Hello. Welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo.
VOTERS HAVE LITTLE HOPE AMID MYANMAR MILITARY'S ELECTION
Myanmar residents are heading to the polls for the second phase of the military-led general election.
The junta says it's a transition towards civilian rule, but pro-democracy parties have been shut out of the process.
Western governments have condemned the election, saying it's a sham.
For more, NHK World's Kitai Genki is in the largest city, Yangon, to see how it's all playing out. Genki, what are you hearing from people there?
00:00:50 (Kitai Genki / NHK WORLD)
Residents have been turning out since early this morning to cast their ballots.
But most people I spoke to don't seem optimistic about the future.
Many say they live under constant pressure and fear. Some even say they had no choice but to vote. This is just the second of the three rounds of voting.
Many assume the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party will be announced as the victor.
If so, then Commander-in-Chief Minh-Am Fine will become president without what many would consider a free and fair election.
00:01:28 (Maria Sato)
Since the result is probably a foregone conclusion, what are you watching for?
00:01:36 (Kitai Genki / NHK WORLD)
Well, what's going to be interesting is the voter turnout, or what the junta says the turnout is.
The election authority says it was about 52 percent during the first phase. But sources told me some counts include more ballots than polling stations could physically process.
Many suspect that authorities are padding the numbers of so-called advance ballots, so the actual turnout may be much lower.
And it's not hard to see why. People here are exhausted.
It's been nearly five years since the military coup since then, prices have soared, and there's an exodus of young people as they look for better futures abroad.
People tell me it's a downward spiral with no end in sight.
Right now, there's a little hope things will get better when the results are announced at the end of the month.
00:02:33 (Maria Sato)
Thank you, Genki. That was NHK World's Kitai Genki, reporting from Yangon.
JAPAN'S RULING LDP EYES EARLY LOWER HOUSE DISSOLUTION
A growing number of Japan's main governing Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers expect Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to dissolve the lower house at the onset of the ordinary diet session later this month.
00:02:56 (Takaichi Sanae / Japanese Prime Minister)
It is important for the people to feel the effects of the government's economic policy and its measures to stem rising prices.
The government is currently working to resolve these issues.
00:03:12 (Maria Sato)
The Takaichi administration now holds a slim majority in the lower house after three independent lawmakers joined the LDP's group in the chamber.
But in the upper house, it's still in the minority.
There is a growing view within the ruling parties that the prime minister will dissolve the lower house for a snap election when the ordinary diet session is expected to begin on January 23. Then a general election could be held early or in the middle of February.
Some LDP members say that it's understandable for Takaichi to dissolve the chamber as her cabinet's approval rate remains high.
Fujita Fumitake is a co-representative of the Japan Innovation Party, which is the LDP's coalition partner.
He said that lower house members need to keep in mind that they are on a battlefield and should be ready to fight. Opposition parties responded as follows.
00:04:13 (Noda Yoshihiko / Constitutional Democratic Party President)
Prime Minister Takaichi has vowed to work, work and work, should be scrutinized for seeking a popular mandate and not working to fight rising prices or help the economy.
00:04:28 (Maria Sato)
Tamaki Yuichiro, the leader of the Democratic Party for the People, posted on social media that lower house members should be prepared for an election.
He added that he will accelerate the process of fielding candidates.
Komeito representative Saito Tetsuo stressed the utmost priority is not the political situation, but measures against inflation.
Before making a final decision, the prime minister may take into account the possible impact a snap election will have on deliberations on the budget plan for fiscal 2026, as well as public opinion.
TRUMP SIGNS ORDER TO PROTECT OIL REVENUE
US President Trump has signed an executive order to block foreign countries or firms from seizing revenue from Venezuelan oil.
The order on Friday declares a national emergency to safeguard revenue held in the accounts of the US Treasury Department from attachment or other judicial processes.
And to preserve it for the promotion of US foreign policy.
The order says its purpose is protecting American interests against what it calls malign actors such as Iran and Hezbollah.
It also says it aims to bring peace, prosperity, and stability to the Venezuelan people and the Western Hemisphere.
US media outlet Bloomberg describes the executive order as a new step toward managing Venezuelan oil and future proceeds.
The Trump administration has expressed its intention to control the sale of Venezuelan oil indefinitely. Trump on Friday met executives of oil companies at the White House.
He urged them to invest more than $100 billion into Venezuela, with the US government providing protection.
NOBEL INSTITUTE: PRIZES MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has said a Nobel Prize may not be revoked, shared, or transferred to others.
The statement came after the Venezuelan opposition leader indicated her willingness to transfer her Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute also said once the announcement has been made, the decision stands for all time.
Maria Corina Machado said on the Fox News program Hannity that she believes the Venezuelan people want to give Trump the prize and share it with him.
She said the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro in a US military operation was a huge step towards a democratic transition.
Machado is expected to visit the United States soon to meet with Trump.
Trump was asked by reporters whether he will change his view about Machado running Venezuela if she gives him her Nobel Peace Prize. Trump said he has to speak to her.
He also said he cannot think of anybody in history who should get the Nobel Prize more than him.
Those were the headlines for this hour.
♫～
WEATHER
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫And that's all for this hour on NHK Newsline. I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo.
Do stay with us on NHK World Japan.
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