at 18:30 (JST), March 28

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/20230328183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : pro-democracy continue junta
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230327_36/

Myanmar's junta chief has overseen a massive military parade and stressed his soldiers will continue to confront pro-democracy forces head-on.

Monday marked Armed Forces Day. The display commemorates the start of the country's fight for independence from Japan in 1945.

Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets took to the skies and over 8,000 troops marched in the capital, Naypyitaw.

The annual show of strength comes as the military intensifies its fight against pro-democracy forces and ethnic minorities.

Top general Min Aung Hlaing called the pro-democracy groups "terrorists." He said their attacks are a conspiracy to devastate the country, and the military will resolutely oppose them.

Myanmar has been mired in turmoil since the military seized power two years ago. It has cracked down violently on demonstrators and ethnic minority groups ever since.

The United Nations says nearly 3,000 civilians have been killed by security forces and one million have fled their homes.

Key words : chinese authorities japanese animation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_02/

An investigation launched by Chinese authorities at the request of a Japanese industry group has led to the closure of an illegal website that hosted pirated versions of Japanese animation, movies and soap operas.

The Chinese crackdown targeted four people in their 30s who were suspected of involvement in running the piracy site known as "B9GOOD," officials with Japan's Content Overseas Distribution Association said.

The site has been popular with fans of Japanese movies and anime since its launch 2008.

It was accessed more than 300 million times in the two years until last month and in its busiest periods over 15.8 million times per month.

The Japanese association had conducted an investigation, together with cyber security experts, and found that the website -- which was mostly accessed by people in Japan -- was run from China. The group repeatedly demanded that the operators remove pirated content from the website.

The crackdown by authorities in Jiangsu Province was prompted by a tip from the Japanese side, resulting in the closure of the site.

Officials believe the operators have made more than 100 million yen, or over 759,900 dollars, in revenue running the website.

The Japanese association has ramped up efforts to provide information to overseas authorities, as piracy site operators move out of Japan.

The group says the latest case was the first time for operators of a China-based piracy site to be subjected to a law enforcement crackdown based on a tip from the Japanese side.

Key words : taiwanese president czech strengthen
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230327_31/

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and the speaker of the Czech parliament's lower house have vowed to strengthen solidarity among democracies around the world.

Marketa Pekarova Adamova met with Tsai on Monday at the presidential office in Taipei. The Czech Republic's top legislative official arrived on Saturday, leading a delegation of more than 150 people, the largest ever from the country to Taiwan.

Tsai praised Adamova's visit as an important milestone in Taiwan-Czech relations. The Taiwanese leader also noted that the Czech speaker had come to Taiwan despite great pressure, an apparent reference to China.

Tsai said the cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic will cover a range of fields including the economy, science technology, culture and regional security.

Adamova said that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are necessary for global security and prosperity. She added that it will benefit the pro-democracy camp.

Taiwan has formal diplomatic relations with only 13 countries, after Honduras severed its decades-long ties with Taiwan on Sunday.

Observers say Adamova's visit to Taipei has created an opportunity to convey that support for Taiwan is spreading in countries that embrace similar values, even if they lack diplomatic ties.

Key words : pharmaceutical 20
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_01/

An Astellas Pharma employee who was detained by Chinese authorities on espionage charges fell out of contact on the day he was set to leave for Japan, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The Japanese businessman in his 50s has roughly 20 years of experience working in China for the Japanese pharmaceutical company, the sources said.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson revealed on Monday that the businessman is being questioned on suspicion of violating China's criminal and anti-espionage laws.

The employee was due to return to Japan in March, as he was reassigned to a different post. But on his scheduled day of departure, officials lost contact with the man after he left a hotel.

This is the latest in a string of cases in which Japanese nationals have been detained on spy charges since 2014, when the anti-espionage law came into force in China. It was unclear what activities constitute espionage, since trials have been held behind closed doors.

Officials say the latest case has rattled Japanese communities in China. They are worried that it could have a significant impact on the economic relations between the countries.

Key words : six civilians explosion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_03/

At least six civilians have been killed in an explosion near a Taliban-run facility in the Afghan capital.

The blast took place in the vicinity of the foreign ministry in central Kabul on Monday afternoon. Police said several people, including children, were injured.

The police said Taliban fighters opened fire in a bid to stop a suspicious man walking toward a security checkpoint. The explosion occurred when the man fell to the ground.

Muslims are currently observing the holy month of Ramadan. The area at the time was busy with many people on their way home.

In January, at least five people were killed when a suicide bombing hit the area, which is home to government buildings and embassies.

The Islamic State militant group was believed to be responsible for the attack.

Key words : missile north fighter
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230327_39/

North Korea's missile launches Monday did not deter joint military exercises in the region. The US and South Korea paired up in waters near the Korean Peninsula.

The drill was held off the South Korean island of Jeju. Fighter jet pilots practiced taking off from and landing on the USS Nimitz.

Crews also confirmed protocols for guarding the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. It's set to dock in South Korea Tuesday.

The commander of the US carrier strike group says the ship gathers information on the area from under the sea to outer space, and shares it with allies.

Carrier Strike Group 11 Commander, Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, said, "I feel pretty confident in our capability to operate in the sea in any given time and in any place."

The drill was held days after the two countries wrapped up their first major spring field exercise in five years.

Pyongyang has accused Seoul and Washington of holding a war game for an invasion. It's continuing to pursue its missile development program, firing two short-range ballistic missiles in the morning eastward into the sea.

Key words : russia fishing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230327_14/

A deal with Russia will allow Japanese boats carry out their annual salmon fishing operation in the northern Pacific from April 10 as usual.

The agreement was reached after online talks between officials of the two countries. It covers salmon and trout caught in Japan's exclusive economic zone off the northern prefecture of Hokkaido.

Japan's catch conditions are negotiated because most of the fish in the area originate in Russian rivers.

Japanese officials say the terms are unchanged from last year. The annual catch quota is set at 2,050 tons. Japan will pay Russia a cooperation fee of around 1.5 million to 2.3 million dollars, depending on the size of the catch.

Last year's negotiations were hampered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. An agreement was delayed, forcing Japanese fishers to wait more than three weeks before they could get underway.