NHK WORLD News 🇯🇵

⁣135 injured, two unaccounted for as heavy rain hits eastern, southern Taiwan

Torrential rain in eastern and southern Taiwan has caused flooding and other damage. As of Monday afternoon, 135 people were injured and two were unaccounted for.
The downpours were brought by a tropical depression and other conditions. Pingtung County in the south recorded 933 millimeters of rain from Saturday through 1 p.m. on Monday.
TV station TVBS broadcast video of flooded houses and construction machinery on a road that caved in.
Authorities warn that Typhoon Saudel could approach in the coming days, bringing further heavy rain. Premier Cho Jung-tai has instructed officials to prepare.

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⁣Japanese lawmakers visit China to find ways to mend bilateral ties

Three Japanese lawmakers from the ruling and opposition blocs have started their visit to China with the aim of seeking ways to mend strained relations between the two countries.
Hashimoto Gaku from the governing Liberal Democratic Party, Isa Shinichi from the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance and Kawamura Yudai from another opposition party Komeito, separately departed for Beijing on Monday.
They are scheduled to hold talks with senior officials of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee.
Before his departure, Isa told reporters that all sorts of bilateral exchanges have been severed. He said the strained relations have started affecting the Japanese economy. He added that he and the two other lawmakers will deliver Japan's stance, listen to China's arguments and try to find an opening for dialogue.
Relations between Japan and China soured following Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's remark on a possible Taiwan emergency at the Diet last November.

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⁣Thailand tightens security after attacks in restive south

Thai authorities are stepping up security after a wave of violence over the weekend in the insurgency-hit south.
Security officials say more than 50 coordinated attacks took place Saturday night in the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
A convenience store and local government offices were among the targets of arson, bombs and gunfire. Three civilians were injured.
Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Monday that authorities had intelligence about possible attacks. But he added it was not easy to predict when they would take place because the latest operation was widespread.
Conflict has long persisted in Thailand's Muslim-majority deep south, where insurgents are fighting for greater autonomy. The violent struggle has claimed over 7,000 lives since 2004.

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⁣Justice Ministry mulls stricter laws on clients of prositution

A draft report to Japan's Justice Ministry says it does not object to further regulating the solicitation of prostitutes.
The ministry launched an expert panel in March to review Japan's prostitution prevention law among other regulations.
Prostitution is illegal in Japan but the current law only punishes providers, not solicitors.
The panel's report, presented on Monday, says imbalances in the law must be addressed.
In the draft, the panel also stressed the need to raise the maximum penalties, saying the current fine limit is insufficient.
It also considered that although the law bans prostitution it does not carry criminal penalties.
The report says some panel members urged caution, noting further criminalizing prostitution might drive the industry further underground, posing higher risks.
The Justice Ministry will consider whether regulatory action is needed following the panel's final, official report.
Sakamoto Arata from a non-profit organization supporting working women in Tokyo welcomed the idea of changing the law to include solicitors.
He said it might reduce prostitution. "Women experiencing violence during prostitution often hesitate to consult police out of fear of arrest, creating an environment prone to exploitation."
But he said those driven to sex work by financial hardship could lose their livelihood, and he would want officials to help prostitutes get back on their feet.
He said the government and municipalities need to consider how to support vulnerable women transition out of prostitution.

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⁣Indonesian police name over 70 forest fire suspects

Police in Indonesia have identified more than 70 suspects across the country for allegedly starting forest and peatland fires that burned over 1,000 hectares.
Investigators say most of the suspects set the fires as a cheap way to clear land for farming and fertilize soil with ash. They seized tools and fuel containers.
Indonesia has been battling blazes driven by prolonged drought and intensifying El Nino conditions.
More than 5,000 hotspots have been recorded this month. That's roughly 10 times more than a year ago.
Joint task forces of police, military and local government officials have been tackling fires within hours of detecting hotspots. They're using water-bombing helicopters and firefighting drones.
Police are tracing financial links to identify possible masterminds, backers and corporate involvement.
President Prabowo Subianto has warned that companies linked to the blazes could have their business licenses revoked.

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⁣Motegi: Japan helping strengthen international courts

Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has said the fact that Japanese judges head two major international courts reflects Japan's efforts to strengthen international judicial institutions.
Motegi delivered a video message at the opening session of the Fourth Tokyo International Law Seminar in Tokyo on Monday. The Foreign Ministry organizes the event to provide government officials from Asian and African countries with accurate knowledge of international law.
Motegi said, "As the international order that we have built is under an array of challenges, we are living in a critically important era that will determine whether the international community as a whole can defend a free and open international order based on the 'rule of law'."
He also said, "Japan attaches great importance to the role of international judicial institutions in the peaceful settlement of disputes and the maintenance of legal order, and has been actively engaged in strengthening these institutions."
Motegi stressed, "Our collective efforts are reflected in the Presidency of both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court held by Japanese judges."
US lawyer: Attacks on ICC should be condemned
A US lawyer has called for greater international efforts to promote understanding of international law.
Paul Reichler gave an address at a seminar on international law in Tokyo on Monday.
Reichler was the chief lawyer for the Philippines in a legal dispute with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. An international arbitral tribunal dismissed China's claims in 2016.
After the speech, he spoke to NHK about the US decision to impose sanctions on International Criminal Court President Akane Tomoko.
Reichler said attacks on the court or sanctions against individual judges are "very destructive" and "antithetical to the peaceful resolution of disputes and to the rule of law."
He also said, "Any attack on an international court or one of its judges should be widely condemned by the international community."

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⁣Suzuki unveils first electric 'kei' passenger car

Suzuki Motor has unveiled the prototype of its first passenger electric "kei car," amid growing interest in the sales potential of mini-sized EVs in Japan.
Suzuki says the e Sky has a range of 310 kilometers on a single charge, which is relatively long for a mini EV.
The automaker has not set a price for the model, but plans to start selling it in Japan as early as this fall.
Domestic rivals Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi already sell mini passenger EVs, and just last month, Chinese giant BYD entered the Japanese market, with a model developed exclusively for the country.
Suzuki has so far only released electric "kei cars" for commercial use, but an auto analyst at Nomura Securities, Kinoshita Toshihide, says there is a market for passenger models in the countryside.
He said: "Many people in rural areas use "kei cars," but the number of gas stations is decreasing. One of the attractive selling points of EVs is that drivers can charge them at home."
While minicars are popular in Japan, EVs accounted for just over 1 percent of "kei" passenger vehicles sold in the first half of this year.
The analyst says the key challenge is to keep prices down, as consumers expect minicars to be affordable.

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⁣Japan to provide 'necessary support' to ICC head Akane following US sanctions

Japan's top government spokesperson says it will provide the necessary support to International Criminal Court President Akane Tomoko after she was sanctioned by the United States.
Washington announced the sanctions against the ICC's chief on Tuesday, accusing the court of "maliciously" abusing its authority. Akane is a Japanese judge who has led the organization since 2024.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru told reporters on Monday that the government is maintaining close communication with President Akane.
He said Japan has consistently supported the ICC which he says is a permanent international criminal court to punish and stamp out the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to uphold the rule of law.
When asked about the possibility of Akane losing access to financial services in Japan, Kihara replied that the government is monitoring the situation. He said he would not speculate on the impact of the sanctions.
Japanese lawmakers' group condemns US sanctions on ICC president
A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers has adopted a statement condemning US sanctions on International Criminal Court President Akane Tomoko and calling for their immediate withdrawal.
The Nonpartisan Parliamentary Association for Reconsidering Human Rights Diplomacy approved the statement at its general meeting at the Diet on Monday.
The administration of US President Donald Trump announced the sanctions on Akane on August 18, accusing the court of "maliciously" abusing its authority.
The statement says the group condemns the US move in the strongest terms.
Regarding Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's description of the move as "very unfortunate," the statement says her comment expresses her impression but fails to demonstrate her resolve.
The statement says the Japanese government should lodge a clear protest against the sanctions and call on the US to immediately withdraw them.
The lawmakers also urged the government to firmly support the ICC and President Akane and declare that it will protect them.
A co-leader of the group, former Defense Minister Nakatani Gen of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said the Japan-US alliance and the protection of the rule of law are not mutually exclusive. He added that if Japan remains silent, it will not be able to fulfill its responsibility as a country that upholds the rule of law.

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⁣Tokyo used condo prices drop for second month

Prices of used condominiums in Tokyo's 23 wards dropped for the second straight month in July. Analysts say soaring prices in the center of the Japanese capital could be hitting a ceiling.
Real estate research firm Tokyo Kantei says the average listing price for a 70-square-meter unit was 127.24 million yen, or about 801,000 dollars, down 0.1 percent from June in yen terms.
In the six most central wards including Minato and Chuo, the average stood at around 1.14 million dollars, representing a decline of 1.7 percent.
But prices rose elsewhere. In the six wards in the south and west, including Shinagawa and Setagaya, the average listing was almost 685,000 dollars, up 0.7 percent.
The price in 11 other wards in the north and east increased 1.9 percent to around 535,000 dollars.

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⁣No more government money for loss-making Cool Japan Fund

Japan's industry ministry has decided not to seek budget allocations next fiscal year for a loss-making investment fund set up to promote Japanese culture abroad.
The public-private Cool Japan Fund was launched 13 years ago to invest in sectors including anime and food.
But poor investment decisions have resulted in cumulative losses reaching 54 billion yen, or about 340 million dollars, as of the end of March. The fund had already suspended selecting new investment targets after failing to balance its books.
The industry ministry convened a panel of experts last month to consider future options, including scrapping the fund. A decision is expected around the end of the year.
The panel will also study why the losses ballooned. The government's investment in the Cool Japan Fund has exceeded 880 million dollars.

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⁣Japan develops its first neutral-atom quantum computer

Japanese researchers are making headway in the field of quantum computing, or systems that are much faster at solving complex problems than regular computers. The country's first model using what's called "neutral atoms" is now in operation in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.
Quantum computers use the unique behavior of particles like atoms and electrons to explore multiple possibilities in solving problems. Neutral-atom quantum computers are one type being considered for potential commercial use.
The Japan model was developed by a group including the Institute for Molecular Science.
Researchers say it uses lasers to trap atoms that are not electrically charged inside a vacuum chamber.
Unlike other types of quantum computers, the model can reportedly operate at room temperatures. This means it does not require a cooling system and can be kept at a smaller size for more practical applications.
The research team is led by Professor Ohmori Kenji at the Institute.
"We want to create a system that's faster and more useful than supercomputers in tackling specific social problems," Ohmori said. "Ultimately, we want our system to fully replace the existing computing infrastructure."
The developers say their system can currently perform basic calculations. The next steps are to ensure the stability to enable large-scale calculations.

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⁣University of Hong Kong wins ABU Robocon 2026

A team from the University of Hong Kong has won an annual robot performance competition sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union.
Sixteen teams from 15 countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific region competed in ABU Robocon in Hong Kong on Sunday.
In kung fu-inspired matches, teams maneuvered their robots to assemble weapons, including spears used in the martial art. The robots carried boxes supposedly containing secret scrolls to a designated area to win points.
A team from the Toyohashi University of Technology, representing Japan, advanced to a semifinal. But it was defeated by the Chinese University of Hong Kong in a close contest.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong faced the University of Hong Kong in the final.
The University of Hong Kong secured victory by demonstrating superior speed, drawing enthusiastic applause.
The ABU, comprised of broadcasters from 66 countries and regions, began holding the robot competition more than 20 years ago.

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⁣Iran's IRGC: US sanctions plan amounts to admission of defeat in military arena

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says a US plan for new economic sanctions against Tehran amounts to "an implicit admission" of Washington's failure on the military front.
Iran's state-run Press TV reported that IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi made the remark to reporters on Sunday.
Mohebbi was reacting to US President Donald Trump's recent statement that he was launching a "crushing economic operation" against Iran and countries helping it as talks with Tehran stall.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to announce details on Monday.
Press TV quoted Mohebbi as saying that "the US would have no need to resort to economic warfare if it had achieved victory on the military front."
The spokesperson stressed that Iran would not yield to tougher US sanctions. He said: "We can easily establish economic relations with countries. There is no concern regarding the economic situation."
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority is also taking an unyielding stance. It said in a social media post on Sunday that vessels violating Iranian protocols for the Strait of Hormuz "shall face restrictions on future passages, including fines, detention, or confiscation."

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⁣Very strong typhoon to approach Okinawa, Amami in southern Japan

A very strong typhoon is likely to approach Japan's southern regions of Okinawa and Amami from Tuesday onward. Weather authorities are urging people to prepare for the storm in advance.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says, as of 9 a.m. on Monday, Typhoon Saudel was located over waters south of Japan and moving west-northwest at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour.
The typhoon had a central atmospheric pressure of 940 hectopascals. It was packing winds of up to 162 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts peaking at 234 kilometers per hour. Winds of 90 kilometers per hour or more were blowing within a radius of 165 kilometers from its center.
Weather officials say the typhoon will continue to travel westward and approach Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami region of Kagoshima Prefecture from Tuesday through Thursday.
Winds are forecast to gradually pick up from Monday in Okinawa, with maximum sustained winds of 82.8 kilometers per hour expected in the Daitojima region.
On Tuesday, winds are likely to rapidly intensify. From Tuesday through Wednesday, maximum sustained winds of 144 kilometers per hour are forecast in Okinawa and Amami. Maximum wind gust speeds are likely to reach 216 kilometers per hour in Okinawa Prefecture and 198 kilometers per hour in Amami.
When the typhoon approaches, winds may be strong enough to destroy homes.
Rough seas with heavy swells are expected. In Okinawa, waves of up to 7 meters are forecast on Monday.
From Tuesday through Wednesday, waves of up to 11 meters are likely in Okinawa, and up to 10 meters in Amami.
Rain is also expected to intensify. Up to 150 millimeters of rain may fall in some areas of Okinawa and Amami in the 24-hour period through Wednesday morning.
The effects of the typhoon are likely to be prolonged, as it is expected to move slowly along its path.
Weather officials are calling on people in these regions to stay on high alert for violent winds and high waves.

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⁣Sweltering heat grips eastern, western Japan

Temperatures are soaring across wide regions of eastern and western Japan on Monday, topping 35 degrees Celsius in some areas even in the morning.
People are advised to take thorough precautions against heatstroke as the mercury is expected to rise further in the afternoon.
The Japan Meteorological Agency is forecasting sweltering conditions for many places as a high-pressure system blankets much of the country.
Areas hit by last month's powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture are also experiencing intense heat. As of 11 a.m. on Monday, temperatures had reached 35.4 degrees in Kosa Town, 35.3 degrees in Kumamoto City, 33.7 degrees in Yatsushiro City and 32.6 degrees in Uki City.
Weather officials say temperatures will rise to dangerous levels across wide areas in the afternoon, hitting 39 degrees in Hita City, Oita Prefecture.
They are forecasting daytime highs of 38 degrees in the cities of Kyoto, Tottori, Yamaguchi, Kumamoto and Saga.
The mercury is expected to go up to 37 degrees in the cities of Nagoya, Osaka, Fukui, Hiroshima and Takamatsu, and 36 degrees in Kofu City and Fukuoka City.
The officials say the daytime high will likely reach 34 degrees in central Tokyo.
A heatstroke alert is in place for 31 prefectures from the Kanto region to Okinawa Prefecture.
People are advised to use air conditioners, frequently drink water and replenish salt and refrain from outdoor activities.
The weather officials also say atmospheric conditions will become unstable across wide areas from northern to western Japan due to humid air and high temperatures. Localized heavy rain accompanied by thunder could occur in some areas.
A front will pass over the Tohoku region, possibly bringing heavy rain mainly on the Sea of Japan side from Monday night to Tuesday.
The officials are calling for vigilance against landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers, as well as lightning and gusty winds, including tornadoes.

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