at 18:30 (JST), December 28

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/20221228183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : border control from china all travelers from
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221227_17/

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has announced that emergency border controls will be imposed on travelers from China due to the reported surge in the number of new coronavirus cases in the country.

Kishida announced the measures at the prime minister's office on Tuesday. He said the new border controls will be introduced from Friday.

All travelers from mainland China and people who have been there within the past seven days will be tested for COVID upon arrival in Japan. If they test positive, their samples will be sent to genomic analyses and they will be required to stay at quarantine facilities for seven days in principle.

Increases in the number of flights between Japan and China will also be limited.

Kishida said grasping the situation is a challenge as there are reports of a spike in new cases in China, but there are big differences between information from the central and local governments, as well as differences in information from Beijing and the private sector.

He said the situation has raised concerns in Japan. He said, given such factors, he decided to introduce the temporary, emergency measures.

The prime minister said his government will require COVID tests upon arrival and limit airports that will accept travelers from China to prevent a surge in the number of arrivals.

He said his government will do all it can to make sure the international flow of people is not halted, as well as respond flexibly while monitoring the situation in China.

He added the new measures will not affect the government's policy of cautiously and steadily shifting to coexistence with COVID while giving thorough consideration to the infection situation in Japan.

Key words : taiwan extending ukraine
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221227_29/

Taiwan will extend its mandatory military conscription period to one year from the current four months, apparently due to China's mounting military pressure.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced the decision at a news conference after convening a national security meeting on Tuesday.

All men over 18 in Taiwan are required to serve in the military. The longer term will start in 2024, and apply to men born after January 1, 2005.

Extending the conscription period had been a topic of discussion in Taiwan. The idea has also been backed by officials in the United States, which is Taiwan's largest defense supporter.

Calls for the extension intensified after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.

At the news conference, Tsai said the current four-month conscription period does not meet Taiwan's military needs. She added that Taiwan will be able to gain international support only after beefing up its defense.

Tsai also suggested that the better Taiwan is prepared, the less likely it is that China will do something reckless.

She called for the understanding of younger people, saying that they would not have to go to the battlefield as long as Taiwan is strong enough.

Key words : former south
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221227_19/

The South Korean government has granted a special presidential pardon to former President Lee Myung-bak, effective on Wednesday. He was serving a 17-year prison sentence for corruption.

The government on Tuesday granted pardons to more than 1,300 individuals, including Lee, who led a conservative government for five years until 2013.

President Yoon Suk-yeol said during a Cabinet meeting that he hoped the pardons will serve to unite the country.

The ruling party's lawmakers praised the president's decision and the goal of national unity. But the opposition camp criticized the move, saying it would revive corrupt forces.

Lee was convicted of charges including taking bribes from Samsung Electronics, the core of Samsung Group, South Korea's largest conglomerate. Lee was temporarily released from jail in June this year after his term was suspended due to health reasons. He is 81 years old.

Lee is the fourth former South Korean president to be pardoned. Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo received pardons in 1997, followed by Park Geun-hye in 2021.

Key words : rapidly surging china
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