at 18:30 (JST), December 29

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/20211229183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : officials in japan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211228_19/

Officials in Japan are sounding the alarm about the coronavirus as the nation prepares to see off one year and welcome another. Their calls for caution come as more cases of the Omicron variant are confirmed in airports and communities.

Trains and planes are crowded with people returning to their hometowns for the New Year holidays. Tuesday saw many central and local government officials wrap up their work for the year. But Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko says now is not the time to get complacent.

She said," We must be aware that community infections of the Omicron variant could occur at an accelerated pace due to people's movements during the holiday. An explosive spread is possible."

Community transmission of the variant has been detected in 7 prefectures. They include the capital and Okinawa. The first cluster infection was confirmed on Tuesday in Osaka at a care facility for elders. Experts warn a rapid spread could put the medical system under strain, despite global reports suggesting the variant may be less prone to causing severe symptoms.

The government is currently rolling out booster vaccines to medical workers. Elderly people are the next priority group. Officials plan to allow for a shorter minimum period between the second and third shots than the current 7 months.

Authorities across Japan confirmed 385 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday. A record 69 were at airport quarantine facilities. The seven-day average through Monday is 51 percent higher than the previous week.

Key words : india has approved
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211229_01/

India has approved US drug maker Merck's antiviral drug for emergency use to treat coronavirus patients.

Health minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted on Tuesday that molnupiravir will be "manufactured in the country by 13 companies for restricted use under emergency situation" for high-risk adult patients.

Merck says clinical tests show that the pill can cut the risk of hospitalization by 30 percent among high-risk adults if administered within five days of the onset of symptoms.

India's approval comes after the US Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency-use authorization for the drug on Thursday.

Japan's health ministry also approved the pill on Friday as the first oral coronavirus drug in the country.

Along with molnupiravir, India approved two homegrown coronavirus vaccines for emergency use.

India's daily case counts exceeded 400,000 during the second wave of the outbreak that began in April.

The government is stressing that medical services are well prepared in a bid to ease public concerns over a possible third wave.

Key words : join hotline
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211229_02/

Japan says it will join the defense hotlines set up among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Japanese Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo made the announcement during a video conference with Brunei's second defense minister Pehin Halbi on Tuesday.

Kishi conveyed Japan's intention of making an active contribution to regional peace and stability.

The Defense Ministry says Japan is the second non-ASEAN member after Australia to join the hotlines.

The two ministers reaffirmed that their countries will speed up arrangements to sign a memorandum for bilateral defense cooperation.

Kishi and Pehin Halbi also agreed on boosting ties through joint defense exercises.

On regional issues, Kishi stressed the need to oppose attempts to unilaterally change the status quo, apparently referring to China's increasing maritime activities.

He also indicated that North Korea's ballistic missile launches are in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and pose a serious challenge to the international community.

Key words : Kodo Nishimura
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2058796/

Kodo Nishimura blends his duties as a Buddhist monk with work as a makeup artist. He speaks from experience about overcoming adversity, being true to yourself, and what it means to be different.