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NHK Japan created the song "Flowers Will Bloom" in support of people affected by the disaster from the tsumani and earthquake of 2011. It is now in 11 languages with performances by many famous artists. It is a message of hope- after the world experienced a series of natural and manmade disasters since 2009. The great financial crisis of 2009 from financial misdeeds, the tsunami and earthquake of 2011 in Japan, the wars in Syria and Yemen, the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, and now the war in Ukraine in 2022.

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NHK looks at the year end international news conference of president Putin with domestic and international journalists. In his remarks Putin pointed to a continuation of the war in Ukraine. A call in show was part of the conference. Putin seeks reelection in March 2024.

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UK's National Health Service needs another 9 billion pounds just to carry on as before and Rachel Reeves is determined to get this. Opinion surveys show a large majority of 70% of people in Britain support this.

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The National Health Service in Britain already had a backlog of 4.4 million cases in February 2020. It now has another 1.3 million added to this during the coronavirus interruptions of service. Estimates are for this to go up to 7.2 million by September. 3.5 million people will need an outpatient appointment this month as services restart.

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NHK shows that over her 16 years as chancellor in Germany Merkel conducted policy that built the overconcentration of trade and investment in China. This policy is now seen as posing serious risks for Germany now that lessons are being learned from the failure of the overconcentration of investment and dependence on fossil fuel supplies from Russia, a policy pursued by Merkel. It was  the deputy chancellor Habeck as Energy Minister who did the remarkable job of getting new supplies from other countries to replace Russian oil and gas. This made it possible for Germany to make it through the winter without supplies from Russia. Germany is now shifting away from this overconcentration in its supply chain in the new security strategy. This may only be the beginning of a larger change in Germany's policies.

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It should be remembered as NHK points out that Mr. Obama never visited the Main Building of the Hiroshima Museum and only spent a little time in the East Building. It is the Main Building that Prime Minister Kishida- who represents Hiroshima City in parliament - wants Biden, Scholz and other G7 leaders to see. It is only in the Main Building that leaders can see the graphic images of the devastation of the atomic bomb dropped by the plane Enola Gay on Hiroshima.  A suggestion is for NHK to give a private broadcast to G7 leaders of the documentary already shown in Asia on NHK television last week.  Having seen it one can say that it in no way affects the use of nuclear deterrance. A suggestion for the Hiroshima Museum authority is for it to also show the devastation of Japanese bombing in Asia from World War II that  may have created the insular feeling in American public about the dropping of the bomb and only thinking it could have come sooner to save lives for the Allies, itself creating conflicting feelings and affecting mental health. A recent exhibition in Barcelona showed the Nazi bombing of Republican parts of Spain leading to millions of refugees crossing over to Europe. Similar situation happened in China and the images may have created America's insular feeling about the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It is in everyone's interest to know, to comprehend the devastation in all places, the conflicting narratives that were told, and for people as spiritual values teach us to develop the virtuous conduct, the concentration and the wisdom that both the Bible and the Buddhist suttas teach Americans, Europeans and Asians. Something that was lost in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.    ...

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US and Kennedy at HHS pulls back from Denmark's policy on vaccines.

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Japan has 1300 companies that have been around for 200 years. And one construction company for 1400 years, that specialized in the restoration wood work for Buddhist temples using ancient techniques handed down from generation to generation of carpenters from 578.  Prince Shotoku in 578 used the artisans from this company to build the Shittennoji Buddhist temple in Japan. What are the secrets of their longevity, what difficulties were overcome are shown in this amazing 15 minute NHK Japan video. 

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TSA checks to go out March 30 as House Bill passes 213 to 203 funding entire DHS Department including TSA- March 28 2026.

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Experience the serenity of nature on a wintry night at Kokofuji temple and the early hours of dawn this time of the year in this unforgettable NHK Japan Nature video.It is on the Seasons of Yamato with the piano in the background.  

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Russian president Putin visit to China covered by NHK's Analysis. This is the first visit after being reelected for Putin. China's president visited European Union countries and Serbia, Hungary recently. China seeks to keep its relations with the EU and stabilize its economic relations with the US because of its weak economy. China benefits with supply of oil at better prices in its trade with Russia that has reached $240 billion, at a time it's economy faces a large debt burden and a collapsing real estate industry. It needs markets in the EU for surging exports of electric vehicles. Russia is also probably reassessing the situation in Ukraine to position itself for an eventual settlement, as China clearly has no interest in the war in Ukraine and seeks to limit any negative fallout from the conflict in its trade and economic relations with EU and US.

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Congress has an obligation to fund the Transportation Security Administration that screens passengers at airports. TSA falls under Department of Homeland Security DHS. Democrats and Republicans are at loggerheads on immigration issues and are holding up funding for DHS and TSA agency. For 1 month now TSA officers at airports have not received their paychecks. About 25%- 40% have called in sick at some major airports slowing down security lines in rush hours of the morning. Congress goes into recess March 27th and if no funding has been passed by then the situation could get a lot worse, with many passengers missing flights, flights taking off without passengers.

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Chris Klomp, 45 years, takes over at 65,000 person $2.6 trillion government agency, Department of Health and Human Services, as Counselor, as Robert Kennedy Jr. heads for the campaign trail in addition to HHS duties March 12 2026. He impressed DJT with his negotiating ability against the drug companies in the government's efforts on Affordability of medicines. DJT calls him "my favorite Mormon." Susie Wiles was looking for a stabilizing force at HHS after vaccine controversies and wants the message to focus on improving health and cutting costs. Robert Kennedy Jr says about Klomp- "He is moving quickly to impose operational discipline, sharpen our strategic direction, and fortify a renewed sense of mission and accountability.” Klomp is pulling together all the agencies under HHS including FDA and others. Klomp takes his role seriously to cut costs and improve Health- .“In health care in particular, I do believe that I’m my brother’s keeper, and our job is to do the very best that we can for the people that we serve — the American people.” ...

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This NHK video report says the epidemics of previous periods in history were no different than today. It points to the Nara period (710-794) when smallpox killed 20 to 30% of the population. This was a period of international exchange and large roads were built bringing people from all parts of Japan to Nara and increasing the risk of infection. In fact the Great Buddha at Nara was built by the Emperor at the time to entrust the peace of Japan to the Buddha.

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A 150 year old tradition of making pomengranate sauce on Turkey's Mediterranean coast is shown in this delightful video by NHK Japan.