at 18:30 (JST), February 03

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/20230203183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : micronesia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230203_01/

The leaders of Japan and Micronesia have agreed to closely cooperate to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region, against the backdrop of China's growing influence on Pacific island nations.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met President David Panuelo in Tokyo on Thursday.

They emphasized that countries sharing basic values, including democracy and the rule of law, should unite as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other circumstances shake the international order.

The leaders also shared the recognition that any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force must not be tolerated anywhere in the world.

Kishida said at a joint news conference after the talks that Japan and Micronesia are friends with more than 100 years of historical ties. He added that Japan will maintain its strong support to help Micronesia continue to develop.

According to the joint statement, Kishida explained the Japanese government's plan to release treated water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea. He said the discharge of the treated water will be conducted while ensuring no harm to the environment and human health, in a transparent manner in accordance with domestic and international safety standards.

Panuelo said Japan's briefings on the treatment system were "transparent" and added that Micronesia "is no longer as fearful or concerned as previously related at the United Nations General Assembly."

The Fukushima Daiichi power plant in northeastern Japan suffered a triple meltdown after the massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

Water used to cool molten nuclear fuel at the plant mixes with groundwater and rainwater that flows into the damaged reactor buildings. The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, is treating the water by filtering out most of the radioactive substances. But the treated water still contains radioactive tritium.

The treated water will be released after it is diluted so that its tritium concentration is below an acceptable level according to national regulations.

Key words : sony
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230202_32/

Sony Group has appointed Totoki Hiroki as its new president. It will be the first such change in five years.

The company made the decision at a board meeting on Thursday. It will take effect on April 1. Totoki will serve as the company's chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

At the news conference, Totoki said that with their diversity, he hopes the group will keep evolving and growing so customers choose them. He said that the growth will energize their employees and attract talented people, which will eventually raise their corporate value and they can contribute to society. He added that he wants to create such a "positive spiral".

Totoki, who is 58-years old, joined Sony in 1987 and became representative director of Sony Bank in 2002.

He went on to lead Sony's telecommunications and smartphone businesses before becoming the company's current executive deputy president and CFO.

President Yoshida Kenichiro will continue to serve as chairman and CEO with representative authority.

Sony Group has been strengthening its game and entertainment business while advancing into the field of electric vehicles in partnership with Honda Motor.

It aims to further boost its group strategy under the new leadership.

Key words : traditional kyoto
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230202_30/

In Kyoto, geisha apprentices called maiko have taken part in a traditional bean-throwing ceremony for the first time in three years.

The ritual is performed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck on Setsubun, the last day of winter on the Japanese traditional calendar that usually falls on February 3.

Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto City holds the two-day ceremony annually, from the eve of Setsubun. But the event was cancelled for the past two years due to the coronavirus.

On Thursday, maiko from the city's Pontocho entertainment district performed traditional dancing on a stage of the shrine.

They then tossed white bags of beans from the stage.
Onlookers tried to catch the beans, which are believed to bring good luck.

A Japanese visitor said she wants to make 2023 a happy year and start traveling again, as she expects antivirus restrictions to be further eased soon.

A woman from Dubai said she's visiting Japan for the fifth time, as she loves the country. She also said she got a bag of beans, and hopes to get married this year.

Key words : myanmar two years 3,000 people
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