Key words : Iranian wrapped up
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191221_13/
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wrapped up a two-day visit to Japan on Saturday morning and flew for home.
The visit was the first by an Iranian president in 19 years.
Before his departure, Rouhani met with several people from Japanese business circles. According to Iran's foreign ministry, Rouhani criticized US sanctions against his country but indicated he wants to improve Iran's friendship with Japan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who accompanied Rouhani to Japan, spoke with NHK. He said there are obstacles in the way of better ties between Iran and Japan. He said the problem stems from "the unilateral, illegal sanctions by the United States, otherwise our relation is good."
Araghchi said Iran is aiming to strengthen its relationship with Japan, and keep all channels open.
The presidential office said Rouhani indicated in Friday's summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Iran is keen to resume trade with countries that stopped purchasing its oil after US sanctions took effect.
Throughout his trip to Asia, Rouhani repeatedly called for stronger economic ties with Japan and other countries. But Iran faces an uphill battle to overcome the barriers imposed by Washington.
Key words : Iranian destroyer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191220_05/
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to explain the objectives of a planned Self-Defense Force dispatch to the Middle East in his meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani.
Abe will meet Rouhani on Friday, the first day of the president's two-day visit to Japan.
Abe intends to use the meeting to seek Rouhani's understanding on the planned SDF dispatch to the Mideast.
The objectives include strengthening information gathering capabilities to help ensure the safety of Japan-related commercial shipping in the region.
Japan's government places great importance on ensuring the safety of ships navigating in the region as the country relies on the area for more than 80 percent of its crude oil imports.
Abe also plans to call on Iran to fulfill its responsibility for ensuring the safety of ships as one of the Mideast coastal countries.
His Cabinet is expected to approve a plan as early as next week to send an SDF destroyer and patrol plane to the Middle East.
Abe intends to outline Japan's stance of continuing to pursue diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East and stabilize the situation there.
He plans to reiterate his appeal to Iran to refrain from reducing its commitments under the nuclear deal with world powers. Tehran has stepped up its uranium enriching activity.
Japan's Foreign Ministry says Iran requested the president's visit to Japan after Prime Minister Abe traveled to Tehran in June. It will be the first visit to Japan by an Iranian president since 2000.
Key words : Xi and US
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191221_09/
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump have expressed mutual admiration over their "phase one" trade deal reached this month.
China's state-run Xinhua News Agency says the two spoke by phone on Friday.
Xi said the deal "benefits China, the United States, as well as peace and prosperity of the whole world."
Trump tweeted he had a "very good talk with President Xi of China concerning our giant Trade Deal." He said they also discussed North Korea and Hong Kong.
The US and China are expected to sign the initial agreement in January.
Xi also referred to the US position on Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet. He said, "China expresses serious concerns over the US side's recent negative words and actions on issues".
The US recently enacted the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the House of Representatives passed the Uighur Human Rights Policy Act.
Xinhua quoted Xi as saying the US has "interfered in China's internal affairs and harmed China's interests."
On North Korea, Xi said "all parties should meet each other halfway and maintain dialogue".
Pyongyang has been making provocative moves ahead of the year-end deadline it has set for US concessions over denuclearization talks.
Key words : US defense north
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191221_07/
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper says he remains hopeful that Washington can restart diplomacy with North Korea, but adds that the US must ensure it is in a high state of readiness.
Esper briefed reporters at the Defense Department on Friday, saying he remains hopeful that the US and North Korea could get the process started again and remain on the diplomatic path.
Esper also noted that while supporting diplomacy, he must ensure the US is prepared to fight and win, and that he is confident it can.
North Korea has set a year-end deadline for US concessions in deadlocked denuclearization talks and has hinted at new provocations.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley also attended the briefing. He stressed that Washington continues to coordinate with Japan and South Korea regarding issues related to North Korea. But he added: "We are prepared for whatever."
Meanwhile, Stephen Biegun, the US special representative for North Korea, urged the North to return to the negotiating table while visiting South Korea this week.
But there has been no confirmed contact between him and North Korean officials.
Key words : Trump signed a defense
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191221_14/
US President Donald Trump has signed a defense bill authorizing a new Space Force to counter efforts by China and Russia to expand their military presence in space.
Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, for fiscal 2020 into law on Friday to create the sixth branch of the US Armed Forces. The NDAA outlines future defense policies and the budget necessary for implementing them.
The NDAA for the fiscal year 2020 increases defense spending by more than 20 billion dollars, to about 738 billion dollars.
Under the law, about 16,000 personnel currently in the Air Force Space Command will be assigned to the new Space Force.
After signing the bill, Trump said it marks another landmark achievement, and that the US military remains unrivaled in the world.
The NDAA bars the use of federal funds to purchase rail cars and buses from China's state-owned companies.
It also includes sanctions related to the construction of Russian pipelines that transfer Russian natural gas to Turkey and Germany.
The law also requires the government to consult South Korea and Japan and report to Congress before it reduces the number of US troops deployed in South Korea.
Key words : British commanding
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191221_10/
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has won a commanding majority in parliament for his Brexit deal, and appears on track to delivering a departure from the European Union on January 31.
Before the vote on Friday, Johnson told parliament: "This great project will not be the project of one government or one party, but the British nation as a whole."
The bill includes a provision that bans any extension to the transition period beyond the end of next year, a pledge made by Johnson during his recent election campaign.
Lawmakers voted by 358 to 234 in favor of the bill, underscoring the large majority secured by Johnson's Conservative Party in the December 12 general election.
The final stages of ratification will take place after lawmakers return from holidays, when parliament will debate and vote on the details of the bill.
Key words : senior official resolve
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191221_12/
A senior official of South Korea's presidential office has expressed skepticism over a bill to establish a consolation fund to help resolve an ongoing wartime labor issue with Japan.
National Assembly speaker Moon Hee-sang submitted the bill on Wednesday together with nonpartisan lawmakers. It calls for the creation of a fund supported by voluntary donations from Japanese and South Korean companies and individuals, as well as the South Korean government.
The fund would pay consolation money to those who say they were forced to work for Japanese firms during World War Two.
The move follows South Korean Supreme Court rulings last year ordering Japanese firms operating in South Korea to pay damages to plaintiffs, and allowing them to seize certain assets of Japanese companies there.
The senior official said on Friday that the Supreme Court's judgments must be respected, and stressed the importance of the plaintiffs' opinions.
The official said the judgment would be nullified if Japanese companies failed to participate in the fund.
The official added that if the plaintiffs reject the fund and sell the seized assets of the Japanese firms, the issue will still be unresolved.
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