Main news(2025/02/22)
Political video clips have been viewed over 3.5 billion times. Who is doing this and why?
2025-02-22 20:30:00
"Cut-out videos" are clips of statements made by politicians, with text and other elements added to edit them. In recent years, they have become a hot topic during elections, and are said to be gaining in influence. Channels that primarily distribute these videos have seen a rapid increase in the past few years. According to an NHK investigation, the total number of views was 3.5 billion. We interviewed the people behind these videos to find out who is doing it and for what purpose.
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Yashio road collapse: Prefecture holds first public information session, some concerned about health effects
2025-02-22 20:17:00
Regarding the large-scale road collapse in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, which left one man missing, Saitama Prefecture held its first public information session on the 22nd. The prefecture explained that it would set up a telephone consultation hotline exclusively for residents, but residents complained about the smell and vibrations caused by the construction, and asked questions and expressed opinions about the impact on their health.
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Ukraine Chairman: "Moving forward to signing agreement with US on mineral resources"
2025-02-22 19:39:00
In an interview with NHK, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, Stefanchuk said that the Ukrainian government will begin full-scale work from next week to conclude an agreement with the Trump administration in the United States regarding mineral resources and security guarantees.
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President Zelensky holds telephone talks with leaders of eight countries, is support from each country urgent?
2025-02-22 19:16:00
On the 21st, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a series of telephone talks with the leaders of a total of eight countries. He is growing increasingly wary that the United States and Russia may be pursuing ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine without his country, and is apparently rushing to secure support from each country.
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Germany to hold general election on 23rd: Will far-right party backed by US administration officials gain influence?
2025-02-22 18:47:00
Germany will hold a general election on the 23rd. While the largest center-right opposition party is leading the polls, a right-wing party that advocates an exclusionary stance against immigrants and refugees and is supported by a close aide to US President Trump is in second place, and interest is growing as to how far it will gain influence.
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12 professional baseball teams scramble to investigate online casino use
2025-02-22 18:11:00
Following the suspension of a professional baseball player from the Orix Buffaloes after he admitted to using online casinos in the past, the 12 teams are scrambling to respond by checking whether any of their players or staff have used online casinos.
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Yamagata JR Ou Main Line Local train passes through station, following Shinkansen handles passengers
2025-02-22 17:47:00
On the morning of the 22nd, there was a problem on the JR Ou Main Line in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture, where a local train mistakenly passed a station where it was supposed to stop. JR East took the unusual step of allowing passengers who were waiting at the station to board the Yamagata Shinkansen.
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US "Mineral resource rights talks may mention Ukraine's Starlink shutdown"
2025-02-22 17:29:00
Reuters reported on the 21st that the Trump administration has threatened to cut off the Starlink internet connection service to Ukraine if an agreement is not reached in talks over mineral resource interests.
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President Trump considers tariffs and other countermeasures against "digital tax" from various countries
2025-02-22 15:19:00
U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that he will consider imposing tariffs and other countermeasures against "digital taxation" being introduced by governments around the world targeting major U.S. IT companies with global operations.
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Report: "US administration considering Ukraine joining NATO in case of second Russian invasion"
2025-02-22 14:52:00
On the 20th, NBC News reported that in relation to peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, the United States is considering a plan to automatically grant Ukraine membership to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) if Russia invades again in the future after a ceasefire agreement is reached.
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3 years since invasion of Ukraine, G7 focuses on strengthening sanctions on Russian oil
2025-02-22 14:47:00
In order to curb the inflow of funds to Russia, the G7 and other major nations have imposed sanctions that set a price cap on the purchase of Russian crude oil. With three years since the start of the invasion of Ukraine on the 24th, the focus is on whether the sanctions will be strengthened.
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Many people visit Gyoda Shrine on "Cat Day" in Saitama to get "Cat Goshuin" stamps
2025-02-22 13:02:00
February 22nd is "Cat Day," a pun on the sound a cat makes when it meows. Many people visit a shrine in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, where six cats live, to get a limited-edition goshuin stamp featuring cats.
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US AP files lawsuit seeking lifting of ban on reporting after not using "American Bay" name
2025-02-22 12:50:00
The Associated Press has filed a lawsuit seeking to have the White House overturn its ban on interviews with President Trump in the Oval Office or Air Force One because the Gulf of Mexico is not referred to as the "Gulf of America," arguing that this violates the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and of the press.
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President Trump replaces top military officer, but US reports say it's customary for him to stay in his position
2025-02-22 12:43:00
US President Trump announced the replacement of the head of the military's uniformed forces, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Brown. The US media has given the announcement of the replacement a lot of coverage, as it is customary for the head of the military's uniformed forces to remain in their positions even when the administration changes.
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North Korea: "Military provocations have intensified since the inauguration of the Trump administration"
2025-02-22 11:13:00
North Korea's Ministry of Defense issued a statement from its public relations director condemning the joint military exercise between the U.S. and South Korean militaries, which included U.S. B-1 bombers, and reiterated its stance of moving forward with nuclear and missile development.
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Forest fire in Ofunato, Iwate Fire department resumes helicopter firefighting operations
2025-02-22 08:42:00
Firefighters and other personnel resumed helicopter firefighting efforts on the morning of the 22nd in response to a forest fire that broke out in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture on the 19th of this month.
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President Trump: "President Zelensky's attendance at ceasefire meeting is not important"
2025-02-22 08:16:00
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized President Zelensky for failing to negotiate effectively in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and has said it is not important for him to attend talks on a ceasefire.
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China's foreign minister calls for cooperation to "oppose unilateralism" at G20 summit in U.S. absence
2025-02-22 07:59:00
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a meeting of foreign ministers of the G20, or the Group of Twenty countries, "we should oppose unilateralism," calling for cooperation. He has also held a series of bilateral meetings, working to strengthen ties with various countries as the Trump administration advocates an America First policy.
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New York market: US dollar rises to 148 yen range, Dow Jones Industrial Average falls by over 800 dollars
2025-02-22 07:32:00
On the 21st in the New York foreign exchange market, there was a trend of selling dollars and buying yen, and the yen temporarily rose to the 148 yen range per dollar for the first time in about two and a half months.
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Heavy snowfall expected on the Japan Sea coast of Honshu, Noto on high alert for traffic impacts
2025-02-22 06:52:00
Due to the strong cold front, snowfall has intensified locally, mainly on the Japan Sea side of Honshu, and in Ishikawa Prefecture, "Information on significant heavy snowfall" was announced at around 5:30 a.m. In the plains of northern Noto, there is an increased risk of large-scale traffic impacts, so please be on high alert. The second half of the article provides a snowfall forecast data map.
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Memorial ceremony held today for 14 years since southern New Zealand earthquake
2025-02-22 06:42:00
On the 22nd it will mark 14 years since the earthquake in southern New Zealand, which killed 185 people, including 28 Japanese, and a memorial ceremony will be held locally.
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U.S. Treasury Secretary and Chinese Vice Premier Meet to Agree on Trade Issues
2025-02-22 06:26:00
U.S. Treasury Secretary David Bessent and China's Vice Premier He Lifeng, who oversees economic policy, met online and agreed to continue communicating on economic issues between the two countries, including trade issues.
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U.S. official hopes for early agreement on Ukraine mineral resource rights talks
2025-02-22 06:21:00
A senior White House official expressed hope that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will reach an agreement soon regarding talks over mineral resource interests, which are said to be the background to President Trump's strong criticism of the Ukrainian President.
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Two Japanese suspected to be at Myanmar fraud hub - Request for release
2025-02-22 05:29:00
It has been newly learned through interviews with relevant parties that Japan has requested cooperation from Thai authorities in the release of two Japanese men, as there is a high possibility that they are at a specialized fraud crime base in eastern Myanmar.
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LDP, Komeito and Nippon Ishin Party finalize negotiations on draft agreement to revise budget for new fiscal year
2025-02-22 05:18:00
Regarding the revision of the new fiscal year budget, the policy chiefs of the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito Party and the Japan Restoration Party put together a draft agreement document on the 21st, including specific measures for free education. Meanwhile, regarding the review of the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier," Komeito has presented a new proposal, and the Democratic Party for the People plans to consider whether it is acceptable at the beginning of next week, as the policy discussions between the ruling and opposition parties are reaching a climax.
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Dodgers' Roki Sasaki announces marriage to a non-celebrity woman on his social media account
2025-02-22 03:35:00
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki announced on his social media that he had married a non-celebrity woman. Speaking to reporters, Sasaki said that he got married during the offseason and talked about his wife's personality, saying, "She's a kind person, and I feel at ease being with her, and I think I can be myself."
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