Key words : asia-pacific
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200912_11/
Delegates to an Asia-Pacific security conference have opened their talks via video link, with deputies standing in for the top diplomats from Washington and Beijing. The agenda includes the South China Sea, where tensions between the nations have been rising.
The ASEAN Regional Forum, or ARF, began on Saturday. It consists of 27 members, including ASEAN countries, Japan, the United States, China, and North Korea.
Beijing claims most of the South China Sea. But it has overlapping territorial claims with some ASEAN nations and Taiwan. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in July that China's claims to offshore resources across most of the waters are "completely unlawful."
The tensions between the US and China have raised concerns among ASEAN members. ARF delegates are believed to be discussing how to deescalate the situation.
This year's session is chaired by Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh.
In an opening remark, he stressed that the meeting comes as crucial and complex changes are continuing in the region and beyond. He called on participants to continue striving to fulfill the forum's role of creating constructive dialogue and cooperation.
The top diplomats from the US and China are not taking part citing scheduling conflicts.
North Korea's foreign minister is absent for the second year in a row. Its ASEAN envoy is attending the session instead.
Key words : Abe missile
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200911_34/
The Japanese government plans to draw up a new policy on missile defense by the end of the year.
The government held a National Security Council meeting on Friday with Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide and Defense Minister Kono Taro in attendance.
Abe issued a statement noting that Japan faces an increasingly tough national security environment, as shown by North Korea's launching of new types of ballistic missiles.
The statement says that the government will consider alternatives to land-based Aegis Ashore systems in Yamaguchi and Akita prefectures.
The government scrapped a plan in June to deploy them.
The statement questions whether an improvement in missile interception capability alone will be enough to protect people's lives and livelihoods.
It says that the government will consider a new missile defense strategy with the aim of strengthening Japan's deterrent capability.
It also says that discussions will be held within the bounds of Japan's war-renouncing Constitution without changing its exclusively defensive stance, and that there will be no change in the primary division of roles between Japan and the United States.
Abe says the government and the ruling party will hold meetings and draw up a new policy by the end of the year on an alternative to Aegis Ashore as well as on how to block missile attacks.
The government initially planned to draw up a basic direction on national security strategy by the end of September.
But the task will be taken over by a new government after Abe steps down.
Key words : Beijing reject criticism
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Key words : china and criticism
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200912_07/
The foreign ministers of China and Russia have said their countries should strengthen cooperation. They also implicitly criticized the United States over its response to the coronavirus pandemic and issues related to China.
Wang Yi and Sergey Lavrov issued a joint statement at a news conference after a meeting in Moscow on Friday.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry says the statement refers to the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two this year, and that the two countries fighting together in the war provided a strong impetus for developing a strategic partnership in the new era.
The statement says China and Russia support the World Health Organization in its role in the fight against the coronavirus.
In an apparent reference to the US, it urges countries to refrain from attacking other countries' political systems.
The statement also expresses opposition to interference in other countries' domestic affairs in the name of human rights, apparently a reference to US criticism of China's actions in Hong Kong and treatment of Uighurs.
US President Donald Trump has been stepping up his criticism of China in the run-up to the November presidential election.
Key words : Tokyo discount proposed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200912_06/
Japan's government is set to add Tokyo to the "Go To Travel" domestic tourism campaign on October 1. The travel discount program is aimed at boosting consumer spending.
Trips to and from Tokyo were excluded from the campaign at its launch in July due to an increase in coronavirus cases in the capital at the time.
The government proposed the shift in policy to its coronavirus subcommittee on Friday and sought advice.
Experts said the plan should be implemented on the condition that coronavirus infections in Tokyo have subsided.
Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who is also the minister in charge of the coronavirus response, said a decline in infections has become apparent in Tokyo. He said he thinks the panel has basically approved of the change.
Based on the experts' advice, the government will monitor cases and preventative measures in Tokyo through late September. At the same time, it will encourage travel agencies and hotel operators to prepare for the campaign.
The "Go To Travel" campaign offers domestic tourists discounts on travel costs and coupons that can be used at tourist sites and souvenir shops.
Key words : 226 new
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200912_13/
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 226 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Saturday.
New infections again topped 200 after a dip on Friday.
The number has remained over 100 for the fifth straight day.
The total number of infections in Tokyo has reached 22,857.
Patients in serious condition total 23 -- one fewer than on Friday.
Key words : more spectator
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Key words : panel allowed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200912_12/
The governing body of Japanese professional baseball has decided to lift the upper limit on the number of spectators allowed to attend a game to half of stadium capacity in stages, from 5,000 per game.
At an online meeting of representatives of the 12 teams on Saturday, Nippon Professional Baseball decided that the cap will be gradually eased, depending on the discretion of each team. The easing of the restriction will begin on September 19.
The move follows approval by an expert panel one day earlier of a government plan to relax the limit on the number of spectators allowed to attend large public gatherings of more than 10,000 people. The panel gave the green light to ending the cap of 5,000 people and raising the limit to half of the venue capacity.
NPB Secretary General Ihara Atsushi told a news conference that it's not that stadiums will be filled to half their capacity from next Saturday. He said that all 12 teams share the understanding that each of them will make their own decision on gradual easing while ensuring thorough anti-infection measures are in place at stadiums.
At the NPB meeting, the 12 teams confirmed that they will work in coordination with local authorities and public health centers as they raise the upper limit. They also agreed to revise their guidelines for preventive measures in accordance with the latest situation.
Key words : southwestern torrential rain
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200912_10/
Torrential rain has pummeled parts of Japan, with more downpours feared across the country.
The Meteorological Agency says atmospheric conditions remain unstable nationwide due to a front over Japan and a low pressure system to the country's south.
The agency issued a record one-hour rainfall alert in some areas across the country from Friday night through Saturday morning.
Officials in Minamiosumi Town in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima observed 30 millimeters of rain in the one-hour period through 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Localized thunderstorms may hit western Japan through Saturday night and eastern and northern Japan through Sunday. Rainfall in the 24-hour period through Sunday morning may reach 100 millimeters or more.
The Meteorological Agency is calling on people to stay on alert for mudslides, flooding, and swollen rivers, as well as lightning and gusty winds.
Key words : wildfire US west coast
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200912_08/
Wildfires raging through states on the US west coast have left at least 22 people dead.
State officials say 19 people were killed in California, two in Oregon, and one in Washington.
Fanned by dry air and strong winds, the blazes in California have scorched 1.25 million hectares. Fire officials say that's more than 25 times the area burned in the state during the same period of last year.
Smoke and ash from the fires have sharply reduced visibility in Los Angeles and elsewhere. Public health authorities are calling on people to refrain from exercising outdoors.
Officials in California say relatively cooler temperatures will continue for the next several days. But they urge residents to stay vigilant as massive wildfires in the past have broken out in September and October.
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