at 18:30 (JST), March 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/20230306183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : south pending issue during world
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230306_17/

The South Korean government has announced a plan to settle the long pending issue with Japan of wartime labor compensation.

South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin made the announcement in a news conference on Monday. The measure is intended to improve bilateral ties, which are said to be at their worst level of the postwar era.

The plan is to have a South Korean government-affiliated foundation pay damages in place of Japanese companies to those who say they or their family members were forced to work for the firms during World War Two.

In 2018, South Korea's Supreme Court ordered the Japanese companies to pay compensation to the plaintiffs.

The plan says the necessary funds are to be raised through voluntary contributions from the private sector, such as donations from South Korean businesses.

Seoul has been working on the plan in its effort to solve the biggest pending issue in bilateral relations before the Japanese companies' assets are liquidated to pay for the compensation.

Park said that in making its decision, the government took account of the aging of plaintiffs and relations with Japan.

After the top court rulings, the countries saw their ties strained over Japan's tightening of export controls and a bilateral intelligence pact known as GSOMIA.

Park said the chilly ties have been left as they were. He stressed hope that the newly announced measure will help raise bilateral relations to a future-oriented, higher level.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has shown strong willingness to improve ties with Japan since he took office.

He attaches importance to trilateral cooperation of the US, South Korea and Japan in dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile development and other regional issues.

But some of the plaintiffs say they won't accept any payments from the government-affiliated foundation. They say an apology and compensation from the Japanese businesses are indispensable.

The Japanese government says any right to claims was settled completely and finally in 1965, when Japan and South Korea normalized ties.

Key words : li around 5 percent
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230305_08/

China has projected economic growth of around 5 percent for 2023 at the start of the National People's Congress.

The congress opened on Sunday in Beijing with around 3,000 delegates from across the country and led by President Xi Jinping and other officials of the ruling Communist Party.

Premier Li Keqiang, who is to retire at the end of his current term, gave a report on the government's activities.

He announced that economic growth in 2023 is projected to be around 5 percent.

The gross domestic product grew just 3 percent year-on-year in 2022, falling short of Beijing's goal of about 5.5 percent, due to the impact of the zero-COVID policy among other factors.

It is believed that this year's target was set at a level that is relatively easier to achieve.

Li said China's development still faces many difficulties and challenges. He underscored the need to strengthen the foundation for stable economic growth.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has revealed that the defense budget this year will increase by 7.2 percent to about 224 billion dollars.

The increase appears to indicate that China will continue seeking more military capabilities, partly to keep the United States and Taiwan in check.

Key words : military concern taiwan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230306_08/

At the National People's Congress, China made clear its stance on military buildup despite concern from the international community.

The Chinese government has revealed that the country's defense spending this year will increase by 7.2 percent to about 224 billion dollars.

The budget was announced in a report on government activities at the start of the National People's Congress on Sunday.

The report says China will fully strengthen training and combat readiness toward the goal of building up its military by 2027, which marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Liberation Army.

The document says China will enhance its capabilities in defense-related science and technology.

Beijing also expressed its firm opposition to Taiwan's "independence" and reiterated its commitment to what it calls the peaceful reunification of Taiwan.

President Xi Jinping's leadership has been pushing the country's military buildup amid growing international concern over the situation in the Taiwan Strait as well as Beijing's increasing maritime presence in the East and South China seas.

Key words : tokyo marathon
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230305_07/

The Tokyo Marathon is being held on the scale it was known for before the coronavirus pandemic for the first time in four years. It is one of the largest races in Japan.

About 38,000 runners started the race at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building on Sunday morning in the chilly and cloudy weather.

Crowds of spectators gathered along the route and cheered, as no restrictions are in place this year.

The course passes through well-known Tokyo districts such as Asakusa and Ginza, and finishes at Tokyo Station.

One participant in his 60s has joined the race for the first time. He said he wanted to run the marathon and he is happy.

Roads have been closed along the route, and the last restrictions are scheduled to remain in place until 9 p.m.

Police in Tokyo have provided road closures information online. They are urging people to avoid driving their vehicles and instead use subway and other public transportation services.

Key words : ministers from work together asia zero
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230304_14/

Ministers from Japan, Australia and Southeast Asian countries have agreed to work together to achieve decarbonization by making use of hydrogen and ammonia that do not emit carbon dioxide when burned.

The first ministerial meeting of the 11-member Asia Zero Emission Community, or AZEC, took place in Tokyo on Saturday.

Asian nations emit about 60 percent of global CO2 emissions. Their energy consumption has been increasing as their economies have developed.

The countries acknowledge that they need to achieve decarbonization without harming their economic growth.

In a joint statement, the AZEC ministers pointed to the need to achieve both a shift from fossil fuels to new energy sources and economic growth.

They stressed the importance of utilizing various energy sources and technologies depending on the industrial structure and geographical conditions of each country.

The Asian nations agreed to cooperate in efforts to develop technology for hydrogen and ammonia and create businesses at the same time.

Japan pledged to provide financial support to help build necessary infrastructure.

Japan, as the chair of the Group of Seven summit to be held in Hiroshima in May, aims to take the initiative in discussions related to decarbonization, and to promote its technology across Asia.

Key words : cambodia sentence
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230303_37/

One of Cambodia's most prominent former opposition leaders has been sentenced to 27 years.

The court in Phnom Penh found Kem Sokha guilty of treason on Friday. He has one month to file an appeal.

Kem Sokha had led the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, the country's largest opposition group. He was arrested in 2017 on charges of conspiring with foreign powers to carry out hostile acts against the country. He has denied any wrong doing.

His arrest drew criticism from the international community, including the United States and European countries.

Kem Sokha's lawyer called Friday's verdict an unacceptable injustice and said he will discuss an appeal with his client.

Cambodia holds general elections every five years, with the next one expected in July. Observers say Prime Minister Hun Sen's government could step up its crackdown on opposition parties and opponents ahead of the vote.

Key words : china nhk visited
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230304_17/

China's economic ties with Russia have been growing as Moscow faces increasing sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine.
NHK visited a Chinese border city that is flourishing on account of the increased trade.

The northeastern city of Manzhouli is perhaps the best place to see how business between the two countries is booming.
Chinese media say more than 65 percent of land trade with Russia passes through this border crossing.

A large number of Chinese trucks and heavy machinery are recently seen at a customs area.
Local business people say Russia has begun importing such items from China instead of Western countries in the face of sanctions. They say the imports extend to daily goods such as fresh vegetables.

A Russian driver said "We are doing good. Business is fine too."

The closer ties with Russia are clearly visible in the city center. Banners at shops are written in both Chinese and Russian. Customers at one store were buying Russian sweets and alcohol.

The total value of Sino-Russian trade last year reached a record 190 billion dollars. That's up almost 30 percent from 2021. The two countries expect the figure will reach 200 billion dollars by next year.

Key words : dancer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230304_06/

A 30-year-old dancer from Japan has been promoted to the highest level of the world-renowned Paris Opera Ballet.

The company announced the elevation of Hannah O'Neill to prestigious "etoile," or star, status at the end of a performance on Thursday at the Opera Garnier. Local TV said it was greeted with rapturous applause.

The Paris Opera Ballet says O'Neill is the first dancer from Japan to be promoted to etoile.

O'Neill was born in Tokyo. Her mother is Japanese and her father is from New Zealand.

She won the Prix de Lausanne in 2009 and was named best ballerina at the Benois de la Danse in Moscow in 2016.

The Paris Opera Ballet issued a congratulatory message, describing O'Neill as a new star shining in the ballet world.