at 18:30 (JST), February 01

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/20230201183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : relationship nato
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230201_02/

Japan and NATO have agreed to take their relationship to another level. The alliance's chief, Jens Stoltenberg, met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for talks in Tokyo.

They say Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's growing competitiveness have made "a more dangerous world."

Kishida said: "With the situations in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific in mind, we've agreed we'll raise cooperation between Japan and NATO to a higher level. The goal is to maintain a free and open international order based on the rule of law, which includes the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Kishida said Japan may establish an independent delegation with NATO after speaking with Stoltenberg.
He also said his country intends to participate in the alliance's meetings on a regular basis.

Stoltenberg said their close cooperation could soon be crucial for maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific.

He said: "If President Putin wins in Ukraine, this would send a message that authoritarian regimes can achieve their goals through brute force. This is dangerous. Beijing is watching closely, and learning lessons that may influence its future decisions."

Stoltenberg also said he's concerned over the growing military challenges posed by North Korea.

Japan and NATO also pledged to cooperate on combatting cyberspace threats and disinformation.

Key words : myanmar southeast
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230201_04/

Political unrest continues in Myanmar, as Wednesday marks two years since the military overturned the democratically elected government.

The military staged a coup on February 1, 2021. It claimed there were irregularities in the general election, in which the National League for Democracy, or NLD, led by Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory.

Some pro-democracy forces have armed themselves to fight military rule, but the junta continues its crackdowns on protesters.

A human rights group in Myanmar says 2,940 people have been killed by authorities since the military takeover.

Aung San Suu Kyi was detained in the coup. She has since been sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison on charges which she denied.

Last month the junta enacted a new law on the registration of political parties that will effectively make the NLD illegal.

Military officials say they are planning an election for August this year.

But some observers say the junta may postpone the election, citing security reasons, so as to keep a grip on power.

An expert on Myanmar affairs says it is highly unlikely that the election will be held in the way the military expects.

Nakanishi Yoshihiro, associate professor at the Kyoto University's Center for Southeast Asian Studies, noted that fierce battles are still taking place in rural areas, inflicting casualties on both civilians and military personnel almost every day.

Nakanishi said it is difficult to set up polling stations across the country and ensure the safety of election officials and voters.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for member states to urge Myanmar's military leadership to respect the needs of its people.

In a statement released on Monday, the UN chief said he "condemns all forms of violence as the multidimensional crisis in Myanmar continues to deteriorate."

Referring to the military's planned election, Guterres said, "Without conditions permitting the people of Myanmar to freely exercise their political rights, the proposed polls risk exacerbating instability."

He went on to say the UN continues "to stand in solidarity" with the people of Myanmar and "to support their democratic aspirations for an inclusive, peaceful and just society."

Key words : indonesia sweden
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230131_41/

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Indonesian capital on Monday to protest the burning of a copy of the Quran by a right-wing politician in Sweden.

The protesters assembled in front of the Swedish embassy in Jakarta where they set fire to the Swedish flag. They called on the Indonesian government to sever ties with Sweden and to boycott all things from the country.

The rally came after the leader of a Danish far-right political party, Rasmus Paludan, burned a Quran in January in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

This angered Muslims around the world and sparked mass protests, including in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.
The Indonesian government has strongly condemned the burning of the holy book. Last week, it summoned the Swedish Ambassador to the country, Marina Berg.

Key words : 17-year kawasaki peace prize
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/2188/

Kawasaki Rena has made history as the first Japanese recipient of the International Children's Peace Prize. The 17-year-old was recognized for giving young people in her country a political voice. She joins a list of past winners that includes Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg, and appears destined to become just as influential as those two acclaimed activists.
The Amsterdam-based organization KidsRights awards the International Children's Peace Prize annually to a child who has fought for the rights of other children. Kawasaki Rena was chosen in 2022 from 175 candidates.