NHK World News - June 8, 2011

Soyuz launched with Furukawa on board

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft has successfully lifted off, carrying Japan's Satoshi Furukawa and 2 other astronauts. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 6:13 JST).

Experts: Seabed off Miyagi sank before March 11

Researchers have found that the seabed off Japan's northeastern coast had been gradually sinking days before the March 11th earthquake. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 6:13 JST).

Utilities asked to submit nuclear safety measures

The government's nuclear safety agency has instructed utility companies across Japan to come up with measures to better respond to a serious nuclear accident like the one at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 6:13 JST).

Govt report calls for measures on multi-disasters

A government report for the world nuclear watchdog says Japan should step up measures to deal with multiple disasters. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 6:13 JST).

Ministry failed to publish some radiation data

The Japanese government says it failed to publish some radiation data from the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 6:13 JST).

Yemeni opposition steps up pressure on Saleh

Anti-government forces in Yemen have stepped up their offensive against a major southern city, increasing the pressure on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 6:13 JST).

Qadhafi still defiant despite NATO airstrikes

Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi has vowed to fight to the end despite the intensified NATO-led air raids on the capital Tripoli. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 8:26 JST).

Radioactive debris outside No.3 reactor removed

Workers have completed the removal of radioactive debris that was outside the No. 3 reactor building at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 8:44 JST).

Suicides top 3,000 in May

More than 3,200 people killed themselves in Japan last month, exceeding the 3,000 mark for the first time in 2 years. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 9:46 JST).

Lawmakers debate timing of Kan's departure

Calls are mounting from within Japan's ruling Democratic Party, or DPJ, for Prime Minister Naoto Kan to step down as soon as the Diet passes a budget bill for debt-covering bonds, possibly by the end of June. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 9:58 JST).

Bernanke: US economic growth slower than expected

US Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke says the nation's economic growth is slower than expected, with labor markets losing momentum in recent weeks. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 9:57 JST).

Dollar dips below 80 yen in New York

The dollar briefly fell below 80 yen on Tuesday on the New York foreign exchange market after comments by the US central bank chief raised concerns about the nation's economic outlook. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 11:40 JST).

Nuclear talks split over inspections

Officials from over 30 nations have agreed to strengthen cooperation in case of a nuclear accident, but remain divided over inspections of neighboring countries' nuclear plants. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 12:36 JST).

Soyuz launch successful

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft is traveling as scheduled toward the International Space Station, carrying Japan's Satoshi Furukawa and 2 other crew. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 11:34 JST).

Obama, Romney tied in US poll

A US media poll shows President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney tied for support in the presidential election next year. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 11:57 JST).

TEPCO tests water purification system

Tokyo Electric Power Company says it is making final preparations to activate special purification equipment to treat radioactive waste water at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The company plans to start up the system on June 15th. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 13:03 JST).

Current account surplus for April

Japan's current account surplus for the month of April declined for a second consecutive month due to a sharp drop in exports following the March 11th disaster. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 11:12 JST).

Dollar dips below 80 yen in Tokyo

The dollar fell below 80 yen on the Tokyo foreign exchange market on Wednesday for the first time in about 2 and a half months. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 11:36 JST).

N.Korea test-fires short-range missile

North Korea is reported to have test-fired a short-range missile sometime last week, apparently to check improvements made to the missile. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 13:03 JST).

Chilean volcano grounds flights in Argentina

An erupting Chilean volcano has forced airports in neighboring Argentina to close. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 14:04 JST).

Edano defends Kan adminstration

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says the current Japanese Cabinet has made progress in some areas over the past year, including tax and social security reform. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 13:32 JST).

World Bank forecasts near-zero growth for Japan

The World Bank has forecast near-zero growth for Japan in 2011, due to the impact of the March 11th quake and tsunami. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 14:05 JST).

NASA releases photos of shuttle docked at ISS

The US space agency NASA on Tuesday released the first photographs ever taken of a space shuttle docked at the International Space Station. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 20:39 JST).

First container vessel departure since quake

A container ship has left a major port in northeastern Japan for the first time since the March 11th quake and tsunami, marking a step forward in the recovery of the region's distribution system. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 16:28 JST).

Hitachi to review human resources system

Japanese electronics giant Hitachi says it will review its human resources system to better utilize global talent. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 16:26 JST).

14 people treated for heatstroke in Tokyo

The Tokyo Fire Department is urging residents to take precautions against heatstroke after 14 people in the capital fell ill and were treated at hospitals last week. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 17:09 JST).

Japanese-made robot to be used at Fukushima plant

A Japanese-made robot will be used in restoration efforts at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant for the first time since the crisis began in March. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 17:09 JST).

IMF urges Japan to reduce public debts

The International Monetary Fund's acting chief has urged Japan to reduce its huge public debts while recovering from the March 11th earthquake and tsunami disaster. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 17:58 JST).

N Korea, China break ground for economic zone

North Korea and China have broken ground for the first special economic zone they plan to jointly develop on the North Korean side of their border. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 18:34 JST).

TEPCO mulls release of decontaminated water

The Tokyo Electric Power Company is studying a plan to decontaminate seawater pooled at the Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant and discharge it into the sea. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 19:55 JST).

Australia halts cattle exports to Indonesia

Australia has suspended exports of live cattle to Indonesia after video footage showed brutal treatment of such animals at slaughterhouses there. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 18:34 JST).

Business sentiment improves sharply in May

A Japanese government survey shows that business confidence among people with jobs that are sensitive to economic trends improved in May for the 2nd straight month. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 19:45 JST).

China naval fleet passes by Okinawan islands

A number of Chinese naval vessels have passed through the international waters between the islands of Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 18:54 JST).

Air in No.2 reactor building to be released

The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant will release air from inside the No.2 reactor building after lowing its intense radioactivity and high humidity, which have been hampering the work to restore its cooling system. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 19:55 JST).

IMF urges Japan to rebuild finances

The International Monetary Fund is urging Japan to quickly rebuild its finances and points to raising the consumption tax in the wake of the disaster. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 21:40 JST).

OPEC members discussing output increase

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, is discussing whether it should raise crude oil production in response to international concerns about the high price of oil. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 19:58 JST).

Dual-fuel generators start running in India

Highly energy efficient power generators developed with Japanese technology have started running in India to help ease the country's power supply shortages. (NHK World Daily News, 08 Jun 20:26 JST).