Glad to have you with us on NHK Newsline. I'm Yuko Fukushima.
The head of the International Criminal Court has pushed back against US sanctions on the global body.
ICC President Akane Tomoko told the UN General Assembly the court will continue to fulfill its mandate.
Akane presented the ICC's annual report in a pre-recorded video on Monday.
Restrictions imposed on her by the administration and President Donald Trump have made it difficult for her to enter the United States.
00:00:44 話者 2
This is not just about defending a single institution, but about safeguarding the international order grounded upon the rule of law.
00:00:55 話者 1
Akane urged all UN member states to assist in the rest and surrender of individuals subject to the court's warrants, including Israeli Prime Minister Benyami Netanyahu.
She reported that six member states had notified their withdrawal from the ICC.
Trump has called on countries to quit the court.
But many Western and other countries expressed support for the ICC and voiced concern over the US pressure campaign.
Millions of Americans are set to vote on Tuesday in the US midterm elections.
They are widely seen as a chance to deliver a verdict on the Trump administration.
Trump delivered a final pitch in Washington on Monday.
00:01:39 話者 2
With your vote we will decide these extremists will be given power, or not power, will either keep America strong, I think we're having
This is the golden age of America.
00:01:53 話者 3
We've never done anything like it.
00:01:55 話者 1
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama said in a social media post he's heard from people across the country who are fed up with politicians.
He reminded voters they have the power to elect candidates who will bring about change.
Midterm elections take place halfway through a president's four years in office.
This time, 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs.
At stake is whether the Republicans can keep control of both chambers or whether the Democrats will secure enough votes to be able to sway policies.
Analysts and media say the Democrats are favored to win a majority in the House while the Senate race will be close.
Trump has shown his intention to increase the federal government's involvement in the midterms, saying the aim is to counter voter fraud.
But the Democratic Party says the administration is interfering in the election process.
Trump addressed the nation in July demanding measures against foreign interference, fraud related to voter registration and eligibility, and possible tampering with voting and ballot counting systems.
A week before the elections, Trump wrote on social media that anyone who reports voter fraud in past elections for the midterms would be paid one million dollars if those responsible are arrested and convicted.
Back in 2020, Trump did not accept his loss in the election, placing the blame on voter fraud.
00:03:30 話者 2
They can try to steal the election from us.
00:03:36 話者 1
This time, the Justice Department says it is dispatching 1,000 monitors in the department's largest ever effort for a midterm election.
The Democratic Party is also stepping up efforts.
It plans to send more than 100 staff members to closely contested states as observers.
Conservative and nonpartisan civic groups are also getting involved.
President Trump and his administration have made many threats about the election.
People really care about our democracy.
We are coming out to keep that tradition and keep that part of our history, but also to protect it.
These midterms are likely to be the most intensely observed election in US history.
Authorities in Spain say they have finished identifying all 69 victims of last week's high-speed rail collision in the central province of Toledo.
The dead include 15 foreign nationals.
Fingerprint and DNA testing were used to identify the bodies.
Authorities say the victims were all adults and 54 were Spanish nationals.
The foreigners include four from the United States and two from both Japan and Australia.
The others were from Argentina, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Mexico, Portugal and Tunisia.
Authorities say they have notified the relevant consular offices.
Local media report that all the train cars involved in the accident last Wednesday have now been removed from the tracks.
A full examination of the carriages and restoration of the site will begin soon.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has reportedly claimed that two oil tankers using an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz exploded after hitting naval mines.
Iranian state-run media also reported the IRGC Navy said a tanker caught fire after colliding with a mine in a restricted area in the eastern part of the strait.
The IRGC claimed that 11 vessels it said had violated Iran's rules for passage had been set on fire in the nine days through Monday.
It said some of them sank.
The situation in the strait remains unstable ahead of the US midterm elections.
The impact of rising fuel prices has been a major campaign issue.
There is speculation that the US may resume attacks on Iran.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry said the exchange of messages between the US and Iran through Qatari mediation is ongoing.
Ismail Bagayi said Iran's previous proposal to open the strait within seven days can be shortened to within two days if conditions are met.
But he said the strait will not be reopened unless the US and maritime blockade ends and Iran's demands are fully met.
Bagayi added that Tehran does not make strategic decisions based on US electoral developments.
He said the outcome of the US midterm elections will not change Iran's policies.
Authorities in multiple European countries are investigating a suspected cyberattack affecting freezers and refrigerators in supermarkets.
It caused temperatures inside the units to store, ruining fresh and frozen food.
Supermarket chains in Belgium say some stores experienced problems with their refrigeration systems on Monday.
Similar incidents occurred in countries including Sweden and Luxembourg.
At some stores, temperatures reportedly rose to 50 degrees Celsius.
This comes after a cyberattack in France last month caused freezers and refrigerators at hundreds of supermarkets to overheat.
Experts note that the use of refrigeration systems that can be controlled remotely is increasing the risk of such attacks.
A luxury watch that was stolen from a Tokyo store last month has been returned with an apology.
Police are investigating further as a package was apparently sent by a person involved in the theft.
Local police say a man tried on the watch valued over 290,000 dollars while visiting the shop in the Nakano Broadway complex on Thursday before running off with it.
Security camera footage shows the suspect in a hat and dark clothing running down an escalator wearing what appears to be a watch.
Investigators say the watch was curried back to the shop from Aichi Prefecture on Sunday.
The store confirmed it was the stolen one by checking its serial number.
The parcel also contained an apology note.
Sources close to the investigation say evidence such as security camera images indicate that after the theft, the suspect traveled to Tokyo Station by taxi and train before catching a westbound Shinkansen bullet train.
Now here's the three-day weather forecast around the world.
NHK World Japan will have special coverage on the US midterms.
Join us on Election Day for the latest results and live reports from across the United States.
You can see what time that is for you there at the bottom of your screen.
We hope you'll join us then.
Well, that's it for this hour on NHK Newsline. I'm Yuko Fukushima in Tokyo.
checked.
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 learning Japanese together.
Today we bring you lesson 36 on asking about the time.
Tam, a student from Vietnam, and her friend, Ayaka, took a trip to Hakone.
Tonight, they are staying at a hot spring inn.
After checking in, they are led to their room by an attendant.
00:10:39 話者 2
Listen to this kit for lesson thirty-six.
Kotchira no heir de gozaimasu.
Ofuro, nanjikara, nanjiba desu ka?
Kasarokujikara, you're a junior
Now let's go through the skit line by line.
00:11:10 話者 3
The attendant tells the guests.
00:11:15 話者 2
This is your room.
Tam asks the attendant, From what time to what time can we use the bath?
00:11:26 話者 3
The attendant replies.
00:11:31 話者 2
From six in the morning until midnight.
Ayaka asks Tam, Tam, have you ever bathed in a Japanese hot spring?
Tam replies, No, this will be my first time.
I'm looking forward to it.
00:11:54 話者 3
Well, Tan seems to be happy to be staying at a hot spring inn.
00:11:57 話者 2
Yes, indeed.
Hakone is a resort town with many such places.
In a Japanese-style room, they'll sleep on a futon mattress laid on tatami straw mats.
00:12:14 話者 3
Today's key phrase is, From what time to what time can we use the bath?
00:12:20 話者 2
Ohuro wa nanjikara nanjiba desu ka.
00:12:24 話者 3
Once you master this pattern, you'll be able to ask about the start time and end time of something.
00:12:30 話者 2
First, let's take a closer look at its meaning.
Ofuro means bath.
Here, it refers to the large public hot spring bath.
Nanji means what time.
Kara and made are particles, the former meaning from and the latter meaning to or until.
So, the phrase 'nanjikara nanjimade' is 'from what time to what time?' To ask what time something is going to start and what time it'll end, clarify what the question is about by using the particle 'wa'.
00:13:12 話者 3
In this example, the question is about the bath ofuro.
That's why time says 'ofuro wa'.
00:13:18 話者 2
Exactly.
And the phrase is followed by nanji kara nanji matte desu ka, meaning from what time to what time.
If you only want to ask for the time something starts, use nanji kara desu ka.
That's from what time.
If you only want to know the time something ends, say nanji matte desu ka, meaning until what time.
00:13:43 話者 3
OK, listen and repeat out loud.
00:13:49 話者 2
Nanji kara nanji mare desu ka?
Ofuro wa nanji kara nanji mare desu ka?
Ofuro wa nanji kara nanji mare desu ka.
00:14:11 話者 3
OK, got it.
Now, listen to a conversation in which a man is inquiring about times at the front desk of a hotel.
00:14:31 話者 2
Now, let's look at what was said.
00:14:45 話者 3
Excuse me?
00:14:47 話者 2
Ashita no cho shoku wa nanji kara nanjima de desu ka.
00:14:51 話者 3
From what time to what time is tomorrow's breakfast?
00:14:55 話者 2
Ashita means tomorrow and cho shoku means breakfast Ashita no cho shoku wa indicates the topic of the question.
Rokuji kara kuji han maraninarimasu From 6 o'clock to 9:30 Rokuji means 6 o'clock
30 means from 6 to 9:30 is used instead of this it's a polite expression often used to address customers.
00:15:32 話者 3
Now it's your turn listen and repeat out loud
All right, let's ask about time in other situations.
Imagine a fireworks festival is planned for tonight.
Ask a staff member at the inn when the festival is going to begin.
Fireworks festival is...
00:16:16 話者 2
Hanabi taikai.
Hanabi taikai.
00:16:20 話者 3
Go ahead.
00:16:29 話者 2
Next, you want to know what time a particular store is going to close.
Ask, What time is this store going to close?
This store is konomise.
Now give it a try.
There, I think you've got it.
00:17:19 話者 3
Today's bonus phrase is what Tam said when asked whether she's ever bathed in a Japanese hot spring.
Memorize it as a whole phrase.
00:17:31 話者 2
Hajimete desu means this will be my first time.
00:17:35 話者 3
Okay then, listen and repeat out loud.
00:17:47 話者 2
Now let's listen to the skit once again.
.
00:18:18 話者 3
.
.
It's time now for Haru-san's Bagful of Advice, and today we'll talk about how to bathe in a hot spring bath.
00:18:29 話者 2
When traveling around Japan, you'll surely go to a communal hot spring or public bathhouse and soak along with strangers.
Michael, have you ever done that?
00:18:39 話者 3
Oh, yes.
Actually, I love Japanese onsen or Japanese hot springs.
In fact, I love it so much.
that my house is less than a 30-second walk from an onsen.
00:18:50 話者 2
Wow, lucky you.
00:18:51 話者 3
Oh, yes.
00:18:52 話者 2
Most communal baths are separated by gender.
Each entrance has a curtain with the kanji for either men or women .
So learning these two characters is worthwhile.
You take off your clothes in the changing room and bathe with nothing on.
00:19:09 話者 3
Now, some people might find this a little embarrassing if they're not used to it.
So are swimsuits okay?
00:19:16 話者 2
As for the bathing etiquette, before soaking in the bath, first rinse yourself off and make sure to keep your hand towel out of the bath water.
Also, your hair should stay above water.
Everyone benefits from keeping the communal bath water clean.
00:19:33 話者 3
You know, a nice hot bath would be great right about now.
00:19:48 話者 2
We hope you enjoyed today's Easy Japanese.
00:19:51 話者 3
Be sure to come back again.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura
00:20:19 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.
What led to their creation and what were the challenges involved?
The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks brings you the stories behind these amazing places.
In this episode of The Backstory of Japanese Landmarks, we feature The Great Buddha of Kamakura.
Kamakura is a popular tourist destination located near Tokyo.
It's about a one-hour train ride from the capital.
One of Kamakura's landmarks is the Great Buddha.
As its name suggests, the Great Buddha is a colossal copper statue of Amitabha Buddha.
It was built as the principal deity of Jodo Sect Temple Kotokuin.
The Buddha is nicknamed Rozano Daibutsu, meaning the great Buddha sitting out in the open.
It's a national treasure of Japan.
From central Kamakura, the train ride and walk to Kotoku-in Temple takes about 15 minutes.
After passing through the temple's gate, the grand statue of Buddha comes into view.
The Buddha sits in a Zen meditation posture and is over 11 meters tall.
Kamakura was the seat of Japan's feudal government from the end of the 12th century to the early 14th century.
The construction of the Great Buddha began during this period in 1252, almost 800 years ago.
Today the statue is covered with verde gris,
a bright green substance that forms on oxidized copper.
A closer look reveals slight traces of gold leaf, indicating that the statue was originally gilded.
The Great Budo is made by copper casting.
It's a manufacturing method of melting copper and pouring it into a mold.
But creating a statue that's over 11 meters high wasn't easy at the time.
and it wasn't possible to melt over 120 tons of copper in one go.
So the metal was cast in 40 sections.
This is why joints can be seen on the statue's surface.
The Buddha is hollow.
The statue has two windows on its back.
After the statue was completed, the inner mold was removed through these openings.
Today, the windows let in light and air.
The Buddha was enshrined when it was first built, but over time the hall was damaged by earthquakes and typhoons.
A tsunami at the end of the 15th century swept it away, leaving the Buddha exposed to the open air.
The temple was also abandoned for a certain period, but was restored in the early 18th century.
After a period in which Japan secluded itself from the rest of the world,
The Yokohama Port near Kamakura was opened for foreign trade in 1859.
Following this, many foreigners are said to have visited the Great Buddha of Kamakura.
Built nearly eight centuries ago, the Great Buddha of Kamakura has a magnificence that continues to captivate people.
Thank you for tuning in to the backstory 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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