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00:00Welcome to Museum Tokyo. I'm Yamasawa Rina and I'm Yoshikawa Ryui-chi. Here are the headlines.
00:19North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits the construction site of a museum to honor soldiers who fought with Russia against Ukraine.
00:27A group of political forecasters said a political revolution led by U.S. President Donald Trump is this year's biggest risk.
00:38And we'll look at how Japan managed to eliminate rubella, driven by pressure from mothers whose children have suffered the effects of the disease.
00:50China says it's going to get stricter over some of the goods it sells to Japan.
00:56Dual-use items serve both commercial and military needs.
01:01And Beijing now wants stronger controls over those exports.
01:07China's Commerce Ministry announced on Tuesday that it will ban exports to Japanese military users.
01:15It will also ban their sale for military purposes and for other uses that could enhance Japan's military capabilities.
01:23The announcement does not say whether rare earth metals are included in the changes.
01:31A ministry spokesperson said the ban effective Tuesday aims to safeguard China's national security and interests.
01:40The spokesperson also referred to what China calls wrong remarks about Taiwan made by Japan's leader.
01:47In November last year, Prime Minister Takai-chi Sanai had said a possible Taiwan emergency involving the use of force could be considered a situation threatening Japan's survival.
02:00The remark sparked ongoing diplomatic tension between the two countries.
02:05North Korean soldiers who have fought alongside Russia against Ukraine are being honoured with the museum.
02:14Leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter have paid the construction site a visit, shovels in hand.
02:22The facility is being built in Pyongyang.
02:26State-run Korean Central Television says Kim visited on Monday.
02:30He's seen taking part in a tree-planting ceremony with his daughter.
02:36Kim reportedly said the museum will demonstrate to the world the immortality of North Korea and the invincibility of the Korean People's Army.
02:46And he reportedly ordered the facility be constructed to the highest level.
02:50South Korean media say Kim is keen to frame the dispatch of North Korean soldiers to Russia as an accomplishment,
02:59especially in light of an upcoming ruling party congress.
03:04Reports of some injuries and damage are coming in after two strong earthquakes rocked western Japan on Tuesday morning.
03:12There was no tsunami threat, but officials cautioned that farther quakes are possible in the days ahead.
03:20The first quake hit Tottori and Shimane prefectures at about 10.20 a.m.
03:27The Japan Meteorological Agency says it had a magnitude of 6.4.
03:33In the hardest-hit areas, it registered an intensity of upper 5 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7.
03:41Another earthquake struck about 10 minutes later.
03:43It had a magnitude of 5.1 and an intensity of lower 5.
03:49Damage has been reported in Tottori and neighboring prefectures.
03:53Local fire officials say three people were injured in Shimane's Matsue City and two more in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
04:05The operators of nuclear power plants in Shimane and Ehime Prefectures say no abnormalities have been found.
04:13Following their shaking, residents in Tottori's Yonago City left their homes and went out into the streets.
04:22They checked in with their neighbors and tried to get the latest information.
04:26I felt three consecutive tremors.
04:31My house was shaking hard and things fell down.
04:36I was going to go back to Osaka on a Shinkansen bullet train, but all the trains stopped.
04:42It was shaking quite hard.
04:44It was like around 5 on the intensity scale.
04:47The West Japan Railway Company says the Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train has since resumed operations in all sections of the line that had been suspended.
04:59Shimane and Tottori experienced long tremors.
05:03Meteorological officials described this phenomenon as long-period ground motion.
05:08It can cause high-rise buildings to sway, particularly affecting those on higher floors.
05:15Officials say this was the first time in 10 years that Tottori has been hit by an earthquake with an intensity of upper 5 or higher.
05:25Please be on the alert for earthquakes with a maximum intensity of upper 5 for the next week or so, especially for the next two or three days.
05:33There have been cases in the past where earthquakes occurred successively in this area.
05:38Please be on the alert since there is a possibility that more strong tremors could take place.
05:45The agency is calling on people in the areas struck by strong tremors to be on the alert for rain as well.
05:51There is a growing risk of falling rocks and landslides.
05:55With the world still reeling from last weekend's U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro,
06:16Delcey Rodriguez has been sworn in as the country's interim leader.
06:20She served as vice president under Maduro.
06:25Rodriguez said it pains her to think of the post-president and his wife, who are currently in custody in New York.
06:36We swear to move forward as one country to bring Venezuela out of this terrible hour of threat to the stability and peace of the nation.
06:44Maduro's son, who is a member of the National Assembly, attended the ceremony.
06:51So did foreign diplomats based in Venezuela in an apparent bit demonstrate at home and abroad that the country's governance remains intact.
07:02Meanwhile, Maduro has appeared in a federal court in New York.
07:06He pleaded not guilty and told the judge he is innocent.
07:12He also insisted he is still president of his country.
07:17Reuters news agency reports the Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency after Maduro's capture.
07:24The decree orders police to search and capture all those involved in supporting the U.S. military operation.
07:31Trump's recent actions have put a group of leading political forecasters on edge.
07:38They say the biggest risk of 2026 is a political revolution led by the president himself.
07:47Officials at the U.S.-based Eurasia Group have released their annual top risks report.
07:53They say Trump is attempting to dismantle checks on his power, and they believe the United States is unwinding its own global order.
08:04It is about making rule of law apply less.
08:08It is about having direct control over the administrative state, control over the party, and not have checks and balances.
08:15We would make a bet that the political revolution will eventually fail, not succeed.
08:19But there's a lot of damage that will be done, much of which will be permanent.
08:24Trump didn't just take top spot.
08:27The forecasters say his so-called don't-ro doctrine is this year's third biggest risk.
08:34The report says Trump's military operation in Venezuela is the centerpiece of his new foreign policy.
08:40The forecasters say the doctrine does not just seek to limit China, Russia, and Iran in the Western Hemisphere.
08:47They say it also aims to assert American primacy through means, including Trump's personal score settling.
09:05Energy costs affect wallets around the world, and right now, oil prices are on a roller coaster.
09:11Yenaka-Marie from our business team is here to explain how developments in Venezuela are driving the swings.
09:19Thanks, Rina.
09:21Events surrounding the capture of Venezuela's president have sent shockwaves through global energy markets.
09:28Crude oil futures in New York jumped 2 percent in intraday trading on Monday,
09:33as concern grows about instability in the Latin American nation.
09:37Venezuela is home to the world's largest oil reserves, though it only accounts for a small portion of output.
09:46The benchmark WTI futures contract traded in the mid-$58 a barrel range.
09:52This was a day or so after the U.S. announced its forces had arrested Nicolas Maduro on narco-terrorism charges.
10:00Oil traders are growing concerned about supply as the Venezuelan government has entered a fragile transition
10:08and the U.S. has not ruled out another attack.
10:13The initial reaction earlier in the session was quite different, with the benchmark falling more than 1.7 percent.
10:21That was attributed to reports oil facilities were undamaged by the U.S. military action.
10:26Traders also sold on the view that Venezuelan oil output may increase if U.S. companies invest there, as Trump suggested.
10:35But for now, oil traders remain jittery as they await Trump's next move.
10:42Here in Japan, the top shipbuilder has become even bigger by taking a controlling stake in its next largest rival.
10:50Imabari Shipbuilding says its acquisition of Japan Marine United is aimed at boosting global competitiveness.
10:59Imabari announced on Monday that Japan Marine is now a subsidiary after it gained a 60 percent stake.
11:06Together, they're expected to take on industry giants in China and South Korea.
11:11The two firms formed a capital and business alliance as far back as 2021.
11:17They announced the acquisition plan last year.
11:21Their combined shipbuilding tonnage is now the world's fourth largest.
11:25The two firms have the common view that to survive, we must take on global competitors.
11:34The acquisition will strengthen our competitive edge and enable swift business decisions.
11:40The president of Japan Marine, Hirose Takashi, says he hopes the two companies will contribute to the country's economic security as well as employment.
11:52Japan's government is prioritizing support for the shipbuilding sector amid intensifying international competition.
12:00Next, Japan's top department stores are feeling the strain of political tensions.
12:06Tax-free sales to foreign visitors nosedived at four major operators last month compared to a year earlier.
12:13They point to the impact of a Chinese government advisory urging its citizens to avoid travel to Japan.
12:22The stores released preliminary sales figures for December on Monday.
12:27Daimaru Matsuzakaya department stores reported a decline of more than 16 percent.
12:32Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings saw sales drop about 14 percent, while they fell 11 percent at Takashimaya.
12:41Hankyuu Hanshin department stores did not publish exact figures, but said sales fell about 20 percent.
12:48The declines followed the Chinese government's call in November for its nationals to refrain from going to Japan.
12:54Many Chinese usually visit Japan during the Lunar New Year holidays, which fall in February this year.
13:01Some store officials expressed concern that sales may still be affected then.
13:08Last, a check on stocks.
13:10Sentiment in Asia was strong after the Dow in New York hit a record high.
13:15Investors there bought up energy-related shares in reaction to Venezuela.
13:19Tokyo's Nikkei average added 1.3 percent to also close at an all-time high, as optimism for AI persisted.
13:27Hitachi enjoyed a 7.4 percent surge after a Goldman Sachs report highlighted AI-driven tailwinds.
13:35Seoul's cost bay finished at a record high, too.
13:39Australia's index bucked the trend ahead of inflation data on Wednesday.
13:43The country's prices have been soaring, and if that trend continues, traders fear its central bank may start to hike rates.
13:51Taiwan's benchmark marked a record high thanks to index heavyweight TSMC.
13:57The semiconductor giant jumped 2 percent to its all-time high amid the AI rally.
14:02And that's the biz for this Tuesday.
14:05Thank you very much for that, Marie.
14:08Last September, Japan marked a significant public health milestone.
14:12The World Health Organization declared the country had successfully eliminated rubella,
14:19a viral disease that can have serious consequences for unborn babies whose mothers are infected.
14:27This came following an immunization push by Japan's government,
14:31driven by the heartfelt pleas of women whose children had suffered the effects of the virus.
14:3871-year-old Kani Kayo knows all too well about the risks of rubella.
14:47Kani contracted the disease when she was pregnant with her daughter, Taeko.
14:52As a result, the child in her womb developed a condition known as congenital rubella syndrome.
14:58Taeko was born with severe impairments to her eyes, ears and heart,
15:03and passed away at the age of 18.
15:05Just hours before she died, she wrote a final message for her parents.
15:19This message has become our driving force.
15:23We felt we had to do our best, just like she did, and that's what has kept us going.
15:29Due to this link between rubella and pregnancy,
15:56immunization efforts in Japan used to focus only on women.
16:01But as a result, many men were left unvaccinated,
16:05contributing to the spread of the disease.
16:09The consequences of this became clear during a rubella epidemic in 2012 through 2013.
16:17During that time, 45 babies were diagnosed with congenital rubella syndrome.
16:22Tragically, 11 of them died at a young age.
16:27Vaccination is widely recognized as the most effective way to protect against the disease.
16:34And Kani became a passionate advocate,
16:37hoping to spare others from the pain she and her family suffered.
16:41In 2013, she established an association of parents raising children with disabilities caused by rubella.
16:49And they took their message to the streets.
16:56Kani has focused in particular on encouraging men to get immunized.
17:01Many weren't covered by the vaccination program when they were young
17:05and may not realize they pose a risk to others.
17:12About 80 percent of patients during previous outbreaks were men.
17:17If even a few more men get vaccinated,
17:20they can help protect the pregnant women around them.
17:23Their efforts to raise awareness eventually paid off.
17:29In 2019, Japan began implementing measures such as offering free antibody tests
17:35and rubella vaccinations for people who didn't have sufficient immunity.
17:40As a result, the number of infections nationwide plummeted,
17:45having exceeded 14,000 in 2013.
17:49By 2021, it had dropped to around 10.
17:52Kani says she's overjoyed that rubella has now been declared eliminated in Japan.
17:59But she also stresses that vaccination remains vital.
18:05Rubella has been eliminated for now,
18:08but the virus can still be brought in from overseas.
18:12If it spreads again, we'll see further outbreaks
18:15and more children born with congenital rubella syndrome.
18:19That's why I want to keep getting the word out.
18:22We're now joined by NHK World's Matsuoka Yasuko, who covered this story.
18:28So Yasuko, it seems the people's voices directly affected by rubella
18:34really made a difference here.
18:36But it's heartbreaking to think about how much they've suffered.
18:40Yes, Connie was inspired to start her campaign after she saw other mothers go through similar experiences.
18:49She realized these women were about the same age her daughter Taeko would be if she was still alive.
18:57So it felt even more personal.
19:01In Japan, if a pregnant woman catches rubella,
19:05she may face a terrible choice,
19:07either have an abortion
19:09or run the risk that her child will be born with severe birth defects.
19:15Connie wants to make sure
19:17no mother has to make that decision.
19:21What about the situation overseas?
19:25Yeah, I spoke with Takashima Yoshihiko of Osaka University.
19:30He used to read the World Health Organization's program on vaccine-preventable diseases.
19:35He says, since 2010, countries around the world have been working with the WHO to eliminate rubella.
19:45But he says, dozens or even hundreds of cases of congenital rubella syndrome
19:51are still reported in multiple countries every year.
19:56Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023,
20:02child food, routine vaccination coverage declined in many countries.
20:09Consequently, large-scale rubella outbreaks may occur again in the future
20:16because of declined vaccination coverage in the routine immunization program for years.
20:23So even though rubella has been officially eliminated in Japan,
20:27we still have to be vigilant, right?
20:30Yes, exactly.
20:31Takashima knows that routine vaccination has been promoted among children,
20:36but adults are not covered.
20:39This is why rubella often spreads among adults rather than kids.
20:44Worldwide, the risk to pregnant women and their babies still remains.
20:50So we need to make sure vaccination coverage extends to people from all generations
20:57to protect the generations to come.
20:59Well, thank you, Yasuko.
21:01That was NHK World's Matsuoka Yasuko.
21:06And now let's go to Cholapan Sanarula in our Bangkok studio
21:10for stories making headlines across the Asia-Pacific.
21:14The latest economic figures out of Vietnam say the country's GDP grew by an estimated 8% in 2025.
21:24This is a higher rate than the previous year, despite concerns over the impact of tariffs imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
21:32Vietnam's National Statistics Office reported on Monday the country's economic growth rate last year was the second highest in the past 15 years.
21:43It projects a 2025 GDP to reach 514 billion U.S. dollars, up 38 billion from 2024.
21:52The office says the growth was driven by strong numbers in services, industry and construction.
21:58Exports to the U.S. were also robust despite the tariffs.
22:01Trump first announced levies of more than 40% in April.
22:05Vietnam then finalized a deal with Washington in July, agreeing on a 20% tariff.
22:11The Vietnamese government says it hopes to achieve even greater growth in 2026, hitting at least 10% for the year.
22:20China and Pakistan have pledged to deepen ties in industry, finance and anti-terrorism efforts, among other areas.
22:27The two countries are marking the 75th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations this year.
22:33Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammed Ishaq Da, met in Beijing on Sunday.
22:41A joint statement referred to the two countries' ironclad friendship and strategic mutual trust.
22:47It said the two sides had agreed to build an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,
22:53which is a project under China's Belt and Road Initiative.
22:57It added that China supports Pakistan in the fight against terrorism,
23:01and that both countries call for greater efforts to eliminate all terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan.
23:10Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamed, has been hospitalized after falling at his residence.
23:17An aide says the 100-year-old fell while walking from a balcony to a room on Tuesday.
23:22Mahathir Mohamed was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur, where it was confirmed he had suffered a right hip fracture.
23:29The aide says he is expected to remain in the hospital for a few weeks.
23:34Mahathir Mohamed served as Prime Minister for 24 years in total,
23:37and led the country through a period of economic development.
23:41He underwent heart surgery in 2022, and has been hospitalized several times in recent years.
23:48And that wraps up our Bulletin. I'm Cholap Hansan Rula in Bangkok.
23:52I'm Cholap Hansan Rula in Bangkok.
24:22It's time for a check on the weather.
24:24People in northeastern Japan are dealing with cold and snow.
24:29Our meteorologist Sayaka Mori has the details.
24:33Hello there.
24:33Frigid air is covering parts of Japan, and rikubets are minus 27.5 degrees.
24:39By the way, this place is called the coldest town of the nation.
24:43Even Diamond does what's seen in eastern Hokkaido on Tuesday.
24:47Snow is falling as well along the Sea of Japan side, and we have some video coming out of Toyama City.
24:54People living in northeastern Japan continue to deal with winter weather Tuesday.
25:00In Toyama City, snow fell during the day as temperatures stayed chilly, with the entire prefecture starting off below zero.
25:06Some parts reported morning lows at minus 5 degrees Celsius.
25:12Snow is easing compared to what we saw yesterday.
25:15However, we have another system coming in already to northern Japan.
25:19So, blowing snow will come back along the Sea of Japan starting Wednesday night into Thursday.
25:24So, be careful of additional snowfall.
25:28The opposite side of Japan is remaining dry, but as you can see, some clouds will develop along the east coast of the Kanto region.
25:35So, we might see some cold precipitation in the morning hours on Wednesday.
25:40Temperatures in Tokyo could be 9 degrees.
25:42Today's humidity was the lowest of the season, so be careful when you use fire.
25:47So, we'll have 2 degrees on Wednesday, but that's going to cool down to minus 2 for the high on Thursday.
25:54In the southern hemisphere, it's a completely different story.
25:58Heat is starting to build across Australia.
26:01Onslow had about 48 degrees Celsius.
26:04The heat is expected to spread towards the southeast, including Sydney.
26:09Now, temperatures in the 40s are not unusual for Australia, but the duration of this heat wave is much longer than usual.
26:16Sydney could see a high of 30 degrees on Wednesday, but by Saturday, it could hit 40 degrees.
26:23So, stay cool and stay hydrated.
26:26That's it from me.
26:27Have a nice day.
26:53Have a nice day.
27:05Bye.
27:08And that's it for this edition of Newsroom Tokyo.
27:37You can catch this program on our website.
27:40I'm Yoshikawa Ruiichi and I'm Yamasawa Rina.
27:43Thank you very much for watching.
27:44Please join us again tomorrow.
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