(2026/8/13) Northern Territories Visit, Kumamoto Castle & Global Tensions | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

Putin visits Japan's northern territories, 

Kumamoto Castle reopens after the quake, 

and global tensions rise over missile tests and oil supply. 

日本の北方領土訪問、

熊本城の再開、

そしてミサイル試験や原油供給を巡る国際的緊張が高まった。

20260813180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/Ross Mihara

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.

checked.

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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

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.

We're always pleased to receive your comments and suggestions through our website.

(2026/8/05) Kumamoto Quake, Typhoon Dolphin & Tokyo Event | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

Kumamoto faces extreme heat one week after the quake, 

Typhoon Dolphin nears southern Japan, 

and Tokyo reports key political and economic updates. 

熊本地震から1週間で猛暑が続き、

台風ドルフィンが南日本に接近し、

東京では政治・経済の重要な動きが報告された。

20260805180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/James Tengan

It's a Wednesday evening here in Japan. 

I'm James Tengan in Tokyo. Welcome to NHK Newsline.

Kumamoto Quake: Intense Heat Continues One Week After Disaster

The Japan Meteorological Agency says more strong quakes could hit the country's southwest.

It comes over a week after a magnitude 7.1 tremor struck Kumamoto Prefecture leaving 38 dead. Temperatures were still rising in the prefecture on Wednesday.

The mercury topped 38.6 degrees Celsius in Kosa town around 2:30 p.m.

That's having a serious impact on the older population.

NHK looked into how elder care facilities in the hard-hit Hikawa town were faring.

In the three days after the quake, over 70 residents were suspected of developing heat stroke.

Most facilities didn't have power and were unable to run air conditioning.

Electricity has since been restored, and most residents have recovered.

But authorities say more than 44,000 households and businesses in the affected areas still don't have running water.

The infrastructure ministry says it hopes to have the water back by the end of the month.

00:01:18 話者 12

I hope the water will come back soon. There are laundromats around,

People are flocking to them, so it's hard to get in and wash your clothes.

00:01:28 話者 1

In the meantime, the Maritime Self-Defense Force is helping people stay clean.

It parked a transport vessel at a local port in Yatsushiro City.

Residents can come, have a bath, and even get their laundry done.

Meanwhile, the prefecture is hoping to get some evacuees into more comfortable accommodations. It's trying to secure spots in local inns and hotels.

Two families were able to settle into rooms in Yatsushiro Tuesday.

About 7,300 are staying in evacuation centers, with many more sheltering in their cars.

The quake destroyed about 700 homes, with thousands others left damaged.

Officials are calling on people to take care, especially in this heat.

Kumamoto Quake: Taiwan's TSMC Pledges US$1.6 Mil. In Aid

Kumamoto is a manufacturing base for the world's largest chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

The firm known as TSMC has offered a $1.6 million donation to help recovery and reconstruction in the quake-hit region.

The donation, which is the equivalent of 250 million yen, was announced by TSMC on Monday.

It said Kumamoto is a key production base and the company will offer further support where it can.

Another Taiwanese business, China Airlines Group, has also offered financial support.

It runs flights to and from Kumamoto.

The airline said it will donate about $300,000 and fly relief supplies free of charge to the region until the end of August.

Typhoon Dolphin Nearing Japan's Southern Regions

A powerful typhoon is expected to approach Japan's southern regions of Okinawa and Amami later this week.

Weather officials are urging caution against high waves and violent winds.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says Typhoon Dolphin was traveling in a westerly direction over waters south of Japan's main island.

Waves on Wednesday could reach 9 meters high in Okinawa Prefecture and Tokyo's Ogasawara Islands and 6 meters in the Amami region.

Winds will also intensify as the typhoon approaches.

Okinawa could see gusts strong enough to knock down buildings on Thursday.

Officials are advising people to take shelter in sturdy buildings or other safe places before the winds intensify.

Business

And here with business and financial news is Ramin Mellegard.

00:04:03 話者 3/Ramin Mellegard

Thank you very much indeed.

Breaking News: Japan Govt. Approves Food Consumption Tax Cut

Now, Japan's government has decided to lower the consumption tax on food to 1% for two years from April 2027. It currently stands at 8%.

The government approved the policy at an extraordinary cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The plan is based on lowering the tax on food items to 1 percent for two years.

In addition, benefits will be provided to make the tax effectively zero for low- and middle-income earners.

The policy says the government will review all spending and revenue streams, such as subsidies and special tax breaks, as well as non-tax incomes to secure the necessary funding. It will not rely on deficit covering bonds.

The government aims to finalize the plan during its budget formulation process for fiscal 2027.

After the two-year tax cut, a new income linked benefit will be introduced from fiscal 2029 that will provide handouts according to each person's income.

But even within the ruling party, concerns have been raised regarding funding sources and fiscal discipline.

Ahead of the Cabinet decision, the Liberal Democratic Party approved the policy at its General Council meeting, though some known opponents were not present.

The ruling coalition will compile tax reform guidelines that include the tax cut.

The government plans to submit draft bills during an extraordinary diet session expected in the fall.

Bessent: Intervention Symbolizes Bilateral Ties

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave an interview to NHK.

He spoke about why the US intervened to prop up the Japanese yen, saying it's a symbol of their bilateral alliance.

00:05:55 話者 4/Scott Bessent

The US wanted to join with our great Japanese allies to show that we think the Takeichi government has the right policies that will lead to long-term yen strengthening.

00:06:09 話者 3

It caused the currency to surge more than 5 yen against the dollar.

Bessent  also says the weak yen is part of the reason inflation had been ticking up in Japan.

00:06:21 話者 4

Energy will come down.

And then, as we no longer have excess yen weakness, that that will also contribute to inflation coming down and that Japan and the yen can go into a virtuous cycle.

00:06:38 話者 3

We also asked about what impact the weak yen and rising Japanese government bond yields had on the US economy.

He says the bonds, known as JGBs, have been a global anchor for interest rates.

00:06:53 話者 4

Any perception that that anchor was being lost would be unhelpful and disorderly for markets.

And I know that the MOF, BOJ, and US Treasury are completely aligned that the JGBs are a very safe and sound asset.

00:07:15 話者 3

Bessent didn't say whether the Bank of Japan should raise the interest rate at its next meeting, but he did say the BOJ governor, Ueda Kazo, will do what's best for the Japanese economy.

Analysis: Significance For Japan In Bessent's Messaging

For more on this, our NHK Washington bureau correspondent looks at the message Besant intended to deliver.

He was speaking on one of our domestic news shows.

We are joined by Mineta Tomoyuki in Washington, who interviewed Secretary Bessent.

What impression did you get, and what did you make of his comments?

00:07:57 話者 5/Mineta Tomoyuki

I sensed a strong will to stem the yen's excessive weakness through bilateral cooperation.

Bessent has many years of experience in the financial markets under his belt.

In the interview, he referred to the Asian currency crisis in the 1990s.

He said an overly weak yen was one of the triggers.

He said the yen's current weakness could also have a negative impact on both Asia and the broader global economy.

He also stressed the significance of the unusual US intervention.

That left an impression on me.

00:08:34 話者 15

The US move could be seen as providing a helping hand for Japan.

What was the aim of the joint currency intervention?

00:08:45 話者 5

I think Bessent wanted to keep the effects of the yen's depreciation from spreading to the US.

The currency's excessive weakness and a rapid surge in Japan's long-term interest rates could lead to a rise in long-term US rates as well.

Rising rates in America would mean higher borrowing costs for home buyers and businesses there.

That would not only hurt the US economy, But it could also worsen the country's fiscal health through larger interest payments on Treasury securities.

Besant said in the interview that Japanese government bonds have long served as a global anchor to keep a lid on interest rates internationally.

He said if that anchor is perceived as being lost, that would be unhelpful and disorderly for markets.

He also stressed that Japanese government bonds are very safe and sound assets.

That gave me the impression that he wanted to proactively contain possible effects on the US and more widely.

But Bessent also called for Japan to follow through in implementing its policies steadily.

That sounded like a request to the Japanese government.

Looking ahead, the focus is not just on whether there will be more interventions, but if Japan can grow its economy while maintaining confidence in its fiscal health.

Attention is also on the direction of Japan's monetary policy.

Mitsubishi Heavy To Develop Small Next-Gen Nuclear Reactors

00:10:13 話者 3

NHK has learned that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is moving full steam ahead to develop next-generation small modular reactors, also known as SMRs.

This comes on the back of a government plan to maximize the use of nuclear power.

The move by the manufacturing giant is the first major effort in Japan's private sector toward deploying SMRs.

The compact reactors is set to offer advantages in terms of their safety and installation costs.

There are projects under way to set up SMRs in other countries, including Canada and the US.

Sources say Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will receive government support during development.

The company plans to take measures against earthquakes and tsunamis.

Government officials included a goal of the maximum use of nuclear power in the basic energy plan that was approved by the Cabinet last year.

And last week, ministers reconfirmed their intention to develop and install the next-generation reactors.

The plan calls for getting the new SMRs up and running in the 2040s.

Markets

OK, let's get a check of the markets.

♪

And that is it for Business News.

South Korean Readers Mourn Novelist Higashino Keigo

00:12:04 話者 1

Fans of Japanese author Higashi no Keigo lined up at midnight Wednesday in Japan for the release of his latest and posthumous novel.

The best-selling writer died last month at the age of 68.

News of his passing has reverberated around the world, including in neighboring South Korea.

NHK World's Kim Chan-ju reports on how readers there are remembering him.

00:12:28 話者 6/Kim Chan-ju

I'm at a major bookstore in Seoul.

As you can see, they've set up a memorial space to honor the late Higashino Keigo.

And a steady stream of visitors has been stopping by to pay their respects.

00:12:45 話者 22

I'm heartbroken. He kept releasing one bestseller after another.

It's such a shame to think there won't be any more to read.

00:12:54 話者 23

It's a great loss. He was such a creative and unconventional writer.

00:12:59 話者 6

Higashino is one of the most beloved Japanese novelists in South Korea.

His works are hugely popular and have spawned film and TV adaptations.

I spoke by the phone with the Korean translator of two of Higashino's recent books.

Kim Sun-young says the author helped to make mystery fiction accessible to a wider audience in the country.

00:13:28 話者 24/Kim Sun-young

Higashino was a writer like the sea. The sea is vast and all-embracing.

In the same way, his works had a remarkable variety of themes, storylines, and narrative approaches, which resonated deeply with a wide range of readers.

00:13:48 話者 6

I met one reader whose love of Higashino's works runs particularly deep.

Park In-gon became immersed in the author's world about 20 years ago after reading one of his best-known novels, Journey Under the Midnight Sun.

00:14:07 話者 27/Park In-gon

Reading it, I felt that this was an author unlike any writer I'd ever known.

The many stories woven into the novel were incredibly suspenseful and entertaining, and they touched the depths of human emotions.

00:14:25 話者 6

The bookshelves in his home are dedicated entirely to Higashino's work.

There is everything from first editions to Japanese originals and translations in other languages. Over time, his collection has grown to more than 500 books.

The news of Higashino's sudden passing came as a great shock.

But Park expressed his respect and gratitude for all the author had given.

00:15:01 話者 27

His books brought me a special kind of excitement and joy. Every time I read them, I felt a thrill that delighted me more than any movie or any other book ever could.

00:15:17 話者 6

The author may be gone, but the stories he left behind will live on in the hearts of his many devoted readers.

Kim Chan-ju NHK World, Seoul.

Iran Conflict Report: US Has 'Used Up' Much Of Missile Stockpile

00:15:37 話者 1

Reuters news agency says the US military has used up much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during its five-month military operations against Iran.

Reuters published the report on Tuesday quoting people familiar with the data.

The report says the US has used virtually all of the Army's ATACMS surface-to-surface missiles and ground-launched PRISM precision strike missiles.

It also says the US has used nearly half of its supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Reuters notes that President Donald Trump may have to rely more on riskier piloted bombing missions if he relaunches large-scale attacks on Iran.

Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly issued a comment to NHK.

Kelly says the US military has more than enough munitions, ammo and stockpiles to serve all of Trump's strategic goals and beyond.

She added that Trump has urged defense contractors to constantly produce more made in America weapons.

US Intelligence Chief Sworn In Following Senate Clash

The new US Director of National Intelligence has been sworn in at the White House.

Jay Clayton will oversee the country's intelligence agencies, including the CIA.

Clayton previously served as US Attorney in New York State.

He took the oath of office on Tuesday.

At his Senate confirmation hearing last month, Clayton refused to clearly admit that Trump lost the 2020 election when grilled by a Democratic Party lawmaker.

That led Democrats to oppose his confirmation.

One member said he had serious reservations about Clayton's willingness to stand up to political pressure.

Clayton was confirmed in a 51-47 vote.

He said in a statement he would work to make sure Americans have complete confidence in the intelligence service through proper oversight, transparency, and accountability.

N.Korea's Kim Yo Jong Denounces Japan's Test-Firing

North Korea has condemned Japan's first live-fire test of a Tomahawk cruise missile, and it said it would not stand idly by watching Japan's military evolution.

Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued the statement Wednesday through the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

She referred to the test firing of the US-made missile from the Aegis destroyer Chokai in the Pacific Ocean last week.

Kim accused Japan of transforming into a military power that could threaten international peace and stability.

She warned that Pyongyang's military leadership would be considering response measures.

At a meeting of the party's central committee in June, leader Kim Jong-un said Japan was openly turning itself into a war state.

NASA: SpaceX Rocket Part Expected To Crash Into Moon

US space agency NASA says a SpaceX rocket part was expected to hit the moon on Wednesday.

NASA says it will observe the impact and collect data to be used for future moon missions.

SpaceX launched the rocket in January last year carrying two lunar landers, one each developed respectively by US and Japanese private firms.

NASA says the rocket part had been drifting in space before making an unexpected return.

It said the upper stage of the Falcon 9 rocket had been expected to crash into the moon at 2.35 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. It issued no update at that time.

NASA says the rocket part was expected to create a crater about 18 meters wide and 4 meters deep and kick up about 360 tons of dust and rock.

A director of SpaceX commented on the situation.

00:19:31 話者 38/Julianna Scheiman/Director, SpaceX

What has happened is essentially a mixture of solar activity and gravity forces have put it on a path towards the moon.

00:19:40 話者 1

NASA says the collision poses no danger to Earth.

The agency says it hopes to obtain knowledge from the event about the moon's geology and other information that could aid future lunar explorations.

Bruce Betts is chief scientist at the Planetary Society.

He says the incident will help people understand more about the potential dangers for future astronauts and spacecraft.

00:20:04 話者 35/Bruce Betts

This is a few spacecraft a year at most that have any chance of hitting the moon.

But it obviously it does happen as represent a potential danger for future astronaut missions or robotic missions. So it's something we need to pay attention to.

A Life-Changing Hometown Beer

00:20:38 話者 1

Many regions across Japan are home to locally produced and beloved craft beers.

A special brew from Okayama Prefecture's Mabi District in western Japan is one example.

One brewer has recreated a local recipe after floods damaged his former employer's factory. Here is his story.

00:21:00 話者 8/Narrator: Carolyn Miller//Reporter: Nakama Taichiro

This is a beer event where you can taste craft beers from the local regions.

Moriya Kanto sells beer. He is originally from Mabi and used to brew beer there.

After the brewery he worked for closed, he outsourced production to another brewery.

00:21:23 話者 9/Moriya Kanto

In the future, I want to brew beer using ingredients from Mabi.

00:21:28 話者 8

Moria hopes to return to brewing in his hometown and has a special reason.

In his 20s, he worked in Tokyo and the United States.

He experienced burnout and was diagnosed with a mental illness.

00:21:44 話者 9

It was really tough for me. I stayed cooped up all the time. I didn't have anything to do.

00:21:51 話者 8

In 2007, Moriya quit his job and returned to Mabi.

He began working at a brewery founded by an NPO that supports the employment of people with mental illnesses.

With his colleagues, he strove to create better flavors and interacting with customers, healed his heart.

00:22:15 話者 9

Mabi is really good for me when I'm struggling mentally.

It's a quiet, peaceful place that's incredibly healing.

00:22:25 話者 8

But in 2018, Mabi was hit by torrential rains that caused widespread flooding.

The brewery was flooded and production declined.

Years later, the brewery closed due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the challenges, Moria didn't give up. He started a company to brew and sell beer.

This June, he began brewing beer himself in Mabi.

He strove to recreate the sweet flavor from the very first beer he made with his work friends. Moria relied on a recipe written down just before that brewery closed.

Following the recipe, he sets the temperature inside the tanks for fermentation and adjusts the balance of sweetness and bitterness.

00:23:27 話者 9

Some people say the old Mabi beer tasted better.

So if I can brew it that way, they'll think I've revived it here in Mabi.

It makes me happy to be able to brew it here in Mabi.

00:23:42 話者 8

Moriya has mentioned at events that Mabi beer will likely be unveiled soon.

00:23:51 話者 48

I really enjoy drinking it. When will you be able to brew it in Mabi?

00:23:57 話者 9

I've already brewed it, twice.

00:24:00 話者 48

I'm glad that you can brew it in Mabi.

00:24:05 話者 9

Connections with people are the most important thing in life.

That's the most valuable lesson I've learned since discovering beer.

00:24:17 話者 8

Mabi beer changed Moriya's life. He hopes to brew new connections with people.

World Weather

00:24:26 話者 1

We're keeping our eyes on a few tropical systems in the Western Pacific.

Our meteorologist Jonathan Oh has the details in this World Weather Report.

00:24:36 話者 10/Jonathan Oh

Hello, we have been keeping an eye out on Dolphin, but there are also a couple other systems that we're keeping an eye out on. I'll talk about that in just a bit.

But Dolphin is now clearing away from the Osawa Islands, so the outer bands will still be bringing some impacts for it throughout the evening and overnight hours into Thursday.

The system will be making its way toward the west.

And for those of you in the Okinawa and Amami regions, you're already seeing some of the impacts and the waves that are being generated by the system.

The storm will continue to make its westward approach, and so I mentioned just the other day, make the preparations now, and I'm going to repeat that again today, to make the preparations now as the system will be running right over Okinawa during the next couple of days and then setting its sites toward China.

Meanwhile, you may notice toward the east, another system trying to gather itself together.

China is now a tropical system, and It's having a little bit of a hard time generating a clear central area of pressure, but it is still going to eventually organize itself, though not as powerful as Dauphin has been.

But we'll watch and see where it goes.

But for the moment, it's expected to just move drifting to the north and west.

Not expected to make landfall in Japan for the moment, but we want to see if there's possible wave impacts from the system as it gets relatively or tries to get a little bit close toward Japan.

Down toward the Philippines, we have yet another system that's bringing a bunch of rain into Lausanne and the northern portions of the Philippines.

Kujira will continue to be a part of the story there.

Heat continues to be the story across the northeastern portion of China, into the Korean Peninsula, and even into western portions of Japan.

High pressure is sitting right on top of the area, so we'll see the heat continue to be the story here.

38 in Seoul, 36 in Beijing, Tokyo, moving back up into what's normal time of year after a cool few days coming up on Thursday with a high of 32.

Keeping an eye out on some storms near the Great Lakes as we have a system moving through there with heat down through the south, highs in the upper Thursday for Oklahoma City for Wednesday.

Hope you have a good day wherever you are.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

00:27:40 話者 1

And with that, we end this hour's NHK Newsline. I'm James Tengan, thanks for watching.

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.

(2026/7/30) Consumption Tax Cut, Food Price Relief & PM Takaichi Briefing | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

Prime Minister Takaichi explains the plan to cut the consumption tax on food to 1% starting next April.

The measure aims to ease the burden on low- and middle-income families facing high prices.

She also outlines future income-linked benefits scheduled for 2029.

日本の高市首相は、来年4月から食料品の消費税を1％に引き下げる方針を説明。

物価高に苦しむ低・中所得層の負担軽減が目的。

さらに、2029年に導入予定の所得連動型給付についても概要を示した。

20260730180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:04 話者 1/James Tengan

You're watching a live feed from the Office of Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, who's about to speak to reporters on the consumption tax cut on food items.

Japan PM Takaichi Speaks to Reporters
Takaichi Talks on Consumption Tax Cut
PM Takaichi to Lower Consumption Tax on Food to 1% From April

00:00:12 話者 2/Takaichi Sanae

To the people affected and to those who have lost their family members.

Now I'd like to explain a little bit about what I have said at the meeting within our party.

I'd like to show you slide number one.

So I would like to look at the net burden on families, which are higher than other countries.

And I have been looking at people who have been suffering from higher prices as well as a social security burden, especially the mid- to low-income families, and I wanted to reduce

the burden.

And I have placed at the core the reduction of these burdens with tax reductions with benefits, and I have been talking about that often.

And during the election in February, I have talked about

reducing the consumption tax to zero for food for two years, and I have talked about accelerating this.

And I believe the expectation of the people is very high, and therefore in order to make sure that this lightening of the burden will happen fully and speedily, we want to make sure that We can realize this and we will make efforts with determination.

And yesterday, the Social Security National Council was held and the interim report was compiled.

If you can look at slide two, in three years' time, we will have benefits that is linked to income.

And the general direction of this has been agreed upon by the parties that have been part of the council.

So this will be different from a benefit that is paid out in lump sum to everybody.

We will be looking at this so that it will be linked to the income of each family.

And with this, the low- and middle-income families and also the current working families will see their burden become lightened.

And we will also reduce the number of people who will refrain from working because they need to consider the taxation hurdle.

Before this is fully introduced, in order to face the current high prices and also the burden of taxation and social security premiums, we will be looking at measures, and we have discussed ways to do this.

However, concrete ideas -- we were unable to come to an agreement on concrete ideas.

What is it that we need to do to reduce the people's burden?

What the best action, what would that be?

In the interim report, we have had a list of opinions from many of the parties and therefore, after fully considering this, I believe I have been able to select the best action and in the extraordinary

Executive Board meeting today, we were able to gain a consensus.

Therefore, I would like to report on that.

Today at the Board meeting, I said that an income-linked benefit introduction of this should be following the interim report of the National Council, and I wanted to make sure that we will be able to start this from 2029.

Until this is fully introduced, we want to make sure that this is carried out fully and speedily.

And therefore, at this point in time, the income information held at ministries and agencies will be utilized.

And so from 2027, we will be able to start introducing this.

And for food, the consumption tax

If it is 1%, rather than bringing it down to 0%, the system changes needed at the stores will be easier, and therefore we believe that we will be able to start this from 2027.

In the interim report, the chairperson's opinion as well as opinions of other parties have been included, but as you see on slide 3 here,

We want to make sure that all families will see their burden reduced.

And therefore, from 2027, for two years, we will reduce the consumption tax on food.

And then we will look at the low- and middle-income families which are suffering most, and we will have this income-linked benefit from 2029 April.

And also, at the same timing, the food consumption tax will be brought up once again to 8%, the income-linked benefit.

Until this is introduced, we will provide support to middle and low-income families, while as we bring back the consumption tax on food,

we will have the full-fledged benefits, and we want to make that predictable.

And therefore, we will look at this 1 percent.

From 2027 and onwards, we will start the benefits.

So in that way, we will cut the consumption tax on food

so that they will be effectively zero percent.

And I am hoping that we can get the understanding of the nation.

00:07:01 話者 3/Takaichi Sanae

In order to allow enough time for the businesses to prepare, we will start the consumption tax cut from April next year.

And in order to do that, we would like to have the government and the ruling coalition's policy by early August based on the chairperson's proposal and I made that instruction in the executive committee.

As for the issues pointed out in the interim report, first about the farmers who could not benefit from their tax break, we will evaluate the impact

and looking at the support measures implemented in the past, we will listen to the voices of the ruling coalition and with the government responsibility we will come up with actual measures to support these farmers in the budgeting process.

And secondly, as for restaurant business, we will evaluate the impact on them and then looking at support measures in the past, we will come up with budgeting measures to support these restaurants.

And then as for the funding sources, some people will say that it's not very clear, but we as the government is proposing to have the budget reform and the fully-fledged introduction of the refundable tax credit to be implemented in 2029 as well as for the stopgap measure for the two years according to the interim summary and report, we will secure the budget without relying upon the deficit covering government bonds to ensure market confidence.

And as we have already shown, the policy direction of the budget reform, we will look at the review of both the income as well as the spending so that in a stable manner we will continue to reduce the debt balance to GDP ratio.

And special taxation measures and funds and subsidies will also be reviewed.

And because of some special income this year, 2.0 trillion yen outside of the tax income, this will also be reviewed on the zero basis.

So throughout such a reform, we will ensure the funding source needed for this policy.

And as budgeting reform, we will move away from the supplementary.

♪

With the recent supplementary budget, the budget　quite a big portion of that being posted for responding to higher prices that will also be reviewed in order to secure the funding for the stopgap measures.

And after I took the government in the budget process, we have accentuated the focus on certain items of the budget process, and this has been successfully done to reduce the new issuance of the government bonds.

So in the budgeting reform, we will appropriately control the issuance of the government bonds and we will have the full-fledged introduction of the refundable tax credit and stop gap measure with the secured funding.

And #4, as for the returning the tax rate back to 8%.

Some people are worried that it's not going to be possible, but some of the parties have said that a consumption tax is a very important source for social security.

And in order to ensure the sustainability of the finance as well as the market confidence, I will take my own responsibility to make sure that the tax rate will be returned to 8%.

When doing that, there is a concern that there may be an increased burden on the part of the people.

The rate returning to 8% from 1%, that would be starting from 2029, will be covered by the measures to reduce the burdens on the part of the low- to mid-income workers so that people can take more money back home.

And as you can see on slide number four, mid-income and low-income workers will receive support that exceeds the effect of the consumption tax cut on food.

So there should be no such concern.

And low-income persons who are willing to work. These people who require support will be identified thoroughly, and then we will come up with necessary measures to support these people.

And as much as possible, we will implement these measures by the time the fully fledged introduction of the refundable tax credit will start in 2029.

And these people who are elderly, people who are not working, We have the interim report saying that the existing system, including the pension system, will also be considered so that by 2030, when there will be another pension reform, it will be considered and we will make sure that no one will be left behind.

00:13:52 話者 2/Takaichi Sanae

So in between, we will be asking for a lot of ideas, and we have been asking for a lot of ideas, and many people said that benefits could be better and faster than reducing the consumption tax on food.

However, in order to have a benefit that is fair, We need to grasp the income made by high income families, spouses, and also to look at children 16 to 18 within a family who are dependent family members, and therefore after that only we will be able to fully introduce the system, and it will take time.

But the benefit in the past has been provided without the infrastructure, and therefore we did not have a system that is linked to income, and also the municipalities had to prepare very swiftly and quickly.

For example, last year and when we compiled the supplementary budget, the 20,000 yen per child to help the families raising children.

By the end of July this year, the actual benefit did not come out in some municipalities.

But we have pledged in the election in February, as well as feeling the expectation of the nation, we wanted to make sure that we can provide a full and big reduction in the consumption tax on food.

Among some ideas, there were some people who said that we should reduce the residence tax burden as well.

Totally looking at the social security burden on the low to mid-income families, yes, the direction can be agreed upon.

However, when we look at the local societies and when we think about reducing the residential tax in municipalities, as some mentioned in the National Council, 500,000 yen as deductible amount for independent people's residence tax, this may have a permanent effect.

And we need to look at this more fully, the food consumption tax reduction.

If we just do this, the local section for the consumption tax added together 1.6 trillion yen.

But if we look at the basic deduction of 500,000 yen, this will amount to 3 trillion yen in terms of resources.

And if we want to make this permanent, this is not something that we can do all of a sudden.

and the refundable tax credit that I've talked about.

The ideal would be that benefit and tax credit should be linked together, and we need to consider the future of this as well.

The food tax consumption reduction is the first tax reduction or consumption tax reduction since consumption taxes have been introduced here in Japan.

For big disasters or infectious diseases, pandemics, we have been considering that there is a necessity of being able to flexibly change the tax rate.

And therefore we will come up with a system that will make that possible.

This will be a new challenge for Japan and now the income-linked benefit and the plan for the interim.

will be decided early August as a policy for the government as well as the ruling parties.

And then we will have a basic plan in September and we will submit this to the extraordinary session of the Diet.

We are hoping that the burden on people suffering from high prices and social security and tax burdens will be reduced quickly.

And I'm hoping to gain the understanding of the nation.

So that is all from myself. Thank you very much.

00:18:58 話者 12

So now we'd like to take questions.

00:19:07 話者 13

From Nikkei newspaper.

So about the consumption tax cut on food, funding that is estimated to require 5 trillion yen.

Can you truly guarantee that this amount can be covered solely by reviewing special taxation measures and funds?

So for two years, can you guarantee the funding?

And if the funding cannot be secured as expected, can you guarantee with absolute certainty that there will be no shortfall in social security funding?

If income-linked benefits are also to be provided, can you secure a permanent funding source for that as well?

When do you plan to announce the details of this funding?

Given concerns over fiscal deterioration, the risk of depreciation and high prices, on what basis do you still believe that the consumption tax cut can ease the burden of the rising cost of living?

What legal framework or mechanism would ensure that the rate actually returns to its original level after two years?

According to reports, you are considering including an economic contingency clause that would allow the tax cut period to be extended depending on economic condition at that time.

00:20:26 話者 3/Takaichi Sanae

So in our discussion.

According to the policy shown in the chairperson draft, we will not be relying upon deficit covering government bonds to secure the funding.

And then as the policy of the budget reform, we have already demonstrated that we will look at the tax revenue and we will review both tax revenue as well as the spending.

And then the debt to GDP will be stably reduced.

And then that way, we will estimate how much funding can be secured.

And in terms of the review of the special taxation measures and the funds, we will continue to do that in a thorough manner.

we will have some income, which amounts to 9 trillion yen, which is outside of the tax income.

And we will try and secure the funding from the zero basis, the evaluation, so that we will be able to secure the funding for the refundable tax credit as well as the stopgap measure.

And as budget reform will move away from the supplementary budget process and this has been clarified and the supplementary budget has been posted in order to address the rising prices but, the refundable tax credit and a stopgap measure will respond to the price hike.

Therefore, we will review the supplementary budget as well.

And in this big framework of the budget reform, throughout the year we will appropriately control the issue amount of the deficit covering government bonds and

including the stopgap measure and refundable tax credit, we will make sure to respond to the funding source's securement.

Therefore, I do not believe that there will be a shortfall in the social security money.

And in the budget process, we will show you the details of how to secure the budget.

And in two years, in terms of the rate, the parties which took part in the National Council

all said that consumption tax is an important funding source for social security.

We need to ensure market confidence.

Therefore, in two years, under my responsibility, I will make sure to return the rate back to the original rate.

And then in 2029, when the consumption tax rate is returned to the original rate, we will have the fully-fledged introduction of a refundable tax credit.

for low- to mid-income workers to reduce their burden.

And we will make sure that they can have more take-home pay, mid- to long-term, mid- to low-income workers.

they will be able to receive a support that exceeds the tax cut benefit as shown in the slide.

And then we will also have the income-based refundable tax credit and those people who are willing to work, low-income people as well as the elderly people.

They will receive benefits based on their income as well as from the social security perspective, they will never be left behind.

So that will be delivering government support to these people.

And then income-based benefits also will be legally secured, and this will be considered, therefore, the bill to be submitted to the diet in the future.

We do not believe that we need to have economic contingency close.

00:24:38 話者 14

Shimizu from NHK.

Yesterday, you attended the National Council, and the opposition parties said that cutting the consumption tax on food for two years may still be a big burden when you return the consumption tax.

So with the benefits that the opposition parties are calling for, where do you see the issue?

And also Obuchi, the former Election Strategy Committee chair, has left the LDP Research Commission on the tax system because she opposes.

And how will you deal with all these things in order to submit a bill?

Well, food and also daily supplies.

We need some measures in order to deal with the high prices.

And that was the main thing.

And right now here in Japan, the price increase, if we watch the trend, it's getting a bit better, especially food prices.

It's very high. It remains quite high.

Well, then why is it not benefits?

In the past, When we tried to hand out benefits, it took a long time until it reached the people.

So rather than that, reducing the consumption tax on food would be better for people who are struggling now and they will be able to feel the effect of these measures more quickly.

00:26:06 話者 2/Takaichi Sanae

The basic system will be utilized in order to provide benefits.

If we try to start this from March, as some parties have indicated, an advance introduction will be done with the benefits that are linked to income.

In order to do this, we will utilize the information held by ministries and agencies right now.

And then after that, this will be introduced after the residential tax and others will be determined in June.

So the preparation period for the system vendors and for municipalities I believe they will need more time in order to do this, and I was also the internal affairs minister.

I do understand how difficult this could be the 100,000 yen cash benefit, it took a very long time until it reached all the people, and the municipalities had to carry a very heavy burden, workload for this, 

and therefore, even now, what has been approved when we compiled the supplementary budget last year hasn't reached the people in some municipalities now.

So within the party, of course, as a responsible ruling party, we have said that we will reduce the consumption tax on food for two years, and we have said that we will accelerate the deliberation on this.

Therefore, the expectation of the nation was quite high and we have been able to push this through. We believe that a full reduction of consumption tax on...

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.

(2026/7/17) Imperial Law Changes, US Strikes & Tokyo Weather | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

Japan revises imperial family rules, 

he US continues strikes in Iran, 

and Tokyo faces record rainfall.

日本は皇室制度を改正し、

米国はイランへの攻撃を継続、

東京では記録的な豪雨が発生した。

717180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/James Tengan

Here in Japan, it's a Friday evening.  

I'm James Tengan in Tokyo. Welcome to NHK Newsline.

Japan Introduces New Rules for Imperial Family Membership  

Japan has taken a major step to reshape the future of the imperial family.

The Diet has passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law, changing rules concerning both marriage and adoption.

It's the first revision to the main body of the law in more than 75 years.

The imperial family consists of Emperor Naristo and 15 others.

Under the original law, women leave the imperial household when they marry outside the family.

There are concerns that one day there will not be enough members to support the emperor's official duties.

Another issue is ensuring stable succession to the imperial throne.

By law, the throne is succeeded by a male child of the paternal line belonging to the imperial lineage.

At present, only three members are eligible.

Under the new law, female members will remain in the imperial family after marriage.

It also enables adoption of male descendants in the paternal line of former imperial family branches.

In addition to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party,

The bill passed the upper house with support from several opposition parties.

Those include the Democratic Party for the People, Komeito, and Sanseito.

A supplementary resolution was also adopted at both upper and lower house committees.

It calls for continued studies on ways to ensure stable imperial succession based on developments in the number of household members.

New Law Changes Imperial Rules for Marriage, Adoption  

So what changes under the revised imperial house law?

Under one revision, women will stay in the imperial family after marriage.

But the law does not include a provision that grants imperial status to their spouses or children.

Current female members will be able to request to leave the imperial family upon marriage.

Another key revision concerns adoption.

The previous imperial house law did not allow the emperor or other imperial family members to adopt children.

But the new law enables adoption of male descendants of the paternal line of 11 former imperial family branches.

These branches lost their imperial status in 1947, and descendants now live as ordinary citizens.

Adoptees must be 15 or older, unmarried and childless.

They would not be able to succeed to the throne, but their male offspring would be eligible.

Opinion Divided on Imperial Family Rule Changes

For a closer look at what all of this means, I spoke earlier with our senior political correspondent, Oikawa Jun.

So Jun, this seems to be a pretty significant change for such a historic institution.

How is the public reacting?

00:03:14 話者 2

My impression is that this law was passed quite quickly before real agreement was reached.

NHK conducted a public opinion poll earlier this month asking whether people thought that imperial house law should be amended during the current diet session.

38% of respondents answered that it should.

41% answered that there is no need to amend it.

So there still seems to be a division of opinion among the public.

00:03:48 話者 1

What have been the main points of debate?

00:03:51 話者 2

One of the key issues has been the role of female members of the imperial family.

These women have many roles, such as visiting areas hit by disasters, international goodwill trips, and attendance at public events.

People have a lot of interest in them, and the media cover their activities extensively.

The rule change that would keep them in the imperial household after marriage has strong public support.

But opinion is divided on the nature of the families these newly married women would establish.

Under the new system, they retain their status as members of the imperial family,

but their spouse and children stay commoners.

In other words, both imperial family members and ordinary citizens would exist within the same household.

Public opinion polls have shown divided views on this.

And another big point of contention has been whether to allow a female emperor.

Some opposition parties argued that would ensure stable imperial succession.

But for now, it's still only men that can inherit the throne.

00:05:13 話者 1

Jung, there's also the new provision for adopting male descendants of former imperial branches.

How is this being received?

00:05:21 話者 2

Public opinion is quite divided on this one.

And one former imperial family member also feels that it could be difficult for otherwise ordinary citizens to enter the imperial family in this manner.

00:05:39 話者 3

Those eligible for adoption are essentially just ordinary people.

They are pursuing their own dreams and trying to realize them.

Can they adapt to a life that would be flipped 180 degrees?

I wonder whether there are really people who would return to the imperial family and become loved by the public.

00:06:20 話者 1

So, Jun, given all of that division of opinion, why was the bill passed so quickly?

00:06:26 話者 2

One reason may be Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's political power.

She really solidified her grip on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in her landslide victory in this February's general election.

Some veteran LDP lawmakers did criticize the bill, but they were effectively drowned out.

The main deliberations on the amendments only lasted about three hours, each in both the lower and upper house committees.

That is an extremely short amount of time for such a major bill.

But the opposition parties had to concede it.

So while the bill has now passed, it's clear that there are still a lot of disagreements, both among politicians and the public.

Ultimately, it will be up to future generations to judge whether this law reshapes the relationship between the imperial family and the Japanese people for the better.

Japan's Diet Enacts Bill to Punish Desecration of Flag  

00:07:28 話者 1

The Japanese Diet has also passed a bill to penalize the act of damaging the national flag.

It was approved Friday at a plenary session of the upper house.

The bill was sponsored by the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic and Japan Innovation Parties,

plus the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito.

The law defines the flag as a tangible object that's socially accepted as being used as the national flag.

Publicly damaging, removing, or defacing the flag in a manner arousing significant discomfort or disgust can be punished with up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 yen.

That's about $1,230 dollars.

The law says whether the act in question is a violation will be decided by objectively studying the act itself and the surrounding situation.

It also says consideration is required so as not to unjustly infringe on people's constitutionally guaranteed freedom and rights, including freedom of speech.

A supplementary resolution was passed by the cabinet committees of both chambers.

It calls on the government to publicize the aim and content of the law.

So it will not lead to suppression of political comment or artistic expression.

US to Limit Student Visas to 4 Years  

Foreign students in the United States have been told the clock is ticking.

Previously, they could stay in the country as long as they were enrolled in classes.

Now the Trump administration will limit student visas to four years.

The Department of Homeland Security says the aim is to address the spike in the number of students from abroad, as well as those who use their visa status to stay in the country for decades.

The head of the department, Markwayne Mullen, says the rule allows the US to properly screen, vet, and monitor people in the country.

He adds that foreign students should remain focused on, quote, completing their studies and returning home.

A group that supports foreign students says this sends the message that the US is becoming less welcoming.

It says as global competition for talent heats up, the policy harms innovation and economic growth in the US.

Foreign members of the media will also see their visas restricted to 240 days, which is about eight months.

The new limits go into effect in September.

Pentagon Announces Annual Testosterone Screening in Military

The US Department of Defense has announced it will mandate testosterone level checks for its military personnel.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the move would optimize the performance and long-term health of combat troops.

00:10:23 話者 2

We owe our warriors the absolute best medical care in the world, and this program delivers on that obligation.

00:10:31 話者 1

The screening program announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday will apply to service members aged 30 years and older

as part of annual health assessments.

Those found to have low levels of testosterone will be given the choice to receive treatment.

The department did not say if testing will apply to service women.

The US Air Force's medical department has been warning on its website since 2013 that higher levels of the hormone do not necessarily lead to better performance.

It goes on to say that tinkering with testosterone levels by taking supplements and steroids could cause serious side effects.

Iran Conflict   Reports: US Hits Bridges, Airport on Sixth Day of Strikes

Hostilities continue to escalate between the US and Iran.

US Central Command says it completed its sixth straight day of strikes.

CENTCOM said Thursday it hit dozens of Iranian military targets.

That includes logistical infrastructure as well as coastal surveillance and air defense sites.

Multiple Iranian media outlets have reported on the attacks.

They say there were a series of strikes across the country through Friday.

Five bridges in the south were reportedly attacked, killing seven.

And reports say an airport in the southeast was hit by missiles.

Iran Conflict  Report: Houthis Told to Be Ready to Shut Red Sea Route

Meanwhile, Tehran has reportedly asked rebels in Yemen to potentially close a key oil route.

Multiple sources told Reuters that Iran asked the Houthis to prepare to shut the Bab al-Mandab strait.

They will reportedly cut off access if the US

attacks Iranian power infrastructure.

The instability in the Strait of Hormuz has made it an important alternative oil route.

A source close to the Houthis also spoke to Reuters.

They said the group had completed their preparations by deploying missiles and drones near the strait.

War in Ukraine
Zelenskyy Names New Defense Minister, Sparking Protests

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has named his new defense minister, but the move has sparked protests from those who fear it will hurt the war efforts.

Zelenskyy announced Thursday that he tapped Yevgeny Humara, the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine, for the job.

Zelenskyy says he played an important role in long-range operations against Russia.

and says he has what it takes to be defense minister.

Ukraine's parliament still needs to approve the nomination.

He would be taking over from Mykhailo Fedorov.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Fedorov suggested he was canned over disagreements on military reform.

Protesters staged a large rally near Ukraine's presidential office on Thursday, demanding Zelenskyy reverse the decision.

00:13:24 話者 4

At this point, removing him from office would only play into the hands of the Russian Federation and would unfortunately be detrimental to our country.

00:13:35 話者 1

Russia's presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov touched on the issue Thursday.

He said it doesn't matter to Moscow who the defense minister is.

Business

Well, there was lots of action today, financially speaking.

Here to walk us through the details is Yuko Fukushima.

00:13:51 話者 5/Yuko Fukushima

Thanks, James.

Nikkei 225 Posts 3rd-Biggest Intraday Point Drop on Record  

Yes, Japan's Nikkei 225 stock index plunged for the second straight session on Friday as investors offloaded AI and chip related shares on concerns about earnings.

The benchmark lost 4,130 points at one stage, its third biggest intraday drop on record.

The index finished more than 4% lower.

Losing about 2,700 points to end at 64,141, investors are growing less optimistic about the earnings outlook for AI-related companies.

Japanese chip and flash memory giant Kyokushia Holdings knows

dived as much as 16% to its daily trading limit.

The Nikkei has been on a downtrend since late last month.

It set an all-time closing high above 72,000 on June 25, led by buying of AI-related shares.

Nichirei Restarts Some Computer Systems After Cyberattack  

Japanese frozen food giant Nichide says it has restarted some computer systems after a cyberattack this week disrupted operations.

The company doesn't yet know when all operations will get back to normal.

The company on Friday said warehouse operations and some other services were partially back online.

Nichide reported the cyberattack on Wednesday, saying it affected frozen food deliveries and cold storage operations.

The shipment delays hit restaurants, supermarkets and other food businesses across the country.

Nichide is a key player in the country's logistics sector, storing and delivering products of many other companies.

Trump Administration Imposes 25% Tariffs on Brazil

The Trump administration has announced that it will charge a new 25 percent tariff on certain goods from Brazil, citing unfair trade practices.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative made a decision on Wednesday based on Section 301 of the Trade Act.

The announcement says a year-long investigation determined that certain Brazilian measures in a range of fields, from digital trade to illegal deforestation, are unfair.

It says the measures are unreasonable and restrict the business activities of American workers and exporters.

The terrorists will take effect on July 22.

Coffee and beef are among items exempted from the measure.

The office of Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva said there was no justification for what it called the unilateral US decision.

Biz Picks

And now to NHK World's Gene Otani with BizFix.

00:16:38 話者 6/Gene Otani

Let's take a look at the key business and economic stories for the week ahead.

On Thursday, the European Central Bank will announce its decision on interest rates.

Rising inflationary pressure and geopolitical uncertainty have investors watching for signals on how the central bank will respond.

Japanese Self-Driving Tech Faces Key Test

On Wednesday, a Japanese startup is specializing in autonomous driving technology using AI ,tier 4 is set to go public.

In this edition, we have the latest developments in autonomous driving in Japan and where it's headed from here.

Tier 4 develops AutoWare.

It's an open source software platform for autonomous driving.

Automakers and suppliers use it to build their own systems.

The startup supports a range of self-driving services already on the road and others still being tested.

Mitsubishi Research Institute's Miyashita Koichi says the company's market debut could mark a turning point.

00:17:36 話者 7

The industry had mainly focused on testing, research and development.

But I think it has now entered a phase where firms are aiming for mass production and growing their businesses by raising funds from the market.

00:17:49 話者 6

A shortage of drivers has become a serious problem in Japan, so autonomous driving is seen as a way to sustain public transportation.

The industry uses the term level 4 services to describe vehicles that can run without a driver under certain conditions.

The government aims to have 10,000 such buses and taxis on the roads by fiscal 2030.

A number of Japanese companies are stepping up their efforts to bring autonomous driving into everyday use.

Nissan Motor is partnering with Uber Technologies to launch robo-taxi services.

The vehicles will be powered by AI developed with British startup Wave Technologies.

The taxi hailing service Goal is conducting its own trials with the US

firm Waymo.

Miyashita believes self-driving vehicles in Japan are likely to be first introduced in urban areas where demand is high.

00:18:48 話者 7

Deployment will first go ahead in areas with strong demand within limited operating areas.

As adoption increases, both vehicle and operating costs will gradually decline.

That should allow services to expand more widely, not just in city centers, but also in suburban areas.

In the meantime, Japan's auto industry cannot focus solely on the domestic market.

It needs to develop technologies that can be deployed and compete overseas.

00:19:19 話者 6

The race for global leadership in autonomous mobility is intensifying.

Companies such as Waymo in the US and Baidu in China already have thousands of robo-taxis in service.

For Japan to compete, it needs to accelerate the pace of getting its technologies into the real world.

I'm Gene Otani, and that's this week's Biz Picks.

Markets

00:19:42 話者 5

Now let's get you a check on the markets.

♪

And that's the biz for this hour.

Ex-Nurse Allegedly Killed Patient With Feces in IV Drip  

00:20:27 話者 1

Police in Chiba Prefecture, neighboring Tokyo, have arrested a former nurse suspected of killing a patient with an intravenous drip contaminated with excrement.

Fifty-one-year-old Furukawa Miyuki was employed at a hospital in the prefecture's Kashiwa City at the time of the incident.

Police suspect that she injected feces into the extension tube of an IV drip given to a 75-year-old patient back in January.

The patient died the next day.

Furukawa has denied the allegations.

A colleague had reportedly instructed the suspect to keep the IV tube for inspection after noticing the fluid inside was brown.

Investigative sources said the tube was later found discarded inside the hospital.

Police believed the cause of death was likely to be multiple organ failure, caused by bacteria from suspected human feces entering the patient's bloodstream.

The hospital held a news conference on Thursday.

00:21:33 話者 4

This is an incident in which a nurse who should be providing a sense of security is threatening the life of a patient.

It is an unforgivable act as a medical worker and a human being.

It is deeply regrettable that such a situation occurred.

00:21:52 話者 1

Investigative sources said security cameras captured Furukawa entering the room where human waste is handled just before the patient's condition suddenly deteriorated.

UK Reacts to Falklands Banner Display at World Cup

The British government is urging soccer's governing body, FIFA, to investigate Argentina's team after its players posed with a banner claiming sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

Argentina's players held up a banner in support of their country's claims after their 2-1 win over England in the men's World Cup semi-final.

The banner said, The Falklands are Argentine, in Spanish, using the Argentine name for the islands, Malvinas.

Britain remains in control of the southern Atlantic islands after clashes with Argentina in the 1982 Falklands conflict.

British Business Minister Peter Kyle reacted sharply to the display when he spoke to the British media on Thursday.

00:22:49 話者 2

Politics needs to be separate from football.

Now, that is now a matter for FIFA.

00:22:54 話者 1

I expect FIFA to do its investigation thoroughly.

A spokesperson at the Prime Minister's office released a statement saying that while the World Cup might not belong to Britain, the Falkland Islands definitely do.

The statement goes on to say that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wishes both teams in the final well, especially Spain.

Weather

Tokyo has experienced severe cloudbursts on Friday.

Our meteorologist, Yumi Hirano, has a look at the details in this update.

00:23:27 話者 8/Yumi Hirano

Sixty-four millimeters of intense rainfall was reported in just one hour in Tokyo's Hachi-oji, setting an all-time record.

And over 80 millimeters fall in Kawasaki, the intense downpours have caused disruptions.

People across the Kanto region were hit by sudden heavy rain on Friday.

In Kanagawa Prefecture, torrential rain flooded roads and underpasses, leaving many tracks stranded.

The heavy rain also disrupted train services between Kawasaki to Yokohama.

In central Tokyo, a government rain gauge reported nearly 70 millimeters in one hour.

The rain left a riverside sports field underwater.

A high probability of thunderstorms will continue through Friday night in Kyushu and also in Ganto-goshin.

More downpours could cause urban flooding and affect the evening commute.

Meanwhile, another concern is approaching from the west.

A frontal system is stretching from the Korean Peninsula to parts of Japan.

Up to 250 millimeters of heavy rain is expected in South Korea by Sunday.

And Japan's Hokkaido may also see downpours of up to 150 millimeters by Sunday and more by Monday, so people there should watch out for floods and landslides.

Heavy rain is also likely in Seoul.

The high in Tokyo will hit 30 degrees.

Finally, in South Asia, a low-pressure system has been intensifying monsoon downpours in northeastern India and Bangladesh.

But the good news is the rain will ease intense heat in New Delhi with a high of 36.

That's it for now. Have a nice weekend.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

Elementary Schoolchildren in Tokushima Clean Sea Turtle Shells

00:26:30 話者 1

Learning came with a hands-on twist for elementary school students in Tokushima who helped clean the shells of sea turtles at a museum near Ohama Beach.

The beach is designated as a national natural monument.

About 30 local students who were learning about sea turtles visited the museum.

The children received instructions from museum officials such as not to touch the turtles' faces to avoid being bitten.

They then carefully used scrub brushes to wash algae and grime off the shells and flippers of four turtles, including 75-year-old Hamataro.

Hamataro is believed to be the world's oldest loggerhead sea turtle in captivity.

...

...

And with that, we conclude this edition of NHK Newsline for all of us here on the program.

I'm James Tengan in Tokyo. Thanks for watching.

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.

(2026/7/15) Iran Conflict, Ukraine Casualties & Tokyo–UN Meeting | NHK World English Podcast Scripts

Trump warns of strikes on Iran’s power plants, 

UN reports soaring Ukrainian civilian casualties, 

and Tokyo’s governor meets UN chief in New York.

トランプ氏がイランの発電所攻撃を示唆、

ウクライナ民間人犠牲が急増、

東京都知事がニューヨークで国連事務総長と会談。

20260715180000_english_1.mp3

 00:00:09 話者 1/Yoko Nishimura

Welcome to NHK NewsLine. I'm Yoko Nishimura in Tokyo with the latest news.

Iran Conflict: Trump Hints at Strikes on Iran's Power Plants Next Week

US President Donald Trump says the US military will attack Iran's power plants and bridges unless Tehran resumes negotiations with Washington.

00:00:25 話者 10/Donald Trump

Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants.

Next week comes the bridges. We're going to knock out all their power plants.

We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.

00:00:41 話者 1

Trump made the comment in an interview with Fox News Channel's Trey Inkst on Tuesday.

He said that his representatives spoke with the Iranian side earlier in the day, passing on a message, insisting that Tehran make a deal.

He said that if they don't, Iran is not going to have anybody or anything left.

The United States Central Command, which directs military operations in the Middle East, says it completed an additional round of strikes against Iran at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday. The attacks have continued for four consecutive days.

CENTCOM says Tuesday's operation hit dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal areas.

War in Ukraine   UN: Ukrainian Civilian Casualties Soar

Civilian casualties are continuing to soar in Ukraine.

A UN human rights watchdog says more than 2,200 civilians were killed or injured in June alone. That's the highest monthly total since the Russian invasion began four years ago.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine says at least 293 civilians were killed and 1,990 were injured last month.

The group says the figures show an alarming escalatory trend with a mounting civilian toll.

It says Russia's intensifying use of powerful weapons in densely populated urban areas is driving the increase.

War in Ukraine
Poland to Host First Military Drills by Nations Backing Kyiv

Meanwhile, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the first military exercises by nations supporting Ukraine will be held in his country this autumn.

Speaking to reporters in Paris, Tusk said it seems unlikely that Ukraine and Russia will reach a ceasefire or peace agreement in the near future.

He said the planned exercises will prepare the entire coalition of countries back in Kyiv to provide tangible security guarantees to the region.

The coalition agreed at a meeting in Paris on Monday to hold joint military exercises in a country neighboring Ukraine in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria's Prime Minister Rumen Radeff indicated that his country will withdraw from the coalition.

Radov, who took office in May, is known for his pro-Russian stance and opposition to providing military assistance to Ukraine.

Business

Now to tell us what's happening in the world of business, here's Yuko Fukushima from the biz desk.

00:03:15 話者 2/Yuko Fukushima

Thanks, Yuko.

China's Economic Growth Slowed to 4.3% in Apr.–Jun.  

China's economic growth slowed to 4.3 percent in the April to June period from a year earlier.

Personal consumption stalled and investment declined, partly due to the prolonged slump in the real estate sector.

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday shows that the second quarter GDP expansion in real terms was down from the previous three months and lower than market expectations.

The 4.3 percent growth is the slowest since the October to December period in 2022, when Beijing strictly restricted social activities under its zero COVID policy.

Soaring energy and raw material prices stemming from the Middle East situation also weighed on the economy.

The latest GDP figure is below China's annual growth target of 4.5 to 5% for this year.

Major fast food chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan, says its outlets may have trouble offering some products.

The company says there are some supply delivery problems due to system failures at a logistics firm.

KFC Japan: Logistics Glitch Affecting Chicken Delivery  

KFC Japan said some outlets may be unable to offer certain items.

Some branches might have to shorten hours or close temporarily.

The company outsources the delivery of chicken and other ingredients to Nichire Logistics Group, a subsidiary of Japanese frozen food giant Nichire.

KFC Japan says system failures at Nichire Logistics on Monday started causing delivery disruptions on Tuesday.

The glitch at Nichire Logistics is said to also be affecting major sushi chain, Kurasushi, with product availability issue system outlets.

Nichire says the failures are due to unauthorized access and that system restoration efforts are underway. It did not give a timeline for recovery.

EV Sales in Japan Double in First Half of 2026  

Sales of electric vehicles in Japan more than doubled in the six months through June from the same period last year.

Automakers say new models and generous subsidies are attracting buyers.

Industry groups say nearly 60,000 EVs were sold, a jump of 2.1 fold.

That accounts for about 3% of all passenger vehicles bought in the country in the period.

In January, the central government raised the purchase subsidy for passenger EVs by more than 40 percent to as much as 1.3 million yen. That's about $8,000.

Dealers report the subsidies are helping sales along with new models.

Honda Motor says a high-performance vehicle it launched in May has attracted more than 10,000 orders. Some buyers reportedly have to wait until next year for delivery.

Meantime, the Tokyo metropolitan government in July boosted its EV subsidy by 30 percent to a maximum 1.3 million yen.

Sales of Used Smartphones in Japan Hit All-Time High  

Sales of used smartphones in Japan hit a record high for the seventh straight year in fiscal 2025.

The rising prices of new models due to surging semiconductor demand and the yen's depreciation largely contributed to the popularity of used ones.

MM Research Institute says sales reached 3.6 million units in the year through this March, up 12.4 percent from a year before.

The institute is projecting that sales of used smartphones will top 5 million units in fiscal 2029.

Mercari, which runs a popular resale site, announced on Tuesday that it has now set up a website dedicated to sales of professionally refurbished second-hand smartphones and other products.

Used smartphones are put on the market after functional tests and cleaning by specialists.

00:06:59 話者 23/Shinohara Takaaki/Mercari

Customers feel more anxious about purchasing expensive second-hand products, so used items with quality guaranteed by professionals has become another quickly growing market.

00:07:15 話者 2

Mercari says it will accept returns and requests for repairs after purchase under certain conditions.

Warsh Says Fed Has 'No Tolerance' for High Inflation

US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has stressed the central importance of monetary policy in fighting inflation.

He says getting the policy right would make the inflation surge of recent years a thing of the past.

Warsh spoke at the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday.

He told the hearing that longer-term inflation is largely determined by monetary policy.

00:07:48 話者 34/Kevin Warsh/US Federal Reserve Chair

The members of our committee have no tolerance for persistently elevated inflation, and we share a resolute commitment to ensure price stability.

00:07:59 話者 2

The June Consumer Price Index for the US released earlier the same day showed inflation slowed from the prior month.

Warsh said some may see that reading as a signal all is going well and say mission accomplished, but he noted that is not his view because he doesn't want to cherry-pick data.

Markets

Now let's get you a check on the markets.

♪

And that's the biz for this hour.

Tokyo Governor Meets UN Chief Guterres in New York  

00:09:03 話者 1

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko has met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. The meeting took place at the UN headquarters on Tuesday.

Koike is visiting the city for a conference on sustainable development goals for 2030.

After the meeting, she told reporters that she spoke with Guterres on the need for collaboration among major cities around the world.

She referred to the impact of climate change, including heat waves, and said cities must work together to support people suffering amid many global challenges.

Koike also mentioned a proposal she made to Guterres last year to relocate some UN functions to Tokyo.

00:09:47 話者 41/Koike Yuriko

There are about 30 UN organizations in Tokyo and other cities in Japan.

We are listening to their views and considering the possibilities.

00:10:02 話者 1

She also said the Secretary-General expressed appreciation for Japan's long-standing support for the UN.

Japan MSDF Conducts Mine Disposal Drill off Aomori Pref.  

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force invited some media to its annual mine warfare exercises on Tuesday. The US and India are also participating.

The annual drill takes place around this time of year in Mutsu Bay, off the northeastern prefecture of Aomori.

It involves ten MSDF vessels, including minesweepers, about 800 personnel, and will continue for 13 days.

The exercises use fake mines to simulate mine laying, mine sweeping, mine hunting, and explosive ordnance disposal.

One commander of the MSDF said the training is conducted regularly so personnel can be adequately prepared for various environments.

He added the exercises also aim to strengthen cooperation with the US .

Asuka-Fujiwara Set to Become World Heritage Site  

Japan may soon have a new World Heritage Site.

The committee deciding the list will start its meeting this weekend.

Inara Prefecture's Asuka-Fujiwara is expected to make the cut.

00:11:23 話者 3

The area was once home to two ancient Japanese capitals, Asuka and Fujiwara.

They date back to the 6th and 8th centuries.

Today, 19 ruins have been identified, including the remains of an imperial court and a burial mound known for its colorful wall paintings.

Japan first started aiming for World Heritage status in 2007.

Since then, officials have been investigating the ruins and trying to emphasize their historical value. That work has paid off.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites gave the ruins top marks.

That makes it likely to become a World Heritage Site.

Some local residents were welcoming the news.

00:12:14 話者 53

I'm so happy.

00:12:19 話者 54

I hope this will be an opportunity for many foreign tourists to come to our town.

00:12:26 話者 3

But others weren't so happy.

The ruins are scattered across 3 municipalities, including Asuka Village.

It conducted a survey asking residents what they thought about becoming a World Heritage Site.

While about half of respondents thought it was a good idea, about 13% were against it.

Some said they were concerned about how tourists will behave, whether it will lead to more trash or generate more traffic.

00:12:58 話者 55/Morikawa Yuichi/Asuka Village Mayor

Taking the survey into account, I want to work with both those who have high hopes and those with concerns. 

00:13:06 話者 3

Another question is how to actually present the sites.

Many are mostly empty or have the ruins buried underground.

Kashihara City is also home to some of these spots.

It's hoping to tackle the issue by releasing an augmented reality app.

Visitors can hold their smartphone cameras up to the ruins to see what was once there.

It's available in several languages, including English, Korean, and Chinese.

If Asuka-Fujiwara is approved, it will be Japan's 22nd World Cultural Heritage Site or the country's 27th Heritage Site overall.

New York State Enacts Moratorium on New Data Centers  

00:13:56 話者 1

The US state of New York says it will pause granting construction permits for hyperscale data centers for up to one year.

The moratorium is the first of its kind in the United States.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order establishing the moratorium on Tuesday.

The governor said that the state is experiencing unprecedented demand for data center development driven by infrastructure needs that support artificial intelligence.

The executive order said that data centers could lead to soaring utility bills and water resource depletion.

Large amounts of energy and water are required to run and cool computer servers in the facilities.

While data center development projects are expanding across the US, opposition has also been widespread.

The National Conference of State Legislatures said 14 state legislatures are considering restrictions on new data center construction.

Conference Fails to Agree on New Pacific Bluefin Tuna Quota

An international conference on managing Pacific bluefin tuna stocks has failed to reach agreement on expanding catch quotas for the prized fish.

The disagreement means it will be difficult to increase the limits from 2027.

The week-long conference in Japan's southwestern city of Nagasaki wrapped up on Tuesday.

The participants were negotiating how much fishing quotas could be increased if tuna stocks recovered.

Japan's fisheries agency says the parties were unable to agree on new rules.

The negotiators discussed a 25-percent increase in the catch quota for bluefin tuna weighing 30 kilograms or more in the western and central Pacific.

The area includes Japan's coastal waters.

They also discussed reducing the cap for tuna weighing less than 30 kilograms by 6 percent.

The participants made adjustments based on these proposals, but were unable to reconcile their differences due to opposition from Mexico toward the end of the conference.

00:16:11 話者 61/Fukuda Takumi/Japanese Fisheries Agency

If an agreement is not reached by the end of this year, the current rules will apply next year.

We would like to continue exploring every possibility to see what can be done.

00:16:26 話者 1

Japanese fishers want to raise the catch limits of bluefin tuna as their catches have surged recently to near the annual cap.

Some regions have been forced to suspend fishing or voluntarily restrict their catches.

00:16:42 話者 62/Nishikawa Seiji

I believe the oceans are teeming with bluefin tuna.

Coastal fishermen in Japan have endured many hardships until today.

I'd like to continue calling for an increase in the quota.

In Focus

In the final days of World War II, over 30 American prisoners of war in southwestern Japan were executed without trial by the now-defunct Imperial Japanese military.

81 years on, an American woman whose grandfather was one of the victims visits Japan seeking reconciliation and hope.

Remembering US Airmen Executed in Fukuoka

00:17:28 話者 5

Heather Buchanan is in Japan to pay tribute to her grandfather, Charles Appleby.

00:17:35 話者 6/Heather Buchanan

I'm Heather. This is his first time out of the United States.

00:17:42 話者 5

He had served as a navigator aboard a B-29 bomber during World War II.

During a mission targeting areas in Fukuoka Prefecture, his aircraft was shot down.

After being captured as a POW, Charles and fellow crew survivors were executed without trial.

Just 21 years old, He left behind a wife and two-year-old daughter.

Heather is paying her respects at the crash site.

Growing up hearing stories about her grandfather made her feel close to him.

00:18:32 話者 6

From what I understand, he was playful and funny and very kind and loving, and he loved his family.

Jacket, I hung it up.

00:18:44 話者 5

Heather treasures one of his jackets.

00:18:46 話者 6

This is from...

And on the back is the picture that he drew, and he was going to have it stitched when he came home, but he didn't come home.

00:19:01 話者 5

It was as a teenager that Heather first learned her grandfather had been executed by Japan's Imperial Army.

00:19:11 話者 6

I felt like they were evil and that they didn't, like I don't know how somebody could do that.

00:19:20 話者 5

But something inside her shifted a little after reading the translation of a Japanese soldier's journals of the event.

He vividly describes the inner struggle he felt when his superior officer orders him to carry out the execution of one of the POWs.

I stood behind an airman who had been forced to sit in front of a pit.

My body was still trembling.

In my heart, I prayed to Amida Buddha and brought down the sword.

When she read those words, Heather gained awareness that the enemy had also been caught up in the tragedy of war.

00:20:12 話者 6

It was eye-opening.

It was, it was, see that as part of the different side of things that you don't see when you're like, I'm in America, I only see what America wants me to see.

00:20:28 話者 5

The account was written by Satano Osamu.

After the war, he was arrested and convicted.

Osamu left behind extensive journals of his wartime experiences.

He waited before his son, Wataru, came of age before sharing them.

(Japanese)

Wataru sympathizes with the extremely difficult position his father had faced, but he has always felt apologetic toward the POWs and their families.

In Fukuoka City, Heather is heading to a temple where a memorial service has been organized for the POWs.

And Watadu has traveled from Tokyo to attend the service as well.

00:21:46 話者 6

He says, I'm glad to meet you for the first time.

I'm very glad to meet you too.

00:22:00 話者 5

During the ceremony, Wataru is scheduled to share a few words.

(Japanese)

00:22:25 話者 6

Thank you all for coming today and taking part in this memorial ceremony.

Today I stand here not with anger, but with hope.

I believe memorial ceremonies like this are important because they remind us that peace is not something we should take for granted.

It gives us a chance to remember the past while choosing kindness and understanding in the present. We cannot change history, but we can learn from it.

00:22:55 話者 5

War leaves deep scars.

Yet here, the descendants of the Japanese and US soldiers are meeting for the first time, perhaps in a gesture of reconciliation.

00:23:10 話者 75

Three, two, one.

(Japanese)

00:23:16 話者 6

Thank you.

00:23:19 話者 5

See you again.

00:23:25 話者 6

Thank you.

00:23:32 話者 5

The sea here, according to documents in the US National Archives, is likely the resting place of the executed Americans.

00:23:44 話者 6

I'm so happy we were able to come out here and give the flowers to the sea, to his soul.

As the new generations come, then we have new ideas and new friendships, and I don't think that there's as much of that, the separation as there used to be.

♪

World  Weather

00:24:40 話者 1

Even though parts of Japan are still in the rainy season, it's felt more like the middle of summer in quite a few places across the country.

Our meteorologist, Jonathan Oh, has a look at the details in world weather.

00:24:53 話者 4/Jonathan Oh

Hello, we are still in the rainy season for the eastern, northeastern portion of Japan and back to the west.

We're out of it, but it doesn't really matter.

It looks like that we're still seeing temperatures really rising up with the high pressure that was in place where some locations...

hitting anywhere from 37 to 38 degrees for daytime highs on Wednesday.

And even the Kanto-Koshin region, we saw temperatures pushing up.

Take a look at this video that's coming out from the area as people across the Kanto-Koshin region are sweltering Wednesday as heat stroke alerts were in effect.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a high of over 36 degrees Celsius in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, which is the highest temperature for them so far this year.

Tokyo also sweltering as highs reached 34 degrees for a second day in a row.

And so, as the temperature continues to stay high, people are being reminded to try to get some shake and to air conditioning, make sure you stay hydrated, and if you are staying hydrated with water.

add a little bit of salt or electrolytes to make sure it balances out so that when you're sweating, you're also balancing those electrolytes in the process.

Now, changes are on the way coming up for Thursday because the remnants of Bavi, along with the rainy season in front, they're working together to bring some rain.

But down from the south, we have very unstable air.

And so even though we're starting the day relatively dry in Tokyo, might be season thunderstorms fire up every once in a while as you go through the afternoon.

So be on the lookout for that.

So 35 in Tokyo for Thursday.

Take it easy out there if you're going to be out under the sun.

Rain comes into the picture by Friday and Saturday, even as Sapporo seeing highs into the low 30s as we go throughout the next couple of days.

Heat also is a big story across North America, a big dump of high pressure controlling the eastern side of the United States into Canada.

And so highs getting close to 40 in Washington, D.C. for Wednesday, 36 In Denver, in 35 Los Angeles, that's another hot pattern taking place across the West.

And so same advice for you.

Take it easy if you have to spend any time outdoors.

Hope you have a good day wherever you are.

♫～　3-DAY FORECAST　～♫

00:27:41 話者 1

And that's it for this edition of NHK Newsline. 

I'm Yoko Nishimura in Tokyo. Thanks for joining us.

NHK World

00:28:01 話者 99

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