Welcome back to NHK Newsline. Here's the latest we have for you at this hour.
NORTHERN, WESTERN JAPAN BRACING FOR BLIZZARDS
People in parts of Japan are bracing for blizzards.
Over 100 flights have been canceled and weather officials are warning of heavy snowfall.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says wind and snow are intensifying mainly in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region.
Officials say from Wednesday through Sunday, wider areas, including the Sea of Japan coast, are also expected to be affected. Some places are already getting battered.
Cape Erimo, on Hokkaido's Pacific coast, recorded gusts of up to 118 kilometers per hour Tuesday morning, and Sarufutsu, Hokkaido's northernmost village, saw 21 centimeters of snow over a span of six hours.
Meteorologists say the potential heavy snowfall along the Sea of Japan coast is due to an effect called the Japan Sea Polar Air Mass Convergence Zone.
It can generate severe winter weather in places like Niigata Prefecture, which could get up to 100 centimeters of snow by Thursday morning.
Officials are urging people in affected areas to double-check emergency supplies and reconsider travel plans.
For further analysis on the heavy snow in Japan, we're joined by our meteorologist, Tsietsi Monare.
00:01:32 話者 2 / Tsietsi Monare
Hi there, we start again with more examples of the amount of snowfall that has been reported across the Sea of Japan side.
We can see there 31 centimeters in both areas across Niigata and Yamagata prefectures in a space of only 12 hours. That is quite a lot.
And what's happening is the Japan conversion zone that is taking place at the moment is when this big squall of cold air trickles down from the north and it meets a little bit of the warm sea surface temperatures that you see across the Sea of Japan side.
And when that happens, the system just keeps fueling itself and it keeps creating a lot more snowfall.
This time around, however, this is the first time in quite a long time that it is lasting for so long, going into three or four days. Later on into the weekend as well.
We are going to see snowfall piling up in big, big, big buckets. Yeah, we can see up to about 300 centimeters in the next three days or so here in the Hokurigu region.
You can see going on Wednesday evening and then by Thursday evening steadily going 100 and then 130. There's going to be a lot of snowfall.
So what I recommend is if you're going to be anywhere along those regions, if you are traveling, if you live there, please do not take this quite lightly.
Be prepared as much as you can.
Avoid travel as much as you can. I do not recommend it now.
I know there are lots of people who like snowboarding and skiing.
Maybe now is not the time. Wait for it to pile up first and then go out.
Please be just on the lookout for blizzards because the winds are also cheering up, getting stronger, 100 kilometers per hour in certain places.
Power outages are going to be quite a major thing, dark streets, so it's going to be difficult driving on those streets.
Trains could be canceled, so please do make sure you have your cell phone charged and you've got flashlights with you.
00:03:14 話者 1
Thanks for that, Tsietsi.
S.KOREAN PRESIDENT SUGGESTS CIVILIAN FLEW DRONES INTO NORTH
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has suggested a civilian was likely involved in flying drones into North Korea.
At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee said the facts are still unknown.
But what has been learned so far is that a civilian flew drones into the North without consulting authorities.
The North has said it shot down South Korean drones in September last year and earlier this month because they flew into its airspace.
Pyongyang has demanded that the South Korean government apologize for the intrusions and prevent a recurrence.
South Korea's defense ministry has denied the involvement of the country's military.
A South Korean media outlet recently ran an interview with a man who claimed that since last September, he flew drones into the North.
Lee has instructed his defense minister to tighten monitoring for drones and other aerial objects near the military demarcation line.
N.KOREA'S KIM FIRES VICE PREMIER FOR 'INCOMPETENCE'
North Korean media has reported that leader Kim Jong-un has fired his vice premier for what he described as incompetence in an industrial site modernization project.
Korean Central Television broadcast a report on Tuesday about Kim's attendance at an inauguration ceremony in the province of South Hamgyong the previous day.
Kim delivered a speech at the site. He said there were many problems in the renovation process and incompetent senior officials caused unnecessary turmoil.
He said the economic loss was substantial.
Kim dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho on the spot and said that former Premier Kim Dok-eun, who supervised the project, was also responsible.
A South Korean media outlet has reported that the move is aimed at tightening discipline ahead of the ruling Workers' Party Congress. It will be held for the first time since 2021.
♪
KABUKI'S ADOPTED SON: HOW A THEATER OUTSIDER BECAME A RISING STAR
The history of kabuki, a traditional Japanese performing art, goes back 400 years.
The art is passed down through family lines, from parent to child, with generation after generation taking the stage.
But unlike his acting peers, Nakamura Kangyoku can't trace back his lineage.
He got here by sheer dedication and hard work.
00:06:02 話者 3 / Reporter: Nomachi Kazumi
This emerging kabuki star has a lot to juggle these days.
He's in high demand and acting in several performances this month.
Kangyoku's refined, elegant style and his ability to portray both male and female roles have made him one of the most promising young talents in Japan.
00:06:29 話者 13 / spectator 1
He's so graceful, and his dance is incredibly meticulous.
00:06:34 話者 14 / spectator 2
His expressions, sometimes gentle, sometimes sharp, are wonderful.
00:06:39 話者 3
Born to parents who worked for a publishing company, Kangyoku was often found glued to kabuki performances on TV.
Because of his curiosity, his mother began taking him to the theater.
00:06:54 話者 15 / Nakamura Kangyoku/Kabuki actor
I just loved that sense of entering another world, the atmosphere of the theater that doesn't exist in everyday life.
00:07:05 話者 3
Nakamura Baigyoku is a living national treasure of the art form.
He heard about a boy who loved kabuki ,and invited the young Kangyoku into his dressing room.
00:07:20 話者 5
I kept thinking, when is this kid going to get tired of this? But he kept coming every week.
Even if he did nothing, if he just carried a toolbox and followed us backstage, he was absolutely delighted.
00:07:35 話者 3
Recognizing his enthusiasm, by age nine, Kangyoku began living in the master's household as an apprentice. There, he started appearing on stage.
In the kabuki world, where hereditary succession guarantees future roles, Kang Gyoku spent his days training steadily.
00:07:59 15 / Nakamura Kangyoku/Kabuki actor
Of course, I understood my position was different when I entered the kabuki world.
I did envy the heirs born into kabuki families, naturally.
But, I had been told I could never become a kabuki actor at all.
So the fact that I actually became one, that alone satisfied me in many ways.
00:08:37 話者 3
He now plays major roles, even on stages led by top-ranking masters.
He's now also officially part of the family.
After years of training, he became Baigyoku's adopted son, his formal successor, in 2019.
It was the first time in 27 years that someone from a non-kabuki household became the adopted heir to a kabuki family.
00:09:08 話者 15 /Nakamura Baigyoku /Living National Treasure
The Baigyoku line would end with me. So I had to think about a successor.
One great thing about him is that he truly loves the stage. He loves it so much.
You can feel that happiness when he stands on the stage.
That, I think, is his greatest strength.
00:09:44 話者 3
After a full day of performances, he heads straight to rehearsals for the next month's show.
He uses whatever little time he has to review the choreography on video.
His next challenge is the famous dance piece Fuji Musume, a 20-minute solo performance.
First performed in 1826, this dance holds special meaning for Kangyoku.
He will use the choreography created by his adoptive grandfather, sixth generation Nakamura Utayamon, the legendary kabuki actor of the Showa era.
It is an opportunity for Kangyoku to inherit and preserve the family's artistic style.
Although he has been hard at work rehearsing, his coach corrects him repeatedly on subtle movements.
00:10:43 話者 4
Now that he's been given the chance to perform his family's art, he must dance with great care. This isn't a goal accomplished. This is where it truly begins.
I never met my adoptive grandfather, Utaimon, directly, of course, but I try to take in the essence of his artistry, its fragrance, so to speak, and ask myself, if I am performing Fuji Musume, how should I express it?
I just have to keep thinking and exploring.
00:11:18 話者 3
On the day of the performance, a youthful wisteria maiden appears.
Just as the wisteria blossoms reach full bloom.
Portraying her feminine gestures with care, he expresses the heart of a young woman in love.
00:11:52 話者 4
Art is like an endless staircase. I don't think I'll ever have a day when I feel today was truly perfect. But even slowly, I want to keep climbing each step.
Kabuki is entertainment, a place where people can immerse themselves in a dream world.
That's why I fell in love with Kabuki, and I want to be someone who can offer that dream to others.
00:12:13 話者 3
Kang Gyoku hopes one day to create his own version of Fuji Musume.
And pass his art along to the next generation.
HOME APPLIANCE MAKERS TURN TO AI AS RIVALRY HEATS UP
00:12:33 話者 1
Want your refrigerator to tell you why your beer isn't cold or how long the food in it will last?
Well, this scenario is now a reality as home appliance makers in Japan and elsewhere tap the power of artificial intelligence.
The move comes as manufacturers hope to outdo rivals amid new possibilities opened up by the cutting-edge technology.
From February, Japan's Sharp will offer refrigerators that make use of its in-house generative AI technology.
The company has trained the AI using inquiries received by its call center, along with information about the capabilities of its refrigerators.
00:13:13 話者 5
The beer isn't cold. Is the refrigerator broken?
00:13:18 話者 1
For example, if customers say beverages aren't cold enough and wonder why, the AI suggests actions to take or directs users to the relevant part of the manual.
00:13:33 話者 5
With the installation of artificial intelligence in home appliances, the number of things they can do will skyrocket.
We aim to keep making improvements to meet the needs of our customers.
00:13:45 話者 1
Japanese manufacturers are not alone.
In January, South Korea's Samsung Electronics announced a refrigerator with generative AI that suggests recipes based on ingredients detected inside with a camera.
The company plans to install in all its home appliances going forward.
MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY SELLING CELEBRITY DEEPFAKE PORN
Tokyo police have arrested a man for allegedly selling deepfake pornography he created by using generative AI and photos of female celebrities.
Police say 31-year-old Chiba Tatsuro is suspected of producing more than 10 obscene deepfake images from around December 2024 to May last year.
The suspect is also alleged to have given paying viewers online access to the deepfake images in violation of a law banning the distribution of obscene digital content.
Tokyo police believe that the suspect made roughly $70,000 over a period of around two years from the summer of 2023.
Investigators say he posted samples on a promotional social media account to attract customers.
He then offered access to the images through a website for a fixed monthly subscription.
Investigators say more than 500,000 pornographic deepfake images of female celebrities were stored on the suspect's home computers.
TEHRAN PLANS TO EASE INTERNET RESTRICTIONS
Iran has indicated it will begin lifting internet restrictions over the coming days.
The government has been tightly controlling the flow of information amid anti-government protests and a deadly clampdown.
The restrictions came January 8 after people began taking to the streets late last month over a deepening economic crisis.
Weeks of violent clashes followed, and the US threatened to intervene.
Iranian officials now say the situation is under control.
Reuters news agency quotes one of them who, on the condition of anonymity, says about 5,000 people were killed, including security officers.
IRANIAN PROTESTS
Meanwhile, media outlets in the country say authorities have suspended A reformist newspaper over its coverage of the demonstrations.
The move appears to have been prompted by an article published by Hammihan earlier this month.
It cited eyewitnesses who said Iranian security personnel had stormed a hospital to detain injured protesters. Authorities have not disclosed their reasons for the suspension.
Conservative media have accused the paper of causing social friction.
BUSINESS
And now let's see what's happening in the world of business.
Here's Ramin Mellegard from The Biz Desk.
00:16:25 話者 6
Thank you very much.
FOREIGN VISITORS TO JAPAN IN 2025 TOP 40 MILLION FOR 1ST TIME
Now, Japan's tourism minister says a record number of foreigners visited Japan in 2025, topping the 40 million mark for the first time, thanks a large part to the week yen.
Kaneko Yasushi told reporters on Tuesday that inbound foreign travelers totaled 42.7 million last year.
00:16:49 話者 5
We have taken various measures toward the government's goal of 60 million foreign visitors by 2030.
So it's a great achievement that a number exceeded 40 million in 2025 for the first time in history.
00:17:05 話者 6
The number of foreign visitors tumbled during the coronavirus pandemic, but, in 2024, they recovered to more than 36.8 million, renewing the previous record high.
Kaneko noted that visitors from China were down roughly 45 percent in December from a year earlier.
The plunge follows Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's remark about a possible Taiwan emergency during a diet session in November.
Beijing criticized the comment and urged Chinese citizens not to visit Japan.
Kaneko said he will continue to monitor the trend closely.
He added that efforts are needed to bring back more Chinese visitors as soon as possible.
JAPANESE AND S.KOREAN AI STARTUPS GATHER TO BRAINSTORM
Generative AI startups from Japan and South Korea have gathered in Tokyo to brainstorm solutions for common challenges faced by both nations.
These include declining populations and labor shortages.
About 60 people took part in the event on Tuesday.
Among them were representatives from both nations who introduced products.
One Korean firm has developed a service that staffs call centers for companies that are short of workers.
The service can respond by phone to customer requests for refunds.
A Japanese firm has developed a service to help with procedures when foreigners are moving to Japan, such as signing up for credit cards and renting homes.
00:18:32 話者 5
It would be good if we could find something to become hints for each other to expand our businesses by looking at the similarities and differences for start-ups in Japan and South Korea.
00:18:45 話者 6
The chairman of the organization that hosted the event said actively using AI will help solve social issues such as the depopulation of rural areas.
00:18:57 話者 15
Given the similar social situations, this event may be an opportunity for South Korea and Japan to choose solutions created by AI startups.
00:19:08 話者 6
The leaders of Japan and South Korea met a week ago and agreed to cooperate in various economic fields, including AI.
WAGYU EXPORTERS WANT CONSUMERS TO TRY ANOTHER SLICE
Now, Wagyu beef is known for its rich marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Japan is looking to boost exports of this premium product.
One well-known type is Hitachi Wagyu beef.
Its producers believe the key to export success lies in offering full sets of Wagyu cuts, including those not so familiar to many customers.
NHK World's Fujita Rikako reports from Vancouver, Canada.
00:19:46 話者 5
Three, two, one, cut. Congratulations!
00:19:51 話者 7 / Fujita Rikako/NHK World
A Canadian company built a meat processing plant to increase imports of Hitachigyu in Vancouver. Processing wagyu in Canada is expected to enable the export of whole cattle from Ibaraki Prefecture.
00:20:09 話者 5
Today's ceremony is more than an opening ceremony. It's kind of a new journey.
We're very proud to be able to offer our beef to local consumers.
00:20:22 話者 7
Hitachi Wagyu comes from Ibaraki Prefecture, north of Tokyo.
Its producers recently visited a factory in a Vancouver suburb.
It was set up by a Canadian food wholesaler specifically to process Wagyu.
For the Japanese, it is a convenient hub to expand exports.
Most Wagyu for the US and European markets has consisted of cuts from the high-grade loin sections, such as sorrowing. Non-loin shipments has been far less common.
Exporter Fuji Isao hopes to change that.
He says selling excess non-loin stock has been a challenge.
00:21:16 話者 5
By exporting the full set, I believe we can sell the entire animal, and that has merit.
00:21:24 話者 7
To make that sale, demand for thin slices of non-loin cuts is essential.
About 20% of Vancouver's population is of Chinese descent.
Such beef is commonly used in hot bodies, popular in the community.
00:21:48 話者 5
Actually, I don't like used to eat a lot of beef.
But in this way, I really like it because it's like, it's very light.
00:21:58 話者 7
The Canadian side is confident the quality of Hitachi Wagyu will drive sales of thinly sliced beef.
00:22:06 話者 2
It has more competitive parts, like one thing is the price, another thing is quality.
So we are very confident that in the near future we can get it in.
00:22:16 話者 7
But there are challenges. Wagyu is fatty. Not all workers at the factory have the skill to slice the parts in the way the market demands.
So Fujii invited the plant manager to Japan to give him a closer look at the cutting techniques.
He plans to do what it takes so his Canadian partner can process the beef and set it on their own.
Taking on such challenges, Fujii is keen to offer Hitachi Wagyu to hungry consumers in Vancouver and beyond.
00:22:56 話者 5
I think it's important to share the wonderful taste of Wagyu.
With people in Vancouver, North America, and eventually, the world.
00:23:08 話者 7
The Wagyu industry in Japan is watching closely to see if full sets of Wagyu cuts will open the door to a broad expansion of exports.
Fujita Rikako, NHK World.
00:23:24 話者 5
And that's it for business news.
WEATHER
00:23:38 話者 1
We're going to check in once again with our meteorologist, Tsietsi Monare, for an update on world weather.
00:23:45 話者 2 /Tsietsi Monare
Siberian cold there continues to make the headlines here across Northeast Asia, and it's bringing extremely cold conditions and copious amount of snowfall towards people across the Sea of Japan side and also in certain places across the Pacific side, places that are usually not so prone to so much snowfall.
We'll be seeing some by the next three or four days, we could see snow piling up to about three meters in certain places, particularly if you're going to be in Hokkaido, the Tohoku region, as well as into the Hokuriku region.
But not only Japan is affected. You can see from Seoul going to Beijing.
Let's not even talk about Ulaanbaatar, those sub-zero temperatures just continuing bringing bitterly cold weather for you there.
Please do make sure you stay warm. Bring your pets indoors.
If you've got pot plants outside, don't forget them overnight because they will suffer the cold.
Now, a place that is not suffering cold is in Australia. Look at these temperatures here.
Complete polar opposite of what's happening in the north, where Portland 44, 37 for Alice Springs.
So they're going through a bit off a heat wave while we are going through a cold wave here.
That is it for the weather.
Wherever you are, make sure you're always safe.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
SOOT, SUMO AND A BIG STRAW SANDAL AT ANCIENT FESTIVAL
00:26:03 話者 1
Before we go, people in southwestern Japan have been praying for health and wealth in unusual fashion, with a festival that involves sumo, giant sandals and plenty of soot.
The annual Hetomato Festival on the Goto Islands kicks off with some sumo wrestling.
And things then take a turn for the strained with newlyweds on sake barrels playing a game of shuttlecock.
After that, men in loincloths smear anyone they can with soot.
Things reach a climax with men fighting for possession of a straw ball.
And to wrap things up, the men tossed women into the air from a giant straw sandal.
The three-meter creation weighs about 250 kilograms before adding passengers.
00:27:26 話者 11
It was so much fun, it felt like an amusement ride.
I hope it brings me a peaceful life on the island.
00:27:33 話者 1
The event has been designated an important intangible folk cultural property.
And that's all we have for this edition of NHK Newsline.
We'll have more for you at the top of the hour. Thanks for watching.
checked.
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿