Hong Kong's Chief Executive is calling on the protesters holed-up inside a university to come out peacefully.
A senior US official says South Korea has not agreed to reconsider its decision to end an intelligence sharing pact with Japan.
Shinzo Abe's tenure of office has tied the country's record for the longest-serving prime minister of Japan.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20191119200000_english_1.mp3
Key words : Hong Kong to come out peacefully
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_29/
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam is calling on the remaining protesters holed-up inside a university to come out peacefully and end a dangerous situation.
Lam said in a news conference on Tuesday that there are 100 or so protesters still inside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. A tense standoff has been underway with police since the weekend. Lam says 600 demonstrators have come out and 400 of them have been arrested.
She said, "They have to stop violence, give up the weapons, and come out peacefully, and take instructions from police."
Local media say some have managed to escape by shimmying down a bridge using plastic hosing and then fleeing by motor bike.
The situation has resulted in some of the most dramatic scenes in the territory since protests began more than 5 months ago. They were triggered by a controversial extradition bill that has since been withdrawn. But the protests have morphed into a wider pro-democracy movement.
The escalating violence now threatens to derail district elections scheduled for Sunday. Lam said she wants the vote to go ahead. But has hinted at the possibility it could be postponed if people can't vote in a safe manner.
Key words : China appointed hardliner
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_25/
China's government has appointed a new chief of Hong Kong police, who is known as a hardliner.
China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday that Chris Tang was appointed as Hong Kong's new police commissioner. Tang succeeds his retiring predecessor.
Beijing's decision was reportedly in line with a nomination made by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam.
Chinese Communist Party-affiliated media said Tang is known for strict crackdowns on protesters during the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement in 2014.
The new police chief told a news conference on Tuesday that he will work to contain violence as soon as possible.
Tang said he is aware that some people are dissatisfied with the police's handling of the protests, but that others agree with it.
He turned down citizens' request to set up an independent panel to inquire into the police's handling of protesters, saying an existing organization is investigating matters.
Key words : Japanese tourist
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_17/
Diplomatic sources say a Japanese tourist was arrested by police in Hong Kong near the site of violent clashes between protesters and police.
A Japanese man in his 20s was reportedly detained on Sunday evening close to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus, which was besieged by the police.
Japanese foreign ministry officials say the man went there to see the pro-democracy demonstrations after visiting the Hong Kong Disneyland, and that he is unharmed and in good shape.
The tourist is reportedly a student of the Tokyo University of Agriculture.
It's the second arrest of a Japanese national by Hong Kong police in connection with anti-government protests. Another Japanese man was arrested in September.
Key words : senior US official
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_28/
A senior US official says South Korea has not agreed to reconsider its decision to end an intelligence sharing pact with Japan, despite persuasion by the US defense chief.
The General Security of Military Information Agreement, or GSOMIA, is set to expire on Saturday.
The official told reporters on Monday that it's regrettable that South Korea did not give a definite promise to alter its decision.
On Friday, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper met with his South Korean counterpart Jeong Kyeong-doo in Seoul to urge Seoul to maintain the pact.
Japan's Defense Minister Taro Kono joined them in Thailand on Sunday in a further attempt to persuade South Korea to change its mind.
The official said Esper told the delegates from Japan and South Korea that if the pact doesn't function, only North Korea and China will benefit.
Esper reportedly also told them that he wants the leaders of their countries to realize this and urged them to compromise.
Key words : South Korea suspended talks
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_30/
South Korea and the United States have suspended talks on the cost of hosting US bases with their figures remaining far apart.
Negotiations started on Monday and were to continue through the end of Tuesday, but were terminated in the morning ahead of schedule.
South Korea's foreign ministry says it insisted the figure be acceptable to both sides. It said it couldn't continue with the talks as planned because US officials added new items and asked Seoul to shoulder a much heavier burden.
South Korean media report that the US government demanded Seoul pay about five billion dollars a year, more than five times the current figure.
They report that no schedule has been set for another round of talks, so it's unlikely the issue will be settled by the year-end goal.
Key words : series of meeting
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_04/
A series of meetings attended by defense ministers from Asia-Pacific nations ended on Monday. The meetings highlighted a huge gap between the US and China over the South China Sea.
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe participated in the two-day talks in Thailand, along with the defense ministers of 10 ASEAN member countries. Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono was also in attendance.
The participants discussed a range of issues, including the South China Sea, where China has been increasing its presence.
ASEAN countries are wary of the escalating tensions between the US and China over the South China Sea.
A joint statement adopted at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus stressed the promotion of security cooperation.
It called for peace and stability in the region. It also urged countries to maintain and respect freedom of navigation.
But the US and China continued to lock horns.
Esper denounced China's maritime activities, while Wei warned Washington not to meddle in the South China Sea issue.
Key words : Trump announced cause of peace
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_11/
The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced a major reversal of the US policy on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced at a news conference on Monday that the establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is "not, per se, inconsistent with international law."
Palestinians strongly oppose Israeli settlements, and the international community considers the settlements illegal.
The administration of former US President Barack Obama had called on Israel to halt the activities.
Pompeo said that the US would not take a position on the legality of specific settlements.
But he added that calling the settlements inconsistent with international law has not advanced the cause of peace. He also said that the issue of Israeli settlements should be resolved through negotiations by the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The US policy shift, the latest in a string of pro-Israel moves by the Trump administration, is apparently aimed at appealing to pro-Israel conservatives in the US and giving a boost to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is struggling to remain in power.
But the move is expected to draw a backlash from Palestinians and the international community.
Key words : Palestinian reacted sharply
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_23/
Palestinians have reacted sharply to the US policy reversal on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a news conference on Monday that the establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank was "not, per se, inconsistent with international law."
His comments appear to mark a major shift from the decades-long US stance that Israel's settlement activities are inconsistent with international law, a position widely supported by the international community.
Former US governments called on Israel to halt settlement activities, which they deemed an impediment to peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the US announcement, calling the day historic. He expressed his gratitude to US President Donald Trump.
The policy shift, which appears to be an attempt to appeal to pro-Israel conservatives in the US, is the latest in a string of pro-Israel moves by Trump.
Critics are concerned it will damage the chances of regional peace, giving a boost to both Israel's settlement activities and Netanyahu, who is struggling to remain in power.
Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization Saeb Erakat denounced the Trump administration, describing its latest move as a threat to global stability, security and peace.
Key words : conference free
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_16/
A conference aimed at setting up a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East has started at the UN headquarters in New York. But Israel, the only country believed to possess nuclear weapons in the region, as well as the United States, were absent.
Representatives from Middle Eastern countries and nuclear powers attended the meeting on Monday.
Egypt proposed in 1974 the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. The idea saw no progress for over four decades because of the conflict between Israel and the Arab countries.
But the UN General Assembly decided last year to seek to realize the idea.
At Monday's meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that such a zone can put a permanent end to the possibility of nuclear conflict in the region.
Saudi Arabia and other countries condemned Israel.
Iranian ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi said that the main obstacles are the weapons of mass destruction held by Israel, which is supported by the US, and the unwillingness of the US to engage in the conference.
Observers say the absence of Israel and the US highlight the difficulties in realizing the initiative.
Key words : Abe record
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_07/
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's total tenure has tied the country's record for the longest-serving prime minister, set more than a century ago by Taro Katsura.
Abe achieved the milestone on Tuesday, with a total of 2,886 days in office.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga attributed Abe's feat to the accomplishments he has achieved while in office.
Suga said Abe has prioritized the economy and implemented financial, fiscal and regional revitalization programs.
Abe's tenure as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party expires in September 2021.
He is expected to pursue constitutional amendments, economic revitalization and social security reform.
He will also likely aim to make progress on the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, as well as in peace treaty negotiations with Russia.
Key words : government review
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_34/
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has indicated that the government will review the quota set aside for lawmakers to invite guests to the prime minister's cherry blossom viewing party.
Critics say Prime Minister Shinzo Abe used taxpayer money for the annual event to entertain supporters from his constituency.
It has come to light that the Cabinet Office and the Cabinet Secretariat asked the prime minister, deputy prime minister, chief cabinet secretary, deputy chief cabinet secretaries and the governing parties to recommend guests for the event.
It has also been reported that early this year, the main governing Liberal Democratic Party told its Upper House lawmakers who were facing an election in July that they could invite acquaintances to the blossom viewing party.
Suga was asked about the reports on Tuesday and said he has yet to confirm them.
Reporters also asked whether the government plans to remove such a quota, which could benefit lawmakers facing elections. Suga responded that the government will consider it.
Key words : main stadium
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_36/
All construction works for the main stadium of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have finished.
Officials from the Japan Sport Council on Tuesday briefed the media about the progress of the new National Stadium in Tokyo.
They said the construction of all of the stadium's facilities, such as the field, spectators' seats, and pedestrian decks around the stadium, are now finished. The council will check the facilities, and the stadium will be ready on November 30.
They said construction costs totaled 152.9 billion yen, or about 1.4 billion dollars. This was higher than expected due to changes in prices and labor costs, but lower than the government-set ceiling of 155 billion yen.
As for the use of the stadium after the 2020 Games, the council was scheduled to come up with a plan by the middle of this year to hand over the stadium's operation to the private sector. But it now aims to draw up the plan after the Tokyo Games.
It says detailed designs of the stadium should not be given to private businesses before the Olympics for security reasons.
Key words : specially designed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191119_33/
A specially designed trailer loaded with laundry machines is being used to help people in Nagano City, central Japan, who were hit by Typhoon Hagibis last month.
The trailer carries six large all-in-one washer-dryers, a tank that can hold 7.2 tons of water and a generator. About twelve households at a time can use the trailer to wash clothes.
The vehicle, developed by a company in the southwestern prefecture of Miyazaki, has been in operation there since last Saturday at the request of a volunteer group.
In the city's Hoyasu district, many people have had a hard time doing laundry for more than a month as their washing machines were broken by floods.
Local people can use the machines and detergent for free simply by writing their names and addresses.
A man in his 70s says he finds the service very convenient as his machine was washed away by the flood.
The leader of the volunteer group, Akio Ota, says he's pleased to see many residents using the machines from early morning.
The mobile laundry is to remain until December 1, but the operator says it may leave it there longer if necessary.
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