From our studios in Tokyo, this is NHK Newsline. I'm Ross Mihara.
Putin Visits Japan's Northern Territories
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Japan's northern territories for the first time.
Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them and has strongly protested the visit.
Russia's presidential office announced on Thursday that Putin inspected a seafood processing facility on Etodofu Island.
Japan claims four of the Russian-controlled islands and calls them the northern territories.
The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory.
It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War II.
Japan has engaged in negotiations with Russia in line with its basic policy of settling the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty.
Negotiations became active under former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's administration.
In a summit meeting between Abe and Putin held in Singapore in 2018, the leaders agreed to accelerate negotiations, but talks have not progressed since then.
Japan started tightening economic sanctions against Moscow in March 2022 in coordination with Western nations in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow protested the sanctions and expressed its intention to suspend talks with Japan toward a peace treaty, including discussions on the islands.
Russia then sent a succession of high-ranking officials to Etodofu Island.
On Wednesday, Putin criticized Japan while inspecting drills by the Russian Pacific Fleet.
His visit to the island appears to be an effort to keep Japan in check as the invasion of Ukraine drags on.
Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu posted a message on social media.
It reads, The northern territories, including Etorofu Island, are our country's inherent territory historically and even under international law.
Japan strongly protests this visit.
Kumamoto Quake: Castle Reopens to Visitors
Visitors to the Japanese city of Kumamoto are again enjoying one of the area's most iconic attractions. Kumamoto Castle was closed after a devastating earthquake late last month. Now, it's open once more.
The castle's pay-to-enter area had been closed since a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on July 28. Inspectors found damage, but confirmed it was safe to welcome visitors back.
(Japanese)
Visitors were welcomed by performers dressed as Samudai warriors.
They looked at quake-damaged stone walls and other affected areas from a safe distance.
And they took in the view of the city from the castle tower.
00:02:59 話者 12
It must be hard for people who've suffered so much damage from big earthquakes again and again.
I love Kumamoto, so I want to see them keep moving forward. I'm rooting for them.
00:03:12 話者 1
Volunteer guides also resumed their work.
They explained the castle's history and the restoration work that's been underway since an earthquake 10 years ago. They also described the damage from the quake last month.
Law Punishing Japan Flag Desecration Takes Effect
A law that punishes damaging the Japanese national flag came into effect Thursday.
The law defines the flag as a tangible object socially accepted as being used as the nation's flag.
It says acts of publicly damaging, removing, or defacing the flag in a manner arousing significant discomfort or disgust could be punished with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 200,000 yen or about $1,250.
It also says that deciding whether a particular act is punishable will involve objectively examining the act itself, the surrounding situation and other factors.
The wording of the law adds that in applying the law, consideration is required so as not to unjustly infringe on people's constitutionally guaranteed freedom and rights, including freedom of speech.
The bill was jointly sponsored by the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, as well as the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito.
The Diet passed it in July.
In deliberations at the Diet, some said the scope of punishable acts is vague.
The Justice Ministry said it will inform the public of the purpose of the law and acts that are subject to it.
The ministry also said it will work for appropriate implementation of the law.
Colombia Nears Vital 72-Hour Mark Since Quake
The search for survivors in quake-hit Colombia has entered a critical phase.
It will soon be 72 hours since the disaster struck.
The chances of survival are said to fall sharply after that time.
The magnitude 7.4 quake struck on Monday in the country's west.
Many buildings collapsed across a wide area extending to the southwest.
Colombian President Abdelardo de la Espriela said on Wednesday the death toll stands at 265. He also says more than 3,400 people have been injured and 496 are unaccounted for.
Aid is flowing in from El Salvador, Peru and other countries.
The United States has dispatched rescue support teams.
Iran Conflict
IEA Cuts Global Oil Supply Outlook Amid Hormuz Uncertainty
The International Energy Agency has slashed its global oil supply forecast for 2026.
This comes amid continued disruptions caused by the hostilities between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.
An IEA report released on Wednesday says the supply is projected to fall by 4.3 million barrels a day from last year to 102 million barrels.
The forecast was revised down from the previous month's report.
The IEA says an agreement remains elusive to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ensure unhindered transit through the Bab el Mandeb Strait off Yemen.
The report says daily oil loadings from the Gulf states declined during July.
It says they stood at 20 million barrels per day at the start of the month, but later dropped to around 12 million.
The IEA says there is an increased urgency to reopen the Strait of Hormuz because previously available inventory buffers are rapidly depleting.
Over 40 Nations Call for Advance Notice of Missile Tests
Japan and the US are among over 40 countries that have called on all states to give at least 24 hours notice when they plan to launch ballistic missiles or space vehicles.
This comes after China test fired a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead from a submarine last month.
A statement by the country said recent missile testing activity in the Pacific area did not follow the standard practices adopted by most states.
It added that conducting nuclear-capable ballistic missile tests without sufficient notice disrupts the peace and security of relevant nations in proximity to these tests.
The statement issued on Tuesday did not name a country, but it appeared to be prompted by China's test in the Pacific last month.
Chinese state-run media has reported China's representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva notified the US and other countries in advance.
The report said Beijing took prudent, reasonable measures to ensure that its missile test would not harm the interests of any country.
N.Korea Slams Seoul's Plan for Nuclear Sub
South Korea's plan to domestically produce a nuclear-powered submarine is not going down well over the border.
Pyongyang says the move poses a grave challenge to the security of our state.
North Korea's foreign ministry released a statement on Wednesday.
It says the submarine would result in nuclear dominoes across the Asia Pacific.
The statement accuses South Korea of wanting to produce nuclear materials and it accuses Washington of encouraging US allies to take such steps.
The statement also says North Korea's most responsible option is to possess an unparalleled power for deterring war.
South Korean officials unveiled their basic plan in May.
It calls for launching the first submarine in the mid-2030s.
Those were the stories for this hour.
World Weather
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
I'm Ross Mihara in Tokyo and that's all we have for now on NHK Newsline.
Thanks for staying with us.
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Easy Japanese
00:10:09 話者 2
Hi there, it's time for NHK World Japan's Easy Japanese.
I'm Erico Kojima.
00:10:15 話者 3
And I'm Michael Reese.
Let's have fun studying Japanese together.
Today we bring you lesson 24 on explaining what you can't eat.
The main character of our skit is Tam, a student from Vietnam, who lives in Haru-san House.
Today, her housemate, Kaito, has made a typical Japanese breakfast.
Kaito loves to cook.
00:10:41 話者 2
Listen to the skit for lesson 24.
Itadakimasu.
Itadakimasu.
Hi.
Now let's go over the skit line by line.
00:11:20 話者 3
The table is filled with breakfast dishes, things like steamed rice, miso soup, and grilled fish.
Kaito and Tam say something that people in Japan usually say before a meal.
00:11:33 話者 2
Let's eat.
00:11:35 話者 3
The robot landlady, Haru-san, on the dining table, says.
00:11:42 話者 2
Japanese food is very healthy.
00:11:45 話者 3
Tam asks Haru-san.
00:11:50 話者 2
Is this raw egg?
00:11:52 話者 3
Haru-san replies.
00:11:55 話者 2
Yes, it is.
00:11:57 話者 3
Tam apologizes.
00:12:01 話者 2
I'm sorry.
I can't eat raw eggs.
00:12:08 話者 3
Kaito says.
00:12:11 話者 2
I see.
So you don't like natto either?
Tam happily answers, Natto, I love it.
Natto is made of fermented soybeans.
It's usually flavored with soy sauce and eaten on steamed rice.
Natto is sticky and has a distinct smell.
Not everybody finds it appealing.
00:12:36 話者 3
But Tam seems to like it.
Today's key phrase is I can't eat raw eggs.
If you remember this pattern, you'll be able to say what you can't eat.
00:12:57 話者 2
Let's break down the phrase.
Nama tamago is raw egg, and taberaremasen means can't eat.
Today's point is how to say what you cannot do, such as can't eat taberaremasen.
The verb taberu, to eat, in its potential form is taberareru, meaning can eat.
Taberareru in the polite negative form is taberaremasen.
For now, just memorize the whole word, taberaremasen.
00:13:33 話者 3
Okay, so can't eat is taberaremasen.
00:13:37 話者 2
That's right.
When you can't eat something, you can say so by placing the particle wa after the name of the food, followed by taberaremasen.
00:13:47 話者 3
OK, got it.
So, listen and repeat out loud.
00:13:53 話者 2
Taberare masen.
Nama tama goa taberare masen.
Nama tama goa taberare masen.
00:14:09 話者 3
So, how did you do?
Listen now to a conversation in which a woman says she can't eat something when she's about to eat a Japanese meal.
00:14:37 話者 2
Now let's examine what was said.
00:14:44 話者 3
Please eat a lot.
00:14:46 話者 2
Douzo means please, and it's used when you want to invite someone to do something.
Takusan means a lot.
Tabetekudasai means please eat.
It's the verb taberu in the te form followed by kudasai.
00:15:09 話者 3
I'm sorry.
I can't eat raw fish.
00:15:13 話者 2
Sumimasen in this situation means I'm sorry.
Watashi is I.
Sashimi is raw fish.
00:15:23 話者 3
Now your turn.
Listen and repeat out loud.
00:15:29 話者 2
Sashimi wa taberaremasen.
Watashi sashimi wa taberaremasen.
Sumimasen.
Watashi sashimi wa taberaremasen.
00:15:53 話者 3
All right, let's try saying other food you can't eat.
What if you have an allergy to shrimp?
Shrimp is Ebi.
00:16:03 話者 2
Ebi.
00:16:04 話者 3
Try explaining yourself by starting with sumimasen.
00:16:13 話者 2
Sumimasen watashi ebi wataberaremasen.
Sumimasen watashi ebi wataberaremasen.
Now change the food to pork.
Pork is
Botaniku.
Botaniku.
Go ahead.
00:16:42 話者 4
Semimasen.
Watashii botanikua taberaremasen.
Semimasen.
Watashi botanikua taberaremasen.
00:16:58 話者 3
All right, I think you're getting the hang of it.
Today's bonus phrase is what Tam and Kaito said in the skit.
Memorize it and make it yours.
00:17:12 話者 2
Itadakimasu! Itadakimasu is what people say before eating.
It expresses thanks to those who prepared the meal and respect for the food.
And once the meal is over, it's customary to say, Gochisousamadeshita.
So remember them as a set.
Itadakimasu to start and gochisousama deshita to finish.
00:17:35 話者 3
Now you say them.
Listen and repeat.
00:17:41 話者 2
Itadakimasu.
Gochisousama deshita.
Listen to the skit one more time.
Itadakimasu.
Nihon Shokua Kenko ni-in desu-yo.
Kuishinbo Kaito-nyu Makafe.
00:18:26 話者 3
Now onto Kaito is your food guide.
Today the subject is Japanese breakfast.
00:18:35 話者 2
Michael, what comes to your mind when you think of a Japanese breakfast?
00:18:40 話者 3
Oh, I suppose a bowl of rice, miso soup and of course grilled fish, really just like in the skit.
00:18:47 話者 2
That would be the typical Japanese breakfast.
Sometimes you might have natto, dried seaweed, pickled plums or eggs to go with your rice.
In the skit it was raw eggs, but Japanese style omelets are also very common.
00:19:01 話者 3
What about Western style breakfast?
00:19:03 話者 2
Well, it's quite common to have bread, eggs like sunny side ups, fruit juice, and coffee.
Actually, that's more my typical breakfast.
00:19:12 話者 3
How about in hotels and inns?
00:19:15 話者 2
Well, inns usually offer a Japanese style breakfast, but most hotels give their customers a choice.
All-you-can-eat buffets with both kinds of dishes are quite common too.
00:19:26 話者 3
It's nice to be able to have anything you want, really as much as you want.
You know, I'd like to try everything.
00:19:33 話者 2
Me too.
I always end up eating too much and then regret it later.
We hope you enjoyed today's Easy Japanese.
00:19:49 話者 3
Join us next time.
Don't miss it.
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Fushimi Inari Shrine
00:20:18 話者 4
Japan has various kinds of landmarks that fascinate visitors.
They range from cultural and historic locations to modern buildings created with cutting-edge technologies.
The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places.
In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Kyoto served as the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years until 1868, when the capital was moved to then Edo, now Tokyo.
When the imperial capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto in the year 794, it went by the name Heian-kyo, which means the capital of peace and tranquility.
The city was modeled after the Chinese Tang Dynasty capital of Chang'an and built on a grid pattern system.
In fact, the streets of Kyoto today continue to follow this well-arranged grid.
The Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its seemingly endless rows of vermilion torii gates, is popular among tourists from both Japan and abroad.
It's less than 10 minutes by train or bus from Kyoto Station or about a 35-minute walk.
The shrine has a history of more than 1,300 years.
It serves as the headquarters for over 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan.
As legend goes, more than 1,300 years ago, a deity was enshrined at Mount Inari.
The mountain has since been considered sacred.
People express their belief by dedicating torii of various sizes.
Another practice is engraving the deity's various names onto stones called otsuka and placing them on the mountain.
The most famous part of Shiminari Shrine is the thousand torii gates.
Tori are the gate-like structures at shrines.
Although the size may vary, a tori is generally made of two pillars and a beam.
It stands on the boundary of the shrine's precincts and indicates that the area inside is sacred.
Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto has long rows of vermilion torii that seem to stretch on without end.
Inari shrines are dedicated to a deity popular among common people, representing good harvest, prosperous business, safety for the family, and the accomplishment of ambitions.
The Edo period from the 17th century to the end of the 19th century was when much of the popular culture leading up to the present age took shape.
It was during this period that people started offering torii to Inari shrines, hoping that their wishes would be fulfilled or to give thanks when their wishes came true.
As the headquarters shrine, Shiminari Shrine received the most of these offerings,
This is why there are nearly 10,000 torii gates in various sizes in the precincts.
Particularly famous are the rows of torii called sembom torii or thousand torii, which lead to the main shrine building.
The endless torii make for a great photo background for tourists.
Fox statues are a common sight at Inari shrines.
The foxes are believed to be messengers for the Inari deity.
Unlike actual foxes, these are imaginary creatures considered sacred and invisible.
There are many scary stories about Inari shrines and foxes across Japan.
Also, the sushi wrapped with deep-fried tofu is called Inari sushi.
This is because fried tofu is believed to be a favorite food of the sacred foxes.
Inari shrines and foxes have long been a part of Japanese people's lives.
Thank you for tuning in to the back story of Japanese landmarks.
We hope you have a chance to visit these landmarks and see for yourself what makes them so special.
NHK World
00:25:01 話者 99
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