at 18:30 (JST), May 20

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/20220520183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : biden new president took office
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220520_N02/

US President Joe Biden set off on Thursday on a trip to South Korea and Japan. He's making his first visit to the countries since he took office last year.

The President wants to demonstrate the US commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. His aides said the visit comes at a "pivotal moment."

Biden will meet on Saturday with the new President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol. They'll address their concerns about North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

The President will head on to Tokyo. He'll meet on Monday with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

On Tuesday, Biden and Kishida will join the prime ministers of India and Australia in a summit of a group known as the Quad. They want to develop quality infrastructure and critical technology in the region.

Biden is expected to announce the launch of an agreement called the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
US officials hope to develop approaches that meet high labor and environmental standards.

Chinese leaders have questioned their motives. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the development of relations between the US and Japan should not harm the interests of third parties.

US officials have said they want to set the rules of the digital economy and ensure that supply chains are secure and resilient.

Key words : pledged 2.1 million
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220520_02/

Japan has pledged about 2.1 million dollars to support efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency to help ensure the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa met IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Tokyo on Thursday.

In a joint news conference after the talks, Hayashi said Russian attacks on Ukrainian sites, including nuclear facilities, are totally unacceptable and outrageous.

He said he respects Grossi's efforts to ensure nuclear security and the safety of nuclear facilities.

Hayashi said the fund will be used to help the IAEA send experts and provide equipment to Ukraine.

Grossi voiced gratitude to Japan for supporting efforts to prevent nuclear accidents.

Russian forces occupied the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in northern Ukraine for more than one month from late February. They attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the country's southeast and another nuclear facility in the east in early March.

Key words : nobel peace sworn second time
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220520_08/

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta has been sworn in for a second time as president of Timor-Leste.

Ramos-Horta took the oath of office in the capital, Dili, on Thursday.

The new president delivered his inauguration address in Tetum and Portuguese, the country's official languages, and English.

He said Timor-Leste's economy has worsened over the past two years due to coronavirus restrictions. He stressed the need to eliminate malnutrition and reduce poverty.

He said the country is a fragile democracy, and added that his top priority as president is to protect young people seeking democracy.

His inauguration comes on the eve of the 20th anniversary of Timor-Leste's independence. The country, also known as East Timor, was under Portuguese and Indonesian control for more than 400 years. Ramos-Horta was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as one of the leaders of the independence movement.

A ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of independence is scheduled for Friday under the new president.

Key words : 50th anniversary akemi johnson
#N/A