Welcome back to NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sacknow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia has continued to attack his country, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's declaration of an Easter ceasefire through the end of Sunday. Ukrainians visited a monastery in central Kyiv to celebrate Easter on Sunday. We don't believe Russia. We have never trusted Russia because it always lies. What we want most is peace for Ukraine. Putin also attended an Easter service in Moscow.
The Russian leader announced the 30-hour ceasefire from 6 p.m. on Saturday Moscow time through Sunday. He said he'd ordered Russian troops to stop all hostilities. Zelensky wrote on social media on Sunday that the Russian military is attempting to create the general impression of a ceasefire. But he said Russian forces have continued isolated attempts in some areas to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine.
Zelensky cited instances of shelling and assaults in the eastern region of Donetsk and elsewhere. He urged Moscow to accept Ukraine's proposal to extend the ceasefire for 30 days after Easter. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru says Japan and the United States should bring about a solution to the tariff issue that's desirable for both nations. Ishiba appeared on an NHK talk show program on Sunday. He mentioned the ongoing bilateral negotiations on U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports.
I and President Trump will make a final decision. I will visit the United States when the time is right and do all I can to reach the best possible outcome. Ishiba spoke of tariffs on Japanese auto imports. He said US President Donald Trump told him via phone and in person that Japan has few US vehicles on its roads. He said he presumes this issue bothers Americans deeply.
Ishiba referred to Japanese automobile safety standards, which Washington regards as a non-tariff barrier. He said the safety of Japanese consumers needs to be considered and the government will closely examine the standards so they cannot be called unfair. Washington has called for increasing imports of U.S. farm produce, but Ishiba stressed zero tolerance for reduced food safety standards. He said the government will ensure the safety of Japanese people.
He also said security is a separate issue from trade, which should be discussed separately from the tariff negotiations. The World Expo in Osaka opened just one week ago and visitor numbers have already topped 600,000. Organizers are working to make sure lines don't get too long. The expo officially kicked off last Sunday with 158 countries and regions participating.
This Sunday, people were already flocking to the site in the early morning. Organizers say in the first seven days, half a million ticket holders were admitted. When staff members are included, the figure tops 610,000. That comes to a daily average of 88,000 visitors. The total that organizers project for the six-month event means a daily average of 150,000. still there have been problems with crowds. On the first day, there was major congestion at the main gates.
Some pavilions do not accept reservations and many have long lines. Pavilions with reservation systems also have separate entrances for people who have not booked and these have long waiting times. While organisers want to see more visitors, they also need to address crowd size, especially as summer brings the risk of heat stroke.
The UN Children's Agency says 6.3 million people are estimated to be in urgent need of assistance more than three weeks after a powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar. The country's military says the disaster has left more than 3,700 people dead and over 120 unaccounted for. The UN Children's Fund, or UNICEF, says children and women in particular are facing significant health risks due to extreme heat, limited access to safe water and other conditions.
UNICEF adds malnutrition remains an ongoing concern, especially for children under five as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. The March 28 earthquake severely affected the Sagaing region near the epicenter, Myanmar's second largest city of Mandalay and other locations.
UN agencies and volunteer groups are continuing their relief efforts in the affected areas. UNICEF is calling for continued support from the international community. Many people are still living outdoors. Concern is growing that the health... situation could deteriorate in a prolonged evacuation.
Investigative authorities in Thailand say they have arrested an executive of the Chinese state-owned company in charge of the construction of the high-rise building that collapsed in the Myanmar-centered quake. The building was being built in the Thai capital Bangkok when the quake struck last month.
47 people have been confirmed dead and more than 40 are still unaccounted for. The construction was a joint venture between a major Thai construction firm and the Chinese state-owned company's local subsidiary. The Department of Special Investigation of Thailand's Justice Ministry said on Saturday the man, a Chinese national, was arrested on suspicion of illegally using names of Thai nationals to run the Chinese firm.
Investigators have also searched locations related to the company executive. They'll investigate whether any illegal activity was involved in the collapse. On April 11, investigators searched a Chinese manufacturer that supplied steel for the building because some products used in the construction did not meet strength standards. A sightseeing railway that runs through a scenic gorge in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, has partially reopened for the peak travel season.
The first train carrying tourists left Unazaki Station after a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Kurobe Gorge Railway suspends services during winter as the tracks are buried under snow. The passengers enjoyed the views of fresh green leaves. leaves and cherry blossoms in full bloom. The weather's been great and the view is incredible. It's beautiful. Riding on the first day feels special.
services on the line are limited to certain sections a powerful earthquake in january 2024 damaged one of the bridges and repairs are still being carried out Spring has officially arrived in a park in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, where the Somei Yoshino variety of cherry trees have blossomed. 開花を宣言いたします Matsumaya Park has roughly 10,000 cherry trees, comprising about 250 varieties. Officials confirmed more than five blossoms have opened on the park's benchmark tree.
They say blooms appeared seven days earlier than usual and four days later than last year. The combination of cherry blossoms and the castle is impressive to see. Officials say visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms for about a month since different varieties will bloom after others. next up your three-day world weather forecast That wraps up this edition of NHK News Live.