Hello, and welcome to NHK Newsline. I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi in Tokyo.
Kumamoto Quake
Heatstroke Poses Danger To Survivors As Temps Pass 40C
Temperatures in Kumamoto City surpassed 40 degrees Celsius on Monday, breaking prefectural heat records.
The area is still reeling from the aftermath of last week's magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
Officials say heat stroke is a serious danger for survivors as recovery efforts continue.
The town of Hikawa experienced some of the strongest shaking.
It began accepting disaster waste on Monday.
Damaged furniture and debris are being brought into this temporary waste storage site.
00:00:50 話者 12
The house is a mess, so this place really helps.
00:00:55 話者 13
I came here shortly after 7 a.m.
The car is hot while I am waiting, so I will keep on running the engine for a long time.
00:01:03 話者 1
The Japan Meteorological Agency is asking people to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors in a cool place whenever possible to prevent heat stroke.
The Japanese Prime Minister arrived in Kumamoto on Monday.
Takaichi Sanae is visiting evacuation shelters and assessing conditions on the ground.
Authorities in Kumamoto say 38 people have died across the prefecture.
One person is suspected to have died from a disaster-related cause such as heat stroke.
More than 4,600 homes are damaged and 181 of them were destroyed completely.
About 8,400 people have evacuated to emergency shelters.
Authorities also say about 46,000 households and businesses remain without running water.
Kumamoto Quake
2 Mall Workers Killed In Explosion Were Ordered To Return
A store operator says two employees who died in a massive explosion at Aeon Mall Kumamoto, were told to return to put cash into a safe in the store's back room after they had evacuated following the earthquake.
00:02:17 話者 21/Yuse Koji/Sales manager, Habita
I believe the order was inappropriate. I deeply regret it.
00:02:25 話者 1
The operator of the variety store chain Habita said that the firm apologized to the bereaved family members on Sunday.
The explosion that ripped through the shopping center in Kashima town left seven people dead. Two of them were Habita employees including a 22-year-old woman.
The woman evacuated the mall after the quake, but returned inside later with one of her colleagues.
Habita says its sales manager gave the instruction via the shop's manager about 50 minutes after the quake.
The firm says the two were told to get permission from Aeon before reentering the mall, but it does not know whether they actually obtained it.
Habita says it is considering how to deal with the issue, including an investigation.
Business
And now for business stories, here's Ramin Mellegard.
00:03:23 話者 3/Ramin Mellegard
Thank you very much indeed.
Japan Confirms Joint Currency Market Intervention
Japan's finance minister says the ministry purchased the Japanese yen in coordination with the US Department of the Treasury last week.
The joint intervention is believed to be behind a sharp five-yen jump in the Japanese currency against the dollar in New York trading last week.
The move pushed the yen to its strongest in about two-and-a-half months from levels near a 40-year low.
Finance Minister Katayama Satsuki released a statement confirming the joint intervention on Monday.
She told reporters the action was in accordance with the Japan-US finance minister's joint statement in September last year.
00:04:12 話者 34/Katayama Satsuki
Japan's finance ministry is closely monitoring the current situation and maintaining close communication with the US Treasury Department.
We will not hesitate to carry out further coordinated intervention in the future.
00:04:25 話者 3
Katayama added that in the future, Japan plans to use a Federal Reserve facility to borrow dollars needed for intervention by using its US bond holdings as collateral.
Japan's Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Mimura Atsushi called the intervention the culmination of the Japan-US currency alliance.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Besson said in a social media post that his department will not hesitate to participate in further joint intervention.
Besson said the US Treasury strongly supports Japan's decisive market and monetary steps to correct the yen's substantial undervaluation.
Now, this was the first Japan-US joint currency intervention since 2011.
On that occasion, the authorities sold the yen after its values surged following the earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan.
However, it is the first joint intervention to buy the yen since 1998, when Japan faced a series of bank failures.
Trump: Yen Support Due To 'Good Relationship' With Japan
US President Donald Trump was asked why the United States joined the efforts to support the yen at this time.
00:05:41 話者 10/Donald Trump
Because we have a good relationship with Japan.
We're very strong, very, very strong financially.
They have a weakening yen, and they wanted a little bit of help.
And we're always there for Japan.
00:05:56 話者 3
Trump said the United States would gain financial benefit from the market operation.
He added that it's also good for the world economy.
Japan Confirms Joint Currency Market Intervention
Okay, now let's take a look at how the Tokyo foreign exchange market reacted to the joint intervention by Japan and the US.
Our business reporter Amma Raimu reports from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
00:06:18 話者 4/Amma Raimu
Market players reacted sharply after both Tokyo and Washington confirmed that they jointly intervened to halt the yen slide.
The Japanese currency was trading in the mid-157 yen level against the dollar early on Monday in Tokyo. But it rapidly rose about 2 yen to hit the 155 level.
That prompted speculation that Japanese authorities may have conducted another round of yen buying.
Market players are feeling the impact of the rare joint intervention, along with statements released by both governments signaling their resolves to take further action if necessary.
Experts say the coordinated operation serves the interest of both sides, as an excessively weak yen also poses a risk to the US economy.
The weaker yen raises inflationary pressure in Japan, which could result in higher interest rates. Washington was concerned that this may also drag US rates higher.
Correcting the yen slide also serves the interests of US exporters as they would benefit from a weaker dollar.
Investors are growing increasingly concerned about further intervention, so nervous trading is expected to continue for a while.
Amma Raimu, NHK World.
7 OPEC+ Members To Raise Crude Output Again In September
00:07:45 話者 3
Seven major members of the OPEC Plus group of oil-producing nations say they will boost daily crude output in September for the 6th month in a row.
The countries, which include Saudi Arabia and Russia, announced the increase following an online meeting on Sunday.
They will raise output by 188,000 barrels per day next month, the same size hike as this month.
The action appears aimed at preparing for a normalization of shipments once the situation in the Middle East improves.
The seven countries have been increasing output by gradually scaling back on the production cuts they had continued until last year.
President Trump called off US attacks on Iran on Saturday in the hope of reaching a peace deal with Tehran, but crude oil shipments from the Middle East are still unstable and prices of benchmark WTI futures remain high.
Supermarkets Turn To AI To Power Sales, Efficiency
In the retail sector, highly skilled employees with a deep knowledge of sales and purchasing are essential.
But labor costs have been rising, and it's difficult to hire qualified people.
So many supermarkets are turning to artificial intelligence for a solution.
00:09:03 話者 6/Narrator: Carolyn Miller/Reporter: Asai Rina
This is a store of a nationwide supermarket chain in Fukuoka City.
It has introduced a demand forecasting system powered by AI.
It was developed by a company based in Osaka.
During the Japanese summer, thin wheat noodles called somen are widely consumed chilled on a hot day.
The AI has clear guidance on exactly how much is needed on the store shelves.
00:09:33 話者 57/Store clerk
We've received instructions to stock 20 packages tomorrow, a Saturday.
00:09:38 話者 6
The system automatically calculates the required quantity of each item and puts in the order.
The store fed the AI eight kinds of data, including sales results, store profile, and 15 years worth of weather data.
The AI learns from the data and instantly determines when and how much of each item is needed.
This supermarket has been able to dramatically improve its staffing efficiency.
00:10:12 話者 56/Nakao Kenichiro/Shop Manager, Maxvalu Hakozaki-Miyamae
Until now, we needed a large number of experienced staff.
But with AI, anyone can do the work, and the employees' workloads are reduced.
00:10:22 話者 6
These systems are also being used to cut waste from prepared food and other products.
00:10:29 話者 58/Store clerk
It's 4.30, so I'll use the AI to mark down the prices on these prepared foods.
00:10:34 話者 6
Once the number of unsold items is entered into the system, the AI instantly determines the optimal discount to entice shoppers.
But the rate may not be what a human would have chosen.
For these items, the AI suggests a 30% discount.
How does that compare with what the clerk would have predicted?
00:10:59 話者 58
I was expecting a 10% discount, so this is a surprise.
I suppose the AI learned from the data and made its own judgement.
00:11:08 話者 6
It turned out it was supposed to rain early that evening.
Based on the weather data, the AI determined there would be no increase in foot traffic and set a discount to guarantee sales.
Until now, discounts have depended on the intuition and experience of on-site managers.
But with AI, less prepared food is being thrown away and profit margins have improved.
00:11:39 話者 57/Okamoto Kazuhiko/COO, Sinops
AI demand forecasting systems are highly sought after at many supermarkets.
We're continuing our development work with the view that AI will play an even greater role in decision-making going forward.
00:11:52 話者 6
More than 10 companies in Japan are currently developing AI systems for supermarkets like this. So the race is truly underway.
Markets
00:12:06 話者 3
Okay, let's get a check on the markets.
♪
And that is it for business news.
Iran Conflict Trump: Talks Set To Begin After Strikes Called Off
00:12:46 話者 1
US President Trump says talks to end the conflict with Iran are set to begin on Monday.
This comes after he canceled what he called planned major strikes against the country.
Trump said he was asked by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Iran to hold off on an attack.
He said he reversed the decision with conditions.
00:13:09 話者 10
What we're doing is we're talking to them in the form of a negotiation.
It begins tomorrow afternoon, and we'll see if it's true.
I'd love to do that, save a lot of lives, save a lot of unnecessary power, to be honest with you. It'll take many, many years to ever build it back.
If it could, I don't think it would be even buildable back.
00:13:31 話者 1
Trump reiterated his readiness for new strikes on Iran in a social media post over the weekend.
But he also wrote that the perimeters of a deal had been agreed on that would include the immediate and complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Conflict: Tehran Denies Agreeing To Deal On Reopening Strait
But reports from Iran indicate Tehran is not on board with the plan.
The Fars news agency on Sunday quoted a source close to the negotiating team as saying that no such deal has been agreed to.
The news agency also cited a military source as saying the strait will remain closed as long as the United States continues its hostile actions and acts of aggression.
On Sunday, Iran's state media aired an interview with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismael Barghari revealed that Iran has reached an agreement with Oman on a new route through the Strait of Hormuz.
He added that the agreement has nothing to do with reopening the strategic waterway.
Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi had posted on social media the same day that the negotiations with Oman were in the final stage.
Analysts: Independent Voters May Be Key In US Midterms
The US midterm elections are three months away.
They give voters a chance to voice their opinion on the current administration.
Analysts say the key challenge for both Republicans and Democrats will be winning over independent voters.
Up for grabs are 35 of the Senate's 100 seats and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives.
The ruling Republicans currently hold majorities in both chambers.
Gubernatorial elections will also go ahead in 36 states.
Key election issues include rising prices as the Trump administration rolls out new tariff measures and continues military operations against Iran.
They will have to address voters' dissatisfaction with the economy and other issues.
Democrats have seen a number of their left-leaning members, including self-proclaimed Democratic socialists, defeat moderates in primary elections.
The latest analysis suggests there are still many districts where both parties are locked in a dead heat.
Observers say each party will need to unite its members and satisfy independent voters in order to secure a majority of seats. Election day is November 3.
Domestic Bag Check-In Limit Set At 30 Min. At Haneda
Japanese airlines plan to set domestic baggage check-in deadlines 10 minutes earlier at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
Passengers will be asked to have their luggage processed at least 30 minutes before departure.
All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Japan Trans Ocean Air, Airdo, Solar Seed Air and Star Flyer are planning to apply the new limit starting September 1.
On-time departure rates for Japan's domestic flights fell from 91 percent in fiscal 2015 to 83 percent in fiscal 2025.
Planes that leave within 15 minutes of the set departure time are regarded as being on schedule.
Japan's transport ministry has been demanding that aviation companies improve the situation.
Skymark Airlines says it will keep the current deadline of 20 minutes before departure, but may change this if necessary.
Hanida, one of the world's busiest airports, saw annual passengers exceed 90 million for the first time in 2025.
Japan's Aomori Nebuta Festival Underway
One of Japan's most famous summer festivals has begun.
Magnificent floats are now being paraded through the northern city of Aomori.
Huge floats called Nebuta are the main attraction of the festival, which draws about 1 million visitors annually.
They depict historical warriors, mythical figures, and other themes.
This year's festival began on Sunday.
16 floats, each about 5 meters tall, began the procession.
They moved to the beat of drums and the melody of flutes on a route extending over three kilometers. A horde of spirited dancers helped energize the atmosphere.
00:18:26 話者 61
I'm so excited. I had chills because it was my first time seeing it.
00:18:32 話者 62
I come here every year, but every time each nebuta has a different float design, so I enjoy them every time I come.
00:18:40 話者 1
The festival runs through Friday.
Sports
Japan's Kuwaki Wins Women's British Open
Japanese golfer Kuwaki Shiho has won her first major title overseas at the Women's British Open in a playoff.
Kuwaki entered the final round on Sunday in second place, three strokes behind the leader.
She finished the round at 5-under, tying with Esther Hanzleit of Germany, forcing a sudden-death playoff.
both parred the first hole, but on the second, Kuwaki saved par while Hanzelite made a bogey.
Kuwaki is the third Japanese player to prevail at the Women's Open.
She's also the 7th Japanese woman to claim an LPGA major.
Pickleball Boom Reaches Japan
And now the American-born sport pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity around the world.
In the US, the number of players has grown to around 24 million since its creation in 1965, making it comparable in popularity to tennis.
And the sport is also now growing in Japan.
NHK World's Hirata Miyu takes a closer look at the reasons why.
00:20:06 話者 7/Hirata Miyu
At the foot of Tokyo Tower, people are playing a sport that's not tennis, table tennis, or badminton.
Instead, pickleball combines elements of all three.
This court opened last July and has been drawing a large number of players ever since.
00:20:25 話者 77
Nice! Okay!
00:20:27 話者 7
Because poker ball can be played in a much smaller space than tennis, it's spreading very quickly, even in crowded urban areas like this.
The rules are simple. Players hit a perforated plastic ball back and forth across the net.
Because the ball travels slower than in other racket sports, beginners can quickly learn to rally.
The court is small, about one-third the size of a tennis court.
It also features an area called the nonvolley zone, where players are not allowed to smash the ball close to the net.
As a result, rallies tend to last longer, making the game enjoyable for people of all ages, from children to seniors.
In Japan, the number of players is estimated at around 330,000, over seven times higher than a year ago.
00:21:29 話者 74/Yamaguchi Lulu
It's actually easier to play than I expected. As a person who never played any sports in my life, I think it's easier to get into sports and then it's actually super fun.
00:21:44 話者 73/Otsuka Yuka
What I like is that people from different generations can play together.
It's not as physically demanding as tennis, and even as a beginner, I was able to enjoy it right away.
00:21:56 話者 7
But pickleball is not just a recreational activity.
Last month, an international tournament was held in Utsunomiya City, north of Tokyo.
Top players from Japan and overseas are competing here, showing how pickleball is evolving into a serious sport.
Around 70 professional players took part alongside roughly 500 amateur competitors.
A total of eight countries and regions were represented, including the US, Taiwan and Malaysia.
The tournament was also an important qualifying event for Japan's national team selection for the 2026 Pickleball World Cup, which begins this month in Vietnam.
00:22:47 話者 75/Nishigami Shigeru/Vice Chairman, Pickleball Japan Federation
Compared to 10 years ago, I think the momentum is 1,000, even 5,000 times greater.
That's true both in terms of the number of players and public awareness of the sport.
It's now really booming in Japan.
00:23:02 話者 7
The sport's appeal in urban spaces is also attracting business professionals.
Last month, a corporate pickleball tournament was held at a commercial complex in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward.
The event was held in seven major business districts, including Nihonbashi and Akasaka,
drawing more than 100 companies.
Matches are creating opportunities for people to connect beyond the workplace.
00:23:34 話者 72/Kaga Taichi/Obayashi Corporation
Even within the same company, there are people working on different floors I rarely see.
We get together through pickleball, forget about work for a while, and just have fun.
00:23:47 話者 71/
It may not lead to business opportunities immediately, but once you've met people from other companies through the tournament, it becomes much easier to talk with them in the future.
00:23:57 話者 7
The organizer hopes the tournament can become more than just a sporting event.
00:24:05 話者 71/Yamanaka Kohei/Mitsui Fudosan
We want this to grow into a new type of business community.
It would be wonderful if people who meet here eventually create new projects together.
Both in business and beyond.
00:24:21 話者 7
As the number of players continues to grow, pickleball is also finding its way into schools and community sports programs across Japan.
The question now is whether it can take root in the country long term.
But for today, off course across Tokyo, new players are still picking up paddles for the very first time.
Hirata Miyu, NHK World.
World Weather
00:24:52 話者 1
Dangerous heat has been roasting western Japan and it may take a few more days before relief comes to the area.
Our meteorologist Jonathan Oh has the details in our World Weather Report.
00:25:04 話者 8/Jonathan Oh
Hello, we have been dealing with temperatures that are really extreme.
Kumamoto is seeing a high of 40.3 degrees Celsius on Monday for the daytime high, an all-time record.
And that joins with a couple other locations in Fukuoka Prefecture and Saga Prefecture, where also temperatures pushing past that 40 degree mark.
Really the big reason is the overlap of the high pressure system with the Tibetan High and the Pacific High, just really baking and roasting the area.
We have to wait toward the end of the week before we see a slight cool off for the daytime highs.
But until then, please, as much as possible, take the precautions that you can because this is dangerous heat.
Meanwhile, we have a separate high pressure system bringing in some cooler weather.
I mean, highs in the 20s in Tokyo, that's below average for this time of year.
That will continue as we go on Tuesday with a high of 28 before we start moving back towards normal.
But Kumamoto, I'm going to talk about near 40 for the next couple of days before we see some rain moving in and temperatures starting to back off just a bit toward the end of the week, but still mid-30s. That's still on the hot side.
We were keeping an eye out on a train of low pressure systems moving from continents of Asia into Japan, still seeing the rain pattern into Beijing.
Take a look at this video that's coming out from the city.
Heavy downpours flooded Beijing Sunday, leaving many vehicles submerged and causing damage to infrastructure.
CCTV reported that local authorities worked to quickly drain the flood water.
The forecast, however, calls for more rain in the capital during the next couple of days, which means these concerns will continue.
Miwan Heilongjiang province, rising rivers near a local railway caused damage to several facilities
Railway operators activated an emergency response plan to send workers, equipment, and heavy machines to make repairs.
More rain, again, as I mentioned in the forecast here.
Dolphin keeping an eye on this system.
Ogasawara Islands, brace for this as it's going to be rolling right near your area as you go throughout the day on Tuesday.
Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
♫～ 3-DAY FORECAST ～♫
00:27:40 話者 1
And that wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline.
I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi in Tokyo. Thanks for joining us.
chekced.
NHK World
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