coming out of Amami, where we are seeing some rain taking place as the rainy season front is bringing heavy rain.
And on Tuesday, over 110 millimeters of rain fell on just one day in Naseo, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, with footage
you'll see in just a bit showing swollen rivers due to the heavy rainfall.
JMA also reported more than 160 millimeters of rainfall in Yakushima town as the front moved northward.
Residents are being urged to remain vigilant to potential floods and landslides.
So we'll still keep an eye out on the rain that is taking place and now spread toward the east as we're talking about rain into places like Tokyo by Thursday.
And so that's something that we'll be looking out for.
So have the umbrella nearby, though, if you're wondering, is it going to cool off all that much?
No, it's probably going to actually feel a little bit steamier outside, the heat and humidity mixing on through here.
And temperatures near 30, if not above 30 in places like Tokyo as we head toward the weekend.
Sapporo, you'll get a little bit of relief in terms of the temperatures with the rain coming in later this week.
Speaking of some rain, we're keeping an eye out on a tropical depression east of the Philippines.
It's, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, likely to become more like a tropical storm as we head toward Wednesday, but getting stronger.
And for those of you Okinawa might want to keep an eye out on this system as we go into the week and you might be starting to see some effects as the storm gathers up together.
We have to get there next few days to organize itself before it starts to move toward the north and west.
Quick note on Europe, big high pressure system just right on top of the center portion of the content, meaning it's going to be hot and dry.
Areas to the west seeing highs in the mid 30s on Tuesday from London, 35 in Paris, 33 in
Roman 36 in Lisbon, so stay cool as we see the temperatures rise.
Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
'DISGUISED' FESTIVALGOERS HAND OUT SAKE IN YAMAGATA
00:26:33 話者 1
And one last story before we go.
Well, groups of disguised people known as Bakemono roamed around the city in Yamagata Prefecture handing out drinks to visitors.
About 1,800 of them joined the Tsuruoka Tenmangu Shrine's Tenjin Festival.
The event dates back to about 300 years.
The shrine is dedicated to an ancient scholar, Sugawara no Michizane.
People with their faces covered by straw hats and towels plied visitors with sake and other drinks.
Well, this recalls a legend that when Sugawara no Michizane was to be exiled, his supporters drank with him in disguise to see him off.
00:27:25 話者 31
They are doing their part by marching around, so I want to cheer them on by drinking a lot too.
00:27:33 話者 1
It is said that if disguised people take part for three years in a row without being identified, their dreams will come true.
And that wraps up this edition of NHK NewsLine. We'll have more for you soon.
Thanks for joining us.
cheched.
NHK World
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