英語で国内ニュース 2026年8月31日(月)

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2026年8月31日(月)の原稿スクリプト

主要ニュース

経産省、常陸大宮市に核のごみ文献調査を申入れ
サラ: Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has asked Hitachiomiya City in Ibaraki Prefecture to carry out a literature survey. This is the first stage in choosing a final disposal site for high-level radioactive waste, also known as nuclear waste.

中道改革連合、結党7か月余りで分裂へ
クリス: The Chudo Reform Union is expected to split just over seven months after it was formed. The Chudo party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and Komeito will hold a leaders’ meeting on August 31 to decide their future cooperation. A unified parliamentary group may still be considered.

韓国裁判所、旧統一教会トップに懲役2年
サラ: A South Korean court has sentenced Han Hak-ja, leader of the former Unification Church, to two years in prison. The Seoul Central District Court issued the ruling on August 31. She was charged with violating political funding laws and other offenses.

世田谷ストーカー殺人、韓国籍被告に拘禁刑20年求刑
クリス: Prosecutors have requested a 20-year prison sentence for a 31-year-old South Korean defendant. He is accused of stalking and murdering a former partner in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward last year. He also faces charges under the Stalker Control Law. The defense has argued against the murder charge.

WEST.メンバー、藤井・小瀧脱退でファンに謝罪
サラ: Members of WEST. apologized in a paid, members-only blog after Ryuusei Fujii and Nozomu Kotaki announced their departures. The group had worked as seven members for 12 years. Members said they could not meet fans’ wishes to remain seven. Future activities are under discussion, and refunds will be offered for a planned event.

俳優・竜星涼、16年所属の研音退所を発表
クリス: Actor Ryusei Ryo has announced that he is leaving his agency, Ken-On, after 16 years. He made the announcement on Instagram on August 31. He said he had thought carefully about the decision and would face himself and take on new challenges. He will report on his future plans later.

歌舞伎町火災から25年、今も建物違反相次ぐ
サラ: September 1 marks 25 years since a fire in a multi-tenant building in Tokyo’s Kabukicho killed 44 people. Trash bags, clothing, and signs blocked the building’s only internal stairs, allowing smoke and toxic gas to spread. Possible arson remains unsolved. In 2025, inspections found 369 violations in 695 buildings in Kabukicho and nearby Shinjuku.

ハウス食品、ココイチ運営の壱番屋株売却を検討
クリス: House Foods is considering selling its stake in Ichibanya, the operator of CoCo Ichibanya. The possible sale is not because of poor business results. Sales for the year ending February 2026 rose 7.4 percent to a record 65.5 billion yen. The move may help end a parent-subsidiary listing and improve capital efficiency.

滋賀の正面衝突事故、3人死亡・4歳男児重傷
サラ: A passenger car and a medium-sized truck crashed head-on in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on August 30. Three people in the car, including a married couple, died in hospital. Their four-year-old son suffered a skull fracture. The car’s driver and the truck driver were also taken to hospital. Police are checking dashcam footage showing the car crossing the center line.

社会のニュース

経産省、常陸大宮市に核のごみ文献調査を要請
サラ: On August 31, Japan’s Economy Ministry asked Hitachiomiya City in Ibaraki Prefecture to accept a literature survey. This is the first step in choosing a final disposal site for high-level radioactive waste, also known as nuclear waste.

能登地震関連死5人認定、死者755人に
クリス: The number of deaths linked to the 2024 Noto earthquake has risen to 755. Ishikawa Prefecture has newly recognized five deaths as disaster-related deaths.

新学習指導要領、生成AI活用など情報教育拡充
サラ: A government advisory panel has proposed major changes to information education in elementary and middle schools. For the first time, the plan includes the use of generative AI. Middle schools may also introduce a new subject called Information and Technology. The new curriculum is planned for implementation in four years.

厚労省、障害者雇用ビジネスの規制を検討
クリス: Japan’s Health Ministry is considering new rules for businesses that provide workplaces and work management for employed people with disabilities. The rules may require operators to notify the government. Officials could also investigate and guide improper operators. Companies using these services may have to report more information.

滋賀で車とトラック衝突、3人死亡・3人重軽傷
サラ: On August 30, a passenger car carrying five people collided head-on with a truck on a national road in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture. Three men and women in their twenties and thirties died. A four-year-old boy suffered serious injuries, and three people were seriously or slightly injured.

未婚若者35.1％が結婚予定なし、収入不安が壁
クリス: A government survey of about 100,000 people aged 15 to 39 found that 35.1 percent of unmarried young people do not plan to marry. The biggest concern was income, followed by less free time and not finding someone they want to marry. More than half also supported limits on social media use for children below a certain age.

神戸大院生、コカイン使用罪で無罪判決
サラ: A 24-year-old graduate student at Kobe University was found not guilty of using cocaine. The Kobe District Court delivered the ruling on August 31. The court said it was difficult to rule out the possibility that he took the drug without realizing it.

歌舞伎町火災25年、今も369件の違反確認
サラ: September 1 marks 25 years since a fire in a multi-use building in Tokyo’s Kabukicho killed 44 people. Items such as garbage bags and clothing blocked the only staircase and helped spread toxic smoke. Stricter rules followed, but inspections in 2025 found 369 violations in the area, showing that problems continue.

政治・経済

中道、3党合流を断念し新体制を模索
サラ: Leaders of the centrist group say they will give up plans to merge three parties. This follows the Constitutional Democratic Party’s decision not to merge with the Centrist Reform Alliance and Komeito. At a meeting with lawmakers, the group’s executive leaders said they will instead explore a new political structure.

2027年度予算概算要求、過去最大の見通し
クリス: Japan’s ministries are submitting preliminary budget requests for fiscal 2027 to the Finance Ministry. The total general-account request is expected to greatly exceed the previous figure of more than 122 trillion yen. A new investment category will have no upper limit on requests, helping push the total to a new high.

食品4923品目、9月値上げで今年最多
サラ: A survey of 195 major food and drink makers found that 4,923 products will rise in price in September. This is about three times last year’s figure and the most this year. Middle East tensions raised packaging costs, while higher labor costs and a weaker yen also contributed. Seasonings led the increases, followed by processed foods.

米・イラン攻撃応酬で原油先物2％超上昇
クリス: Oil futures rose more than two percent in Asian trading after the US military attacked two missile launchers on Iran’s Larak Island, and Iran retaliated. Brent crude rose 2.85 percent to 90 dollars and 61 cents a barrel. West Texas Intermediate rose 2.55 percent to 85 dollars and 53 cents. Further escalation remains uncertain.

長期金利一時2.95％、約30年ぶり高水準
サラ: Japan’s benchmark ten-year government bond yield briefly reached 2.950 percent on August 31. It rose 0.030 percentage points from the previous week, reaching its highest level since September 1996. Expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike and higher US interest rates pushed yields up. The yen also weakened to around 160 per dollar.

日経平均小反落、TOPIXは8日連続上昇
クリス: Tokyo stocks ended slightly lower. The Nikkei Average fell 93 yen 63 sen to 66,311 yen 93 sen. Expectations for a US rate hike hurt investor sentiment, and some expensive AI and semiconductor shares were sold. The index had briefly fallen more than 1,500 points, but bargain buying reduced the loss. TOPIX rose for an eighth day.

総務省幹部、情報開示遅延をチャットで相談
サラ: Senior officials in the ministry responsible for postal administration appeared to discuss delaying information-disclosure requests in a Teams group chat. Posts suggested extending the deadline to let public attention fade. The ministry had identified undisclosed cases involving discarded or abandoned mail and sought improvements from Japan Post, but the cases stayed undisclosed until later reporting.

ハウス食品、壱番屋売却と非公開化を検討
クリス: House Foods Group is considering selling Ichibanya, the subsidiary that operates the CoCo Ichibanya curry restaurant chain. It is reviewing its business portfolio and wants to focus management resources on growth areas. Ichibanya may also consider taking its shares private. As of February, it operated 1,285 restaurants in Japan and 218 overseas.

未婚若者の35％、結婚せず経済不安や趣味を優先
サラ: A large survey by Japan’s Children and Families Agency found that 35 percent of unmarried young people do not plan to marry. Many said financial worries and concern about changes in their lives make marriage difficult. Some also prioritize their hobbies. This was the agency’s first large-scale survey of young people about their views on marriage.

スポーツ

上田綺世、フランス1部リール移籍へ
サラ: Japan national team forward Ayase Ueda is expected to move from Dutch club Feyenoord to French first-division club Lille. This would be his first challenge in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Ueda scored 25 league goals last season. Lille finished third last season and will play in the Champions League.

鈴木唯人がハット、フライブルク開幕戦快勝
クリス: Yuito Suzuki scored a hat trick as Freiburg beat Werder Bremen, 4-1, in the Bundesliga opening match. Suzuki scored once in each half and played until the 80th minute. Goalkeeper Mio Osada played the full match. Keisuke Goto made his Bundesliga debut as a substitute for Suzuki.

巨人、阪神に今季7連敗で球団記録に並ぶ
サラ: The Giants lost to the Tigers, 3-1, and were swept in their three-game series. They have now lost seven straight games to Hanshin in one season, matching a team record from 89 years ago. The loss widened the gap between the teams to four and a half games. The Giants managed only seven runs during their seven-game losing streak.

大谷翔平10試合ノーアーチ、打率1割2分5厘
クリス: Shohei Ohtani went hitless in five at-bats with two strikeouts against the Tigers. He has hit no home runs in his last ten games, batting .125 during that stretch. Manager Roberts said several factors may be involved, including missed pitches, swings outside the strike zone, and an overly aggressive swing direction.

今永昇太3被弾6失点、今季10敗目
サラ: Shota Imanaga allowed three home runs and six runs in five innings as the Cubs lost 7-5 to the Reds. He suffered his tenth loss of the season. His 33 home runs allowed are tied for the most in the major leagues this season. Seiya Suzuki went hitless in five at-bats.

松澤寛政、NFL開幕ロースター入り逃す
クリス: Kansei Matsuzawa was not included in the Raiders’ opening roster for the 2026 NFL season. He did not become the first Japan-born player on an NFL opening roster. Matsuzawa changed from soccer to American football at age 20 and signed with the Raiders in April. He may remain in the NFL through waivers or a practice-squad contract.

島袋将、全米オープン男子1回戦で敗退
サラ: The US Open tennis tournament has begun. In the men’s singles first round, Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro, ranked 88th in the world, faced France’s Arthur Rinderknech, ranked 29th. Shimabukuro won the first set, but he eventually lost the match and was eliminated in the first round.

松山英樹、米ツアー選手権21位
クリス: Hideki Matsuyama finished 21st at the Tour Championship, the final event of the US golf tour playoffs. The final round was held in Atlanta, Georgia. Matsuyama finished the tournament at five under par. The playoffs are the final competition of the season’s points series.

タイ女子バレー連覇、日本は銅でW杯出場権
サラ: Thailand beat China, 3-2, in the final of the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship and won the title for the second straight time. Thailand also earned a place in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Japan beat Iran, 3-0, for the bronze medal. Japan, Thailand, and China qualified for the 2027 World Cup.

国際

米・イランが相互攻撃、緊張再燃
サラ: The United States and Iran have carried out attacks against each other. The U.S. military attacked Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it attacked a U.S. military base in Jordan in retaliation. Direct attacks between the two countries had not occurred since late July.

ネパール土石流、死者919人・行方不明4793人
クリス: At least 919 people have been confirmed dead in a massive debris flow near Nepal’s border with China. The number of missing people in Nepal has risen by about 1,700, to 4,793. The disaster has caused deaths in both Nepal and China.

米グランドキャニオン洪水、1人死亡・約15人不明
サラ: A large flash flood hit Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona on the 29th. Sixty-two people were evacuated, and about 15 remain missing. The body of a man in his 40s was reportedly found. The flood damaged water facilities and swept away a footbridge. Some lodging facilities will close.

韓国裁判所、旧統一教会総裁に懲役2年
クリス: A South Korean court sentenced Han Hak-ja, the 83-year-old leader of the former Unification Church, to two years in prison. She was accused of illegally giving money to a former president’s aide and luxury gifts to his wife. Prosecutors had asked for a 13-year prison sentence.

ホルムズ海峡でタンカーが機雷接触、火災か
サラ: A large tanker trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz reportedly hit a mine and may have caught fire. The report referred to information from Iran’s state television. No further details were given about the tanker, the mine, or possible injuries.

脱北者ら、賠償金確保へ北朝鮮工作船差し押さえ申立て
クリス: Four North Korean defectors who won a damages case against the North Korean government have asked a court to seize a North Korean spy ship. They want to sell it and receive compensation. The ship is displayed at a museum in Yokohama. A previous court ruling ordered the North to pay 88 million yen.

中国製造業PMI、2か月連続で景気判断の50割れ
サラ: China’s August manufacturing PMI stayed below 50 for the second straight month. The level reflects weak domestic demand and is an important point for judging the economy. The survey by China’s National Bureau of Statistics covered 3,200 manufacturing companies.

上海協力機構首脳会議、キルギスで開幕
クリス: A summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization opened in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Leaders from China, Russia, India, Iran, and other countries are expected to discuss stronger cooperation. Leaders from 17 countries and the UN secretary-general are taking part. The meeting will continue through September 1.

アイスランド、EU加盟交渉再開に反対多数
サラ: Iceland voted against restarting membership talks with the European Union. The opposition won 52.8 percent, compared with 47.2 percent in favor. Voter turnout was 82.6 percent. The vote is not legally binding, but the government says it will respect the result. The issue will be put aside for now.

エンタメ（文化・芸能）

WEST.藤井流星・小瀧望が脱退へ
サラ: Two members of the seven-member idol group WEST., Ryusei Fujii, 33, and Nozomu Kotaki, 30, will leave the group. Their agency announced the decision on August 30. The two members said they want to work in a new way. The timing is still being discussed, and both will continue entertainment activities with the agency.

竜星涼、16年所属事務所から退所へ
クリス: Actor Ryo Ryusei has announced that he will leave his talent agency after 16 years. In a message on Instagram, the 33-year-old said he made the decision after much thought. He thanked the agency and said he will face himself again and take on new challenges. He plans to report his future activities later.

24時間テレビマラソンに男性乱入、寄付金問題訴え
サラ: A man interrupted the charity marathon on the television program 24-Hour Television. Near the finish line, he ran in front of the cameras wearing a charity shirt and holding a sign about more than 10 million yen in donation money being misused. He was removed by staff. The man, a YouTuber, later explained his actions in a video.

映画ちいかわ、公開38日で興収122億円突破
クリス: The first Chiikawa movie has earned more than 12.2 billion yen after 38 days in theaters, with 8.49 million viewers. Its earnings pace has now passed that of the Detective Conan movie currently showing. A new bonus will be given to visitors from September 5: one of four small, random charm figures.

ソニー系など35社、歌詞無断利用でAnthropic提訴
サラ: Thirty-five companies, including a music publishing company under Sony Group, have sued Anthropic and its two founders in a US federal court. They claim that lyrics from tens of thousands of songs were used without permission to train artificial intelligence. They are seeking up to 150,000 dollars per work and the destruction of copied data.

作家・村田沙耶香、来年から芥川賞選考委員に
クリス: Novelist Sayaka Murata will join the selection committee for the Akutagawa Prize. The announcement was made on August 31. She will take part for the first time at the next selection meeting, scheduled for January 20 next year. Murata won the Akutagawa Prize in 2016 for her novel Convenience Store Woman.

戦国期の中世淀城とみられる遺構を初確認
サラ: Researchers have confirmed remains believed to be part of medieval Yodo Castle for the first time. The site is on the west bank of the Katsura River in Kyoto. They found an area about 100 meters from north to south, surrounded by a moat about 2.7 meters deep. The moat has a V-shaped defensive design.

富士山噴火で保存、4世紀古墳の葺石を発見
クリス: Stone coverings from a fourth-century burial mound in Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, have been found still in place. The stones were preserved by volcanic material from Mount Fuji. After about 80 centimeters of this material was removed, researchers found stones covering an area about two meters wide and one meter high.

東京コレクション開幕、27年春夏新作を披露
サラ: Tokyo Fashion Week for the spring and summer 2027 season opened on August 31. Until September 5, 24 official designer shows and three joint shows are planned, mainly at Shibuya Hikarie. The first show was by the menswear brand Yoshio Kubo, which presented a collection themed around nomads and modern runners.

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