NHK World News - June 3, 2011

IAEA wants latest information on nuclear accident

The International Atomic Energy Agency has called on Japan to report the latest, most detailed information on the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 1:25 JST).

Sharp to produce smaller LCD displays at Kameyama

Japanese electronic maker Sharp says it will start producing LCD panels for smart phones and tablet computers at plants in western Japan. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 5:18 JST).

TEPCO cools storage pool in No.2 reactor building

The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says it has succeeded in lowering the temperature in a storage pool for used nuclear fuel at the No.2 reactor after it started operating a cooling system there. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 5:11 JST).

Mazda to stop production at Ford joint venture

Japanese automaker Mazda Motor plans to stop production at a joint venture firm it operates with Ford Motor in the United States. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 6:47 JST).

Studies reveal life of Polish POWs in Japan

Japanese and Polish researchers have shed light on the lives of Polish POWs who died in Japan after the Russo-Japanese War in the early 1900s. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 6:46 JST).

Tornados kill at least 4 in Massachusetts

Tornadoes have torn through heavily populated areas in western and central Massachusetts, a Northeastern US state, killing at least 4 people. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 6:46 JST).

Pressure mounting on Kan to resign quickly

Prime Minister Naoto Kan says a state of cold shutdown at the reactors of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant would lay the groundwork for his resignation. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 6:46 JST).

Russia bans vegetable imports from EU countries

Russia has banned the import of fresh vegetables from the European Union, as deadly E.coli spreads in Germany and other EU nations. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 6:46 JST).

US envoy says he was invited back to N.Korea

A US special envoy who visited North Korea last month to assess whether to resume food aid says he was invited back to the country for talks on human rights. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 7:32 JST).

Chinese woman reaches French Open tennis final

China's Li Na reached the French Open finals in women's singles on Thursday, after beating Russia's Maria Sharapova in two straight sets, 6-4, 7-5. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 6:46 JST).

Sony defends its response to personal data theft

The president of a US subsidiary of Sony Corporation has defended his company's handling of the disclosure of electronic data breaches from its online gaming services. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 7:42 JST).

US envoy: N.Korea will discuss human rights

A US special envoy who visited North Korea last month to assess whether to resume food aid says he was invited back to the country for talks on human rights. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 9:48 JST).

Romney launches bid for 2012 US presidential race

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has announced his candidacy for the 2012 US presidential election. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 9:48 JST).

Japan to help restore Egyptian artifacts

Japanese experts will help Egypt preserve and restore ancient artifacts to be displayed at a new museum. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 11:17 JST).

Syrians protest boy's death

Anti-government protesters in Syria are calling for massive rallies on Friday to protest the death of a boy allegedly tortured by police. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 10:20 JST).

Vienna Philharmonic performs for Japan

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra has given a performance in support of survivors of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami in Japan. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 11:17 JST).

FBI investigating Google hacking

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation into Google's allegations that hackers got into its email system and stole personal information on hundreds of users. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 12:39 JST).

Hatoyama urges Kan to resign immediately

Japan's former prime minister Yukio Hatoyama is urging Prime Minister Naoto Kan to step down immediately. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 12:39 JST).

TEPCO needs to store 100,000 tons of tainted water

Tokyo Electric Power Company says more than 100,000 tons of highly radioactive water has been leaked from the damaged reactors of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 14:05 JST).

US steps up criticism of Syria

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has condemned the administration of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over the alleged torture of a Syrian boy. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 12:39 JST).

WHO: E. coli in Europe rare strain

The World Health Organization says the E. coli bacteria spreading in Europe is a rare strain that has never been seen in an outbreak of illness. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 13:24 JST).

Kan mum on resignation timing

Prime Minister Naoto Kan says he will step down in line with the agreement he reached with former prime minister Yukio Hatoyama and with what he said at a meeting of Democratic Party Lower House members. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 14:37 JST).

Memorial service 20 years after volcanic eruption

A memorial service for victims of a volcanic eruption at Mount Unzen-Fugen in southwestern Japan has been held on the 20th anniversary of the disaster. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 15:37 JST).

UNDP head urges Japan to continue development aid

The head of the UN Development Program has urged Japan to continue providing aid to developing countries despite the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 15:37 JST).

Ban to run for second term as UN chief

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is expected to announce his intention to run for a second term next week. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 16:10 JST).

Vietnam announces results of May 22 elections

Vietnam has announced that dozens of business leaders were elected in parliamentary elections last month. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 17:48 JST).

Police arrest 2nd man for $7.4 mil. robbery

Tokyo police have arrested a second man for Japan's largest-ever cash robbery. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 18:43 JST).

Tokyo stocks fall on Japan's political uncertainty

Tokyo stocks fell on Friday, due to the increased uncertainty of Japan's political situation over the timing of Prime Minister Naoto Kan's resignation. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 17:01 JST).

Tokyo UN meeting reaffirms development goals

Delegates from some 100 countries have agreed to address soaring food prices and other global issues as part of a drive to reduce poverty in developing nations. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 18:43 JST).

Blast at arms depot injures 40 in Russia

Massive explosions at an arms depot in central Russia have injured 40 people and forced almost 30-thousand to evacuate. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 19:14 JST).

TEPCO says contaminated water may overflow

Tokyo Electric Power Company says that, in a worst case scenario, highly radioactive water may overflow from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant as early as June 20th. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 20:15 JST).

2 TEPCO workers exposed to radiation above limit

Experts say 2 workers at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have been exposed to high levels of radiation exceeding the safety limit set by the government. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 20:16 JST).

LDP refuses to debate bills unrelated to disaster

A senior member of Japan's main opposition Liberal Democratic Party says his party will boycott Diet debates on bills unrelated to reconstruction efforts for areas hit by the March 11th disaster. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 19:14 JST).

Kan denies he made resignation promise

Prime Minister Naoto Kan has refuted the claim that he promised to step down in about a month, and stopped short of mentioning a specific date when he will resign. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 21:07 JST).

Mladic makes first appearance at Hague tribunal

Former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic has denied the charges against him during his first appearance at the UN war crimes tribunal. (NHK World Daily News, 03 Jun 22:12 JST).