at 18:30 (JST), March 02

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/20230302183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : xi alexander ceasefire
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230302_01/

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have held talks in Beijing. The Chinese leader called for peace talks on the war in Ukraine while indicating his opposition to sanctions by Western and other countries on Russia.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Xi spoke on the conflict in Ukraine during the meeting on Wednesday. He reportedly said the core of China's stance is to encourage peace talks.

The ministry says Xi called for respecting countries' legitimate security concerns and building a balanced and sustainable European security architecture.

Xi also reportedly said relevant countries should stop politicizing economic matters and work for a ceasefire.

Lukashenko reportedly said he fully supports China's proposal for peace and its efforts on global security.

After the talks, the leaders signed a joint statement for developing a comprehensive strategic partnership. They witnessed the signing of documents on bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture and other fields.

Observers say China wants to signal it seeks a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine at a time when the United States and some others claim it is considering military support for Russia.

Key words : yoon reiterated
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230301_13/

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has reiterated a willingness to improve ties with Japan, calling the country a partner with which it shares universal values.

Yoon delivered a speech on Wednesday at a ceremony marking the independence movement which started on March 1, 1919 against Japanese colonial rule.

He called on people to "reflect on the unfortunate times of our history and contemplate what must be done for our future prosperity."

Yoon said, "Japan has transformed from a militaristic aggressor of the past into a partner" with which his country now works to address issues of security and economy, as well as global challenges.

He also stressed the importance of cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan. He said such trilateral cooperation "has become more important than ever to overcome the security crises including North Korea's growing nuclear threats and global polycrisis."

Yoon made no mention of the wartime labor issue, which has strained ties between his country and Japan.

Seoul is continuing discussions with Tokyo over its plan regarding the matter. The plan involves having a public foundation offer payments to plaintiffs in wartime labor lawsuits in place of Japanese firms that have been ordered to do so by South Korea's Supreme Court.

South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin met with the plaintiffs on Tuesday to seek their understanding.

Key words : hong kong mask mandate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230301_23/

Hong Kong lifted its mask mandate on Wednesday, saying coronavirus infections are under control.

The measure was introduced in July 2020 amid a spike in new cases. It required people to wear masks in public, while violators were subject to fines.

Local media criticized the measure, saying such mandates were scrapped in many countries and Hong Kong could be the last place with such a requirement.

Masks will no longer be required outdoors or indoors.

On Wednesday morning, people went without masks at a railway station in central Hong Kong.

One said walking with a mask is uncomfortable, so the lifting of the mandate was long-awaited. Another said Hong Kong should have followed the moves of the international community sooner.

Hong Kong's economy has been hit by the pandemic.

Chief Executive John Lee told reporters on Tuesday that with the removal of the mandate, the city will return to normal and go all out for economic development.

But Lee said those in charge of high-risk places such as hospitals may ask people to wear masks to protect public health.

The government has controlled protests against it by such means as banning gatherings as an anti-coronavirus measure. But observers say authorities will likely continue to crack down on pro-democracy movements without such restrictions.

Key words : japanese government elementary
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230301_03/

Japanese government figures showed that the number of child suicides last year is likely to have reached a record high, having exceeded 500 for the first time.

This prompted the education ministry to call on boards of education across the country on Tuesday to find children with worries and difficulties as soon as possible. The ministry also demands boards of education to work with parents and others to deal with the situation.

The health ministry said in February that preliminary figures showed 512 elementary to senior high school students killed themselves last year. The figure is up 39 from the final figure in the previous year.

Of those who died last year, 352 were in senior high school, up 38 from the previous year, 143 in junior high, down five, and 17 in elementary school, up six.

The education ministry's analysis showed that suicides among children were mainly attributed to poor academic performance, entrance examinations and worries about their future.

Education and culture minister Nagaoka Keiko told reporters on Tuesday that she wants children to be aware that there certainly are adults around who are willing to help them.

She also called on parents and school officials to pay careful attention to subtle signs children might show and listen to their concerns.

A 24-hour counseling service for children is available at 0120-0-78310.

Key words : jaxa suwa disaster prevention
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230228_20/

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or, JAXA, has selected one man and one woman to be the agency's newest astronauts, after receiving a record 4,127 applications.

Suwa Makoto lives in the United States and works at the World Bank. At 46, he is the oldest person to be chosen as a JAXA astronaut. Twenty-eight-year-old Yoneda Ayu lives in Tokyo and is a surgeon at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. She will be JAXA's youngest astronaut.

Suwa graduated from the University of Tokyo and earned a doctorate at Princeton University. At the World Bank, he is involved in projects related to climate change and disaster prevention. It was the second time that he applied for the program.

Yoneda graduated from the University of Tokyo in 2019. She is the first woman chosen to be an astronaut in 24 years.

Suwa and Yoneda will leave their current jobs and join JAXA in April. They will undergo the necessary training at NASA and other facilities. The two are expected to be officially recognized as astronauts around March 2025.

They may participate in a global lunar exploration project and board a new space station that will orbit the moon. They may even step onto the moon.

Suwa and Yoneda spoke to reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday. Suwa said he was informed about his success 24 hours before the press conference. He said he was very surprised. He also said that he feels he is shouldering a great responsibility. Suwa said he was excited last night and couldn't sleep. He added that he intends to do a good job.

Yoneda said she was happy when she was notified, but surprised at the same time. She said she feels a strong sense of duty. She added that she is grateful to everyone who has supported her.

Key words : chinese communist congress key post
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230301_07/

The Chinese Communist Party has adopted a list of candidates for key government positions to be endorsed at the upcoming National People's Congress.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency says the Communist Party wrapped up a three-day plenary session of its Central Committee on Tuesday.

Details have not been disclosed, but individuals close to President Xi Jinping are expected to be appointed to key posts at the NPC, which starts on Sunday.

Observers say many members of the leadership including the premier are likely to be replaced at the gathering following the launch of Xi's unprecedented third term as Communist Party leader last year.

Li Qiang is expected to succeed Li Keqiang as premier. The former top Communist Party official of Shanghai is a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and currently ranks second in the party's leadership.

Observers also say Han Zheng, who was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee until last year's Communist Party's National Congress, is likely to become the new vice president.

Some media outlets in Hong Kong say reorganization may take place so that a government division that oversees the maintenance of public order will be placed under direct party control.

Key words : cruise ship first time
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230301_25/

A foreign cruise ship has made a port call in Japan for the first time since entry rules were eased.

Japan had not accepted international cruise ships since a coronavirus outbreak on the Diamond Princess three years ago.

Last September, the government decided to reopen ports that are ready to take in cruise ship passengers.

The Amadea, operated by a German company, arrived at Shimizu Port in Shizuoka City, central Japan, on Wednesday.

A group of Japanese drum performers greeted the vessel.
When the ship was moored, quarantine officials went on board to check the passengers' health and vaccination certificates.

The passengers then underwent immigration procedures on land before heading to their destinations.

A tourist from Germany who had been to Tokyo and Okinawa but was visiting Shizuoka for the first time expressed hope of seeing Mount Fuji. The person also showed interest in Japanese tofu, or bean curd.

Shizuoka City official Kubota Tetsufumi said he expects to see more foreign tourists, and that although he is still worried about infection, he will do his best to prevent it.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu told reporters on Wednesday that cruise ships give an economic boost to places where they make port calls.

He said the central government with continue to work with local governments to enable passengers to enjoy their cruises, while taking measures to prevent infection.