Hello, a very warm welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo.
TRUMP EXTENDS STRAIT OF HORMUZ DEADLINE
We start with the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US.
According to the Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump is extending his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
On Sunday, Trump told the newspaper that he will postpone attacks on Iran's energy facilities until Tuesday.
The deadline was initially set for Monday, eastern US time.
The president had said US forces would not strike Iranian energy facilities before it expires.
The same day, Trump took to social media proclaiming Tuesday, 8 p.m. Eastern time.
But he did not elaborate. That was just hours after he posted an expletive-laden rant threatening Iran's power plants and bridges, and proclaimed the country would be living in hell if it did not open the strait.
A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that if there is an attack, Iran will retaliate accordingly.
00:01:16 話者 12/Esmaeil Baghaei/Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson
This is not something that we will do it voluntarily or by willful decision.
This is something that is as part of our defense measures against their illegal act.
00:01:35 話者 1
Meanwhile, the US Central Command says its forces successfully completed the rescues of two American service members from inside Iran.
The two were on board an F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran on Thursday.
Trump wrote on social media that a seriously wounded and really brave officer had been pulled from deep inside the mountains of Iran.
In Israel, the defense minister has defended a decision to attack Iran's petrochemical facilities.
Israel COTS was commenting on an announcement on Saturday that the military had bombed a petrochemical complex in the southwest of Iran.
He said the industry has generated 18 billion dollars for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps over the past two years.
00:02:27 話者 13/Israel Katz/Israeli Defense Minister
As long as the missile fire towards the citizens of Israel continues, Iran will pay a painful price that will erode and collapse its national infrastructure and the terror regime's ability to operate.
00:02:41 話者 1
Iran continued to fire missiles on Israel on Sunday. Local media reported that a strike in the northern city of Haifa left several local residents injured.
Another attack on an industrial zone in the southern city of Beersheba reportedly damaged a factory.
TAKAICHI: EFFORTS UNDERWAY FOR DIALOGUE WITH IRAN
In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae says her government plans to use all of its diplomatic resources to help facilitate an early end to the conflict.
00:03:15 話者 23/Takaichi Sanae
Preparations are now underway to see to it that I am able to engage in dialogue with Iranian leadership at an appropriate time.
At this point, I cannot elaborate, as these arrangements are still being made.
But Japan is seeking all possible options, including summit talks.
00:03:35 話者 1
Takaichi also told the Diet that her government is prepared to deal with prolonged disruptions to energy shipments caused by the conflict.
THIRD JAPAN-RELATED SHIP PASSES STRAIT OF HORMUZ
As the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, Mitsui OSK Lines says ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, have passed through the Strait of Hormuz and left the Persian Gulf by Monday. This is the third Japan-related ship that has passed.
No Japanese nationals are on board this ship.
JAPAN: ENERGY SUPPLIES SUFFICIENT UNTIL EARLY 2027
And regarding procuring crude oil, Japanese government sources say steps are being taken to secure energy supplies without imposing restrictions on the public.
They say there is no need for now to curb the use of electricity or gasoline.
They say crude oil imports are being made through alternative routes.
Options include shipping from the United States and Middle Eastern routes that bypass the crucial waterway.
The government forecasts that in May, it'll be able to procure an amount equivalent to around 60 percent of the level imported in the same period last year.
The government expects that, coupled with releases from oil reserves, Japan will be able to secure enough crude oil to cover its needs through early 2027.
Despite the assurances, some ruling and opposition party members say the government will need to urge the public to curtail the use of power and gasoline if the situation in Iran drags on.
The government plans to study what measures could become necessary while closely monitoring how the situation in Iran develops.
FRESH DRONE ATTACKS ON RUSSIAN OIL FACILITIES
Oil facilities in Russia have reportedly come under fresh drone attacks by Ukrainian forces.
The two countries have been ramping up strikes on each other's energy infrastructure as crude prices surge amid the Iran conflict.
Reuters News Agency quoted a Ukrainian drone commander as saying targets were hit on the Baltic Sea and in the western Russian region of Nizhny Novgorod.
The governor of Nizhny Novgorod confirmed that an oil refinery in the region had come under a drone attack.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian energy facilities in an effort to cut off Moscow's funding from the sector.
In late March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said some partners had urged Kyiv to reduce its strikes on Russian oil facilities.
But Kyiv has stressed Moscow must first stop its own offensive against Ukrainian energy facilities.
JAPAN'S IMPERIAL FAMILY ARRIVES IN FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and her daughter, Princess Aiko, have begun a two-day visit to Fukushima Prefecture, an area recovering from the 2011 disaster.
This is Princess Aiko's first visit to the prefecture.
The imperial family arrived at JR Fukushima Station on Monday before noon.
They were greeted by Fukushima Governor Uchibori Masao and others.
This year marks 15 years since a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
In the afternoon, the family is visiting Futaba, one of the towns where the nuclear power plant is located.
They are also visiting the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum.
The facility was built to help visitors learn about the March 2011 tragedy.
The imperial family is viewing exhibits detailing the long-term impact of the nuclear disaster.
They are offering flowers and paying respects to those who died in the disaster, and speaking with residents who returned to their hometowns after evacuating.
On Tuesday, the imperial family is due to visit the towns of Tomioka, Okuma and Namie, where they will inspect reconstruction efforts and meet people who have relocated to the area after the disaster.
SEARCH FOR MISSING BOY IN KYOTO CONTINUES AFTER 2 WEEKS
Police in western prefecture of Kyoto are struggling to uncover clues in the disappearance of an elementary school boy who went missing two weeks ago.
About 600 officers were mobilized to look for 11-year-old Adachi Yuki in Nantan city.
Police say the boy's father drove him to school on the morning of March 23, but he did not show up for class. The police have searched irrigation ponds and other areas.
On March 29, his school backpack was found in a mountainous area about three kilometers from the school.
Investigators say there is no evidence the boy used public transport and no security camera footage has emerged.
He was reportedly not carrying a mobile phone when he disappeared.
Police say they have received about 230 tips, but none has panned out.
Law enforcement is continuing their search and appealing to the public for information.
BUSINESS
Now for business stories, here's Yuko Fukushima from the Bizdesk. Yuko.
00:08:58 話者 4/Yuko Fukushima
Yeah, thanks, Miki.
MAZDA HALTS PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES FOR MIDDLE EAST
Well, NHK has learned that Mazda Mortar has halted domestic production of vehicles intended for the Middle East.
The move is due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Japanese automaker had been exporting about 30,000 vehicles annually to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and other parts of the region.
The firm has kept production levels unchanged since the Iran conflict began.
It was exploring possible shipping routes that avoid the choke point.
But sources say growing inventories prompted the company to halt output for the Middle East in April and May.
It will decide what to do from there based on the situation.
Sources say total production in Japan will not be affected.
The company plans to increase output for Europe and other markets where demand is rising.
Amid the Iran conflict, Toyota cut production of vehicles for the Middle East in March by about 20,000 units. It will also slash 24,000 units in April.
Nissan reduced output by about 1,200 vehicles in March and will do roughly the same in April.
JAPANESE AND FRENCH MASTERPIECES BECOME 'SISTER CASTLES'
Two renowned castles in Japan and France have entered into a sister castle agreement.
Officials in both countries hope this will help promote tourism and cultural preservation.
The move links Matsumoto Castle in central Japan with the Chateau du Chambol in central France.
The mayor of Matsumoto and a French official signed the agreement.
Matsumoto Castle is designated as a national treasure.
And the Chateau du Chambeau is a World Heritage Site.
00:10:46 話者 22/Gaun Yoshinao/Matsumoto Mayor
It's very meaningful for the leading Castles of the two countries to link up and enhance the appeal of their locations.
00:10:59 話者 23/Pierre Dubreuil/Director General, Domaine national de Chambord
Our castles which date back to the 16th century, show how much importance France and Japan attach to the preservation of heritage.
00:11:12 話者 4
The five-story keep of Matsumoto Castle is thought to be the oldest of its kind to survive to this day. Chambol is known as a Renaissance-type masterpiece.
Both structures symbolize the architectural styles of the 16th century.
Caretakers of the two councils plan to jointly launch tourism campaigns and shared know-how on preserving cultural properties.
KEI CAR KING HARBORS AMBITIONS FOR GLOBAL MARKETS
Suzuki Mortar is famous for its mini vehicles.
The company came second in Japan's unit sales for the first time in 2025.
Going forward, we asked the automaker's chief about his strategies in light of stiff US
tariff measures and increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers.
00:11:57 話者 3
Suzuki Toshihiro became president of the multinational carmaker eleven years ago.
He took over from his father, Osamu, who was well-known as a charismatic leader.
Suzuki Motor rolled out its first electric vehicles in Japan in January this year.
Some may view that as being behind the curve among Japanese automakers, but the president doesn't necessarily agree.
00:12:28 話者 35/Suzuki Toshihiro/Representative Director and President, Suzuki Motor
I don't think we started late.
We can learn from the experiences of our competitors and take the best from them.
We just have to make sure we're on time.
We have options like gasoline-powered cars, internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs,
and automobiles that run on hydrogen. It's very risky to narrow it down to just one type.
I think the right approach is to have choices and pursue the most appropriate.
00:12:57 話者 3
Moves by major Chinese automaker BYD to enter Japan's mini-vehicle or kei-car market has sent shockwaves through the industry.
00:13:07 話者 32/Tofukuji Atsuki/President, BYD Auto Japan
We'll fully commit ourselves to Japan's market.
00:13:11 話者 3
BYD last year unveiled a prototype mini car at the Japan Mobility Show.
The company plans to release its first model into the Japanese market this summer.
Kei cars are a uniquely Japanese invention, and the country has long set the standards.
Among Japanese automakers, Suzuki is the top seller in the category in terms of units.
Still, while Suzuki Toshihiro admits he harbors a sense of crisis with the arrival of BYD, he hopes the global demand of kei cars will expand.
00:13:49 話者 35
Some people say the Keikar is considered only for the domestic market, but the arrival of the Chinese automaker has proved the kei car market has potential.
Their price settings and costs indeed are cause for concern.
We need to conduct our own business by strengthening Suzuki's advantages.
00:14:09 話者 3
Suzuki Motor first made inroads into India in 1983 by offering compact vehicles at a low cost. The company quickly expanded its market share.
Eventually, the sales in India accounted for roughly 40% of its total revenue.
But advances by South Korean and local automakers have been eroding Suzuki's competitive edge.
President Suzuki hopes to turn things around in India.
At the same time, he's eyeing business opportunities in Africa, among other regions, that offer economic growth potential.
00:14:47 話者 35
In India alone, out of a population of 1.4 billion people, there are 400 million who can afford a car.
But that means there is still an untapped market for the rest of the people, more than double the figure of car owners. It's important to target that market share.
The old way of doing things in the past is no longer applicable.
We have to work quickly and be flexible.
00:15:18 話者 3
Despite facing increasing competition both at home and abroad, Suzuki Motor is resolved to keep transforming itself.
The carmaker's president has confidence that he's come up with a winning strategy.
MARKETS
00:15:34 話者 4
And now let's see how currencies and stocks are performing in the region.
♪
And that wraps it up for Biz for this hour.
PETAL PILGRIMAGE: A BLOOMING GOOD TIME IN SEOUL
00:16:19 話者 1
Well, we've been showing you a lot of cherry blossom events in Japan lately, and it's a similar story in South Korea.
Spring flower festivals are now underway across the country during both residents and tourists. One such event in the capital also drew NHK world's Kim Chan-ju.
She gave us a taste of the atmosphere.
00:16:43 話者 6/Kim Chan-ju
This is Yeo-do, one of Seoul's most famous cherry blossom spots.
And it's not hard to figure out why. Take a look.
A breathtaking tunnel of blossoms stretching as far as I can see, lots of visitors, too.
Even today, on Monday, I have seen office workers come out of an afternoon stroll, along with many foreign visitors.
Organizers say the festival drew nearly 3.5 million people Friday through Sunday.
To accommodate them and ensure everything runs smoothly, a stretch of road behind the National Assembly has been closed to traffic during the festival period.
It's part of a walking trail that spans roughly 1.7 kilometers.
00:17:37 話者 45
This is a road we usually use, but now it's closed for the festival.
Experiencing it like this feels very different and refreshing.
00:17:48 話者 6
The history of Yoido's cherry blossoms traces back to the Japanese colonial era, but this festival dates back to the 1990s. It started as a casual springtime gathering.
In 2005, it formally became the Yoido Spring Flower Festival, growing into the large-scale event it is now. It offers a wide range of programs for visitors of all ages.
The main stage features a variety of performances, from dance to smooth jazz.
Elsewhere, Oscars are helping keep things lively.
And if you're looking to refuel, food and drinks are on offer too.
00:18:33 話者 37
I've been taking care of our eight-month-old baby, so I've felt a little cooped up.
But coming here and seeing the beautiful flowers has brightened my mood. I feel good.
00:18:43 話者 36
It's like, it means spring. It's like a new life, new seasons, new kind of year.
That's why I like this season and also cherry blossom.
00:18:58 話者 6
The festival kicked off with an opening parade. It featured a marching band, traditional music and performances, drawing enthusiastic crowds.
To be more inclusive, the festival also offers a barrier-free program, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the festival.
Visitors with visual impairments can go on a special tour.
A guide explains the history of the cherry blossoms.
Participants get to touch the trees as well.
As the cherry blossoms reach their peak, Yeouido has become a hotspot where people can step away from their daily routines and take in the beauty of spring.
Moments like these offer a chance to slow down and to reconnect with the changing season.
UKRAINIAN OLYMPIAN GETS BACK MEDAL AUCTIONED FOR WAR EFFORT
00:19:51 話者 1
A Ukrainian karate star has received back the bronze medal he won at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
He had sold it four years ago to raise funds for his country in the face of Russia's invasion.
Stanislav Holuna put the medal up for auction where it was purchased for 20,500 dollars by a Japanese bidder.
A handover ceremony was held on Sunday at a karate club in Tokyo.
00:20:22 話者 52/Stanislav Horuna/Ukrainian Olympic medalist
I'm very happy that the medal goes back home and my son will grow up knowing that his father has achieved something in his life.
00:20:35 話者 1
Runa then led a training session for young members of the club.
The buyer initially planned to return the medal after the war ended, but decided to do so earlier as a gesture for peace.
BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO A TRADITIONAL TEXTILE
One of the oldest Japanese silk textiles comes from an island in southwestern Japan.
It's called Oshima Tsumugi. But the future of this tradition is unsure with the decline in demand amid modern lifestyles.
As we see in our next report, initiatives are underway to breathe new life into this textile industry.
00:21:12 話者 3
Here on Japan's Amami Oshima Island, a promotional photo shoot is underway.
The model is showcasing an outfit that bears the patterns of traditional silk textile from this region, known as Oshimatsumugi.
Kemi Junko is the president of the company that creates this clothing.
Having long designed dresses for working women, she was captivated by the exquisite craftsmanship of Oshimatsumugi.
00:21:44 話者 7/Kemi Junko/President, kay me
I was truly moved by the patience, skill, and the delicate process. I wanted to do something to ensure that this tradition is passed down to future generations.
00:21:56 話者 3
The history of Oshimatsumugi dates back 1,300 years.
It involves a unique technique of mud dyeing and meticulous weaving.
It was once one of the island's main industries.
But in recent years, sales have fallen with the decline in popularity of traditional Japanese clothing.
To remedy this situation, Kemi came up with an idea of using the Oshimatsumugi style for clothing that could be worn as everyday attire.
But a challenge soon became apparent. Oshimatsumugi textile isn't machine washable.
Kemi was looking for something durable that could meet the daily needs of working women. So she turned her focus to these traditional patterns.
Oshimatsumugi is characterized by its geometric designs inspired by nature or everyday objects such as woven bamboo baskets.
Kemi felt the charm of Oshimatsumugi could be spread by printing those traditional patterns on modern fabrics.
00:23:05 話者 7
I think the fact that a tradition has endured for over 1,000 years is a result of people always striving to preserve it.
The true value is to be able to wear something displaying energy, courage, or a sense of spirit.
00:23:24 話者 3
The products came in designed are now sold overseas as well.
By explaining the pattern's history, customers are showing intense interest.
00:23:34 話者 63
I feel that I'm wearing not just a dress itself, but I'm wearing a story and a history.
00:23:43 話者 7
I want to make Oshimatsumugi, a name that everyone around the world will become familiar with.
I hope that the spirit that has been preserved for over 1,300 years will continue to spread everywhere.
00:23:57 話者 3
Kemi donates to oshimatsumugi preservation efforts a portion of the sales as a royalty.
so that this millennium-old tradition will be passed on to future generations worldwide.
♪
WEATHER
00:24:37 話者 1
And it's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh.
So Jonathan, it almost felt like we skipped spring in Tokyo on Monday because it was plenty warm outside. Is spring coming back?
00:24:51 話者 8/Jonathan Oh
Hello, if you spend any time outdoors in a place like Tokyo as we went through Monday, it definitely was on the warmer side.
Temperatures topping off at 23.7 degrees for the high in Tokyo, the high so far this year.
And even in western portions of Japan, we saw temperatures reaching up into the mid-20s, which categorizes as a summer day when it comes to the temperatures getting that high.
And I want to share some video about how people are dealing with it here in the capital.
As the calendar says, it's spring, but parts are Japan seeing summer like temperatures.
The hyper system controlling the weather led to the warmer conditions that people in Tokyo shedding their jackets, grabbing a bottle of water.
They're being seen, you know, in their short sleeves.
Now the forecast from the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for more highs in the 20s later on this week.
So officials are telling people that they should stay hydrated, take frequent breaks outdoors because of the southern warmth that can be stressful on the body.
We get a little bit of a reprieve on that coming up on Tuesday.
We have some wet weather coming in with a couple of low pressure systems.
So you'll need your umbrellas and we'll see temperatures not reaching quite much into the 20s except for folks down toward Okinawa as we see the rain moving on through.
We'll still see some areas of a little bit of sunshine, Sendai looking at 20, but places like Tokyo and Osaka looking at temperatures in the upper teens as opposed to 20s with some rain. The forecast is to go through Tuesday.
Meanwhile, we're talking about a relatively dry pattern for most of North America.
We do have a front that's pushing down to the southeastern portions of the United States.
As that pushed on through, that will bring some rain chances.
Also seeing some rain over into Toronto as we go through today on Monday.
But elsewhere, it's dry.
Denver at 1922 to Oklahoma City, 21 in Atlanta as we go through Monday.
Quick note on Europe, low pressure up toward the Scandinavian Peninsula with the front pushing on through.
That will bring some moisture into the region like from Stockholm to Warsaw, but areas back to the west, high pressure bringing dry weather as we go through Monday.
Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:35 話者 1
And that is all for this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thank you for joining us.
NHK World
00:28:01 話者 2
This is NHK World Japan English Radio Service. Here's a frequency notice.
The broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on 11.800 MHz. Once again,
The broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on 11.800 MHz.
For more details of our programs, please check our website at: nhk.jp/rj. nhk.jp/rj
We're always pleased to receive your comments and suggestions through our website.
checked.
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿