# マイあさ! 午前7時のNHKニュース 2026年10月18日

- Show: NHKラジオニュース
- Published: 2026-10-18
- Canonical: https://podc.club/en/episode/400203229_a03337862083.html
- Audio: https://www.nhk.or.jp/s-media/news/podcast/audio/a51c350f83dd48a8c03e7ef36b21f5bf_64k.mp3
- Source: Edited from a machine transcript of the first 30 minutes of the episode. Not an official summary.

NHK Radio's morning news for October 18, 2026 led with Typhoon No. 30 rapidly intensifying near the Mariana Islands and expected to approach south of Okinawa around the 23rd. The broadcast also covered a 550,000-strong anti-inflation protest in France that turned violent, and sharp pushback from Ukrainian President Zelensky after President Trump signed an executive order exempting Russia from most new sanctions.

## What this episode answers

### Where is Typhoon No. 30 now, and what is its projected track?

As of 6 a.m. on October 18, Typhoon No. 30 was moving westward at 30 km/h near the Mariana Islands with a central pressure of 950 hPa and maximum winds of 50 m/s; it is expected to reach waters south of Okinawa around the 23rd, though its track beyond that date remains uncertain.

### What was the background, scale, and aftermath of the large-scale protests in France?

Organized by labor unions, the protests on the 17th drew 550,000 people at 110 locations across France demanding action on soaring fuel prices and inflation; high school and university students also joined, while violence broke out in multiple cities—including a kiosk fire in Paris and the arson of the city hall in Limoges—leading the Interior Ministry to detain approximately 400 people.

### How did President Zelensky respond to President Trump's executive order exempting Russia from most sanctions?

Zelensky called the order 'wrong,' saying it only gratifies Russia and 'will never stop the war,' and confirmed he is coordinating talks with the U.S. side in the near term; he also revealed that Washington has proposed a three-way summit including President Trump and President Putin, with possible venues including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or the U.S. in December alongside the G20.

### When and from where will the MMX spacecraft launch, and what is its mission?

JAXA's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft is scheduled to launch at 4:41:03 a.m. on October 20 aboard H3 Rocket No. 15 from the Tanegashima Space Center, aiming for the world's first landing on the Martian moon Phobos and the return of surface samples to Earth in fiscal 2031.

### Which ten universities qualified for the Hakone Ekiden through the qualifying race?

The ten qualifiers were: 1st Toyo University (first qualifier race appearance in 21 years), 2nd Chuo Gakuin University, 3rd Tokai University, 4th Senshu University, 5th Tokyo University of Agriculture, 6th Yamanashi Gakuin University, 7th Daito Bunka University, 8th Kanagawa University, 9th Nippon Sport Science University, and 10th Hosei University.

## Article

## Typhoon No. 30 Rapidly Intensifies — Expected Near Okinawa Around the 23rd

At 6 a.m. on October 18, a very strong Typhoon No. 30 was tracking westward at 30 km/h near the Mariana Islands. Central pressure stood at 950 hPa, with maximum sustained winds of 50 m/s and gusts reaching 70 m/s; a storm zone extends within a 140-kilometer radius of the center.

The typhoon's rapid intensification is drawing close attention. Central pressure dropped from 985 hPa at midnight on the 17th to 945 hPa at midnight on the 18th—a fall of 40 hPa in roughly one day. The storm is forecast to continue strengthening as it moves west and reach waters south of Okinawa around Friday the 23rd while still at very strong intensity, raising concerns about high waves for Okinawa and Amami. The track beyond the 23rd has not been determined, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is urging the public to stay alert to further updates.

## Two Injured in Bear Attacks in Akita and Nara

On the 17th, separate bear attacks occurred in Akita and Nara prefectures. In Daisen City, Akita, a man in his 80s was scratched on his head and ears by three bears while working in a field just after 10 a.m. and was airlifted by doctor-helicopter; he was conscious and able to speak. The three bears subsequently moved off to the west.

In Shimokitayama Village, Nara, around 11:30 a.m. a man in his 60s was among four workers maintaining a weir in mountain forest when a bear appeared and scratched and bit his face, arms, and thighs. He was taken to hospital but his life is not in danger. Police and local authorities at both sites have launched patrols and are issuing warnings via disaster-prevention radio.

## France: 550,000-Strong Anti-Inflation Protests Turn Violent

On the 17th, major protest marches organized by labor unions and other groups took place across France, with 550,000 people participating at 110 locations nationwide to demand action on soaring fuel prices and the broader cost-of-living crisis. In central Paris, large crowds marched carrying placards and chanting slogans. One woman who took part expressed her anger, saying widespread social frustration had built up over years of the Macron government and that fuel costs had become unbearable.

High school students who have been pushing for improved educational conditions since last month joined the demonstrations alongside supporting university students. The protests also gave cover to acts of destruction: a kiosk in a Paris plaza was set ablaze, the city hall in the central city of Limoges was set on fire, and public facilities and shops in multiple cities were hit by arson and looting. The Interior Ministry said it had detained around 400 people on suspicion of violent offenses and that investigations were continuing.

## Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Waiver — Zelensky: 'This Will Never Stop the War'

On the 16th, President Trump signed an executive order exempting Russia from most provisions of new legislation designed to tighten sanctions over the war in Ukraine. President Zelensky responded sharply on the 17th, calling the move 'wrong,' saying it 'only satisfies Russia's desire to keep killing people' and declaring 'this will never stop the war.'

Zelensky also confirmed he is arranging talks with the U.S. side in the near future. When asked about the possibility of a summit with President Putin, he revealed that Washington had proposed a three-way meeting that would also include President Trump, with potential venues cited by the U.S. side including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or the United States in December in conjunction with the G20. He noted, however, that 'no confirmation has been received from either Russia or the U.S. side,' indicating the prospects for such a meeting remain unclear.

Separately, Reuters reported on the 15th that the White House had issued an instruction to restrict the Starlink satellite communication service used by Ukrainian forces. Trump denied the report on the 16th, saying 'nothing has changed—it's not us,' and when asked whether the decision was Elon Musk's, replied: 'I don't think it's me or Musk.'

## MMX Launch, Asian Para Games, and Hakone Ekiden Qualifier

**MMX Spacecraft:** JAXA's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe, developed at a cost of 55.3 billion yen, is scheduled to lift off aboard H3 Rocket No. 15 from Tanegashima Space Center at 4:41:03 a.m. on October 20 (the day after tomorrow). The mission targets the world's first landing on Phobos, a moon of Mars, where it will collect surface samples. After roughly one year of travel, the spacecraft will conduct three years of exploration and return samples to Earth in fiscal 2031. It also carries a Super Hi-Vision camera jointly developed by NHK and JAXA.

**Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games:** The Asian Para Games, making their Japan debut, open today (the 18th). Around 4,000 athletes from 45 Asian nations and territories will compete across 18 sports at venues in Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures through the 24th. Japan's team of more than 280 athletes includes Paris Paralympics medalists and wheelchair tennis player Oda Tokito (小田時人) of Ichinomiya City. The opening ceremony will be held in Nagoya at 6 p.m. today.

**Hakone Ekiden Qualifying Race:** On the 17th, 45 universities competed in the half-marathon (21.0975 km) qualifier in Tachikawa, Tokyo, with each school's combined time for its top ten runners determining the results. The ten qualifiers were: 1st Toyo University (their first qualifier appearance in 21 years, four-time overall champions), 2nd Chuo Gakuin University, 3rd Tokai University, 4th Senshu University, 5th Tokyo University of Agriculture, 6th Yamanashi Gakuin University, 7th Daito Bunka University, 8th Kanagawa University, 9th Nippon Sport Science University, and 10th Hosei University.

## Takeaways

- Typhoon No. 30 dropped 40 hPa in roughly one day and is on track to approach south of Okinawa around the 23rd, though its path beyond that date remains uncertain.
- Anti-inflation protests in France drew 550,000 people—including high school students—while violence spread to multiple cities and the Interior Ministry detained around 400 people.
- JAXA's MMX spacecraft is set to launch from Tanegashima on October 20, aiming for the world's first landing on the Martian moon Phobos and sample return to Earth in fiscal 2031.