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00:00Welcome to Newsroom Tokyo. I'm Yamasawa Rina and I'm Raja Prada. Here are the headlines.
00:17A mountain wildfire is still ablaze west of Tokyo and nearby residents have been ordered to evacuate.
00:24Cambodia is cracking down on a massive scam operation in the country.
00:29We look at what led to the arrest of the kingpin and as the popularity of e-sports grows worldwide it's not just young people who are playing a trade fair in Tokyo shows gaming is becoming more inclusive a wildfire is burning on a mountain in Yamanashi prefecture west of Tokyo the blaze has led authorities to issue an evacuation order for residents nearby the fire started Thursday
00:59at Mount Oogiyama between Uenohara and Otsuki cities it has continued to spread despite efforts to extinguish it helicopters began dumping water on the fire on Friday morning members of the self-defense forces have joined efforts to put it out firefighting efforts were temporarily suspended Friday evening
01:29at the foot of the foot of the foot of the mountain
01:33this is about 150 meters away a house is right there so we're preparing to spray water when the fire reaches that point
01:41it's so surprising I never thought something like this would happen
01:47authorities have ordered 143 people in the district of Uenohara to evacuate firefighters say the fire appears to have started in an area where benches sit along a trekking route
02:01and the rocks piled nearby caught fire the flames then spread to trees and dry grass on the slope the leaders of North Korea and Russia had exchanged letters possibly marking the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
02:16it's not known for sure when Kim was born but South Korean media suggests the leaders shared messages around Kim's special day
02:26North Korea's ruling Workers Party newspaper Rodon Shimon announced on its front page on Friday Kim had received a congratulatory letter from Putin and sent off a letter in reply
02:38Kim reportedly wrote he regards relations with Putin as his most precious ties and he's proud of them Kim also stressed his support for Russia which continues its assault on Ukraine saying
02:49he'll unconditionally respect and unconditionally support all your policies and decisions
02:56Kim said he received Putin's warm congratulatory letter with pleasure but did not mention its contents
03:02North Korea has not made Kim's birthday public but South Korea's unification ministry says he was born on January 8th 1984 and has now turned 42
03:14U.S. President Donald Trump has warned his country could take military action against Iran if the government kills citizens including those taking to the streets
03:26protests have taken place across Iran since late last month people are complaining about soaring prices due partly to sanctions imposed by Western countries
03:35the Tasneem news agency is linked to the country's armed forces it reported 11 people have been killed in clashes with security forces a U.S. human rights group put the number at 42
03:47in an interview with a media outlet on Thursday Trump declined to answer whether he's aiming to topple the Iranian government but he added if the country kills people which he says it it tends to do during riots then quote we're going to hit them very hard
04:03The U.S. Energy Secretary has indicated Washington would accept oil trading between Venezuela and China under certain conditions this comes despite Beijing's criticisms of Washington's involvement in Venezuela
04:23Trump announced this week Venezuela will turn over sanctioned oil to the U.S. China condemned the move saying that would violate international law and harm the rights of the Venezuelan people
04:36U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright spoke about Venezuela and China's oil trade in an interview with Fox Business Network on Thursday
04:46He said that as long as America is the dominant force in the South American country and controls oil flow sales between the two countries will be fine
04:57Wright added Trump wants a peaceful and productive relationship with China going forward and that the country cannot be ignored
05:07The Trump administration has aimed to stabilize relations with China by agreeing to ease trade friction among other steps
05:16Although it maintains a dominant posture over Venezuelan oil the administration apparently wants to avoid a worsening of ties with Beijing
05:26And now we have an update on Cambodia's crackdown on a massive scam syndicate in that country
05:41Tera Tera Kao-sai now Bangkok studio has the details
05:45Cambodia Central Bank announced it has placed a bank run by an alleged mastermind of the scam under liquidation
05:53The National Bank of Cambodia said on Thursday that the Prince Bank is no longer allowed to operate new banking services including accepting deposits or providing loans
06:05The bank has 36 branches across the country
06:09It was run by Shen Ji the chairman of multinational conglomerate Prince Holding Group
06:15Chen was arrested by Cambodian authorities and extradited to China earlier this week
06:20China's state-run media described him as a leader of an international criminal organization
06:27Now we're joined by NHK's Hanoi Bureau Chief Kamino Takehiro
06:33So Takehiro, can you tell us more about Prince Holding Group?
06:36Yes, for some Cambodians the recent arrest came as a shock because the group is a major conglomerate known to everyone
06:49It's website said its primary engages in real estate, financial services, and consumer services
06:58But US assaulti alleged the group also operated at least 10 scam centers inside Cambodia
07:07The US Department of Justice indicated the group's Chairman Chen last October
07:14It claims he claims he directed the operation of these scam hubs and conspired launder funds
07:23The department says Chen's group deflated people worldwide of billions of dollars through cryptocurrency investment scams and other things
07:34It says the US has seized cryptocurrency assets worth $15 billion held by Chen
07:44What led to Chen's arrest this time?
07:47Yes, Cambodia faced intense scrutiny from the international community as a series of scams in the country came to light last year
08:01Several Japanese nationals were arrested for their alleged involvement
08:07And a South Korean University student believed to have been linked to a cloud case was founded
08:14This involvement from the Cambodian government to intensify crackdowns
08:20It reportedly detained nearly 5,000 individuals from over 20 countries between June and December
08:29Chen's case has received coverage in China as well
08:34So attention is now focused on what else investigations might reveal
08:40Thank you, Takehiro
08:44And that was NHK's Hanoi Bureau Chief Kamino Takehiro
08:48Now to the Philippines where an avalanche on a massive amount of garbage has killed at least one person
08:56Rescue workers are searching for dozens of people feared a trap
09:00Local officials say the mountain of refuse collapsed at a dump site in Cebu City in the central Philippines on Thursday
09:08The wave of rubbish crashed into nearby buildings and swallowed people in its path including landfill workers
09:16One worker was rescued but later died
09:19Officials say 34 people are still missing and at least 12 are injured
09:25They also say the area did not experience any rain or earthquakes at the time of the collapse
09:31Dump sites and landfills in the Philippines have long raised safety and sanitary concerns
09:38Hundreds of thousands of people in the Philippines have joined a traditional procession of a centuries-old black statue of Jesus Christ
09:48To pray for their hopes to come true
09:50The annual Catholic event draws crowds in the country where 80% of the population follows that religion
09:56The wooden statue is placed in a carriage and paraded through the streets of Manila on January 9th every year
10:06The icon is said to have survived numerous calamities including fires and earthquakes
10:12Devotees believe that physically touching it can result in miracles
10:17Many push to get near the figure
10:21All I want is guidance for me
10:23Guidance for my child and me
10:25My family
10:26My close friends
10:28My wish now is to have a longer life
10:34And more blessings to receive
10:36That's all I'm praying for
10:39People injured in the crowd were brought to a roadside medical station
10:45The Red Cross says hundreds of people received treatment
10:50And that wraps up our ball chain
10:52I'm Tahan Chirakao-san in Bangkok
10:54Thank you very much for that, Tera
10:56E-sports is no longer niche
10:58It's going global
11:00Players can log on, match up, and compete with rivals anywhere in the world
11:05Major international tournaments now draw huge audiences
11:09And the global e-sports market, already worth billions of dollars, is still growing
11:14Well, gaming has long been seen as the preserve of the young
11:18But at Tokyo e-sports festa, exhibitors have other ideas
11:21NHK World's Maria Sato stepped into the arena
11:24Game on!
11:28Okay, so this event is showcasing new e-sports gear and games
11:34And what I'm playing right now is a mix of soccer and air hockey
11:40The venue is also hosting workshops, seminars, and networking spaces
11:46Nearly 50 businesses have set up booths
11:49The focus is on making e-sports more inclusive
11:53Opening up the market to the whole of society
11:57At this booth, you can try out assistive devices designed for players with disabilities
12:04And for elderly people
12:06And these large buttons are really easy to push
12:10And they can also be controlled by your feet
12:14The game developer says it aims to create games that anyone can play
12:19Even on their first try
12:22Competing with others made it fun
12:26I don't usually play games, but this one was unexpectedly easy and enjoyable
12:32It was a good experience
12:35Emerging communities in e-sports are not only breaking down physical barriers, but also age stereotypes
12:45With its twin facets of gameplay and networking, e-sports is seen helping prevent isolation and dementia
12:54While encouraging greater social participation among older people
13:02This seminar focuses on e-sports' role in a graying society
13:07A panelist who works in a care facility says e-sports could help improve older people's mental well-being
13:15Many people who live alone can go a whole week without speaking to anyone
13:22Finding ways to connect these people with others
13:25And providing fun ways to prevent the need for nursing care are key
13:30One of the speakers is a former company employee who became an e-sports athlete after retirement
13:40He joined the first pro-senior e-sports team in Japan
13:44And now competes in international tournaments
13:48The most fun parts of e-sports are thinking about how to win a match with your teammates in advance
14:00And honing your own skills
14:03An expert who studies how older people engage with e-sports
14:11Says Japan has an edge when it comes to growing the past time
14:15Japan has a long-standing game culture
14:21And I think there is more acceptance of games here than in other countries
14:25As a generation that grew up playing games get older
14:29E-sports will naturally keep reaching a wider audience
14:33E-sports isn't just a phenomenon of the present
14:37It's built for the future
14:39And it can be enjoyed endlessly by players from all backgrounds
14:43With no final whistle or no game over
14:46Because it doesn't depend on physical strength
14:49E-sports levels the playing field
14:52And players can compete on equal terms
14:56I'm going to hop back in and play some more
15:04Oh no!
15:18Next, NASA says a four-member crew
15:20A four-member crew aboard the International Space Station
15:23Will come home early due to a medical emergency
15:26It's the first time this has happened in the 25-year history of the ISS
15:31NASA says one of the astronauts experienced a serious health issue
15:35Apparently caused by microgravity
15:37They'll return to Earth for diagnosis and treatment
15:40Along with their three crewmates
15:43The health and the well-being of our astronauts
15:45Is always and will be our highest priority
15:48And I know NASA and our commercial partners will successfully bring Crew 11 safely home
15:54Details about the ailment as well as the crew members' identity are being withheld for privacy reasons
16:00The crew includes Japanese astronaut Yui Kimiya
16:03The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says he's in good health
16:07Yui and the others boarded the space station in August
16:10And were scheduled to leave in mid-February or later
16:13NASA says it expects to decide on their new departure date in the coming days
16:18Now one American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts will remain on the ISS to continue the mission
16:25Household spending in Japan rose in November for the first time in two months
16:32Outlays on prepared meals and eating out increased as there were more long weekends compared with a year earlier
16:39The internal affairs ministry says expenditure by households of two or more people rose 2.9% year on year after adjusting for inflation
16:52The average was just over 314,000 yen or about $2,000
16:58Spending on food edged up 0.9% rising for the first time in six months
17:07Clothing and footwear expenditures rose 7.5% as temperatures dropped
17:14Increased purchases of medical masks and pharmaceuticals contributed to a 2.6% rise in healthcare spending amid a surge in influenza cases
17:27The Tokyo stock market surged new highs last year
17:40Investors around the world are now watching to see if Japan's listed companies can add to those gains in the year ahead
17:47Now experts tell us one reason stocks are running so hot is a shift in the way companies in Japan do business
17:53And Yuko Fukushima from our business desk is here with the details
17:56Yuko
17:57Yes, a banner year for investors
17:59The main index on the Tokyo stock exchange, the Nikkei 225, climbed more than 25% in 2025
18:06At the same time, however, a record number of companies delisted from the exchange
18:11And it seems TSC officials want that trend to continue in 2026
18:16Bringing out the old year, they pledged to double down on efforts to improve the quality of listed companies
18:22Pressure on management started to build in 2023
18:26The exchange suggested that companies who failed to improve capital efficiency and strengthen management practices would have their listing status reviewed
18:35Inoue Junichi works for an asset management company
18:38He says the days of unprofitable companies and sleepy boardrooms are over
18:43In Japan, this is partly to do with cross share holdings
18:48And partly to do with very low interest rate environment
18:52But the company has not been really worried about becoming a takeover target
18:57But the things are really changing
19:02One result of these changes, a record 125 companies delisted from the TSC last year
19:09Many of them chose to delist on their own
19:12Some companies buckled under demands from activist stockholders
19:16Others decided the best way to focus on long-term goals was to go private and avoid investor scrutiny
19:22In another case, Mayne's company QP acquired all shares of its subsidiary Aohata, a gem maker
19:29And delisted the firm
19:31Experts say the interests of parent companies are given priority
19:35How do you think the TSC's drive for reform affect companies' behavior and performance this year?
19:44Initiatives authorities have taken so far
19:49It's well understood by the market, by the management teams
19:54So I would say this is almost like a built-in in the system
19:59In addition to that, what I am expecting this year is a corporate governance reform third step
20:06So they are reviewing for the first time in five years this year
20:10And the focus is going to be the right amount of
20:15Or rationale of holding cash on the balance sheet
20:19Japanese companies are known for hoarding massive amounts of cash
20:23The finance ministry says internal reserves last fiscal year exceeded 600 trillion yen
20:28Or about 4 trillion dollars
20:30In O.S. says when the corporate governance code is revised
20:33It will push companies to spend the money they have been snashing away
20:37I think what is going to happen is that they need to find a way to use the cash
20:44Either paying more through dividend or buyback
20:48Or investment or acquisitions
20:53Or maybe pay more salaries to employees
20:57Either way, that's very positive for overall economy
21:00Labor share for Japan is low relative to developed economies
21:05And the gap is something like 15 to 20%
21:09Eventually, I think if I take 10 years from here
21:14The labor share will go up
21:17And here's why workers' share of profits needs to go up
21:21Wages adjusted for inflation fell for the 11th straight month in November
21:26In O.S. says if companies work on raising real wages
21:29Both the stock market and the economy will benefit
21:32A company has a good amount of profit
21:36Or profit preserved
21:38On the burn sheet
21:40So once they start to change the labor share
21:44Also gradually
21:45That would provide a sort of extra source of income for consumers
21:50And that would increase the consumptions
21:54Which is the revenue for companies
21:56And eventually that's a profit
21:58And that part of the profit will be paid out to shareholders
22:03Always as workers
22:05So that positive spiral is very important for Japanese economies
22:11Well, the reforms in corporate governance have been well received by foreign investors
22:17And Inoue expects that enthusiasm to help lift Japanese stocks even higher in the coming year
22:23And now to how the Nikkei index in Tokyo fared on Friday
22:27The benchmark added 1.6% led by chip makers
22:33Chip-related stocks
22:34Some bought back shares that had been trending down
22:37In addition, the weaker yen drove export shares higher
22:40And to the wider region in China
22:42The Shanghai Composite ended up 9 tenths of a percent
22:45Investors bought after the December CPI rose for the third straight month
22:49Some see that as evidence
22:51Deflationary pressure is easing
22:53And in Indonesia
22:55Rather in India
22:56The sunset's dropped 7 tenths of a percent
22:59U.S. tariff uncertainty continues to weigh on sentiment
23:02Other traders are waiting to see the U.S. jobs report later in the day
23:05And that's what it is for this week
23:07Since it's been done
23:33It's like a sword, and I think the card is a soul.
24:03Switching gears now to a check on the weather.
24:20People in some areas of Europe are keeping an eye on a pair of storms as they continue to brave the winter cold.
24:25Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano explains the outlook into the weekend for there and elsewhere in our World Weather Report.
24:32We have to monitor two systems. One is affecting France and Germany. Another is moving across western Russia to Turkey. It has already brought heavy snow and strong winds.
24:48Stormy winds blew the roofs of buildings in western Turkey on Thursday. Officials said 1,000 storm reports were received.
24:57Meanwhile, parts of the Balkans had heavy snow on Thursday for the fourth day in a row.
25:04A weather agency said snow reached over 20 centimeters in the capital of Serbia.
25:11It also said the temperature dropped below minus 13 degrees in the capital of Croatia.
25:17So the impact will ease in the Balkans but continue in eastern Turkey on Friday.
25:24And another system is well developed and is expected to impact France and Germany.
25:30Gas of up to 130 kilometers per hour are possible.
25:34Moving to Japan, a high-pressure system is bringing calm conditions to much of the country, but a low-pressure system is approaching.
25:43The next round of heavy snow is likely to arrive over the long holiday weekend.
25:49Snow is expected to cover not only the Sea of Japan side, but also the Pacific side, such as Tokai and Shikoku.
25:57The heaviest amount of snow is expected in Tohoku, with up to 100 centimeters in just one day.
26:06In addition, strong winds will be a big concern.
26:09There is a risk of blizzard and whiteout conditions.
26:13Power outages are also possible.
26:15So if you are traveling there, please check weather and traffic information.
26:19The winter storm will continue into the holiday Monday in Sapporo and Niigata, but Tokyo and Osaka will stay on the sunny side.
26:30That's it for now. Have a nice weekend.
27:31This edition of Newsroom Tokyo.
27:33Don't forget, you can always catch our program on our website as well.
27:36I'm Raja Paran.
27:37And I'm Yamasawa Arena.
27:39Monday is a national holiday here in Japan, so we will be back on Tuesday.
27:44Thank you very much for watching and have a nice weekend.
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