Glad to have you with us on NHA Newsline. I'm Yuko Fukushima.
RECORD-BREAKING SNOWFALL IN NORTHERN JAPAN
Snow is piling up to unusually high levels in parts of northern Japan, a record-breaking level in at least one area.
The situation is so intense, officials have called in the Ground Self-Defense Force.
In Aomori Prefecture, pile after pile.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says the snow has been falling in areas along the Sea of Japan.
As of 2 p.m. Monday, the city of Aomori has recorded an accumulation of about 1.7 meters.
That's two and a half times the usual amount for this time of year.
I've had to remove the snow from the roofs, but I don't know where to put all of it.
There have been casualties due to accidents during snow removal.
The prefecture has asked the GSDF to send personnel to the city to deal with record snowfall.
Officials want them to, among other things, help elderly residents in the city who live alone to remove snow from their roofs.
The snow is forecast to keep falling in areas on the Sea of Japan's side through Tuesday.
TOKYO POLICE SEARCH FOR PERPETRATORS OF RECENT ROBBERIES
Tokyo police are searching for people responsible for robberies that happened within hours of each other.
Authorities are also looking into possible connections with a robbery in Hong Kong that may have involved one of the same people attacked.
The first one happened Thursday night on a street in Taito Ward.
Police say three people assaulted a group of Japanese and Chinese with a pepper spray-like substance.
Assailants reportedly did not sound Japanese.
They made off with suitcases containing cash worth more than 2.6 million US dollars.
The second robbery happened early Friday morning, about two and a half hours later.
Police say four different people attacked a group of four.
It happened at a parking lot at Haneda Airport, specifically near a vehicle loaded with cash worth about 1.2 million dollars.
But police say the money was not stolen.
Authorities suspect that the perpetrators in both cases were following instructions from a single source and are still believed to be in the country.
Finally, in Hong Kong, another robbery later that day.
Tokyo police say the 51-year-old man who was robbed may have also been one of the people attacked at Haneda.
Hong Kong police say four people have been indicted on charges of conspiring to rob a Japanese man of nearly 330-thousand dollars.
Authorities say that three of them are Japanese and one Chinese.
SOURCES: VICTIM WAS ROBBED PREVIOUSLY
And we're getting more details about the robbery that happened at Haneda Airport.
One of the victims has told investigators that he had been robbed of foreign currency last year as well.
The man is a company president in his 30s.
He says cash worth about $610,000 had been stolen from a parked car in Chew Award last November.
He says he brings cash to Hong Kong nearly every day as part of his business.
He also says he had purchased gold from a dealer, sold it, and then planned to bring the cash to Hong Kong to exchange there.
Police suspect that information about the transport of a large amount of money may have been leaked.
JAPAN BEGINS OVER-THE-COUNTER SALES OF MORNING-AFTER PILLS
Japan has started allowing over-the-counter sales of an emergency contraceptive drug.
Morning-after pills had been previously sold by prescription only.
Sales of Norelevel began on Monday and the pills will be available at about 7,000 stores across the country.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price is 7,480 yen for about $48 including tax.
Nurlevel is said to be highly effective at preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. There is no age limit for purchasing the drug.
Those needing the pills are required to buy them in person.
They are also required to take the pills on the spot under the guidance of special trained pharmacists.
I want people to rely on us instead of suffering alone.
The side effects reportedly include uterine bleeding and headaches, but the World Health Organization says they are mild.
The exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama, has won a Grammy Award.
He received the honor in the category of Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording.
The winners of the most prestigious honors in the US music industry were announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The winning audiobook is titled Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.
The spiritual leader talks in English in the recording, accompanied by background music.
He discusses ten themes, including harmony and peace.
DALAI LAMA WINS GRAMMY FOR BEST AUDIO BOOK
The 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after China suppressed an uprising in Tibet.
Speaking at his 90th birthday celebration last year, he said his successor will be chosen based on Tibetan tradition without any outside interference.
In a statement after his win, the Dalai Lama said he believes that peace, compassion, care for our environment and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for everyone.
He said he is grateful the Grammy recognition would help spread that message.
China reacted sharply to the news.
A foreign ministry spokesperson said the Dalai Lama is a political exile who conducts anti-China activities under the guise of religion, adding that Beijing is firmly opposed to using the artistic award as a tool for anti-Chinese politics.
TRUMP SAYS US IN TALKS WITH CUBAN OFFICIALS TO 'MAKE A DEAL'
US President Donald Trump has been stepping up pressure on Cuba.
He says Washington is in talks with senior Cuban officials, and he believes the two sides are going to make a deal.
00:06:45 話者 2
Well, Cuba's a failing nation. It has been for a long time.
But now it doesn't have Venezuela to prop it up.
So we're talking to the people from Cuba, the highest people in Cuba.
We'll see what happens.
00:06:57 話者 1
He has not said what kind of deal he is pursuing, but the Wall Street Journal reports the US
president is seeking regime change by the end of the year.
Trump added that he also wants people who have fled to the US to be able to return to Cuba.
On Thursday, Trump said that Havana constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to US security, and he signed an executive order to impose tariffs on countries that supply oil to the Caribbean nation.
Concerns are growing from a humanitarian perspective that Cuba's living conditions could deteriorate due to energy shortages.
BUSINESS
And now let's go to Ramin Mellegard for the latest in business.
00:07:41 話者 3/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
DAIHATSU ROLLS OUT MINI ELECTRIC COMMERCIAL VEHICLES IN JAPAN
Now, Japan's Daihatsu Motor has begun selling mini electric commercial vehicles in the country as its first mass-produced EVs.
Now, the automaker is aiming to capitalize on demand from companies that promote decarbonization.
Daihatsu President Inouye Masahiro announced their nationwide launch on Monday.
Commercial vehicles account for about half of the automaker's domestic sales.
We believe rolling out mini electric vehicles for commercial.
00:08:14 話者 4
Use is the best way that we can contribute to carbon neutrality.
00:08:21 話者 3
The new e-hijet cargo and e-at tray were jointly developed with Toyota Motor and Suzuki Motor.
Both are intended for use such as delivery services.
Japanese auto industry groups say about 60,000 EVs were sold in the country last year.
That amounts to just 1.6% of the total unit sales.
Honda Motor and Mitsubishi Motors have also put commercial EVs on the market.
The question now is what impact they will have on overall EV sales in Japan.
And the price of gold in Japan has plunged from a record high set last week.
Demand waned as investors shifted to dollar buying.
RETAIL GOLD PRICE IN JAPAN PLUNGES FROM RECORD HIGH
Tokyo-based bullion dealer Tanaka Precious Metal Technologies said the retail price of gold was just over 26,000 yen, or about $168 per gram, on Monday afternoon.
That's down almost 14% from the record of 30,248 yen set last Thursday.
The precious metal had been bought as a safe haven.
asset amid friction between the United States, Europe over Greenland and rising tensions over Iran.
But the tide shifted after US President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as the Federal Reserve's next chair late last week. That triggered dollar buying.
As investors took the view, it is increasingly uncertain that the Fed would proceed with the rate cuts as Trump has demanded.
BOJ OFFICIALS CITE IMPORTANCE OF TIMING IN RATE DECISIONS
The Bank of Japan's summary of opinions from its January meeting show policymakers said the bank shouldn't miss the appropriate timing for raising interest rates.
The central bank kept rates unchanged last month, citing the need to monitor the effects of the increase it decided in December.
The summary shows that officials are wary of how the weaker yen will influence inflation,
One official said a rate hike should proceed without missing the appropriate timing, given the rise in prices.
Another called it appropriate for the bank to raise the policy rate at intervals of a few months.
Now, policymakers also discussed the recent sharp rise in long-term interest rates.
One of them said exceptional circumstances warrant flexible responses, including purchases of government bonds by the central bank.
Another said the BOJ should continue to examine whether lenders and borrowers have been able to adapt to the rapid pace of increases in long-term rates.
The Finance Minister says seventy-five percent of Japan's companies are using artificial intelligence in business operations.
The figure is a near seven-fold increase from 11% about five years ago.
The ministry says it ran the survey from December to January and more than 1,100 firms responded.
SURVEY: 75% OF JAPANESE COMPANIES USE AI FOR BUSINESS
The use of AI rose to 89% from 19% at large companies.
Among mid-sized businesses, it jumped to 66% from 8%.
AI use at smaller companies also saw a surge to 65% from 4%.
The survey shows that technology is mostly used to draft documents, followed by collecting information and technical support and development.
On the benefits of AI, respondents said online chatbots sharply reduce the need to respond to phone calls.
One company expects to cut about 60,000 work hours a year by using AI to create meeting minutes and summarize emails.
A retail business in the survey says sales roughly quadrupled thanks to AI's product analysis.
Other companies were using the technology for training by having the algorithm learn the skills of veteran workers.
On the downside, some companies say they lack the employees or expertise to use AI.
Others were concerned about the risk of information leaks.
ANA PLANS 30% INCREASE IN INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER FLIGHTS
Major Japanese airline operator ANA Holdings is planning a 30% increase in international passenger services by fiscal 2030 amid a surge in global demand.
ANA announced its medium-term corporate strategy for the three years from April on Friday.
The carrier says it will boost the number of flights between Narita Airport near Tokyo and cities in North America and Asia.
The move comes as the extension of one of Narita's two runways and the addition of a third one are scheduled for completion by the end of March 2029.
ANA says it will also expand routes served by its low-cost carrier subsidiary, mainly to and from the Kansai International Airport in western Japan.
Now, meanwhile, the company will trim its domestic passenger operations by 1 percent by fiscal 2030.
It cited Japan's dwindling population and an uncertain outlook for the
recovery and corporate demand.
ANA says it will focus on improving profitability by using smaller aircraft and collaborating with rival carrier Japan Airlines on ground handling roles.
MARKETS
Okay, let's get a check on the markets.
♪
And that is it for business news.
DEBATE OVER CONSUMPTION TAX FUELS CONCERNS FOR FISCAL HEALTH
00:14:08 話者 1
Now the next in our series on the key issues facing voters ahead of the lower house election on Sunday.
Today we focus on the consumption tax.
Most of the parties are calling for the tax to be lowered or abolished to meet voter demands to do something about rising prices.
But the tax provides much of the revenue for Japan's social security programs.
Experts are divided over the potential impact of the tax cuts.
00:14:35 話者 5
The consumption tax was introduced in 1989 at 3%.
It has been increased three times since then.
It's now at 10% for most items. For food, it is 8%.
Many consumers see it as the burden and wonder what can be done about it.
00:14:54 話者 1
It would be good if the tax on food were reduced to zero.
00:15:00 話者 2
I think the consumption tax is necessary.
It would be unrealistic to suddenly bring the rate to zero.
00:15:08 話者 5
So what impact would lowering the tax have on the economy?
Former Bank of Japan policymaker Harada Yutaka says it would actually stimulate consumption.
00:15:20 話者 4
If the tax is reduced from eight to zero, that would slash revenue by 5 trillion yen.
The effects of a tax cut are estimated to be worth around 60% of the amount of the reduction, so I think the cut would probably lift consumption by around 3 trillion yen.
00:15:36 話者 5
Others doubt a tax cut would do much to ease the pain of rising prices.
Morita Chotaro at All Nippon Asset Management is among them.
00:15:46 話者 6
As this would be the first ever consumption tax cut, I would say it could lift sentiment significantly, causing a pickup in inflation.
In that case, a tax cut would run counter to efforts to address higher prices.
00:16:05 話者 5
There's also the question of how to make up for the lost revenue.
Given Japan's aging society, the tax has been an important source of funding for social security programs.
The finance ministry estimates that if the 8% consumption tax on daily necessities, such as food, is reduced to zero, revenue would fall by around 5 trillion yen, or more than $30 billion.
An across-the-board cut to 5% would lead to a shortfall of nearly $100 billion.
That's raising worries about the country's fiscal health.
Heavy selling in the government bond market last month caused the yield on the benchmark 10-year to hit its highest in 27 years.
One major concern is Japan's huge debt.
The debt-to-GDP ratio stands at around 230 percent, the highest among G7 nations.
Does the government have the fiscal room to cope with lower tax revenue?
Experts are divided.
Ex-BOJ policymaker Harada says a 5 trillion yen shortfall would not be a big deal.
He points to encouraging signs in Japan's GDP growth.
A growing economy means the debt becomes relatively smaller.
Increased tax revenue leads to greater fiscal resources.
00:17:32 話者 4
Japan is experiencing a natural increase in tax revenue and nominal GDP growth.
Aiming for 3% growth backed by monetary and fiscal policies could yield additional fiscal resources of around 10 trillion yen or $65 billion per year.
00:17:49 話者 5
Morita, on the other hand, warns of the long-term consequences for the nation's fiscal health.
00:17:56 話者 6
Considering past examples,
It would not be easy to raise a tax that had previously been cut.
Social security expenditures are expected to rise by about 1 trillion yen or $6.5 billion every year.
So it would surely be tough to compile state budget plans over the long run.
00:18:17 話者 5
The risks are complex.
Excessive fiscal spending could trigger a bond market sell-off.
That would lead to higher interest rates with an impact on people's lives.
Reducing or eliminating the consumption tax inevitably raises the question of whether fiscal discipline will hold up.
00:18:39 話者 1
While most parties agree it's time to change the consumption tax, they have differing views on exactly what changes to make. Here are their campaign pledges.
00:18:51 話者 7
The Liberal Democratic Party says it will speed up efforts to exempt food products from the consumption tax for exactly two years.
The Centrist Reform Alliance says it will permanently lower the tax to zero on food items beginning this fall.
The Japan Innovation Party will reduce the tax to zero on food for two years.
The Democratic Party for the People says it will reduce the consumption tax rate to 5 percent across the board until Japan begins to see a sustainable rise in real wages.
The Japanese Communist Party aims to abolish the consumption tax, but will first reduce it to 5 percent across all products.
Reiwa Shinsengumi will abolish the consumption tax immediately.
Tax Cuts Japan Patriotic Alliance says it will carry out drastic revisions.
That includes scrapping the tax and dropping it to five percent.
Sanseito is calling for the total elimination of the tax in stages.
The Conservative Party of Japan will permanently reduce the tax rate to zero on food and alcohol.
The Social Democratic Party says it will reduce the tax rate to zero.
Team Mirai will keep the consumption tax rate as it is.
00:20:26 話者 1
Next time, we'll focus on foreign and defense policies.
NHK's senior commentator will break down key issues on the topic.
And our special coverage of the election starts just before 8 p.m. Sunday, Tokyo time.
Catch NHK World's Japan Decides for the latest results, deep dives, analysis and more.
LIGHTSHOW TRANSFORMS YOKOHAMA WATERFRONT
The waterfront area in Yokohama City near Tokyo is well known for its beautiful scenery.
A magical illumination event there in December adds to the ambience using cutting-edge technology. The producer shares his thoughts behind the light show.
00:21:23 話者 11/visitor
Beautiful. Lovely.
00:21:26 話者 8
Light and music resonate throughout the city's waterfront, turning the entire area into a glowing spectacle.
Now in its sixth year, the illumination event featured a record number of 46 participating sites.
From the giant Ferris wheel to the Yokohama Customs House, the event is supported by both the public and private sectors.
Yokohama attracts many day-trippers from Tokyo.
This event is designed to encourage visitors to also enjoy the city at night.
More than 75% of the electricity used for this dazzling show comes from renewable energy.
Used tempura oil collected from households and restaurants is recycled into biofuel to support decarbonization and sustainability.
Event producer Yamasaki Nashi hopes visitors will not only admire the night view, but also get a deeper feel for the city.
00:22:36 話者 4
Yokohama has a long history, and we feel a strong sense of respect for the place.
Its night scenery is remarkable, and our role is to bring out that charm.
00:22:48 話者 8
This international passenger terminal is where large cruise ships dock.
The rooftop plaza was designed to resemble a giant whale floating on the sea.
It's a great place for an interactive projection mapping show.
At the center, a 20-meter-long glowing whale swims gracefully.
00:23:17 話者 4
One interesting aspect of the terminal is that every single plank and shape is different, and projection mapping helps to bring out these unique features.
00:23:39 話者 8
At Yamashita Park, overlooking Yokohama Port, dozens of floral designs create a glowing garden along a 250-meter path.
Light projected onto the grass responds to people's movements.
People can interact and play with the luminous designs.
00:24:01 話者 4
These sensors are also used in technologies like autonomous driving.
They constantly scan the surroundings, allowing the lights at people's feet to react to their movements.
The beauty is completed only when people step into the light.
So when they're in there, we want to create an experience where they can communicate through light.
00:24:25 話者 8
Visitors can also feel a strong sense of connection with the whole city.
They can see the same lights and music on their smartphones.
I've never had an experience where I get to participate. It's fresh and fun.
00:24:43 話者 4
If people can think about how the city's history and culture or everyday life all come together in this event, I think they can enjoy it even more.
00:24:55 話者 8
Yamasaki is looking forward to seeing more people come to the city and interact with the light and sound.
WEATHER
00:25:05 話者 1
It's time for a check on the world weather with our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh.
So, Jonathan, frigid cold and blustery snow hit the southeastern US this weekend.
What's the latest?
00:25:16 話者 9/Jonathan Oh
Hello. We had some very intense winter weather impacting the southeastern United States as it went through the weekend.
That's the second time in two weeks.
So for some folks who are dealing with the cold weather, it was their second time.
And some of them were dealing with, many of them were dealing with during a period of power outages. I want to show you some video.
We're starting in North Carolina where people are dealing with a bomb cyclone that battered the southeastern US Sunday.
It brought heavy snowfall and frigid cold.
The Weather Service in Wilmington, North Carolina, reported that the main airport received 15 centimeters of snow, which was its heaviest snowfall, in nearly 40 years.
Meanwhile, in Florida, yeah, that's an iguana on the ground, yes.
They were stunned by the intense cold and fell from trees, with the local weather office reporting that the temperature in Cooper City dropped to just 2 degrees Celsius.
I mean, just a little context, iguanas being cold-blooded animals.
The name might be ironic, but because of that, when the temperature drops so much, they're unable to move and then they start falling out of the trees because of that.
I mean, they will be okay, but we will still be dealing with some intense cold down for the southeastern United States.
Overnight lows, sometimes dropping to like minus 5 and feeling more like minus 10 degrees Celsius in some locations.
So it is dangerously cold during the overnight period.
We'll see the temperature starting to lift up as we go toward the midweek,
But look at some of the high temperatures coming up on Monday, minus 17 in Winnipeg, minus 2 in Chicago, minus 5 in Toronto.
So yeah, the chilly, frigid weather is definitely here as we start off the month of February.
So especially for those in the Southeast, they really need to find ways to find shelter if they're dealing with the power outages.
Meanwhile, we're talking about a little bit of a moderate type of pattern here.
High pressure in East Asia across China moving in.
Low trying to move across Japan, so some snow along the Sea of Japan side of the country.
But Tokyo topping off at 11 with partly cloudy skies as we go through Tuesday.
Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:40 話者 1
That's the news for this hour. I'm Yuko Fukushima. Thanks for joining us.
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