Main news(2025/03/19)
Trump and Zelensky held a phone call from 11:00 pm Japan time
2025-03-19 22:57:00
A White House official said that President Trump will hold a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the 19th at around 10:00 a.m. local time (around 11:00 p.m. Japan time). It is believed that they will discuss the contents of the phone call with Russian President Putin on the 18th. This will be the first time that President Trump and President Zelensky have spoken since their summit in February, which turned into a heated argument.
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TV Asahi disciplines employees for inappropriate use of expenses, cancels programs
2025-03-19 21:52:00
TV Asahi announced that it had taken disciplinary action against a 50-year-old executive director, demoting him, for inappropriately spending over 5 million yen on expenses and for bullying staff, and decided to cancel the variety show he was in charge of.
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JR Central to introduce semi-private seats on some Tokaido Shinkansen trains from fiscal 2027
2025-03-19 20:35:00
A new type of seat will be introduced on the Tokaido Shinkansen. The seat is wider than normal and has a partition separating the seat from the aisle, creating a semi-private compartment.
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"Challenging Koshien from remote islands" Senbatsu 21st Century Category Nagasaki and Iki
2025-03-19 19:55:00
There is an island that is celebrating the achievement of a local "island kid." Iki High School is a remote island in Nagasaki Prefecture facing the Genkai Sea in northern Kyushu that will be competing in the National High School Baseball Championship under the 21st Century枠. All of the team members grew up on the island and are bound together by a strong sense of unity. They will use their ingenuity to turn adversity into strength in the harsh environment of a remote island, and aim for their first victory at Koshien. (Nishioka Mion, Nagasaki Broadcasting Station reporter)
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Israeli airstrikes in Gaza put ceasefire agreement at risk of collapse
2025-03-19 19:31:00
In the Gaza Strip in Palestine, more than 400 people were killed in a large-scale Israeli airstrike, and further airstrikes were reported on the 19th, resulting in many more casualties. As Israel continues its attacks, it is pressuring the Islamic organization Hamas to release the hostages, putting the ceasefire agreement in danger of collapsing.
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President Zelensky: "Telephone call with President Trump on the 19th"
2025-03-19 19:20:00
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference in Finland that he plans to speak with US President Trump on the 19th, revealing the prospect of a phone call. It is believed that they will discuss the contents of the phone call between President Trump and Russian President Putin on the 18th.
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Tokyo District Court issues order to disclose information about sellers of idol concert tickets
2025-03-19 19:00:00
As the resale of tickets for concerts, sporting events, and other events at high prices becomes a problem, it has been learned from interviews with people involved that the Tokyo District Court has ordered a major resale website to disclose the personal information of sellers who are reselling tickets for idol group concerts at high prices. According to industry groups and others, this is the first time that such a court order has been issued.
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Prime Minister Ishiba: "I have no knowledge at all of past prime ministers distributing gift certificates" at House of Councillors Budget Committee
2025-03-19 18:30:00
Regarding Prime Minister Ishiba's gift certificate distribution issue, the opposition parties repeatedly criticized him at the House of Councillors Budget Committee, saying that his actions were far removed from public opinion. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba reiterated his intention to work on restoring public trust. However, Prime Minister Ishiba explained that he was not aware of whether previous prime ministers had distributed gift certificates.
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Fisheries Agency plans to cut Pacific mackerel catch quota by 60% next season
2025-03-19 18:27:00
With regard to mackerel catches, which have been declining, a policy has been finalized to reduce the current catch quota on the Pacific coast for the next season, which begins in July of this year, by 60%. The aim is to prevent overfishing and stabilize the catch.
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Princess Aiko attends launching ceremony for Arctic research vessel Mirai 2 in Yokohama
2025-03-19 18:15:00
Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of the Emperor and Empress, attended the launching ceremony for the Arctic research vessel in Yokohama.
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Injury sustained by freelance online mail order delivery worker during delivery recognized as work-related injury
2025-03-19 18:10:00
It has been discovered that a freelance delivery man who had a contract with a company that delivers parcels for the major online retailer Amazon was injured during a delivery and has had his injury recognized as an industrial accident. The lawyer supporting the man said that the Labor Standards Inspection Office appears to have determined that the working conditions of a freelance worker are no different from those of a company employee.
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[Latest] Dodgers: Otani batting first, Sasaki batting second, Cubs: Suzuki batting second
2025-03-19 17:21:00
The second game of the opening series of the major league baseball season, between the Dodgers and the Cubs, will be played at the Tokyo Dome tonight. Shohei Otani, who had two hits in the opening game, will be batting first and the designated hitter again today, and the starting pitcher will be Roki Sasaki, making his major league debut. Meanwhile, Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs will be batting second and the designated hitter. We are providing the latest information on the game.
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Intellectual Property High Court orders beauty clinic to pay damages for “breast augmentation surgery patent infringement”
2025-03-19 16:55:00
In a case where a breast augmentation surgery performed by a beauty clinic infringed a patent related to a drug, the Intellectual Property High Court ruled that it did infringe the patent. According to experts, this is the first ruling that recognizes patent infringement by a medical procedure.
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Osaka City issues report on Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast rice problem, including issues and health damage
2025-03-19 16:52:00
Regarding the issue of people who have taken Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red koji ingredients and have complained of health problems, the city of Osaka submitted a report to the national government on the 19th outlining problems with the factory's hygiene management system and the occurrence of health damage.
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Third-party committee finds Governor Saito and others in violation of Whistleblower Protection Act
2025-03-19 16:51:00
On the 19th, a third-party committee commissioned by Hyogo Prefecture to investigate the whistleblower documents filed by Governor Saito released a report stating that the prefecture's response to the whistleblower documents, including that of Governor Saito, violated the Whistleblower Protection Act and acknowledged the governor's words and actions as power harassment.
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Nara District Court acquits former boyfriend of 4-year-old girl's mother in case of assault and death
2025-03-19 16:37:00
The Nara District Court has acquitted the former boyfriend of a mother who was charged with assault resulting in death and other charges for assaulting and killing a 4-year-old girl at an apartment building in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, two years ago.
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Padres manager says Yu Darvish's right elbow has inflammation that could affect opening game
2025-03-19 15:58:00
Padres manager Shildt revealed that pitcher Yu Darvish has inflammation in his right elbow, and said it "may affect the opening game," suggesting he may not be able to play in time for the opening game at the end of this month.
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Graduation ceremony held one day later than scheduled at elementary school affected by forest fire in Ofunato
2025-03-19 15:25:00
A graduation ceremony was held on the 19th at an elementary school that was affected by the forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, resulting in school closures, and 12 graduating students said goodbye to their familiar school.
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Ministry of Finance presents list of Moritomo documents to be disclosed to House of Councillors Budget Committee executive board meeting
2025-03-19 15:23:00
The Ministry of Finance presented a list of documents it plans to disclose soon to the board of directors of the House of Councilors' Budget Committee regarding the disclosure of documents related to Moritomo Gakuen. The list includes over 400 documents, including emails between the Kinki Finance Bureau and the Ministry of Finance headquarters detailing the process of land transactions with the school, and is said to be over 2,000 pages in length.
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Top-secret investigation records released on Kennedy assassination
2025-03-19 15:22:00
The National Archives of the United States, in accordance with an executive order issued by President Trump, has released new documents that had been withheld from the public regarding the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy. These include investigative records marked "top secret" for CIA operatives suspected of involvement in the incident.
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Digital Minister: "Do not violate the secrecy of communications" and "active cyber defense"
2025-03-19 14:18:00
A bill to introduce "active cyber defense" to prevent cyber attacks before they occur has begun deliberation in a House of Representatives committee, and Digital Minister Taira emphasized that the system will be designed to prevent arbitrary operation by the government and that the "secrecy of communications" guaranteed by the Constitution will not be violated.
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Two arrested in Saitama motorcycle snatching incident, 11 other incidents in the surrounding area
2025-03-19 14:09:00
Police have arrested two new suspects in a motorcycle snatching incident that occurred in Saitama City last month. There have been 11 other similar incidents in the surrounding area, and police are investigating whether they are related.
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[Earthquake Alert] Seismic intensity 4 hits Shika Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, no risk of tsunami
2025-03-19 14:01:00
At around 1:25 pm on the 19th, an earthquake measuring 4 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale was observed in Ishikawa Prefecture. There is no need to worry about a tsunami caused by this earthquake.
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JX Metals listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, a large listing with a market capitalization of over 780 billion yen
2025-03-19 13:43:00
JX Metals, a metals manufacturer that produces semiconductor materials, was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Prime Market on the 19th. Based on the initial price, its market capitalization was over 780 billion yen, making it the second largest IPO this year.
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Construction of temporary housing for victims of forest fires begins in Ofunato
2025-03-19 13:20:00
Construction work began on temporary housing on the 19th to house people whose homes were damaged in the forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture.
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Women's Curling World Championship Preliminary League: Japan stops losing streak
2025-03-19 13:11:00
At the Women's World Curling Championships, which will determine spots for next year's Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics, Japan defeated Denmark 8-2 in the seventh match of the qualifying league, ending their losing streak at two.
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US Supreme Court Chief Justice reprimands Trump over deportation
2025-03-19 12:59:00
In response to the decision by the Trump administration to temporarily halt the deportation of foreign nationals, President Trump criticized the federal district court judge, saying that he should be impeached. In response, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court issued an unusual statement reprimanding President Trump, and American media reported that the conflict between the administration and the judiciary has been brought to light.
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Justice Minister Suzuki: "Opposition lawmakers also receive suit tailoring vouchers" - Opposition parties ask for correction
2025-03-19 12:56:00
In relation to the current issue of the gift certificate distribution, at the House of Representatives' Judicial Affairs Committee, Justice Minister Suzuki mentioned the possibility that suit tailoring vouchers may have been distributed to opposition lawmakers 20 years ago, but the opposition parties are calling for a correction.
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Two astronauts who were unable to return due to a NASA spacecraft malfunction return to Earth
2025-03-19 12:23:00
Two astronauts from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), who were unable to return to the International Space Station after arriving in a spacecraft being developed by Boeing, and who US President Trump repeatedly pointed out were "abandoned in space by the Biden administration," returned to Earth on the 18th.
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Former Prime Minister Kishida: "I always followed the law and responded appropriately" in reports of 100,000 yen gift certificates during his term in office
2025-03-19 12:08:00
It was reported that during the term of former Prime Minister Kishida of the Liberal Democratic Party, attendees at a meeting with parliamentary secretaries held at the Prime Minister's official residence received gift certificates from Kishida's side. Kishida's office stated that "we always respond appropriately in accordance with the law."
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Prime Minister Ishiba "deeply regrets" and apologizes again over gift certificate distribution issue at House of Councillors Budget Committee
2025-03-19 12:06:00
During the intensive Diet deliberations in the House of Councillors Budget Committee, Prime Minister Ishiba repeatedly apologized, saying that he deeply regrets the gift certificate distribution issue. However, in response to criticism from the opposition parties that this is the same as the issue surrounding the political fundraising parties held by a faction of the Liberal Democratic Party, he reiterated that this does not constitute a violation of the Political Funds Control Law.
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Bank of Japan maintains monetary policy, keeps policy interest rate at around 0.5%
2025-03-19 11:39:00
At the Monetary Policy Meeting held until the 19th, the Bank of Japan decided to maintain the current monetary policy and keep the policy interest rate at around 0.5%. It is believed that the decision was made based on the fact that the Trump administration in the United States has been implementing a series of tariff policies, increasing uncertainty about the future, and that it is necessary to carefully assess the state of the economy and prices.
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Former judge admits to charges in insider trading case first hearing
2025-03-19 10:57:00
The first hearing was held in a case in which a former judge who was seconded to the Financial Services Agency is accused of insider trading, and the former judge admitted to the charges.
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Nvidia CEO announces next-generation semiconductors with improved processing and communication speeds
2025-03-19 10:46:00
As the development of generative AI advances rapidly, American semiconductor giant NVIDIA has announced its next-generation semiconductors with improved processing and communication speeds. As attention is focused on low-cost AI development, the company has highlighted its strengths.
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[Weather forecaster's commentary] Heavy snowfall in mountainous areas from northern to western Japan - what are the prospects for the future?
2025-03-19 10:43:00
A developing low pressure system is bringing strong winds and rain and snow to a wide area from northern to western Japan, causing heavy snowfall mainly along the mountains. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that snow may accumulate on flat land in southern Kanto, including the 23 wards of Tokyo, and urges people to be careful of the impact on traffic. Weather forecaster Hiyama Yasuhiro gives an explanation of the outlook for the future. [Video is 1 minute 33 seconds long] *This content was broadcast on Good Morning Japan at 7:00 on the 19th. *Cannot be viewed on data broadcasting.
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Second bidding for stockpiled rice to begin March 26th
2025-03-19 10:14:00
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that the second round of bidding for stockpiled rice, which is aimed at facilitating rice distribution, will begin on the 26th of this month. The amount to be sold will cover 70,000 tons of rice, including rice that was not sold in the first round of bidding. The Ministry said that depending on future trends in rice prices, it will consider further releases of stockpiled rice.
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Chuo Expressway Hachioji JCT - Ichinomiya Misaka IC Otsuki JCT - Kawaguchiko IC Road closure
2025-03-19 09:03:00
Due to snow, the Chuo Expressway is closed between the Hachioji JCT in Hachioji City, Tokyo and the Ichinomiya Misaka IC in Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and between the Otsuki JCT in Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture and the Kawaguchiko IC in Fujikawaguchiko Town.
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February trade balance: 584.5 billion yen surplus, first surplus in two months
2025-03-19 09:01:00
According to the trade statistics for February released by the Ministry of Finance, the trade balance, which is exports minus imports, was a surplus of 584.5 billion yen. This is the first time in two months that the trade balance has been in the black.
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Heavy snowfall in mountainous areas of northern and western Japan, risk of snowfall in Tokyo's 23 wards
2025-03-19 06:54:00
A developing low pressure system is bringing rain and snow to a wide area from northern to western Japan, bringing strong winds and heavy snowfall, especially in mountainous areas. The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution regarding the impact of snow on traffic, as there is a risk of snow accumulation in flat areas in southern Kanto, including the 23 wards of Tokyo.
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U.S. and Russian leaders agree to begin by halting attacks on energy facilities Ukraine situation
2025-03-19 06:10:00
On the 18th, a telephone conversation between US President Trump and Russian President Putin took place, and the White House announced that the two leaders agreed to begin by halting attacks on energy facilities and infrastructure in order to end the fighting. However, President Putin pointed out problems with the 30-day ceasefire proposal proposed by the US and accepted by Ukraine, and did not accept it.
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Brazilian President Lula criticizes Trump administration's tariff measures
2025-03-19 06:07:00
Ahead of his state visit to Japan starting on the 24th of this month, Brazilian President Lula gave interviews to NHK and other media outlets in which he criticized the succession of tariff measures being imposed by the Trump administration in the United States as "absurd," and emphasized the importance of promoting free trade.
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UN Security Council calls for continued ceasefire in Gaza airstrikes from various countries
2025-03-19 05:47:00
Following the Israeli military's massive airstrikes on bases and other targets of the Islamic organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip in Palestine, which are said to have killed more than 400 people, various countries in the UN Security Council called for the continuation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but the representative of the United States indicated his support for the airstrikes.
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Baltic states and Poland to withdraw from landmine ban treaty
2025-03-19 05:41:00
In response to growing security concerns following Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, the three Baltic states and Poland, which border Russia, issued a joint statement on the 18th announcing their intention to withdraw from an international treaty banning the use of anti-personnel mines.
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Germany passes amendment to Basic Law, easing fiscal discipline to increase defense spending
2025-03-19 05:40:00
The German Bundestag has passed a bill to amend the Basic Law, which is equivalent to the constitution, by a majority in order to relax fiscal discipline so that defense spending can be increased. If the bill is passed, it is expected that efforts to strengthen national security will accelerate even in Germany, where fiscal discipline is strict.
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Ukrainian official: "No territorial concessions" after 11 years of Russia's annexation of Crimea
2025-03-19 05:39:00
A senior Ukrainian government official in charge of Crimea policy gave an interview to NHK and said that Crimea, a region in southern Ukraine that was unilaterally annexed by Russia, "should be returned to Ukraine," reiterating the Ukrainian government's position that it will not make any territorial concessions.
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