This page is the news announced by NHK, a representative TV station in Japan.

Main news(2024/12/26)


Kyoto   Hakone

Shizuoka: 1 person killed in house fire in Fuji City, 3 family members unable to contact

2024-12-26 21:03:00
A fire broke out at a house in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, on the 26th, and one body was found in the ruins. The police and fire department are currently investigating the situation as they have lost contact with the three people living in the house.

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Lawson to recall over 1,300 ice cubes sold due to fears of glass contamination

2024-12-26 20:59:00
Lawson, a major convenience store chain, has announced that it will recall over 1,300 pieces of ice sold at its stores in Tokyo and elsewhere due to concerns that pieces of glass may have been accidentally mixed in.

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Prince Hisahito to study at University of Tsukuba: President holds press conference: "Studying at university will be free and easy"

2024-12-26 20:57:00
The president of the University of Tsukuba, where Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Prince and Princess Akishino, will be attending, held a press conference on the 26th and welcomed Prince Hisahito's enrollment, saying, "I hope he will be able to study freely at university."

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Three arrested in Osaka for allegedly hoisting employee with excavator and dropping him from 9m

2024-12-26 20:51:00
In June of this year, three executives at an industrial waste disposal company in Yao City, Osaka, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for hoisting an employee in his 20s with a bulldozer, making him hold onto the ceiling of a building, and then dropping him from a height of about 9 meters. Police are investigating the possibility that they may have repeatedly assaulted the employee as a form of "punishment."

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Mitsubishi UFJ Bank's online banking glitches: cyber attack?

2024-12-26 20:49:00
On the afternoon of the 26th, a problem occurred with Mitsubishi UFJ Bank's internet banking that prevented users from logging in, and even now some users are still unable to log in using biometric authentication. Although there have been no confirmed cases of deposits being stolen or funds being transferred illegally, the bank believes it may have been the victim of a cyber attack that sent a large amount of data, and is currently investigating the matter in detail.

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More than 220,000 people killed in Indian Ocean tsunami: 20 years since memorial ceremonies held around the world

2024-12-26 19:51:00
On the 26th, it will be 20 years since the Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed the lives of more than 220,000 people, including Japanese. Memorial ceremonies were held in affected areas of Asian countries, including Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and prayers were offered for the victims. Twenty years ago, a massive earthquake occurred off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, which caused a tsunami to sweep across a wide area of ​​the Indian Ocean from Southeast Asia to eastern Africa, leaving more than 220,000 dead and missing. In affected areas of Asian countries, 20 years have passed since the tsunami, and while reconstruction is progressing, it has been pointed out that residents' awareness of disaster prevention is declining, and the issue of how to pass on the memory of the tsunami is an issue.

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MIXI subsidiary's dismissed CEO and others received over 1 billion yen in total from business partners

2024-12-26 19:45:00
Regarding the issue of inappropriate financial transactions at a subsidiary of Mixi, the company released the results of an investigation on the 26th, revealing that the dismissed representative director and two others had received a combined total of over 1 billion yen.

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Guidelines finalized for "Any Child Can Attend Kindergarten System" including subsidies capped at 10 hours per month

2024-12-26 19:43:00
Regarding the "Anyone Can Attend Daycare" system, which allows children under the age of three to use daycare centers and other facilities for a certain number of hours regardless of whether their parents are working, the Agency for Children and Families has compiled guidelines stating that subsidies will be provided for up to 10 hours of use per month, with local governments being able to extend this time on their own.

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Osaka Restoration Party's political funding report contains false statements

2024-12-26 19:40:00
NHK has learned that the Osaka Restoration Association listed companies that did not actually purchase tickets for a political fundraising party it held last year in its political fundraising income and expenditure report. The Osaka Restoration Association has admitted to making the mistake and has corrected the income and expenditure report.

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Kazakhstan passenger plane crash: "misfire caused by air defense system" pointed out

2024-12-26 19:33:00
The cause of the passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan in Central Asia, which killed 38 people, has been suggested to be a bird strike or possibly an air defense system being fired in error, and the Kazakhstan government and others are currently investigating the matter.

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What to do if you get choked on mochi

2024-12-26 19:19:00
"Omochi" is an indispensable food on the New Year's table, whether it is eaten grilled or added to ozoni (traditional Japanese soup). However, one thing to be careful of is choking and death from choking. What should you do if a family member or friend chokes on a mochi in front of you? Please be sure to know this so that you don't end up making the New Year a sad one. ※※An image summarizing the steps and key points to take is included at the end of the article※※

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Heavy snowfall expected in mountainous areas along the Japan Sea coast in eastern and western Japan.

2024-12-26 19:05:00
Due to the influence of winter pressure patterns and strong cold air above, heavy snow is expected to fall mainly along the mountains on the Sea of ​​Japan side of eastern and western Japan from around the 27th to the 29th, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution regarding the impact of heavy snow on traffic. The second half of the article summarizes precautions to take when traveling by car during the New Year holidays, as well as precautions for snow and ice.

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Second debris removal from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 to be carried out around next spring

2024-12-26 18:51:00
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has announced that it plans to carry out the second test removal of nuclear fuel debris from the Unit 2 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant around spring of next year by reusing the equipment that was used for the first removal, which took place until last month, instead of the previously planned method of using a large robotic arm.

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Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office special investigation unit drops indictment against 65 former Abe faction lawmakers

2024-12-26 18:32:00
On the 26th, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office Special Investigation Division decided not to indict 65 people, including former Abe faction members of parliament and the person in charge of accounting at the time, who had been criminally charged for suspected violations of the Political Funds Control Act in connection with a political fundraising party held by a Liberal Democratic Party faction.

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Government plans to convene regular Diet session on January 24th, House of Councillors election expected to be held on July 20th

2024-12-26 18:00:00
The government has decided to convene the next regular Diet session on January 24th and has informed the Liberal Democratic Party of this decision. If the session is not extended, the House of Councillors election is expected to be held on July 20th, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Offices Election Act.

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The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare decides to require companies to take measures against "customer harassment"

2024-12-26 17:49:00
In order to protect workers from customer harassment, such as nuisance behavior by customers, known as "customer harassment," the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to make it mandatory for companies to take measures.

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Was a Japanese national robbed and murdered in Sao Paulo, Brazil? Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2024-12-26 17:33:00
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they received a report from local authorities that a Japanese national was robbed and murdered in Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America, on the 24th of this month. The authorities are currently investigating the details of the incident.

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The ratio of applicants to jobs for teachers will be 3.2 times higher in 2024, the lowest in three consecutive years, says the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

2024-12-26 17:05:00
The teacher shortage is unstoppable. According to a summary by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the employment ratio for public school teachers hired this year was 3.2 times, the lowest in three consecutive years.

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South Korean President Yoon requested to appear for the third time by the Joint Investigation Headquarters

2024-12-26 16:43:00
The Joint Investigation Headquarters, consisting of police and other organizations, has announced that it has requested South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, who has declared "emergency martial law," to appear at 10 a.m. on the 29th of this month. This is the third time the Joint Investigation Headquarters has requested Yoon to appear. The Joint Investigation Headquarters had requested President Yoon to appear twice, on the 18th and 25th of this month, but President Yoon did not comply either time. South Korean media has reported that if President Yoon repeatedly fails to appear, an arrest warrant may be requested, and attention is focused on how the president will respond.

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Death row inmate Chisako Kakei dies in serial cyanide murder case

2024-12-26 16:40:00
Chisako Kakei (78), a death row inmate who was sentenced to death in 2021 for forcing four men to drink cyanide compounds in Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo, killing three of them, and was being held at the Osaka Detention House, was transferred from the detention house to a hospital on the 26th and died, according to interviews with related parties. Details of the cause of death, etc., are unknown.

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Japan Fair Trade Commission investigates relationships between celebrities and agencies, including obstruction of transfers and independence

2024-12-26 16:11:00
The Fair Trade Commission has compiled the results of a survey it conducted on the relationship between entertainers and talent agencies. In interviews with entertainers, some said they had been obstructed by their agencies when it came to transferring to other agencies or going independent, and the Fair Trade Commission has pointed out that this could be problematic under the Antimonopoly Act.

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Number of overnight stays in November reaches record high: preliminary figure of 58.12 million, up 6.7% from last year

2024-12-26 15:58:00
According to the Japan Tourism Agency, the preliminary figure for the number of people staying at hotels, inns, and other accommodations across Japan in November was 58.12 million, 6.7% higher than the same month last year and the highest number ever for the month of November.

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South Korea's largest opposition party submits bill to impeach Prime Minister Han to National Assembly

2024-12-26 15:49:00
On the 26th, South Korea's largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, submitted a bill to the National Assembly calling for the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, who is acting for President Yoon Seok-yeol. The Democratic Party of Korea criticized Prime Minister Han for obstructing the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court, where three of the nine seats are vacant. Following the passage of a bill to impeach President Yoon, who declared a state of emergency, in the National Assembly on the 14th of this month, an unusual situation has arisen in which a bill to impeach Prime Minister Han has also been submitted.

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14 members of Syria's security forces killed in attack by Assad supporters

2024-12-26 15:44:00
In Syria, where the dictatorial Assad regime has collapsed, members of the interim government's security forces were attacked by supporters of the former regime, leaving 14 people dead. In Syria, turmoil is occurring as the interim government works to build a new nation, with demonstrations being held across the country by Muslim minority groups who supported the former regime.

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NBA's Rui Hachimura scores 18 points, contributing to the victory with five three-pointers, the most this season

2024-12-26 14:41:00
Rui Hachimura of the NBA (American professional basketball) Lakers contributed to his team's victory by scoring 18 points, including five three-point shots, his highest number of points this season, in the game against the Warriors on the 25th.

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Emperor invites Prime Minister and Cabinet members to luncheon for first time in four years to thank them for their efforts

2024-12-26 14:23:00
As the year drew to a close, the traditional luncheon for the Prime Minister and Cabinet members was held at the Imperial Palace for the first time in four years, with the Emperor thanking them for their hard work to date.

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Prime Minister Ishiba: "Serious problems have arisen with generative AI. Countermeasure bill to be submitted to the Diet as soon as possible"

2024-12-26 14:20:00
The government's expert panel, which is discussing the risks of generative AI, has compiled a draft report stating that it is necessary to establish laws that would allow the government to investigate the causes and provide guidance in the event of a serious problem. In response to this, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his intention to expedite the creation of the necessary bill and submit it to the Diet as soon as possible.

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Supreme Prosecutor's Office: "They assumed Mr. Hakamada was the culprit and did not listen sincerely"

2024-12-26 13:45:00
Following the acquittal of Iwao Hakamada in a retrial, the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office, which has been reviewing the procedures for requesting a retrial and the investigation at the time, announced the results on the 26th. Regarding the interrogation, it said, "It cannot be said that the police listened sincerely to his testimony, as they sought his confession as if they had decided that he was the culprit."

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Sekisui Chemical to build perovskite solar cell factory in Osaka for mass production

2024-12-26 13:42:00
Sekisui Chemical, a major chemical manufacturer, has decided to acquire the buildings of Sharp's headquarters factory in Sakai, Osaka, and build a factory to produce perovskite solar cells, the next generation of solar cells.

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Diving boat stranded in Tokashiki Village, Okinawa, no reports of injuries

2024-12-26 13:39:00
According to the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, a diving boat carrying 24 people, including six crew members and 18 passengers, ran aground off the coast of Kuroshima Island in Tokashiki Village, Okinawa Prefecture, at around 11:00 a.m. on the 26th. The shipwrecked diving boat was "Lucky," and two of the 18 passengers were children. There have been no reports of injuries so far, and the Coast Guard has dispatched patrol boats and helicopters to carry out rescue operations.

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More than 6,000 food items are scheduled to increase in price by April, exceeding 1,000 items for four consecutive months

2024-12-26 12:23:00
A private survey has revealed that the number of food items scheduled to increase in price between January and April next year (2025) will exceed 1,000 for four consecutive months, reaching over 6,000 items. The survey company pointed out that if price increases continue at this pace, the number of items that will increase in price next year could exceed this year's total.

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"President-elect Trump preparing to withdraw from WHO" - UK report

2024-12-26 12:19:00
British media has reported that US President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is preparing for the US to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the day he takes office.

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NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen song order decided, last song will be MISIA, just like last year

2024-12-26 12:15:00
The order of songs to be performed at the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, which will be broadcast on New Year's Eve, was announced on the 26th, with MISIA from the Red Team performing at the end, just like last year.

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Tokyo's influenza patient numbers surge above warning threshold

2024-12-26 12:06:00
The number of influenza patients in Tokyo has increased sharply, and the latest number of patients per fixed point has exceeded the warning standard, according to interviews with relevant parties. The number of patients has more than doubled from the previous week for two consecutive weeks, and the metropolitan government has decided to call for thorough infection control measures as more opportunities for people to gather during the New Year holidays increase.

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Prime Minister Ishiba's economic outlook for next fiscal year: Towards realizing a growth-oriented economy and improving the fiscal situation

2024-12-26 10:25:00
Regarding the economic outlook for next fiscal year, 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized his intention to achieve a growth-oriented economy driven by wage increases and investment, while also working to improve the fiscal situation, based on the policy of "financial stability exists only because of the economy."

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Mozambique: Prison riots over presidential election results, 1,500 people escape

2024-12-26 10:14:00
In Mozambique, southern Africa, unrest continues over the results of the presidential election held in October this year, including protests. On the 25th, a riot broke out at a prison in the capital, Maputo, resulting in 33 deaths and more than 1,500 inmates escaping.

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Diplomatic documents reveal inside story of Japan-U.S. negotiations over rice imports about 30 years ago

2024-12-26 10:08:00
Declassified diplomatic documents have revealed the inside story of the Japan-US negotiations that first saw Japan accept partial rice imports about 30 years ago. The documents show that the negotiations were going through tough times toward the end, with then Prime Minister Miyazawa expressing opposition at a Japan-US summit meeting, saying that the liberalization of beef imports in the past had led to a "major defeat in the election."

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Residential fire in Ota Ward, Tokyo spreads to five buildings as three people lose contact

2024-12-26 10:01:00
According to the Tokyo Fire Department, a fire broke out at a house in Omori-Nishi, Ota Ward, Tokyo, just after 9 a.m. on the 26th, and has spread to a total of five buildings. Firefighting efforts are still ongoing. They have not been able to contact the three residents of the house, and are currently working to confirm their safety. The incident occurred in a residential area about one kilometer south of JR Omori Station.

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Cyber ​​attack on JAL system could affect domestic and international flights

2024-12-26 09:57:00
According to Japan Airlines, a cyber attack on their network equipment occurred at 7:24am on the 26th, causing a malfunction in the system that handles passenger baggage. The company said that the malfunction is expected to affect both domestic and international flights, and some flights have already been delayed. The company commented, "We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers and related parties."

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Brazilian authorities rescue 160 workers held in "slavery" at BYD factory construction site

2024-12-26 06:42:00
About 160 workers believed to have been working in poor conditions at a construction site of a factory belonging to China's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, have been rescued by local authorities in Brazil.

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Focus on whether high-level dialogue between Japan and China can lead to the resolution of outstanding issues

2024-12-26 06:31:00
On the 25th, Foreign Minister Iwasaki met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in China and the two sides agreed to realize Wang's visit to Japan early next year. The government also wants to realize mutual visits between the leaders of the two countries, and the focus will be on whether high-level dialogue can lead to the resolution of pending issues between the two countries.

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Ishikawa Prefecture: Most disaster-related deaths occur in evacuation shelters

2024-12-26 05:33:00
NHK's analysis of 201 people in Ishikawa Prefecture who died as "disaster-related deaths" from the Noto Peninsula earthquake revealed that the place where people's health deteriorated most was the evacuation center where they first sought shelter. Even during the 1.5th and secondary evacuations, which were carried out to prevent "disaster-related deaths," many people fell ill, and in addition to the repeatedly pointed out need for improvements to the evacuation center environment, it is also important to create a system for providing detailed care during travel and at new evacuation destinations.

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President Zelensky accuses Putin of deliberately launching attacks on Christmas

2024-12-26 05:20:00
On the 25th, Russian forces carried out a large-scale attack on energy facilities in Ukraine, and President Zelenskyy criticized the Russian side, saying, "Putin deliberately attacked on Christmas. Could anything be more inhumane than this?"

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20 years since the Indian Ocean tsunami: The challenge is to pass on memories and lessons learned from the disaster

2024-12-26 04:38:00
On the 26th it will be 20 years since the Indian Ocean tsunami, which left more than 220,000 people dead or missing. As the generation born after the tsunami increases, the issue of how to pass on the memory and lessons learned from the disaster is becoming an issue.

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Following confirmation of Hakamada Iwao's innocence, the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office will soon release the results of its investigation

2024-12-26 00:02:00
Following the retrial of Iwao Hakamada (88), in which the investigative authorities were found to have fabricated evidence and his innocence was upheld, the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office plans to soon make public the details of the lengthy retrial proceedings and the results of its investigation into the case at the time.

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Kyoto   Mt.Fuji


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