Welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sachno.
HEAVY SNOW BLANKETS PARTS OF JAPAN
People across Japan woke up Friday to another day of streets buried in snow, stalled traffic and warnings of worst to come.
A strong winter pressure pattern is bringing more than the usual levels of snow to many parts of the country.
Weather officials say the snowfall is intensifying in regions along the Sea of Japan coast.
It's a metre and a half deep in Aomori City and three metres in parts of Niigata Prefecture.
And the forecasters say the winter pressure pattern will gradually ease from the west, but that doesn't mean the snow will let up.
Niigata Prefecture can expect 70 centimetres in the 24 hours through Saturday morning.
Tohoku can expect 50 centimetres and the Hokuriku and Kinki regions could see 40.
Authorities are calling for caution. They're warning of traffic disruptions and frozen roads.
There could also be power outages caused by snow-laden power lines and a heightened risk of avalanches.
Japan Airlines has cancelled several flights due to the snow and more transport disruptions are possible.
There have been multiple reports of accidents while people are clearing snow.
Officials are advising people to use a safety rope, wear a helmet, do warm-up exercises, and work with others when removing snow.
For more on the impact of the snow in Japan, we turn to our meteorologist, Yumi Hirano.
Yumi, what's the latest?
00:01:40 話者 2/Yumi Hirano
Back-to-back winter storms brought record-breaking snowfall through the Sea of Japan coast.
Kayu in Aomori Prefecture got 470 centimeters of snow depth, setting a January record.
A combination of cold air and moisture over the Sea of Japan will bring more snow, especially to Tohoku and Hokuriku.
Up to 70 centimeters in Hokuriku, 50 in Tohoku, and 40 in Kinki is possible.
The snow is expected to ease on Saturday, but another round of cold air may arrive on Sunday, so snow might be heavier again from Sunday to Monday.
Dry weather will continue on the Pacific side, including Tokyo and Osaka, but from Hokkaido to Hokuriku, fallen snow and avalanches will be a major concern.
There is also a risk of flooding due to snow melt.
POLICE SEARCH FOR 3 MEN OVER TWO SIMILAR ATTACKS IN TOKYO
00:02:45 話者 1
Police are investigating a possible connection between 2 assaults that occurred in Tokyo overnight. They say sprayed substances were used in both attacks.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said a group of three attackers used a product similar to pepper spray on five people Thursday night.
The attackers reportedly stole suitcases containing 420 million yen, or about $2.7 million.
Sources say the victims were loading the money into a car to be sent to Hong Kong.
Right after the incident, a man was hit by a car not far from the robbery scene.
He suffered a minor injury, and the car reportedly fled.
Later, police found a vehicle abandoned near the hit-and-run site.
Police suspect the three thieves hit the man while fleeing and then swapped vehicles.
Early Friday, police said a man in his 50s was assaulted near his vehicle in a parking lot at Haneda Airport. The man had about 190 million yen, or about $1.24 million in his vehicle.
He told police he was attacked with a pepper spray-like substance by three men in a white car.
Police say the car quickly drove off. The victim's cash was not stolen in that incident.
JAPAN'S FOREIGN WORKFORCE SURPASSED 2.5 MIL. IN 2025
The number of foreign workers in Japan hit a record high last year. They now account for 4.1% of the country's workforce, highlighting a shortage of domestic labour.
The Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry says as of October last year, over 2.5 million foreign nationals were employed in Japan.
It says the year-on-year growth rate was about 12%, exceeding the 10% mark for a third straight year.
Among nationalities, Vietnam topped the list with over 600,000 workers in Japan.
China was second with over 430,000, followed by the Philippines with more than 260,000.
The data also shows which industries are relying on people from abroad to make up for acute shortages.
Health and welfare saw its number of foreign workers jump by about 26% from 2024.
That share rose by more than 17% in accommodation and food services, followed by construction, which rose over 16%.
The Labour Ministry says it wants to continue improving conditions for foreign workers to help them make the most of their talents.
VOTER UNEASE OVER RISING PRICES COULD SWAY ELECTION
Leading up to the lower house election on February 8, we'll have a series of reports on the key issues on voters' minds as they prepare to decide. Today, we focus on inflation.
Japan's consumer prices rose by more than 3% last year, putting many households under pressure.
The latest NHK opinion poll shows more than 40% of respondents say they'll consider what is being proposed to deal with high prices in the coming election.
We went out to hear what consumers had to say and what sort of relief there may be for them. NHK World's Moritani Hinako put together this report.
00:05:56 話者 3/Moritani Hinako
The prices of many items in this supermarket have been rising steadily over the past few years. The customers have taken note.
00:06:07 話者 13/customer 1
My children are into sports and our food expenses have gone up quite a lot.
Probably tens of thousands of yen a year.
00:06:17 話者 14/
I buy less food than I used to and less clothing as well.
00:06:25 話者 3
The supermarket's president, Akiba Hiromichi, told us about the challenges he faces.
00:06:33 話者 15/Akiba Hiromichi
Operating costs have increased in addition to purchase costs.
So sales prices are up significantly, to a level where we can no longer manage it.
The situation is indeed severe.
00:06:46 話者 3
Official data confirm what consumers know firsthand.
Japan's inflation rate has been above 2 percent for nearly four years.
On the other hand, real wages adjusted for inflation have been falling.
Paychecks are not keeping up. Household budgets are getting tighter.
One person feeling the squeeze is Endo Takashi.
The 62-year-old works at a human resources firm.
He has continued working there on contract beyond retirement age.
To save money, he cooks his meals at home and prepares boxed lunches for work.
Over the past couple of years, his total income has fallen.
He has been unable to save as much as he had hoped.
00:07:40 話者 4/Endo Takashi
My salary has barely gone up and prices have been rising for two or three years.
So my situation is really difficult.
I have to be careful to buy fewer items than before, spending around 3,000 yen, for instance, instead of 4,000 yen. Otherwise, there is no way I can make ends meet.
00:08:04 話者 3
Despite his circumstances, Endo says he wants to vote for a party with a balanced policy focused not only on cutting the consumption tax, but on longer-term fiscal health.
00:08:19 話者 4
Looking at the big picture, cutting the consumption tax would reduce my burden, and that would be nice.
But the savings would be gone in an instant, and I have to think about the future burden, which would be even greater.
00:08:32 話者 3
Kuga Naoko of NLI Research Institute acknowledges that the challenges facing non-regular workers, especially those living alone, are severe.
She suggests voters need to consider both near-term and forward-looking measures for the well-being of their households.
00:08:54 話者 23/Kuga Naoko
Policies should be planned with a medium- to long-term view, so they can result in sustainable wage growth, higher productivity, and a stronger economy.
The makeup of households is becoming more diverse, so a single policy does not work for everyone.
Instead, it would be better to introduce carefully tailored measures for the short, medium, and long term, as well as for different types of households.
00:09:18 話者 3
Analysts say the inflation rate is likely to temporarily ease this year, but the underlying trend of rising prices is set to continue.
How voters feel about that will play a significant role in the election.
00:09:36 話者 1
Next time we'll focus on the debate surrounding the consumption tax, which most parties want to reduce or abolish. But what are the implications for the economy?
TRUMP THREATENS TARIFFS ON COUNTRIES THAT SUPPLY OIL TO CUBA
US President Donald Trump has ratcheted up pressure on Cuba.
He signed an executive order on Thursday to impose tariffs on countries that supply oil to the Caribbean nation.
The order declares that Cuba's policies and actions present a threat that constitutes a national emergency.
It cites Cuba's alignment with countries and groups hostile to the United States, naming Russia, China, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
The additional tariffs would be levied on US imports of goods from any country that directly or indirectly sells or supplies oil to Cuba.
The executive order does not name any specific country, but the Associated Press said it would put pressure on Mexico, which has provided oil to Cuba.
Venezuela also served as a key supplier before the US military mission to seize President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.
Following that operation, Trump wrote on social media that there would be no more oil going to Cuba. He urged Havana to make a deal before it's too late, without specifying the nature of the deal.
US DEPLOYS WARSHIPS AS TRUMP DEMANDS NUCLEAR DEAL WITH IRAN
Ten US warships, including a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, have reportedly been deployed in the Middle East as Washington demands that Iran enter into negotiations over its nuclear program.
The US sent the fleet, headed by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, to the area following deadly protests in Iran.
A person connected to the US Navy on Thursday told NHK the fleet includes 6 guided missile destroyers.
The source indicated that the vessels are deployed in the US Central Command's area of responsibility, which encompasses the Middle East.
US President Trump was asked by reporters whether he's had any conversations with Iran in the past few days.
He replied that he'd spoken recently with Tehran and was planning another conversation.
00:11:51 話者 5/Donald Trump
We have a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now, and it would be great if we didn't have to use them. Well, I told them two things.
Number one, no nuclear, and number two, stop killing protesters.
00:12:05 話者 1
He went on to say that Iran has to do something.
BUSINESS
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business.
Here's Gene Ortani from the BizDesk.
00:12:15 話者 7/Gene Otani
Kanako thanks in our top business story this hour.
TRUMP SAID TO ANNOUNCE FED CHAIR PICK ON FRIDAY MORNING
US President Donald Trump has indicated he plans to announce on Friday his choice to replace Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve.
Trump told reporters on Thursday that he would reveal his choice on Friday morning.
00:12:36 話者 6/Donald Trump
I'd rather say it tomorrow, but just an outstanding person and a person that won't be too surprising to people.
It's going to be somebody that is very respected, somebody that's known to everybody in the financial world.
00:12:52 話者 7
Bloomberg News reported the same day that the White House is preparing for Trump to nominate former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as the next chair.
The US media outlet cited people familiar with the matter for the information.
It added that no final decision has been made.
Trump on Thursday took to criticizing Powell after the Fed left its benchmark interest rate unchanged the previous day.
The US central bank last left rates unchanged in July last year.
Since then, it has cut rates three times.
Trump called Powell a moron in a social media post and said the Fed has no reason to keep rates so high.
The post said Powell is costing America hundreds of billions of dollars a year in totally unnecessary and uncalled-for interest expense.
US LEAVES JAPAN ON CURRENCY MONITORING LIST
The US has kept Japan on a list to monitor the foreign exchange policies of its major trading partners, which includes currency manipulation.
Washington says Japan's large trade surplus with the US and its rising current account surplus are reasons for concern.
The Treasury Department released the semi-annual report on Thursday.
The US uses the list to monitor if trading partners use market intervention or other means to keep their currencies weak against the dollar to promote exports.
The latest report says the US Treasury is now also checking if policies are used to prevent a currency weakening. This comes amid the recent depreciation of the Japanese yen.
The report says the yen has been anchored near multi-decade lows due in large part to wide policy rate differentials between Japan and its major trading partners.
It adds that the yen is also being weakened by the prospects for more expansionary fiscal policies under a new Japanese government.
CONSUMER INFLATION IN TOKYO SLOWS TO 2% IN JANUARY
Consumer prices in Tokyo rose at a slower pace in January compared to the previous month. The abolition of a provisional gasoline tax helped bring down costs.
Preliminary figures from the Internal Affairs Ministry show the Consumer Price Index for the Capital's 23 rewards rose 2% from a year ago.
The reading is down 0.3 percentage points from December.
It excludes volatile figures for fresh foods.
Prices for non-perishable food items climbed 5.6% year-on-year, pushing the CPI higher.
The cost of rice roasts more slowly than a year ago, but it was still up 26 percent.
The price of coffee beans surged over 66 percent, while chocolate increased almost 25 percent.
Consumer prices in Tokyo are seen as a leading indicator of the nation's overall trend.
Japan's CPI will be released on February 20.
TEPCO SEES ¥641 BIL. NET LOSS IN FY2025 ON FUKUSHIMA CLEANUP
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings forecasts a net loss in fiscal 2025 due to soaring costs related to decommissioning its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
TEPCO expects a consolidated net loss of 641 billion yen, or about $4 billion, for the fiscal year ending in March.
Vice President Yamaguchi Hiroyuki announced the forecast on Thursday.
The company will book an extraordinary loss from costs related to the removal of radioactive fuel debris at the Fukushima plant.
The expected deficit is the fourth largest since the plant was disabled by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
Japan's government on Monday approved the company's restructuring plan.
This includes slashing costs by more than 3 trillion yen, or $19 billion, over the next 10 years.
Expanding ties with other firms to generate revenue is also part of the reorganization.
TEPCO recently restarted a reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, but it has since been shut down due to a malfunction.
The company had initially planned to resume commercial operations at the plant on February 26. TEPCO said the setback will force it to review that schedule.
The firm has said the Kashiwazaki plant is key to rebuilding its finances.
BIZ PICKS
Next, NHK World's John LaDue is here with BizPix.
00:17:59 話者 6/John LaDue
Let's start with the events we'll be tracking in the week ahead.
JAPAN'S FOOD AND FARM EXPORTS GAINING GROUND
This week, BizPix takes a deeper look at last year's export figures.
Japan's shipments of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, along with food items, have been rising, and they could be just getting started.
There has been a growing demand for these items overseas.
Exports of products hit a record high in 2024, topping 1.5 trillion yen, or about $9.8 billion.
The latest numbers from 2025 show that the figure already surpassed 1.4 trillion yen through November.
Miwa Yasufumi is chief specialist at the Japan Research Institute.
He says the growth is part of a virtuous cycle created by an influx of visitors to Japan.
00:18:50 話者 5/Miwa Yasufumi
Inbound visitors touch, eat, and become fans of Japanese farm products, and then buy them back home. This starts a virtuous cycle.
For example, after visitors discovered the quality of Japanese tea, many businesses, restaurants, cafes, and individuals began importing varieties they liked.
The Japanese government has also been involved in a careful marketing effort.
Products are processed to fit the tastes of people in different countries and regions, and they're exported in a way that is easy to use in those places.
00:19:22 話者 6
The government has set a goal of boosting exports of food and farm products to 5 trillion yen, or about $32 billion, by 2030. So there is still a long way to go.
In terms of export destinations, the United States tops the list, followed by Hong Kong and China. Miwa says it's essential to cultivate new markets.
00:19:51 話者 5
The key is finding opportunities in countries and regions where import figures have been small. We need to aim directly at markets in the European Union.
The EU has strict rules on food and agricultural products.
But the export goal cannot be achieved without it. The government is expected to provide more support to farmers and food companies to deal with the strict EU standards.
00:20:19 話者 6
Miwa says opening new markets while growing smaller ones will boost sales and reduce risks. But this comes with the challenge of understanding local needs.
00:20:35 話者 5
Export destinations that need to be cultivated often lack partners who monitor local demands.
In the first half of 2026, firms will need to ship a variety of items, gather assessments from inbound visitors, and try to find hit products.
00:20:56 話者 6
Japan has made strides toward growing agriculture, forestry, and fishery exports as a pillar of its growth strategy.
The figures coming next week will show if the momentum has continued and point to what lies ahead for the industry.
I'm John Ladue, and that wraps up this edition of Biz Picks.
MARKETS
00:21:17 話者 7/Gene Otani
John, thanks. All right, let's have a look at the markets.
♪
That's it for business news.
AI ENSURES FRESH FOOD CONVENIENCE ON THE GO
00:21:50 話者 1
It seems no street in Japan is complete without a few vending machines.
With their convenient drinks and pre-packaged foods, healthy options often take a backseat.
One Japanese company, though, is offering a fresher alternative and is reducing food waste with the help of AI.
LEAFY LOGISTICS
00:22:09 話者 8
In this busy underground passageway in downtown Kyoto, you'll find a new type of vending machine. Rather than selling frozen foods, however, it sells fresh salads.
(Japanese)
It offers up to seven different types of salad.
Currently, the most popular variety is smoked salmon and cheese.
It features farm-fresh romaine lettuce and tomatoes with an anchovy dressing.
And each salad is large enough to be a meal by itself.
The vending machine is owned and operated by this startup.
Arai Nobuaki is in charge of the new project.
00:23:23 話者 6
Fresh salads can only last for about two days, so it's difficult to sell them all in that short of a period.
Products with short shelf lives and vending machines do not mix well, so I imagine even if other companies considered doing something similar,
It would be really hard for them to turn a profit.
00:23:41 話者 8
So what is this company's secret to making a profit?
Its vending machines are equipped with an AI system that automatically adjusts prices.
The system uses image recognition technology to identify the level of traffic as well as the age and gender of people passing by.
It then takes into consideration the time of day and the amount of inventory remaining and calculates the optimal pricing needed to boost sales.
As the Best Buy date approaches, and during times of low traffic, the machine automatically begins applying discounts of up to 20%.
Since implementing the AI system into its vending machines, the company has seen sales of its salads increase by 80%.
The move has also resulted in a 20% reduction in food waste.
The company's core business is a service that delivers fresh salads to offices.
They now have contracts with over 20,000 companies nationwide.
The vending machine concept was seen as a way to further grow its sales channels.
The company realized that it could leverage its existing office delivery network to drastically reduce distribution costs for the new business.
However, this didn't ensure a smooth start.
They initially tried selling smaller salads for 250 yen, just under $2, about the same price as similar offerings at convenience stores.
00:25:11 話者 6
We weren't selling any salads at all.
00:25:15 話者 8
Rather than competing directly with convenience stores, they decided to shift to a higher price segment and to try and capitalize on the emerging trend of specialty salad shops.
Despite a six-fold increase in price, at 1,480 yen per salad, sales exceeded expectations in the first year, surpassing 10,000 units.
The company says that the majority of its customers are women, and that its salads have proven to be popular among health-conscious individuals over the age of 40.
WEATHER
00:25:46 話者 1
Now it's time to check out world weather. Like Japan, parts of the US are also dealing with severe cold. Our meteorologist Yumi Hiranoi is back.
00:25:56 話者 12/Yumi Hiranoi
A persistent cold wave is dominating the eastern half of the United States.
Not only people but also animals are facing freezing conditions.
Florida animals are seeking warmth as temperatures are expected to drop across the state this coming weekend.
Zoos have set up large heaters and moved turtles to a warm room every night.
Manatees cannot survive in water temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius.
Hundreds of the marine mammals are gathering around warm water outflows from power plants across the Sunshine State.
Another round of cold air may arrive over the weekend.
Atlanta is likely to get snowfall, and a Sunday high in Miami will be only 13, which is over 10 degrees lower than average.
That's it for now. Stay safe.
00:27:36 話者 1
That wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sakuri in Tokyo.
Thanks very much for joining us.
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