at 18:30 (JST), February 21

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/20230221183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : emergency meeting past few days
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230221_20/

The United Nations Security Council has held an emergency meeting about North Korea's latest ballistic missile launches. Most of the member nations are standing united, but Russia and China continue to block any strong response.

Pyongyang has launched at least three ballistic missiles over the past few days. The two short-range ballistic missiles fired on Monday were the latest. On Saturday, a launched ICBM fell into waters within Japan's exclusive economic zone.

During Monday's emergency meeting, member nations criticized North Korea for launching the missiles in violation of Security Council resolutions.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, "The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the DPRK's February 18 and February 19 launches of three ballistic missiles."

She also said, "Those who shield the DPRK from the consequences of its escalatory missile tests put the Asian region and entire world at risk of conflict."

China and Russia have divided the Security Council by blocking attempts to expand the sanctions against Pyongyang. They have instead accused the US of heightening tensions around the Korean Peninsula.

Eleven countries issued a joint statement. Security Council members Japan, the US and Britain were among the eleven. The statement notes that North Korea has been emboldened by the Council's silence. It stresses that the members must act now.

Japan's ambassador Ishikane Kimihiro echoed those strong concerns. Ishikane said, "A considerable number of Security Council members have mentioned the need for a unified message on North Korea."

Ishikane added that Japan's delegation will do its utmost to enable the Security Council to send a unified message.

Key words : south impose sanctions
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230220_24/

South Korea has imposed new sanctions of its own against four individuals and five entities of North Korea over a recent series of ballistic missile launches.

The South Korean government announced the sanctions on Monday just after the North fired off two short-range ballistic missiles.

Pyongyang also launched its Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan on Saturday.

South Korea says the four individuals were involved in evading the UN Security Council sanctions against the North. It says the five entities include trading and shipping firms linked to North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs through coal exports.

Seoul says the sanctions were imposed in the shortest time after North Korea's provocations. It says it will continue efforts to cut off funds flowing into the North.

The latest sanctions against the North are the fourth imposed independently under the administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Earlier on February 10, Seoul announced its own sanctions on North Korean individuals and organizations said to be involved in cyberattacks.

Key words : matsumoto father told him
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230220_43/

A Japanese author renowned for his cosmic epics has died. Matsumoto Leiji created "Galaxy Express 999 " and "Space Battleship Yamato" --- manga and anime that popularized the space genre.

The smash-hit titles also made it to the silver screen, delighting audiences the world over. He earned prestigious honors from both the Japanese and French governments. Matsumoto's signature drawing style was characterized by his meticulous attention to detail.

He relied on extensive research and his own family's history. Many of Matsumoto's works were influenced by stories his father told him about life as a pilot in the now-defunct Imperial Japanese Army.

He said, "My father told me his eyes met those of an American pilot, who he thought might have family and children. But he had to be a devil and shoot down the enemy plane."

Matsumoto was also known for his works of historical fiction. He said he spent half a century trying to depict the foolishness of war, stressing the importance of life.

He said "My hope, dream or wish is that someday there will be no more war."

Matsumoto died in a Tokyo hospital from heart failure. He was 85 years old.

Key words : india major buyer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230220_39/

India has become a major buyer of Russian oil as Western countries shy away following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Indian government data show the country imported nearly 35 million tons of crude in 2022. That's more than seven times the previous year's amount.

India bought around 400,000 tons in March, right after the invasion. But the figure jumped to some 5.5 million tons in December.

Iraq and Saudi Arabia have been India's largest oil suppliers. But from September to December, Russia held the top position.

Western countries have strengthened sanctions on Russian oil to choke off a key source of revenue for Moscow. But analysts point out China and India have exploited the situation by buying Russian energy at a discount.

India's foreign minister says the government should prioritize the domestic economy, arguing its consumers need the best possible access to the international market.

The country's economy has been hit hard by inflation and a weakening rupee as the US and European countries continue hiking interest rates.

Key words : museum in tokyo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230220_23/

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko have visited a museum in Tokyo to see an exhibition of materials related to Japanese nationals who were interned in Siberia and elsewhere after World War Two.

They arrived at the Memorial Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Postwar Repatriates in Shinjuku Ward on Monday and stayed for about an hour.

According to the health and welfare ministry, more than 54,000 Japanese soldiers and civilians died in detention camps in Siberia and elsewhere run by the former Soviet Union.

The latest displays feature postcards the internees sent to their families in Japan, as well as tools they were using while in the camps.

The Emperor Emeritus, along with the Empress Emerita, offered prayers for the war dead before his abdication in 2019. They visited Okinawa, the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were hit with atomic bombs, and the Pacific island of Saipan, the site of a fierce battle.

Key words : flying car
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230221_30/

Organizers of the World Expo 2025 in western Japan have announced the names of businesses picked to operate flying car shuttle services during the event.

The flying cars are operated using drone technology.
They are electrically powered and take off and land vertically.

The vehicles' developers are aiming to put them into commercial service at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition has been recruiting operators of flying car shuttles for the route between the Expo venue and Kansai International Airport, and between the venue and central Osaka.

The four corporate groups chosen in the first round were announced on Tuesday.

Japan's ANA Holdings was selected along with the US venture firm Joby Aviation, which will develop the vehicle's body.

Another pick, Japan Airlines, will use a vehicle developed by Germany's Volocopter.

Major Japanese trading house Marubeni plans to use a vehicle made by Britain's Vertical Aerospace, while the Japanese venture firm SkyDrive will use its own product.

The association's Secretary General Ishige Hiroyuki described flying cars as mobility of the future, which would enable people to fly safely and freely as a part of everyday life.

He expressed the hope of realizing a once-in-a-century air travel revolution at the expo.

Key words : red-crowned crane
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230220_07/

A couple has held a wedding in front of red-crowned cranes in the northern Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido as the bird stays with the same mate for life.

The ceremony took place at an observation site of wild cranes in Kushiro City. Last year marked 70 years since the red-crowned crane was designated as a special natural monument of Japan.

The groom was 36-year-old Iwai Takeo, and the bride was 26-year-old Ishikawa Natsumi, who wore a red wedding gown adorned with embroidered cranes. They signed a marriage certificate and pledged their undying love.

The couple and the guests toasted with a glass of milk in celebration.

The cries of cranes gathered at the field sounded like congratulatory cheers.

The groom said his heart was filled with emotion. He said he promises to stay with the bride for life just like a crane couple.