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00:12Hello and welcome to Newsroom Tokyo. I'm Raja Paran. Here's what's making the headlines.
00:17The United States and Iran agreed to end months of fighting and reopened the Strait of Hormuz.
00:23We report live from France, where the G7 leaders are taking their search for consensus on a range of issues.
00:30And we take a closer look at clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Civilians are bearing the brunt.
00:36First, the Middle East. The United States and Iran are close to ending months of conflict with a memorandum of
00:42understanding.
00:43They're expected to sign it this Friday in Switzerland.
00:47U.S. President Donald Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will reopen toll-free.
00:52Or in his words, ships of the world, start your engines, let the oil flow.
00:57But the New York Times says he's also threatened more military action should Iran fail to reach a final nuclear
01:03accord.
01:05Iran's Supreme National Security Council says the conflict will immediately and permanently end on all fronts, including Lebanon.
01:13Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garibabadi issued a statement Monday claiming major victories.
01:20Garibabadi says Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of U.S. sanctions will be discussed for a 60-day period
01:27after the deal is signed.
01:29U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance spoke to Fox News on Sunday night.
01:34He says the key points include Iran never having nor attempting to acquire a nuclear weapon.
01:40And he says the agreement will fundamentally transform the Middle East for the next 50 years if Iran complies.
01:48Japan's Prime Minister, Takai Tsanae, welcomed the agreement in a social media post.
01:53She'll be meeting her G7 counterparts on Monday in Evian, eastern France.
01:58Leaders from Qatar and the UAE will likely join as guests, as will Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
02:05French President Emmanuel Macron wants the summit to prioritize global economic growth, inequality, and supply chains for critical minerals.
02:14But Washington is pursuing an America-first agenda, and the G7's cloud is said to be on the wane.
02:21The leaders are not expected to reach a joint statement.
02:24They could announce documents on individual points.
02:28For more, let's go to Jordan Gravel from NHK's Washington Bureau.
02:32She's at the G7 press center just outside Evian.
02:35President Trump will be at the summit, and the deal with Iran looks extremely timely, don't you think?
02:45Right.
02:45And it means the Middle East is set to dominate the agenda here in France.
02:49Trump is expected to hold separate meetings with the leaders of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
02:55He will likely be framing the agreement with Iran as a major achievement.
02:59But behind the scenes, he might also be taking a huge sigh of relief.
03:03The U.S. midterm elections are set for November, and many voters have been unimpressed with the economic impact of
03:09the conflict.
03:10Still, we should also remember that the Memorandum of Understanding is really just the starting line for lasting peace.
03:17Weeks of negotiations, including on Iran's nuclear program, come next.
03:21And Jordan, what else is on the agenda at the G7 summit?
03:27A senior Trump administration official told reporters on Saturday that the U.S. president wants to discuss economic growth, critical
03:35minerals, illegal immigration, and artificial intelligence.
03:38At the same time, his America First values appear at odds with the values of the G7.
03:44The official who spoke to reporters suggested Trump sees this summit as a chance to bring his demands to the
03:50forefront,
03:50such as getting Washington's allies to shoulder a bigger burden on security.
03:55Well, Trump has not been happy with some European nations that refrained from sending naval vessels to the Strait of
04:01Hormuz, right?
04:02Will he be reminding them at the summit in France?
04:07I guess we'll have to see.
04:09But certainly some of Washington's ties with Europe have become strained.
04:13One senior official says the deal with Iran could see Trump demanding the likes of France and Britain carry out
04:19minesweeping operations in the Strait.
04:22Other differences include Washington's emphasis on energy security and deregulation versus Europe's larger focus on climate policy.
04:30Which all begs the question, is the G7 still capable of finding consensus?
04:38That's a good question.
04:39And one expert suggests the answer might not be found by thinking in terms of joint statements and communiques.
04:47The Trump administration isn't really a planning administration in that way.
04:53I'm not hearing of any big deliverables for this G7 summit.
04:57So I don't think the groundwork has been prepared.
05:00And I would guess that they have a meeting without any big announcements.
05:07There's also speculation that host nation France may not push for a comprehensive leaders declaration.
05:14So it'll be interesting to see what unity looks like this time.
05:18Thank you very much for all your input, Jordan.
05:20NHK World's Jordan Gravel reporting from near the summit venue.
05:34The news from the Middle East was a shot on the arm for stock markets around Asia.
05:38Inaga Marie from our biz team joins us now for more on that.
05:41Marie, so just how much did the markets react?
05:43Quite a lot for some of them, including the main benchmark here in Tokyo.
05:48The Nikkei average kicked off the week with its second biggest jump ever.
05:53That led the benchmark, hitting a record high.
05:57The Nikkei 225 soared 5% to close above 69,000 for the first time.
06:03During the session, it went as high as 69,682.
06:08Investors picked up AI and chip-related shares.
06:11The broader topics rose 3% to close at 3,999.
06:17That was also a record, with buying across a wide range of sectors.
06:22Tokyo stocks gained as crude oil prices fell.
06:26WTI futures dropped below $80 a barrel for the first time in roughly three months.
06:32That's on expectations for the flow of Middle East oil to recover.
06:37Now, a key focus for business this week is monetary policy.
06:41The central banks of several major economies are holding meetings, including the Bank of Japan.
06:47The BOJ is widely expected to raise rates.
06:50That's to curb the inflation that has gripped the country.
06:55The bank appears ready to lift its key rate by a quarter percentage point at the two-day meeting that
07:01started on Monday.
07:02That would bring the rate to around 1%, the highest in 31 years.
07:08Higher rates can be a drag on the economy.
07:11But a number of BOJ officials reportedly hold the view that inflation is the bigger threat.
07:17The rising prices are being driven by the jump in crude oil costs due to the Iran conflict,
07:23as well as by the yen's weakness against the dollar.
07:27Companies have been passing on the higher costs on a wide range of goods.
07:32The BOJ will also be discussing the pace at which it buys up government bonds.
07:38The bank shifted policy in 2024 to gradually taper its purchases.
07:43This will be reviewed to ensure the market's stability.
07:47The meeting will be chaired by Deputy Governor Himino Ryozou.
07:52Governor Ueda Kazoo is currently in hospital and plans to give his opinions in writing.
07:59The central bank in the United States is also in the spotlight, but for a different reason.
08:04It's leadership.
08:05The Federal Reserve is set to hold its first policy meeting under Chair Kevin Walsh.
08:11Markets widely expect the Fed to keep interest rates unchanged.
08:16Walsh's term began in May after President Trump appointed him chair.
08:21The two-day meeting starts on Tuesday amid brisk inflation.
08:25A spike in energy prices drove the Consumer Price Index up 4.2 percent in May from a year earlier.
08:33That's the biggest jump in around three years.
08:37Despite the inflation, Trump has been urging the Fed to bring rates down.
08:42Earlier this month, he said he'd let Walsh make the call, but suggested a rate cut is desirable.
08:49Markets expect the Fed to stand pat for the fourth straight meeting and even raise rates later this year to
08:55keep a lid on prices.
08:58Now, a look at markets across the Asia-Pacific.
09:01The Nikkei wasn't the only one to get a big lift.
09:04The index in South Korea also rallied about 5 percent, and Manila surged over 6 percent.
09:11All the other benchmarks closed up as well.
09:14And that's the biz for this Monday.
09:28The Ukrainian Air Force says Russia carried out massive drone and missile strikes across Ukraine on Sunday and Monday.
09:35The strikes left at least nine people dead.
09:39Ukraine's state emergency service said on social media, fires broke out at residential buildings and educational facilities in Kyiv, leaving
09:47four people dead and 25 injured.
09:50It also said five of its rescue workers were killed in the eastern region of Kharkiv while fighting a fire
09:56caused by a Russian strike, and at least five more were wounded.
09:59Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said on social media, a fire broke out in the grounds of the historic Kyiv-Pechersk
10:07-Lavra Monastery.
10:08The monastery was built in the 11th century and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
10:14In 2023, it was designated a World Heritage in Danger after Russia invaded Ukraine.
10:20The mayor also said power lines in the capital have been damaged, leaving 140,000 people without electricity.
10:29Next, the White House was transformed into a mixed martial arts arena Sunday as U.S. President Trump marked his
10:3680th birthday.
10:37The event drew criticism from some Americans, with opponents saying it was inappropriate for a historic national landmark.
10:47Trump watched the battle from ringside.
10:50He's a longtime fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
10:53The arena was set up as part of celebrations, marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
11:00The National Park Service says the UFC invested more than $60 million in the event.
11:06It also says the government devoted significant resources and manpower to preparations.
11:12A YouGov poll of about 9,000 people earlier this month found 51 percent disapproved of the event, while 27
11:19percent approved.
11:21Trump is the second U.S. president to serve in his 80s after predecessor Joe Biden.
11:27Last month, the White House released a memo from Trump's physician, saying the president is in excellent health with strong
11:33overall physical function.
11:37Japan and the Netherlands have battled their way to a draw in the Men's Soccer World Cup.
11:42The opening match of Group F ended 2-2.
11:46Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring with a well-placed header at Dallas Stadium in Texas.
11:53Japan's Nakamura Keito equalized from outside the box six minutes later after good work by Kubo Takeshasa.
12:00The Netherlands took the lead again thanks to forward Crescensio Somerville.
12:05And with minutes remaining, Ogawa Koki's header struck his teammate Kamada Daiichi to tie the match.
12:13Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched the game with the Dutch king and queen.
12:18The imperial couple are on an official visit to the Netherlands.
12:21Photos released by the Dutch royal family show the emperor and empress wearing blue like the Japan national team.
12:28Both couples also wore towels of their countries around their necks.
12:32The emperor and empress have been in close contact with the king and his wife for many years.
12:39Okay, time for a little French.
12:41Vive le sumo.
12:42Because for the first time in decades, Japan's traditional sport has landed in Paris.
12:53A two-day exhibition was held over the weekend featuring 41 top division wrestlers.
12:58And the fans came in droves, proudly brandishing their sumo paraphernalia.
13:04The delegation posed for photos outside the venue.
13:08Japan's sumo association chairman Hakkaku was there too.
13:11So were Yokosuna grand champions Hoshoryu and Onosato.
13:16The previous grand sumo event in Paris was 31 years ago.
13:22The excitement this time was palpable.
13:25The arena erupted as Kotozakura defeated Kirishima in a marquee bout.
13:30Both are at sumo's second highest rank, Ozeki.
13:34As you can see, I don't have any voice anymore.
13:37I shot it a bit too much.
13:39It was really impressive to see really strong wrestler fighting with different techniques.
13:47One friend from Sweden said he hopes to see sumo in Tokyo someday soon.
13:53All right, back here in Japan, a seaside town in Hokkaido, known for its sumo tradition,
13:59has produced two Yokosuna grand champions.
14:01That legacy underpins its annual women's sumo tournament.
14:05But local participation is shrinking due to depopulation.
14:08So now locals are pinning their hopes on technical trainees from abroad to keep the event alive.
14:18This is a women-only amateur sumo tournament held on Mother's Day in the town of Fukushima in Hokkaido.
14:26The people cheering are Vietnamese technical trainees.
14:39Yuasa Akira runs a seafood firm that employs Vietnamese nationals.
14:45Noting the decline in sumo participants, he asked Vietnamese women in the town to join.
14:51When Vietnamese take part, people recognize them as they walk by.
14:57They're really well-liked.
14:58They're really well-liked.
15:03Chuan Ti-kun came to Japan three years ago and works for a sewing company.
15:09She took an interest in sumo on USS Advice and placed third last year.
15:19I just picked up my opponent and wrestled the same way everyone else did.
15:25I did my best to use my strength to push my opponent out of the ring.
15:34Chuan is a single mother who supports her three children in Vietnam.
15:38Her family is hoping she will place in the tournament.
15:4664 women from Japan and abroad participated in this year's event.
16:00Chuan's opponent in the first round is Tama Arashi.
16:03The two face off in a low stance and they're ready to fight.
16:08Chuan shoots out and grabs the mawashi right away with both hands.
16:13She drives back Tama Arashi and pancakes her.
16:20Chuan is the winner by Yoritaoshi's frontal push-out.
16:30In the next round, Chuan locks horns with Kurikuriyama, who's competing for the first time.
16:37And they're off.
16:38Chuan struggles to get a solid grip.
16:41Kurikuriyama stays low and forces her back.
16:45Chuan is in danger.
16:48Still, she counters with a beautiful throw.
16:52But wait, the judges gather to discuss the close call.
16:58Chuan strives to bring out her best to dispatch her tough opponent.
17:02They go chest to chest.
17:04Kurikuriyama hops in the driver's seat with a double hand inside stance.
17:09Chuan holds her ground and stays in contention.
17:11She tries to reverse the field and the two go down together.
17:16It's another nail-biter.
17:19Did Chuan hit the deck first, or did Kurikuriyama touchdown with her left hand?
17:26The judges talk it over once again.
17:34Unfortunately, Chuan gets eliminated in the second round.
17:38It was a real pity.
17:42It was so close.
17:45When I return to Vietnam, I'll tell everyone about it.
17:49I want to talk about the festival and about the sumo tournament.
17:53I want to reflect on my three years in Japan.
17:56The sumo town in Hokkaido is gaining new momentum
18:00thanks to its increasingly diverse lineup of grapplers.
18:06And we turn now to Rosalyn Devavalia at our bureau in Bangkok
18:09for more stories making headlines across the Asia-Pacific.
18:12Rosalyn.
18:15The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck the southern Philippines
18:19has risen to 65, one week after the disaster.
18:23Officials say dozens remain missing.
18:25The quake off Mindanao last Monday caused widespread damage,
18:30particularly in the island's south.
18:33Authorities say more than 1,400 people were injured,
18:36and 36 others are unaccounted for.
18:39More than 175,000 households have been affected,
18:43with tens of thousands of people forced to seek shelter.
18:47Scores of roads and bridges across Mindanao were damaged,
18:51hampering rescue and recovery efforts.
18:53Water and power services also remain disrupted in some communities.
19:00Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron
19:04have agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including economic security
19:08and artificial intelligence.
19:11Modi met Macron in Nice on Sunday while visiting France for the G7 summit.
19:17India's foreign ministry says the two leaders agreed to establish a mechanism
19:21aimed at doubling bilateral trade within five years.
19:25The move follows the conclusion in January of negotiations for a free trade agreement
19:31between India and the EU.
19:34The leaders also agreed to launch a dialogue on economic security
19:38to discuss measures such as strengthening supply chains for critical minerals.
19:43They also agreed to deepen cooperation in defense and nuclear energy
19:47and to set up a joint working group on AI.
19:51After the meeting, Modi wrote on X that the talks were exceptionally productive.
19:56He said the two countries had agreed to upgrade their relationship
20:00to a special global strategic partnership.
20:04Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been escalating since last October,
20:09upending the lives of civilians.
20:11Pakistan says Afghanistan's interim Taliban government harbors militant groups
20:17responsible for terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
20:20The Taliban have retaliated.
20:22NHK World's Ota Yusuke reports.
20:27Samira Muhammad lives in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.
20:31She lost her 20-year-old son, Arif, in a Pakistani airstrike
20:36on a drug rehabilitation center in March.
20:42With my husband gone, my son was the head of our family.
20:47He was a very good man, loved by everyone.
20:52Arif had been working hard to support the family while struggling with drug addiction.
21:00He had just entered the center for treatment.
21:06Satellite images before and after the strike showed the building was almost completely destroyed.
21:14A UN investigation in May found that at least 269 people were killed,
21:21with the actual number likely much higher.
21:26Pakistan says the targets were military and terrorist infrastructure.
21:32But believed families and the Taliban strongly deny this.
21:39Samira visits her son's grave every day.
21:56She says she fears another attack.
22:00I can't sleep because I'm afraid Pakistan will bomb us again and destroy our lives.
22:09Meanwhile, on the Pakistani side of the border,
22:13militant attacks targeting police and security forces continue,
22:18with civilians often caught in the crossfire.
22:22Closure of the border to protect against terrorism
22:26has dealt a serious blow to local economies.
22:31In Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar,
22:35the number of Afghan patients seeking medical care has sharply declined.
22:41Clinics are struggling to stay afroat.
22:48Afghans used to account for 30, 40, even 50 percent of our patients.
22:54Since their country does not have a high level of education,
22:58proper medical care is impossible there.
23:01So this is a loss for them as well.
23:06Exports have also been hit hard.
23:08The area around Peshawar is home to many pharmaceutical factories,
23:14with Afghanistan a major export market.
23:19Kamal Ahmad, a pharmaceutical exporter,
23:23says much of his stock is piled up,
23:26with many products expiring.
23:29Over 70 percent of his exports once went to Afghanistan,
23:33and he has no clear alternative market.
23:39One local representative is urging the government to restore trade.
23:46We've hit rock bottom.
23:48Everyone is losing business.
23:50Whatever political issues exist between the two countries,
23:53we need to open up this transit route.
23:56As the fighting continues to take a toll on both sides,
24:00the path to easing tensions remains unclear,
24:05and civilians continue to bear the burden.
24:10Ota Yusuke, NHK World, Peshawar.
24:15And that wraps up our bulletin.
24:17I'm Razinda Bovalia in Bangkok.
24:45I'm Razinda Bovalia in Bangkok.
24:55More to come here on Newsroom Tokyo,
24:57but first, here's a 3D outlook on the weather
24:58for selected cities around the globe.
25:01The number a foot is called t1et book.
25:04We're at the market.
25:05We're the one we're at the level in the world.
25:20We're at the level 25,
25:20and we're at the level 25,
25:21and we're at the level 25,
25:24and we're at the level 25,
26:27Nothing beats the taste of victory, except perhaps a slice of watermelon.
26:36This road race is held annually in Tomisato, Chiba Prefecture.
26:40The city is one of Japan's main producers of watermelon.
26:43About 6,700 people from across the country took part.
26:47They were offered sliced watermelon during the race and after.
27:05Good. I ran so hard to eat watermelons.
27:09There's no other race as fun as this.
27:11It's so popular.
27:16Tomisato has been officially growing watermelons for the past 100 years.
27:20To mark the anniversary, the fastest runners received even more watermelon.
27:25So did those who finished 10th, 100th and 1000th place.
27:31Well, I wonder if the runners were seeded.
27:34And that's all for this edition of Newsroom Tokyo.
27:37Don't forget to catch the latest news on the NHK World Japan website.
27:41I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo.
27:42Thank you very much for joining us.
27:56I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo.
27:57I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo.
27:57I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo.
27:57I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo.
27:57I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo.
27:58I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo.
27:59I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo.
28:00I'm Raja Pradhan in Tokyo.