NHKWORLD

TOKYO ⁣- Prince Hisahito formally stepped into adulthood Saturday with a customary crown-wearing ceremony ⁢at the imperial ‌Palace, marking ​a significant moment for the future of the Japanese monarchy.

The‍ “Kakan-no-Gi” ritual, part of the ‌Prince’s coming-of-age ceremonies, holds particular weight​ as it was the first for⁣ a male member of the Imperial family in four decades; his father,‌ Crown Prince ​Akishino, underwent the‌ same rite​ in ‌1988. With ⁣the line of succession currently limited ‌to male heirs, the event underscores Prince Hisahito’s position as second ‍in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne⁤ and focuses national‌ attention on the continuation of the Imperial lineage.

The​ ceremony commenced before 10 a.m. in the Shunju-no-Ma ‍Grand ​Hall, where Prince Hisahito took a designated seat while observing Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino, and Crown Princess Kiko.An aide then ​presented the Prince with a crown‍ bestowed by the Emperor,​ carefully placing ⁤it upon his head.

Following‍ the ⁤crowning, an official from the Imperial Household Agency ‌secured the headwear ‍with a strap crafted​ from traditional Japanese​ washi paper. The distinct sound of scissors cutting‌ the ‍strap‌ resonated within the hall,⁤ signifying the completion of this stage of ​the ritual. ⁢

Prince Hisahito then ⁢approached his parents‌ and the Emperor and empress, offering‌ expressions of ⁣gratitude and reaffirming ‍his commitment to his duties ⁢as ⁣an adult member of‌ the Imperial family.

A series of additional rituals and celebratory events are planned ⁣to ⁤continue through Saturday evening, completing the Prince’s ‍coming-of-age⁣ observances.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order enacting the recently negotiated trade agreement with Japan, triggering a series of new import commitments from tokyo and reduced tariffs on American automobiles exported there.

the agreement, hailed by the administration as a landmark achievement, aims to level the playing field for American businesses and bolster the U.S. economy through increased exports and foreign investment. The deal impacts a wide range of sectors, from agriculture and manufacturing to automotive and energy, and is expected to generate significant economic benefits for both countries, though critics have raised concerns about the extent to which it truly addresses long-standing trade imbalances.

A key component of the order focuses on agricultural trade. Japan has committed to increasing its imports of U.S. rice by 75 percent under the existing “Minimum access” scheme, bringing the annual tariff-free import volume to approximately 770,000 tons. Beyond rice, Japan will purchase $8 billion worth of U.S.agricultural products annually, including corn and soybeans.

The agreement also addresses non-tariff barriers to trade. Japan is now working to allow the sale of U.S.-manufactured passenger vehicles in Japan that have already been certified to meet U.S. safety standards, eliminating the need for additional, duplicative testing. This is intended to boost U.S. auto exports.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the deal, according to the executive order, is a commitment from the Japanese government to invest $550 billion in the United States. The order states, “Critically, unlike any other agreement in American history,” the U.S.government will have the authority to select the projects that receive this investment, with the expectation that it will create “hundreds of thousands” of U.S. jobs.

The executive order states that the agreement will provide American producers in the manufacturing, agriculture, and energy sectors “with breakthrough openings in market access across key sectors.”

A widespread heatwave continues‌ to bake much ‍of Japan, prompting authorities to issue heatstroke alerts across nearly⁢ 60% of the⁤ country’s prefectures. Temperatures are soaring, with several cities bracing for highs nearing 40 degrees Celsius.

The intense heat poses a notable health risk to⁣ vulnerable populations – the elderly, children, and those with underlying​ health conditions⁣ – and ⁣is‌ straining energy resources as air conditioning demand surges. Officials are urging residents to take precautions, including staying hydrated and seeking cool environments, as the heatwave is expected to persist.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reports that temperatures rose rapidly Tuesday morning across​ a broad swath of the nation, from the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region southward ‍to Kyushu.A weather⁣ front brought relief in the form of rain and cloud cover to Hokkaido and areas along the Sea of ‌Japan in Tohoku, but much of the country​ remains under a heat advisory.

By⁤ 11 a.m. ⁢local time, Sendai City recorded 37 degrees Celsius, while Kamaishi⁢ City in Iwate Prefecture​ reached 36.8 degrees. ⁢Toyama City and central tokyo ⁢both registered​ 36.7 and 36.5 degrees Celsius, ⁢respectively, with further increases anticipated throughout the afternoon.

forecasters predict a daytime high‍ of ⁤39 degrees ⁤Celsius in Maebashi City, Gunma prefecture, and Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture. Maizuru​ City, Kyoto Prefecture, and Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, are expected to see temperatures climb to 38 degrees⁤ Celsius.

Specifically, daytime‍ highs of 37⁢ degrees Celsius are forecast for central Tokyo, Fukushima City, Toyama ⁣City, and takamatsu.⁢ Nagoya‍ and Osaka are expected to reach 36​ degrees Celsius.

In response ⁢to the dangerous⁣ conditions, officials have issued alerts for 28 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, warning of a very high⁢ risk ​of ‍heatstroke. ‌They are strongly advising citizens ⁣to utilize air conditioning,drink plenty‍ of fluids,and replenish⁢ electrolytes with salt.