Latest News from NHK
NHK
33 minutes ago
- Business
- NHK
Tokyo's Shibuya Ward to tighten rules for street go-kart businesses
Tokyo's Shibuya Ward is planning to tighten rules for businesses that rent go-karts to tourists who want a driver's view of the sights of the Japanese capital. The small, open vehicles are popular with inbound tourists. But there have been complaints about poor driving manners and loud noise. The ward says it has decided to revise the related ordinance to ensure the safety and security of its residents. The revised draft calls for firms planning to open go-kart rental offices to notify the ward at least 30 days in advance, and to provide details of their operations such as business hours. It also requires the firms to hold meetings for residents to explain their operations, and to respond sincerely to inquiries. Shibuya Ward says it will not set penalties for violating the ordinance. The ward says it plans to submit revisions of the ordinance to its assembly in June and hopes it will take effect in July.
NHK
40 minutes ago
- Business
- NHK
Nikkei 225 rises on US court order blocking Trump tariffs
Tokyo's benchmark stock index rose sharply on Thursday. Investors were encouraged by reports that a US federal trade court has blocked President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports. The Nikkei 225 closed the day at 38,432, up 1.88 percent. It recovered the 38,000 mark for the first time in about two weeks. Analysts say some investors bought export-related shares and that robust earnings of US chip giant Nvidia also helped push up the benchmark. The US court's decision triggered dollar buying against the Japanese currency in Tokyo. The yen briefly weakened to the 146-level.
NHK
2 hours ago
- General
- NHK
South Korea: Early voting begins for June 3 presidential election
Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's presidential election scheduled for June 3. Polls show the election is shaping up to be a showdown between Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the largest opposition Democratic Party, and Kim Moon-soo, of the conservative ruling People Power Party. Both candidates were seen casting their ballots in the morning. A woman in her 20s who visited a voting station in Seoul told NHK she is hoping for a better future for her country. She pointed out that South Korea has many problems that need to be resolved, regardless of who becomes the next president. The election is being held following the impeachment and ouster of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, for his failed martial law declaration in December last year. Kim's side has been calling on Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative Reform Party to field a joint candidate against the main opposition Democratic Party. Kim said on Thursday that he will keep trying to persuade Lee to agree to an alliance with his People Power Party. However, the Reform Party candidate has steadfastly refused to accept the proposal. South Korean media reports say that the chances of a conservative alliance being formed at this late stage of the campaign appear to be very low.
NHK
3 hours ago
- General
- NHK
Japanese govt. confirms China has removed last buoy from Japan's EEZ
The Japanese government has confirmed that China has removed its last remaining buoy from Japan's exclusive economic zone off Okinawa. The buoy was detected to the south of Okinawa Prefecture's Yonaguni Island last December. The Japanese government had demanded its immediate removal from Japan's EEZ and has been monitoring the situation around the waters. The Japanese government said in February that a Chinese buoy in the waters around Okinawa Prefecture's Senkaku Islands had been removed. China explained that it had moved the buoy. Japan controls the Senkaku Islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters on Thursday that he understands that the buoy south of Yonaguni Island is no longer an issue. He said China has not offered an external explanation and he will refrain from answering questions about its intentions. Hayashi said the Japanese government has been routinely patrolling the waters under its jurisdiction and the relevant government agencies will continue to cooperate in vigilance and surveillance activities.
NHK
3 hours ago
- Business
- NHK
Elon Musk leaving Trump administration after spearheading cost-cutting efforts
Billionaire Elon Musk has announced that he is leaving his government role. He noted that his time as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is coming to an end. In a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday, Musk said that his "scheduled time as a Special Government Employee" is ending. He also thanked President Donald Trump for giving him the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. Musk added that the "DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government." On the day in January that he was inaugurated, Trump signed an executive order that led to the establishment of DOGE. He also made Musk the head of the department. Musk was permitted to work for the government in that capacity for up to 130 days. Musk declared his support for Trump during Trump's campaign for the presidency last year. He earned the president's trust and wielded influence over the administration's policies. At the same time, mass layoffs of government employees sparked public anger. They also affected business at Musk's electric car company Tesla. In April, Musk said that he would significantly scale back his government work and focus more on running Tesla in May. He said much of his work at DOGE was done.
