Main news(2025/02/23)
[Forecaster's commentary] Heavy snow will peak again around noon on the 24th
2025-02-23 22:39:00
Due to the successive cold waves, some areas in Tohoku and other regions are experiencing record snowfall. From the night of the 23rd to the morning of the 24th, snowfall will intensify from Hokuriku to Chugoku regions, and heavy snow is expected in some areas of the plains of Kinki and Shikoku. The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution regarding the impact on traffic, as well as caution against avalanches and falling snow. Meteorologist Kojiro Mukaigasa explains the outlook for future snow. [Video is 1 minute 43 seconds] *This content was broadcast on the 7pm news on the 23rd. *Cannot be viewed on data broadcasting.
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Matsuyama: Pony escapes during horse riding experience, gallops down main street, no injuries
2025-02-23 21:45:00
On the afternoon of the 23rd, a pony escaped from a horse riding experience booth at an outdoor event held in the center of Matsuyama City, causing a commotion as it galloped down a main street. The pony was captured by police about 20 minutes later, and no one was injured.
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"Whirlwind" in Takanabe, Miyazaki; no injuries at nearby soccer tournament
2025-02-23 20:10:00
On the afternoon of the 23rd, a vortex-like wind, believed to be a "whirlwind," occurred in Takanabe Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. A kindergarten soccer tournament was being held nearby, but no one was injured.
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Coelacanth mating behavior photographed by NHK reporters
2025-02-23 19:28:00
An NHK team filmed a group of coelacanths, a fish known as a "living fossil," and succeeded in capturing behavior that may lead to breeding. Coelacanth breeding behavior has been shrouded in mystery until now, and experts say this is a valuable video that gives us a glimpse into their ecology.
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Myanmar: Search for special fraud hubs "Frees about 3,000 foreigners"
2025-02-23 19:27:00
While it is believed that many foreigners, including Japanese, are being forced to commit fraud at several crime bases in eastern Myanmar, an ethnic minority armed group responsible for border security there has begun searching the bases. In an interview with NHK, a leader of the armed group revealed that they have released about 3,000 foreigners so far, and the focus is on whether there will be any further moves toward their release.
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NATO's top uniformed official: "Expanding Europe's role to support Ukraine"
2025-02-23 18:55:00
In an interview with NHK, the top uniformed officer of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) expressed concern about the growing threat from Russia, but also stressed that he would expand Europe's role and responsibility in regional defense and work to support Ukraine.
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Japan is targeted by a series of online casino problems: the reality of addiction and countermeasures
2025-02-23 18:36:00
Problems surrounding online casinos are becoming more widespread. Accessing casino sites from within Japan and placing bets is considered a "gambling offense" and is prohibited by law, but it has come to light that celebrities and athletes have used or are suspected of using these sites. Some surveys suggest that the number of domestic users is as high as 3.4 million. Why are so many people getting involved? We spoke to past users to get to the bottom of the situation.
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Government plans to use ships to provide medical care in the event of a large-scale disaster
2025-02-23 17:48:00
As the 14th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake approaches next month, the government has drawn up a plan to use ships to quickly establish a medical care system in the event of a large-scale disaster. For the time being, the plan calls for private ships to be acquired and then owned by the government and other parties after gaining experience and conducting necessary verification.
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German general election voting begins, main opposition party on track to return to power, right-wing party
2025-02-23 17:03:00
On the 23rd, voting began for the general election in Germany, Europe's largest economic power. Opinion polls show that the largest center-right opposition party is in the lead and is poised to return to power, but a far-right party that advocates an exclusionary stance against immigrants and refugees is in second place, and attention is focused on how much support it will garner.
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Figure skating Four Continents Women's Singles Higuchi Wakaba takes 5th place, the top Japanese finish
2025-02-23 16:18:00
The second half of the women's singles free skating event was held on the 23rd at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, and Higuchi Wakaba, who was in 7th place in the first half, moved up two places to finish in 5th place, the top place for a Japanese athlete.
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Preventive road closures on expressways and national roads in Fukui, Shiga, and other areas from midnight on the 24th
2025-02-23 16:14:00
In response to the strong cold front causing intermittent heavy snowfall, mainly along the Sea of Japan coast, the Kinki Regional Development Bureau and others have announced that there is a high possibility of preventive road closures on expressways and national highways from the early hours of the 24th in order to prevent cars from becoming stranded due to heavy snow.
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Lakers' Rui Hachimura contributed to the victory with 21 points including 4 three-pointers
2025-02-23 16:06:00
Rui Hachimura of the NBA (American professional basketball) Lakers played a great game against the Nuggets on the 22nd, scoring 21 points, including four three-point shots, and contributing to the victory.
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Earthquake of magnitude 3 hits central Miyagi prefecture, no risk of tsunami
2025-02-23 13:16:00
An earthquake occurred at around 1:08 pm on the 23rd. The following areas were observed to have a seismic intensity of 3 or higher. ▼Seismic intensity 3: Central Miyagi Prefecture. There is no need to worry about a tsunami caused by this earthquake. The epicenter was off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, the depth of the epicenter was 60 km, and the magnitude, which indicates the scale of the earthquake, is estimated to be 4.5.
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Speed Skating World Cup: Takagi Miho wins the women's 1000m, 5th consecutive win since the opening
2025-02-23 12:59:00
Miho Takagi won the women's 1000m in the fifth round of the World Cup in Poland with a time of 1 minute 14.80 seconds. This is her fifth consecutive victory in this event since the start of the World Cup this season, and her total number of victories has now reached 36, breaking her own record as the most ever by a Japanese athlete.
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Public audience to celebrate the Emperor's 65th birthday held at the Imperial Palace
2025-02-23 12:51:00
On the 23rd, the Emperor's Birthday, a public audience was held at the Imperial Palace to celebrate His Majesty the Emperor's 65th birthday.
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Knife attack in France leaves one dead; President calls it "terrorism by Islamic extremists"
2025-02-23 12:45:00
On the 22nd, a knife attack occurred in eastern France, leaving one person dead. The arrested Algerian man was reportedly shouting "God is great" in Arabic at the time of the attack, and President Macron has condemned it as "without a doubt a terrorist act by Islamic extremists."
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Forest fire in Ofunato, Iwate, five days after outbreak, no signs of containment
2025-02-23 12:38:00
The forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, is now in its fifth day since it started on the 23rd, but it has not been put out and there is no prospect of it being contained. The city continues to issue evacuation orders to residents and urges them to be vigilant.
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Ishin prefectural assembly members hold press conference on issue of providing documents and audio to the 100-article committee; party to release investigation results
2025-02-23 12:37:00
Regarding the issue of Hyogo Prefectural Assembly members from the Japan Restoration Party providing documents of unknown authenticity and audio recordings of closed-door Article 100 Committee meetings to political group leader Tachibana Takashi during last year's Hyogo Prefectural gubernatorial election, the assembly members will hold a press conference on the 23rd and the Japan Restoration Party will make public the results of its investigation.
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Three years since invasion of Ukraine: Rally in Washington calls for continued support and solidarity
2025-02-23 11:49:00
As the Trump administration begins direct talks with Russia over a ceasefire in Ukraine, supporters of Ukraine gathered in Washington, D.C., calling for continued support and solidarity.
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Government to support "medium-sized companies" with "potential to drive regional economies"
2025-02-23 10:57:00
The government believes that "medium-sized enterprises" with fewer than 2,000 employees have the potential to drive regional economies, and plans to steadily implement support measures for them, such as encouraging them to create innovation and expand overseas.
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President Trump: Mineral rights talks "very close to agreement"
2025-02-23 10:17:00
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was "very close to an agreement" on talks over rights to mineral resources in Ukraine, which he is seeking in return for aid to Ukraine, expressing his hope for an early agreement.
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Pope hospitalized with pneumonia: "His condition worsens from the previous day" - Vatican
2025-02-23 09:24:00
Regarding Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church, who is currently hospitalized with pneumonia, the Vatican revealed on the 22nd that he is experiencing asthma-like symptoms and has been receiving oxygen inhalation, indicating that it is understood that his condition has worsened since the previous day.
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US investor Buffett wants to buy more shares in Japan's top five trading companies
2025-02-23 08:04:00
Warren Buffett, the famous American investor, has expressed his desire to increase his stake in five of Japan's largest trading companies and has also made it clear that he is considering collaborating with them in the future.
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Director Mizushiri's anime "Ordinary Life" wins Silver Bear at Berlin International Film Festival
2025-02-23 07:40:00
The awards ceremony for the Berlin International Film Festival, one of the world's three major film festivals, was held, and the animated film "Ordinary Life," directed by Japanese director Yoshiko Mizushiri, won the Silver Bear, the second highest award, in the short film category.
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Heavy snowfall expected tomorrow in Tohoku and Chugoku regions, mainly on the Sea of Japan side
2025-02-23 07:11:00
Snow is falling mainly on the Sea of Japan side due to the influence of strong cold air. There is a risk of heavy snowfall with periods of heavy snowfall mainly on the Sea of Japan side from Tohoku to Chugoku region through the 24th, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution against traffic impacts, avalanches, falling snow, power outages and fallen trees due to snow accumulation.
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German election: Attention on how far the right-wing party, which has second-highest approval ratings, will gain power
2025-02-23 06:35:00
In Germany, ahead of the general election on the 23rd, the largest center-right opposition party, which is leading in opinion polls, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling party have appealed to voters in various regions for their support. Amid a series of attacks by people seeking refugee status, a right-wing party that advocates an exclusionary stance against immigrants and refugees is in second place in the approval ratings, and attention is being paid to how far it will gain influence.
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Three years after military invasion, US submits resolution without any criticism of Russia, rift with Europe
2025-02-23 06:22:00
In the run-up to the UN General Assembly on the 24th, which marks three years since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine and the European Union are seeking support for a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops, among other things. Meanwhile, the United States has submitted a separate resolution calling for an "early end to the conflict" without any critical wording about Russia, such as "invasion," exposing the rift between the two sides.
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Myanmar: Searching for crime bases; speeding up release of foreigners, including Japanese
2025-02-23 05:29:00
Regarding several crime bases in eastern Myanmar, an ethnic minority armed group responsible for border security there has revealed that it has begun a search of one of the bases. With many foreigners, including Japanese, believed to be complicit in special fraud at the crime base, the focus is on whether the movement towards their release will accelerate.
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The Japanese and British governments are set to hold the first economic version of the "2+2" meeting on the 7th of next month
2025-02-23 05:11:00
The governments of Japan and the UK are coordinating to hold the first meeting of the so-called economic version of "2+2," a framework for consultation between foreign and economic ministers, in Tokyo on the 7th of next month. With US President Trump proposing measures to impose high tariffs, the meeting is expected to confirm the promotion of free and fair trade.
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28-year-old suspect to be re-arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder in case of man found dead in Higashiosaka, Osaka
2025-02-23 02:02:00
In a case where a man's dismembered body was found in the mountains of Higashiosaka City, Osaka, a 28-year-old suspect arrested on suspicion of abandoning the body is suspected of strangling the man to death at his apartment and stealing his cash and other belongings. Interviews with investigators have revealed that police have decided to re-arrest him on suspicion of robbery-murder as early as the 23rd.
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The Emperor's 65th Birthday
2025-02-23 00:00:00
The Emperor celebrated his 65th birthday on the 23rd.
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