at 18:30 (JST), May 07

 

Asian View

"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to “Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20210507183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : government aichi stay home
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210507_10/

The Japanese government is set to extend the current state of emergency and expand the number of prefectures affected. Officials are consulting with an advisory panel about the decision. They're considering prolonging the emergency measure for Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto until the end of May.

The minister in charge of the coronavirus response, Nishimura Yasutoshi, said, "Osaka Prefecture in particular is in an extremely critical situation with hospital beds. In Tokyo, the hospital bed situation will deteriorate over the next two weeks unless the infection rate is reduced. A more transmissible variant is spreading in the capital. The situation could become similar to Osaka. We feel a strong sense of crisis."

He said it is essential to promote remote work practices as much as possible.

The current declaration affects Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo, and Kyoto.

The government plans to add Aichi and Fukuoka.

Officials are asking residents in the affected areas to stay home as much as possible. They will also ask department stores and shopping centers to shorten their operating hours rather than close altogether, in order to limit the impact on the economy.

Officials also plan to limit the number of spectators at events to 5,000. They will continue to urge bars and restaurants not to serve alcohol, and to close by 8 p.m.

The deliberations come as the number of critically-ill patients has continued to rise, surpassing 1,000 on Thursday.

Osaka's medical system is overwhelmed. Officials say, for the first time, every bed set aside for those in serious condition is full. Osaka confirmed 747 new cases on Thursday.

Tokyo's governor is similarly concerned, especially about the rise of more contagious variants. The capital reported 591 new cases on Thursday.

Key words : hong kong prison
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210506_18/

A court in Hong Kong has sentenced pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to 10 months in jail for participating in an unauthorized gathering commemorating the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989.

Thursday's sentencing by the court also saw three other activists given prison terms of four to six months for taking part in the June 4 assembly.

The four activists had pleaded guilty to the charges and were convicted by the court last Friday. Twenty other people also face charges for participating in the June 4 vigil.

Wong is already serving terms handed down over two separate charges for taking part in protest activities.

Vigils for the victims of the 1989 crackdown had been held every year in Hong Kong, even after its return from the UK to China in 1997. They had been regarded as symbolizing the freedom of assembly in Hong Kong.

But police banned the vigil for the first time last year, citing coronavirus measures.

Organizers are planning to hold the vigil again this year, but the prospects remain unclear.

The Hong Kong court has said its ruling is also a warning to prevent others from committing the same crime.

Key words : india announced
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210507_01/

The Indian government has announced a list of firms allowed to participate in domestic trials of 5G communications technology, but no Chinese companies are on the list.

The government released the roster for the six-month trial period on Tuesday.

The list includes Indian communications firms, as well as Finland's Nokia, Sweden's Ericsson, and South Korea's Samsung Electronics. But it did not mention China's Huawei Technologies and ZTE.

The government has given no reason for the decision. But Indian media say it stems from security concerns.

The Chinese Embassy in India issued a statement on Wednesday expressing "concern and regret".

It said the decision "is not conducive to the innovation and development of related Indian industries."

It adds that China "hopes that India could do more to ... provide an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory investment and business environment for market entities from all countries, including China."

Tensions between India and China have been running high. Their forces clashed in a disputed border region last year, causing fatalities on both sides. The Indian government has also banned the domestic use of dozens of apps released by Chinese companies.

Key words : tension eastchina sea Fukuda Tamotsu
#N/A