Hello and welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi in Tokyo.
Boat Operator Sentenced to 5 Years Over Fatal Accident
A court in Japan has sentenced the president of a Hokkaido tour boat operator to five years in prison over a fatal 2022 accident.
The Kazu-1 sightseeing boat sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula, claiming the lives of 20 passengers and crew. Six others are still missing.
Katsurada Seichi was charged with professional negligence resulting in death.
The key issue at the trial was whether the accident was foreseeable.
Prosecutors said weather advisories for strong winds and rough seas had already been issued when the boat departed, making an accident possible.
They petitioned the court for a five-year prison sentence.
Defense lawyers argued that the accident was the result of a malfunctioning hatch cover on the deck that allowed seawater to flow in.
They said the defendant had not been informed of the condition of the hatch, and therefore could not have foreseen the consequences.
In Wednesday's ruling at the Kushiro District Court, Presiding Judge Mizukoshi Takeo said the defendant should have been able to anticipate that sailing in rough weather could lead to a fatal accident, meaning the disaster was foreseeable.
The judge said Katsurada's negligence stemmed from his tendency to make light of safety.
The court sentenced him to five years in prison.
Iran Conflict : US Outlet Publishes Text of Draft Agreement
A US media outlet has published what it says is a draft of the deal between the United States and Iran to end their fighting.
The sweeping agreement covers the restoration of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, and the funding for reconstruction.
Bloomberg posted the text of the 14-point memorandum of understanding on Tuesday.
The draft says upon its signing, Iran and the US and its allies will declare an immediate and permanent end to the conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon.
It adds the two sides will undertake to negotiate a final agreement within 60 days.
Another point covers the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.
It says the US will lift its naval blockade and withdraw its forces, and that traffic in the strait will be restored to full capacity within 30 days.
On Iran's nuclear program, the draft says Tehran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons.
It says the fate of enriched material and other nuclear-related issues will be addressed in the final agreement.
The draft also says the US will commit to ending all types of sanctions on Iran according to a timeline set in the final agreement.
As for reconstruction, the document says the US will create a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation and economic development of Iran.
It says financing of at least 300 billion dollars will be ensured.
A Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesperson told NHK a signing ceremony will take place at the Bergenstock resort in central Switzerland on Friday.
G7 Leaders Reaffirm That Iran Will 'Never Obtain' Nukes
The Group of Seven is expected to forego a joint comprehensive statement this year, but it has released a leader's statement on geopolitical issues.
In it, G7 members reaffirmed their stance that Iran should never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
They also spoke out on the right of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement was issued on Wednesday at the G7 summit in France.
It welcomed the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict in Iran.
The G7 called unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz the bedrock of international trade.
It emphasized the need for a multinational effort led by France and the UK to resume maritime traffic through the strait.
The G7 leaders also reiterated what they called their unwavering support for Ukraine.
They agreed to increase the delivery of military equipment to the country.
The leaders also spoke about the eastern South China Sea as well as the Taiwan Strait.
They say they oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, in particular by force or coercion. The phrase was reportedly included with China in mind.
The G7 leaders are preparing other documents which include proposals from Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae.
Takaichi has put forward the idea of a stockpiling system for critical minerals, including rare earths.
She has also called for measures to strengthen energy security, including opposing unjust export restrictions and improving oil stockpiles.
From Humanoid Helpers to Factory Floors: China's Robot Push
Chinese robots are having their moment in the limelight from the marathon finish line to the factory assembly line, they are stealing the show and the market.
NHK World's Sekiya Satoshi went to a robotics exhibition here in Japan to see the changing landscape for himself.
00:06:06 話者 2/Sekiya Satoshi
Aichi Prefecture is one of Japan's great manufacturing hubs.
But at this industrial robotics exhibition, it isn't local machines getting all the attention.
Instead, Chinese humanoid robots are the big stars.
This robot uses cameras and AI to figure out the shape and size of boxes.
The manufacturer says they are already testing them out in factories and warehouses in China. For companies struggling with labor shortages, it's tech they can't afford to miss.
00:06:50 話者 12/Visitor
Looking ahead, we are also considering trying out humanoid robots.
00:07:00 話者 2
As for the Chinese companies, they say Japan's economic needs make it ripe for this kind of tech.
00:07:08 話者 13/Zhang Dapeng/Vice President, Leju Robot
In Japan, we can see lots of advantages here.
They all need this kind of machine, this kind of humanoid robot.
All the suppliers, they are trying their best to come into this market.
00:07:22 話者 2
But China isn't just building humanoids. They are also building big in industrial robotics which could be bad news for manufacturers here.
This Japanese company handles integrating robotics and factory automation.
For many years, the robots it worked with were made in places like Japan and Europe.
But recently, it's only working with Chinese products.
That's because they are making comparable machines for only 60% of the price.
00:08:00 話者 14/Hasegawa Riko/Automation System Sales Department, IDEC Factory Solutions
Some customers started out using Japan-made robots, but because of the price, they couldn't buy a second or third unit. We solved that by using Chinese manufacturers.
00:08:13 話者 2
This factory is one of those now using a Chinese-made robot.
It does detailed work, like inspecting auto parts.
It helps with the cleaning by handling items too hot to touch.
The parts are washed in near-boiling temperatures, so the robot handles taking the clean items out and loading dirty ones in. It's work that can be done by humans.
But the company says no one applied for the job, and they're already severely understaffed.
With no end to the labor shortage inside, the company's president says they need affordable robots to stay in business and even plan to purchase more.
00:09:08 話者 15/
We're very satisfied. Up till now, robots did work that people couldn't.
But going forward, we believe people will be the ones complementing the robots' work.
00:09:22 話者 2
With China now a global robotics powerhouse, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on Japanese companies and the economy at large.
Analysis: Will China Dominate the World's Robotics Market?
00:09:35 話者 1
And for more, earlier I spoke to our reporter, Sekiya Satoshi, who covered this story.
Why have China's robotics improved so much and so quickly?
00:09:47 話者 2
The key is strong government support.
China is pumping a lot of money into AI and humanoid robots.
Beijing clearly thinks it's a priority for its future economy.
So it's offering generous subsidies to companies developing these robots.
The Chinese government also announced $148 billion in funding over 20 years for emerging high-tech companies. But that's not its only advantage.
One Chinese company at the exhibition said, Manufacturing was a major factor.
China's modern economy was built on manufacturing.
Some even call it the world's factory.
So even today, there are many suppliers within China, and they are able to mass-produce high-quality parts fast and cheap.
The companies can then pass those savings on to consumers.
00:10:47 話者 1
So Satoshi, Japan and Europe have traditionally been big players in industrial robotics.
How is this affecting them?
00:10:55 話者 2
Well, it's not great. We have been talking about China as a producer, but China is also the world's biggest market.
Data suggests more than half of the industrial robots sold every year are sold there.
Japanese and European manufacturers managed to sell a lot to China and made a big profit. But as the domestic industry found its footing, they started losing ground.
The International Federation of Robotics looked at the numbers in China.
It says domestic manufacturers accounted for nearly 60 percent of sales volume in 2024.
surpassing foreign suppliers for the first time.
Now, we are starting to see that trend in other countries, too.
But one expert told me a low price might not be enough to crack the Japanese market.
00:11:58 話者 16/Li Zhihui/Chief Expert, Nomura Research Institute
The Japanese government and companies are very cautious when it comes to the on-site data collected by these robots. That data is essential for the robots to learn.
But there are serious security concerns that what's captured by the robot's cameras and sensors in these factories will be sent to Chinese servers.
That's a major reason why Japanese companies are reluctant to introduce these robots.
00:12:31 話者 1
So the concern is really data security.
00:12:35 話者 2
Exactly. And it's something that US is worried about, too.
In March, two lawmakers there put forward a bill.
It would ban the government from buying Chinese humanoid robots.
But data security is not the only issue. Li also said the Japanese-- Japan has strict safety regulations, and it may take time for Chinese companies to meet them.
Plus, she pointed out that Chinese manufacturers have only been making humanoid robots for the past five years or so. We still don't know how they hold up long-term.
Even so, it's clear China will be a major industry player going forward.
Business
00:13:30 話者 1
And now for more business stories, here's Yuko Fukushima.
00:13:33 話者 4/Yuko Fukushima
Thanks, Ryuichi.
Nikkei 225, Topix Set Record Closing Highs
Japan's two main stock indexes set record closing highs on Wednesday, investors picked up a wide range of shares on the view that a fall in crude oil futures could lead to improved corporate earnings. The benchmark Nikkei 225 ended at 69,902, up 7/10 of a percent.
That's a record finish for the third straight day.
It earlier hit an all-time intraday high of 70,125.
The broader topics also rose 6/10 of a percent to set a closing record of 4,013, ending above the 4,000 mark for the first time.
Japan's 3 Megabanks To Raise Ordinary Deposit Rates to 0.4%
Japan's three mega banks say they will raise their annual ordinary deposit rates to four-tenths of a percent from August.
Now this follows the Bank of Japan's policy rate hike to around 1 percent, the highest in 31 years.
MUFG Sumito Mitsui and Mizuho made the announcement on Tuesday after the central bank's decision earlier in the day.
The four-tenth of a percent deposit rate will be the highest for MUFG and Sumitomo Mitsui since 1992 and 2002 for Mizuho.
They hiked the rate to the current three-tenth of a percent in February.
Iran Conflict: Japan's Middle East Oil Imports Fell 61.9% in May
The volume of Japan's imports of crude oil from the Middle East plunged in May amid the closure of the state of Hormuz.
The finance ministry says the figure dropped almost 62 percent year on year.
Liquefied natural gas sourced from the region slumped about 72 percent, while shipments in the oil category, including NAFTA, plunged 90 percent.
To compensate, Japan imported oil products from other countries and regions.
Crude imports from the United States rose 24 percent, While shipments of the oil category that includes NAFTA grew more than sixfold.
Imports of the same category from the ASEAN region marked a shop rise of over 93%.
The oil import figures were contained in the ministry's report on Japan's trade balance in May.
Overall, the country posted a deficit of nearly 380 billion yen, or over 2.3 billion dollars.
That's the first shortfall in four months.
Import volumes fell, but soaring prices around the globe pushed up the value.
Global Chip Market To Jump 90% in 2026 on AI Demand
The size of the global semiconductor market is projected to jump almost 90 percent in 2026, driven by demand for chips used in artificial intelligence.
The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics compiles estimates once every six months based on corporate data and other sources.
Its report released this month shows the market is predicted to surge 89.9 percent from 2025 to a record of roughly 1.51 trillion dollars this year.
The organization primarily attributes the forecast to soaring prices of memory chips for AI data centers.
The market is expected to increase a further 26 percent next year compared to 2026, also due to AI-related demand.
But one analyst says the gap between supply and demand for memory chips could start to shrink around 2028.
Softbank, OpenAI To Team Up on Cybersecurity in Japan
Japanese IT giant Softbang Group plans to work with US tech firm OpenAI to provide cybersecurity services for infrastructure-related companies in Japan.
Advanced AI models, such as Anthropic's Claude Methos, are thought to pose serious risks to financial systems and other critical sectors if used in cyberattacks.
Softbang Group Chairman and CEO Son Masayoshi said he's worried about the potential threat from the latest AI.
Speaking in Tokyo on Tuesday, he said SoftBank and OpenAI aim to launch the security services by the end of the year.
OpenAI has developed an AI model that is said to have a performance level on par with Claude Mythos.
The technology will help identify and rectify software vulnerabilities for clients, including banks, utilities and manned transit operators.
Son and an OpenAI executive met with Finance Minister Katayama Satsuki.
00:17:39 話者 24/Son Masayoshi
OpenAI's technology will be a trusted tool needed to defend against cyberattacks.
There could be a time in the near future when AI will be widely employed to launch such attacks.
00:17:51 話者 25/Katayama Satsuki
I agreed with Mr. Son that it is important to overcome potential threats posed by artificial intelligence. That way, humanity can enjoy the benefits of AI.
00:18:05 話者 4
Katayama said she told Son that her ministry plans to cooperate with his company.
Major Ice Cream Makers Probed for Cartel Collusion
Japan's antitrust watchdog has raided the offices of six major ice cream makers on suspicion of forming a price-fixing cartel.
The Fair Trade Commission carried out inspections at the head offices of Meiji, Morinaga Milk Industry, Lotte, Morinaga, Ezaki Guriko and Akagi Nyugo on Tuesday.
The FTC says they are under investigation for violating the anti-monopoly law and maintaining a cartel to keep prices high.
Sources say retail prices were improperly hiked several times by 5 to 10 percent over the years for a wide range of popular products.
The FTC suspects the six firms of repeatedly violating the law to boost profits amid spiking ingredient costs.
Markets
And now to the latest on the markets.
♪
And that's the biz for this hour.
♪
Latest News Across Japan
Suspected Leader of Cambodia-Based Scam Group Arrested
00:19:47 話者 1
Japanese police have arrested the suspected ringleader of a scam group based in Cambodia.
Sasaki Yusuke had been detained by Thai police before arriving on Tuesday in Japan, where he was then taken into custody.
He was arrested on suspicion of violating Japanese laws on organized crime.
Sasaki allegedly instructed his team to make scam telephone calls to defraud victims.
Sources close to the investigation say Sasaki effectively served as an owner of the crime group based in the northwestern Cambodian city of Poipet.
They say he was a resident of neighboring Thailand.
Sasaki financed the operating costs of the hub and paid the scam callers.
Police in Japan had been searching for the leader after arresting 29 Japanese suspects last August for making scam calls from the base in Phoi Phet.
Tick-Borne SFTS Infections Surging in Japan
Health officials in Japan are sounding the alarm over a potentially fatal tick-borne virus.
They say cases this year are rising at a faster pace than last year when they hit a record high.
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or SFTS, is transmitted mainly through tick bites.
But there have been reports of people contracting the virus through contact with infected cats and dogs.
The Japan Institute for Health Security says there have been 72 patients this year through June 7 with some fatalities.
The figure is larger than that in the same period in 2025.
Over half of the 47 prefectures have recorded cases.
The institute says people should reduce skin exposure and use tick repellent when doing outdoor activities such as farm work or hiking.
It says they should check their bodies for tick bites afterward.
The institute also says if people do find ticks on their bodies, they should contact a dermatologist or other doctor to get it removed.
FBI Says It Foiled Attack on White House Event
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation says it thwarted a planned attack on a mixed martial arts event held on the White House lawn on Sunday.
President Donald Trump and other administration officials were in attendance.
FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators became aware of the threat earlier this month and worked with partners to stop the attacks.
The event was held to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US.
It also coincided with Trump's birthday.
Officials told Fox News the alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to strike buildings near the event.
An additional plot was allegedly planned to storm the White House gate.
Investigators have reportedly identified more than 20 alleged plotters by examining chats on a messaging app. Five people were in custody as of Monday.
The authorities are continuing to investigate.
Sports
World Cup 2026: Messi Magic Delivers Opening Win for Argentina
Argentina has stormed to victory against Algeria in the men's soccer World Cup, and who else but Lionel Messi bagged all three goals.
The South American side is seeking back-to-back World Cup titles.
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute on Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri.
He netted another in the 60th minute and secured his hat-trick in the 76th.
The 38-year-old is now the joint-top scorer in World Cup history.
This is Messi's sixth World Cup.
And in Buenos Aires, the crowds were delighted to see their idol in such imperious form.
♪
00:23:58 話者 31
Seeing him now, three goals, tying the all-time scoring record, he can go even further in the next match. It's great he is Argentinian.
Weather
00:24:39 話者 1
It's time for a check on the weather with our meteorologist, Sayaka Mori.
So, Sayaka, it was quite warm and even sunny in Tokyo Wednesday, but those in southwestern Japan were dealing with some heavy rains. What's ahead for Thursday?
00:24:54 話者 43/Sayaka Mori
Hello there.
Tokyo is enjoying another day of dry weather today, but rain will likely return.
Typically, 40 percent of the time during the rainy season is even either cloudy or sunny.
But again, rain will return.
We have a frontal system to the south that is affecting the southwestern islands of Ryukyu at this moment, but the system will likely move to the north gradually, so the Pacific side of the main islands will likely see rain. That includes Tokyo.
Now, temperatures are going to be as follows 25 in Tokyo and then warming up once again as we're going through Friday because the sun will likely come out once again.
Naha will likely see a stretch of sunny weather into the weekend.
That means the rainy season will likely end quite soon and Niigata could see the onset of the wet season quite soon as well.
Now let's go to North America. Heavy rain has pounded in Texas and surrounding areas.
Flooding has been reported.
We'll likely see more than 500 millimeters of rain, possible in some areas because a system will likely develop just off the coast of Texas soon and that will likely move over the deep south into the next several days. So again, heavy rain is expected in the path.
So flooding landslides could be a concern across this area.
Meanwhile, temperatures are quite hot and sunny in both Denver as well as Oklahoma City. Severe weather is expected to develop across the Midwestern United States on Wednesday. That means thunderstorms and even tornadoes are possible.
19 in Chicago and cooler in Winnipeg, 18 degrees for the high.
Across Europe, a reach of high pressure is building across the west, and we'll likely see incredibly high temperatures, especially in France.
Paris could see a high of 40 degrees on Sunday.
That's actually nearly 20 degrees higher than what it should be doing this time of year.
So please stay hydrated and stay cool.
That's it for me. Stay safe.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:35 話者 1
And that wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi in Tokyo. Thanks for joining us.
checked.
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