Welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sachno.
Yen Strengthens After Intervention
The yen strengthened to the 155 level against the dollar again on Friday in Tokyo.
This comes after sources told NHK that Japanese authorities intervened in the currency market on Thursday to prop up the yen.
The currency strengthened sharply against the dollar soon after.
Officials stepped in after the yen weakened to the upper 160 range during daytime trading on Thursday.
Sources say the Japanese government and the Bank of Japan intervened in the market by selling dollars to buy yen.
The currency's value surged, spiking into the 155 level after 8pm Japan time.
This was the first such intervention since July 2024.
On Friday, the yen was trading at the 157 range in daytime trading in Tokyo.
Later in the afternoon, the currency hit the 155 level again.
Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs Mimura Atsushi was asked whether officials had communicated with counterparts in Washington.
00:01:17 話者 2/Mimura Atsushi
Japan is in close contact with the US.
And we are fully sharing our understanding of the situation and actions.
00:01:28 話者 1
Mimura indicated that speculative trading continues in the market.
US–Iran Tensions Intensify
But US media say he's set to be briefed on plans for new military action.
Axios cites sources are saying commanders are preparing for a short and powerful wave of strikes. It says the goal is to push Tehran for more flexibility on the nuclear issue.
But Iran's supreme leader, Mojtabbar Khamenei, remains defiant.
He said through state-run media that they're ready to defend nuclear and missile capabilities as a national asset, and he said Iran is solely responsible for managing the Strait of Hormuz.
The Wall Street Journal reported on some new developments involving the strait.
It says the US plans to call on countries to join a coalition to ensure safe navigation.
They would focus on sharing information and enforcing sanctions.
The report says the State Department has instructed diplomats to press foreign governments to sign up.
Suu Kyi Reportedly Moved to House Arrest
Myanmar's state-run broadcaster says detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from detention to house arrest at a designated residence.
It also showed a photo of Aung San Suu Kyi sitting down with uniformed personnel, but did not disclose when and where it was taken.
The 80-year-old leader has been under military detention since the 2021 coup.
She was convicted on corruption and other charges in what critics call an informal trial.
Western countries and the United Nations have been calling for the release of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, citing health concerns.
A military-backed government was inaugurated last month after an election took place from December to January.
The military claimed this signalled a transition to civilian rule, but pro-democracy candidates were excluded from the ballot.
Observers say the new government is seeking to show it's taking a flexible approach as demonstrated by what it claims to be better treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi.
But her second son, Kim Aras, has released a statement urging the international community not to mistake these public relations manoeuvres for meaningful reform.
He also wrote, she remains a hostage, completely cut off from the world and under the absolute control of those who continue to unlawfully detain her.
Press Freedom Hits Record Low
An international journalist group says press freedom has fallen to an all-time low since its first ranking in 2002.
The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders released its annual report measuring freedom of the press in 180 countries on Thursday.
The group blames the misuse of emergency legislation in many countries that has criminalized journalism.
It said the expansion of restrictive legislation linked to national security has been eroding the right to information even in democratic countries.
The report says US President Donald Trump has pressured news organisations to soften their coverage of him. The United States fell 7 ranks from last year to 64th place.
Looking at Japan, the report says business interests, political pressure, and gender inequalities often prevent journalists from fulfilling their role as watchdogs.
Overall, Japan's press freedom score went down slightly, but it still moved up four ranks to 62nd place.
The highest press freedom ranking went to Norway for the 10th straight year.
The country was followed by the Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Ireland.
NPT Meeting Faces Deep Divisions
A pivotal meeting on global nuclear disarmament got underway this week at the United Nations in New York.
It's the international conference to review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, or NPT.
191 states have joined the landmark pact, and they've been debating for a few days before they roll up their sleeves and tackle the key issues.
The month-long event usually takes place every five years.
Once the debates end, they'll focus on three main topics: disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
But the goal of adopting a final document seems elusive amid the current geopolitical uncertainty, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
And UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that for the first time in decades, the number of nuclear warheads is rising and testing is back on the table.
The UN's top disarmament official says the treaty plays a crucial role.
00:06:29 話者 12/Nakamitsu Izumi/UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
It remains the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament.
00:06:40 話者 1
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official shared a personal link.
Her high school in Hiroshima lost more than 300 students in the atomic bombing in 1945, and she stressed that this must never happen again.
A-Bomb Survivor Voices Concerns at UN
Atomic bomb survivors are also observing the conference.
For more on what to expect, my colleague Inoue Yuki spoke with NHK World's Yamaguchi Hiroaki. He's been covering the story at the UN.
00:07:09 話者 13/Inoue Yuki
Hiroaki, what are you hearing?
00:07:13 話者 14/Yamaguchi Hiroaki
Yuki, the big question looming here is whether the states can reach an agreement on arms reduction in the current global climate.
The last two conferences failed to agree on a final document, and it's unclear if they can avoid that outcome this time around.
I spoke with one of the atomic bomb survivors, and she hopes to use this chance to spread the idea of nuclear abolition while the world's attention is focused on the issue.
Kawazoe Tadako is 82.
She was a baby when the bomb struck and lost some of her relatives in the attack.
She took the long trip from Nagasaki to watch the discussions, and some topics made her concerned.
00:08:03 話者 15/Kawazoe Tadako
I heard that they said the existence of nuclear weapons could trigger unexpected incidents.
That's exactly what I strongly fear, as someone who experienced nuclear damage firsthand.
00:08:18 話者 13
She became a schoolteacher.
And she, along with other teachers who are also survivors, advocated for peace education.
And she took students on trips to the UN and Geneva to promote this.
00:08:32 話者 15
I agree with the idea that peace comes through dialogue.
Unless we speak up, it can't be conveyed.
00:08:42 話者 13
She gave a talk at a college in New York. She has said that she's worried that some people in the younger generations place too much faith in the idea of nuclear deterrence.
She warned that peace does not come from nuclear weapons.
00:08:58 話者 15
A survivor of atomic bombing who has personally experienced the horrors of nuclear weapons. I want to eliminate nuclear weapons from the face of the earth.
00:09:16 話者 16
I feel very passionately about a world where there are no atomic weapons and a world where nuclear deterrence or nuclear threats are not a part of war, are not a part of war negotiations.
00:09:31 話者 17
I think nuclear weapons should not be used.
Overall, it has more negative impacts than positive.
I believe that it's all the diplomatic ways of dealing with things rather than using force.
00:09:44 話者 15
A lot of countries are not part of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Of course, nuclear-armed countries aren't. So there's no binding force.
That's why I want to have hope in the NPT.
00:10:01 話者 13
Kawazoe 's passion for this issue seems clear. What's driving her continued involvement?
00:10:09 話者 14
Yes, because of her age,
Kawazoe initially thought she wouldn't have the energy to make the trip to New York this time. She's from the youngest generation of survivors their numbers are diminishing every year and the remaining ones are dedicated to getting rid of these weapons.
Kawazoe and many anti-nuclear groups from Japan are trying to influence people's ideas on nuclear issues. they've been attending events at the UN and elsewhere during their stay they don't want the NPT to be hollowed out.
We'll see if their wishes will be taken into account at this meeting.
00:10:47 話者 13
And Hiroaki, it's very clear this conference faces serious challenges.
How likely is it that they can be overcome?
00:10:56 話者 14
Well, that remains a big open question.
Global tensions were spilling into the event on the first day, with the US and Iran sparring over nuclear issues.
And other concerns hover in the background, like Russia's repeated threats to deploy nuclear weapons against Ukraine. France also says it plans to boost its arsenal.
The fact that the post-war global order seems to be unraveling only fuels anxiety about the problem.
Yuki, the last time the parties adopted a final document was in 2010.
So observers will breathe a sigh of relief if they can agree on one this time.
North Korea Defends Nuclear Program
00:11:40 話者 1
Alongside the NPT conference, the UN Security Council convened a meeting on North Korea on Thursday.
The country's UN ambassador justified its possession of nuclear weapons.
00:11:52 話者 33/Kim Song/North Korean Ambassador to UN
The world is now returning to the era of the Janggul law.
00:11:58 話者 1
He accused the United States of being unhesitant to carry out armed invasion and terrorist acts against sovereign states.
During the meeting, Japanese UN Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki condemned North Korea's stance.
00:12:13 話者 34/Yamazaki Kazuyuki
DPRK's unlawful nuclear and missile activities are fragrantly challenging the credibility and integrity of the NPT.
00:12:22 話者 1
He added that Pyongyang should respond to the international community's call for dialogue. Russia and China reiterated their support for North Korea.
North Korea withdrew from the NPT in 2003.
A UN Security Council panel had been monitoring the implementation of sanctions on Pyongyang, but Russia vetoed an extension to its mandate in 2024.
And those were the main stories for this hour.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
Nemophila Flowers Reach Full Bloom Near Tokyo
One last story before we go.
Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom at a farm near Tokyo, attracting visitors with impressive scenery resembling a vast blue carpet.
Nemophila produces light blue petals about 2 centimeters in diameter.
Around 1 million plants were cultivated at the Mother Farm in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture. Their flowers are in full bloom and cover about 5,000 square meters at the farm's Valley of Flowers.
00:14:18 話者 41
I'm happy to see the wonderful blue color across such a wide area.
00:14:24 話者 42
I'm glad to see exactly what I had most hoped for.
00:14:30 話者 1
The Nemophila at Mother Farm are expected to remain at peak bloom through early May.
And that wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Kanako Sachno in Tokyo. Thanks very much for joining us.
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Easy Japanese
00:15:09 話者 2
Hi there.
Welcome to Easy Japanese from NHK World Japan.
I'm Erico Kojima.
00:15:15 話者 4
And I'm Michael Reiss.
Let's have fun learning Japanese together.
00:15:19 話者 2
Today we bring you lesson nine on expressions for asking the names of things you don't know.
00:15:30 話者 4
The main character of our skit is Tam, 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.
00:15:43 話者 2
Such places are called depachika in Japanese.
Let's listen to the skit for lesson nine.
Let's review the skit line by line.
00:16:24 話者 4
Kaito says the term.
00:16:28 話者 2
This is the department store's basement deli.
00:16:31 話者 4
Kaito's friend Mike says.
00:16:36 話者 2
They have all kinds of food.
It's great.
00:16:39 話者 4
Tam is astounded by the variety.
00:16:44 話者 2
Wow, this is amazing.
00:16:46 話者 4
Something catches her eye.
00:16:50 話者 2
What is this?
00:16:52 話者 4
Kaito answers.
00:16:56 話者 2
Pickled daikon radish.
00:16:58 話者 4
Mike encourages Tam to try a sample.
00:17:02 話者 2
Do you want to try it?
00:17:05 話者 4
Tam takes a piece and says, Itadakimasu.
00:17:08 話者 2
Yes, thank you.
00:17:10 話者 4
After taking a bite.
00:17:12 話者 2
Oh, I see this.
It's good.
00:17:15 話者 4
Kaito has another recommendation.
00:17:20 話者 2
Do you want to try this one too?
00:17:22 話者 4
Tam really took a liking to the basement deli.
By the way, Eriko, could you explain where the name depachika comes from?
00:17:30 話者 2
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 depachika.
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 nan desu ka, or what is.
Point to the thing, use one of the following demonstratives, kore, sore, are, add wa, and complete the sentence with nan desu ka to ask.
00:19:14 話者 4
So, if you want to ask about something that's close to you, you'd say, kore wa nan desu ka.
00:19:21 話者 2
Exactly.
00:19:22 話者 4
Give it a try.
Listen and repeat.
Were you able to say it well?
00:19:45 話者 2
Now listen to a customer asking a question to the clerk at the Depachika.
Here's what it means.
00:20:10 話者 4
Excuse me, what is this?
00:20:13 話者 2
We learned that when you want to inquire about something to someone you don't know, you start off with Excuse me?
00:20:22 話者 4
It's tea.
Listen and repeat.
00:20:29 話者 2
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.
00:21:32 話者 4
Taiyaki is a Japanese pastry shaped like a sea bream fish.
00:21:36 話者 2
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.
00:22:48 話者 4
This time, listen and repeat.
00:22:53 話者 2
Oishii desu.
00:23:00 話者 4
Try saying this when you've eaten something delicious.
00:23:03 話者 2
Listen to today's skit once again.
00:23:09 話者 3
Kokoga de bachika daiyo.
00:23:10 話者 2
I don't know what to do.
00:23:20 話者 3
Itadakimasu.
00:23:37 話者 2
Koremo Tabetemiru.
00:23:40 話者 4
Next up, Kaito is your food guide, talking about department store basement delis.
00:23:49 話者 2
So Michael, have you ever been to the basement deli of a department store, Depachika?
00:23:53 話者 4
Yes, I have, many times in fact.
00:23:56 話者 2
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.
00:24:09 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.
00:24:16 話者 2
Even just looking around is fun.
You'll come across food from famous restaurants, luxury items, and rare delicacies.
00:24:23 話者 4
And you can taste some of the food, right?
00:24:25 話者 2
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.
00:24:49 話者 4
Be sure to tune in again.
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