at 20:00 (JST), April 07

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190407200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : ballot counting is just
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190407_24/

Ballot counting is just getting underway in Japan.
Thousands of seats are up for grabs across the country, including for governors, mayors and local assembly members.

National parties have campaigned fiercely framing the local elections as a bellwether for Upper House elections this summer.

Even though the polls have just closed, NHK's election desk is already projecting some winners based on exit polls and information gathered before voting day.

Here are the projected winners in 10 out of the 11 prefectural gubernatorial races.

In Hokkaido, Naomichi Suzuki is projected to win. He was supported by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito.
It was the only race where ruling and opposition blocs directly faced off.

In Kanagawa, incumbent Yuji Kuroiwa is projected to win a third consecutive term in office.

In Fukui, former vice governor Tatsuji Sugimoto is projected to win for the first time.

In Mie, incumbent Eikei Suzuki is projected to secure his third term.

Former Osaka mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura is projected to become the next governor of Osaka. He's a member of Osaka Ishin no Kai, which campaigned on what's known as the "Osaka metropolis plan".

The plan would abolish Osaka City and reorganize it into special wards just like Tokyo.

Former governor Ichiro Matsui also ran under the party banner and is projected to win the mayoral race. The two politicians had stepped down to run for each other's post to bolster support for their metropolis plan.

Incumbent Nara governor Shogo Arai is projected to secure his fourth term.

In Tottori, incumbent Shinji Hirai is projected to secure his fourth term.

Incumbent Kamon Iizumi is projected to win in Tokushima for the fifth consecutive time.

In Fukuoka, incumbent Hiroshi Ogawa is projected to win for the third time in a row.

And in Oita, incumbent Katsusada Hirose is projected to secure his fifth term.

Sunday's elections will also determine the mayors of 6 big cities, along with 17 municipal and 41 prefectural assemblies.

Key words : finance minister
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190407_12/

Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of 20 major economies will meet this week to discuss the world economy.

The meeting will take place on Thursday and Friday in Washington. It will be the first ministerial-level meeting in the run-up to the G20 leaders' summit in June in Osaka.

Finance Minister Taro Aso and Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda will lead the discussion, as Japan assumed the presidency of the group this year.

On the first day, the topic of Brexit will likely come up as ministers discuss the current state of the world economy and its prospects. British Prime Minister Theresa May has not been able to get Parliament to approve her deal with the EU.

On the second day, the ministers are expected to discuss the current-account imbalances that are at the root of US-China trade friction.

Japan plans to stress the importance of international cooperation to fix those imbalances.

Other topics to be discussed include how to regulate cryptocurrencies. The G20 countries plan to share a list of oversight offices to block the use of virtual currencies for money laundering.

Key words : occupied
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190407_11/

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he is willing to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank if he wins in Tuesday's general election.

In an interview with Israeli television on Saturday, Netanyahu was asked why he had not annexed the settlements like East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.

He replied that extending Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank settlements is "the next stage.".

About 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank. The settlements are illegal under international law.

Palestinians reacted sharply to Netanyahu's comment.
Senior Palestinian official said that Israel will continue to violate international law as long as the international community continues to give Israel impunity.

Netanyahu's Likud Party is said to be in a tight race.

Netanyahu apparently wanted to shore up more support from his right-wing power base with strong rhetoric as Tuesday's election draws near.

Key words : prosecutor judge
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190407_05/

Prosecutors in Tokyo have asked judges to question the wife of Carlos Ghosn in connection with funds allegedly misappropriated by the former Nissan Motor chairman.

Ghosn was arrested on Thursday for the fourth time on suspicion of aggravated breach of trust involving Nissan funds sent to the automaker's Omani dealership.

Prosecutors suspect that Ghosn siphoned off part of the payments through a company where his wife, Carole, is an executive to purchase a yacht and a boat.

NHK has learned that the prosecutors asked her to meet them for voluntary questioning as an unsworn witness, but the request was turned down.

This prompted them to ask judges to question her on their behalf before they open the first hearing on the allegations.

Such a request gives judges the power to question on a mandatory basis witnesses who refuse to testify.

Ghosn's lawyer has criticized prosecutors for confiscating the wife's passport and mobile phone when they rearrested Ghosn.

Key words : turkey
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190407_07/

The new international airport in Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, has become fully operational.

The new Istanbul Airport is initially expected to handle 90 million passengers a year. Authorities plan to expand the capacity to 200 million to make it the largest airport in the world.

The replacement for Ataturk Airport partially opened last October. The new facility covers 76.5 million square meters and is 35 kilometers from the city center.

On Saturday afternoon, all flights of the national flag carrier Turkish Airlines were moved to the new airport.

As the clock ticked toward the start of full service at midnight Sunday, passengers in lines at check-in counters grew more and more excited about departing from the new airport.

Both domestic and international flights leave and land on two runways leading to a huge main terminal.

Four runways will be added in phases by 2028 to boost the capacity to 200 million passengers a year.

And the airport is projected to accelerate the country's economic growth.

at 23:00 (JST), April 06

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190406230000_english_1.mp3


Key words : sources say to investigate allege
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190406_19/

Sources say Tokyo prosecutors are seeking help from outside Japan to investigate the financial transactions of former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Ghosn was arrested for the fourth time on Thursday, on suspicion of aggravated breach of trust.

Prosecutors are asking authorities in the Middle East, Switzerland and the United States to help track a series of transfers Ghosn allegedly orchestrated.

They say he directed Nissan funds to a dealership in Oman and then sent them to a bogus company in Lebanon that he virtually owns, causing Nissan to lose money.

About 27 million dollars was then transferred from the Lebanese company to US firm Shogun Investments, run by Ghosn's son. Another 8 million dollars was transferred to Beauty Yachts, a company where Ghosn's wife is an executive.

The funds were sent via multiple accounts at Swiss and other financial institutions. It's believed that Ghosn used the money to purchase an Italian-made yacht.

Ghosn is denying all charges brought against him.

Key words : state-run media top priority
#N/A


Key words : research group
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190406_11/

A US research group that monitors North Korea says it has observed new activity at the Nyongbyon nuclear complex.

The group, 38 North, said on Friday that commercial satellite imagery from March 22 shows a mobile boom crane next to the nuclear facility's experimental light water reactor. The equipment was not present in previous images.

The group says it is unclear what the purpose of the crane is, but it may have been used to load equipment or materials into the dome which houses the reactor.

The Nyongbyon complex was a focal point in the second US-North Korean summit in February.

Pyongyang says the light water reactor is for power generation, but observers say it could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium.

After the collapse of the summit, North Korea restored operations at a rocket launch site that it had partly dismantled.

Key words : thailand arrested
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190406_16/

Police in Thailand say a group of Japanese men arrested last week for allegedly running a call center scam defrauded more than 100 people in Japan.

Fifteen Japanese men were arrested on March 29 on suspicion of working illegally in the country. They were captured in a raid on a house in the resort city of Pattaya.

The men range in age from 22 to 54.

The police have found, through interrogations and seized documents that the men defrauded their victims of at least 220 million yen, or more than 2 million dollars.

The police say the men were rarely seen by their neighbors as they seldom went outdoors and had their meals delivered.
The confiscated materials included data on the victims health and living conditions and information about nearby convenience stores.

The materials also indicate that the suspects thoroughly researched their victims beforehand.

The 15 suspects have reportedly declined to answer questions by Thai police.

A chief investigator told NHK that all the men, including the younger ones, appear to be calm. The officer described them a well-trained group.

The Thai investigators say they will hand over the confiscated materials to Japanese police and begin procedures to extradite the suspects to Japan.

Key words : voter election one belt
#N/A


Key words : cut production
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190406_08/

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has announced that it will cut production of its 737 passenger planes in the wake of two recent crashes: one in Indonesia and the other in Ethiopia. Both crashes involved 737 MAX-8 models.

Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement on Friday that monthly production will be reduced from 52 to 42 starting in mid-April.

He said the temporary reduction is to accommodate the pause in deliveries, adding that the company will focus on software updates and certification for returning the aircraft back into service.

He added that the reduction will not result in layoffs.

A preliminary report by Ethiopian authorities said the crash in their country last month indicates an automatic system lowered the nose of the aircraft after the pilot tried to pull it up, just as it did in the Indonesia crash.

They urged Boeing to review its aircraft control systems.

Boeing had 5,012 orders of the 737 MAX at the end of February, and more than 4,600 backorders. It has delivered 376 of the planes.

Observers are waiting to see how the production cut will affect sales, of which the company had earlier forecasted a record high this year.

Key words : Saito
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190406_05/

Cats are notorious for ignoring their owners, but a new study suggests they recognize the sound of their names.

A group led by Sophia University Associate Professor Atsuko Saito has reported the results of its experiment in the online version of the British journal, Scientific Reports.

The group asked owners of 11 cats to repeat four words with the same length and stress as the cats' names. The owners then called out the actual names.

Nine of the cats gradually became less responsive to the four words, but displayed interest when their names were called, by moving their heads and bodies.

The scientists repeated the test with 20 pet cats and people unfamiliar to them, and found 13 respond to their names.

The researchers have concluded that cats can distinguish the sounds of their names from other words.

But they say the felines are most likely associating their names with rewards like food or caressing, and may not understand the idea that the names are assigned to them.

Sophia University's Saito says the latest experiment will provide clues about how cats developed the ability to communicate with humans.

Research on the subject has been scarce, compared to studies on dogs.

Key words : many people
#N/A


Key words : cherry nuclear disaster
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190406_14/

Passengers on an exclusive cherry-blossom tour have ridden buses through a no-entry zone near the site of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Tomioka Town in Fukushima Prefecture is renowned for its two-kilometer stretch of about 400 cherry trees.

They are located in a part of the town that remains off-limits to the public due to high levels of radiation.

On Saturday,10 buses entered the zone for the day.
They drove through a pink tunnel formed by the arching branches.

One man from a nearby town said it was truly impressive to see the blossom tunnel, and it was his first time in 40 years.

A woman in her 70s said she had come from Iwaki City and is an evacuee from Tomioka Town, both in Fukushima prefecture.

She said the flowering cherries of the Yonomori district are the town's pride, and she was delighted people came from across Japan to view them.

at 20:00 (JST), April 05

Japan's State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ichiro Tsukada, has offered to resign over comments about a project involving the constituencies of the prime minister and deputy prime minister.

The Tokyo District Court on Friday approved the prosecutors' request to detain former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn for 10 more days.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says it's highly likely that probe Hayabusa2 has succeeded in the world's first mission of creating a crater on an asteroid to study its interior.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190405200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Tsukada to resign Makino
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190405_29/

Japan's State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ichiro Tsukada, has offered to resign over comments about a project involving the constituencies of the prime minister and deputy prime minister.

Tsukada submitted his resignation on Friday morning and apologized for causing trouble.

Earlier this week, Tsukada spoke at a meeting in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, about a stalled project to build a road linking the city with Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

He noted that Shimonoseki is Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's constituency and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso represents a constituency in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Tsukada said the prime minister and deputy prime minister cannot talk about matters involving their constituencies, so he guessed what they were thinking about the project.

Tsukada later retracted the comments, saying they didn't reflect the facts. He apologized for the remarks but expressed his intention to remain in his post.

Prime Minister Abe said Tsukada's comments were problematic, but he should continue performing his duties.

Opposition parties have been demanding Tsukada's resignation.

Some officials from the ruling parties had also said he should step down.

Abe is expected to appoint Upper House lawmaker Takao Makino, a 60-year-old Liberal Democratic Party member, to replace Tsukada.

Makino would assume the position for the second time.

Abe hopes to prevent the matter from affecting government business and the current Diet session.

Key words : district court approved
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190405_36/

The Tokyo District Court on Friday approved the prosecutors' request to detain former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn for 10 more days. He will remain in custody until April 14.

Ghosn's lawyers filed an appeal, saying there is no risk of him fleeing or destroying evidence.

Police arrested Ghosn for the fourth time on Thursday on suspicion of aggravated breach of trust resulting in the loss of 5 million dollars. Ghosn allegedly used some of the money that was sent to a Nissan dealership in Oman for personal purposes.

Sources say Ghosn is denying all the charges against him.

Ghosn's lawyer Junichiro Hironaka told reporters on Friday that there's no need to detain the former chairman as he was complying with bail conditions set by a Japanese court.

He said that prosecutors had searched Ghosn's residence and confiscated items, including documents, that Ghosn was preparing with lawyers outside of Japan for his trial. Hironaka called it a violation of the right to defense in the name of investigation.

Hironaka noted that if the court rejects their appeal, the defense team will disclose Ghosn's statement around April 11. He previously planned to hold a news conference on April 11.

Ghosn's lawyers pre-recorded his statement in case he was arrested and could not appear at the conference.

Key words : hayabusa2 succeeded study
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190405_32/

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says it's highly likely that probe Hayabusa2 has succeeded in the world's first mission of creating a crater on an asteroid to study its interior.

The probe released a device called an "impactor" above the asteroid Ryugu shortly before 11 a.m. on Friday, Japan Time.

The impactor is believed to have exploded 40 minutes later, and shot a metal object into Ryugu's surface at a speed of two kilometers per second to make a crater.

JAXA officials said images taken by a small camera separated from Hayabusa2 showed pieces of rocks scattering right after the scheduled explosion time.

They added that rock particles were spreading like a curtain, which is formed when a crater is made. Officials concluded that the object shot from the impactor successfully hit Ryugu.

A member of the Hayabusa2 project team says it's highly likely that a crater has been created.

JAXA says it plans to send the probe above the crater to observe its interior in late April at the earliest, once there is no risk of scattered surface rock pieces hitting the spacecraft.

Key words : Akihito attended ceremony
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190405_33/

Japan's Emperor Akihito has attended for the last time a ceremony to receive the credentials of new foreign ambassadors.

The ceremony is one of the Emperor's constitutionally-stipulated duties that he will perform until he abdicates on April 30.

The Malaysian and Saudi Arabian ambassadors handed the credentials from their kings to the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday.

The Emperor shook their hands with a smile and had a brief conversation with them.

It was the Emperor's 919th and last time to attend the ceremony.

The Emperor and the Empress will later welcome the ambassadors and their spouses at the Imperial residence.

Key words : people across
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190405_28/

People across the United States have held rallies calling for a full release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russia's role in the country's 2016 presidential election.

The rallies on Thursday were organized by liberal advocacy groups.

US Attorney General William Barr last month received the nearly 400-page confidential report, which he said cites no evidence of collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump's campaign team. Barr released a four-page letter on the report and said he plans to release a redacted version of it to Congress and the public.

The Democratic Party has called for its full release.

About 400 people gathered for a rally outside the White House on Thursday.

US Representative Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, told the participants that they don't need a report edited by the attorney general. Nadler stressed that he will continue seeking a full account of Trump's actions in Congress.

A man in his 50s said they have the right to know what Mueller's two-year-long investigation has clarified.

US media reported that some members of Mueller's team have voiced frustration that Barr's letter fails to correctly reflect the entire report.

Key words : defense studies
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190405_30/

Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies warns that North Korea may use its negotiations with the United States to play for time.

The institute says in its annual East Asian Strategic Review that judging from developments since the 1990s, the North Korea does not appear to be unconditionally committed to denuclearization.

The report says Pyongyang could use its talks with Washington as a cover to improve its economic situation while continuing development of nuclear weapons and missiles.

The US and South Korea have suspended or downsized their joint military drills so as not to provoke the North.

The report expresses concern that prolonged suspensions could undermine the two allies' joint operational capabilities.

On China, the report mentions modernization of the military including construction of aircraft carriers, and says the country's relations with the US are worsening due to issues over the South China Sea and trade.

It says Beijing is trying to find a breakthrough by beefing up and expanding diplomatic relations with neighboring countries including Japan and developing nations.

Key words : Philippine
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190405_23/

Officials in the Philippines are criticizing Beijing over the presence of Chinese vessels near disputed islands in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Foreign Ministry released a statement on Thursday regarding the Pag-asa Islands.
The Philippines effectively controls the islands, which are part of the Spratly Island chain.
The ministry reiterated its stance that the Pag-asa islands are an integral part of the Philippines.
It described the presence of Chinese ships in the area as "swarming," and said it "clearly violates Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction."

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said later in the day that the two countries have agreed to resolve outstanding issues based on a spirit of cooperation.

The Philippine President's spokesperson said 275 Chinese vessels have been spotted around the Pag-asa Islands since January.
He said the Philippines has lodged a protest with Beijing over the matter.

It's unusual for the Philippine government to criticize China.
Lately, President Rodrigo Duterte has been seeking closer ties with Beijing.

Key words : south jumped to
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190405_20/

South Korea has jumped to the forefront of international competition over next-generation 5G network services. The country's three major carriers started offering services to smartphone users on Friday.

With 5G, users can exchange large amounts of data and quickly download ultra-high definition 4K and 8K images.

The Korean telecoms promise a host of new experiences, from baseball games live-streamed from various places in the stands, to virtual dates with celebrity idols.

The telecoms have been in a fierce fight with their US rivals. On Wednesday, Verizon of the US said it launched the world's first 5G service.

But South Korea's government says Korean companies launched their services for some customers before Verizon.

In Japan, 5G is expected to become available in some parts of the country in the summer at the earliest.

Key words : Indonesian university
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190405_07/

Officials from an Indonesian university have exchanged opinions with Indonesian technical interns training at an elderly care facility in the city of Maebashi, north of Tokyo.

The move came as Japan's revised immigration law that aims to expand the country's foreign workforce took effect on Monday.

The head of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Sofyan Anif, and three others visited the facility on Thursday.

Sofyan asked the four Indonesian trainees about their duties and working environment. Some replied their work is stable while others said they enjoy life in Japan.

The university is planning to send its graduates to Japan as technical trainees in the nursing care sector as early as this summer.

Officials at the university say they are also planning to offer Japanese language courses and step up efforts to provide information on Japan's nursing care system.

The head of the university said he was impressed with Japanese-style nursing care. He said he wants to provide education so his graduates can fully demonstrate their skills in Japan as technical interns.

Officials at the Gunma Prefectural government say 27 foreign technical trainees from Indonesia, China and elsewhere are working in the prefecture's nursing care sector as of February. They expect the number to rise.

Takahiko Sato heads the prefecture's office in charge of securing nursing care staff.

He notes the number of foreign trainees will significantly increase in the sector. He says he wants to communicate information about trainees to host facilities so they can adequately handle them.

The revised immigration law allows more foreigners with vocational skills to work in 14 fields such as nursing care, construction and agriculture to enter Japan. Japan faces serious labor shortage in these fields.

The Japanese government estimates up to around 345,000 foreign workers will be allowed into the country in the next five years.

at 20:00 (JST), April 04

Tokyo prosecutors have arrested former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn for the fourth time on suspicion of aggravated breach of trust.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says a deputy land minister under fire for his comments over a road project involving Abe's constituency should fully explain himself.

Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 is making a descent toward the asteroid Ryugu in a new mission to create an artificial crater.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190404200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Tokyo prosecutor fourth time all charges
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190404_30/

Tokyo prosecutors have arrested former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn for a fourth time on suspicion of aggravated breach of trust. It is rare for prosecutors in Japan to arrest someone who has been released on bail.
Ghosn is reportedly denying all charges.

Prosecutors say Ghosn directed a part of Nissan's funds to a dealership in Oman operated by his acquaintance. The payments were made from 2015 through last year. He is suspected of causing Nissan to lose about 5 million dollars as a result of this transaction.

Informed sources say some of the payments to the Omani dealership were transferred to a bogus company in Lebanon through the account of the dealership's Indian executive.

That money is believed to have been used to purchase Ghosn's yacht and may also have been sent to a US-based investment-related firm run by Ghosn's son.

Ghosn was released on March 6 after 108 days in detention.

He has been charged with violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act for underreporting his executive compensation on Nissan's securities reports.

He is also charged with aggravated breach of trust for misappropriating some 10 million dollars of Nissan's funds to a Saudi Arabian acquaintance.

Ghosn's defense team has described payments to the Omani dealership as proper remuneration made at the request of a subordinate at Nissan. The team also claims the yacht purchase has nothing to do with Nissan.

Key words : lawyer protested
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190404_38/

The lawyer for former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has protested the rearrest of his client.

Ghosn was out on bail awaiting trial when he was arrested on Thursday morning for the fourth time since November.

Junichiro Hironaka spoke to reporters on Thursday afternoon after visiting Ghosn at the Tokyo Detention House.

Hironaka stressed that Ghosn firmly denies the charges against him. The lawyer pointed out that the decision to grant Ghosn bail last month is confirmation that there is no risk he could flee or destroy evidence. He said prosecutors could bring additional charges against Ghosn without detaining him.

Hironaka also criticized the prosecutors for confiscating Ghosn's mobile phone, documents he'd prepared for the trial, as well as his diaries and notebooks. The lawyer described the prosecutors' action as a violation of Ghosn's right to defend himself.

Hironaka revealed that the prosecutors have also confiscated the passport and mobile phone of Ghosn's wife, Carole.

The lawyer said she is not a suspect and he cannot understand why this was allowed to happen. He said he has asked the prosecutors not to examine her phone because it contains private information. He said Ghosn's wife was extremely shocked.

The arrest came the day after Ghosn tweeted that he would hold a news conference on April 11.

Hironaka said he is planning to release a video that Ghosn had recorded in case he was arrested again and could not appear at the news conference.

Key words : Abe under fire
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190404_31/

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says a deputy land minister under fire for his comments over a road project involving Abe's constituency should fully explain himself. Abe said his comments were problematic but that he should continue performing his duties.

The remark in question was made earlier this week by Ichiro Tsukada, State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

When Tsukada talked about a project to build a road linking Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture, he referred to Shimonoseki as the constituency of Abe and Fukuoka as that of Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso.

He said the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister cannot talk about matters involving their own constituencies, so he guessed what they were thinking.

He added that the fiscal 2019 budget includes the cost of a survey for the road project to be carried out directly by the national government, taking the place of surveys by local governments.

In an Upper House committee session on Thursday, a lawmaker from an opposition party asked the prime minister what he thinks of Tsukada's comments.

Abe said Tsukada has said his remarks do not represent the facts and retracted the comments and apologized. Abe added that Tsukada should fully explain himself but he wants him to continue to fulfill his duties.

Key words : Hayabusa making
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190404_36/

Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 is making a descent toward the asteroid Ryugu in a new mission to create an artificial crater for a study of the celestial body's interior. The asteroid is located 340 million kilometers from Earth.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, says the probe began its descent toward Ryugu from an altitude of 20,000 meters at around 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Japan time.

According to the plan, Hayabusa2 will release a device called the "impactor" shortly before 11 a.m. on Friday when it is 500 meters from the asteroid.

Forty minutes later, the "impactor" will explode and shoot a metal object into the asteroid's surface at 2 kilometers per second to create an artificial crater.

JAXA is planning to have Hayabusa2 attempt a second landing on Ryugu at a later date to collect rock samples from the crater.

The probe made its first landing on the asteroid in February.

JAXA officials have said the probe is believed to have collected rock samples during that time on the asteroid.

Key words : north state-run
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190404_35/

North Korea's state-run media say the nation's leader Kim Jong Un has inspected construction sites and factories in the northern part of the country.

The ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun posted photos of Kim visiting a mountainous area of Samjiyon County.

The paper said Kim praised construction workers there for building a new town at a steady pace in the winter cold.

It quoted Kim as saying the development is a battle with the country's political opposition and shows the country's economic potential.

Kim reportedly said the construction should be done by October 2020, when the party celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Photos also showed Kim visiting food processing factories.

Observers say Kim apparently wants to show that the country's economy remains stable despite ongoing sanctions against the North, and that he will not make concessions with the United States.

The two countries' summit in February ended without an agreement.

Key words : Trump meet Liu
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190404_41/

White House officials say President Donald Trump will meet Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on Thursday. Liu is visiting Washington for bilateral trade negotiations.

The US and China resumed their ministerial level talks on Wednesday, following a round last week in Beijing.
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are in the negotiations with Liu.

Both sides are still at odds over US punitive tariffs on Chinese goods. Beijing is calling on Washington to scrap the duties as soon as they strike a deal.
But Washington has indicated it will keep them in place until it's certain China will comply.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow has said the talks are making good progress. He said the US hopes to move closer to a deal this week.

Key words : US firm
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190404_40/

US firm Verizon Communications is claiming bragging rights in the global race to put 5G mobile phone technology in the hands of consumers.

The company says it's the first in the world to have a 5G network and a phone that can use it.

But the claim isn't without controversy. South Korean media are reporting that providers in their country beat Verizon to the punch.

Verizon said Wednesday that its next-generation network is now available in parts of Chicago and Minneapolis.

The only catch is that customers need a particular model of Motorola phone to use it.

Verizon originally planned to start the 5G service on Thursday next week. But it rushed the launch date forward after South Korean telecom firms said they would introduce their own 5G services on Friday.

CEO Hans Vestberg declared his company the winner of the race to make 5G a reality for consumers.

He said Verizon plans to expand the network to 30 US cities by the end of the year.

But in South Korea, three telecom firms say they started their 5G services on Wednesday night, and local media say the launch took place two hours before Verizon's, making it the real world-first.

For now, though, the services are only available to celebrities, prominent athletes and a select group of other users throughout South Korea. The firms say the networks will be accessible to the wider public from Friday, as scheduled.

Key words : Toyota team up
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190404_33/

Officials at Toyota say they're going to team up with General Motors and Ford to establish common safety standards for self-driving vehicles. The automakers will form the "Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium" together with SAE International, a US automotive-engineering group.

Self-driving vehicles are rated according to five levels of autonomy. The standards to be set by the three automakers will apply to cars with levels 4 and 5. Cars with a level 4 rating are totally autonomous in limited areas, such as on expressways.

The automakers will share driving data and develop test methods to determine safety. Toyota officials say it's crucial for the automobile industry to cooperate in creating infrastructure for the introduction of self-driving vehicles.

Toyota, GM and Ford hold a combined 45-percent share in the US market. Analysts say their joint effort will have a big impact on the development of autonomous vehicles in Japan and Europe.

at 20:00 (JST), April 03

China's government has decided to appoint Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, the country's top Asian affairs official, as ambassador to Japan.

The United Nations Security Council has discussed how to maintain nuclear non-proliferation efforts, with many members calling for the IAEA to send inspectors to North Korea.

Officials at the Asian Development Bank predict slower growth through 2019 for the Asia-Pacific region.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190403200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : China Vice Kong
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_26/

China's government has decided to appoint Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, the country's top Asian affairs official, as ambassador to Japan.

Sources close to the government say Beijing has told Japan about the nomination.

Kong succeeds Cheng Yonghua, who was in office for a record-high nine years. Cheng is to leave Japan as soon as early May.

The 59-year-old next ambassador is from Heilongjiang province in northeastern China.

Before becoming a diplomat, Kong majored in Japanese at university. He's known to have a good understanding of Japan, as he spent about 15 years of his diplomatic career in the country.

From 2005 to 2011, he served as minister-counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

Kong is also known to be versatile in other areas of Asian diplomacy. He built his career as ambassador to Vietnam and director-general of the Department of Asian Affairs. He also serves as special representative on the Korean Peninsula.

Observers say China's government is apparently trying to improve relations with Japan by choosing a diplomat well-versed in the country.

Key words : United Nations council
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_06/

The United Nations Security Council has discussed how to maintain nuclear non-proliferation efforts, with many members calling for the IAEA to send inspectors to North Korea.

The meeting was convened on Tuesday by France and Germany, who jointly chair the Security Council.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, expressed concern about the consistent global increase in nuclear facilities and nuclear materials.

He said the IAEA has not had access to North Korea since 2009, even though Pyongyang has expanded some of its nuclear facilities in recent years.

Amano said the IAEA is ready to send inspectors to the North within weeks.

Many member nations at the meeting voiced their support for IAEA inspections as a necessary step for the denuclearization of North Korea.

Key words : international atomic recognize
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_09/

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency says he recognizes the importance of summits between the United States and North Korea, but says IAEA inspections are needed to advance denuclearization.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, gave an interview to NHK.

Amano said in the current era, uncertain factors make it hard to foresee what lies ahead. He said the issues of North Korea and Iran stand at a crucial juncture.

He stressed the importance of the IAEA, saying that while it's hard to accurately predict what will happen, the agency itself knows what it can do.

Amano noted that North Korea's complete and irreversible denuclearization is an objective that is firmly laid out in UN Security Council resolutions.

He said the scope and timing of how to achieve that aim is an issue for politics to decide. He said in that respect, it's very good for the leaders of the US and North Korea to meet.

Amano added that promises without steadfast inspections have no meaning. He said steadfast inspections ensure that an agreement will last for a long time, and will benefit North Korea, countries concerned and the international community.

He expressed the view that the inspections must be carried out not only by a limited number of nations, including the United States, but also by the IAEA.

Amano said it's an indisputable fact that North Korea has continued to expand its nuclear activities in the past 10 years.

He said a team launched within the IAEA in 2017 has stepped up its monitoring of the North by means such as the independent analysis of satellite images.

Amano said the IAEA is preparing to send inspectors to North Korea as soon as the countries concerned reach an agreement.

He expressed hope that Japan will contribute further to global nuclear disarmament with its advanced nuclear technology and outstanding human resources.

He said he hopes Japanese people will join the IAEA secretariat, utilize their knowledge and experience, and work for world peace.

Key words : south detained
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_25/

South Korea has detained four ships that are now at ports in the country on suspicion of involvement in offshore ship-to-ship transfers of goods in violation of UN sanctions on North Korea.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the authorities have blocked the departures of the four vessels from domestic ports on suspicion of violating UN Security Council resolutions.

It said one of the ships is South Korean.

Local media said the South Korean ship has been held at Busan port since last October on suspicion of involvement in transfers of refined petroleum products to North Korea.

Last year, the authorities said they suspected a South Korean business of smuggling North Korean coal into the South by falsifying documents about the origin of the product.

The media reported that concern is growing that South Korea may now be regarded by the international community as a loophole in sanction efforts.

Key words : official slower
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_23/

Officials at the Asian Development Bank predict slower growth through 2019 for the Asia-Pacific region. They say a major reason is ongoing trade friction between the US and China.

The ADB says growth across Developing Asia, which groups 45 countries and territories, will likely expand this year by 5.7 percent. That's down from last year by 0.2 percentage point.

But they forecast slower growth for China, at 6.3 percent, or 0.3 point down. The US trade conflict is expected to weigh down on exports.

Other negatives for China include murky consumer finance practices such as shadow banking, and stronger regulation of the housing market.

Meanwhile, India's expansion is expected to rebound to 7.2 percent. That's due to strong consumer spending backed by stimulus measures.

Bank officials say Southeast Asia will see a drop in exports. But they add the region's economy will remain robust, as higher incomes boost consumption.

Overall risk factors for the entire Asia-Pacific region include the US-China trade dispute, US fiscal policy and the confusion over Brexit.

Key words : considering carlos
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_18/

Japanese prosecutors are considering bringing another criminal charge against former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn over suspected misuse of the automaker's money via its dealer in Oman.

Ghosn, 65, has already been indicted for aggravated breach of trust and other alleged offenses.

Informed sources say more than 34 million dollars was paid to a Nissan dealership in Oman operated by one of Ghosn's acquaintances for seven years until last year. The payments were from Nissan's reserve funds that Ghosn used at his own decision.

The sources say it is suspected that some of that money went to pay for a yacht Ghosn was using, via a personal bank account of the dealer's executive.

The sources say the Tokyo prosecutors' special investigation team is now likely consulting with the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office about whether to indict Ghosn for aggravated breach of trust over this alleged misconduct.

Ghosn's defense team explained that the money was paid at the request of his subordinates at Nissan as legitimate remuneration for the dealer's many years of business.

It also said the purchase of the yacht has nothing to do with Nissan.

Key words : former Nissan ready to
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_32/

Former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn says he's ready to hold a news conference on April 11.

On a twitter account he just opened, Ghosn said: "I'm getting ready to tell the truth about what's happening."

The message is the first he has issued directly since his release on bail last month.

Ghosn has been indicted on charges including aggravated breach of trust.

Tokyo prosecutors also suspect he misappropriated some of the money paid to a dealership in Oman for personal use.

Ghosn is reportedly authorized under his bail terms to use the internet on computers in his attorneys' offices.

Key words : UN survey
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_21/

A UN survey has found that one quarter of health care facilities around the world lack basic water supplies, putting birthing women and newborn babies in particular danger.

The World Health Organization and the UN Children's Fund, or UNICEF, conducted a survey of hospitals and other health institutions in 38 countries in Asia, Africa and other regions, using data from 2016.

The survey showed that 12 percent of the facilities had no water services, while 14 percent had inadequate services.

It also found that 45 percent of health care facilities in the least developed countries lack basic water supplies.

A WHO official told reporters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday that 15 percent of patients visiting health facilities developed infections. He said the WHO is very alarmed that hospitals have become sources of infection.

The WHO and UNICEF also said more than one million deaths a year are associated with unclean births, and called on the international community to address the problem.

Key words : paralympic
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_27/

The International Paralympic Committee plans to hold Africa's first general sports event for the disabled next January in Morocco's capital Rabat.

The IPC on Tuesday announced it has signed an agreement on the African Para Games with the African Paralympic Committee.

About 1,200 para-athletes from all over Africa are expected to compete in the games' seven sports: track and field, blind soccer, goalball, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, taekwondo and wheelchair basketball.

Most of the events will be qualifiers for the Tokyo Paralympics scheduled to start in late August of 2020.

The African Paralympic Committee hopes to hold the games every four years to raise awareness of para-sports.

IPC President Andrew Parsons said African para-athletes will have a good chance to qualify for the Tokyo Games and show their abilities to a wider audience.

Key words : convenience
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_22/

One of Japan's biggest convenience store chains is testing out a new approach to the country's labor shortage problem. Familymart has opened a store that entrusts much of the work to technology.

The company worked with electronics maker Panasonic to build the experimental outlet in Yokohama, near Tokyo.

Facial recognition systems at some cashiers identify registered customers and make withdrawals from their linked bank accounts.

Sensors and cameras around the store keep tabs on the situation. They send alerts to terminals worn by staff to let them know when they need to restock products, do cleaning, and more.

Familymart President Takashi Sawada said the nationwide labor shortage is an urgent problem. He said his company wants to test out and introduce whatever measures it can to address the issue.

Key words : police record number
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190403_12/

Japan's National Police Agency says a record number of seniors voluntarily gave up their driver's licenses in 2018 amid an increase in fatal accidents caused by elderly motorists.

Police say 292,089 people aged 75 or older returned their licenses last year, up 38,152 from 2017. That's the highest number since the voluntary return system was launched in 1998.

Drivers 75 or older caused 460 fatal accidents in 2018.

The number of people aged 75 or older who were issued driving record history certificates last year was 244,726. That's also the highest on record. Former drivers can use the certificates as identification.

Police are encouraging seniors and others uneasy about driving to give up their licenses. They are preparing to set up a consultation hotline later this year for older drivers and their families.

at 20:00 (JST), April 02 AS

Japan's government is to send Self-Defense Force personnel on a multinational peacekeeping mission for the first time under security legislation enacted in 2015.

NHK has discovered that as many as 8,400 foreign children living in Japan may not be attending school.

Thai Police say a group of Japanese men suspected of money transfer fraud has colected more than 900,000 dollar from Japanese victims.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190402200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : self-defense force peace
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_10/

Japan's government will send Self-Defense Force personnel on a multinational peacekeeping mission for the first time under security legislation enacted in 2015.

The Cabinet approved the decision on Tuesday to send two senior officials to the Sinai Peninsula in eastern Egypt.

The move is in response to a request from the Multinational Force and Observers, an organization that monitors the ceasefire between Egypt and Israel.

The SDF officials will be dispatched to MFO headquarters on April 19 and stay until November 30.

They will facilitate communications between the two sides.

Japan's security legislation enables the SDF to take part in non-United Nations peacekeeping activities under certain conditions.

Japan's government describes the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula as "generally calm." The two officials will carry handguns and rifles for protection.

Key words : nhk has discovered
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_08/

NHK has discovered that as many as 8,400 foreign children living in Japan may not be attending school.

These children are not covered by annual surveys on school attendance conducted by central and local governments. Nine years of education, from elementary to junior high school level, are compulsory only for Japanese citizens.

NHK, together with experts, has estimated the number of foreign children not attending either elementary or junior high schools, based on government surveys on foreign residents and schools.

The study found that around 120,000 foreign children, aged between 6 and 14, were living in Japan last year. However, some 8,400 of them were unlikely to be attending school.

NHK suspects that local governments are unaware of where and how those children are living. Some may have already returned to their home countries or could be attending unauthorized schools for foreign nationals.

Associate Professor Yoshimi Kojima of Aichi Shukutoku University says the main reason behind this is the fact that Japan's compulsory education system does not cover foreign nationals.

She says that as an advanced nation, Japan faces a big challenge in dealing with a large volume of children from overseas who perhaps do not attend school.

Key words : coope immigration Isesaki
#N/A


Key words : swine fever
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_20/

The highly contagious African swine fever virus has been detected for the first time in Japan. The disease is different from swine fever that has been reported recently in Japan.

Japan's agriculture ministry says the live virus was detected in January at Chubu International Airport in central Japan.

The virus was found in pork sausages brought in from China by two individuals.

African swine fever has been spreading in China and other parts of Asia. It does not infect humans, but for hogs it's almost always fatal.

Quarantine officials were able to prevent the live virus from entering Japan this time, but the agriculture ministry will tighten preventive measures.

They include making a database of individuals who bring meat products illegally into Japan, and filing formal charges against repeat offenders.

Agriculture minister Takamori Yoshikawa told reporters after Tuesday's Cabinet meeting that his ministry will work closely with other government offices to prepare for the upcoming 10-day holiday. It will be a busy time for international air travel to and from Japan.

Key words : Thailand
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_26/

Police in Thailand say a group of Japanese men who ran a call center scam defrauded people in Japan of more than 900,000 dollars.

Thai police on Friday raided the home they used in the resort city of Pattaya. They arrested 15 Japanese men, ranging in age from 22 to 54, on suspicion of working illegally in the country.

Police found at least 500 names and phone numbers of Japanese, as well as instructions on how to make calls to carry out the scams.

Police revealed the damage estimate at a news conference on Tuesday. They added that three or four others, including a Thai national, may have been involved.
Police also showed the media the 15 men being interrogated. All appeared in orange T-shirts worn by detained suspects. They looked down and didn't respond to reporters' questions.

Thai police plan to have Japanese police join their investigation.

In a separate swindling case, Thai police arrested a 38-year-old Japanese man wanted by Japanese authorities. The man is suspected of defrauding a 75-year-old woman in Nara Prefecture of more than 70,000 dollars in 2013.

Kazuya Hashimoto was arrested in Bangkok on Friday. Local police were tipped off to his whereabouts through the Japanese Embassy in the Thai capital.

He is expected to be sent back to Japan shortly.

Key words : UN security council to take
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_19/

The UN humanitarian chief is calling on member countries to take action so warring parties in conflict areas will ensure the safety of humanitarian activities.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock spoke on Monday at the UN Security Council.

The council held a special meeting to examine ways to promote and strengthen the rule of law, especially in the humanitarian field.

Lowcock said 113 humanitarian aid workers died in 2018 in attacks by government troops or militants in conflict zones such as Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

He quoted the World Health Organization as reporting that attacks against health personnel or facilities in 2018 resulted in more than 300 deaths and 400 injuries.

Lowcock said people transporting relief goods have been kidnapped or threatened into handing over money and goods.

He said in some cases, governments have brought charges against medical staff who treated rebel soldiers.

Lowcock stressed the importance of the universalization of international humanitarian law. He said sanctions imposed by the Security Council can be a powerful tool to promote compliance and states can exert their diplomatic, political and economic influence over parties to conflict.

Key words : Xi called on New
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_06/

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on New Zealand to provide a fair business environment. The request is apparently in response to New Zealand's decision to reject Chinese tech giant Huawei's bid to build a 5G wireless network.

Xi met New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Beijing on Monday.

New Zealand last year turned down the Huawei plan, citing the grave risk its products pose to national security.

China's Foreign Ministry says Xi told her that New Zealand should provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese firms.

Officials say Xi also expressed his commitment to strengthening trade ties with New Zealand.

Ardern reportedly suggested that her country will work together with China through Beijing's "One Belt, One Road" initiative and other projects.

China apparently wants New Zealand to resist appeals by the United States not to use Huawei equipment.

Key words : US and South dialogue
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_16/

The US and South Korean defense chiefs say they've reaffirmed their support for diplomacy and dialogue between the United States and North Korea.

Acting US Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo met in Washington on Monday.

It was their first meeting since the second US-North Korea summit ended in February without an agreement on key issues including denuclearization. Dialogue between the two countries has been stalled since then.

US and South Korean officials cancelled annual joint military drills this spring in consideration of diplomatic efforts. They instead held a smaller-scale training in March under a new name.

Shanahan said the exercise was very successful. He denied that it was scaled back, and stressed that the two countries continue to maintain their defensive capabilities.

The US and South Korea plan to hold another joint military exercise in the second half of this year, on a smaller scale than those conducted every summer.

Key words : business group
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_25/

Japanese business groups and government officials have proposed establishing a public-private conference to help Japanese companies make headway in Africa.

Japan is set to host the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD, in Yokohama in August.

On Tuesday, members of the Japan Business Federation, the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, and government ministries and agencies submitted proposals to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The plans include setting up a standing business conference to back up Japanese corporate activities in Africa.

Japanese companies are lagging behind their Chinese counterparts in doing business in Africa, partly due to worries about profitability.

The Japanese government plans to launch the conference as early as late next month.

Key words : nhk learned unified
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_05/

NHK has learned that four major Japanese manufacturers are jointly pursuing unified standards for electric motorcycles.

Sources say Honda Motor, Yamaha Motor, Suzuki Motor, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have agreed to form a partnership.

Under the plan, the four will launch a council to discuss how to unify standards for electric motorbikes, including batteries and charging facilities.

They are facing tough challenges in the shrinking domestic market. Young people are turning away from motorcycles. And the greying of society is another negative factor.

The companies also have to deal with increasingly stringent environmental regulations abroad.

The four firms apparently want standardized products in order to increase their market presence worldwide.

Key words : Rakuten
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190402_14/

Japanese IT firm Rakuten is expected to book a gain of nearly one billion dollars from its investment in Lyft. The expected profit follows the listing of the US ride-hailing service on the Nasdaq stock exchange last week.

Lyft's total market value was 22.3 billion dollars when it was listed on Friday.

Rakuten is Lyft's biggest shareholder. Rakuten officials say they expect to post the gain in the quarter that just ended.

Rakuten invested 300 million dollars in Lyft in 2015.
It made further investments and now reportedly holds more than 10 percent of Lyft's shares.

Japanese IT firms have a growing presence in the global ride-hailing industry. Softbank Group is the biggest shareholder in Uber, a major player in the US.

Rakuten and Softbank have made similar investments in Asia and Europe.

Key words : Nara hotel
#N/A

at 20:00 (JST), April 01 AS

"Reiwa" is the new era name that will be on the lips of most Japanese on Monday and it will be for years to come.

A revised immigration law that came into force in Japan on Monday now allows more foreign workers to enter the country amid a severe labor shortage.

A Bank of Japan survey shows that sentiment among managers at large manufacturers has worsened for the first time in two quarters.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20190401200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : reiwa new era deep root
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190401_36/

"Reiwa" is a name that will be on the lips of most Japanese today and it will be for years to come. It's the name the Japanese government has selected for the new era, which is set to start when Crown Prince Naruhito becomes the new Emperor on May 1.

The announcement was highly anticipated here because it will define the years ahead, as well as play a daily role in people's lives.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, "We will make efforts to make the new era name widely accepted and take deep root in the lives of the Japanese."

The Chief Cabinet Secretary says the new name was taken from Manyoshu, the oldest existing anthology of Japanese poetry.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe explained to reporters the meaning and inspiration of the new era name. Abe said, "Culture is nurtured when people bring their hearts together in a beautiful way. "Reiwa" has such meaning."

He says the name represents the hope that every Japanese person will achieve their aspirations just like a plum flower flourishes after a severe winter.

By taking the new name from ancient Japanese literature, he says he hopes the country's history, tradition, culture and nature will be handed down to generations to come.

Emperor Akihito is set to abdicate on April 30, which will end the current "Heisei" era.

The government is announcing the new name in advance, so companies and the general public can prepare for the change.

The era name is used on numerous occasions and official papers, including drivers' licenses, health insurance cards, and calendars.

NHK has learned that the government submitted six name proposals to the expert panel.

Key words : foreign ministry informed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190401_42/

Japan's Foreign Ministry has informed countries around the world of the name of the new era.

Foreign Minister Taro Kono told reporters that the ministry has notified the new era name, or Gengo, to international organizations and the 195 countries recognized by Japan.

He said the ministry will convey the meanings of the new era name and other information about it to them later.

Key words : across Japan counting down
#N/A


Key words : revised immigration law now allows
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190401_02/

A revised immigration law that came into force in Japan on Monday now allows more foreign workers to enter the country amid a severe labor shortage.

The new visa status comprises two categories. Category-1 allows foreigners with vocational skills to work in 14 fields, including nursing care, construction, and agriculture, for up to five years.

The government estimates that up to 47,000 foreign workers will be allowed into the country under this category by the end of the fiscal year ending in March 2020, and up to around 345,000 over a period of five years.

Under Category-1, foreigners are required to pass a language test for daily conversation, and a technical exam in each industry. Exams for nursing care, hotel and restaurant sectors are scheduled for later this month.

Foreigners who complete three-year technical training programs can obtain the Category-1 visa if they meet certain conditions.

The Justice Ministry expects some foreigners to obtain the Category-1 visa as early as mid-April. Officials estimate that they will be mainly those who have previously worked as technical trainees.

Over the next five years, officials estimate up to 60,000 foreigners will be accepted in the nursing care industry, 37,000 in janitorial jobs, 40,000 in construction, 22,000 in the lodging industry, 36,500 in agriculture, 34,000 in food processing and 53,000 in restaurant businesses.

Also on Monday, the Justice Ministry's Immigration Bureau will be upgraded to an agency.

The government is set to sign a memorandum with nine countries to cooperate in clamping down on corrupt employment brokers. But only the Philippines and three other countries have signed on so far.

The Justice Ministry plans to provide financial and other support for installing consultation centers at about 100 locations across Japan, but some reportedly are not yet ready.

Key words : Japan introduced
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190401_03/

Japan has introduced caps on overtime hours and other work style reform measures.

Legislation to promote work style reform took effect on Monday. It was enacted in June last year and will be rolled out in stages.

The legislation limits overtime at major companies to less than 100 hours a month, and up to 720 hours a year.

The overtime caps will be applied to small-and-midsized companies in April 2020.

The legislation obliges all companies to have employees who are given 10 or more paid holidays a year take at least five of them annually, taking into account employees' requests.

Last month, labor standards inspection offices across the country were busy handling agreements between employers and labor unions on overtime hours and other issues.

Companies submitted the new agreements that meet the new regulations. Many have set overtime hours at 99 a month, just below the limit of 100 hours.

A personnel officer of one company said the firm is trying to meet stricter regulations. Another said personnel officers are struggling while the overall amount of work remains unchanged.

Yoshitaka Miyazawa, an official at the labor standards inspection office in Tokyo's Minato Ward, said a growing number of companies are submitting the labor-management agreement this year.

Key words : bank of Japan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190401_15/

A Bank of Japan survey shows that sentiment among managers at large manufacturers has worsened for the first time in two quarters.

BOJ officials say the headline figure in the quarterly "Tankan" survey stood at plus 12 in March. That's down seven points from the previous period.

The officials say a slowdown in the Chinese economy and weaker demand for semiconductors dampened sentiment at metals and electrical machinery companies in Japan.

At major non-manufacturers, the reading came in at plus 21, down three points from the last quarter.

The BOJ surveyed managers at more than 10,000 companies across Japan.

The Tankan indices represent the difference between the percentage of people saying business is good and those viewing things in a more negative light.

Key words : Tokyo stock
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190401_47/

On the Tokyo stock market, the benchmark Nikkei average surged sharply on Monday, the first day of a new business year.

The Nikkei index finished the day at 21,509, up 303 points from Friday.

The broader TOPIX index also rose 24 points, finishing at 1,615.

A market analyst says there were buy orders for a wide range of shares as a positive index on China's manufacturing announced on Monday eased investors' sense of wariness over the outlook of the economy. The analyst says the market also saw some shares bought in celebration of the government's announcement of the name of new Imperial era, "Reiwa".

Key words : defense ministry emergency
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190401_45/

Japan's Defense Ministry has reported that a US military Osprey aircraft made an emergency landing at Osaka International Airport in western Japan on Monday afternoon.

The tilt-rotor aircraft is stationed at US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. The ministry said it was flying to Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture from Marine Corp Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Land ministry officials at the airport said they haven't received any reports of injuries.

They added that the Osprey had been moved and was not affecting commercial flights at the airport, also known as Itami Airport.

Key words : Japan has ended
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190401_24/

Japan has ended its research whaling program in the Antarctic Ocean with the return of a ship from those waters. The country will resume commercial whaling in July for the first time in 31 years.

The ship reached port in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on Sunday.

Mission leader Takeharu Bando promised rigorous management of whale stocks through the collection of scientific data when commercial whaling resumes.

During the two-month mission, the ship caught 333 whales as planned in previously untapped waters.

The ship's captain, Hiroshi Eguchi, said he and his crew are ready to engage in commercial whaling.

Japan announced last year it would withdraw from the International Whaling Commission, ending its 30-year-history of research whaling.

Key words : malaysian
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190401_28/

Malaysian authorities are expected to release next month a Vietnamese woman charged in the 2017 murder of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

On Monday, prosecutors told a Malaysian high court that they were seeking a lesser charge of causing bodily harm against Doan Thi Huong. She admitted to the new charge.

The judge then sentenced her to three years and four months in prison.

Huong and an Indonesian woman, Siti Aisyah, were initially charged with colluding with four North Korean men to assassinate Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13, 2017.

The two women smeared Kim's face with the highly toxic VX nerve agent. Both pleaded not guilty and said they had been tricked by North Korean agents into taking part in what they thought was a harmless prank for a TV show.

Last month, prosecutors dropped the case against the Indonesian defendant and released her. But Huong remained in detention.

Huong's defense counsel called that decision discriminatory and urged the prosecutors to drop the charge against her. The Vietnamese government is thought to have pressed Malaysian authorities to free Huong.

After her sentencing, Huong told reporters that she was happy and hopes to have a career as a singer and actress in Vietnam. Her lawyer expects her to be freed early next month as her sentence includes time served.

He called the four North Korean men the "real assassins" and suggested that they should stand trial.

Malaysian police have placed the four on the international wanted list on suspicion of having instructed the women in the murder. The men are believed to have already returned to North Korea.