Glad to have you with us on this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Raja Pradhan with the news from Tokyo.
STRIKES INTENSIFY, TRUMP SAYS FIGHTING COULD LAST WEEKS
The United States and Israel have been intensifying their attacks on Iran after they killed the country's top leader.
The conflict has been escalating since Iran announced it would retaliate.
The US president says the fighting could continue for four weeks.
00:00:32 話者 2/Donald Trump
Combat operations continue at this time in full force and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives.
00:00:44 話者 1
In a video posted on social media, Donald Trump referred to the deaths of three US
service members. He says there could be further casualties.
00:00:53 話者 2
America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization.
00:01:05 話者 1
Trump claims the US has destroyed nine Iranian naval ships.
He's urging Tehran's Revolutionary Guard Corps to lay down their arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. He's also appealing to others in the country.
00:01:21 話者 2
I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country. America is with you.
00:01:35 話者 1
Trump has told several media outlets the operation against Iran was progressing more smoothly than originally planned.
A Fox News reporter posted, Trump said, "Nobody can believe the success we're having.
48 leaders are gone in one shot."
Trump also spoke with The Atlantic magazine, saying Iran's new leadership wants to talk with him and he agreed to hold talks.
REPORTS: TEHRAN AND HEZBOLLAH RETALIATE
Iran has reportedly launched large-scale attacks against Israel and US bases in the region.
Israeli media outlets say an Iranian ballistic missile hit a residential area near Jerusalem on Sunday, killing nine people.
And Hezbollah claimed on Monday it attacked an Israeli military facility in northern Israel.
The Shia Muslim group says it was in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader.
Iran conducted strikes on US bases and facilities in other Gulf countries with ballistic missiles and uncrewed aircraft.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims a US naval base in Kuwait has been shut down. It says a US naval base in Bahrain has also been seriously damaged.
The Iranian president has released a video statement, his first appearance since the attacks began.
00:02:55 話者 3
The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are taking action with great strength.
To destroy the enemy's bases, and they will leave the enemy hopeless, as always.
00:03:12 話者 1
Meanwhile, Oman's foreign minister says he received a phone call from his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Arochi.
He says Arochi stressed Iran is positive about all efforts to prevent escalations and restore stability. Oman had been mediating talks between the United States and Iran.
Iran is setting up an extraordinary council to manage national politics until the next supreme leader is elected.
EX-US COMMANDER: OPERATION AIMING FOR REGIME CHANGE
Now, a former US Navy commander tells NHK the immediate focus of the US-Israel operation will likely be on Iran's leadership and ability to retaliate.
John Miller served as commander of the US Navy Fifth Fleet overseeing the Middle East.
00:03:55 話者 4/John Miller
The objective overall is to provide and set the conditions so that the Iranian people
can rise up and overthrow the regime.
So part of that is taking out the command and control capability that the Iranian government has.
00:04:16 話者 1
Miller says the current regime has a succession plan in place that allows it to continue to operate even after the Supreme Leader and other officials are killed.
He adds, therefore, the US and Israel will need to continue to go after that sort of leadership.
Miller also stresses the US wants to limit the amount of retaliation Iran is capable of putting forth.
00:04:39 話者 4
We're already trying to stop the retaliation attacks by getting after their ballistic missile launchers and the production facilities and the missiles themselves.
00:04:50 話者 1
Miller says it's unlikely the United States will send ground troops to Iran, given the significant risk involved.
ANALYSIS: IRAN'S FUTURE UNCERTAIN AS ATTACKS CONTINUE
And earlier, I spoke with NHK World's Kobayashi Yu about what lies ahead for Iran and the entire region.
Yu, to start off with, what do you know about the political situation inside Iran in the wake of the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei?
00:05:14 話者 5
I think Iran's surviving leaders are scrambling to figure out where to go next and who can take over.
As you know, Khamenei led his country for 37 years. It's been quite long.
He was the second of only two supreme leaders since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
The question is, can a successor be chosen smoothly?
And will he unite the country?
Iran's supreme leader is not elected by the public.
One is selected at a meeting of religious leaders, known as an Assembly of Experts.
This will have to happen as missiles are raining down in the country, and as dissidents may be feeling more emboldened.
There seems to be no clear frontrunner.
Whoever it will be, they will have to work quickly to take charge and appear strong, especially after Khamenei was killed so swiftly by Iran's enemies.
Of course, the US and Israel will be carefully watching to see who will take over.
00:06:23 話者 1
Now, you, going back to the dissident forces, do we have a sense of who could take over if there is a regime change?
00:06:31 話者 5
There does not seem to be a clear alternative. Some have been suggesting Leza Pahlavi.
He's a descendant of the Shah of Iran, who ruled the country before the Islamic Revolution.
Pahlavi lives in the US and has met with Trump's special envoy.
He's welcomed the strikes and spoken about taking leadership.
But many older Iranians remember that the Pahlavi dynasty was very oppressive during its time.
Pahlavi has called on Iranians to return to the streets, and some protesters have been seen waving his family banner.
But he does not seem to have an organized support network in Iran.
00:07:16 話者 1
Right. If we can shift now to the United States.
President Trump, he says that this could be over in about four weeks, as we have been reporting. Can we take him at his word here?
00:07:26 話者 5
Well, I doubt that Trump wants this to go on for very long.
I think he's hoping for a quick win, quick win, like what appeared to happen in Venezuela.
You remember, US forces were able to overwhelm that country's military and detain President Nicolas Maduro.
They suffered no fatalities, and Venezuela now has leaders that seem willing to work with Washington.
Trump probably hopes he and Israel's military power can create a similar result.
But so far, that doesn't seem to be happening. Iran did not give up after losing its leaders.
Instead, it's rushing out at the US bases and the regional allies.
Multiple US troops have been killed. Shipping is being targeted.
And now Hezbollah in Lebanon has joined the fight attacking Israel.
The whole operation could be creating a wider conflict.
00:08:30 話者 1
And you, this is all happening as the US prepares for the midterm elections later this year.
00:08:35 話者 5
Yeah, exactly. And Trump probably hoped a quick win against Iran would help his chances.
Domestically, Trump has had a lot of problems lately.
The violence of his immigration crackdowns, the Supreme Court's decision to block some of his sweeping tariffs.
The ongoing controversy over his past connection to billionaire convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The list goes on.
A decisive win in Iran could distract some voters.
But Trump had also promised to avoid foreign votes, especially in the Middle East.
He may be alienating his America First supporters and could lose Republican control over Congress later this year.
That could make his final two years in office very difficult.
US SURVEY: 43% OPPOSE MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAN
00:09:31 話者 1
Now, a weekend survey showed more than 40 percent of US citizens oppose the strikes against Iran, while only about one in four approves.
Reuters news agency and research firm Ipsos carried out the survey from Saturday to Sunday, just after US and Israeli forces launched the attacks.
It received responses from 1,282 people.
The results showed 43 percent of those polled disapproved of the attacks, compared with 27 percent who approved. About 29 percent were not sure.
But responses changed depending on what may happen in the future.
Should US troops be killed or injured, 54 percent say they're more likely to oppose continued military action.
If the situation becomes a wider conflict involving many nations in the Middle East, about 45 percent say they're more likely to oppose it.
But nearly half 48 percent said they're more likely to support the strikes if they end the Iranian nuclear program.
Asked about Trump's willingness to use military force to advance US interests, 56 percent of respondents thought he was too willing, while 35 percent thought he had about the right level of willingness.
FRANCE, GERMANY, UK CONDEMN TEHRAN'S ATTACKS IN REGION
Next, France, Germany, and Britain have strongly condemned Iran for what they call indiscriminate attacks on countries in the region.
They issued a joint statement on Sunday calling for an immediate halt.
We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran's capability to fire missiles and drones at their source.
They also said they've agreed to work together with the United States and allies in the region on this matter.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer released a video saying the UK will support US forces.
00:11:31 話者 6/Keir Starmer
The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.
We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved.
00:12:05 話者 1
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also issued a statement supporting the US and Israel's attacks on Iran.
He said he intends to hold talks with Trump on Tuesday to work closely on this issue.
JAPAN PM PLEDGES EFFORTS TO DE-ESCALATE IRAN SITUATION
And Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae says Japan will work with the international community to make efforts to help calm down the situation with Iran at an early date.
00:12:30 話者 6/
We strongly urge Iran to stop actions that destabilize the region, including nuclear weapons development and attacks on neighboring countries.
We also call for a diplomatic solution through negotiations and other means.
00:12:45 話者 1
She told the parliamentary committee Japan is working closely with relevant nations to collect information and take other steps.
Now, regarding the reports of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key transport channel, Tagaichi said there's conflicting information on the matter.
She added Japanese vessels in the region are being closely watched.
Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu told the committee almost all of the roughly 200 Japanese nationals in Iran have been contacted and none of them has been harmed.
He added the government has begun preparations to evacuate them and will provide them with assistance if necessary.
BUSINESS
Now, to check how the situation is having an impact in the world of business, we go to Ramin Mellegard. Ramin.
00:13:32 話者 7/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
TOKYO STOCKS FALL AS RISK-AVERSION SETS IN
Now, the Japanese stock market reacted sharply to the US-Israel attacks on Iran with the benchmark index falling.
Our business reporter Amma Raimou at the Tokyo Stock Exchange walks us through Monday's trading.
00:13:50 話者 13/Amma Raimu
The Nikkei 225 fell almost across the board soon after the opening.
There was on reports the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed taking off crude oil supply from the Middle East. The benchmark briefly fell 2.6 percent.
It rebounded sharply later on, but ended the day 1.35 percent lower at 58,057.
Monday's decline came after three consecutive record closing highs.
Analysts say investors have turned risk-averse as rising energy prices could drive up global inflation.
Amma Raimu, NHK World.
CRUDE OIL, GOLD PRICES SURGE IN JAPAN
00:14:36 話者 7
Now, the impact of the attacks was also felt in Japan's commodity markets on Monday.
The price of oil surged to a 13-month high due to supply concerns, and investors bought gold as a safe-haven asset.
Middle Eastern crude for July delivery rose above 72,000 yen, or over $460 per kiloliter in Tokyo.
That's for up roughly 9% from Friday's close and the highest level since January last year.
Meanwhile, gold prices were near record highs.
Tokyo-based bullion dealer Tanaka Precious Metal Technologies said the retail price briefly rose almost 4% from Friday.
It exceeded 29,800 yen, or more than $190 per gram.
JAPANESE SHIPPING AVOIDS STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Japanese shipping firms are keeping their vessels away from the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating conflict.
Japan relies on the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, for more than 90 percent of its crude oil needs.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines says it has ordered its vessels sailing near the strait to proceed no further and wait in safe waters.
The company acted after confirming the radio announcement by Iran's navy that no vessels are allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
NYK Lines is also staying clear of the strait. The firm says it has told its vessels in the Persian Gulf to stay there and await further instructions.
IRAN CONFLICTECONOMIST: JAPAN FACES RECESSION RISK FROM HIGH OIL PRICES
Now, an economist at a leading Japanese research firm says if crude oil prices keep rising, the nation's economy would be at risk of stagflation, and people's lives could take a hit.
Kyuichi Takahide from Nomura Research Institute says the most likely scenario is that the conflict will be prolonged, disrupting the movement of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
He says that if crude prices jump about 30 percent as a result, it could drive down Japan's real GDP by an annualized 0.18 percent and add to inflation.
00:16:49 話者 5/Kyuichi Takahide
If prices keep rising, the level of personal consumption cannot be sustained, and the Japanese economy could go into recession.
So the extent to which crude prices rise will have a great impact on the economy.
00:17:03 話者 7
Kyuichi said that if the situation deteriorates, the government could start discussing measures to curb rising prices, forcing the Bank of Japan to delay rate hikes.
JAPANESE STRAWBERRIES FIND SWEET SPOT OVERSEAS
Now, Japanese strawberries have been gaining popularity overseas, with a reputation for quality and sweetness.
We have a report on how producers and entrepreneurs are finding ways to bring the fruit to the hungry international market.
00:17:31 話者 8
One place that has been buzzing over Japanese strawberries is New York City.
When some were served as dessert by a Michelin three-star restaurant, diners raved about the intense sweetness they had never before experienced.
Fashion model Miranda Kerr and other celebrities talked to social media to gush their praise.
These strawberries are produced by a US start-up run by a Japanese entrepreneur.
The seedlings are imported and the strawberries are grown in specially fabricated indoor farms.
The firm sells its produce to hundreds of shops in 15 different states.
The prices range from around $8 to $10 per pack.
The firm says it has been unable to keep up with demand.
00:18:20 話者 2
I was shocked at the taste of American strawberries, which I thought was very poor.
They were very hard and only durable varieties were being sold.
I thought I had found an enormous business opportunity in the US.
00:18:36 話者 8
The United States is just one overseas market where appetite has taken off.
Annual export values have risen about eight-fold over the last 10 years to 6.7 billion yen or about 43 million dollars.
That's causing more strawberry farms to turn their attention overseas.
One such farmer is Arai Satoshi.
00:19:00 話者 6/Arai Satoshi
These strawberries will turn fully red and be ready for export next week.
00:19:05 話者 8
Arai has been exporting to both the US and Thailand for the past seven years.
He thought his business would not be able to keep running properly if he limited himself to the domestic market.
One of the major challenges was the cost of equipment.
He had to meet the safety standards of each market.
He invested 10 million yen or about $64,000 to get what he needed.
For Thailand, he bought a special sterilizer just for the seedlings.
On top of that, he chose a special material for the packaging.
00:19:40 話者 6
The shock-resistant material prevents damage when planes are taking off and landing.
00:19:47 話者 8
The strawberries are wrapped in two layers of the material to protect them during transport.
Arai says the effort is worth it because the export market is now more lucrative than the domestic one.
He estimates the profit margin for shipments to Thailand, excluding labor, is 85%.
That's higher than for domestic sales at 77%.
00:20:12 話者 6
I want to run my business to keep profitability at 85% for overseas markets.
I'm hoping to focus on exports while still taking good care of domestic sales as well.
00:20:24 話者 8
Such efforts are being supported by the government.
The Agriculture Ministry has designated strawberries a priority export.
It has set a goal of quadrupling the current export value by 2030.
An event was held last year in Hong Kong with the support of the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO, along with other organizations.
Officials from strawberry-producing regions made their pitch directly to consumers.
Popular characters are also being brought in to help with marketing.
00:20:59 話者 9
Strawberries pretending to be Japanese have begun to appear around Asia.
We are hoping to raise overseas awareness about the quality of our produce to promote sales and expand markets.
MARKETS
00:21:16 話者 7
Okay, let's get a check on the markets.
♪
And that is it for Business News.
♫
00:22:13 話者 1
Recent changes to Japan's foreign driver's license conversion test have drastically cut the pass rate.
The government changed the rules last October after major incidents on the roads.
The test allows those with overseas driver's licenses to prove they have the knowledge to drive in Japan.
According to the National Police Agency, a record 68,000 foreigners went through the process in 2024.
But there was criticism the test was too easy after several incidents last year involving foreign drivers.
In one case, a Peruvian man drove the wrong way on a central Japan expressway for over 10 kilometers. It caused multiple accidents and left several injured.
The agency changed both the written and practical parts of the test.
The written part was expanded from 10 questions to 50.
Applicants need to get 90 percent right to pass.
As a result, the pass rate plummeted from 93 percent in 2024 to just 43 percent at the end of last year. The practical test also saw changes.
It now tests for things like pedestrians at crosswalks and rules for railway crossings.
The pass rate for the driving portion also fell drastically, from 30 percent to 13.
The agency says it will continue to make sure foreigners who convert their licenses are suited to drive in Japan.
HIMEJI CASTLE IMPOSING HIGHER ENTRY FEE FOR NON-RESIDENTS
Moving now to western Japan, Himeji Castle, which is a World Heritage Site, has a new entrance fee, two and a half times the previous one.
The change applies to visitors from outside Himeji City.
The fee has been raised from 1,000 yen to 2,500 yen, about $16, for visitors aged 18 or older.
Officials say they'll use funds to maintain the castle's plaster and stone walls and improve its cultural value.
00:24:08 話者 9
We would like visitors to understand the change, which aims to preserve and transmit the castle to the future.
00:24:17 話者 1
Meanwhile, people aged under 18 are now free of charge.
Officials are hoping more young people will visit the castle built in the early 17th century.
WEATHER
And it's time now for a check on the weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh.
So Jonathan, people in western parts of Japan are getting some sights of spring.
So what can you tell us?
00:24:39 話者 9/Jonathan Oh
Hello, we have been seeing a little bit of an up and down in terms of temperatures and the weather pattern across Japan, but we are seeing enough warmth.
We're back to the western portion of Japan. We're seeing signs of spring.
Take a look at this video coming out of Fukuoka Prefecture.
A nearly 500-year-old plum tree is in full bloom at a temple in Omata City, named after the dragon Garyubai. Its branches are dotted with bright pink flowers at the tips.
The temple has about 300 other plum trees and 30 varieties also at their peak.
Those visiting say that the many blossoms bring them a sense of spring.
The flowers are expected to remain in full bloom through early March.
Now, Tuesday might not be the best day to go out toward the western portion of Japan.
We have a couple of low pressure systems that are going to be rolling on through, maybe dealing with some decent amount of rainfall with this particular pattern.
It might be We're talking about more of a snow type situation over into North and South Korea.
And we'll see this rain spraying toward the east throughout the day.
So you'll need to take your umbrellas with you because we'll be talking about quite a bit of a wet pattern ahead.
Might even be talking about some flakes in places like Tendai, even portions of Greater Tokyo as we go throughout the day on Tuesday.
Niigata, Osaka, Fukuoka, all seeing some rain.
So yeah, umbrella action day coming up as we go through Tuesday.
Speaking of some rain, we're seeing some wet weather down toward the southern portions of Europe, but strong winds along a core front that's pushing through the western portions of the continent.
And we're talking about some possibly damaging level of damaging force winds as we see the cold front pushing on through from the United Kingdom down toward the south and west. Rain toward the Iberian Peninsula as we go through the day on Monday.
So be on the lookout for that.
Temperatures, though, a little bit on the milder side here.
17 in Paris, 15 in London, 12 in Vienna as we go through the day on Monday.
We've been talking about the news happening out of the Middle East, just looking at what's happening in terms of the weather perspective here.
Mid-teens from Beirut into Jerusalem, looking at some rain temperatures into the low thirties as you go through the day on Monday.
That's a look at your forecast. Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:40 話者 1
That's all for this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo. Thanks for joining us.
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