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00:12Welcome to Newsroom Tokyo. I'm Kumei Ayako and I'm Yoshikawa Ryuichi. Here are the headlines.
00:19Prospects of a peace deal are still up in the air as Iran's latest proposal reportedly gets a cool reception
00:26from the White House.
00:28Tensions flare at the U.N. headquarters in New York as delegates gather to review a crucial treaty on nuclear
00:35disarmament.
00:36And we look at a loading crisis facing museums here in Japan. They are running out of space to store
00:43their collections.
00:48Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have reportedly hit another hurdle.
00:53Multiple media outlets say Tehran has put forward a new proposal.
00:59But it seems U.S. President Donald Trump isn't happy with their offer.
01:06The Associated Press cited two anonymous regional officials Monday who gave details of the proposal.
01:13They said Iran has offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, but only if Washington lifts its
01:20blockade on Iranian ports.
01:22As for Iran's nuclear program, it suggested putting those discussions off to a later date.
01:30The AP report said Trump was likely to reject the proposal as it doesn't touch on America's core concern, nuclear
01:39weapons.
01:40It's something Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted again in an interview on Fox News.
01:48Suffice it to say that the nuclear question is the reason why we're in this in the first place.
01:53Meanwhile, anonymous U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal that Trump's team is also skeptical of Iran's offer.
02:02They said the fact that Tehran isn't addressing the nuclear issue has Trump questioning if it's negotiating in good faith.
02:10The U.S. is expected to offer its response in the coming days.
02:15Meanwhile, Tehran is moving to strengthen ties with Russia.
02:20Iranian foreign minister Abbas Arachid was in St. Petersburg Monday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
02:29Iran's foreign ministry says Arachid also briefed Russian officials on efforts to end the conflict.
02:35And he blamed Washington for the slow progress in negotiations, accusing it of making unreasonable demands and frequently changing its
02:45stance.
02:46Speaking to Russia media, Arachid also claimed the U.S. has failed to achieve any of its goals.
02:53One expert says Iran could be looking for a mediator to replace Pakistan.
03:03I believe Tehran is still considering which country to choose as a moderator.
03:08It is totally at odds with the U.S. over its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
03:12And it is not sure if Pakistan is accurately conveying its wishes to the U.S. negotiators.
03:24Delegates have gathered at the U.N. headquarters in New York to review a crucial treaty on nuclear disarmament.
03:32But recent tensions, including the conflict in the Middle East, are casting a long shadow over the meeting.
03:40The review conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, or NPT, started on Monday.
03:49In his opening remarks, the U.N. Secretary-General issued a stark warning to delegates.
03:56Some governments are openly mulling the acquisition of these horrific weapons.
04:01Have we forgotten that a nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought?
04:07At the outset, the U.S. delegate objected to Iran being selected as one of the vice presidents of the
04:15conference.
04:15And the Iranian delegate responded in kind.
04:20It is indisputable that Iran has long demonstrated its contempt for the non-proliferation commitments of the NPT.
04:28It is indisputable that Iran has refused to cooperate with the IAEA to resolve the glaring questions about its program.
04:37It is indisputable that the United States, as the only state ever have used nuclear weapons,
04:45and the one that continues to expand and modernize its nuclear arsenal in blatant disregard of its Article VI obligation,
04:56seeks to position itself as an arbitrator of the compliance.
05:03191 member states adhere to the treaty.
05:06It requires the five recognized nuclear powers, the U.S., Russia, Britain, France and China,
05:14to negotiate on nuclear arms reduction.
05:17And it bans others from developing or possessing such weapons.
05:22The conference will last until late May.
05:26NHK World's Ebizuka Megumi is in New York and has more details on the conference.
05:32The conference got off to a driven start on its opening day.
05:37Not only did the United States and Iran engage in a heated exchange,
05:41but Ukraine and Russia also strongly criticized each other.
05:46Amid these tense circumstances,
05:49atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki are also on site.
05:54They are holding an exhibition at the venue to convey the realities of the atomic bombings.
06:01Because Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic attacks in war,
06:06they want to highlight the grave-thread nuclear arms campos.
06:11The U.N. Secretary-General also referred to the survivors during his speech.
06:16He said they survived the worst of humanity to show people the best of it,
06:22and their message to the world could not be more timely and urgent.
06:27Delegates at the two previous NPT review conferences failed to adopt the final document,
06:32so they are a growing cause to avoid the third consecutive failure to reach a consensus.
06:38But divisions are deepening,
06:41and there are increasing doubts about whether the international community can unite
06:46in moving forward on nuclear disarmament.
06:49Ebizuka Megumi, NHK World, New York.
06:54As we just heard, survivors are holding an exhibition on the sidelines of the conference
07:00detailing the horrors of atomic weapons.
07:04Nobel Peace Prize-winning survivors group Nihon Hidankyo organized the event.
07:11Secretary-General Hamasumi Jiro was in his mother's womb
07:15when the atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima in 1945.
07:24We hope to convey our wishes with everyone
07:26so that no one ever has to endure the pain and hardship we have faced.
07:38One visitor praised the work of the survivors known as Hibakusha.
07:44It really is heartbreaking to see.
07:48But what is nice to see is the Hibakusha here giving their perspective
07:54and telling us and demanding us that we need to put an end to the possession of nuclear weapons.
08:03More than 50 items are on display.
08:06One photo shows a boy at a crematory, likely in Nagasaki,
08:11with a younger child on his back.
08:13This is the fifth time the exhibition has been held.
08:27Now to a key focus of attention on Tuesday,
08:31the Bank of Japan's policy meeting.
08:33We bring in Yanaka Marie from our biz team.
08:35Right.
08:36So Marie, you told us yesterday the Central Bank would likely keep its benchmark for it unchanged.
08:41And that was the decision, correct?
08:44Yes, it was.
08:45But there were some surprises in the BOJ's outlook.
08:47Let's start with the rate decision.
08:50The Bank of Japan has decided to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged amid uncertainty over the situation in the
08:57Middle East.
08:58The Central Bank's two-day policy meeting ended on Tuesday.
09:02The BOJ said it will continue to target a short-term rate of around 0.75%.
09:08This is the third time in a row that the BOJ has kept monetary policy unchanged since a rate hike
09:15in December.
09:16The decision was widely expected as the Iran conflict has driven up prices of crude oil and petroleum products such
09:24as nafta.
09:25There are concerns that disruptions in raw material supplies could drag on the economy.
09:32Six of the nine board members supported the action, while three voted against and proposed a rate hike.
09:40BOJ Governor Ueda Kazuo said he needs to take seriously the fact that three policymakers opposed maintaining the rate.
09:48He added that he and the others are concerned about upside risks for prices, but it's not urgent enough to
09:54immediately respond with a rate hike.
09:57The BOJ also announced its outlook for economic activity and prices.
10:03It said the rise in crude oil prices will push up inflation, especially energy as well as goods and services.
10:10The bank said its median forecast for consumer prices excluding fresh food for this fiscal year is 2.8%, a
10:19jump from January's projection of 1.9%.
10:22Its outlook for the next fiscal year is now at 2.3%, up from 2% in the previous forecast.
10:31Meanwhile, the central bank downgraded its growth projection for both the current and next fiscal years.
10:37Its median forecast for fiscal 2026 is at 0.5% in real terms.
10:43The January outlook was 1%.
10:46For fiscal 2027, it expects to see 0.7% growth, down from 0.8% projected in January.
10:54But from that year onward, it said growth is likely to rise moderately, since the negative effects of high oil
11:01prices are likely to wane.
11:08Underlying inflation is approaching 2%, and businesses' wage and price setting moves are active.
11:15Considering these, it is necessary to pay close attention to the risk of a significant rise in prices in order
11:23to prevent a negative impact on the economy.
11:30So what should we make of the BOJ's announcements?
11:33Kato Isuru, chief economist at TOTAN Research, told us the decision to hold rates steady was no surprise.
11:40But he notes the BOJ appears more worried than anticipated about inflation pressures linked to the Iran conflict.
11:50The outlook report indicates that the BOJ is very concerned about upside risks and prices.
11:57Three board members opposed the governor's proposal to maintain the rate and called for a rate hike.
12:02I believe chances of raising the rate at the next policy meeting in June are quite high unless the Middle
12:09East situation becomes very chaotic.
12:11I think that there are underlying concerns among policymakers that if the BOJ fails to raise the rate, it would
12:19fall behind in inflation control.
12:23Kato says the BOJ's report signals to market players that the bank plans to gradually raise rates.
12:30He thinks this was done to prevent further depreciation of the yen.
12:37If the BOJ had not emphasized the upside risks and prices in the report, market players would likely have taken
12:45that as a factor for a weaker yen.
12:47The spring holiday period is about to begin in Japan, so there are quite high risks that investors might sell
12:55the yen in overseas markets while the Tokyo market is closed.
13:00If it happens, the rate of rises in crude oil prices could be even higher in yen terms.
13:07I think that preventing the yen's depreciation was part of the BOJ's intention.
13:16There's still uncertainty over whether a June rate hike will actually happen.
13:21The situation in the Middle East is only adding to the lack of clarity.
13:26Last to check on the markets, Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 retreated on Tuesday from an all-time high above 60
13:34,000 mark the day before.
13:36The dip was largely due to speculation that the Bank of Japan's next rate hike could come sooner than expected.
13:42The index fell 1% to finish at 59,917.
13:47On to the rest of the Asia-Pacific.
13:50Most stock benchmarks fell, but Seoul's Kospi bucked the trend, adding four-tenths of a percent.
13:56Media outlets say the index hit a fresh record high to overtake the UK in stock market cap.
14:03South Korea's chip-heavy benchmark has gotten a big boost this year from the AI frenzy.
14:09And that's the biz for this Tuesday.
14:13Now let's go to Cholapansa Narula in our Bangkok studio for stories making headlines across the Asia-Pacific.
14:22A collision between two trains near the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, on Monday night has claimed at least 14 lives.
14:30The accident apparently occurred when a long-distance train plowed into a commuter train stopped at a station.
14:36Indonesia's state railway firm said that 84 people were taken to hospitals to receive treatment for injuries.
14:43Many passengers were initially trapped in the wreckage.
14:46A local authority said on Tuesday rescuers had pulled out all of the remaining survivors.
14:52Waiters quoted the authority as saying a women-only car of the commuter train bore the brunt of the impact
14:58and that all of the victims were women.
15:00A passenger on the commuter train said it had stopped at the station due to a problem.
15:05She said at the moment of impact, she was calling her husband to come and pick her up.
15:11I hadn't even finished the call when the trains collided.
15:15Luckily, I was in the fifth car, not the women-only one at the end of the train, although I
15:20initially wanted to ride in that one.
15:23President Prabowo Subianto visited a hospital treating injured passengers on Tuesday.
15:28He expressed condolences for the victims and pledged a comprehensive review of Indonesia's rail safety system.
15:34The National Transportation Safety Committee is dispatching investigators to the scene of the accident.
15:41The impact of the Iran conflict continues to mount for countries that rely heavily on oil from the Middle East.
15:47In the Philippines, soaring fuel prices are forcing drivers of the iconic jeepney buses off the roads and disrupting daily
15:55commutes.
15:57I've been waiting for two hours already and I'm still stuck here.
16:02There aren't many jeepneys around, so it takes a while to get one. I'll be home a bit late.
16:10The minibuses are a vital mode of public transportation for people throughout the Philippines.
16:15The base fare for a ride is around 20 US cents and passengers can get on and off anywhere.
16:20But spiralling fuel costs are making it increasingly difficult for operators to keep their fleets running.
16:28This operator currently has just three out of eight buses in service.
16:33Many jeepney drivers lease the vehicles from operators and rely on the fares they get to make a living.
16:39This driver stopped his service a month ago when it ceased to be financially viable.
16:44He now lives in the jeepney with his wife and granddaughter.
16:49I was only able to make 200 pesos a day. That wasn't enough to cover rent and electricity.
16:57Drivers have become increasingly frustrated with the government's handling of the matter.
17:01They've staged rallies to protest a spike in prices and demand an increase in fares.
17:07Motorcycles dominate the roads in Vietnam, where Japanese makers lead the market.
17:12But new regulations taking effect in July will restrict gasoline bikes.
17:15The shift is already reshaping both consumer choices and the motorcycle industry.
17:21NHK World's Kamino Takehiro reports.
17:25The streets of Hanoi are defined by motion.
17:29At rush hour, that motion reaches a peak and motorcycles are the herd of it.
17:36But change is coming.
17:37Last July, the government announced plans to ban gas-powered motorcycles in the capital.
17:44Under the current draft plan, they won't be allowed into areas around Huanqin Lake in a part of the center
17:51of the capital at certain hours from Friday afternoon through the weekend.
17:57It's a policy driven by severe air pollution.
18:00A private monitoring company says Hanoi's air quality sometimes ranks among the world's worst, contributing to respiratory illness and other
18:09health problems.
18:12This shift is already boosting demand for electric vehicles.
18:18At the forefront is FIMFAST, a major domestic automaker backed by one of Vietnam's largest conglomerates.
18:26Production has taken off since the company launched electric motorcycles in 2018.
18:32The new regulations, coupled with rising fuel prices, have only amplified demand.
18:41I think that switching to an electric vehicle is better for me personally.
18:46It's also better for the environment.
18:48What's more, VINFAST's customer support program has helped motivate me to change.
18:57A company executive credits shifting consumer attitudes for expanding sales.
19:05As awareness grows, it's inevitable that people will shift to clean transportation.
19:11Without a doubt, we can compete in a market that's been dominated by foreign brands for years.
19:20Meanwhile, Honda is maneuvering to expand its share in the electric bike market.
19:26The Japanese automaker holds around 80% of Vietnam's motorcycle market.
19:35The company plans to expand its lineup of electric bikes to three models in Vietnam, ahead of the new regulations.
19:46Many enthusiasts try out to a launch event in Hanoi to try out the new model.
19:54I think Honda still has the edge in luxury and a modern feel, which appeals to young people.
20:05When it comes to performance, handling and stability, our expertise in two-wheel vehicles is something no competitor can match.
20:18Vietnam's motorcycle market has reached a turning point as companies compete in the changing environment.
20:35Japan is about to enter one of its yearly long holiday periods, with many people likely planning to visit museums
20:43and other cultural facilities during their time off.
20:46But behind the scenes, museums across Japan are facing a serious problem.
20:52They're rapidly running out of space to store their collections, raising concerns that valuable historical material could be discarded.
21:02This is the Tsukagawa City Museum in Fukushima Prefecture.
21:07Every spring, one of its most popular exhibitions is its display of Hino dolls,
21:13ornamental dolls traditionally displayed in Japan to celebrate Girls' Day on March 3rd.
21:19Around 300 dolls are on show, including some dating back to the Edo period, more than 150 years ago.
21:27But inside the museum's storage rooms, the situation has become critical.
21:33There are more than 1,000 dolls stored here.
21:37Stacks of scrolls are piled so high, they look ready to fall from the shelves.
21:44Large ceramic jars and heavy cow statues block the aisles.
21:49Traditional dining sets used for celebrations are also stacked to the ceiling.
21:58From the sheer volume, you can really see the culture and custom of gathering and sharing meals.
22:05I think this represents an important part of Tsukagawa's local identity.
22:11More than 70,000 items most donated by local residents are packed in tightly.
22:16As a result, the museum's storage capacity has reached 188 percent, far beyond its intended limit.
22:25With no more space available, city officials have asked the museum to consider discarding duplicate items.
22:36We can't just throw them away.
22:39These items were donated so they could be preserved as records.
22:43We have a responsibility to respect the feelings of those donors and pass their legacy on to future generations.
22:53For more, we spoke with NHK World's Terai Yasunori, who's been covering this issue.
23:03Well, I understand that the museum in the report is facing a critical situation, but what about others across the
23:10country?
23:11According to a Japanese Association of Museums survey in 2024, more than 60 percent said their storage facilities are full.
23:21Some experts say this happened because many Japanese museums have collected items without long-term planning.
23:30In contrast, countries such as the United Kingdom have clearly documented acquisition policies and management procedures.
23:39Amid growing concerns over museums, possibly discarding items that no longer fit in storage,
23:47Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs revised its standards for museum management last month
23:53to include rules related to disposing of collection items.
23:59Museum collections are often seen as valuable and historically important.
24:04Is it really okay to discard them so easily?
24:08Many experts are worried about items being discarded too lately.
24:14For example, some may not seem valuable now, but their importance may be discovered later.
24:21This item was once nearly disposed of by a museum in Nara Prefecture.
24:26It was later transferred to a museum in Fukui Prefecture, where a staff member with expertise in Onmyoji, traditional Japanese
24:36diviners' works.
24:38It turned out that this was a ritual altar used by Onmyoji, from the Edo to the Meiji period, and
24:47valuable for understanding their work and practices.
24:51Is there a way to avoid disposal?
24:55There are two possible solutions to these problems.
24:59One approach being tried in Miyagi Prefecture involves experts from different fields and museums working together.
25:07By sharing knowledge, they hope to prevent variable items from being discarded, simply because their importance isn't yet understood.
25:17Three institutions in Aichi Prefecture are trying something else, building a joint storage facility.
25:25When complete, total storage space is expected to double.
25:30Museum collections are gifts from the past to us.
25:34And at the same time, gifts from us to the future.
25:38Even in his heart, it's our responsibility to find ways to pass on as much as possible.
25:46Thank you, Yasunori.
25:51China says it will block Meta from acquiring Manus, an AI startup of Chinese origin.
25:57It has ordered the U.S. tech giant to revoke the deal.
26:02China's National Development and Reform Commission said on Monday the decision was made in accordance with the country's laws and
26:09regulations.
26:10Manus is known for developing and serving autonomous AI agents that can execute complex tasks.
26:17It was founded in China and is now based in Singapore.
26:20In December, Meta announced it would buy Manus, reportedly for around $2 billion.
26:27The Chinese government is promoting technological development related to AI as a national strategy.
26:34Its five-year plan through 2030 includes a policy to integrate AI into various industries.
26:41Concern over AI-related technology leaking to the United States is believed to be behind the move.
26:49Let's take a look at weather forecast for cities around the world.
26:53Over the world
27:21Over the worldhouses
27:23participants Lil
27:25and that's it for tonight's newsroom tokyo and we'll be off the air from tomorrow for
27:30one of japan's longest holiday periods we hope you will join us again when we return on may
27:3611th and don't forget you can catch this program on our website i'm yoshikawa buchi and i'm kumi
27:43ayako thank you for watching
27:54you
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