at 18:30 (JST), February 06

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/20230206183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : prime minister fired outrageous
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230205_03/

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has fired one of his secretaries for making derogatory remarks about same-sex couples. Observers say the issue will be another blow to his administration.

Arai Masayoshi told reporters on Friday that he despises same-sex couples. He later retracted the comment and apologized.

But Kishida dismissed him on Saturday, calling Arai's remarks "outrageous" and incompatible with his administration's policy.

The prime minister said undue discrimination and prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity cannot be allowed.

Hoping to minimize the influence of Arai's dismissal, Kishida is expected to explain at the Diet that his government will continue to respect diversity, and aims to bring about a comprehensive society.

The Diet affairs chief of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, Azumi Jun, described Arai's remarks as extremely discriminatory.

He criticized Kishida for lacking the ability to judge appointees, mentioning the dismissal of multiple Cabinet ministers last year, and recent problems caused by his secretaries.

The opposition parties are expected to question the Cabinet's stance on sexual minorities such as LGBTQ. They will also call on Kishida to take responsibility for the appointment of unfit officials.

Key words : arai told all of Friday
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230204_08/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says he is considering replacing one of his secretaries for making controversial remarks. Arai Masayoshi said on Friday that he despises same-sex couples.

Kishida said on Saturday, " His remarks are totally incompatible with the government's policy. They're outrageous. I think he has no choice but to think about whether to resign."

Kisihda added that his administration is aiming to realize a diverse society.

Arai has been one of Kishida's secretaries since October 2021.

Arai told reporters on Friday that all of Kishida's secretaries are negative about same-sex marriage.

He also said he would not want a same-sex couple living next door to him. He also suggested some people may leave Japan if the government legalizes same-sex marriage. But at the same time Arai said he respects the human rights and values of same-sex couples.

Later in the day, he told reporters he wanted to withdraw the remarks if they caused misunderstanding. Arai also revealed he had not asked his colleagues for their opinions on the issue.

Arai's controversial remarks come after Kishida said in the Diet that lawmakers should carefully consider whether to legally recognize same-sex marriage.

Key words : china oversea 20 countries
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230206_03/

China has resumed outbound group tours to selected countries for the first time in three years, prompting many travel lovers to immediately end their break from foreign trips.

The government had banned domestic travel agents from selling overseas travel packages since January 2020 after the coronavirus had first spread in China.

The ban was partially lifted on Monday. But destinations are limited to 20 countries, such as Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates.

At an airport in Guangzhou in the southern province of Guangdong, employees from local travel agents saw off customers preparing to fly soon after midnight.

A man in his 60s, who is on a tour to Egypt, regretted a three-year break from foreign travel, and expressed his readiness to splurge during the trip.

Chinese travel agents have boosted their efforts to sell outbound group tours following the government decision. One agency in Guangdong says all the tours it offered are fully booked.

There are also said to be many inquiries coming in on tours to countries for which the ban is yet to be lifted, such as Japan and South Korea.

Key words : japanese musician
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230206_10/

Japanese musician Masa Takumi, or Takumi Masanori, has won this year's Grammy for Best Global Music Album.

The composer and arranger wore a black jacket with cherry blossom embroidery to accept the prize for his album, "Sakura," at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday. "Sakura" is the Japanese word for cherry blossoms.

Takumi told reporters he hadn't expected to win such a prestigious award, and he will take time to savor the experience. He said he believes his album won high marks because he tried to fuse American sounds with Japanese instruments so that people in both countries will listen to it.

The Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album went to Snarky Puppy's "Empire Central." Japanese percussionist Ogawa Keita is a member of the band.

Key words : southeast asian national dialogue
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230204_16/

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have discussed the ongoing turmoil in Myanmar and agreed to work to realize what they call "an inclusive national dialogue" in the country.

Their meeting took place in Jakarta on Saturday. All the ASEAN member nations except Myanmar took part.

Indonesia reiterated the importance of Myanmar's implementation of the Five-Point Consensus agreed upon in 2021. The peace plan calls for an immediate halt to violence and sending a special envoy to mediate dialogue.

A press statement said that inclusive national dialogue involving all stakeholders is key to finding a peaceful resolution.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi later told reporters that the member states showed strong solidarity in wanting to implement the Five-Point Consensus.

In Myanmar, fighting between the military and pro-democracy groups has continued since a military coup in 2021.

Among the ASEAN nations, Indonesia and Singapore have taken a hard line against Myanmar, while Thailand and Laos have been more conciliatory.

Key words : pakistan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230205_15/

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who aided the US fight against terrorism after the September 11 attacks, has died. He was 79 years old.

Pakistan's state media and other sources say Musharraf died on Sunday at a hospital in Dubai.

In 1999, Musharraf seized power from then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He became Pakistan's president in 2001.

Musharraf provided full support to the US in what it called the war on terror. He cracked down on Al-Qaeda militants and Islamic extremist groups in Pakistan.

But his heavy-handed political stance and the deterioration in the security situation led to his government's loss in the 2008 general election. He stepped down as president as calls for his impeachment grew.

Musharraf later faced treason charges. He spent years in self-imposed exile abroad, citing the need for medical treatment.

Key words : japan border control third
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230205_01/

The number of airline passengers using Japan's Narita Airport has increased nearly threefold over a year, largely owing to the relaxation of border controls in October.

But the figure is only about one-third of the pre-pandemic level as the number of passengers from China has not recovered.

The airport operating company says that in 2022, 15.42 million passengers used Narita Airport east of Tokyo. The overall number was more than 10 million, up 2.9 times the previous year.

The number of international passengers was 9.03 million, 4.7 times more than the year before. The 2021 number was the lowest since the airport began operating in May 1978.

The figure for domestic flight passengers was 6.38 million, 1.9 times that in 2021.

Increased border controls have kept the number of passengers from China low.

The president of Narita International Airport Corporation, Tamura Akihiko, said visitors from China are the key for the recovery of the number of passengers.

He added that his company will work to maintain sufficient services, even if the number suddenly rebounds.

Key words : snow festival
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230204_11/

A famed snow festival in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo, Hokkaido, opened on Saturday and is attracting large crowds. The event had been held online for the past two years due to the coronavirus.

The festival features five gigantic snow sculptures over 10 meters tall.

One depicts the new stadium of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters pro baseball team and manager Shinjo Tsuyoshi. The stadium will open in March.

Another shows a thoroughbred horse, as Hokkaido is known for its breeding stables.

The festival also features about 100 other snow sculptures.
The festival organizers are taking measures against COVID-19, such as making the footpaths at the site one-way.

A Japanese woman there with her family said she is glad the festival is back on this year.

A man from the United States said he came because he heard it is the largest snow festival in Japan. He called the snow sculptures "amazing."

The festival runs until February 11.