NHK World News - June 7, 2011

Japan to separate nuclear bodies

The Japanese government will restructure its nuclear-related organizations to clarify roles and responsibilities in the event of a nuclear disaster. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 5:40 JST).

China, N.Korea to set up "economic zone" on border

North Korea has announced a plan to set up an economic zone on its border with China. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 5:40 JST).

IAEA chief to propose tougher nuclear safety

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says he will propose measures to strengthen nuclear safety at the upcoming high-level international talks, following the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 5:40 JST).

Saleh intends to stay in power

Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh says his health is improving and he will return home within days. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 5:40 JST).

IEA: Demand for natural gas expanding

The International Energy Agency says the decline in nuclear power generation as a result of the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Plant will push up global demand for natural gas by more than 60 percent by 2035. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 5:40 JST).

More hydrogen produced than TEPCO's estimate

Japan's nuclear safety agency says about 800 to 1,000 kilograms of hydrogen was produced in each of 3 reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant soon after the March 11th earthquake. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 5:40 JST).

Ban Ki Moon to run for re-election

South Korea's Ban Ki Moon has announced his intention of running for a second 5-year term as Secretary-General of the United Nations. He is almost certain to be reelected as no other country is fielding a candidate. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 5:40 JST).

NATO's 2-month raids destroy 1,800 targets

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the alliance's military campaign against Libya has degraded troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar al Qadhafi considerably. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 7:44 JST).

Syria reports heavy toll on security forces

Syria's state-run media says armed groups have killed 120 people, most of them security personnel, in attacks in the northern part of the country. The Syrian government said it would respond decisively, hinting at more crackdowns on anti-government protesters. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 10:49 JST).

G4 to seek African support for UNSC enlargement

Japan and 3 other countries seeking permanent membership in the UN Security Council have agreed to work harder to gain support from mainly African nations. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 9:56 JST).

US Marine Corps to deploy Osprey in Okinawa

The US Defense Department says it plans to deploy the Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in Okinawa, southern Japan, late next year. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 10:49 JST).

Japanese, East European FMs agree on import issue

Foreign ministers from Japan and 4 East European countries have agreed that any import restrictions on Japanese products should be based on scientific grounds. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 10:49 JST).

Fujimori concedes defeat in Peru presidential race

In Peru's presidential runoff, Keiko Fujimori has formally conceded defeat to leftist former army officer Ollanta Humala. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 10:49 JST).

Thousands of illegal pensions found in Greece

The Greek government is cracking down on social security fraud after finding more than 4,000 cases of illegal pension payments. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 12:16 JST).

IMF, World Bank to hold 2012 meetings in Tokyo

The International Monetary Fund and World Bank announced on Monday that they have picked Tokyo for their annual meetings scheduled for October 2012. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 12:16 JST).

White paper: Elderly have few social ties

A government report says elderly people in Japan have few ties with neighbors and friends, so more opportunities should be created for them to take part in social activities such as volunteering. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 10:58 JST).

Govt panel on nuclear accident holds 1st meeting

A new government panel has decided to set up 4 teams to investigate the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 13:03 JST).

Work continues to support No.4 reactor pool

At the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, work is continuing to shore up a pool containing spent nuclear fuel at the No.4 reactor. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 12:58 JST).

Japan's FM seeks nuclear standards review

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto has called for an international review of nuclear safety guidelines and more global support for countries hit by nuclear accidents. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 12:58 JST).

Japan backs Ban bid for 2nd UN term

The Japanese government says it supports UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon's bid for a 2nd term. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 11:39 JST).

Labor ministry inspectors to visit Fukushima plant

Labor ministry officials will inspect the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant later on Tuesday to investigate why 2 workers were exposed to radiation exceeding government safety limits. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 12:16 JST).

Monitoring of beach radiation begins in Ibaraki

Ibaraki Prefecture, south of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, has begun monitoring radiation levels at its beaches to ensure safety before this summer's swimming season. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 13:50 JST).

Kaieda:Nuclear plants to resume operating in July

Japan's industry minister says that power companies will be allowed to resume operations of nuclear plants in July after completing regular inspections. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 14:32 JST).

30,000 temporary houses to be completed

Japan's land and infrastructure minister Akihiro Ohata says that over 30,000 temporary homes for evacuees from the disaster in March will be completed on Wednesday, about 1 week behind a government target. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 14:49 JST).

Swedish think tank:India imports most weapons

A Swedish think thank says India was the world's top importer of conventional weapons in the 5 years until 2010. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 14:08 JST).

Japan to test imported perishable food for E.coli

Japan plans to begin checking imported perishable foods next week for E.coli, as an outbreak of the deadly strain continues to spread in Europe. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 15:21 JST).

Environment white paper promotes renewable energy

A government report says renewable energy such as wind power should be promoted to prepare for a power shortage in the wake of the March 11th disaster. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 15:21 JST).

Labor Ministry inspects Fukushima plant

Labor ministry officials have conducted onsite inspections at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, to investigate why 2 workers were exposed to excessive levels of radiation. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 14:03 JST).

Lumber debris from disaster site sold for firewood

Lumber from homes that were destroyed in the March tsunami is being sold across Japan as firewood to raise money for recovery from the disaster. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 15:21 JST).

French confectioner reopens shop in Miyagi Pref.

A French cake-maker, whose shop in northeastern Japan was damaged by the March 11th tsunami, has reopened and is selling treats using local ingredients. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 15:45 JST).

Toshiba, Sony to integrate LCD panel business

Toshiba and Sony are in talks to combine their operations in smaller-size LCD panels found in smart phones and tablet computers. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 15:55 JST).

Ex-fund manager convicted of insider trading

Japan's Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of former investment fund manager Yoshiaki Murakami for insider trading. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 17:37 JST).

Tokyo Sky Tree to open to visitors next year

Tokyo Sky Tree, the world's tallest broadcasting tower, will be opened to visitors on May 22nd next year. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 18:30 JST).

Maestro Seiji Ozawa to make a comeback in August

Renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa will perform a comeback concert in Japan in August. He has been receiving treatments for chronic lower-back pain since January. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 17:59 JST).

Key economic index picks up in April

A key Japanese economic index was up in April, after a record monthly drop in March due to the huge earthquake and tsunami. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 17:37 JST).

27 die in ferry sinking in Indonesia

The death toll from an Indonesian ship accident off the island of Kalimantan, or Borneo, on Monday has reached 27. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 17:37 JST).

Sales of Toyota and Honda down in China

Two leading Japanese automakers have reported declines in new car sales in China in May due to a parts shortage caused by the March 11th earthquake in Japan. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 17:37 JST).

Energy-saving cooking device show opens in Tokyo

An exhibition of energy-saving food processing devices has opened in Tokyo. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 18:30 JST).

Okamis promote trips in Japan

A group of Japanese female innkeepers have appealed for people to make more trips around the country to increase the number of guests at inns and hotels. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 19:25 JST).

JR Tokai proposes Maglev route and station sites

Central Japan Railway Company has unveiled the route and possible station stops of its next-generation maglev train service between Tokyo and Nagoya. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 19:25 JST).

Prosecutors give up appealing 1967 murder case

Japanese prosecutors have decided not to appeal last month's court ruling in a retrial that acquitted 2 men convicted of a 1967 robbery-murder. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 20:52 JST).

Soyuz spacecraft set for launch

Russia's Soyuz spacecraft is scheduled to lift off for a mission to the International Space Station on Wednesday, carrying 3 astronauts including Japan's Satoshi Furukawa. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 20:19 JST).

Japan to review nuclear power safety measures

Japan's government says it will carry out a fundamental review of its nuclear power safety measures, following the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 22:24 JST).

IAEA to survey radioactive contamination in sea

The IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog agency, is to survey the long-term effects of the spillage of radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power on the maritime environment in the Pacific Ocean. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 21:08 JST).

Soccer:Japan, Czech draw 0-0

In soccer, a friendly match between Japan and the Czech Republic ended in a scoreless draw in Yokohama on Tuesday. The game was part of the 3-nation Kirin Cup. (NHK World Daily News, 07 Jun 21:54 JST).