It's a Friday evening here in Japan. I'm James Tengan in Tokyo. Welcome to NHK Newsline.
11 in Hospital After Fire at School in Tokyo's Kita Ward
Eleven people, including eight children, have been taken to a hospital after fire broke out at an elementary school in Tokyo's Kita Ward.
Tokyo police and fire authorities received a report about the blaze shortly before 11 a.m.
on Friday. They say smoke was coming from near a music room on the fourth floor.
About 350 students and teachers were at the school when the fire started.
This video was recorded at around 11:30 a.m. by a man living in an apartment nearby.
It shows children evacuating from a top-floor classroom.
They can be seen climbing out of windows with the help of adults.
Another video filmed by an area resident shows children who were waiting for firefighters with ladders to rescue them.
00:01:06 話者 12
The flames grew bigger and bigger, and the smoke started to get worse.
Then the fire kept growing until I couldn't even see the music room at all.
00:01:14 話者 13
I heard a bang, and when I turned around, it was a fire.
I was scared there was a lot of smoke.
00:01:23 話者 1
Tokyo police say among the 11 people taken to the hospital, there was one child who was reportedly who had reportedly broke an arm during the evacuation.
Another child and a teacher were also said to be seriously injured.
Authorities say everyone was evacuated from the school building.
About 75 fire engines and other vehicles were mobilized.
Authorities say it took about three hours to put out the fire.
NATO Members Confirm Plan to Boost Defense Capabilities
The US remains deeply involved in the Middle East, but it has been scaling back its engagement in Europe.
NATO's other member countries have confirmed plans to fill this gap by boosting their own defense capabilities.
NATO defense chiefs met at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.
Secretary-General Mark Rutte said it was a landmark moment of change for NATO.
00:02:19 話者 23/Mark Rutte
This alliance is going through a massive transformation, probably the biggest transformation in its history, to build this NATO 3.0.
00:02:29 話者 1
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed the decision.
00:02:34 話者 24/Pete Hegseth
We're not going to allow freeloading anymore. Excuses don't count anymore.
Our dues, our NATO dues, are contingent upon other countries stepping up.
This is not a one-way street.
00:02:46 話者 1
Hegseth also said the US will review its troop deployments in Europe.
A meeting on military aid for Ukraine also took place.
The country's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was in attendance.
00:03:00 話者 25/Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The first is the number of unmanned ground vehicles.
The second is long-range artillery ammunition.
Right now, there is not enough of either. We need both urgently.
00:03:14 話者 1
Germany, the Netherlands, and eight other nations pledged financial support to a framework to purchase US-made weapons and other equipment for Ukraine.
Britain also announced its commitment to provide air defense missiles, radars, and other supplies.
Ukraine Launches Attack on Moscow
Meanwhile, Ukraine has launched a large-scale drone attack on Moscow.
And Zelenskyy says his country's forces struck an oil refinery in the Russian capital for the second time this week.
Zelenskyy says in a post, the action is a fully justified response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and communities.
Russia's defense ministry says its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed more than 500 drones overnight.
Russia's state-run media report, it was the biggest drone attack on the city in two years.
The strikes disrupted the city's airports and roads.
Russian transport authorities say flights at four airports in the Moscow region had been suspended to ensure safety.
Ukraine's military says Russian forces launched missile and drone attacks overnight into Thursday.
Russia, ASEAN Agree to Closer Ties at Summit
Amid Ukraine's attacks on Moscow, the leaders of Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed to closer ties at a summit in the Russian city of Kazan.
The leaders adopted the Kazan Declaration to further strengthen relations.
They also adopted a joint statement that includes plans to boost ties in various sectors.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed enhancing energy cooperation with ASEAN countries at a joint news conference after the summit.
00:05:02 話者 36/Vladimir Putin
Russia proposes increasing exports of high-value-added products to ASEAN countries, including fertilizers and pharmaceuticals.
At the same time, we will, of course, continue to supply our Asian friends with much-needed food and energy.
00:05:19 話者 1
The Russian President also had one-on-one meetings with ASEAN leaders on the sidelines.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim thanked Putin for the support Russia has given his country on energy.
00:05:31 話者 37/Anwar Ibrahim
We will certainly, we certainly got great admiration for your determination to enhance that collaboration and support during this initial energy crisis and now.
00:05:47 話者 1
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Putin their countries have many potential areas of cooperation to explore.
00:05:55 話者 38/Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
I think that the present level of trade, although it is steady, I think that there is a great deal more that we can do.
00:06:08 話者 1
Russia apparently used the summit to demonstrate that the country is not diplomatically isolated, despite sanctions on Moscow by the US and European countries.
And some ASEAN members appear to be strengthening their ties with Russia in light of high fuel prices.
China Carries Out Marine Survey in Waters East of Taiwan
China says one of its ships has conducted an environmental survey in waters east of Taiwan.
It's the latest in a string of maritime operations by Beijing meant to assert its jurisdiction over the waters.
China's Ministry of Natural Resources says the survey lasted three days through Thursday.
It adds the goal was to understand the ecological conditions of waters under Chinese jurisdiction.
China has repeatedly carried out activities in the waters since early this month.
They include patrols by its coast guard and transport ministry.
Beijing says these were countermeasures to a decision by Japan and the Philippines to negotiate a maritime boundary in an area that includes these waters.
But its announcement of the marine survey did not make reference to this.
Taiwan's administration, led by the Democratic Progressive Party has criticized Chinese maritime activities as illegal.
Atomic Bomb Survivor Group Ponders Future Path
A group of atomic bomb survivors known as Nihon Hidankyo is expected to decide next year whether to carry on or disband.
One proposal is to allow non-survivors, including the children of survivors, to continue.
Another is to disband when the survivors can no longer serve.
The Hiroshima and Nagasaki organizations were asked to continue, but the other regional groups would be free to decide by themselves.
Secretary-General Hamasumi Jiro says he hopes they will overcome these difficulties over the next 12 months.
00:08:22 話者 46/Hamasumi Jiro
I think all members want to keep the group going as long as possible.
I hope it will continue to be something that we can be satisfied with.
00:08:33 話者 1
The organization won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.
Its members have traveled around the world to speak about their experiences.
Iran Conflict: Swiss Foreign Ministry: US-Iran Talks Postponed
The next phase of negotiations between the US and Iran have been postponed.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced Friday the talks will not go ahead as planned.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two presidents on Wednesday.
The two sides now have a 60-day window to reach a final agreement aimed at ending the war. The US had earlier stated that the talks would begin on Friday in Switzerland.
But the White House said Thursday that US Vice President JD Vance, who was to lead the delegation, was delaying his trip.
The official said plans for the upcoming negotiations have not been finalized.
Meanwhile, the US says it has lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas as of Thursday.
Iran is maintaining that under the MOU, commercial vessels seeking transit through the strait are required to submit their requests to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority.
Iran set up the body to manage traffic through the strait.
It added that no fees or charges will be levied on applicants for a period of 60 days.
The MOU states that military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, will be immediately and permanently terminated.
However, fighting has continued in Lebanon between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group Hezbollah.
With the situation in Lebanon still uncertain, attention has shifted to whether technical talks between the US and Iran will start in accordance with the MOU.
Japan-Linked Ship Leaves Persian Gulf Through Hormuz
Meanwhile, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said a Japan-related ship stranded in the Persian Gulf passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.
Three Japanese crew members are on board the vessel.
This means all ships with connections to Japan carrying Japanese crew have left the Gulf.
Business
Now for the latest on the business and financial fronts with Yuko Kushima.
00:11:02 話者 8/Yuko Kushima
Thanks, James.
Nikkei 225 Closes at Record High for 5th Straight Day
Tokyo's benchmark stock index closed at a record high on Friday for the fifth straight day.
The Nikkei 225 was buoyed by hopes that oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz will return to normal after the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to end their conflict.
The index finished at 71,250, up nearly three-tenths of a percent, led by AI and semiconductor-related shares.
Earlier, it hit an all-time high of 71,952 before briefly falling back into negative territory.
Analysts say uncertainty picked up after the US announced that the plan for working-level talks with Iran and Switzerland had not been decided.
Japanese Yen Falls to Nearly 2-Year Low Against Dollar
Meanwhile, the Japanese yen fell to its lowest level against the dollar in nearly two years on speculation that US interest rates could rise.
The yen traded in the 161 range in Tokyo on Friday. This came after the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold at its meeting ending on Wednesday.
But some policymakers projected rates could rise within the year.
Traders sold the yen, pushing the dollar to the upper 161 level in New York overnight.
The weakest level for the Japanese currency since July 2024.
That was on the view that the rate gap between Japan and the US is unlikely to narrow any time soon.
However, analysts say the Japanese authorities might intervene at any time to stem the yen's fall.
Japan Plans $2 Tril. Investment in Key Sectors by FY2040
NHK has learned that Japan's government is drawing up plans to invest about 370 trillion yen in artificial intelligence and other key strategic fields by fiscal 2040.
That's the equivalent of more than $2 trillion.
The government's Growth Strategy Council is pulling together the plans, which will include funding from both the public and private sectors.
The council has identified 17 sectors as central to Japan's future economic security.
They include AI and semiconductors, shipbuilding and critical minerals.
Next generation quantum computing is also part of the funding plan.
The council is expected to meet as early as next week to further flesh out the investment strategy.
Nippon Steel Bets Big to Expand US Business
Well, it's been one year since Nippon Steel's multi-billion dollar acquisition of US Steel.
The deal was one of the biggest in the sector and marked a major consolidation in the global industry.
The Japanese company is now preparing to spend about $11 billion through the end of 2028 to upgrade and expand US steel mills.
Nippon Steel bought its US rival in June last year for about 2 trillion yen, or more than 12 billion dollars.
It has since transferred about 100 employees to US plants to help boost competitiveness.
Big River Steel in Arkansas is one of them.
About 10 Nippon Steel employees work at the plant.
They have helped to transfer technical know-how and stabilize production of electrical steel used in EVs and hybrids.
00:14:12 話者 43/Matsunaga Junichi/Vice President, Big River Steel
We pay close attention to even the smallest details in the manufacturing process.
Now, we need to bring that approach to this mill, not only the technology, but also how to successfully blend the cultures.
I believe this mill has the potential to become the strongest in the world.
00:14:29 話者 44/Daniel Brown/Chief Operating Officer, Big River Steel
There's a lot of value, and what an upon is brought, and it's opened up just a lot of new doors and a new life for US Steel with things that we wouldn't have done for quite some time.
We were getting past ramp-up stages, now into stages where we're operating the lines 100%, at least trying to get there from a productivity standpoint, and they've been very instrumental in all that capacity along the way with us.
00:14:51 話者 8
But revamping aging facilities remains a costly challenge for the Japanese steelmaker.
The company's projection for work needed on a steel plant in Pennsylvania has risen to $2.5 billion, or more than double the initial estimate.
Tokyo's Shibuya Ward Set to Install 'Smart' Trash Cans
Tokyo's Shibiya Award is tremendously popular with tourists, but it's been struggling with the problem of litter and has worked out a plan to install so-called smart trash cans.
The ward recently started imposing fines of 2,000 yen, around $12 for littering.
It is obliging restaurants and other businesses that provide takeout in downtown areas to install their own garbage cans.
And now the ward plans to install public trash cans near the main station, following complaints there are not enough of them.
These smart trash cans allow collectors to remotely gauge the volume of garbage in real time. They can also automatically compress contents to a fifth of their original size.
Such functions are expected to help trim the collection costs.
Word officials say they aim to implement the plan within this fiscal year ending in March.
They say they will work out the details on how many units to install and where to put them.
Markets
Now let's get you a check on how the stock markets here in the region is performing.
♪
And that's the biz for this hour.
High-Tech Sword Sport Sassen Celebrates 10th Anniversary
00:16:53 話者 1
The ancient art of samurai sword fighting with a high-tech twist.
That's the essence of sassen, a Japanese sport that's been growing in popularity across the country and beyond as it marks its 10th anniversary.
NHK World's Fukushima Masahiro has the story.
00:17:14 話者 10/Fukushima Masahiro/Reporting
Dozens of people flocked to this Tokyo shopping mall in May to get a first-hand look at Sassen and try it out for themselves. Players face off using these light-up swords.
Built-in sensors instantly detect whether an attack was successful.
Matches last one minute. If the score is still tied after that, Play continues until one player scores a point. Two points means instant victory.
00:17:52 話者 51
It's like once you start to get out of breath, you just stop playing, because the matches are short, so it doesn't get too intense. I think both kids and adults can enjoy it equally.
00:18:03 話者 10
Motobura Ryuma is one of the creators of Sassen.
His goal was to create a new sport that all generations could enjoy safely.
Motomura got help from an engineer to bring the idea to life.
00:18:20 話者 51/Motobura Ryuma
Sasen can bring joy and smiles to anyone.
The swords are safe to use while still giving a taste of serious competition.
00:18:34 話者 10
The sport has been winning more and more fans. This after-school class in Saitama Prefecture has six students meeting twice a month to practice.
Yamagishi Sosuke first started learning sassen four years ago.
He was once shy and introverted, with no interest in sports.
But sassen was different. He found it irresistible.
00:19:05 話者 52/Yamagishi Sosuke
It looked so good to swing around the swords.
It looked like so much fun, so I wanted to try it.
00:19:13 話者 53/Yamagishi Maki/Sosuke's mother
My husband and I were very surprised. I thought, 'Are you serious?
They use swords. Can you really do this?'?
00:19:22 話者 10
As he continues to practice, Sosuke says the sport has helped him to come out of his shell.
00:19:31 話者 52
I used to be reserved, but now I feel comfortable speaking up, and my personality has become more cheerful.
Sometimes I feel disappointed by losing, but after that, I put myself together and analyze what happened and practice more.
00:19:47 話者 10
Sassen has been steadily growing in popularity across the country.
For the first time, around 100 people are taking part in this year's national tournament.
Failed in Tokyo this month, it was the largest national Sassen championship ever, attracting competitors from as far as Kyushu, more than 800 kilometers away.
00:20:16 話者 56
I have been captivated by this sport.
I'm not in the habit of exercising, and I'm not good at it. But still, I want to do it.
00:20:24 話者 55
I want to try again next time you'll see me maybe there on stage, so yeah.
00:20:32 話者 10
Sosuke competed in the children's division, setting a goal to reach the very top.
He paddled his way through the roster, maintaining a perfect record.
It all came to a head in the final duel.
Sosuke and his opponent were tied at one point each.
But he spotted a gap in his rival's defense and made his move.
securing his title as champion.
00:21:06 話者 52
I'm very happy.
I'd always placed second or third, so I was very happy to get first place for the first time.
00:21:15 話者 10
Ten years after its debut, Sassen's unique blend of tradition and technology is continuing to gain the high ground across generations and around the world.
Sassen's Modern Twist on Ancient Samurai Sword Skills
00:21:29 話者 1
Earlier, Fukushima Masahiro gave me some additional insight into this story here in our studio. Masahiro, I understand that you actually tried sassen. How did you find it?
00:21:42 話者 10
I only played twice, but it's a lot of fun. The matches are very short.
It has a unique feel, not something you'd experience every day, so it has that novelty factor.
But it still feels like a serious competition, so I can see why so many people are attracted to it.
00:22:02 話者 1
In the report, we said that it's growing in popularity here in Japan. What about overseas?
00:22:07 話者 10
The world does seem to be spreading.
I actually met quite a few foreigners enjoying sassen while I was reporting this story.
00:22:17 話者 54
I love the Japanese culture, but this is like, with technology, you can feel something.
It's interesting.
00:22:26 話者 10
And it's growing outside of Japan, too.
In 2023, A ssassin event in Vietnam brought in about 850 participants.
The co-creator, Motomura, told me that sometimes he receives messages from people in foreign countries.
He says people tell him they got interested in the sport after hearing about it from Japanese friends who live in their country.
Motomura also says that he wants more foreigners, both living in Japan and abroad, to enjoy sassen.
Japanese samurai culture is already world-famous, so it's easy to see why this modern digital twist would have international appeal.
00:23:09 話者 1
Sassen first debuted 10 years ago. How might it develop and evolve going forward?
00:23:16 話者 10
It could definitely be heading in some interesting directions.
Some nursing homes have used sassen as recreation for elderly people.
And now, there's also a variation called cyber kasen, which is designed to be played by large groups.
Some Japanese schools have introduced it as an education tool for teaching teamwork.
Some companies have also tried cyber kasen as a team building exercise.
Motomura says it's a good way to bond with their colleagues.
It will be interesting to see how it grows and changes in its next ten years.
But I can tell you one thing for certain.
This futuristic take on Japan's ancient warrior culture is something no samurai could ever have imagined.
♪
Weather
00:24:34 話者 1
It's time now for a check on the weather.
It's gotten pretty hot here in Tokyo, but it's supposed to rain this weekend.
Our meteorologist, Yumi Hirano, tells us more.
00:24:44 話者 13/Yumi Hirano
The high in Tokyo exceeded 30 degrees on Friday, the first time since June 1.
But rain is expected to cool down temperatures over the weekend.
One location in Kagoshima Prefecture already had over 200 millimeters of rain in just one day.
More downpours are still likely in Kyushu on Friday, and the heavy rain will expand into Chugoku, Shikoku and Hokuriku over the weekend.
In the bigger picture across Asia, the same system is stretching along eastern and southern China, bringing downpours.
And we have to monitor one more system. A tropical depression is expected to intensify into a tropical storm and then a typhoon over the Pacific.
The storm is likely to approach Taiwan and Japan's Okinawa by Wednesday.
A combination of tropical moisture and the rainy season front could bring downpours to Japan's main island of Honshuu, so please keep an eye on that.
Finally, across Europe, an intense heat dome is dominating the west.
It's only June, but one location in France already experienced over 40 degrees.
A record heat wave is hitting western and southern Europe this week.
In Paris, temperatures reached about 37 degrees on Thursday, and locals gathered along a popular canal to cool down.
Tourists in Rome also tried to escape the heat as temperatures soared to 35 degrees on Thursday.
According to Reuters, experts say heat waves will become more frequent in the coming year. The heat will continue or intensify further on Friday. The high in Paris will be 39.
That's all for now. Stay safe.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:41 話者 1
For people experiencing high temperatures, do stay hydrated.
I'm James Tengan, thanks for watching this edition of NHK Newsline.
checked.
NHK World
00:28:01 話者 99
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