英語で国内ニュース 2026年9月18日(金)

---

2026年9月18日(金)の原稿スクリプト

主要ニュース

日銀、政策金利を1.25％程度へ3か月ぶり利上げ
サラ: The Bank of Japan decided to raise its policy interest rate to around 1.25 percent at a meeting that ended on September 18. This was the first rate increase since June, just three months ago, showing that the bank has accelerated its pace of increases.

十日町で無人車が園児列に突入、5人けが
クリス: In Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture, an unmanned car moved forward after an 80-year-old man parked it and left. The car struck a line of kindergarten children, injuring five of them.

大林組社員2人を書類送検、鉄骨落下事故で5人死傷
サラ: Police referred two employees of Obayashi Corporation to prosecutors over a 2023 construction accident near Tokyo Station. A steel beam fell about 20 meters, killing two workers and seriously injuring three others. Investigators suspect a calculation error caused the temporary support structure to collapse.

北朝鮮関与疑いの集団、暗号資産17億円を不正送金
クリス: A cyberattack group believed to be linked to an organization of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party stole cryptocurrency from more than 100 countries and regions, including Japan. At least 1.7 billion yen was illegally transferred. The group posed as job recruiters and used malware to infect more than 30,000 devices.

台風25号、小笠原接近へ。東日本太平洋側は大雨警戒
サラ: Large Typhoon No. 25 is expected to approach the Ogasawara Islands by September 19. Officials are warning of high waves, strong winds, and landslides. From Sunday, September 20, into Monday, heavy rain may affect the Pacific side of eastern Japan, including the Kanto region.

政府、臨時国会を10月5日召集へ。食料品減税を審議
クリス: The government plans to convene an extraordinary session of Japan’s Diet on October 5. Bills including a proposed cut in the consumption tax on food are expected to be discussed. The government and ruling parties are speeding up preparations.

高市首相、22日にトランプ氏と会談へ。日米安保など協議
サラ: Prime Minister Takaichi is arranging a meeting with President Trump in New York on September 22, during the United Nations General Assembly. They plan to discuss the Japan-U.S. alliance, Iran, and security issues. Takaichi is also expected to explain Japan’s position on strained relations with China.

ガソリン補助金51円に拡大、価格抑制も原油調達は減少
クリス: Japan has raised its gasoline subsidy to a record 51 yen per liter. Using the 2025 average as 100, August prices were 131 in the United States, 129 in Germany, and 96 in Japan. Japan’s price stayed near 170 yen while September oil purchases fell to 80 percent of last year’s level.

医師、10代女性への性的暴行・撮影容疑で逮捕
サラ: A 31-year-old doctor has been arrested on suspicion of giving alcohol to a teenage woman, sexually assaulting her, and filming the incident at his home in Tokyo’s Shibuya area in July. He denies the allegations. Police also found a video of another woman on his smartphone and are investigating further.

社会のニュース

高市首相とトランプ氏、国連総会中に会談へ
サラ: Japan is arranging a meeting between Prime Minister Takaichi and President Trump in New York on September 22, during the United Nations General Assembly. They are expected to discuss the importance of the Japan-US alliance, tensions involving Iran, security cooperation, and Japan’s position on strained relations with China before a US-China summit.

台風25号、関東に接近へ。20～21日は大雨・暴風警戒
クリス: Typhoon 25 is moving north with strong winds. It may approach the Ogasawara Islands on September 19, the Izu Islands around September 20, and the Kanto region by September 21. Heavy rain and strong winds are possible, especially in Chiba. Transport could be affected. Many areas are expected to have fair weather on September 22 and 23.

日米捜査で北朝鮮指揮下のサイバー攻撃活動が判明
サラ: Police say a joint investigation with US authorities has revealed the activities of a North Korea-directed cyberattack group. The group targeted IT engineers in several countries to steal confidential information and cryptocurrency. It also reportedly used impersonation in Japan.

十日町で無人車が園児列に突入、5人負傷
クリス: In Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture, an unattended car moved forward after an elderly man parked it and walked away. The car struck a line of kindergarten children passing nearby. Five children were injured in the accident.

大林組社員2人送検、支保工の強度不足を認識か
サラ: Three years ago, steel beams fell at a construction site near Tokyo Station, killing or injuring five workers. Police sent two employees of major contractor Obayashi to prosecutors. They may have known that the base supporting the beams was not strong enough.

東電社長、むつ市長に核燃料中間貯蔵施設計画を説明
クリス: The president of Tokyo Electric Power showed Mutsu’s mayor an updated plan for an intermediate storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. Kansai Electric intends to bring in 500 tons, while Tohoku Electric intends to bring in 100 tons.

常陸大宮市長、核ごみ文献調査の受け入れ判断を保留
サラ: The mayor of Hitachiomiya, Ibaraki Prefecture, has postponed a decision on whether to accept a government survey about a final disposal site for high-level radioactive waste. Residents have raised concerns about damage from harmful rumors.

組織的詐欺事件で司法取引を初適用
クリス: Prosecutors have used Japan’s plea-bargain system for the first time in an organized fraud case suspected of involving a so-called anonymous and fluid criminal group. The system offers lighter punishment when suspects or defendants cooperate with investigators.

盗撮被害のJR東社員、異動めぐり会社を提訴
サラ: A female JR East employee who was secretly filmed by a coworker is suing the company for more than eight million yen. She had requested a transfer, but says the company offered an unwanted assignment and her mental illness became worse.

政治・経済

日銀が利上げ、変動金利や中小企業の負担増懸念
サラ: On September 18, the Bank of Japan decided to raise its policy rate from around 1.0 percent to around 1.25 percent. The bank responded to a growing risk that inflation could rise above its 2 percent goal. This was the first rate increase in three months and the shortest gap since the policy shift in March 2024. The yen weakened by about one yen against the dollar, briefly reaching the 157-yen range. Japan, the United States, and Europe raised rates at the same time for the first time since 2006. The move may raise variable mortgage and deposit rates and increase burdens on young people and smaller companies. Two of nine policy board members opposed the increase.

高市首相、専門性重視の第2次改造内閣を発足
クリス: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi formed her second reshuffled cabinet on September 17. Ministers in charge of important policies kept their posts, while seven first-time ministers were chosen with an emphasis on expertise. The government and ruling parties face work toward the end of the year, including parliamentary debate on bills needed to cut the consumption tax on food.

政府、10月5日に臨時国会召集へ。食料品減税を審議
サラ: The government told the Liberal Democratic Party that it plans to convene an extraordinary session of the Diet on October 5. Bills including a cut in the consumption tax on food are expected to be debated. The government and ruling parties are speeding up preparations.

ガソリン補助金が過去最高51円、累計予算9兆円超
クリス: The gasoline subsidy was restarted amid rising tensions in the Middle East. From September 17, the subsidy reached 51 yen per liter, the highest level ever. The total budget has reached 9 trillion yen. The government aims to keep average gasoline prices around 170 yen per liter. It approved 600 billion yen from reserve funds through the end of October, but higher oil prices could cause a funding shortage. Calls to review the subsidy grew, but the government chose to continue it because of concerns about inflation and public support. An exit strategy has not been developed.

SBI、ライブドアを75億円で買収しメディア強化
サラ: SBI Holdings announced that it will acquire Livedoor, an operator of a portal website. It will buy all shares held by Livedoor's parent company, Minkabu the Infonoid, for 7.5 billion yen. SBI plans to use Livedoor's domestic and international news sites to strengthen its media business.

九州新幹線、熊本地震から52日ぶり全線再開
クリス: The Kyushu Shinkansen resumed service on its entire line on September 18, 52 days after part of the route was suspended following the Kumamoto earthquake. Passengers at Kagoshima-Chuo Station welcomed the return. The first train left for Hakata at 6:00 a.m., and the earliest train to Shin-Osaka left at 6:27. Staff held banners and smiled as they saw passengers off.

金与正氏、米主催の多国間訓練を非難し対抗措置示唆
サラ: Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, issued a statement condemning multinational joint exercises hosted by the US military and held through September. She said North Korea would not rule out taking countermeasures.

スポーツ

ドジャース、ナ・リーグ西地区5年連続優勝
サラ: The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Reds on September 17 and won the National League West title for the fifth straight year. Their magic number was one before the game. Afterward, the team held its traditional champagne celebration.

ソフトバンク、パ・リーグ3年連続22回目の優勝
クリス: Japanese professional baseball played five games on September 17. The Pacific League-leading SoftBank Hawks won their league championship, their third in a row and 22nd overall.

村上宗隆、決勝32号含む長打2本で勝利に貢献
サラ: White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami started against the Tigers and hit two extra-base hits, including the game-winning home run, his 32nd of the season. His performance helped the White Sox win and tie for first place again.

ソフトバンク柳田、来季も現役続行へ
クリス: SoftBank outfielder Yuki Yanagita, who is 37, is expected to continue playing next season. He made the required number of plate appearances for the first time in three years and helped the team win its third straight championship. In July and August, he hit .367 with five home runs and 29 RBIs.

アジア大会選手宿舎に不満、狭さや浸水で改善へ
サラ: The Asian Games will open in Aichi on September 19, but athletes have complained about the container-style housing. Some players over two meters tall say they cannot stretch their legs in bed. A Korean basketball player also reported a flooded room after water leaked from pipes. Heavy rain forced some athletes to evacuate temporarily, and organizers say they are taking steps to improve conditions.

愛知・名古屋アジア大会、45地域参加で19日開幕
クリス: The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will open on September 19, with more than 15,000 athletes and officials from 45 Asian countries and regions. Events will take place at 54 venues in 43 sports, with 469 events planned. The rowing preliminaries were delayed because rising water damaged the venue. The Games will close on October 4.

マーリンズ佐々木麟太郎、ビザ未取得で合流できず
サラ: Marlins infielder Rintaro Sasaki has not received his visa and cannot join the team. He is training on his own and missed his planned rookie-league debut. Sasaki signed with the Marlins in July after being selected in the eighth round. He is preparing to join spring training next February.

U-20女子日本、北朝鮮に0-2敗戦でW杯敗退
クリス: Japan’s Under-20 women’s soccer team lost 2-0 to North Korea in the first round of the World Cup knockout stage in Poland on September 17. Japan struggled against North Korea’s pressure, conceded an own goal after a corner kick, and allowed another goal four minutes later. The loss ended Japan’s title hopes.

元NPB投手ブライアン・ウルフ氏、45歳で死去
サラ: Brian Wolfe, who played for the Fighters, Hawks, and Lions, has died at age 45. He won 56 games in Japanese professional baseball. He won 12 games in 2011 and 10 in 2012 for the Fighters. He retired after the 2018 season, and the Fighters expressed their condolences.

国際

国連調査団、米のイラン空爆に戦争犯罪の合理的根拠
サラ: A United Nations independent investigation team said there are reasonable grounds to believe that two U.S. airstrikes in southern Iran in February were war crimes. More than 150 civilians, including about 120 children, died in an attack on a school. Twenty-two civilians died in another attack on a sports facility and residential area. The team also said Iran's crackdown on protests may amount to crimes against humanity. It reported that at least 221 children died and tens of thousands were detained. A White House spokesperson rejected the findings and said Iran was the only side that committed war crimes.

米国、サウジへのF35戦闘機48機売却を承認
クリス: The United States has approved the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, worth a total of 3.7 trillion yen.

トランプ氏、訪米する習近平氏を空軍基地で自ら出迎え
サラ: President Donald Trump is expected to personally greet Chinese President Xi Jinping when Xi arrives at a military air base near Washington on the 23rd. This would be an unusual honor for a visiting state guest. Trump has said he will hold a summit with Xi on the 24th, and Xi is expected to stay until the 25th. During Xi's last state visit, in 2015, he was greeted by the U.S. vice president.

中国16～24歳失業率18.9％、過去最高水準
クリス: China's youth unemployment rate reached 18.9 percent in August among people aged 16 to 24. That matched the highest level since the current system began in December 2023, and rose from 17.9 percent in July. A weak economy has reduced white-collar jobs, while artificial intelligence is adding pressure. A record 12.7 million students graduated from universities and graduate schools this year, about 40 percent more than five years ago.

中国外相と米国務長官が電話協議、首脳会談を調整
サラ: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the 17th. They discussed exchanges between senior officials and the situation in the Middle East. The call was also believed to include preparations for a possible U.S.-China summit later this month. Wang said leader-level diplomacy is essential and called for stronger communication, better management of differences, and respect for each side's core interests.

米国、アッバス氏らパレスチナ代表団へのビザ拒否
クリス: The United States will not issue visas to a delegation from the Palestinian Authority for the United Nations General Assembly, preventing President Mahmoud Abbas from speaking in person. The General Assembly voted 152 to 3, with four abstentions, to allow him to give a recorded speech. The U.S. said the Palestinian Authority glorifies terrorism and has pursued action against Israel through international courts. Iran's delegation, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, was issued visas.

英国王、AI企業首脳に安全規制と国際協力を要請
サラ: Britain's King Charles held a meeting in Scotland with leaders of major artificial intelligence companies. He spoke about both the benefits and dangers of rapidly advancing AI, and called for strong controls before it is too late. He also asked what international cooperation and agreements are needed to use AI safely.

南ア正副大統領が体調不良で休養、公務は閣僚代行
クリス: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is resting because of poor health, and the length of his rest is unknown. Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also resting after receiving medical treatment, leaving both leaders absent. Ramaphosa returned from a BRICS summit in New Delhi on the 14th, and a medical team advised him to rest. Ministers are handling his official duties.

エンタメ（文化・芸能）

2市、大河ドラマの中川清秀「裏切り者」描写に異議
サラ: Two Japanese cities have objected to a historical drama’s portrayal of Nakagawa Kiyohide as a traitor. Historical records say that in 1583, he fought for Hideyoshi, defended Oiwakayama Fort, and died fighting an attack by Morimasa Sakuma’s forces. No confirmed record shows that he betrayed Hideyoshi at Shizugatake.

囲碁名人戦、芝野虎丸が勝利し一力遼と2勝2敗
クリス: In the fourth game of the 51st Japanese Go Meijin title match, challenger Toramaru Shibano defeated Meijin Ryo Ichiriki by resignation. Shibano won with Black after 243 moves, bringing the best-of-seven series to a two-two tie. Ichiriki had led two games to one.

元芸能事務所員、若手8人への性加害を証言
サラ: A former male staff member of a Japanese talent agency has said he sexually abused about eight young performers around 30 years ago. He said that, while working as a manager from 1995 to 2000, he touched their genitals and engaged in oral sex in vehicles. He said he viewed it as communication, but knew it could be wrong and unpleasant.

声優佐々木優子、生成AIによる声の無断利用を懸念
クリス: Yuko Sasaki, known for voicing the grandmother in Chibi Maruko-chan, is worried about voices being created by generative AI. She says a person’s voice should have legal protection against unauthorized use. She also warns that AI can make a voice actor say any words, and that synthesized voices may be used for business.

BS4K番組が2分3秒停止・無音に、原因を調査
サラ: On September 16, a program on BS Premium 4K stopped for two minutes and three seconds shortly after 8:30 p.m. The picture froze and the sound went silent during a travel program. Different video was shown until the scheduled end at 8:59 p.m. The cause is being investigated.

俳優三浦翔平、9月末で約20年所属の事務所退所
クリス: Actor Shohei Miura announced that he will leave his agency at the end of September, after about 20 years with the company. He said he is starting a new chapter, thanked the agency, people involved in his work, and fans, and said he will continue to face each job seriously while moving forward in his own way.

しぐれうい、脅迫受けmezzo pianoコラボ中止
サラ: Illustrator and VTuber Shigure Ui announced that a planned collaboration with children’s clothing brand mezzo piano has been canceled. She said threats suggesting violence against her and others involved led to the decision, which was made for safety reasons. Ticket orders for the planned October 2026 event will be canceled automatically, and buyers will receive separate email guidance.

首里城の漆塗装完了、11月公開へ準備
クリス: At Shuri Castle, lacquer painting has been completed. Preparations are steadily continuing as the castle gets ready to open to the public in November.

ポプラ社、インド法人設立し児童書を英語・ヒンディー語出版
サラ: A Japanese children’s book publisher plans to establish a local company in New Delhi this month and begin publishing English and Hindi translations in January. It plans to release about 40 works in its first year, including the Kaiketsu Zorori and Nezumi-kun series. It may later translate books into other Indian languages and use India as a base for distribution to North America.

---

（ニュース原稿は夕方までの情報で作成しております。速報性はありませんのでご了承ください。ニュースの内容には細心の注意を払っておりますが、正規の報道機関ではありませんので、内容に誤りがある可能性があります。ご了承ください。重要な内容は念のために再度ご確認ください。なお、綺麗な発音で聞き取りやすい音声をお届けするため、高品質なAIキャスターの声でお届けしています。）

ご意見ご要望などございましたら、お問い合わせフォームからお気軽にご連絡ください。

---