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00:13Welcome to Newsroom Tokyo. I'm Kumei Ayako and I'm Yoshikara Ryuiichi. Here are the headlines.
00:20U.S. President Donald Trump tells the American public the country's military is close to
00:25achieving its goals in Iran. We ask an expert about the primetime speech. In an exclusive
00:32interview with NHK, French President Emmanuel Macron stresses the need for a multilateral
00:38approach to resolve the Iran conflict. And its liftoff as a spacecraft embarks on the first
00:46manned mission to the moon since 1972. U.S. President Donald Trump says the U.S. military
00:54is close to achieving its goals in Iran. In a televised speech on Wednesday night,
01:01he also doubled down on why he thought the operation was necessary.
01:06Tonight, I want to provide an update on the tremendous progress our warriors have made in
01:11Iran and discuss why Operation Epic Fury is necessary for the safety of America and the security of the
01:19free world. As I stated in my announcement of Operation Epic Fury, our objectives are very
01:26simple and clear. We are systematically dismantling the regime's ability to threaten America or
01:33project power outside of their borders. I'm pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are
01:40nearing completion. Trump went on to detail the successes of the U.S. campaign.
01:48In these past four weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on
01:55the battlefield. Victories like few people have ever seen before. And he reaffirmed the two- or three-week
02:04timeline he had laid out before. We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three
02:11weeks. We're going to bring them back to the stone ages where they belong.
02:17Trump also said negotiations between Washington and Tehran are ongoing. He emphasized that regime
02:24change was not his goal. But he also warned Iran that if there's no deal, the U.S. will hit
02:30its power
02:31plants very hard. Regarding gas, Trump tried to assure Americans that the price at the pump would soon
02:39come back down. When this conflict is over, the strait will open up naturally. It'll just open up
02:47naturally. They're going to want to be able to sell oil because that's all they have to try and rebuild.
02:53It will resume the flowing and the gas prices will rapidly come back down.
02:59Here in Japan, the government expressed hope for a diplomatic solution.
03:06President Trump recently mentioned talks with Iran. I hope those will move in the right direction.
03:11The Japanese government will continue diplomatic efforts to seek an early de-escalation of the
03:16situation while coordinating closely with the international community.
03:24To explore Iran's perspective on the situation, we turn to Kojima May. She's been covering the conflict
03:30and joins us now from Istanbul. May, has there been any reaction from Tehran to Trump's speech?
03:40Well, Tehran has maintained its stance that it will continue to resist. Tasnim News Agency is linked to
03:48Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They wrote, the most important thing that happened was not
03:54an update on the situation, but an update on the declared objectives. It also asks,
04:01quote, if Iran's naval power has been destroyed, how can America still complain about the closure of the
04:07Slate of Hormuz? Have the Martians take control of the Slate of Hormuz? Overall, the peace does not paint Trump's
04:15address in a positive light.
04:17So, many have been talking about the need for ceasefire. What are the chances of that happening?
04:26They seem low. As I said, Iran appears to be maintaining its stance of fighting to the end. And it
04:34may be difficult to find any compromise at this point.
04:37Iran has repeatedly said that it did not start a conflict, and they are that any ceasefire would require the
04:46U.S. and Israel to stop their attacks first.
04:50It maintains that no ceasefire negotiations are currently taking place. From Iran's perspective, the situation has not changed,
04:59and it appears that the country intends to continue its effective brocade of the Strait of Hormuz.
05:04The same Tasneem piece I mentioned seems to reference this. It describes one highlight of Trump's speech as his public
05:15declaration of inability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
05:19It goes on to say that, for this reason, he effectively removed his goal as one of his own goals
05:26and admitted to a major failure.
05:28As the fighting continues, Iran seems to be holding its trump card close, so to speak, namely the effective brocade
05:37of the Strait of Hormuz.
05:39The waterway is directly linked to oil prices and the global economy.
05:44A reminder that the fighting may be happening in the Middle East, but it affects all of us, and the
05:50situation remains highly uncertain.
05:53Thank you. Kojima May from Istanbul.
05:58Earlier, I asked U.S. politics expert Paul Srasik for his take on the address, as well as Trump's possible
06:06motivations.
06:08This is repeating what he's doing on social media and what he said over and over again.
06:11This is about preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb and that they were close to getting it, and he
06:18had to do this.
06:19He had no choice.
06:20You know, that this is short term, that the operation is going very, very well, that we're having all this
06:25military success.
06:26These are things he's been saying over and over again, but I think President Trump feels that the national media
06:33is not communicating this message.
06:36Instead, they are criticizing him and being very negative about this.
06:40He says Trump didn't give a timeline, but had to convey to people that the situation will not last too
06:48long.
06:49I think he's trying to head off these sort of negative polling numbers that he's seeing as people go to
06:55the gas pumps, and, you know, every other day, gas prices are getting higher and higher.
07:01No American president can survive this high gas prices, and it's very, very expensive.
07:09So you see that bill right away, and you see it every week, and you see it on the pumps
07:14as you drive by them, the gasoline stations.
07:17So it's this constant reminder.
07:20Sarasic says public sentiment at the ballot box was also a key element amid many recent special elections, and as
07:28the focus grows on the upcoming midterm vote.
07:32Republicans are doing very poorly in these elections, even in places where President Trump did very well.
07:38You know, a couple of years ago, suddenly Republicans are doing very poorly, so it's already affecting them politically, and
07:45I think they're afraid this is going to spin out of control.
07:48And by the time you get to November, Republicans are going to suffer a crushing defeat.
07:53You know, President Trump tends to be very optimistic about his political chances.
07:58He always thinks that he's going to make a comeback, that if the people just hear him and understand him,
08:03everything's going to be okay politically.
08:07But individual members of Congress who have to stand before the electorate in November are getting very, very nervous.
08:13President Trump doesn't ever have to run for office again.
08:16They do.
08:17He also says neither party wanting to lose face makes for a very difficult situation, and so it's hard to
08:25see how this conflict is going to end.
08:37Now, let's take a look at business news.
08:40Ryuichi, what's the latest?
08:41Right.
08:42First, let's see how the markets reacted to Trump's address.
08:47Shares in Tokyo fell following the president's comments.
08:50Investors sold on concerns that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, keeping energy prices high.
08:57The benchmark Nikkei index rose from the opening bell, but reversed direction after Trump's address begun.
09:04It extended its decline in the afternoon and closed about 2.4 percent lower at 52,463.
09:13Trump's remarks sharply drove up the price of crude oil.
09:17Benchmark WTI futures rose to the $107 per barrel range in New York.
09:23They were trading at around $98 per barrel before the speech began.
09:29Economists we spoke to say investors are more interested in when oil tankers will be able to freely pass through
09:37the Strait of Hormuz than when the conflict will end.
09:41They say there was nothing in Trump's address that suggested the Strait would reopen soon.
09:47Instead, the president said fighting will intensify in the coming weeks, indicating their shipping route will be closed longer than
09:55money managers had hoped.
09:57One analyst told us the market's next focus will be on what the Iranian authorities say about the conflict and
10:05about allowing passage through the Strait.
10:08Now, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for deeper economic relations with Japan.
10:14He said both countries would benefit from broader technology ties rather than dependence on global superpowers.
10:23Macron was speaking at an economic forum in Tokyo on Wednesday.
10:27It was part of a three-day visit to Japan that ended on Thursday.
10:31The event focused on cooperation in fields such as critical minerals, artificial intelligence and energy.
10:39Macron said the strategic autonomy promoted by France allies with Japan's economic security policy.
10:49Amid global uncertainty marked by crisis and war, and as the situation has deteriorated in recent weeks,
10:56we both believe in an agenda of de-escalation, multilateralism, international law and innovation.
11:03Both sides agreed during Macron's visit to secure raw materials for a rare-earth factory in France.
11:11Japan's industry minister, Akazawa Ryosei, and French finance minister, Hollande Lesquior,
11:18also signed an agreement on sourcing critical minerals.
11:33In an exclusive interview with NHK during his visit to Japan,
11:38President Macron stressed the need for a multilateral approach to resolve the Iran conflict.
11:45Macron has consistently maintained that the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran
11:50were conducted outside international law and cannot be endorsed.
11:55France, which was not consulted and which is not part of this military offensive launched by the U.S. and
12:01Israel,
12:02is not participating in it.
12:04From the very first day, we have had a very simple position.
12:07We are calling for peace, for de-escalation and a return to negotiations,
12:11which is the only way to resolve the underlying issues.
12:15He stressed the importance of breaking away from the law of the strongest,
12:19arguing that unilateral action by major powers and resolving disputes through force don't lead to lasting solutions.
12:29Nothing would be worse than bombing the region for weeks on end,
12:32only to leave without re-establishing a framework.
12:35What France is advocating is precisely that, a rigorous framework for cooperation.
12:40We believe in multilateralism.
12:43France last month outlined plans to boost its nuclear forces,
12:47including increasing the number of nuclear warheads.
12:50The move has caused concern among atomic bomb survivors in Japan.
12:56First of all, let me once again express my profound respect for the survivors of Hiroshima.
13:02I still have vivid memories of my visit there,
13:04on the occasion of the G7 summit organized by Japan and of the memorial itself.
13:09What have we seen in recent years?
13:13We have seen Russia speak in an unacceptable and irresponsible way about nuclear weapons,
13:18while China is significantly increasing production in an attempt to catch up with the United States.
13:26As for us, we remain within a deeply ethical framework of strict deterrence.
13:31We will continue to work through diplomatic means to engage all nuclear powers
13:37in de-escalation and better arms control.
13:41But it is very important to understand that reasonable powers must remain credible
13:46so as not to leave all the space to unreasonable powers,
13:50or to those that operate outside any framework.
13:58For more, we're joined by Mukai Mari, who's been covering Macron's visit to Japan.
14:04So, Mari, in President Trump's speech on Wednesday,
14:07he gave the impression that the U.S. will dictate the terms for ending the Iran conflict.
14:13Meanwhile, President Macron is talking about a multilateral approach to resolving the situation.
14:19What would that involve?
14:20During the interview, Macron repeatedly stressed the importance of negotiations,
14:26but he didn't offer a clear roadmap for achieving a ceasefire.
14:32Since the conflict began, Macron has telephone talks with President Trump,
14:37as well as the leaders of Iran and other countries in the Middle East,
14:42to try to calm the situation.
14:44And he hasn't been shaken by Trump's angry outbursts on social media.
14:52Macron continues to maintain that this isn't France's war.
14:56Although he hasn't yet commented on Trump's latest speech,
15:01that position seems unlikely to change.
15:03So, Mari, when Macron recently announced plans to increase France's nuclear warheads,
15:11he said the next half century will be an era of nuclear weapons.
15:16So, what do you think is behind this nuclear pivot?
15:19And there is no doubt that it's due to Russia.
15:23With the conflict in Ukraine still ongoing,
15:27Russia has become a very real threat for Europe.
15:30At the same time, the Trump administration is talking about reducing its commitment to Europe's security.
15:37And across the continent, trust in the U.S. has been badly shaken over the past year.
15:45And European countries are growing concerned about whether they can rely on U.S. support in the event of crisis.
15:53And France has already held talks with eight countries,
15:57including Germany, Poland, and Britain, about the nuclear deterrence scheme.
16:02But it has stressed that this is only intended to complement, not replace, NATO's own nuclear deterrent.
16:12While Macron talks about multilateral frameworks,
16:16France has also been deepening ties with China.
16:19What is the broader diplomatic strategy here?
16:23First and foremost, France aims to strengthen cooperation with other countries,
16:31including Japan, that share common values such as respect for international law.
16:38China's economy is too big to ignore,
16:41but Macron seems to think he can maintain a healthy distance in his relationship with Beijing.
16:49And he noted that China should not be allowed to throw its weight around
16:54and must fully comply with international rules.
16:58As both the U.S. and China flex their economic muscles,
17:03Macron also says it is necessary to pursue strategic autonomy
17:07and reduce dependence on either country.
17:11It is widely accepted that Europe needs the U.S.,
17:16a military superpower to guarantee its security.
17:21But Macron apparently aims to keep the Trump administration at arm's length,
17:28while France takes the initiative by strengthening dialogue and coordination with other countries.
17:36Thank you for your insights, Mari.
17:46The situation in the Middle East continues to affect the Asia-Pacific.
17:51Cholapan Sanarula in our Bangkok studio has the details.
17:56India is grappling with a liquefied petroleum gas shortage.
18:00It's causing major disruptions in the world's leading textile industry.
18:04A processors association in the western city of Surat
18:08says half the factories in the city, about 200, have halted operations.
18:13This plant uses 13.2 tons of LPG per month to operate machinery.
18:18The shortage has forced it to close for one month.
18:21The rest of the city's factories have cut the days of operation from 7 to 5.
18:26India imports about 60 percent of its LPG,
18:29with 90 percent of that passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
18:32The government has given priority to households and has cut the supply for businesses.
18:37The president of the Processors Association says
18:40half a million day laborers have lost their jobs due to the shortage and have already left Surat.
18:48Even if this conflict stops tomorrow,
18:51it will take around 6 to 12 months to get back to normal.
18:55And in the future, there will still be a shortage of raw materials and textiles.
18:59Owners will have to accept it.
19:04One factory owner said he hopes the government steps in to support the industry
19:08or finds an alternative fuel that lets them keep their businesses running.
19:13Meanwhile, the conflict has sparked an interest in the Middle East, in Thailand.
19:17That's being reflected in the sales numbers at a major annual book fair now underway in Bangkok.
19:24Over 300 publishers are taking part in the country's biggest literary festival.
19:29The event typically attracts over a million people, many of them students and young adults.
19:34Publishers say books related to the Middle East conflict are among the top sellers this year.
19:38They include titles on Middle Eastern history and American politics.
19:45Readers are interested in the cause of the conflict.
19:48They also want to go back into history and learn about the roots.
19:56Abus displaying books on Iran's history and the country's relationship with Thailand is attracting many visitors.
20:01One man says the conflict has directly affected his daily life by driving up gas prices.
20:07He says this has made him more interested in Iran.
20:11I want to learn about how Iran came to be, how it was during the days of Persia, and how
20:15it has developed to the present.
20:18The event will run through Monday.
20:21That's up for Bulletin. I'm Cholop Hansanerula in Bangkok.
20:32A team of astronauts has lifted off from NASA Kennedy Space Center in the U.S. state of Florida
20:38on a mission to do something no one's done for more than 50 years.
20:43They're trying to go around the moon.
20:51It's the first crewed ship from the program known as Artemis that aims to return people to the moon.
20:58The craft took off at 6.35 p.m. local time.
21:03Artemis 2 is an international mission led by the U.S.
21:07The four crew members will fly to the moon and back on a trip that will take 10 days.
21:13The last such flight was the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
21:18This time, the crew won't land on the lunar surface,
21:21but they will set a record by traveling farther from Earth than anyone in history.
21:29Their spacecraft, the Orion, is on a course to come closest to the moon on the sixth day of the
21:35mission.
21:35It will test essential capabilities like life support systems and communications.
21:41NASA officials hope to be able to send astronauts to land on the moon again in 2028.
21:49They've been trying to maintain their lead in space as China makes rapid advances.
21:54Chinese astronauts are planning to land on the moon by 2030.
22:00Countries are eager to explore potential resources there as well as try to establish a permanent base.
22:07Several U.S. media outlets report that Elon Musk's SpaceX has confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the
22:16U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
22:20Bloomberg reports that the rocket satellite and AI company is aiming to raise up to $75 billion by going public.
22:29It says that would make it the biggest ever IPO, surpassing the $29 billion raised by Saudi Arabia's state-run
22:39oil company Saudi Aramco in 2019.
22:43SpaceX was established by Musk in 2002 and has been involved in rocket launches and offering Starlink satellite internet services.
22:54The company acquired Musk's artificial intelligence startup XAI, which operates the X social media platform in February.
23:03Bloomberg reports that the filing means SpaceX could be listed as early as June.
23:10The United Nations is in the process of choosing its next secretary-general.
23:16So far, it has four nominees.
23:20Antonia Guterres is serving his second five-year term, which ends on December 31st.
23:26The General Assembly president asked member nations to nominate successors by Wednesday.
23:31The nominees include International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi and former Chilean president Michel Bachelet.
23:42Also in the running are U.N. Conference on Trade and Development secretary-general Rebecca Greenspan and former Senegalese president
23:51Maki Sal.
23:52Three are from Latin America and the Caribbean.
23:56That's in accordance with the custom that U.N. secretaries-general come from different regions in turn.
24:04Two of the nominees are women.
24:06The General Assembly president had asked for female candidates as the position has so far only been occupied by men.
24:15The candidates will participate in an open debate starting the week of April 20th.
24:21The permanent members of the Security Council have significant influence over the choice of secretary-general.
24:28That's because the council's endorsement is needed before a candidate can be appointed by the General Assembly.
24:35The new U.N. chief is due to be chosen by around fall this year.
24:40More candidates may be nominated before then.
25:12The General Assembly
25:13weather with our meteorologist Yumi Hirano you can see a circulating system on this satellite
25:20the storm near Italy and the Balkans brought not only thunderstorms but also passed from the Sahara
25:31a storm front passing through the Mediterranean brought unstable weather to the region this week
25:37strong winds pushed sand and dust over the island of Crete on Monday the sky turned almost orange
25:45with visibility drastically reduced according to local media many flights going through the
25:52island were sent to nearby airports the storm is moving slowly and more dust is expected in southern
26:01Greece and parts of Turkey it could cause additional disruptions to traffic and transportation isolated
26:09thunder showers and a mountain snowfall are also possible showers are likely in Athens and Istanbul
26:16but sunny skies are expected in Lisbon and Madrid the temperature in Moscow will be 17 which is over
26:2510 degrees higher than usual moving to Asia a low pressure system is bringing showers and snowfall to
26:33northern Japan while a stationary front is lingering along southern China up to 130 millimeters of rainfall
26:41is possible in Jiangxi and Hunan provinces by Friday afternoon leading to potential flash flooding the system
26:49will eventually arrive in Japan by Saturday on Friday showers are likely in Hong Kong Shanghai and Taipei sunny skies
26:59are expected in
27:00Tokyo with a high of 20 it might be a perfect day to enjoy the chilly blossoms that's it for
27:07now have a nice day
27:35and that's it for this edition of newsroom Tokyo you can catch this program on our website I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi
27:41and I'm Kumei Ayako thank you for watching please join us again tomorrow
27:45you
27:49you
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