Society

N.Korea threatens Japan, US

Sep 08 (NHK) - North Korea has issued a fresh statement threatening Japan and the United States for seeking a new UN Security Council sanctions resolution against Pyongyang for its latest nuclear test.

The North's state-run media reported the statement issued by the country's Asia-Pacific Peace Committee on Thursday.

The statement says the nation's 6th nuclear test on Sunday is based on the initiative of the ruling Korean Workers' Party to build a strategic nuclear force.

The statement says the US will face an unbearable and firm response if it fails to correctly judge the meaning and warning sent by the hydrogen bomb test and sticks to sanctions and pressure.

The statement says Japan must no longer work for the US hand and foot. It says North Korea is waiting for Japan to end its crime of willingly becoming complicit in applying sanctions.

North Korea marks its national foundation day on Saturday. Its leaders annually attend a convention to celebrate the occasion.

Analysts expect Pyongyang will hold this year's convention on Friday. They predict participants will demonstrate their confrontational stance toward the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Osaka Police End 14-Hour Siege

Police in Osaka arrested a 48-year-old man on October 22nd after a tense 14-hour standoff in which he allegedly held a woman at knifepoint inside an apartment. A special tactical unit forced entry into the residence late at night, ending the standoff without injuries.

Imperial Family Pays Tribute to War Victims

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

First Snow Caps Mount Fuji, 15 Days Earlier Than Last Year

The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit.

Tokyo’s Aging Expressway Reborn After Major Overhaul

After nearly a decade of construction, the newly rebuilt Haneda Line of the Metropolitan Expressway, one of Tokyo’s key arteries linking the city center with Haneda Airport, has been unveiled to the media ahead of its official switch to a new road on October 29th.

New Cabinet Takes On 'Takaichi Color'

The newly launched Takaichi Cabinet moved into full operation on October 22nd, with early personnel decisions revealing a clear conservative tone. Satsuki Katayama was appointed as finance minister and Kimi Onoda as minister in charge of foreign resident policy, underscoring what observers are calling the emergence of a distinct “Takaichi color.”

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