From our studios in Tokyo, this is NHK Newsline. I'm Ross Mihara.
NASA: ISS CREW TO RETURN EARLY DUE TO MEDICAL ISSUE
US Space Agency NASA says a four-member crew on the International Space Station will come home early due to medical reasons.
It's the first time this has happened in the 25-year history of the ISS.
NASA says one of the astronauts experienced a serious health issue apparently caused by microgravity.
They will return to Earth for diagnosis and treatment, along with their three crewmates.
00:00:40 話者 2
The health and the well-being of our astronauts is always and will be our highest priority.
And I know NASA and our commercial partners will successfully bring Crew-11 safely home.
00:00:50 話者 1
Details about the element, as well as the crew members' identity, are being withheld for privacy reasons. The crew includes Japanese astronaut Yui Kimiya.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says he has no health issues.
Yui and the others boarded the space station last August and were scheduled to leave in mid-February or later.
NASA says it expects to decide on their new departure date in the coming days.
One American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts will remain on the ISS to continue the mission.
TRUMP SUGGESTS POSSIBLE ATTACK IF IRAN KILLS PROTESTERS
US President Donald Trump has warned that his country could take military action if Iranian authorities start killing their citizens, including those taking to the streets.
Protests have taken place across Iran since late last month.
People are complaining about soaring prices due partly to sanctions imposed by Western countries.
The Tasnim news agency is linked to the country's armed forces.
It reported that 11 people have been killed in clashes with security forces.
A US human rights group put the number at 42.
In an interview with a media outlet on Thursday, Trump declined to answer whether he is aiming at the collapse of the Iranian government, but he added that if the country starts killing people, which he says it tends to do during riots, then we're going to hit them very hard.
NYT: TRUMP SAYS US COULD RUN COUNTRY FOR YEARS
Trump says he expects the US could be running Venezuela and extracting its oil for years.
He made the comments during an interview with the New York Times in the Oval Office.
The paper says Trump wouldn't give a precise time range for how long the US would oversee Venezuela, and when asked if it would be months or longer than a year, he said it would be much longer.
Trump also remained focused on Venezuela's oil industry.
He says the US will be using the oil, taking the oil, getting oil prices down, and giving the money to Venezuela.
Trump rebuffed questions about why he recognized Delsey Rodriguez as Venezuela's new leader. She had been President Nicolas Maduro's vice president.
Trump says that his administration is getting along very well with the leadership there right now.
And he spoke extensively about how he views the US operation to seize Maduro as a big success.
The newspaper says he appeared far more focused on the capture mission than the details of how to navigate Venezuela's future.
Trump also declined to say what might spur him to put US forces on the ground in the country.
US ENERGY CHIEF: ROOM FOR VENEZUELA-CHINA OIL TRADING
The US Energy Secretary has indicated Washington would accept oil trading between Venezuela and China under certain conditions.
This comes despite Beijing's criticisms of Washington's involvement in Venezuela.
Trump announced this week Venezuela will turn over sanctioned oil to the US.
China condemned the move, saying it is a violation of international law and harms the rights of the Venezuelan people.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright spoke about Venezuela and China's oil trade in an interview with Fox Business Network on Thursday.
He said that as long as America's the dominant force there and it controls oil flow, sales between the two countries will be fine.
Wright added Trump wants a peaceful and productive relationship with China going forward and that the country cannot be ignored.
The Trump administration has aimed to stabilize relations with China by agreeing to ease trade friction, among other steps.
Although it maintains a dominant posture over Venezuelan oil, the administration apparently wants to avoid a worsening of ties with Beijing.
MACRON: US GRADUALLY TURNING AWAY FROM SOME ALLIES
Meanwhile, the US moves have prompted growing concern in Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the US is turning away from some allies.
His remarks follow the capture of Maduro and Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland.
00:05:01 話者 2
The United States is an established power, but one that is gradually turning away from some of its allies and freeing itself from international rules it promoted not long ago, whether in trade, certain security matters, or some forums.
00:05:15 話者 1
Macron added that multilateral institutions are becoming less effective.
He said there are great powers with a real temptation to divide up the world.
STEINMEIER: DEMOCRACY UNDER ATTACK
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
meanwhile issued a stark warning on Wednesday.
He said, I believe we simply have to say that democracy is under attack and at risk from within and without as never before.
He cited a rupture in values by our most important partner, the US, a country that he said helped establish the global order.
UKRAINIAN RESILIENCE TESTED AS TENSIONS DERAIL PEACE TALKS
The tensions are threatening to derail the diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting between Ukraine and Russia.
For more on what's happening in Kyiv, earlier I spoke with NHK World's Takasu Eri.
Eri, what's the situation like there?
00:06:11 話者 3
It's quiet right now, but people here are on edge. Despite the push for peace, Russian attacks have not stopped even over the New Year's holidays.
Missiles and drones have been striking targets across Ukraine.
This morning, the mayor of Kyiv says at least four people were killed and 19 injured.
The dead include a paramedic who was responding to a drone attack on an apartment building. Damage to energy facilities had led to planned blackouts.
So residents are often plunged into cold and darkness.
Right now it's about minus seven degrees Celsius, but temperatures can dip into a negative double digits overnight.
I spoke with some residents about the peace process and about Trump and Zelenskyy's meeting last month. Some says they have really lost hope in politics.
People also tell me they're not ready to give up. They say these hardships are still better than Russian occupation, but they want the fighting to stop.
00:07:16 話者 4
I hope the war ends soon and people can live in good health and treat each other with more kindness. I can't help crying. This is so hard.
00:07:29 話者 3
We wish for peace. We want to reclaim all of our land.
We want to bring our people and children back to their parents and relatives.
00:07:39 話者 1
Eri, a lot of determination, but also skepticism about peace talks.
What do we know about where those stand?
00:07:48 話者 3
There's still a lot of distance between Ukraine's Western allies and Russia, especially regarding how peace would be maintained.
This week, the so-called Coalition of the Willing agreed to send a multinational force to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
This deployment will likely involve French and British troops with support from the US.
Moscow has slammed the plan.
It says such a move would be seen as a direct threat and Russia would consider the troops legitimate targets.
This is in addition to ongoing disagreements over how much of Ukraine's territory could be given to Russia to secure a deal.
00:08:31 話者 1
There is also concern over how invested Ukraine's biggest ally remains in all this.
Is that right?
00:08:39 話者 3
Absolutely. US President Donald Trump has previously voiced frustration about mediating between Ukraine and Russia.
Now he's facing many distractions. These includes the events in Venezuela, as well as his stated desire to take over Greenland from Denmark.
These issues disturbed this week's talks in Europe and could cause further friction among Ukraine's allies.
Moreover, there's concern that the recent US pressure over other nations' territory could be used by Moscow to justify its own action in Ukraine.
For his part, Zelenskyy wants to reconvene with Trump soon to keep him engaged in ending this conflict.
00:09:27 話者 2
We will be preparing for a meeting in the United States at the leadership level.
We would like all of this to happen in January, by the end of January.
00:09:41 話者 3
In about a month, people here will mark four years since Russia launched the full-scale invasion of their country.
They'll be looking to their leaders and allies for signs of progress toward peace, or whether this will be another year of struggle and loss.
BUSINESS
00:10:04 話者 1
Let's go to Ramin Mellegard for more business stories.
00:10:08 話者 5
Thank you very much indeed.
CHINA CPI RISES FOR 3RD MONTH AS DEFLATION FEARS PERSIST
Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics show the consumer price index increased 0.8% from a year earlier.
The rise was led by the higher cost of fresh food, including vegetables and beef.
Surging gold prices also made jewelry and accessories more expensive.
But cars and smartphones were sold at lower prices, as the mood among consumers remained frugal.
The Producer Price Index, which measures wholesale inflation, fell 1.9% year-on-year.
The Chinese Communist Party has placed stimulating domestic demand and reining in excessive price competition high on its policy agenda.
JAPAN'S HOUSEHOLD SPENDING REBOUNDED IN NOVEMBER
Household spending in Japan rose in November for the first time in two months.
Outlays on prepared meals and eating out increased as there were more long weekends compared with a year earlier.
The Internal Affairs Ministry says expenditure by households of two or more people rose 2.9% year-on-year after adjusting for inflation.
The average was just over 314,000 yen, or about $2,000.
Spending on food edged up 0.9%, rising for the first time in six months.
Clothing and footwear expenditures rose 7.5% as temperatures dropped.
Increased purchases of medical masks and pharmaceuticals contributed to a 2.6% rise in healthcare spending amid a surge in influenza cases.
GM TAKES $7.1 BIL. CHARGE ON EV SLUMP, CHINA RESTRUCTURING
General Motors says it will book a $7.1 billion charge in the three months through December due to a revamp of its electric vehicle and China strategies.
The US auto giant announced the write-down on Thursday.
It says $6 billion stemmed from EV production cuts as demand slumps in its home market.
The remaining $1.1 billion is related to a restructuring of its China operations.
EV sales fell in the US after President Donald Trump's administration ended tax credits for the vehicles.
The latest charge follows a $1.6 billion EV write-down GM announced in October.
The company says it may book additional charges this year.
US automakers have been forced to drastically overhaul their electric vehicle strategies amid the shift in government policies.
Ford Motor in December said it will book a massive $19.5 billion write-down related to EV operations.
SAMSUNG QUARTERLY SALES, OPERATING PROFIT SET RECORD
Samsung Electronics says sales and operating profit for the three months through December hit record highs for a single quarter.
Analysts cited by local media say global AI demand is driving up demand for the South Korean company's semiconductors.
Samsung released the earnings guidance on Thursday, saying sales for the quarter hit 93 trillion won, or $64 billion.
Operating profit jumped about threefold from the previous year to 20 trillion won, the equivalent of about $14 billion.
Analysts expect Samsung's semiconductor division to maintain its strong performance, adding to further growth in earnings.
NEW WAYS TO ENJOY TRADITIONAL CHINESE LIQUOR
Now, drinking cultures around the world in places such as Japan, Europe, and the US
have been changing as people move away from hard spirits toward low alcohol drinks.
Now, in China, beverage makers are conjuring up new ways to win over young consumers while preserving an age-old tradition.
00:14:12 話者 4
The distilled spirit, Baijiu, has long been seen as China's signature alcoholic beverage.
The fairy drink with an alcohol content of between 40 and 60 percent is set to date back over 1,000 years.
The traditional way of drinking it is straight, at room temperature, allowing for greater relaxation while deepening friendships.
At the historic 1972 ceremony marking the normalization of diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Beijing, when Japan's then-Prime Minister Tanaka Kakue and China's then-Premier Zhou Enlai toasted each other, it was with a glass of baijiu.
But these days, fewer young people are raising glasses of baijiu in cheer.
Instead, they're turning to cocktails, fruit liquors, and other low-alcohol drinks.
Production of baijiu has plummeted by two-thirds over the past eight years.
00:15:19 話者 11
Baijiu has a high alcohol content, and I don't feel good after drinking it.
00:15:24 話者 12
It's too strong and spicy, so I don't usually drink it.
00:15:29 話者 4
In light of the situation, major alcoholic beverage manufacturers are trying to come up with ways to preserve China's traditional tipple.
00:15:40 話者 13
We are constantly updating and improving our beverages.
If we can create a flavor that satisfies everyone's taste, people will drink it.
00:15:51 話者 4
One alcoholic beverage maker has combined baijiu with coffee and tea.
with Baijil Latte and Baijil Milk Tea on the menu at its cafe.
The drinks are mellow-tasting and popular.
In this shopping mall, an ice cream parlor is selling gelato that's infused with Baijil.
Sweet and cool, the aim is to capture the taste buds of young people.
And at this bar, patrons can try baijiu mixed with a variety of fruit liquors and citrus juices, rather than just drinking it straight.
00:16:39 話者 14
It's very easy to drink. Even I, a non-baijiu drinker, can enjoy it.
It doesn't have the typical spiciness. Instead, it has a mellow berry flavor.
00:16:52 話者 15
The response is better than expected. Young people are eager to try Baijiu cocktails.
I want to spread the culture of Baijiu.
00:17:02 話者 4
Amid changing lifestyles, beverage makers, restaurants, and drinking establishments are likely to continue innovating to keep up with consumers' wishes.
MARKETS
00:17:15 話者 5
Okay, let's get a check on the markets.
♪
And that is it for Business News.
♫～
00:18:49 話者 1
Please do access the NHK World Japan website for more details.
HOW TAIWAN IS BECOMING A SPECIALTY COFFEE PLAYER
Taiwan has long been famous for its tea, but it also has a history of cultivating coffee.
And in recent years, there has been a push to turn this local crop into a world-class brew.
00:19:08 話者 4
The Guqing District in Yuling County in central Taiwan is one of the three major coffee-growing regions.
Liu Yi-teng's grandfather began cultivating coffee here over 70 years ago.
00:19:25 話者 2
We hope to connect the industry with the history and culture of coffee in the region.
00:19:33 話者 4
Liu lets members of the public get a taste of that culture in hands-on tours of his farm.
00:19:41 話者 16
The whole thing was fascinating. I'd love to come back.
00:19:47 話者 4
In the global coffee market, Taiwan barely registers.
It produces only around 1,000 tons of beans each year, a tiny fraction of the world's total.
But by focusing on premium varieties, it has gained a reputation among discerning coffee drinkers.
Now, Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture is working to make the industry more competitive internationally.
For the past three years, it has been holding competitions to assess the quality of locally grown coffees.
Judges from Japan and Singapore also take part in the process of evaluating flavor and aroma.
00:20:30 話者 2
I feel Taiwanese coffee has enormous potential to spread throughout the world.
00:20:36 話者 4
In the 2025 competition, the highest accolades went to Fang Chun Lun.
He is a renowned coffee expert who handles every step of the process, from cultivating beans to processing and roasting them.
Fang's beans can sell for as much as 45 dollars per 100 grams, and have found buyers in countries including Japan and the US.
His farm is located 1,200 meters above sea level in the Arishan region, famed as a producer of high-grade tea. That's what Fang's father used to grow.
But after learning that other regions in Taiwan were focusing on coffee, he began cultivating it himself.
At this elevation, temperatures vary widely between day and night, ideal conditions for producing high-quality beans.
Fang runs the whole operation with scientific rigor.
He uses a smartphone app to monitor the farm's 6,000 trees and provide the water they need at the touch of a button.
In June, he began using a state-of-the-art sorting machine made in Taiwan.
It uses image recognition to judge the quality of each individual bean, checking for defects like mold and damage.
00:22:08 話者 2
Scientific data is important, because data management leads to consistent bean quality.
00:22:20 話者 4
Fang has been growing coffee for over 25 years now, and many younger farmers now come to him for advice. Fang hopes to make Alishan the premier coffee-producing region in Asia.
00:22:35 話者 2
Fang is setting an example, and I hope to follow in his footsteps. This is a way for young people to stay in their hometowns and reap economic benefits from their own land.
00:22:52 話者 4
Drawing on its history while looking to the future, Taiwan is quietly building a reputation as a world-class producer of premium coffee, one perfect brew at a time.
JAPAN Sketch
00:23:46 話者 16
We are actually on a photography tour. This is a very interesting place.
It's very beautiful. There's very nice pictures to be taken here.
WEATHER
00:24:07 話者 1
Now it's time to check out the world weather. Parts of Europe are bracing for winter storms. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details.
00:24:16 話者 6
We have to monitor two systems.
One is affecting France and Germany. Another is moving across western Russia to Turkey.
It has already brought heavy snow and strong winds.
Stormy winds blew the roofs of buildings in western Turkey on Thursday.
Officials said 1,000 storm reports were received.
Meanwhile, parts of the Balkans had heavy snow on Thursday for the fourth day in a row.
A weather agency said snow reached over 20 centimeters in the capital of Serbia.
It also said the temperature dropped below -13 degrees in the capital of Croatia.
So the impact will ease in the Balkans, but continue in eastern Turkey on Friday.
And another system is well-developed and is expected to impact France and Germany.
Gas of up to 130 kilometers per hour are possible.
Moving to Japan, a high-pressure system is bringing calm conditions to much of the country, but a low-pressure system is approaching.
The next round of heavy snow is likely to arrive over the long holiday weekend.
Snow is expected to cover not only the Sea of Japan side, but also the Pacific side such as Tokai and Shikoku.
The heaviest amount of snow is expected in Tohoku, with up to 100 centimeters in just one day. In addition, strong winds will be a big concern.
There is a risk of blizzard and whiteout conditions. Power outages are also possible, so if you are traveling there, please check weather and traffic information.
The winter storm will continue into the holiday Monday in Sapporo and Niigata, but Tokyo and Osaka will stay on the sunny side.
That's all for now. Have a nice weekend.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:41 話者 1
I'm Ross Mihara in Tokyo. We thank you for joining us on NHK Newsline.
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