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00:00Welcome to New Zealand Tokyo, I'm Yamasawa Rina and I'm Raja Prada. Here are the headlines.
00:16The Bank of Japan governor signals a rate hike will be on the cards at this month's meeting.
00:22The closely watched trial of the head of the group, formerly known as the Unification Church, begins in Seoul.
00:30And South and Southeast Asia are struggling after torrential rains cause deadly landslides and kill hundreds.
00:38Growing efforts are underway to reach a peace deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
00:45U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Moscow on Monday to try to push talks forward.
00:51The U.S. envoy is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.
00:58The trip comes on the heels of U.S.-Ukrainian talks on Sunday in Florida.
01:04U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio and Witkoff took part in the discussions.
01:10They met with Rustin Umelov, Ukraine's Secretary of National Security and Defense Council.
01:17Rubio afterwards said the talks were productive, but he added that there is more work to be done.
01:25This is delicate. It's complicated. There are a lot of moving parts and obviously there's another party involved here that will have to be a part of the equation.
01:33The Wall Street Journal quoted a senior U.S. official as saying that they covered possible timetables for elections in Ukraine.
01:43They also reportedly spoke about the prospect of land swaps between Russia and Ukraine.
01:50U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope that the negotiations make progress.
01:55Russia would like to see it end and I think Ukraine, I know Ukraine would like to see it end.
02:00I think that there's a good chance we can make a deal.
02:05Attention now turns to the stance Moscow takes when Witkoff visits this week.
02:12Now, President Trump says he's held phone talks with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro.
02:18This comes as the U.S. ramps up military pressure in response to alleged drug trafficking.
02:25The New York Times ordered that you had a phone call with Maduro. Did you?
02:29I don't want to comment on it. The answer is yes.
02:32Trump did not disclose the details of what he discussed with Maduro.
02:36He also refused to elaborate on a social media post which read,
02:40Please consider the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed.
02:45Does your warning mean that an airstrike is imminent or should we not read it that way?
02:51Don't read anything into it.
02:53The U.S. has attacked several boats and waters off the Venezuelan coast since September.
02:58It claims the vessels were smuggling large quantities of drugs, which it says amounts to an act of terrorism.
03:05Washington has also deployed an aircraft carrier and other vessels to waters off Venezuela.
03:10It has also not ruled out ground operations in the country.
03:14The massive fire at the residential complex in Hong Kong has left at least 151 people dead and more than 30 unaccounted for.
03:26Local authorities say it will take three to four weeks to recover and identify the other victims.
03:31The blaze broke out on Wednesday. It spread to seven of the eight towers at the site.
03:39The complex is located in the northern district of Taipo.
03:43A local TV station aired photographs showing damage inside some of the rooms.
03:50Authorities reported they have finished searching five of the burned buildings.
03:55But they said similar operations in the other two affected towers have been more difficult.
04:02Borners formed a long line at a park near the complex to pay tribute to the victims on Sunday.
04:09Visitors left written messages. Some notes included words of encouragement for the people of Hong Kong.
04:17Many also called for an investigation into the cause of the tragedy.
04:22Hong Kong media outlets reported two more individuals were arrested on Sunday for alleged sedition.
04:30The Chinese government security agency in Hong Kong issued a warning on Saturday to stem possible anti-government activities.
04:40It warned that people will be punished under Hong Kong's national security law if they use the disaster as an excuse to cause disruptions.
04:51Next, the trial of the leader of the religious group formerly known as the Unification Church began Monday at a court in Seoul.
04:59The defense team for Han Hakucha has denied all charges against her.
05:06The first hearing was held at the Seoul Central District Court.
05:09Han is accused of violating the political fund law and allegedly conspired with a former senior official of the group.
05:16The two are accused of providing illegal funds worth 100 million won, about $68,000 to a political heavyweight before South Korea's 2022 presidential election.
05:28The alleged recipient was close to former president Yun Sonyeol.
05:32Han has also been charged with giving luxury bags to Yun's wife, Kim Gon-hee.
05:37During a witness examination held in the afternoon, prosecutors pointed out it's become quite difficult to send funds from Japan to South Korea after former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was killed in 2022.
05:50In response, the subordinate of a former senior member of the religious group admitted that was true.
05:56A special prosecution team suspects the group tried to approach those around the former president to increase its political influence.
06:09Ashita Ryota in Seoul, who is covering this trial.
06:12So, this trial is being closely watched.
06:14So, how was it today, Ryota?
06:16Yes.
06:17Reporters from not only South Korea, but also Japan gathered at a call to cover the trial.
06:25A room was set up to allow people to observe outside the actual courtroom.
06:30The proceeding stream arrived.
06:32I watched there.
06:34People believed to be followers of the group from around the world also came.
06:39Han appeared in a wheelchair and briefly answered questions from the preceding judge about her date of birth and family register at the start of the hearing.
06:51During the morning, Han didn't speak about the indictment, but she was seen talking with the lawyer sitting next to her during the prosecutor's opening statement.
07:02After break, the trial continued in the afternoon.
07:07Prosecutors were carried out to examine witness statements by a former senior member of the group.
07:14So, Ryota, what is the focus of the trial going forward?
07:19The special prosecutor believes that the series of incidents in which the organization tried to approach former President Yun to expand its political influence
07:31were ordered by Han.
07:33But the lawyer for Han argued that the series of incidents were caused by a former senior official of the group at his own discretion.
07:44And that she didn't give instructions.
07:47In future hearings, attention will focus on whether there is strong evidence to prove that Han ordered incidents and if the way the religious group carries them out will be revealed.
08:02Ryota, in Japan, the group's past activities are seen as problematic, such as compelling followers to make large donations.
08:11But will Han's trial change the group's activities, do you think?
08:16The group is still continuing its activity with Han as its head even after her indictment.
08:24It's calling on its followers to believe in the innocence of the Holy Mother and doesn't appear to be in disarray.
08:33Some believers gather in front of the detention center to proclaim her innocence.
08:39Some experts say that the group's future has become unstable, following the arrest and the trial.
08:47And if Han is found guilty, it could lead to a struggle for a successor.
08:53This could affect the destiny of the group, which has followers in South Korea, Japan and other parts of the world.
09:02NHK World's Yamashita Ryota in Seoul. Thank you.
09:09Japan's central bank chief is dropping some big hints on monetary policy.
09:22Yanaka Murray from our business team has the details.
09:26Thanks, Rina.
09:28Governor Ueda Kazoo has given the clear signal yet that a rate hike will be on the cards when the Bank of Japan meets this month.
09:36The BOJ chief told a business forum that policymakers will weigh the pros and cons of the move at their two-day gathering starting December 18th.
09:46Given factors such as the recent decline in uncertainties surrounding the U.S. economy and tariff policies,
09:55the bank considers that the likelihood of the baseline scenario for economic activity and prices being realized is gradually increasing.
10:03The bank is at the stage where it should examine whether firms' active wage-setting behavior will continue.
10:09In particular, it will be important to confirm the momentum of initial moves toward next year's annual spring labor management wage negotiations.
10:18Ueda noted that workers enjoyed a record increase in the minimum wage this fiscal year,
10:24and he pointed to plans by employers to keep raising pay.
10:28The central bank chief was quick to add that even if policymakers increase the benchmark rate,
10:34they'll keep accommodative financial conditions in place.
10:39He said a rate hike under current monetary conditions would not be putting the brakes on economic activity.
10:46Rather, it would be like easing off the accelerator to achieve stable growth and prices.
10:52The BOJ's last rate rise came in January.
10:55Since then, the central bank has stood pat six times.
11:00Those remarks by Ueda caused quite a stir in the Tokyo markets.
11:05They intensified speculation about a December rate hike, which boosted the yen and bond yields.
11:11Stocks, on the other hand, were hit hard.
11:14Let's start with the yield on the benchmark 10-year government bond.
11:18The rate surged to hit 1.87 percent at one point, the highest level in 17 years.
11:26When the central bank's policy rate rises, bonds typically offer higher returns through yields.
11:33On to currencies.
11:34The yen strengthened drastically, touching the lower 155 level against the dollar during Tokyo hours.
11:41Higher interest rates offer better returns on investments in the country, which boosts demand for its currency.
11:48The stronger yen hit Tokyo's benchmark stock index.
11:52Investors unloaded exporters.
11:54At one point, the Nikkei average tumbled over 1,000 yen, or two percent.
11:59In the end, it closed 1.9 percent lower to break a four-day winning streak.
12:04Analysts say investors were increasingly wary of overheating on the Nikkei, which has had quite a run in recent months.
12:12So they saw Ueda's comments as a cue to sell.
12:15Japan looks likely to drop a tax exemption for low-value imports.
12:22Government officials say there is concern a boom in cross-border commerce is hurting local retailers.
12:30The exemption applies to parcels valued at up to 10,000 yen, or 64 dollars.
12:36Last year, purchasers in Japan imported about 170 million items in this category, mostly goods bought from China-based e-commerce sites.
12:45Collectively, they were worth more than 400 billion yen, or 2.5 billion dollars.
12:52The change would require e-commerce sites to pay taxes on such parcels.
12:58It's expected to be introduced in the next fiscal year, starting in April.
13:03The move follows a similar change in the U.S., where the Trump administration scrapped a tax exemption on imports of low-value packages in August.
13:13Next, we go to China, where factory activity shrank again in November, extending the losing streak to eight months.
13:21New orders were sluggish even as the U.S. cut some tariffs on Chinese imports.
13:28The National Bureau of Statistics says the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index stood at 49.2.
13:35That's up two-tenths of a point from October, but still below the 50-point threshold separating growth from contraction.
13:43The survey covered 3,200 manufacturers.
13:47The gauges for large, mid-sized, and small companies all remained below the 50 mark.
13:54The index for non-manufacturers, which includes service providers, also indicated weakness.
14:00It fell six-tenths of a point to 49.5.
14:04This is the first time the index for non-manufacturers has dropped below 50 since December 2022, when the economy was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
14:15Let's finish with a check on the markets across the Asia-Pacific.
14:20It was a mixed bag, with Japan's Nikkei, by far the worst performer on those rate hike prospects.
14:27Speculation around interest rates was also a factor for the benchmark in Australia, which fell six-tenths of a percent.
14:34Heavyweight financials were down after recent economic data fueled expectations that the central bank has reached the end of its easing cycle.
14:43China's main stock index gained two-thirds of a percent despite weak factory data.
14:49Investors bought up stocks of state-owned firms related to domestic demand ahead of next week's Central Economic Work Conference.
14:57The annual meeting sets the national agenda for the coming year's economy.
15:01And that's the biz for this Monday.
15:04All right.
15:05Thank you very much for that, Marie.
15:07We have a quick correction to an earlier story out of Seoul.
15:10In our report from Seoul, we said that prosecutors were carried out to examine witness statements, but we should have said procedures instead.
15:20We apologize for that error.
15:22We move now to Rosalind Devabalia at our bureau in Bangkok for more stories-making headlines across the Asia-Pacific.
15:28Rosalind.
15:29Torrential rain is battering nations across South and Southeast Asia.
15:35The downpours are triggering deadly landslides on the western Indonesian island of Sumatra.
15:41Authorities say at least 442 people have been killed and over 400 are missing.
15:47Parts of the region recorded over 300 millimeters a day during bouts of heavy rainfall last week.
15:53The extreme weather has caused widespread flooding and landslides.
15:57More than 300,000 people have been evacuated.
16:00Satellite images show the scale of the damage in northern Sumatra.
16:05One photo shows a wide expanse turned mud brown, with silt pouring into the sea at several points.
16:12The same area, seen in a picture taken back in June, appears lush and green before the disaster.
16:18Eight Japanese nationals were stranded in Ache.
16:21Seven have been rescued and the remaining individual chose to stay.
16:26Officials say the person has enough food.
16:29Meanwhile, intense rain is wreaking havoc in other parts of Asia.
16:34Officials in Thailand say 170 people have been killed in flooding and landslides in the country's south since mid-November.
16:43Millions have been affected.
16:45And in Sri Lanka, a cyclone last week unleashed floods and landslides that left over 350 people dead and more than 360 missing.
16:55President Anura Kumara Disanayaka says the country is facing the most difficult rescue operation in its history.
17:04Thousands of Filipinos have rallied in Metro Manila, denouncing what they see as corruption tied to flood control projects that stalled or never broke ground.
17:14In Quesong City on Sunday, protesters called for the arrest of all those accused in the alleged graft.
17:27You need to stop the corruption.
17:30You need to actually realize that the people are suffering from it, especially the poor ones.
17:36You need to change the system.
17:39Public criticism has grown as a series of ghost disaster prevention projects came to light, even though budgets had already been allocated.
17:48Many believe that deadly flooding from recent typhoons could have been reduced if the projects had been properly carried out.
17:55Authorities say they've arrested eight officials linked to the projects.
17:59They've also issued an arrest warrant for a former lawmaker who has since left the country.
18:05President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged to pursue the case to the fullest extent and has set up a special commission to investigate.
18:13But the former House Speaker, the president's cousin, is also under suspicion.
18:18That's raised questions about whether the probe will be extended to people close to the president.
18:24Japan is marking the 60th anniversary of an aid program known as the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.
18:32It comes as international cooperation is under strain, including the U.S. administration's review of its foreign aid.
18:39NHK World's Kim Ji-yong reports on projects in Laos, the first country to receive assistance.
18:46A ceremony marking the 60th anniversary brought together current and former volunteers with Laos government officials.
18:57Japan's aid agency JAICA and its predecessor have sent more than 1,100 people to Laos over the years.
19:07Japan's overseas volunteer projects have played an essential role in developing knowledge and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries
19:20in the field of education, sports, agriculture, forestry, tourism and trade.
19:2884-year-old Onishi Norio is visiting Laos for the first time in 58 years.
19:39He was one of the first to be dispatched to the country.
19:43I'm filled with emotion to be back here. It's changed so much, it makes me wonder if I was really here.
19:50After graduating from high school, Onishi went to the U.S. to study agriculture.
20:00Inspired by the activities of young people there, he applied to become a volunteer.
20:08When he first arrived, Laos people sold their parties with rice grains, a method that often saw the grains washed away in rainstones.
20:19Onishi introduced the Japanese practice of growing the seeds elsewhere and transplanting the seedlings.
20:27This helped boost local rice production.
20:32On this trip, Onishi had the opportunity to share his experiences from his first visit.
20:44We had a long talk in the candlelight, and it remains an unforgettable memory.
20:57After listening to Onishi's speech, I realized that the most important thing is to keep communicating.
21:03Another important form of support that Japan provides is coaching sports.
21:10Kikuchi Tomoki teaches judo.
21:14Laos continues to face financial difficulties, and its budget for sports programs is limited.
21:22Now, Kikuchi is training athletes in the country's national team in the martial arts hall in Vientiane, built with financial aid from Japan.
21:35I've improved physically.
21:36At first, I didn't have the strength to fight properly, but now I'm looking forward to performing new techniques in the matches.
21:45Kikuchi hopes to contribute to the development of judo in Laos.
21:52I think it's important to continue coaching and passing on the techniques and history of judo to others.
21:58One day, I hope people will know that it was me who brought Lao judo to this level.
22:02With international aid under increasing pressure,
22:07Japanese volunteers continue to be the face of Japan and play a role in building trust with local people in Laos.
22:17Kim Ji-young, NHK World, Vientiane.
22:23And that wraps up our bulletin.
22:24I'm Rosalind De Bovalia in Bangkok.
22:26Thank you very much for that, Rosalind.
22:29Major Japanese insurance firms are offering a new line of options related to rising bear sightings.
22:37Existing non-life policies cover damage to houses, vehicles and other property caused by bears.
22:45But a new product out this month focuses on the economic losses incurred by hotels and leisure facilities.
22:53Tokyo Marine and Nichido Fire Insurance will cover lost bookings when businesses are forced to close down temporarily due to bear sightings.
23:03The cost of electric fencing and other protective measures will also be insured.
23:09Maximum payouts will reach 10 million yen or about $64,000.
23:16Policy holders will have to provide proof of bear intrusions through surveillance camera footage or other means.
23:24MS and AD Insurance Group holdings is offering support to local municipalities.
23:30It aims to help officials draw up manuals and stage drills to counter bears.
23:36The move comes as local governments now have the authority to order the emergency use of firearms against the animals.
23:45Japan is seeing a spike in bear attacks on humans in urban areas.
23:55A bear running on a highway.
23:58Here's another one that entered an elementary school.
24:02What can we do to protect ourselves?
24:09If you inadvertently encounter a bear, do not turn your back and run away.
24:15That could make the bear aggressive.
24:17Slowly step backwards while facing the bear.
24:23If an attack is imminent, lie face down on the ground and cover your head.
24:36Be particularly cautious in the early morning hours as bears are active around that time.
24:43Stay safe.
24:48We turn to world weather with our meteorologist Jonathan Oh.
24:53Hello. We saw temperatures starting off quite chilly in the morning hours on Monday,
24:57but moving up into near 20 degrees in some locations.
25:01Tokyo certainly felt quite mild and that's above average for this time of year.
25:04The exception to that is up to the north where we're dealing with cooling temperatures
25:08and we're talking the possibility of seeing snow as we go overnight in today on Tuesday.
25:13We do have a milder pattern across Japan and it looks like that as we head into the day,
25:17we head into the day on Tuesday.
25:19Temperatures are going to be in the upper teens from Tokyo into Fukuoka, 26 in Naha.
25:24But that wet weather pattern, also possibly some snow pattern during the early morning hours
25:28into Sapporo.
25:29It's caused by a cold front that's going to move on through.
25:31So that's going to be a little bit different.
25:32But, I mean, after that, look at this.
25:34Niigata still also seeing highs at around 16 as we go through the day on Tuesday.
25:39Meanwhile, bitter blast happening across a good portion of the United States
25:45and into Canada as well.
25:47I want to show you some video, though, coming out of Chicago where, yeah, we've been seeing
25:52a winter storm rolling through the upper Midwest and into the Windy City, turning it into a
25:56land of white during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend at Brookfield Zoo.
25:59You just saw that bison.
26:00Didn't seem to be too bothered one way or another with that snow.
26:03While Tim the brown bear right there spotted rolling around in the white stuff.
26:08But even though these guys were kind of enjoying the snow, it may have been a little bit more
26:13difficult for those in Chicago where O'Hare saw a decent amount of snowfall, the highest
26:19for the month of November.
26:21And because of that, it caused some flight delays over a very busy travel weekend.
26:25Now, we are looking at more snow to develop as we see a low coming out from the desert southwest,
26:31combining with that cold air, and as it does so, it will spread across into the Great Lakes
26:35and into the northeastern United States, which means, yeah, we're talking about winter weather
26:40situation with chilly weather.
26:42Minus one in Toronto, also to Chicago.
26:44Down to Oklahoma City, two degrees for the high with snow as we go through today on Monday.
26:49So bundle up.
26:50Hope you have a good day wherever you are.
26:53Thanks.
26:54Bye-bye.
27:22And that wraps up this edition of Newsroom Tokyo.
27:37Make sure you catch our program on our website as well.
27:40I'm Raja Pradhan.
27:41And I'm Yamasawa Arena.
27:42Thank you very much for watching.
27:44Please join us again tomorrow.
27:52We'll see you next time.
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