Northeastern Japan has lifted most wildfire evacuation orders as rain and firefighting efforts ease the threat.
Iran–US tensions continue as both sides send mixed signals while regional diplomacy intensifies.
Global markets react to rising energy prices, BOJ policy concerns, and ongoing geopolitical instability.
00:00:09 (Maria Sato)
Hello, welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo.
Wildfires in Northeastern Japan Ease After Rainfall
Wildfires that broke out in the town of northeastern Japan a week ago have abated.
Otsuchi Town in Iwate Prefecture has lifted a wildfire evacuation order for most areas.
The town lifted the order at 1:45 p.m. for four districts -- Sawayama, Kirikiri, Akahama and Ando.
The town and firefighting officials say efforts to put out the fires and three consecutive days of rainfall helped lower the risk of the fires spreading to residential areas.
Otsuchi Town and Iwate Prefecture officials said the fires had burned a total of about 1,633 hectares as of 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
The evacuation order was issued for 3,257 residents and 1,558 households.
That's about 30 percent of the town's population.
The order remains in place for 24 people in 17 households in Nagai District.
Officials cited the need for further safety checks in the area related to falling rocks and other possible hazards.
Fire department officials say nearby mountain forests are still dotted with hot spots that could ignite.
They are continuing their efforts to contain the fires and reduce the chance of them spreading.
Iran–US Conflict: Mixed Signals and Regional Diplomacy
US President Donald Trump says that Iran has informed Washington that they are in a state of collapse and that they want the US to open the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible.
But an Iranian army spokesperson has told state-run media that the country is still in wartime conditions.
Trump made the claims on social media.
He also says he believes the Iranians will be able to figure out their leadership situation.
But it remains unclear what he is basing his comments on.
In addition to blocking Iran's ports, the US is boosting its economic pressure campaign.
The Treasury has announced new sanctions on 35 individuals and entities.
It accuses them of helping Iran's military-linked actors, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to access global finance, sell oil and fund military activities, and it also warns it will sanction financial institutions that do business with so-called teapot oil refineries in China.
It says they play a major role in importing and refining Iranian oil.
The Iranian army spokesperson says they're keeping up military preparations.
00:03:00 話者 2/Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia/Iranian Army spokesperson
Since there is no trust in the United States and our enemies, we have continued in the same way as during the war, making serious efforts to update our list of targets.
00:03:18 (Maria Sato)
Another report covered the Iranian foreign minister's recent trip to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia.
It cites a parliamentary spokesperson as saying that Abbas Araji's talks were focused on regional development and he had no mandate for conducting nuclear negotiations.
Japan‑Linked Tanker Passes Strait of Hormuz
An Iranian state-run media outlet says a Japan-linked tanker carrying crude oil has passed through the Strait of Hormuz after gaining a permit from Iranian authorities.
The English-language Press TV reported on Tuesday the Idemitsumaru had navigated the strait. It's carrying two million barrels of crude oil.
The vessel is a Panama-flagged tanker owned by a subsidiary of leading Japanese oil wholesaler Idemitsu Kosam.
It reportedly loaded the oil in Saudi Arabia in early March, remained off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, and set sail on Monday night.
Data from vessel tracking site Marine Traffic shows the tanker was in the Gulf of Oman at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Japan time.
It's believed to be headed to Nagoya in central Japan and is expected to arrive in mid-May.
It will be the first vessel managed by a Japanese company to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the waterway was effectively closed.
A source told NHK the Japanese government did not pay a separate transit fee to the Iranian side. Idemitsuko-san declined to comment, citing safety reasons.
World Bank Warns Energy Prices to Jump 24% in 2026
The World Bank says energy prices will likely surge by 24 percent this year as the Middle East conflict sends a shockwave through global markets.
The organization released its latest commodity markets outlook on Tuesday.
It sees energy costs rising to the highest since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The forecast assumes the worst of the disruption ends in May, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz gradually returns to pre-war levels by October.
The report indicates the adverse effect of the conflict will be felt widely, including in the fertilizer and metal sectors.
It projects fertilizer prices will jump about 31 percent from last year.
The bank's chief economist said the war is hitting the global economy in cumulative waves, first through higher energy prices, then higher food prices, and finally higher inflation.
He warned that emerging and developing economies will be hit the hardest.
Ukraine Launches “Sakura Train” Honoring Japan Ties
The Ukrainian state railway company has started operating a train decorated with images of cherry blossoms.
The design is a nod to Japan, which has repeatedly assisted the company amid Russian attacks.
The Sakura train runs between the capital, Kyiv, and the western city of Uzhrahod.
The roughly 900-kilometer route has been named the Japan-Ukraine French Line.
Japan has regularly provided Ukraine with rails after Russian attacks damaged train routes.
The operator plans to decorate the inside of the train cars with cherry blossom stickers bearing messages for peace written by passengers.
00:06:57 話者 12
I wrote, 'I want peace in Ukraine as soon as possible' and ties between Japan and Ukraine to grow stronger.
00:07:09 (Maria Sato)
Japan's ambassador to Ukraine said he hopes the train helps strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
Bear Attacks Expected to Increase in Urban Areas
00:07:21 話者 23
Japan had a spike in bear attacks last fall. Now bears are heading into urban areas again.
This bear doesn't run even in car lights.
More bear attacks could be possible in the months ahead, as their food supply drops in the summer.
What can we do to protect ourselves?
If you inadvertently encounter a bear, do not turn your back and run away.
That could make the bear aggressive.
Slowly step backwards while facing the bear.
If an attack is imminent, lie face down on the ground and cover your head.
Be particularly cautious in the early morning hours, as bears are active around that time.
Stay safe.
00:08:19 (Maria Sato)
Those were the headlines for this hour.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
And that's the latest we have for you at this hour on NHK Newsline.
I'm Maria Sato in Tokyo. Do stay with us for more on NHK World Japan.
checked.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Easy Japanese
00:10:09 話者 3
Hi there.
Welcome to Easy Japanese from NHK World Japan.
I'm Erico Kojima.
00:10:15 話者 4
And I'm Michael Reese.
Let's have fun learning Japanese together.
00:10:19 話者 3
Today we bring you lesson 9 on expressions for asking the names of things you don't know.
00:10:30 話者 4
The main character of our skit is Tan, a student from Vietnam who lives in Harusan House.
Tam has come to the basement deli of a department store with her housemate, Kaito, and his American friend, Mike.
00:10:43 話者 3
Such places are called depachika in Japanese.
Let's listen to the skit for lesson 9.
Kokoga, depachika dayo?
I don't know...
...
Daikon no tsukemono daio.
Tabetamiru.
Itadakimasu.
Oh, I see this.
Koremo Tabetamiru.
Let's review the skit line by line.
00:11:24 話者 4
Kaito says to Tam.
00:11:28 話者 3
This is the department store's basement deli.
00:11:31 話者 4
Kaito's friend Mike says.
00:11:36 話者 3
They have all kinds of food.
It's great.
00:11:39 話者 4
Tam is astounded by the variety.
00:11:44 話者 3
Wow, this is amazing.
00:11:46 話者 4
Something catches her eye.
00:11:50 話者 3
What is this?
00:11:52 話者 4
Kaito answers.
00:11:56 話者 3
Pickled daikon radish.
00:11:58 話者 4
Mike encourages Tam to try a sample.
00:12:03 話者 3
Do you want to try it?
00:12:05 話者 4
Tam takes a piece and says, Itadakimasu.
00:12:08 話者 3
Yes, thank you.
00:12:10 話者 4
After taking a bite.
00:12:12 話者 3
Oh, I see this.
It's good.
00:12:15 話者 4
Kaito has another recommendation.
00:12:19 話者 3
Do you want to try this one too?
00:12:22 話者 4
Tam really took a liking to the basement deli.
By the way, Erico, could you explain where the name Debachika comes from?
00:12:30 話者 3
Sure.
In department stores, the deli is usually in the basement floor.
DEPA is short for department store or depato.
By adding basement, chika, after it, you've got DEPA CHIKA.
Today's key phrase is, What is this?
Remember it, and you'll be able to ask the names of things you don't know.
Here it is word by word.
Kore is this.
It's used to point to something near you.
The wa that follows is a particle that shows the topic of the sentence.
Nan is an interrogative meaning what.
Today we have two points to talk about.
The first is demonstratives.
They're used to indicate something.
When singling out something close to you, say kore or this.
If it's something close to the person you're talking to, use sore or that.
When you want to talk about something that's far from you or the person you're speaking to, you use are or that over there.
As for the second point, when asking the name of something you don't know,
Finish the sentence with nandeska, or what is.
Point to the thing, use one of the following demonstratives, kore, sore, are, add wa, and complete the sentence with nandeska to ask.
00:14:14 話者 4
So if you want to ask about something that's close to you, you'd say, kore wa nandeska.
00:14:21 話者 3
Exactly.
00:14:22 話者 4
Give it a try.
Listen and repeat.
Were you able to say it well?
00:14:45 話者 3
Now, listen to a customer asking a question to the clerk at the depa chika.
Sumimasen...
korewa nan desu ka?
Here's what it means.
00:15:10 話者 4
Excuse me, what is this?
00:15:13 話者 3
We learned that when you want to inquire about something to someone you don't know, you start off with sumimasen.
Excuse me?
00:15:23 話者 4
It's tea.
Listen and repeat.
00:15:36 話者 3
Let's try asking about other things.
A friend is eating something.
Ask what it is.
When referring to something near the person you're talking to, you use that.
Remember?
Give it a try.
This time, the friend will answer, so ask again.
This, it's taiyaki.
00:16:32 話者 4
Taiyaki is a Japanese pastry shaped like a sea bream fish.
00:16:36 話者 3
Next, you see something being grilled in a store somewhat away from you.
Ask a friend what that is.
When you're referring to something far away, you use that over there.
Now go ahead.
The friend will answer the question, so ask again.
That is takoyaki.
Takoyaki is a kind of food shaped like a ping pong ball.
It's a grilled flour-based batter with a piece of octopus inside.
Today's bonus phrase is this line by Tam.
Try to memorize it.
Oishii desu.
Oishii desu means it's good or it's delicious.
Sometimes we just say oishii for short.
00:17:48 話者 4
This time, listen and repeat.
00:17:53 話者 3
Oishii desu.
00:18:00 話者 4
Try saying this when you've eaten something delicious.
00:18:03 話者 3
Listen to today's skit once again.
Itadakimasu.
I see this.
00:18:40 話者 4
Next up, Kaito is your food guide, talking about department store basement delis.
00:18:49 話者 3
So Michael, have you ever been to the basement deli of a department store, Depachika?
00:18:53 話者 4
Yes, I have.
Many times, in fact.
00:18:56 話者 3
Depachika sell a wide variety of foods, such as ready-made dishes, bento box lunches, desserts, and bread.
And not just Japanese food.
Look around and you're likely to find Western, Chinese, and much more.
00:19:09 話者 4
They're very convenient.
And you can buy your favorite dishes and then eat them at home or in your hotel room.
00:19:16 話者 3
Even just looking around is fun.
You'll come across food from famous restaurants, luxury items, and rare delicacies.
00:19:23 話者 4
And you can taste some of the food, right?
00:19:25 話者 3
Yes.
It depends on the store, but many places offer samples.
You might get pickled vegetables or cheese or ready-made dishes or dessert.
Keep your eyes open and shop around in Depachica, the treasure troves of food.
We hope you enjoyed today's Easy Japanese.
00:19:49 話者 4
Be sure to tune in again.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Mount Takao
00:20:18 話者 2
Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors.
They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting-edge technologies.
The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places.
In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature Mount Takao.
Mount Takao has long been a popular hiking destination, as it's perfect for day trips.
In recent years, many tourists from overseas have climbed its slopes as well.
One reason for its popularity is its easy access from central Tokyo, less than an hour's train ride away.
But Mount Takao has much more to offer.
At the foot of Mount Takao, people are dressed in various styles.
Some are wearing trekking shoes and backpacks ready to go hiking.
Others are dressed in a more casual style better suited for cities.
The reason, Mount Takao has seven hiking trails.
One is a full ascent to the summit.
Another course includes a cable car and a Lyft ride and winds around the halfway point up the mountain.
Visitors can choose from several options depending on the season, the size of the group, who's climbing, and what they're in the mood for.
The cable car and lift route is not only fast, it's also exciting.
At one point, the cable car's ascent is at an angle of just over 31 degrees, the steepest in Japan.
Riders ooh and ah as the cable car climbs the steepest part.
Meanwhile, the two-seater chairlift leaves riders' legs dangling in the air, which means it can be a bit of a thrill for some.
But with the feel of the breeze, it makes for a great ride, and many kids ride with their parents.
Just be aware that the cable car and the chairlift may not be running when there's bad weather, and visitors should check ahead.
The hiking courses offer various sites each season.
Come spring, there are canopies of cherry blossoms in full bloom, while violets cover the ground.
In the summer, visitors can splash around in rivers or explore what's upstream.
Gorgeous foliage of reds, yellows, and oranges welcome visitors in the fall.
On New Year's Day, many people flock to Mount Takao to enjoy the first sunrise of the year.
Mount Takao has long been associated with the strict practice of mountain asceticism called shugendo.
A traditional form of aesthetic training called suigyo involves standing under a waterfall to cleanse oneself.
Mount Takao has two waterfalls, Jataki and Biwataki, where this is practiced.
During the winter months, visitors can watch people training in the ice-cold water.
For those willing to give it a shot, Yakuoin Temple offers a suigyo tryout experience at its dojo.
For hikers, Mount Takao offers gorgeous views.
From an observation deck midway up the mountain, they can see Tokyo and its vicinity, including the iconic Tokyo Tower and Yokohama Landmark Tower.
It's a spectacular view of the metropolis while being surrounded by the great outdoors.
When weather conditions are good, the summit of Mount Takao offers a view of Mount Fuji.
In fact, the top of Mount Takao has been selected as one of the 100 best places in the Kanto region to view Japan's most famous peak.
Thank you for tuning in to the backstory of Japanese landmarks.
We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.
00:25:01 話者 4
This is NHK World Japan English Radio Service.
Here's a frequency notice.
The broadcast at 14 hours UTC for Southeast Asia is on
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.
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿