Main news(2023/12/18)
British oil major BP “temporarily suspends all maritime transport via the Red Sea”
2023-12-18 21:46:00
On the 18th, major British oil company BP announced, ``Due to the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea, we have decided to temporarily suspend all maritime transport via the Red Sea.'' In the Red Sea, Yemen's Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked ships sailing in the area in solidarity with the Islamic group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and last month a cargo ship operated by a Japanese company was attacked by the Houthis. has been taken over by
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East China Sea gas field: Ministry of Foreign Affairs protests after flames are detected in Chinese-built structures
2023-12-18 21:43:00
Regarding the development of gas fields in the East China Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has protested to the Chinese side to stop unilateral development, saying that new flames have been confirmed to be coming from structures built by China.
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Nippon Steel agrees to acquire major US steel manufacturer US Steel
2023-12-18 21:05:00
Nippon Steel announced that the two companies have agreed to acquire US Steel, a major American steel manufacturer. The acquisition price is expected to be approximately 2 trillion yen, and will represent a major reorganization of the steel industry in Japan and the United States.
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JOC to propose “suspension” of Sapporo’s bid to host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics
2023-12-18 20:47:00
The JOC (Japan Olympic Committee) stated that it no longer has any concrete ideas regarding the bid for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, which it has been working with the city of Sapporo, and announced at a meeting of related organizations to be held in Sapporo on the 19th that the bid activities would be suspended. I decided to propose ``.
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Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting Focus on direction of monetary policy
2023-12-18 19:44:00
The Bank of Japan is holding a monetary policy meeting for two days starting from the 18th. Given Governor Ueda's remark on the 7th of this month that ``I think it will become even more challenging from the end of the year to next year,'' it is unclear whether there will be an in-depth discussion about the future direction of monetary policy and the exit from easing. will be the focus.
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Takarazuka Revue Company member death investigation report canceled on website
2023-12-18 19:21:00
Regarding the death of a 25-year-old member of the Takarazuka Revue, on the 18th, the troupe canceled posting on its website of an investigation report released last month that stated, ``No bullying or power harassment was confirmed.'' I made it clear that As the reason for the decision was a request from the bereaved family, the opera company said it would once again examine the facts.
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Abe faction and Nikai faction accounting managers admit to not reporting some party income
2023-12-18 19:08:00
Regarding the issue surrounding the political funding parties of factions of the Liberal Democratic Party, the accounting managers of the Abe faction and the Nikai faction, in response to voluntary questioning by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's Special Investigation Department, both recorded a portion of the party's income in their political funding income and expenditure reports. Through interviews with related parties, it has been newly learned that one of the Abe faction's accounting officers admitted that he had not done so, and explained that he "knew that it had to be included in the income and expenditure report." I did. It is suspected that the Abe faction and the Nikai faction systematically did not include a portion of their party income in their income and expenditure reports, and the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation department appears to be working to uncover the facts.
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``Calligraphy'' to be proposed as UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage Agency for Cultural Affairs
2023-12-18 18:04:00
The Agency for Cultural Affairs has decided to propose calligraphy, which is handwritten in traditional brushstrokes using brushes and ink, to UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
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Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant waste liquid trouble violates “implementation plan” Nuclear Regulation Authority
2023-12-18 18:01:00
Regarding the trouble at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, where multiple workers were exposed to waste fluid containing radioactive materials, the Nuclear Regulation Authority said that TEPCO's work rules and regulations were inadequate, citing insufficient risk consideration and on-site confirmation. It was pointed out that this was a violation of the "implementation plan" that stipulated safety measures.
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JR Tokai test release of railway vehicle using fuel cells Aichi Komaki
2023-12-18 16:37:00
On the 18th, a test run of a railway vehicle using fuel cells, which is being developed by JR Tokai, was unveiled to the public in Aichi Prefecture. "Fuel cells" generate electricity using hydrogen as fuel, so they do not emit carbon dioxide, and are expected to be an initiative toward decarbonizing railways.
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Former Sekiwake Terao's master Nenyama passes away Komusubi Aen mourns the death of his master
2023-12-18 16:31:00
In response to the death of former sumo wrestler Sekiwake Terao at the age of 60 on the night of the 17th, his disciple Aen Komusubi said, ``He protected me with the big heart of a father.To be honest, I wish I had watched him a little longer. I wanted it,'' he said, mourning the death of his respected master.
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Gaza Strip cameraman dies while reporting; TV station to refer to ICC
2023-12-18 15:30:00
The Middle East satellite television station Al Jazeera has announced that it will refer the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hold Israel responsible after a cameraman who was reporting in the Gaza Strip was killed in an Israeli military attack.
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Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General considers measures to ensure transparency, including revisions to the Political Funds Control Act
2023-12-18 15:16:00
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Motegi said that in response to the problems surrounding factional political funding parties, the party will consider measures to ensure transparency, including amending the Political Funds Control Act, and will also require the party to make payments for party tickets. indicated the idea of changing to bank transfer.
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Accident involving a kindergarten bus and multiple cars, children injured Hiroshima Higashihiroshima
2023-12-18 15:14:00
According to the fire department, around 2:30 p.m. on the 18th, there was a report of an accident involving a kindergarten bus and multiple cars in Kagamiyamakita, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and that there appeared to be an injured kindergartener. That is to say. Police and fire departments are investigating the details of the accident.
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Snow and winds are increasing mainly on the Sea of Japan side, affecting the lives of residents in Hokkaido
2023-12-18 15:03:00
Snow and wind are increasing mainly on the Sea of Japan side due to winter-like atmospheric pressure patterns and cold air. Extremely strong winds accompanied by snow are expected to blow mainly on the Sea of Japan side of northern and eastern Japan into the 18th, causing severe storms at sea, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is urging people to be cautious of the impact on traffic, strong winds, and high waves. Masu.
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Shipping of Keio cherry blossoms, which bloom in the middle of winter, is in full swing in Yamagata
2023-12-18 14:55:00
Shipping of Keio-zakura, a cherry tree that blooms in the middle of winter and for which Yamagata Prefecture boasts the highest shipment amount in Japan, has begun in earnest.
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Ukraine's powerful soccer team visits Japan for charity match tonight to help with reconstruction efforts
2023-12-18 13:44:00
A powerful soccer team from Ukraine, which continues to be invaded by Russia, will come to Japan and on the night of the 18th, a charity match will be held at the National Stadium to raise money for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
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A passenger car waiting at a traffic light explodes, injuring two men and possibly a gas cylinder rupturing in Nagasaki
2023-12-18 13:30:00
On the morning of the 18th, a passenger car stopped at a traffic light exploded in Nagasaki City, and the two men in it were taken to the hospital. All injuries are believed to be minor. It appears that the gas cylinder in the trunk exploded for some reason, and police are investigating the details.
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North Korea launches ballistic missile “Is it to confirm that it is more complete?”
2023-12-18 13:05:00
Concerning North Korea's launch of an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) on the morning of the 18th, Yoji Koda, a former admiral who served as a commander in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, said, ``We have corrected the defects of past failures.'' "Isn't this a step in which we can then launch a more complete version for confirmation?"
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Report of “helicopter falling while hovering” 2 people injured Kyoto
2023-12-18 12:38:00
According to the fire department, at around 12:20 pm on the 18th, a report was received that a helicopter had fallen from a height of approximately 3 meters while hovering at a private helipad in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. Two people were injured, and both are conscious.
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"NHK Year-end Help" Donation of electric pots for pottery to facilities for people with disabilities
2023-12-18 12:09:00
A portion of the donations raised during the ``NHK Year-end Help'' campaign, which began on the 1st of this month, was used to donate an electric kettle for pottery to a facility for people with disabilities in Tokyo, which will be used to support the employment of its users.
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Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to raise postal prices for letters and postcards for the first time in 30 years
2023-12-18 12:06:00
As the use of postal mail continues to decline, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has announced a policy to raise the prices of letters and postcards, and discussions have begun at the council. Under the proposed policy, letters will cost 110 yen from 84 yen, which, if implemented, would be the first price increase in 30 years.
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Israeli military continues to search tunnels and other facilities in Hamas mop-up operation
2023-12-18 11:57:00
The Israeli military, which continues its ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, continues to carry out mopping-up operations and searches for tunnels and other facilities of the Islamic organization Hamas in the north and south. On the other hand, it is reported that both Israel and Hamas are taking a positive stance toward a new cessation of hostilities, and the focus is on whether this will lead to concrete moves in the future.
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28 people were assisted near Toyoko in Kabukicho; multiple people were in possession of large amounts of over-the-counter drugs.
2023-12-18 11:47:00
In an effort to prevent young people from getting involved in crime and trouble before the winter holidays, the Metropolitan Police Department carried out a mass guidance campaign around Toyoko in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, and 28 people were given guidance. Some of the people were found to have large quantities of cough suppressants in their possession, and the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the details of the incident, suspecting that the purpose was to overdose on over-the-counter drugs.
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Stock price temporarily fell by more than 400 yen, sell order due to concerns about Bank of Japan meeting
2023-12-18 10:44:00
At the beginning of the week, on the 18th, the Tokyo stock market and Nikkei average stock price fell by more than 400 yen. In the market, there was a sense of caution that the yen would appreciate further in the foreign exchange market, depending on the outcome of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting held from the 18th, and sell orders were placed on a wide range of stocks, including those related to exports. I am.
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Possible North Korean ballistic missile fell outside EEZ, Ministry of Defense official
2023-12-18 09:56:00
According to a senior Ministry of Defense official, a possible ballistic missile launched from North Korea is estimated to have fallen outside Japan's EEZ (exclusive economic zone) at around 9:37 a.m. on the 18th. is. There is also a possibility that it is an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile).
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[Breaking News] North Korea's missile during flight is estimated to have fallen outside the EEZ around 9:37
2023-12-18 09:17:00
The Ministry of Defense announced at 9:03 a.m. that at least one ballistic missile was fired northeast from inland North Korea at around 8:24 a.m. on the 18th. The missile was in flight and is expected to fall into the Sea of Japan, approximately 250 kilometers west of Okushiri Island in Hokkaido, outside Japan's EEZ (exclusive economic zone), at around 9:37 a.m. The Ministry of Defense continues to collect information.
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Professional Baseball DeNA Hidego Maki to be appointed as new captain
2023-12-18 08:12:00
Hidego Maki, who won titles such as the Central League's top RBI title this season, will be the new captain of the professional baseball team DeNA.
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Ruling party unanimously supports President Putin in Russian presidential election
2023-12-18 07:12:00
In preparation for the presidential election to be held in Russia next March, the ruling party United Russia unanimously decided on the 17th to support President Putin.
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Hamas underground tunnel discovered in northern Gaza Strip, Israeli military announces
2023-12-18 07:08:00
The Israeli military has announced that it has discovered underground Hamas tunnels extending to the border with Israel in the northern Gaza Strip, saying they believe they were built to attack border checkpoints.
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Vehicle fire at Fukuoka police station; 80 cassette cylinders found inside the car
2023-12-18 06:41:00
In May this year, a passenger car burst into flames after colliding with a police vehicle at a police station in Chikugo City, Fukuoka Prefecture, resulting in the death of the office worker who was driving the car. In an interview with the fire department, it was learned that the fire spread due to a company employee starting the fire. Police suspect that the fire may have spread to surrounding areas and are investigating further.
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Bank of Japan monetary policy meeting to focus on “exit strategy” from 18th
2023-12-18 06:34:00
The Bank of Japan will hold a monetary policy meeting for two days starting on the 18th. Governor Ueda said on the 7th of this month, ``I think things will become even more challenging from the end of the year to next year,'' leading some markets to believe that the Bank of Japan will move toward normalizing monetary policy soon. There is also a view that this is the case, and the focus will be on what kind of thinking the Bank of Japan will show regarding its so-called exit strategy.
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Research materials found about the former Japanese military's ``balloon bomb'' base
2023-12-18 05:40:00
It has been learned that the former Ministry of Health and Welfare had researched and left behind a base that served as an attack base for the ``balloon bomb'' developed by the former Japanese military at the end of the Pacific War. In addition to the detailed installation plan for the base, it has also been revealed that after the war, local residents petitioned the government to restore the land where the base was located to its original state.
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"Totto-chan by the Window" recognized by Guinness World Records
2023-12-18 05:02:00
``Totto-chan at the Window,'' an autobiographical story by actor Tetsuko Kuroyanagi that has sold more than 25 million copies domestically and internationally, has been awarded the Guinness Book of World Records as the most published autobiography in the world. was certified.
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