at 18:30 (JST), December 12

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/20221212183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : top officials GSDF
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221211_15/

Top officials from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, the US Army Pacific and the Philippine Army have said they will work together to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Senior Philippine military officials observed some of the joint drills held by the GSDF and the US military in camps in various parts of Japan. The exercises assumed a scenario of defending remote islands.

The leaders met on Sunday in the first three-way meeting at Camp Asaka, which straddles Tokyo and its northern neighbor Saitama Prefecture.

During the news conference that followed, GSDF Chief of Staff Yoshida Yoshihide said strengthening the relationships among the three countries will become a big force against any attempts to change the region's status quo by force, and will help maintain international order based on the rule of law.

General Charles Flynn, the commander of the US Army Pacific, said joint training and preparation by multiple allies was needed under the current security environment.

The Philippine Army's Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the three countries will further deepen their cooperation to deal with immediate challenges and issues.

Japan and the Philippines have been strengthening their defense ties. The two countries held foreign and defense ministerial talks in April, and Japan's Air Self-Defense Force sent its fighter jets to the Philippines for the first time since World War Two on Tuesday.

Key words : nuclear disarmament review conference
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221211_17/

An international forum launched by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has held two days of talks on nuclear disarmament in the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima.

Delegates from both nuclear powers and non-nuclear states took part in the first meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons.

The delegates visited the Peace Memorial Museum on Sunday.

Kishida attended the closing session and called on the participants to try to bring about a world without nuclear weapons.

He said Japan hopes to deepen discussions to send a strong message toward a world without nuclear weapons at next year's Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima.

The forum was chaired by Shiraishi Takashi, an expert in international politics. He said various issues were discussed at the meeting, including the reasons why nuclear disarmament hasn't gained momentum.

Denuclearization initiatives have stalled recently. Delegates at the nuclear non-proliferation treaty review conference in August failed to reach a broad consensus or adopt a joint document.

Key words : zero-covid local media
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221212_01/

People in China remain cautious about coronavirus infection even after the government eased its harsh "zero-COVID" policy last week.

Local media say the average number of ambulance requests in Beijing has recently jumped six fold. Local authorities are also urging asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms to refrain from calling for an ambulance.

In central Beijing on Sunday, few pedestrians or cars were visible, a possible indication of how reluctant people are to go out due to fear of becoming infected.

Authorities are rushing to allay concerns over the risk of infection, which was promoted by the "zero-COVID" policy.

China's state-run media cited an interview with prominent infectious disease expert Zhong Nanshan, who stressed that roughly 99 percent of those infected with the Omicron variant would fully recover within seven days.

Key words : passed a bill support
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221209_02/

Japan's Lower House has passed a bill that would regulate religious donations, including those to the group formerly known as the Unification Church.

The move comes after months of public pressure to address allegations against the group.

The new law would ban religious entities from stirring anxiety to solicit donations, and implying followers have a spiritual obligation to give.

Violators could face up to one year in prison, or be fined up to 7,300 dollars.

The law would also require groups to consider if their practices impact people's free will, or their ability to support themselves.

And it would allow authorities to reveal the names of entities that don't follow the rules.

The bill is expected to be enacted on Saturday after a vote in the Upper House.

Constitutional Democratic Party lawmaker Ishibashi Michihiro said, "We should feel a grave responsibility for allowing horrible human rights violations, and must design a truly effective legal system as soon as possible."

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "We'll continue trying to widely share the interpretation of the law, and to enhance its effectiveness. We'll also carefully respond to feedback about it."

A woman who goes by the pseudonym Ogawa Sayuri and whose parents are followers of the former Unification Church says she's grateful that the ruling and opposition parties worked together to pass the bill.

She says, "There are still many issues that need to be resolved. I hope victims like myself will not be forgotten."

Kishida has faced significant scrutiny over the group's ties to his party's lawmakers.

His cabinet's approval rating has fallen sharply since the links were revealed.

Key words : products from taiwan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221211_12/

Chinese customs have temporarily halted imports of squid, Pacific saury, beer and other products from Taiwan.

The affected items account for more than 70 percent of Taiwanese food and beverage products registered with China's customs authorities.

Taiwanese authorities said on Thursday that Chinese customs halted seafood imports. The measure was extended to Taiwanese beer and soft drinks the following day.

China blocked imports of about 2,400 Taiwanese products as of Saturday.

Chinese customs authorities implemented a new rule in April 2021 requiring foreign food companies to register information again on their locations and products.

The deadline for Taiwanese companies was set earlier than for others. Taiwanese authorities claimed that the procedures lacked transparency, and that Taiwan was being treated unfairly.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tweeted on Saturday that "the PRC is banning some products from Taiwan again, including our beer." He said the move was, "Economic coercion of course," and included a picture of himself holding two cans of Taiwanese beer.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said the affected Taiwanese companies had not properly registered, and that Taiwan should "stop any political manipulation."

Key words : japan and vietnam
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221210_14/

An opera is currently being jointly produced by Japan and Vietnam to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The opera, titled "Princess Anio," is based on a true love story involving a Japanese man and a Vietnamese princess about 400 years ago.

Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro met the princess while visiting Vietnam on a trade mission. The couple married and returned to Nagasaki in southwestern Japan where she was known as Princess Anio.

Japanese opera singer Oyama Daisuke wrote the story and Japanese lyrics for the performance, while Ha Quang Minh wrote the Vietnamese lyrics. Vietnamese composer Tran Manh Hung composed the music.

Organizers held an event on Friday at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Hanoi to introduce the opera and the actors.

Japan's Ambassador Yamada Takio said the real-life couple represented an equal partnership, adding that it is what the two countries are hoping for in their bilateral relations in the future.

Vietnamese Standing Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu noted that 2023 will be a special year for Japan and Vietnam and he hopes the opera will lead to a further deepening of political, economic and human relations between the two countries.

The singer who will play the lead role of Princess Anio then performed a song in which the princess expresses how much she misses her homeland.

The opera will be staged in Hanoi in September 2023.

Key words : ukraine ballet
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221212_05/

Ukraine's national ballet company has appointed a Japanese instructor, Terada Nobuhiro, to its top post of artistic director.

It is one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the former Soviet Union. He is the first Japanese to assume the post.

The Kyoto native built his career as a ballet dancer after he arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in 1987 as a student.

Last year, Terada was appointed as assistant artistic director of the Kyiv Ballet, the predecessor of the National Ukrainian Ballet.

Many of the company's dancers have fled Ukraine since Russia's invasion began in February. Terada has helped them to settle in other countries.

Terada told NHK that he is tasked with preserving Ukraine's art and building a new era while cherishing its culture and history.

The National Ukrainian Ballet is scheduled to arrive in Japan on December 17 to give performances across the country.

Terada said he is grateful for the opportunity, and hoped that Japanese fans will have a brilliant experience.