マイあさ! 午前5時のNHKニュース 2026年10月23日
Typhoon No. 30, a large and extremely powerful storm, is closing in on the Sakishima Islands of Okinawa with gusts capable of collapsing homes and a heightened risk of linear precipitation bands developing over the region. At the NPB Draft held in Tokyo on October 22, the Yomiuri Giants stunned onlookers by selecting Yokohama High School pitcher Oda Masaki (小田正輝) with their first-round pick despite his having announced plans just days earlier to pursue a career in the United States; Oda said his American ambitions remain completely unchanged. Separately, the Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology released a position statement declining to recommend multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, citing a lack of evidence that they lower cancer mortality.
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What this episode answers
What was Typhoon No. 30's strength as of the morning of October 23, and what damage was forecast for the Sakishima Islands?
As of 5 a.m., the typhoon had a central pressure of 950 hPa, maximum sustained winds of 45 m/s, and peak gusts of 60 m/s, with Yonaguni Airport already recording a peak gust of 41.7 m/s. Winds strong enough to collapse some homes, 12-meter waves, the threat of linear precipitation bands, and a storm surge danger warning (Level 4) for Taketomi Town were all forecast.
What was the most talked-about selection at the NPB Draft, and how did pitcher Oda Masaki respond?
The Giants surprised the room by selecting Yokohama High School pitcher Oda Masaki with the first overall pick despite his publicly declared intention to play in the US. Oda said the selection was 'extremely honorable,' but that 'my desire to challenge myself in America has not wavered in the slightest.'
Is the bill allowing people to use their maiden name as a common name expected to be submitted in the current Diet session?
There is a growing view within the ruling coalition that submitting the bill in the current Diet session will be difficult, as food-related consumption tax reduction legislation and other bills must take priority; LDP House of Councillors caucus President Matsuyama said it would be preferable to carry it over to the next session.
What measures did President Macron announce in response to the protests and riots in France?
On October 22, President Macron announced that unauthorized demonstrations would not be permitted for the coming days and that even union-organized marches would be subject to review with possible rerouting. He also decided to deploy security forces including the military, with further measures to be discussed at a defense council meeting on the 23rd.
What were the main points of the statement the Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology released on MCED testing?
The Society stated it does not recommend MCED tests — which analyze DNA fragments and proteins in blood and urine to screen for multiple cancers simultaneously — because evidence that they reduce cancer mortality has not been established, positioning them only as a supplement to conventional screenings. Those considering the tests were urged to consult a healthcare provider about costs and post-result follow-up before deciding.
Typhoon No. 30 Approaches Sakishima Islands; Destructive Winds and Linear Precipitation Bands Feared
As of 5 a.m. on October 23, Typhoon No. 30 — a large and extremely powerful storm — was located over the ocean south of Okinawa, moving northwest at 15 km/h. Its central pressure stood at 950 hectopascals, with maximum sustained winds of 45 meters per second and peak gusts reaching 60 m/s. The Sakishima Islands were already inside the storm's danger zone: in the three hours leading up to 4 a.m., Yonaguni Airport recorded a peak gust of 41.7 m/s, and the Tonoshiro area of Ishigaki City registered 29.4 m/s.
Conditions are expected to deteriorate further. Gusts of up to 60 m/s — described as "catastrophic winds capable of collapsing some homes" — remain possible. Seas around the Sakishima Islands are forecast to reach 12 meters with extremely rough conditions, and a storm surge danger warning (Level 4) has been issued for Taketomi Town. Tide levels are expected to rise more than 2 meters above normal this afternoon, requiring strict vigilance near coastal facilities and river mouths. Linear precipitation bands are forecast to develop over the Miyako and Yaeyama regions from early afternoon through the following dawn, with rainfall totals of up to 250 mm expected in the worst-affected areas of Okinawa. The typhoon is expected to pass closest to the Ishigaki Island area this evening and to the Yonaguni Island area early tonight. Its slow forward speed means impacts will be prolonged, and residents are urged to prepare for potential power outages. From the day after tomorrow onward, the typhoon is forecast to turn eastward and approach the Japanese mainland, with heavy rain expected across a wide area through the start of next week.
NPB Draft — Giants Select Pitcher Oda Masaki, Who Had Announced US Plans, as First-Round Pick
The biggest story at the NPB Draft, held at a Tokyo hotel on October 22, was the Yomiuri Giants selecting Yokohama High School (横浜高校) pitcher Oda Masaki (小田正輝) with the first overall pick. Oda had announced the previous week that he intended to pursue a career in the United States after graduation, so audible gasps were heard from the audience when his name was called. Oda said: "Honestly, I'm surprised. This is an extremely honorable selection, but my desire to challenge myself in America has not wavered in the slightest."
The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters used their first-round pick on Yamanashi Gakuin High School pitcher Komoto Haruki (小本晴樹), who has expressed a desire to play as a two-way player. Two battery-mates from Aoyama Gakuin University went in the first round through competitive draws: pitcher Suzuki Taisei (鈴木大成) went to SoftBank after a draw against Lotte, while catcher Watanabe (渡部) went to Rakuten after a draw against the Chunichi Dragons. Other single-team first-round selections included Yakult (Tokyo Gas outfielder Fujisawa Ryosuke [藤沢亮介]), Orix (Fuji University pitcher Kakuta [角田]), Hiroshima (an infielder), DeNA (Osaka Shogyo University pitcher), Seibu (a pitcher), and Hanshin (Meiji University outfielder). In the second round, Chunichi and Lotte competed for Kinki University pitcher Miyahara Ren (宮原連), with Chunichi winning the draw. In the third round, Lotte selected Kansai University pitcher Yonezawa Yuto (米沢優都).
Bill on Maiden Name Usage as Common Name Unlikely to Be Submitted in Current Diet Session
Within the ruling coalition, there is a growing view that submitting a bill that would allow people who changed their surname upon marriage to use their maiden name as a common name will be difficult in the current Diet session. The need to prioritize legislation related to reduced consumption tax on food and other items has been cited as the reason. Matsuyama (松山), president of the LDP's House of Councillors caucus, said: "The current Diet session is on an extremely tight schedule. It would be preferable for the government to carry this over to the next session." The government's draft bill would allow maiden names to be used exclusively in corporate and real estate registries, but would not permit maiden-name-only entries on My Number cards, driver's licenses, or passports. Expansion of maiden name usage is also included in the coalition agreement between the LDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai.
France Riots: President Macron Announces Protest Restrictions and Deployment of Security Forces
Vandalism and looting broke out alongside large-scale protests in France on October 17, prompting nighttime curfews in Paris and some other areas. With unions and Yellow Vest (Gilets Jaunes) activists calling for further demonstrations on the 24th, President Macron announced a package of measures on October 22, describing them as "necessary steps to protect peace and the city." He stated that unauthorized demonstrations would not be permitted for the coming days and that even union-organized marches would be subject to review with possible rerouting. Security forces, including the military, were also deployed, with additional measures to be discussed at a defense council meeting on the 23rd. Sales of self-defense sprays surged in Paris; one shop owner said: "Stores near us were looted and our shutters were destroyed — I've never sold this many before." France's Ministry of Culture announced the closure of the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay on the 24th, adding to the mounting disruption.
Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology Releases Statement Not Recommending MCED Tests
The Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology (日本がん治療学会) released a position statement on October 22 at its academic conference in Kobe regarding multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, which analyze DNA fragments and proteins in blood and urine to screen for multiple types of cancer simultaneously. While acknowledging that these tests — available on a self-pay basis at comprehensive medical check-up facilities — represent "a promising technology for detecting multiple cancers at once," the Society explicitly stated it does not recommend them, noting that "evidence that they reduce cancer mortality has not been established." The tests were positioned as a supplement to conventional government-recommended cancer screenings, which patients are urged to continue even if they also pursue MCED testing. Those considering the tests were also advised to confirm that adequate explanation and appropriate follow-up care would be available in the event of a positive result. The chair of the working group at the National Cancer Center Hospital East said: "Please consult a healthcare provider about costs and how results will be handled after the fact before deciding whether to get tested."
Takeaways
- Typhoon No. 30 is battering the Sakishima Islands with gusts forecast to reach 60 m/s and poses compounding risks — 12-meter waves, storm surge, and linear precipitation bands — with the Japanese mainland also facing heavy rain from the day after tomorrow.
- The Giants drafted Yokohama High School pitcher Oda Masaki with the first overall pick despite his declared intention to play in the US; Oda stated his American ambitions remain completely unchanged.
- The Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology officially declined to recommend MCED blood and urine cancer screening tests, citing a lack of evidence that they reduce cancer mortality, and positioned them only as a supplement to conventional screenings.
This article is edited from a machine transcript of the first 30 minutes of the episode. It is not an official summary — please listen to the episode itself.