Society

Abe, Pence reaffirm need for pressure on N.Korea

Feb 08 (NHK) - Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Vice President Mike Pence have reaffirmed the need to maximize pressure on North Korea, even as they welcomed inter-Korean dialogue ahead of the PyeongChang Olympics.

Abe and Pence held a joint news conference after meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday. The vice president is in Japan on his way to the Winter Games' opening ceremony in South Korea on Friday.

Abe said the 2 exchanged views on the latest situations in North Korea and how to deal with the country. He said they confirmed that Japan and the US are 100 percent together.

Abe said they must face the fact that North Korea continues to pursue nuclear and missile development.

He said he and Pence reconfirmed the joint view that a nuclear-armed North is unacceptable, and that they must not be tricked by the country's charm offensive.

They also reconfirmed the need for the 2 countries, along with South Korea, to put the maximum pressure on North Korea.

Pence noted that the 2 Koreas marched under the same banner in past Olympics, but that the North carried out a nuclear test 8 months after the 2006 Games.

He said the US will soon unveil the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever. He vowed that the US will continue pressuring Pyongyang and aim for complete denuclearization.

Pence described the Japan-US alliance as a cornerstone of peace, prosperity and freedom in the Indo-Pacific region.

He added that the US is preparing to provide Japan with the latest defense system and will stay involved in various aspects of Japan's defense.

Ferrari Auctioned for Over 170 Million Yen, Sets New Record

A Ferrari seized from a tax delinquent was auctioned by the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau, fetching over 170 million yen, the highest bid ever recorded for such an auction.

Zao’s Snow Monsters Face Extinction

Zao’s iconic snow monsters, the frost-covered trees known as 'juhyo,' face an existential threat. These towering, snow-laden trees have long been a winter highlight in the region, famously resembling monstrous figures covered in snow. However, their survival is now under severe threat.

Japan Ranks 92nd in English Proficiency, Lowest in History

EF Education First, a global education organization, published this year’s English Proficiency Index on Wednesday, ranking nations worldwide. Japan’s ranking stood at 92nd among 116 countries and regions, continuing a 14-year trend of record lows.

Famed Hot Spring Struggles to Handle Visitor Surge

Ginzan Hot Springs in Yamagata, known for its Taisho-era charm, is now at peak season for autumn foliage. While this secluded onsen town is a well-known destination in the Tohoku region, an influx of foreign tourists has led local officials to implement restrictions on day visitors starting next month.

Convenience Stores to Start Selling Over-the-Counter Drugs

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced plans to allow the sale of over-the-counter drugs at convenience stores without on-site pharmacists.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Princess Mikasa passes away at 101

Japan's Princess Mikasa, whose given name is Yuriko, passed away at the age of 101. The princess was the widow of Prince Mikasa, a younger brother of the late Emperor Showa. (NHK)

A Day in TOKYO in 1975 | 昭和東京

An hour long documentary looking at the life of the Sugiura family, fish merchants and caterers living in Tokyo. Producer, director, John Nathan Explores the professional and personal lives of a Japanese family, Takes a look at the everyday life of a Japanese family living in Tokyo. (TRNGL)

More Elderly Living Alone in Japan

The number of single-person households in Japan is expected to surpass 40% by 2050, according to recent projections.

Japan's Abandoned Car Issue - Millions in Forgotten Legends

It's no secret that Japan is lined with seemingly forgotten about cars. This is the second video I dedicate to showing you guys what I can sometimes run across in my travels and as much as it is sad to see cars left to crumble away into nothingness, there's always something impossibly visual about seeing grimy decay, especially if on cars we all love so much. (Dino DC)