at 18:30 (JST), May 24

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/20220524183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : agenda and india stronger
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220524_24/

Leaders of the group of countries known as the Quad -- Japan, the United States, Australia and India -- have met for a summit to discuss a range of issues.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio was the host of the talks. He said recent events have underlined the importance of international cooperation to maintain peace and stability.

"Russia's aggression in Ukraine is a direct challenge to the principles of the United Nations," said Kishida. "We must not let the same situation happen in the Indo-Pacific region."

US President Joe Biden outlined some of the challenges facing the Quad countries.
Biden said, "Fundamental principles of international order, territorial integrity and sovereignty, international law, human rights must always be defended, regardless of where they're violated in the world. So the Quad had a lot of work ahead of us."

Tuesday's summit also included the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, as well as Australia's new leader, Anthony Albanese.

Both affirmed their commitment to what the group of four countries stands for.

Albanese said, "The new Australian government's priorities align with the Quad agenda. Taking action on climate change and building a stronger and more resilient Indo-Pacific region through better economic security, better cyber security, better energy security, and better environmental and health security."

Modi said, "The Quad has become an effective group because of our determination, and the strength of our democracies. We are now making progress toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the cooperation of all countries."

The leaders are expected to have talked about their commitment to the rule of law, with an eye on China's growing assertiveness.

North Korea's missile program, which has ramped up testing in recent months, is also expected to have been on the agenda.

Key words : china reacted
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220523_36/

China has reacted sharply to US President Joe Biden's remarks signaling a willingness to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday that China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to the remarks.

Wang said Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory and an internal affair of China's. He added no external interference will be tolerated.

The spokesperson stressed that Beijing will take resolute actions to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests. He said China urges Washington to be cautious in word and deed on the Taiwan issue, and refrain from sending what he called wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces.

Wang also referred to remarks made during the joint news conference after the Japan-US summit. The two countries mentioned China by name in declaring their strong opposition to any attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China seas.

The spokesperson said China strongly objects to Japan and the US tarnishing China's image by creating a stir over the issue, and interfering in its internal affairs.

He also said the so-called threat and deterrence policy of the US has already thrown Europe into confusion, and it should not be allowed to bring harm to the Asia-Pacific region.

Key words : Biden relatives
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220523_35/

The relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago spoke to reporters following their meeting with US President Joe Biden on Monday.

Members of the group met privately with Biden for about half an hour at the State Guest House in Tokyo on Monday.

Among those that spoke to reporters after the meeting were the head of the families' group, Yokota Takuya, whose sister Megumi was abducted in 1977, and their 86-year old mother, Sakie.

They said that at the start of the meeting, Biden kneeled next to Sakie, who was seated, before speaking to her.

Biden asked if he could give her a hug and the two embraced.

Biden has lost two children. He reportedly pulled out a photo of his late eldest son, telling them of the anguish of having to part with members of the family.

Participants said Biden spoke with all the members of the group.

Sakie said Biden told the group he understood their feelings and empathized with them.

Sakie added the US president kneeled while he talked to her, which so surprised her that she stood up.

She also noted that next year, she will be the same age as her late husband when he passed away. She said she wants to see Megumi, even if only for a moment, and that she wants to realize the return of all the abductees to Japan.

Key words : un high visit no journalist
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220524_05/

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has arrived in China to tour the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in what is the first visit by a UN human rights chief to the country since 2005.

Bachelet is scheduled to visit Urumqi, the central city of the Xinjiang region, and Kashgar in southern Xinjiang during her six-day trip.

Her visit comes amid concerns among Western nations about alleged forced labor and other violations targeting the ethnic Uyghur people in Xinjiang. The Chinese government has consistently denied allegations of abuse.

On Monday, Bachelet met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, before kicking off her tour.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, or OHCHR, posted a photo of their meeting on its Twitter account. The message reads, "We will be discussing sensitive, important human rights issues, and I hope this will help us work together to advance human rights in China and globally."

China's foreign ministry revealed on its website that the meeting took place.

The ministry said Wang told Bachelet that Beijing has always made it a fundamental responsibility to safeguard the human rights of ethnic minorities.

Wang also said mutual respect should be practiced when it comes to promoting human rights globally, and that such issues should not be politicized.

Wang added that on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment, China is willing to work constructively with the OHCHR.

No journalists will accompany Bachelet on her visit to the Xinjiang region. Officials say Bachelet will hold a news conference after the trip.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said her visit would be conducted in a "closed-loop" manner designed to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.

Key words : former thailand
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220523_45/

In Thailand, a former minister ousted in the military coup eight years ago has won by a landslide in Bangkok's gubernatorial election. The ex-governor, appointed by the prime minister, came fifth in Sunday's vote.

Chadchart Sittipunt won more than 1.3 million votes, or over 50 percent of ballots cast.
He served as transport minister during the administration led by Yingluck Shinawatra -- a sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The election was the first gubernatorial vote since the coup staged by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, formerly chief of the army.

Sunday marked the eighth anniversary of the military takeover. Chadchart said it was a meaningful day for him.
Thirty candidates stood in the election, including former Governor Aswin Kwanmuang, who ran as an independent after resigning in March.

Pundits say the result reflects the government's unpopularity.

Chadchart getting half the votes shows Thailand's political division is waning. He won broad support -- not only from the pro-Thaksin camp. The result is seen as a bellwether for the general election expected to be held by next March, when the government's term expires.

Key words : indonesia export
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220523_23/

Indonesia lifted its export ban on palm oil on Monday.

Indonesia accounts for almost 60 percent of global palm oil production. But in late April, the country imposed the export ban to secure domestic supplies.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, prices for palm and other cooking oil rose due to concerns over the supply of sunflower oil. Ukraine is a major sunflower oil producer.

Indonesia decided to lift its palm oil export ban, saying it expects the oil's supply to be stable and its prices to fall. Officials also say they want to curb the negative impact of the ban on 17 million jobs in the palm oil industry.

Palm oil is used not only in food but also in other products, including cosmetics. Last year, about one-third of palm oil shipped to Japan came from Indonesia.

Many eyes are on whether Indonesia's move will ease upward pressure on palm and other cooking oil prices around the world.

In Indonesia, cooking oil costs up to 70 percent more than a year ago even after the country introduced the palm oil export ban.

A vendor of deep-fried food in Jakarta says cooking oil still costs a lot. He says he wants the prices to fall so that he can do his business more easily.

Key words : 24 investment
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220524_18/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is expected to reveal that Japanese manufacturers will make investments in India worth 120 billion yen. He reportedly plans to announce the figure when he meets counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Quad summit on Tuesday.

The investments, the equivalent of around 940 million dollars, will come from 24 manufacturers.

More than half of the figure will come from 14 auto parts makers. Six air-conditioning makers will spend more than 100 million dollars.
The other four include makers of medical equipment and electronics parts.

Kishida said back in March that he wanted to see 40 billion dollars' worth of Japanese private sector investment in India over the next five years.

Suzuki Motor has already announced investments worth 1.2 billion dollars. Toyota Motor has pledged to spend more than 625 million dollars.