Glad to have you with us on this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Raja Pradhan with the news from Tokyo.
Japanese, Malaysian Leaders Pledge Stable LNG Shipments
Japan and Malaysia have agreed to boost cooperation on energy security amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
That includes ensuring a stable supply of liquefied natural gas imports to Japan.
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae met her Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday. The leaders agreed Malaysia will ensure a stable supply of LNG.
The country currently provides about 15 percent of Japan's LNG imports.
The leaders also agreed to secure shipments of raw materials for fertilizers.
Takaichi and Anwar pledged to make supply chains of rare earths and other critical minerals more resilient.
On issues of security, the two noted the importance of maritime coordination.
That will include joint exercises between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Malaysian military.
They also agreed their countries will continue to cooperate under Japan's official security assistance, which provides defense equipment and other supplies to the militaries of like-minded countries.
00:01:21 話者 2/Takaichi Sanae
I'm confident these efforts will further improve Japan, Malaysia, and the region's autonomy and resilience under our updated vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
We will take advantage of this summit to further deepen the bond between our countries and strengthen a comprehensive strategic partnership.
00:01:42 話者 3/Anwar Ibrahim/Malaysian Prime Minister
I truly appreciate your candor, your friendship. and your deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries.
And we have had very productive discussions on defense and maritime security, strategic industries, energy transition.
00:02:06 話者 1
Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.
Iran Conflict : US Says It's Completed Spate Of Strikes On Iran
US Central Command says a short burst of strikes on Iran is now finished.
CENTCOM says they were in response to the earlier downing of an army helicopter.
Iran says it carried out a drone attack on a US Navy facility in response.
CENTCOM said in a social media post it had completed the attack.
It said its fighter jet struck Iran's air defense, ground control stations and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
It added the operation was a proportional response to recent attacks on US forces and commercial ships.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement Wednesday the US attacks were baseless. It said the strikes destroyed a communications mast and reservoirs.
Iran also claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a US Navy facility in Bahrain.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's state-run news agency is reporting Israel's raid on the southern city of Tyre has killed at least 8 people and injured 32.
It said the work of removing rubble is still ongoing.
Ukraine Commander Approves Plan To Boost Military Through 2030
Ukraine's top military commander has approved a plan to boost the country's military capabilities.
It apparently aims to bolster the nation against the ongoing Russian invasion and over the longer term.
Oleksandr Syrsky announced the approval of the plan that goes through 2030 in a social media post on Tuesday.
He stressed the need to build the military of the future while fighting a difficult war.
He says the development of missile systems is a key focus.
Ukraine will develop long-range missiles capable of striking targets up to 2,000 kilometers away.
Syrsky said the country will also reinforce artillery units with domestically produced equipment and other means.
He indicated Russia's invasion shows the armaments are still vital to modern combat.
Main Sagrada Familia Spire Finally Complete
The main spire of the iconic Sagrada Familia is now complete.
Barcelona's famous basilica was founded in 1882 and has been a work in progress ever since.
The church, the tallest in the world, is the unfinished masterpiece of renowned architect Antoni Gaudi. It's been under construction for more than 140 years.
The design features 18 towers of varying heights.
The newly completed Tower of Jesus Christ, which is the church's main spire, stands 172.5 meters and is crowned by a 17-meter cross.
Many local residents welcomed the news of the completion.
00:05:06 話者 12/Jordi Lopez/Taxi driver
I didn't expect it to be finished while I was alive. Now I hope to see the work completed.
00:05:18 話者 1
Wednesday also marks the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.
Pope Leo XIV will preside over a mass in the evening and flowers will be placed at Gaudi's tomb. More than 4,000 guests are expected to attend the event.
Sagrada Familia's 144-Year Journey One Step Closer To Completion
And for more, earlier I spoke to NHK World's Nohara Naomichi in Barcelona.
So Naomichi, can you describe where are you exactly at the moment?
00:05:47 話者 4/Nohara Naomichi
So we are standing at the roof of a building near the Basilico.
And you can see it's towering behind me.
In the middle is the highest spire that has just been completed.
Pope Leo XV is set to hold the commemorative mass this evening.
It is still early morning local time, but security measures have already begun around the church.
The Sagada Familia is a Catholic church, but more than 140 years of construction has made it a special place not only for Catholics, but also for people around the world.
The project has endured many challenges, including the Spanish Civil War, financial problems, and construction delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anthony Gaudi is said to have envisioned the Sagada Familia as a church open to all people.
At the time when conflicts and turmoil continue around the world, attention is focused on what message will be delivered from this symbolic side.
00:06:51 話者 1
Right. Naomichi, how is the completion of the main tower being received locally?
00:06:58 話者 4
Yes. Locals say the completion of the Tower of Jesus marks a major milestone in the construction project. For many residents, the church is a source of pride.
At the same time, the influx of tourists from around the world has led to concerns about over-tourism.
In recent years, measures have been introduced to address the issue that includes designated visiting hours to prevent long lines from forming in the city.
Some residents who have witnessed the basilica's construction for many years say to see the main tower finally finished has been a long-haired dream.
Overall, there is a growing sense of anticipation as the basilica, observed over generations, moves closer to completion.
00:07:48 話者 1
Yes, and that said, it'll still take time for the entire project to be completed, right?
00:07:56 話者 4
Yes, the full completion of the Basilica is expected to take around another decade.
Cranes remain alongside the towers, and construction is still ongoing in some area.
Progress was slow at times in the past due to the complexity of the design and funding shortages.
But in recent years, advances in technology and increased tourism revenue have accelerated the pace of construction.
Work will continue on elements such as the facade at the front of the basilica.
However, there has been some conflict surrounding Gallery's origin design and whether it involves expansions.
That vision would require the relocation of many nearby residents and businesses.
This is a key issue as a church and city officials consider how to reach a settlement with locals.
Business
00:08:52 話者 1
Now to what's making headlines in business with Ramin Mellegard. Ramin.
00:09:04 話者 5/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
NTT Launches $500 Mil. Fund For Intl. Next-Gen Data Ecosystem
Japanese telecom giant NTT says it is launching a fund to make its next generation data transmission technology widely available around the world.
Now the firm on Wednesday announced a plan to form the ION AI Fund this month with its partners.
00:09:28 話者 25/Shimada Akira/President and CEO, NTT
We hope the fund will enable us to build the Ion ecosystem with our global partners and contribute to the formation of a new industrial base that supports the AI era.
00:09:42 話者 5
NTT's partners come from South Korea and Taiwan, alongside the government affiliated Development Bank of Japan.
The fund will draw investment of roughly 80 billion yen or nearly $500 million from about 20 companies.
Among the contributors are major chip makers such as US based Global Foundries and South Korea's Samsung Electronics, as well as Sony Group and NEC.
IOWN, or Innovative Optical and Wireless Network uses technology called photonics electronics convergence. It harnesses the power of light to reduce electricity demands.
NTT says this will allow data to be moved faster and in larger volumes, which will be especially important in AI data centers.
The fund will set up management bases in Silicon Valley in the US and Tokyo with an eye on investing in startups specializing in software.
Its ultimate goal is to create an ecosystem for next-generation technology.
00:10:45 話者 26/Kihara Minoru/Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary
The government is supporting research and development of an all-photonics network that uses convergence technology as well as efforts to promote it worldwide.
We'll continue to actively support firms to improve their competitive edge and make the network globally available with public and private sector cooperation.
00:11:03 話者 5
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru pointed out on the same day that the new technology is essential for building the digital infrastructure for an AI society.
Anthropic Releases Claude Fable 5, Safer Mythos-Class AI
And US AI firm Anthropic says it has begun providing a new AI model that it describes as a Claude Mythos class model. It is made safe for general use.
The company says Claude Fable 5 is as capable as Mythos, a model that's set to excel in identifying system vulnerabilities.
Anthropic originally decided against a general release for Mythos out of concern that it could be used in cyber attacks.
The company explains that it has deployed security measures in Fable 5, which comes with a new set of so-called classifiers.
When it detects a request related to biology, chemistry, or cybersecurity, the response is automatically handled by a lower grade AI model.
Now, Anthropic at first limited the use of Mythos to about 50 companies and institutions due to the high misuse risks, but in June, that was expanded to around 200.
Japan Producer Prices Rise At Fastest Pace In 3 Years
The prices of goods traded between Japanese companies rose in May.
The pace of growth was the fastest in over three years, driven largely by higher prices of petroleum-related products.
The Bank of Japan says the preliminary producer price index was up 6.3% last month from a year earlier. That's the biggest jump since March 2023.
Petroleum and coal products such as gasoline rose nearly 14% as the effects of the Middle East conflict kept crude oil prices high.
Chemical and related products, such as polyethylene, jumped more than 13 percent due to an increase in the price of NAFTA.
And non-ferrous metals rose over 42 percent, partly because aluminum production bases in the Middle East were damaged in the conflict.
JR East To Phase Out Magnetic Train Tickets For QR Codes
East Japan Railway says it will discontinue its magnetic train tickets starting next spring.
It plans to replace them with tickets that display QR codes.
The company said on Tuesday the change is planned for local lines only.
It will not affect long distance trips, as those often involve other railway operators.
Passengers currently insert the magnetic tickets into fare gates at the start and end of every trip. They will instead hold their QR codes over readers installed at the gates.
The company said it is making the change due to the high recycling costs of the current tickets, which contain metal.
Officials also point to a fall in usage as more people are opting for prepaid cards.
Only 2.5 percent of the annual ridership still uses the paper tickets.
JR East President Kise Yoichi said some customers may be sad about the change because the tickets have been around for a long time.
But he said it will help both the company and the environment, so he hopes they understand the reasons for it.
Markets
Okay, let's get a check of the markets.
♪
And that is it for Business News.
00:14:52 話者 1
Thank you very much, Ramin.
Men's Soccer World Cup : Somali Referee Denied Entry Into US
Next, soccer fans across the globe are gearing up for the Men's World Cup, kicking off Thursday.
Millions will head to the host countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, but the US has refused entry to a referee from Somalia.
Customs and Border Protection agents said a Somali national arrived in Florida and was denied entry on Saturday. US media report the man is named Omar Artan.
He was one of 52 referees selected for the World Cup.
And he was honored as a top ref of last year by the Confederation of African Football.
The agency said it found vetting concerns, but did not give further details.
The administration of President Donald Trump restricts the entry of nationals from certain countries, including Somalia. It says the measure is to protect national security.
The New York Times reported on the incident. It says it's a sign of politics affecting the visa process for people taking part in the tournament.
Members of Iran's soccer team have felt the impact.
More than a dozen support staff were reportedly denied visas.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said officials will closely watch Iran's delegation.
He said they want to make sure no one has ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The tensions with the US have forced the players to relocate their training camp.
They were supposed to train in the state of Arizona, but now they are in the Mexican border city of Tijuana.
Mexican Mothers Lead Search For The 'Disappeared'
And even as teams arrive, some of the World Cup's host cities in Mexico are dealing with drug cartels and the grief they cause.
The number of people disappeared, some in relation to the cartels, has now surpassed 130,000. An NHK crew follows families searching for loved ones on their own.
00:16:43 話者 33/Narrator: Bill Sullivan/Reporters: Murakami Takatoshi, Shimokata Kunio, Kayama Shota
Jalisco in western Mexico is to host four World Cup matches, but the state struggles with a humanitarian crisis.
It possesses the highest number of disappeared persons in the country.
Alejandra Cruz, who lives in Guadalajara, has spent the past five years searching for her son.
Julio, then 18, vanished after being forcibly taken away in a vehicle by a group posing as prosecutors.
00:17:15 話者 32/Alejandra Cruz
I kept putting up posters asking for information. Every time I placed one,
Tears would well up. Where are you? Are you alive? What are they doing to you?
Aren't you cold? Aren't you hungry? My son's absence is incredibly painful.
00:17:36 話者 33
Cruz is on a mission with a group called Searching Mothers.
It is made-up of about 500 women who, like Cruz, are trying to track down their missing children.
Based on an anonymous tip, they head to a remote area on the outskirts of Guadalajara, looking for clandestine burial sites.
00:18:01 話者 32
This rod is like a magical tool because it tells us if there is a body in a deep area.
When the soil has been disturbed, it sinks in.
00:18:14 話者 33
20 minutes after digging at a section of loose earth, they remove what appears to be a man's shirt. At another site, they unearth what looks like a skull.
And they stumble upon what could be a makeshift incinerator.
The mothers reported their findings to the police.
They suspect it was the camp of a drug trafficking organization.
Why have so many people gone missing?
It all began 2 decades ago when then-President Felipe Calderon deployed the military to combat drug cartels, sparking a drug war.
While military enforcement intensified across the country, it also fueled escalating violence between rival groups.
The cartels reportedly began abducting large numbers of young people to expand their ranks and to secure funds from ransom.
Cecilia Flores launched the group searching mothers after her son vanished.
In 11 years, her group has discovered nearly 4,000 bodies.
00:20:00 話者 36/Cecilia Flores
It would be ideal if the searching mothers did not have to exist.
But unfortunately, the authorities' investigations have made little progress.
We don't want to die before finding our children. That wish keeps us going.
00:20:16 話者 33
The group has more than 1.6 million followers on social media. During live streaming from search sites, they receive numerous anonymous tips, many pointing to specific locations.
00:20:31 話者 36
We receive information every day.
I believe it comes from people who are or were involved in criminal groups.
00:20:44 話者 33
Flores organizes regular workshops so that women can study forensic science, including specialized fields that apply archaeological and anthropological approaches.
In this session, they are learning how to distinguish between human and animal bones.
a constant challenge at search sites.
00:21:10 話者 35/Axel Villasenor Ulloa/Anthropologist
Animal bones are thinner and smaller because they support different weights and require different movements than humans.
00:21:22 話者 36
We sometimes mistake animal bones for human and call the authorities, leading to a large mobilization. That's why it's important to share expertise with other mothers.
We can't fight this battle without knowledge.
00:21:42 話者 33
May 10, Mother's Day. The women demonstrate every year on this day.
But this time, they are also voicing anger that the government is prioritizing the World Cup over resolving the cases of the missing.
00:22:05 話者 32
The World Cup means nothing. We mothers have nothing to celebrate.
00:22:14 話者 33
Cruz always carries a panic button to alert police when her life is in danger.
Like many other mothers, she has received threats to cease her searches.
But she is determined to go on, as her tattoos suggest.
They depict her son's face and boot prints symbolizing her unstoppable mission.
00:22:41 話者 32
I always pray to God to give me the strength to keep fighting.
I want to tell my son that I will keep waiting for him.
I will never stop until my heart takes its very last beat.
00:23:01 話者 33
These mothers' fight to demand justice and visibility of their disappeared loved ones continues with no end in sight.
♪
Bear Threat : Woman Attacked In Shrine Parking Lot In Northern Japan
00:23:31 話者 1
Amid a surge in bear encounters across Japan, a woman has been injured by a bear that attacked her in the parking lot of a shrine in the country's northeast.
The animal has not yet been found.
Police said the woman was attacked on Tuesday evening.
The shrine is in a mountainous area of the city of Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture.
Police said the woman suffered face and shoulder injuries.
She was taken to a hospital, but was reportedly able to speak and walk.
City officials and local hunters are considering setting up traps to capture the bear.
The authorities are calling on people in the area to take precautions.
On May 15, a bear got inside the perimeter of Iwate Hanamaki Airport, forcing the temporary closure of the runway. Bear sightings have risen dramatically in Hanamaki.
A total of 128 were reported between April and May, a 50 percent increase from the same period last year.
Weather
It's time now for a check on the weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh.
So Jonathan, we saw a little more sun through the clouds in Tokyo on Wednesday.
How are things looking for the rest of the week?
00:24:41 話者 7/Jonathan Oh
Hello, we're talking about the rainy season in Japan, but as high pressure controlled a good portion of the country, we saw more sunshine, including Tokyo, where we saw that peeking through the clouds.
Now, one location that's seen the exception to all of this is down toward Okinawa, where we're having the rainy season pushing a little bit to the south because of that high pressure, and that's dumping quite a bit of rain to places like Miyakojima, where we're looking at the possibility and of landslides because of the heavy rainfall.
With a low pressure system and the nearby proximity, that can bring some even more rain as we go into Thursday as well.
So as we look forward through the forecast, the Okinawa region of Japan will continue to see rain as a part of the forecast.
Now high pressure will be controlling again a good portion of the rest of Japan, but because of the way the moisture is feeding back in, we'll see a little bit more interest of cloud cover as we progress through the week.
Cloudy weather into Tokyo with a high of 25 on Thursday, 27 on Friday, and the temperature start to creep up near 30 as we go into the weekend.
Same thing in Osaka, we'll be seeing that temperature flooding with a 30 degree mark for the next few days.
Again, Okinawa is seeing some rain and Sapporo temperatures will be on the rise as we go through the next few days.
Looking at what's happening across North America, we have these clouds blowing up into the northern portions of the United States due to a frontal passage that's coming on through.
We've got a lot of hot air coming in from high pressure down to the south, and that's really pushing up against the front, and that's causing the unstable pattern.
We'll see the chance for some rain and thunderstorms, something that may be severe, into the upper plains as we go from Wednesday, then shifting toward the east on Thursday into the Great Lakes.
I mean, 33 for the high in Denver, 34 in Oklahoma City, 32 Chicago with thunderstorms extending from there into Toronto and Winnipeg as we go through the day on Wednesday.
Quick note on Europe, big low pressure sun with a station in front of the central portions of the continent.
Heat ahead of that, so Moscow looking at high of 30 with rain on Wednesday.
Showers also back toward Paris, London, and Rome for the middle of the work week.
Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:40 話者 1
That concludes this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo, thanks for joining us.
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