US–Iran tensions, Gaza flotilla criticism, and Asia’s shifting diplomacy dominate today’s headlines.
Markets react to geopolitical risks as Japan faces severe weather and rising bear encounters.
Cultural traditions continue with a historic lion parade in Yamagata.
米国とイランの緊張、ガザ支援船団への批判、アジア外交の動きが主要ニュース。
地政学リスクで市場が揺れ、日本では大雨や熊被害の増加が続く。
山形では伝統の巨大獅子パレードが街を彩った。
Hello. A very warm welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yamamuto Miki in Tokyo.
US–Iran Negotiations Enter Final Stage
US President Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran are in the final stages, but suggested he maintains a military option as he waits for Tehran's response.
00:00:27 話者 2
A very right on the borderline, believe me.
If we don't get the right answers, it goes very quickly.
We're all ready to go.
We have to get the right answers.
It would have to be a complete, 100% good answers.
And if we do, we save a lot of time, energy, and lives, most importantly.
00:00:47 話者 1
Trump also urged Iran to comply with US demands such as not possessing nuclear weapons in the future.
Also on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Peseshkian met Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran.
Pakistan has been mediating talks between Iran and the US.
Iranian media say this is Naqvi's second trip to Tehran in the past 10 days.
Peseshkian also posted on social media:
Iran has consistently honored its commitments and explored every avenue to upward war.
All paths remain open from our side.
Iran's Tasnim news agency quoted a source close to the negotiating team as saying Iran is reviewing a new text from the US that was sent through Pakistan.
Global Criticism Over Gaza-Bound Flotilla Detentions
Israel has detained hundreds of activists from a flotilla that was bound for Gaza with aid supplies.
International criticism is mounting over this action and the treatment of the detainees.
Israel's foreign ministry announced Tuesday the flotilla had been intercepted.
It said all 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels.
Reuters said the flotilla of about 50 ships left Turkey last Thursday.
On Wednesday, Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on social media. It showed detainees kneeling with their hands tied.
Ben-Gvir included messages with the post. One said, Welcome to Israel.
Another said the video shows how Israel welcomes what Ben-Gvir called terror supporters.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Ben-Gvir's images unacceptable and noted, Some of the activists are Italian. She demanded an apology.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also denounced Ben-Gvir's handling of the matter as it involves Spanish citizens.
He said, We will not tolerate anyone mistreating our citizens.
The Spanish and French governments summoned the Israeli ambassadors to their respective countries and demanded an explanation.
European Council President Antonio Costa called for the immediate release of the detainees. He said he was appalled by the treatment of the flotilla.
Trump Signals Possible Arms Talks With Taiwan
US President Trump has indicated that he will speak with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-ta about a potential US arms sale to Taiwan.
Do you have any plans to call President Lai of Taiwan before you make a decision on the weapons package?
00:03:35 話者 2
Well I'll speak to him. I speak to everybody. We have that situation very well in hand.
00:03:42 話者 1
Last week, Trump commented on the possible sale of weapons to Taiwan after his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He said he would have to speak to the person running Taiwan.
In response, Lai on Wednesday also signaled a readiness to hold talks.
Trump earlier described the possible transaction with Taiwan as a very good negotiating trip with China.
Reuters news agency said it would be the first direct conversation between the leaders of the US and Taiwan since 1979.
That is when Washington shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taipei.
In 2016, before Trump took office, he spoke by phone with then-Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. It was a rare move by a US president-elect.
It prompted Beijing to lodge a protest with Washington.
Reports Suggest Xi May Visit North Korea Soon
South Korean media outlets are reporting that the Chinese president will likely visit North Korea as early as next week.
Media reports quoted a high-ranking South Korean official as saying there is a high possibility of Xi visiting the North later in May or in early June.
The report said security and protocol teams for Xi were recently in Pyongyang.
It would be Xi's first visit to the country since 2019.
In September last year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited China, where he attended a major military parade alongside Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Chinese Premier Li Chang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi have met with Kim on his home soil since then.
Xi hosted Trump and Putin this month in an apparent display of China's influence in international politics.
The latest move could be an attempt to shore up China's solidarity with Pyongyang.
Xi–Putin Cooperation Deepens After Beijing Summit
Meanwhile, Putin and Xi released a joint statement Wednesday following their summit in Beijing. The two leaders committed to cooperate in the energy sector.
Russian media reported that plans for a gas pipeline were on the agenda at the meeting.
The statement also criticized the US and Israeli military strikes against Iran, saying the attacks breach international law.
They called on the parties to return to negotiations.
Trump told reporters it was good Putin and Xi had met.
He said he gets along with both of them. The statement also addressed Japan.
It claimed the country is accelerating remilitarization and threatening regional peace and stability.
China and Russia have demanded Japan to stop what they call its new militarism.
A Japanese government spokesperson has strongly denied their claims.
00:06:42 話者 3
The defense-only policy, which is Japan's basic defense policy, remains unchanged.
The country's defense capabilities to exercise and maintain them are also the minimum necessary.
So the claims of both China and Russia are not true at all.
00:06:57 話者 1
He reiterated Japan's stance as a peaceful state is unchanged.
South Korea Launches Nationwide Local Election Campaign
A nationwide regional election campaign involving thousands of candidates is officially underway in South Korea.
This will be the largest election since the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myon was elected president less than a year ago.
As people prepare to vote...
The short-lived martial law in 2024 and subsequent political turmoil is still top of mind.
NHK role's Kim Chan-joo reports on how the election is developing.
00:07:43 話者 4
With the official campaign period kicking off, the energy in Seoul is ramping up quickly.
As you can see behind me, campaign banners have been set up on many street corners, with the ruling Democratic Party signs in blue and the largest opposition People Power Parties in red.
And we have already seen some candidates hold rallies calling for support.
In South Korea, these comprehensive local elections take place once every four years.
Voters will choose metropolitan city mayors, as well as governors in provinces and local council members.
There are also 14 parliamentary by-elections taking place.
One of the most closely watched races is the Seoul mayoral election.
The incumbent Oh Se-hoon, a PPP candidate, is seeking a fifth term, but he is locked in a fierce contest with the ruling DP's candidate Chung Eun-ho.
00:08:51 話者 5
If housing costs rise, that will have an impact on children's education fees and will cut into money needed to go to a hospital.
President Lee Jae-myung is driving our lives into distress.
He must be judged in this election.
00:09:08 話者 6
In an election in a democratic society, politicians who don't work well have to be changed.
Do you think Oh Se-foon did a good job?
He didn't. That's why we need to make changes.
00:09:23 話者 4
It appears all is keeping its distance from the PPP due to its sinking popularity.
He's instead focusing on his years of experience and positioning himself as the stable choice.
Recent polls show President Yi's approval rating is over 60 percent.
One analyst we spoke to says the ruling DP appears to have the upper hand.
00:09:52 話者 3
Those who have a proven track record are well recognized even if people don't like them.
This is the case in any organization.
Lee's very flexible and practical stance has won the hearts of some people in the opposition camp and those in the middle.
00:10:07 話者 4
Polling shows the DP has a nearly 46 percent approval rating, while the PPP sits at just over 33 percent.
One reason for that, according to experts, is that the PPP is still under the shadow of its recent dark past.
Former PPP President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in 2024 and plunged the country into political chaos.
He was ousted and sentenced to life in prison on charges of insurrection.
00:10:43 話者 3
The current PPP has the image of supporting martial law and civil unrest.
Elections are a battle of expectations, that change is possible, things can be done well and something can be accomplished.
But today's conservative bloc is too outdated to inspire those expectations.
00:11:01 話者 4
There's another district where the ruling DP may cause a major upset.
Daegu, the country's fourth biggest city, is traditionally a conservative stronghold.
But the latest poll suggests the ruling party's contender is showing a slight lead against a PPP candidate.
00:11:24 話者 7
Above all, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to respond when the citizens of Daegu are desperately asking if it can be revived.
00:11:35 話者 5
Daegu is the heart of conservatism.
I will win by a landslide and stop the Lee Jae Meng administration's heavy-handed one-party dominance and protect the country's liberal democracy.
00:11:48 話者 4
If DP candidate Kim Boo-gyum wins the race, he would become the first progressive mayor in Daegu's history.
For the ruling DP, this election could be an opportunity to show off its strength backed by high approval ratings for the Lee administration.
For the PPP, it's a touchstone to see whether the party is heading in the right direction or if it's still plagued by the martial law turmoil.
The judgment day will come June 3rd after the 13-day campaign period ends.
BUSINESS
00:12:25 話者 1
Now, let's check out the business stories. Here's Yuko Fukushima from our business. Yuko.
00:12:30 話者 8
Thanks, Miki.
Nikkei Rebounds on Iran-Related Remarks
Well, Tokyo's Nikki DD5 stock index rebounded sharply on Thursday.
Investors picked up the wide range of shares following US
President Trump's remark that negotiations with Iran are in the final stages.
The benchmark closed at 61,684, gaining 3-point-1 percent.
to end a five-day losing streak.
Semiconductor-related stocks led the way.
Investors also bought back shares that lost ground in recent sessions.
The rally came a day after the Nikkei finished below 60,000 for the first time since May 1.
The index closed at a record high above the 63,000 mark on Wednesday last week.
Japan’s Middle East Oil Imports Plunge 67%
The volume of Japan's imports of crude oil from the Middle East fell by about two thirds in April from a year earlier.
That was due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The finance ministry says the figure dropped 67.2 percent year on year to about 3.8 million kiloliters.
Shipments in the oil category that includes Naftha plunged by over 79 percent.
Liquefied natural gas from the region was down about 76 percent.
To compensate, Japan sought to source oil products from other countries and regions.
Imports of crude oil from the United States rose nearly 39 percent, while shipments of naphtha from the country grew exponentially.
The oil import figures were contained in the ministry's report on Japan's trade balance in April.
Overall, the country posted a surplus of nearly 302 billion yen, or about $1.9 billion.
The value of exports increased 14.8 percent thanks to a rise in demand for semiconductor-related products.
Imports were up 9.7 percent.
Taiwan Buyers Drive Japan Condo Demand
Japanese real estate is drawing buyers from abroad, especially Taiwanese.
A survey by Japan's land ministry shows that they accounted for over 60
percent of overseas residents purchasing new condominiums in Tokyo's 23 wards in the first half of 2025.
Here's a look at the trend.
00:14:41 話者 9
In central Tokyo, average condos sell for more than 100 million yen, or roughly 630,000 dollars.
While many locals are priced out, non-Japanese are not deterred.
00:14:55 話者 10
This is the living dining room.
The unit price tops 1 billion yen, or about 6.2 million dollars, as the condo is in one of Tokyo's most popular areas.
00:15:07 話者 9
Foreign buyers make up about 30 percent of customers at this firm's Tokyo office.
The average contract price per unit is about 4.4 million dollars.
The company says demand from Taiwan continues to rise.
00:15:25 話者 10
The weaker yen is making many foreign buyers feel that now is the most appropriate time to invest.
00:15:35 話者 9
Taiwan's economy has been expanding rapidly on the back of strong exports such as semiconductors.
Its GDP marked its highest growth in 15 years last year.
This Taiwanese real estate firm handles about 800 transactions of Japanese properties per year.
00:15:57 話者 11
You can see Rainbow Bridge and Mount Fuji from the balcony.
00:16:04 話者 9
This man owns a high-rise unit on the Tokyo waterfront as an investment and is weighing another purchase.
00:16:14 話者 11
Prices for new properties are surging in Taipei, but in Tokyo it seems relatively affordable if you compare it to the other major cities around the world.
There are customers who want to buy housing units, but also shops, inns or an entire building for business purposes.
00:16:34 話者 9
Taiwanese demand for second homes in Japan is also rising as it's a relatively short flight away and many feel a closeness to Japan's culture.
A major real estate company in Japan is focusing more on marketing in Taiwan.
In March, it held a promotional event in Taipei, highlighting property features from a local Japanese perspective.
00:17:02 話者 12
This property offers convenient access to several train lines.
00:17:06 話者 9
This man is considering a purchase with an eye on the future, hoping his granddaughter will one day attend university in Japan.
He is attracted by high quality education.
He also sees owning properties outside Taiwan as a way to diversify risks.
00:17:26 話者 5
Japan's living standards are high, but prices and various expenditures are much lower than in Taipei.
And Japan's environment is far better than Taipei's.
00:17:38 話者 9
This real estate company says revenue from brokerage services for customers living in Taiwan has risen about fourfold in the past five years.
00:17:49 話者 6
Taiwanese buyers appreciate the quality of Japanese properties and how they're managed.
Demand for the real estate is strong, and we project it will grow.
00:18:03 話者 9
In Japan, a further rise in foreign demand is spurring concerns that condo prices may climb even more.
The Japanese government is planning to consider ways to curb speculative buying of real estate.
MARKETS
00:18:18 話者 8
Now let's get you a check on the markets.
♪
And that's the business for this hour.
00:18:53 話者 1
Thank you very much, Yuko.
Expert Warns Japan’s Bear Problem Will Persist
The bears are back here in Japan.
Fiscal 2025 was a record-breaking year for casualties caused by the animals, including 13 deaths.
And recent incidents have officials once again warning people to be on alert.
00:19:11 話者 12
Two recently discovered bodies are suspected to be the victims of bear attacks.
One was an 85-year-old man in Iwate Prefecture.
who was seemingly dragged through the woods.
A bear was found nearby.
The other was in Okutama, a popular hiking area in western Tokyo.
The body was found about 100 meters from the trail.
Prints nearby suggest a large animal had been the cause.
While many consider fall to be bear season, one expert says now is also a dangerous time.
00:19:52 話者 7
This is breeding season, so adult males are roaming around looking for females.
Younger bears or mothers with cubs will try to stay out of their way.
And those young bears who recently left their mothers are likely to wander into areas where they might come into contact with people.
We also see more sightings of mothers with cubs around this time.
00:20:24 話者 12
Another factor, the bear population itself.
Data suggests the number of bears in Japan is rising.
This March, the number of bear sightings doubled compared to last year.
More bears means more contact with humans and more incidents.
00:20:46 話者 7
As the population grows, bears are moving closer to humans.
We increasingly see bears being born and raised near towns and settlements.
As a result, these young bears don't see people as a threat like the bears before them did.
They're growing up without that fear and, as a result, they're less wary of humans.
00:21:10 話者 12
And it's not just a problem for locals.
Earlier this month, a foreigner who went hiking in Okutama was attacked and injured by a bear.
Sato says the government should be doing more to prepare tourists for potential bear sightings.
In the meantime, he says everyone should try to steer clear of the animals.
00:21:34 話者 7
First and foremost, people need to understand that bears are part of Japan's natural environment.
Yes, wild animals are fascinating and a sign of a rich ecosystem.
But they are not creatures you can befriend by approaching or feeding them.
It's important to respect the fact that they are wild animals and let them live as they naturally do.
Always follow local guidelines and maintain a proper distance.
00:22:04 話者 12
Ultimately, Sato says Japan's bear problem won't be solved in a day.
Instead, he says the country needs a long-term strategy to help humans and bears coexist.
00:22:17 話者 7
We need personnel who specialize in bear countermeasures.
They need stable jobs so they can do this work and do it effectively.
That way we can build communities that are resilient to bears long term.
I think it's important to invest in these regions so they are well prepared.
00:22:36 話者 12
The Japanese government says it has a plan.
In March, it approved a roadmap of new countermeasures.
It includes tripling the number of local bear management personnel to about 2,500 by 2030.
Heavy Rain and Temperature Drops Across Japan
00:23:10 話者 1
Now let's check out the weather with our meteorologist Yumi Hirano.
So Yumi, people across Japan have been dealing with heavy rain.
What's the latest?
00:23:20 話者 13
Japan is seeing widespread heavy showers on Thursday.
People in Kochi got almost 120 millimeters of rain in just one day.
The severe weather is causing disruptions across the country.
After days of unseasonable heat, a low-pressure system brought cooler weather to the Kanto and Tohoku regions on Thursday.
At noon, Fukushima City reported a temperature of 14 degrees that's 17 degrees lower than the previous day.
Ibaraki Prefecture also saw much lower temperatures, and a power company said heavy rainfall could cause power outages affecting 7,000 households.
The active front will move along the Pacific side, so intense rain is possible in Tokai, ***** and Kanto from Thursday night to Friday morning.
There is also a risk of strong winds and lightning.
In the bigger picture across East Asia, the same front is also affecting southern China.
Up to 220 mm of rain is possible in Guangdong Province.
Severe flooding has already been reported in the area and the risk is expected to increase.
Heavy rains also likely in Hong Kong.
The high in Tokyo will only be 18, possibly marking the first day this month with a high below 20.
Now moving to India.
Scorching conditions are the biggest issue in the north.
The market will hit 48 degrees in one location on Wednesday.
The highest level of heat warning is in effect until Friday.
The temperatures will be
This is 46 in New Delhi and 43 in Varanasi.
That's all for now. Stay safe.
Giant Lion Float Parade Draws Crowds in Yamagata
00:26:25 話者 1
And one last story before we go.
A parade of ornamental floats has drawn crowds to Sakata City in Japan's northeastern prefecture of Yamagata.
It's the main event of the Sakata Festival, which dates back more than four centuries.
This year's parade saw about 2,000 people participate.
They walked on the street pulling clothes shaped like ships and animals.
The giant lion float was made after a massive fire in 1976 to pray for recovery.
It is now the city's symbol.
Following tradition, children are placed in the lion's mouth which is about two meters above ground.
It's said they will grow up healthy if they are bitten.
00:27:23 話者 10
This is the second time for my three-year-old child and the first time for my youngest child.
I hope they'll grow up in good health.
00:27:39 話者 1
Okay, that's all for this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Yamamoto Miki in Tokyo. Thanks for watching.
NHK World
00:28:01 話者 99
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.
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿