Welcome back. Thank you for joining us again on NHK Newsline.
YAMAGAMI SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR KILLING EX-PM ABE
The man who gunned down former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo with a handmade firearm has been sentenced to life in prison.
A court in western Japan's Nara Prefecture described the killing as an extremely malicious action that put many people's lives at risk.
45-year-old Yamagami Tetsuya admitted to shooting the former prime minister at a political event in 2022.
He said he was motivated by Abe's connection to a religious group widely known as the Unification Church.
He said his family had been ruined due to his mother's donations to the organization.
During sentencing, the court said it was despicable that Yamagami decided to use a gun in the attack.
It added that his choice to open fire at a crowded public event was very dangerous.
It also noted that Abe's widow, Akie, is still dealing with an immense emotional toll.
Prosecutors have been demanding life in prison.
Yamagami's lawyers had called for a lesser sentence, not exceeding 20 years, arguing their client is a victim of abuse who deserved a chance at rehabilitation.
PUBLIC REACTION TO LIFE SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO SHOT ABE
Earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Miyamoto Rikuya, who covered this trial from Nara District Court.
Rikuya, tell us what happened outside the courtroom when the news broke.
00:01:44 話者 2/Miyamoto Rikuya
I saw many security guards and the police stopping people from coming too close to the court building.
As the judge continued to read out the ruling, lots of people were gathered around.
It was an emotional day for many.
This sentence marks the end of one of the biggest murder cases in modern Japanese history, and people were very moved by it.
I spoke to one woman who said that she thought the sentence was a little heavy.
She says the fact the defendant admitted to the crime early in the trial signals that he maybe feels some rumors, and at the very least has taken responsibility for his actions.
Another man I spoke to said it's not a black and white problem.
On the one hand, Yamagami killed someone, and that person was a former prime minister.
On the other hand, He's a younger man who killed Abe because of a sense of injustice.
With that said, we will be keeping an eye on whether or not Yamagami appeals the decision.
HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED IN NORTHERN, WESTERN JAPAN
00:02:58 話者 1
Weather officials are warning that people in large parts of Japan can expect more heavy snowfall between Wednesday night and Thursday.
Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures received up to 17 centimeters in the six-hour period until 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
The strong winter weather pattern is expected to last until around Sunday.
Nigata Prefecture is expected to get 100 centimeters during the 24-hour period through Thursday noon.
Regions to the west are likely to get up to 80 centimeters, while the Tohoku region in the northeast can expect up to 70 centimeters, and the Hokkaido and Kanto Koshin regions, 50 centimeters.
The weather officials say the heavy snow could disrupt transportation.
There are also concerns of snow building up on power lines causing blackouts, and that efforts to clear the snow may be unable to keep pace with the accumulation.
And for more on the threats that the winter storm and heavy snow is posing for northeastern Japan, we bring in our meteorologist Jonathan Oh.
So Jonathan, what should people expect for the rest of this week?
00:04:11 話者 3/Jonathan Oh
Hello, we are talking about a real winter storm setup that's been impacting folks all along the Sea of Japan side of the country, and it's going to be the story as we go through the rest of this week.
This snowfall analysis for a 24-hour period, we're seeing snowfall rates in spots from 3 to up to 7 centimeters an hour up into the north.
And when we look at the snow depth on the ground, some locations seeing up to 200 centimeters on the ground. That's 2 meters, which is even higher than me.
And some isolated locations much higher than that.
And it looks like that we're seeing even more snowfall coming up due to this classic pattern of the northwesterly flow of the winds coming over the Sea of Japan.
And so we do have warnings out because of this. Some locations like in Hokuriku see 100 centimeters of snowfall in a 24-hour period from Wednesday night to Thursday night.
Then again, possibly from Thursday to Friday, and then 70 from Friday to Saturday.
Think about that. That's about 2.7 meters of snowfall taking place in Hokuriku and other areas like Tohoku getting impacted by this, Kinkichugoku and other places, even like Shikoku, getting 20 centimeters of snowfall as they head toward the end of this week.
So poor visibility and blizzard conditions with traffic becoming a major problem, power allergies and falling trees all a concern.
Make sure that if you can stay indoors with all the preps already done, that's the best way to weather through this time period.
Thursday looking really snowy up into Sapporo, Niigata with stronger winds and all the way back toward the west as well. Folks, look out as you go through the next few days.
Stay safe wherever you are.
JAPAN'S LOWER HOUSE TO BE DISSOLVED ON FRIDAY
00:05:54 話者 1
The lower house of Japan's Diet is set to be dissolved on Friday afternoon.
Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae says she will call a snap election.
Takaichi indicated her intention for campaigning to start next Tuesday.
Voting will take place on February 8. The ruling and opposition parties agreed at a meeting Wednesday to convene a plenary session at 1 p.m. on Friday.
The opposition camp criticized the decision to dissolve the Diet on the grounds that it lacked justification.
They said holding the election at this time could make it difficult for next fiscal year's draft budget to be enacted before the end of this fiscal year, while the public is left struggling with higher prices.
TEPCO TO RESTART NIIGATA NUCLEAR PLANT REACTOR
The operator of a nuclear power plant in central Japan says it will reactivate one of its reactors Wednesday.
It will be Tokyo Electric Power Company's first to go back online since the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is located in Niigata Prefecture.
Tecco had planned to restart the No. 6 reactor on Tuesday, but postponed it.
Over the weekend, a test uncovered problems with an alarm connected to control rods.
The rods are used to start and stop the reactor.
The company says the reactor has more than 200 of them, and it found errors in the alarm settings for almost 90.
TEPCO says it has since fixed the problems and completed all procedures, meaning everything is ready. The restart is set for 7 p.m. local time.
PROTESTS AGAINST TRUMP HELD ACROSS US
US President Donald Trump is reflecting on the first year of his second term.
Meanwhile, people across the country joined demonstrations to protest his policies.
Trump spoke to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, the anniversary of his second inauguration.
00:08:01 話者 4/Donald Trump
These are accomplishments. We have a lot of accomplishments.
We've done more than any other administration has done by far.
in terms of military, in terms of ending wars?
00:08:12 話者 1
But on the same day, people took to the streets of the cities across the United States, protesting the administration's immigration and foreign policies.
00:08:23 話者 14
What we see now is a government that seeks to create conflict.
00:08:29 話者 15
Fascism is spreading from the White House and over there and trying to take over our country.
00:08:39 話者 1
Demonstrations were also held in New York and Los Angeles, which have many immigrants from Central and South America.
Participants called on the government not to detain people without due process.
Some describe the past year as oppressive.
BRITAIN APPROVES CHINESE EMBASSY RELOCATION PLAN
The British government has approved China's plan to construct a new mega-embassy in central London, despite concerns over national security risks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government announced its approval on Tuesday, after postponing the decision three times.
In 2018, the Chinese government bought the Royal Mint Court site, which is close to London's financial district.
But its plan to relocate its embassy there has been plagued by protests over national security. Protesters have staged demonstrations in central London.
Some say the new embassy could help China intensify monitoring of people who move there from Hong Kong and other places.
Others point out the risk of wiretapping due to its proximity to sensitive underground communication cables.
But a government official says any risks associated are being managed.
00:09:55 話者 5
Following detailed consideration of all possible risks around this new embassy by expert officials across government, I am assured that the UK's national security is protected.
00:10:09 話者 1
Starmer is reportedly expected to visit China later this month,
becoming the first British prime minister to do so in eight years.
Observers say the decision is part of his willingness to improve relations with China.
BUSINESS
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business.
Here's Ramin Mellegard from Our Biz Desk.
00:10:30 話者 5/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
HONDA SEES F1 RETURN AS FAST LANE TO NET-ZERO GOALS
Now, Honda Motor says its return to Formula One racing will speed up development of low-carbon technology for its mass-produced vehicles.
The Japanese automaker withdrew from F1 in 2021, but returns this year to provide Aston Martin with engine and hybrid power units.
Company president Mibe Toshihiro spoke at a news conference with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team.
Together with the team, Honda aims to be number one in Formula One.
He says F1 racing is an opportunity to train employees and develop net-zero technology.
This translates into benefits for its overall auto business, which faces tough competition.
F1 is shifting to use of sustainable fuel in the 2026 season.
It will also raise the ratio of electric energy used in vehicles to equal that of power from the combustion engine.
00:11:34 話者 16/Mibe Toshihiro
New F1 regulations this year offer an opportunity and challenge to develop carbon-neutral technology.
00:11:43 話者 5
Mibe says Honda will incorporate technology developed in Formula One into its vehicles.
He adds that overall he wants to better integrate Honda's racing and mass production businesses.
JAPAN POST EYES 20% CUT IN DISTRIBUTION CENTERS
The head of Japan Post Holdings says the company is considering streamlining nearly 20 percent of its mail and parcel distribution centers to improve efficiency.
00:12:07 話者 12/Negishi Kazuyuki
We have been looking at reducing the number by about 500 over the next three years.
We are closely examining how the cuts will affect the regional balance of distribution centers, as well as the timetable for the reduction.
00:12:24 話者 5
Negishi Kazuyuki said he hopes to include a detailed plan and a medium-term management strategy to be announced in May.
He stressed that the company will ensure that mail and parcel services are not affected.
Japan Post currently has about 3,000 distribution centers, but the number of items posted has been decreasing as the nation's population declines.
The company plans to maintain its current network of about 24,000 post offices nationwide.
TOKYO'S SHIBUYA TURNS TO AI TO ENFORCE STREET DRINKING BAN
Now, Tokyo's Shibuya district is testing an artificial intelligence system linked to street security cameras.
It's the area's latest attempt to curb rowdiness and littering caused by public drinking.
Shibuya Ward has already introduced an ordinance to ban drinking on its streets.
Security guards also patrol the district, but this has not solved the problem among young people and tourists visiting the popular area.
Officials say the AI is used to analyze security camera footage around Shibuya Station.
Real-time alerts are sent to security guards when it detects street drinking, congestion, or other public safety issues.
NTT East is in charge of the tests, which will run through March.
00:13:43 話者 12
I hope this test in Shibuya will become a model for use across the country.
00:13:49 話者 5
Shibuya officials say the system may be introduced in broader areas of the district once the tests prove it is effective.
JAPANESE FAST-FOOD CHAIN TESTS AI FOR DRIVE-THROUGH ORDERS
A major Japanese fast food chain is aiming to provide a drive-through service using AI to help ease a labor shortage.
Moss Food Services conducted a test of the technology at one of its outlets near Tokyo.
A customer interacted with AI to place orders and staff served the items.
Employees checked the accuracy of the AI voice recognition in the test.
The chain wants the ordering process to be handled solely by AI in the future, as it currently requires one worker.
00:14:37 話者 17
Dividing tasks such as AI taking orders and humans doing other things at the store could lead to further enhancement of customer service.
00:14:47 話者 5
The company plans to test the AI service at about five outlets in the next fiscal year.
It aims to roll it out eventually at roughly 600 branches nationwide.
SONY GROUP ANNOUNCES JOINT VENTURE WITH TCL GROUP
Sony Group says it has reached a deal with one of the world's leading TV makers as it seeks to boost its global competitiveness.
It says it's moving forward on a strategic partnership with electronics giants TCL Group, which is based in China.
Sony's entertainment technology and services subsidiary signed a memorandum of understanding with TCL Electronic Holdings to pave the way for their joint venture.
Sony Group's statement says TCL will take a 51% stake in the joint venture, with Sony holding 49%.
The new firm will take over Sony's home entertainment equipment business.
It'll handle the full process from product development to manufacturing and sales for televisions, home audio, equipment and other products.
The new company is set to start operations in April 2027.
Products will continue under the globally recognized Sony name and Bravia brand.
NETFLIX REVISES BID FOR WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY TO ALL CASH
And Netflix says it has revised its takeover bid for Warner Brothers Discovery to an all-cash offer. The move is seen as an attempt to fend off a rival buyout by Paramount's Skydance.
The streaming giant's previous offer was a mix of cash and shares.
It said on Tuesday that the restructured acquisition would simplify and speed up the purchase.
Paramount's offer is all cash, but Warner has said from the beginning that it favors Netflix.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos explained what he saw as the benefits of the takeover, saying the acquisition will also significantly expand US production capacity and investment in original programming, driving job creation and long-term industry growth.
Now, Netflix on the same day released its earnings for the three months through December last year.
Revenue rose more than 17% year-on-year to roughly $12 billion.
Net income jumped 29% to about 2.4 billion dollars.
The company attributed the strong performance to global subscribers topping 325 million and robust advertising revenue.
MARKETS
Okay, let's get a check on the markets.
♪
And that is it for Business News.
00:17:47 話者 1
Thank you, Ramin.
SAKE BREWER BETTING ON 'ALPHA RICE'
The impact of Japan's high rice prices is not only being felt at the dining table.
The costs are also affecting makers of sake, or Japanese rice wine.
One brewery is trying new methods to keep its sake affordable without affecting quality.
NHK World's Takayanagi Tamaki has more.
00:18:12 話者 4/Takayanagi Tamaki
Kozima Taku's brewery has been making sake for over 150 years.
Sake is made through fermentation, involving Kozimo and rice.
The price of rice has surged dealing a blow to Kozuma's brewery.
He said he was quoted one price that was 80% more than in previous years.
00:18:39 話者 6
I couldn't believe how high it was. I was honestly shocked.
00:18:47 話者 4
Looking for ways to cut costs, Kozuma heard about the use of so-called alpha rice, which is cooked rice, that has been rapidly dried.
Alpha rice can be eaten by simply adding hot or cold water, so it's particularly buried at disaster sites.
Kozemasu thought using alpha rice to make sake could help reduce his bury costs, as it wouldn't require the usual washing, steaming, and cooling.
His biggest concern was the amount of moisture in the rice.
Moisture affects the degree of fermentation, which in turn determines flavor.
That's why Kozuma is experimenting with moisture bubbles.
00:19:38 話者 6
At 33%, it still feels a bit undercooked. Maybe 35% would be best.
00:19:47 話者 4
And now, Kozuma begins making the sake.
The alfa rice is simply added to a tank containing water and koji.
Then, it's all mixed together. Cleanup is also easy.
A process that normally takes about three hours with the entire staff can be done in just 20 minutes by one person. Of course, the most crucial factor is the taste.
Every day, Kozuma measures the levels of sugar and umami-producing amino acids.
While comparing the results to last year's, he manages the tank temperature.
00:20:32 話者 6
It's just like last year. Actually, it might even be better than last year's.
00:20:40 話者 4
One month later, the second is finally ready to sample.
00:20:50 話者 6
It turned out very light and easy to drink. I'm satisfied with the result.
00:20:58 話者 4
By using Alpha Rice, Kojima's Brewery has been able to keep the price for freshly pressed sake, nearly the same as before.
Kojima hopes to keep providing his customers with an affordable product.
whose quality that they can taste in every glass. Takayanagi Tamaki, NHK World.
YAMAGAMI SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR KILLING EX-PM ABE
00:21:24 話者 1
And now recapping our top news...
The man who gunned down former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo with a handmade firearm has been sentenced to life in prison.
A court in western Japan's Nara Prefector described the killing as an extremely malicious action that put many people's lives at risk.
45-year-old Yamagami Tetsuya admitted to shooting the former prime minister at a political event in 2022.
He said he was motivated by Abe's connection to a religious group widely known as the Unification Church.
He said his family had been ruined due to his mother's donations to the organization.
During sentencing, the court said it was despicable that Yamagami decided to use a gun in the attack.
It added that his choice to open fire at a crowded public event was very dangerous.
It also noted that Abe's widow, Akie, is still dealing with an immense emotional toll.
Prosecutors had been demanding life in prison.
Yamagami's lawyers had called for a lesser sentence not exceeding 20 years, arguing their client is a victim of abuse who deserved a chance at rehabilitation.
HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED IN NORTHERN, WESTERN JAPAN
And now reminding our viewers with another story...
Weather officials are warning that people in large parts of Japan can expect more heavy snowfall between Wednesday night and Thursday.
Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures received up to 17 centimeters in the six-hour period until 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
The strong winter weather pattern is expected to last until around Sunday.
Niigata Prefecture is expected to get 100 centimeters during the 24-hour period through Thursday noon.
Regions to the west are likely to get up to 80 centimeters, while the Tohoku region in the northeast can expect up to 70 centimeters, and the Hokkaido and Kanto-koshin regions 50 centimeters.
The weather officials say the heavy snow could disrupt transportation.
There are also concerns of snow building up on power lines, causing blackouts, and that efforts to clear the snow may be unable to keep pace with the accumulation.
♪
WEATHER
Now our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh, is back with us with a look at the world weather.
00:24:13 話者 3
Hello. Winter is making its presence known across the northern portions of the world, and that also includes North America, where we're talking about a big polar plunge coming in from Canada.
We have a couple waves of cold fronts moving on through, high pressure behind it to really reinforce that shot of cold air.
We're talking about high temperatures in Winnipeg at minus 14 degrees Celsius coming up on Wednesday. It's also quite windy up to the north.
We're talking about wind chill factors, minus 20, minus 30 degrees.
That's how it's going to feel as we see temperatures there digging down that low.
And looking at snow as well. And as we go through the next couple of days, that cold air continues to move down to the south and east.
And so places like Oklahoma City, Atlanta, 11 for the high on Wednesday, and that's going to go away very quickly. So be on the lookout for that.
Cold also in Europe as well, with Vienna topping off at minus 2, minus 5 in Warsaw, minus 6 in key for Wednesday.
Stay safe wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
'SUBZERO FOREST' DAZZLES IN TAKAYAMA, CENTRAL JAPAN
00:26:41 話者 1
And before we go, we take you to an ice forest in one of central Japan's most popular destinations.
In Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, a sub-zero forest is being created at an altitude of about a thousand meters.
Every winter, a local inn makes this attraction by spraying water onto trees and mountain slopes.
Some icicles hang from the trees like curtains, and others resemble jellyfish.
00:27:11 話者 6
It's a fascinating scene. I've really seen so much ice in Shikoku, where I come from.
00:27:19 話者 1
The inn's owner says he's determined to create something wonderful for everyone to enjoy.
00:27:26 話者 6
I'm just hoping to add to the beautiful ice forest, so I want lower temperatures for that.
00:27:37 話者 1
And that's all for this hour.
Thank you for staying with us on NHK Newsline.
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