It's a Thursday evening here in Japan.
I'm James Tengan in Tokyo. Welcome to NHK Newsline.
CONFLICTING MESSAGES ON PROPOSALS TO END THE FIGHTING
Washington and Tehran have reportedly set conditions to end the conflict in Iran, but there's contradictory information.
The situation remains unclear as both sides continue to fight.
Admiral Brad Cooper is the commander of the US Central Command.
He said in a social media video posted on Wednesday that his country's forces have struck more than 10,000 military targets in Iran.
A US Defense Department official tells NHK that airborne troops are being deployed to support military operations in Iran. They include a combat brigade.
Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baghur Ghalibaf, has been posting updates as well.
He says some data suggests that Iranian enemies, with the support of one of the regional countries, are preparing to occupy one of the Iranian islands.
And he warns Iran will relentlessly attack that country's vital infrastructure if it takes any actions.
US President Donald Trump claims that he's holding talks with the Iranian side.
US and Israeli media say Washington sent a 15-point plan to Tehran through Pakistan to end the fighting.
It reportedly includes the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and restrictions on missile programs.
00:01:35 話者 10/Donald Trump
They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they're afraid to say it because they figure they'll be killed by their own people.
They're also afraid they'll be killed by us.
00:01:48 話者 1
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi denies the talks are happening.
He tells state media that his side received a message from the US side through an intermediary a few days ago.
But he says that's not negotiation or dialogue, just simply an exchange of a message.
He says Iran will continue to resist and protect the country.
Reuters news agency reports that a senior Iranian official says Tehran is still reviewing the US proposal aimed at ending the conflict.
But Iran's Press TV on Wednesday quoted a senior security official as saying that Iran dismissed the draft. It says the official outlined a set of Iran's conditions.
They include a complete halt to acts of aggression and assassinations, reparations, and the recognition of Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
SOUTH KOREA BRACES FOR PROLONGED HIGH OIL PRICES
The conflict in the Persian Gulf continues to cause oil prices to surge around the world.
In South Korea, people are feeling the pinch at the pump sandbiad, and there are concerns it could get worse.
I spoke with NHK World's Kim Chan-ju, who was at a gas station outside Seoul earlier.
So, Chan-ju, how are people in South Korea being affected by these rising prices?
00:03:11 話者 2/Kim Chan-ju
Well, you can see behind me that gasoline at this station is 1,779 won per liter.
That's about one dollar and 18 cents.
Gas prices in South Korea started climbing sharply in early March following the outbreak of hostilities in late February. It's starting to have significant impact on drivers.
00:03:40 話者 22
It's a bit of a burden. It's particularly bad for people who aren't working.
00:03:46 話者 23
Gas prices are really weighing down the household budget. That's why I've been using public transportation and only spending money when absolutely necessary.
00:03:56 話者 2
But the rising fuel costs aren't just affecting drivers. It's also made logistics more expensive, which is making consumer goods more expensive, too.
The government has imposed a price cut on some items, like instant noodles, but many say it's not enough. And it could potentially get even worse.
Qatar Energy declared force majeure on long-term LNG supply deals with South Korea, along with China, Italy and Belgium.
That means they are no longer legally obligated to fulfill those contracts.
South Korea relies on Qatar for between 25 and 30 percent of its LNG.
If Qatar's LNG shipments stopped, South Korea would be forced to find replacements on the more expensive spot market, driving up gas prices even further, including home utility bills.
And it doesn't stop there. There's also been disruptions in the supply of naphtha, an oil derivative that's used to make plastics.
That prompted some people to stockpile government-regulated garbage bags, which every household in South Korea is required to use for waste disposal.
00:05:20 話者 1
We have bags similar to that here in Japan as well.
Chang-ju, what is the South Korean government doing to address all of these problems?
00:05:31 話者 2
They've launched a full-scale emergency economic response involving the offices of the president, the prime minister and more.
Five task forces focused on different aspects of the problem will meet twice a week.
The government will also look at longer-term steps like strengthening supply chains and shifting to other sources of energy like coal and nuclear.
They're also looking to pass a war supplementary budget and they're urging the public to conserve energy.
The government has also imposed a five-day vehicle rotation system for public sector employees. It's the first such measure since the oil price surge of 2011.
Private sector participation is voluntary for now, but could become mandatory if things get worse.
Concern is also growing about what some are calling a possible April supply crisis.
Experts warn that if constraints on the Strait of Hormuz continue, supplies of crude oil and naphtha could be even more severely disrupted by next month.
A shortage of naphtha could even halt the production of snack and noodle containers.
But the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources has dismissed these fears.
00:07:00 話者 24/Yang Ki-wook/South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resouces
We're working to secure alternative supplies, and with our strategic reserves, we can say there will be no significant issues in April.
00:07:09 話者 2
The challenge facing the government now is how exactly to secure that supply, and how to protect people's livelihoods from the soaring prices.
They already introduced a price ceiling on gasoline earlier in March. Now, two weeks into the program, they're expected to announce a new price ceiling on Friday.
Many are worried it will be even higher, so there is still a lot of frustration and angst about where things might go from here.
BUSINESS
00:07:43 話者 1
Now for the latest on the business and financial fronts with Gene Otani.
00:07:49 話者 3
James, thanks.
JAPAN STARTS TAPPING INTO NATIONAL OIL RESERVES
Japan is starting the release of oil from national reserves on Thursday to stabilize supply.
It's expected to be the largest ever such move when combined with private sector stockpiles.
The industry ministry says it will first tap national reserves in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, in western Japan.
The country's 11 storage bases will be accessed by the end of April.
A total of about 8.5 million kiloliters are expected to be released.
That amounts to roughly one month of consumption nationwide.
The government plans to sell the oil to four major wholesalers for about 540 billion yen, or over $3 billion, through a direct no-bid contract.
It will be refined to gasoline and other products and supplied to the market.
The government also plans to provide about 5 days' worth of consumption by the end of this month in cooperation with oil-producing countries that maintain stockpiles in Japan.
HOKKAIDO SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN MARKS 10 YEARS OF SERVICE
The bullet train line that connects Japan's main island of Honshu and the northern prefecture of Hokkaido marked the 10th anniversary of its opening on Thursday.
The Hokkaido Shinkansen began operations between Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station and Shin-Aomori Station on March 26, 2016.
The line was expected to boost travel by business and leisure passengers from Honshu, but usage at Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station has dropped by around two-thirds over the decade.
A bullet train trip from the end of the line to Tokyo takes about four hours, and many travelers choose to fly instead. The line returns an annual deficit of more than $60 million.
Another major issue is a substantial delay in construction work to extend the service north to Sapporo.
Around 80% of the extension consists of tunnels, where construction has run into serious difficulties.
The completion date has been pushed back to the end of fiscal 2038 from the originally envisioned 2030.
Project costs are also expected to rise sharply.
Total costs are now projected to increase by up to $7.5 billion, on top of the original estimate of around $14 billion due to the construction delays and soaring material prices.
00:10:25 話者 31/Fujita Kozo/President, Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency
We take the delay of the opening of the entire route very seriously, and we deeply regret the situation.
We are working on the project with the belief that the Hokkaido Shinkansen will deliver its full benefits only once it reaches Sapporo.
00:10:39 話者 3
Fujita added that his agency will continue to explain the costs and seek understanding from all those involved.
SEIBU DEPARTMENT STORE IN TOKYO'S SHIBUYA TO CLOSE
Japanese department store operator Sogo and Seibu will close its Seibu outlet in Tokyo's Shibuya district at the end of September.
The company says it failed to extend contracts with the owners of the land and buildings over redevelopment projects in the area.
The Shibuya store opened in 1968.
It's located near the train station and the famous Scramble Crossing.
It's been a landmark in the district, but it has suffered sluggish sales due to intensifying competition and stagnant customer traffic.
Sogo and Seibu is under a US investment fund. It's renovating the flagship outlet in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district and streamlining its operations.
Seibu is the only remaining department store in Shibuya after Tokyu department store shut its stores three years ago.
FIRMS IN EUROPE RACE TO SECURE CRITICAL MINERALS AT HOME
A race is on to diversify supply chains for critical minerals used in everything from smartphones to EVs.
For more insight, we take a look at some projects in Europe intended to boost self-sufficiency in elements such as lithium.
00:12:03 話者 5
A company in Germany is developing a faster way to make the crucial ingredient for EV batteries.
The firm has come up with a cost-effective method to extract lithium from local groundwater.
00:12:16 話者 51/Stefan Brand/Chief Technology Officer, Vulcan Energy
Looks like water, but it contains 40% of lithium chloride.
By comparison, producers in South America typically take about a year to manufacture a lithium precursor by evaporating underground saline water.
But the company says a process using a special absorbent has shortened this to just a few days.
The firm aims to make enough lithium for 500,000 EVs annually by using renewable energy.
A major European automaker and related businesses are among prospective buyers.
00:12:53 話者 53/Francis Wedin/Executive Chair, Vulcan Energy
Lithium is the lifeblood of the auto industry.
It's the lifeblood of the most critical industry in Europe, effectively.
And so it's essential that Europe has certainly resilience in that supply chain.
00:13:06 話者 5
Europe is dependent on imports for lithium and many other crucial minerals.
The European Union has set targets to reduce the dependence on imported supplies by 2030. It is trying to boost the proportion of production and recycling within the block.
Over in the UK, this firm is trying to procure critical minerals from used EV batteries,
A leading Japanese trading house has invested in the project.
00:13:35 話者 54/Ben Wickham/CTO, Altilium Metals
This is what we call black mass.
00:13:39 話者 5
This black powder is shredded EV battery waste.
Critical minerals are extracted in stages. Graphite is the first to be filtered out.
Manganese and cobalt are recovered, then nickel and lithium.
This method produces less greenhouse gas emissions than mining.
It also yields minerals of higher purity. The firm plans to build a commercial plant and start recycling batteries from 150,000 EVs annually in three years.
00:14:12 話者 55/Christian Marston/COO, Altilium Metals
We see a future where there's less mining. In the UK, by 2050, we think that over 40% of the critical minerals needed for EVs can come from Battery recycling.
Using recycled materials can make EVs even cleaner.
00:14:35 話者 5
The trading house with a stake in the project hopes to spread the know-how in Asia, including Japan.
00:14:41 話者 56/Tezuka George/General Manager, Metals & Minerals Department Unit, Marubeni Europe
We want to get the recycling off the ground in the UK before bringing it to Japan.
00:14:47 話者 5
Resource-scarce countries like Japan face imminent threats to supplies of critical minerals amid geopolitical uncertainties.
going forward, their economies may need to move towards self-production.
MARKETS
00:15:01 話者 3
All right, let's have a look at the markets.
♪
And that's it for business news.
JAPAN SUPREME COURT TO DELIBERATE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CASE
00:15:36 話者 1
Japan's top court has decided its grand bench will sit to consider whether laws failing to recognize same-sex marriage violate the country's constitution.
It's expected to result in the Supreme Court's first ruling on the matter.
Six related lawsuits have been heard at courts across Japan.
Five high courts previously ruled the provisions are unconstitutional.
They said the current rules violate Article 14, which holds that all people are equal.
They also cited Article 24, Section 2.
This calls for laws to be enacted from the standpoint of individual dignity and the essential equality of the sexes regarding marriage.
Meanwhile, a Tokyo High Court judge ruled last year the Constitution does not guarantee same-sex couples freedom of marriage.
All 15 justices of the Supreme Court's Grand Bench will deliberate the case.
They convene when important decisions are necessary and are expected to deliver their ruling as early as next year.
SUSPECT BREAKS INTO TOKYO'S CHINESE EMBASSY TO MEET AMBASSADOR
A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force officer has been arrested for illegally entering the Chinese embassy grounds in Tokyo.
The suspect said he wanted to tell the ambassador to exercise self-restraint in his comments on Japan.
Tokyo police arrested 23-year-old Murata Kodai on Tuesday for allegedly trespassing on the embassy compound in Minato Ward. He was sent to prosecutors on Thursday.
The sources say Murata admitted to the allegations and told police he intended to kill himself if the ambassador did not heed his opinion.
He reportedly told police he bought a blade at a discount store in Tokyo.
But Murata was not carrying it when he was spotted by embassy staff.
Sources say an object resembling a kitchen knife with an 18-centimeter blade was found later in a bush.
The National Police Agency has instructed staff nationwide to quickly review security measures at foreign diplomatic missions and implement thorough security measures.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry reacted to the incident on Wednesday.
00:17:53 話者 61/Lin Jian/Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
Japan should promptly conduct a thorough investigation, strictly punish the individual involved in illegal activities, and provide a responsible explanation.
He criticized Japan for failing to properly manage and educate its personnel.
YOUNG CHINESE CARVE OUT NEW CAREER PATHS AMID ECONOMIC SLUMP
In China, a record 12.7 million people are expected to graduate from institutes of higher education this year.
But as companies cut hiring amid an economic slowdown, more young people are turning to unconventional career paths.
NHK World's Baba Takeo reports.
00:18:32 話者 11/Baba Takeo
Many young people attended a January job fair in Shanghai with about 70 companies present.
China's unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds was 16.1% in February, and job fair attendees said finding work was difficult.
00:18:53 話者 12
I can't find a job. Company requirements are high and salaries are low.
00:18:58 話者 13
The economy is best so competition is fierce with fewer openings.
00:19:02 話者 11
Amid the tough conditions, new ways of working are drawing attention.
This app lets users list their skills and services and receive job requests.
This app user offers hospital escort services.
Another provides wake-up calls, charging more for earlier ones.
There's even a service called Compliment Master that praises clients.
Last year, 14 million young people reportedly used that platform to market their services.
This woman used the app to start working as a pet sitter.
She feeds and walks pets while their owners are away.
She makes about $7 or more per visit.
00:20:09 話者 14
It's fun. I'm unemployed right now, so it gives me extra income.
00:20:16 話者 11
She lost her job at a recruitment company two years ago amid the economic slowdown.
She's planning to look for a full-time job, but says it isn't easy.
00:20:33 話者 15
I'll be happy if I find a job I like. If not, I'll just keep trying.
00:20:41 話者 11
Meanwhile, some young people are torn into fields facing labor shortages, including the funeral industry. Over 11 million people died in China last year.
That number is expected to rise to 80 million as the population ages.
This woman worked in real estate, but after her income became unstable amid the slump, she joined this funeral home in Harbin.
Most of this firm's 26 employees are in their 20s and 30s.
This year, it plans to hire over 30 new workers.
00:21:31 話者 16/Ji Kai/Funeral home chairperson
The situation in other industries has not been good for the past two years, so talented and highly educated people have been joining the funeral industry.
The woman hopes to build a career in the field.
00:21:48 話者 17
Demand in this industry is increasing.
Competition isn't as intense as in other fields, and job security is stronger.
00:21:56 話者 11
With an uncertain job market, young Chinese are carving out new career paths.
Baba Takeo, NHK World.
META, GOOGLE FOUND LIABLE FOR YOUTH SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION
00:22:18 話者 1
A US jury has found IT giants Meta and Google responsible for the suffering of a 20-year-old woman who says she became addicted to social media as a child.
The two companies have been ordered to pay $6 million in combined damages.
The woman claimed to have used Meta's Instagram and Google-owned YouTube since childhood.
In the suit, she said she developed an addiction and suffered as a result.
The jury reportedly said the companies were negligent for creating harmful social media apps that were harmful to young users and failed to warn of the dangers.
Spokespersons for both Meta and Google say the companies disagree with the verdict and plan to appeal.
Over-dependence by minors on social media has become a social problem in the United States, where many lawsuits seeking to hold platform operators liable have been filed.
00:23:15 話者 1
People qualified as masters of wine have gathered in the Japanese prefecture of Yamanashi. They're learning about the wines produced there and sampling them.
About 400 wine professionals around the world hold the elite qualification.
They're visiting Yamanashi at the invitation of local officials who hope to increase exports.
One local wine they learned about is called koshu.
They were told it has low iron content that reduces fishy odors when paired with seafood.
That makes it a good match for Japanese cuisine.
Fifteen local wineries took part in a tasting event.
00:23:56 話者 51
It's been delightful, actually.
It's been quite a discovery to see so many different styles of koshu being made.
Also, when koshu is really well-made, it can have a beautiful mouthfeel, it can be floral, aromatic, very elegant, actually.
00:24:09 話者 1
An executive of Katsunuma Winery said it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have dozens of masters of wine visit a single prefecture.
He said he'd like to gain their support, especially to increase exports.
WEATHER
Now for a check on world weather, the Middle East has been experiencing rare and extensive rainfall. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano joins us with the details.
00:24:35 話者 4/Yumi Hirano
A storm system is moving across northern Africa to the Middle East, affecting parts of Egypt.
Severe storms rise to Cairo on Wednesday, dumping a month's worth of rain in a single day.
Thunder roared in the gloomy skies over the empty streets, giving the city a whole different scene.
In between spouts of the downpours, birds and trees could be seen amidst the strong winds.
This ware site prompted the government to close schools for two days.
Now the system is bringing intense rainfall to the Middle East.
A heavy rain warning is in effect in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
There is also a risk of thundershowers and gusty winds.
The storm will shift toward Iran by Friday.
Now moving to Australia, a severe tropical cyclone was just upgraded to Category 4 on Thursday.
The storm is expected to approach Western Australia and make landfall over the weekend.
The biggest concern is strong winds. More than 270 kilometers per hour are possible, potentially causing power outages and infrastructure damage.
Finally, across east Asia, a stationary front is lingering along southern China, and a low pressure system is bringing widespread showers to eastern and northern Japan.
The wind is expected to taper off as the system moves away from Japan, but showers are still likely in southern China on Friday.
Wet weather is also expected in Chongqing and Taipei.
The high in Beijing will drop to 20, but it's still much warmer than usual.
Sunny skies will return to Tokyo, but there is a slight chance of evening showers.
That's it for now. Have a nice day.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:40 話者 1
For more news, feature stories, and information, visit our app or website.
I'm James Tengan. Bye for now.
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