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00:00Welcome to Newsroom Tokyo. I'm Yamasawa Rina and I'm Yoshikara Ryuichi. Here are the headlines.
00:15Allies of the detained Venezuelan president say they will continue to govern despite
00:19Washington's intention to run the country. Japanese Prime Minister Takahichi Sanae
00:26talked diplomacy and security at her first news conference of the year.
00:32And Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myen.
00:37We'll take a look at what Beijing's strategy is now.
00:42Close aides to Venezuela's ousted President Nicolas Maduro are pushing back against the United States.
00:49They say they will continue governing, defying Washington's plan to run their nation.
00:56Vladimir Padrino, Venezuela's defense minister, said the armed forces strongly condemn the kidnapping
01:05of Maduro and his wife, as well as the killing of soldiers and civilians.
01:12Padrino warned that the U.S. military operation represents a serious threat to the global order.
01:18He also said Venezuela rejects what he called the colonialist pretension Washington wants to implement.
01:28Vice President Del C. Rodriguez is acting president.
01:32She has said Venezuela will never again become a colony of any empire.
01:37But U.S. President Donald Trump says his country is going to run Venezuela until a safe, proper and judicious transition is ensured.
01:48In an interview with The Atlantic magazine, he warned that if Rodriguez does not comply, she will pay a big price.
01:58Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday that no country can play the role of international police or international judge.
02:07It is a sentiment echoed by this U.S. expert.
02:13There's no authority in international law to use military force to enter the territory of another nation to capture a de facto head of state or any other individual because they're facing criminal charges in your country.
02:27Oil is also a factor.
02:31U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ABC News that the U.S. has a quarantine on Venezuela's supply.
02:39He said that no sanctioned oil can come in and out until they make changes to the governance of that entire industry.
02:48Rubio said Venezuela's economy will not move forward until conditions in the national interest of the U.S. and Venezuelans are met.
02:58He added that the U.S. wants them to have an oil industry where the wealth goes to the people.
03:05Trump has also reiterated his opinion that the U.S. needs Greenland, saying in an interview a day after the Venezuelan operation that the self-governing island is surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.
03:22Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement on Sunday that it makes absolutely no sense to talk about the U.S. needing to take over Greenland.
03:33She said the Kingdom of Denmark is part of NATO and is covered by the alliance's security guarantee.
03:42Frederiksen urged Washington to stop threats against a historically close ally and against people who have very clearly said they are not for sale.
03:55Japanese Prime Minister Takaiji Sanae on Monday kicked off the year with a news conference.
04:01Speaking about Venezuela, she said Japan has consistently emphasized the importance of restoring its democracy.
04:11Takaiji gave the news conference after visiting Isejingu Shrine in Miye Prefecture.
04:16Our government will continue its diplomatic efforts to prioritize the safety of Japanese nationals to restore democracy and stabilize the situation in Venezuela while working closely with G7 members and nations in the region.
04:35She also discussed Japan's relations with China, which soured last November after she made a remark about a possible Taiwan emergency.
04:46Takaiji said she has always sought a mutually beneficial relationship based on common interests, adding that she wanted to build a constructive and stable relationship.
04:56She said that's been consistent since she took office.
04:59She added that Tokyo will keep in touch with Beijing.
05:04Takaiji also talked about her plan to revise three of Japan's major national security documents, given that the security environment is changing rapidly.
05:15She says talks within the government are already underway and they will work towards more concrete discussions.
05:22She hopes to get those revisions done within the year.
05:25Reporters also asked Takaiji about dissolving the Loa House.
05:31She has not yet faced a national election as prime minister, but continues to have high approval ratings.
05:38In her comments, she did not mention a potential snap election.
05:44I told the ministers to implement the 2025 fiscal supplementary budget as soon as possible.
05:52It is important for the people to feel the effects of my cabinet's economic policies and our measures against rising prices.
06:01I am working hard to tackle these challenges.
06:08Regarding the ruling coalition,
06:10Takaiji said political stability is key to advancing her economic strategies, security policies and diplomatic goals.
06:19She said her ruling Liberal Democratic Party continues to build a relationship with its junior coalition partner, Japan Innovation Party.
06:28Meanwhile, she will continue to call on opposition parties, including the Democratic Party for the people, to cooperate.
06:36Chinese President Xi Jinping has met South Korean President Yi Jemiong in China on Monday as part of a state visit.
06:48Attention is on what Xi may have called on Seoul to do amid deteriorating relations between Japan and China.
06:55For more insight, we have with us Michishita Narushige, an executive vice president at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.
07:06He's a specialist in security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
07:10So, Professor, thank you very much for joining us.
07:11Thank you very much for having me.
07:13Thank you very much for joining us.
07:43Thank you very much for joining us.
08:13Thank you very much for joining us.
08:42So, what do you think is China's intention?
08:45Right. So, the question is, why now?
08:49Why now? Because previous President, South Korean President, Mr. Yun Sonyeol, thank you,
08:58was strongly committed to promoting a trilateral security cooperation among the U.S., South Korea and Japan, right?
09:08So, it was difficult for China to drive a wedge among those three countries.
09:14Certainly, President Li Jemiong is interested in maintaining that cooperation, but not as strongly committed to that, you know, kind of partnership as his predecessor.
09:26So, Mr. Xi or China sees it as an opportunity.
09:32Well, on Saturday, the United States attacked Venezuela and detained the President Nicolas Maduro and transferred him to the United States.
09:41So, what's the impact in the Indo-Pacific region?
09:46Yeah. So, there are upside and downside.
09:51The downside is certainly this gives an opportunity for Russia and China to justify what they have been doing.
10:02Right. But, there is an upside, which is, you know, this might actually enhance deterrence vis-a-vis Russia and China.
10:12In the past, Russia and China have been using force aggressively.
10:18You know, Russia invaded Ukraine.
10:21China has been using force against the Philippines in the South China Sea.
10:27China has been taking aggressive actions vis-a-vis Taiwan.
10:31But, because the U.S. was kind of abiding by international norms, you know, rules and norms, the U.S. could not respond strongly to these actions.
10:44Right.
10:44But now, in a way, Mr. Trump, by taking this action, proved that or demonstrated that the U.S. can be quite aggressive.
10:55So, hopefully, Russia and China will become a little more cautious going forward.
11:03Well, U.S. and China summit meeting is due to be held in April and, you know, try to ease tensions.
11:13Is there any change in the relationship between China and the U.S.?
11:18Yeah, so, President Xi would like to improve relations with the U.S. and bring Mr. Trump toward China and, hopefully, you know, kind of drive a wedge between the U.S. and Japan by, for example, taking aggressive provocative actions or aggressive actions vis-a-vis Japan.
11:40And when Mr. Xi met with Mr. Trump in April, Mr. Xi can say, well, I know you are a big peacemaker and this is a great opportunity to start improving the situation in East Asia.
11:55You know, you know, Ms. Takahichi, Japanese Prime Minister, has been, you know, heightening the tension.
12:03But let's use this opportunity to improve, start improving the situation.
12:08And for that purpose, please tell Japan not to take any provocative actions anymore.
12:15So, I mean, that can be a one scenario that I'm concerned about.
12:19So, as you said, the relationship between Japan and China has deteriorated after Takahichi's remarks on a possible Taiwan emergency.
12:29So, how should Japan respond to these China's reactions?
12:34So, the most important thing is for Japan to keep the U.S.-South Korea-Japan, you know, partnership together and keep those countries united.
12:46So, fortunately, Mr. Li is coming to Nara, which is happened to be Ms. Takahichi's hometown soon.
12:56So, when Ms. Takahichi met with Mr. Li, she should tell him this.
13:02So, Mr. President, I know you are trying to improve relationship with China, which is a good thing.
13:09And actually, Japan is trying to do the same.
13:12But it seems that Mr. Xi is trying to drive a wedge between South Korea and Japan, and maybe between Japan and the United States.
13:23And we must not buy into that tactics, Chinese hands, right?
13:27So, in fact, so she can tell Mr. Li, in fact, by keeping ourselves united, we can enhance our bargaining position vis-a-vis China.
13:41So, that would be the best way for us to improve our relationship with China.
13:46Okay. Thank you very much for the analysis.
13:49Thank you very much.
13:50Under the Zodiac calendar used in Japan, 2026 is the year of the horse.
14:08And for business, it's off to a galloping start in a couple of ways.
14:13For the details, let's bring in Yanaka Murray from our business team.
14:17Thanks, Reena.
14:18Let's start off with stocks.
14:21We saw the Nikkei average surge right out of the gate, briefly regaining the 52,000 level for the first time in two months.
14:29That was after the Tokyo Stock Exchange marked the first trading day of 2026,
14:34with a traditional ceremony and prayers for a prosperous year ahead.
14:43The ceremony was attended by TSE officials, traders, brokers, and others.
14:48We expect the market to rise as Japan moves toward a stronger economy.
14:57This should be backed by robust performance at Japanese companies, a recovery in private consumption,
15:04a rise in corporate investment, and the government's stimulus measures.
15:08Finance minister, Katayama Satsuki, was also on hand.
15:14She said this year will determine whether Japan can avoid a return to deflation.
15:19She added that the government has put in place measures to spur growth,
15:24and she hopes the stock market will back that up.
15:27Participants clapped their hands to wish for active trading in the year ahead.
15:31In 2025, the Nikkei index gained more than 10,000 points, or 26%,
15:52ending the year above 50,000 for the first time.
15:55Investors hope the momentum will carry forward into 2026, supported by a broad-based economic revival.
16:03The Tokyo benchmark ended the first trading day up almost 3% at 51,832.
16:11The gains were led by semiconductor-related shares on expectations chips for AI will drive growth.
16:18Shares of exporting firms also rose as the yen weakened.
16:23Now, another early signal of the business mood is the year's first auction of bluefin tuna.
16:29The prized fish at Tokyo's Toyosu Wholesale Seafood Market reeled in a record price of over $3 million.
16:41Raw and frozen tuna from around Japan and elsewhere went under the hammer on Monday morning.
16:47The highest price was called out for a bluefin brought in to Oma Port in Aomori Prefecture in the country's northeast.
16:56The winning bid was 510 million yen, or about $3.2 million.
17:01It came from a sushi chain based in Tokyo's Tsukiji district.
17:05This is a lucky charm.
17:12So I hope people all over Japan can enjoy a bite of it and feel revitalized.
17:18It was the highest price paid since at least 1999, when comparable records became available.
17:29It far exceeds the previous high of 333 million yen set in 2019.
17:37Let's finish with a check on stock markets across the Asia-Pacific.
17:40China's Shanghai Composite added 1.4% to end at its highest in a month and a half
17:55after a government fund increased its stake in a major chipmaker.
17:59Sentiment was also supported by a deep-seek paper touting the competitiveness of its AI model.
18:06Taiwan's index jumped over 2.5% to close at a record high.
18:12Semiconductor giant TSMC surged over 5% after Goldman Sachs lifted its price target for the stock.
18:21Seoul's Kospi also ended at an all-time high.
18:23The benchmark soared nearly 3.5% led by chipmakers.
18:29And that's the biz for this Monday.
18:36Now let's go to Rosalind Devavalia in our Bangkok studio for stories making headlines across the Asia-Pacific.
18:48In Myanmar's general election, a military-backed party has won a landslide in the first phase of voting.
18:55The junta says the vote, the first since the 2021 coup, is part of a transition back to civilian rule.
19:03But international critics call it a sham.
19:06The military-appointed election commission said the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party
19:12won 91 of the 102 seats in the lower house up for grabs.
19:18The junta said about half of eligible voters cast ballots in the first phase held on December 28th.
19:25Under Myanmar's constitution, a quarter of the 664 seats in parliament in both chambers are reserved for the military and are not contested.
19:37Vote counting for the upper house is continuing.
19:40Voting is being held in three phases by region, running through January 25th.
19:44Because of ongoing conflict, polling has been cancelled in 65 of Myanmar's 330 townships, about 20% of the country.
19:56Pro-democracy groups are excluded from the election.
20:00Asian countries are reacting to the U.S. capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro.
20:05Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim wrote on social media on Sunday that the operation was a clear violation of international law
20:14and an unlawful use of force against a sovereign state.
20:18He called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife and warned that the forcible removal of a sitting head of government sets a dangerous precedent.
20:28The Philippine Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that while it acknowledges U.S. security considerations,
20:35it stresses the principles of international law, including the independence and sovereign equality of states.
20:43Thailand urged all parties involved to resolve the conflict peacefully with full respect for the U.N. charter and international law
20:51and to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid escalation.
20:55India called the developments in Venezuela a matter of deep concern and encouraged all sides to address issues peacefully through dialogue.
21:05Air pollution is a serious problem across South Asia during winter months.
21:11In Pakistan, authorities are using new technology to help protect residents from smog.
21:17NHK World's Nazar al-Islam reports.
21:19A thick haze is blanketing Pakistan's second largest city, Lahore, cutting visibility and making even short trips outside a struggle.
21:30Cars and motorbikes emerge from the murk, barely visible.
21:37Smog causes eye allergies and it makes it hard for me to breathe.
21:41When I leave home, I sneeze a lot.
21:43During these smoggy days, we face many problems.
21:46The haze is also taking a toll on livelihoods.
21:51A street window says few people are wrenching out, hurting sales.
21:58Smog keeps people inside their homes.
22:02It's become very difficult to sell goods.
22:05Business is nothing like it used to be.
22:09Hospitals across the city are feeling the strain
22:12as more patients seek treatment for respiratory problems.
22:18This level of smoke is very dangerous to the health
22:22and as well as many other health conditions
22:28and especially for the children, elderly and the pregnant females.
22:34Authorities in Punjab province where Lahore is located
22:38say they are stepping up efforts to fight back.
22:42Working in what they call a smoke war room,
22:45officials monitor pollution hotspots,
22:48particularly industrial areas,
22:50using a network of cameras and thermal sensors.
22:54Satellite fields are also used to track pollution sources in real time.
22:59Inspection teams are sent to areas where air quality suddenly worsens.
23:10They have the authority to seal factories,
23:13stop stubble burning and impose fines on serious violators.
23:19Officials say the system was upgraded in late 2025
23:23to incorporate AI technology, enhancing the analysis of incoming data
23:28and improving predictions of wave pollution levels are likely to spike.
23:34Based on those improved forecasts,
23:37water spraying trucks are dispatched in advance to release a fine mist,
23:42helping reduce the concentration of airborne pollutants.
23:46Authorities say these measures have helped cut levels
23:50of fine particulate matter known as PM 2.5 by about 60 percent
23:56compared with the previous smoke season,
23:59which they describe as the worst on record in the province.
24:04We hope that we will maintain this ambient air quality in a better way
24:09and all pollution sources will be minimized.
24:12But officials acknowledge there are limits
24:16to what Pakistan can do on its own.
24:19They say about 30 percent of Lahore's air pollution
24:22at this time of year
24:24is carried by winds from across the border with India.
24:29When stubble burning takes place in India
24:31along the east border with Pakistan,
24:34then the smoke comes to Lahore from that border
24:39and raises the air quality index of Lahore.
24:43Air pollution has no cross boundaries.
24:44Tackling the problem may require both Pakistan and India
24:50to navigate long-standing and complex tensions.
24:54Natural Islam, NHK World, Lahore.
24:59And that wraps up our bulletin.
25:01I'm Rosalind Abouvalia in Bangkok.
25:03And now it's time for a look at world weather
25:17with our meteorologist, Sayaka Mori.
25:21Many people returned to work today in Japan,
25:24but it was a tough start for people in the northeast.
25:27We're talking about heavy snow and strong winds.
25:29In parts of the north, we've got an additional 30 centimeters of snow.
25:33Tsukai, which is the snowiest spot of the nation,
25:36has about 2.7 meters of snow on the ground.
25:40That's 30 percent higher than usual.
25:42And several places have over one meter of snow already.
25:46Now, cold, dry air is changed to snow clouds
25:49thanks to the Sea of Japan's moisture.
25:53And we are looking at heavy snow from Hokkaido down to the Hokuriko region.
25:57It looks like an additional 70 centimeters of snow is still on the menu
26:01for Yamagata Prefecture and around the area.
26:04So watch out for avalanches and snow falling from the roofs.
26:08Visibility could be very low as well.
26:10The Sea of Japan is snowy, but the opposite side of the nation,
26:15including Tokyo, will remain dry.
26:17That's the typical wintry weather for Tokyo.
26:20And it will stay sunny into the next three days at least.
26:23Same goes for Osaka.
26:25Niigata will see heavy snow persisting into Tuesday.
26:28And then you will see a return of heavy snow starting on Wednesday night,
26:32and that will continue into Thursday.
26:35Sapporo will see minus 3 for the high.
26:37That means it will remain below freezing all day.
26:40So do bundle up.
26:42Elsewhere in Asia, looking pretty chilly up to the north,
26:45minus 14 in Ulaanbaatar,
26:47the morning low could be below minus 20 degrees.
26:51So quite biting cold out there.
26:536 degrees in Beijing, and winter is in full force,
26:56and there's a beautiful snow and ice festival taking place in Harbin.
27:02It's a real winter wonderland
27:04at the 27th annual Ice and Snow World in Harbin.
27:08This year's theme is a fairy tale world.
27:11The head of the program said that many of Harbin's classic urban structure
27:15were recreated using ice and snow,
27:17with the event using a record 400,000 cubic meters.
27:21That's the largest amount ever used.
27:23That's it for me.
27:24Have a nice day.
27:25And that will bring us to an end
27:29to this edition of Newsroom Tokyo.
27:31And you can catch this program on our website.
27:34I'm Yoshikawa Ryuchi.
27:35And I'm Yamazawa Arena.
27:36Thank you very much for watching.
27:38Please join us again tomorrow.
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