at 18:30 (JST), April 04

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/20230404183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : philippines designated
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230404_04/

The Philippine government has announced four more locations in the country to be used by US military personnel as part of apparent efforts to better counter China.

The presidential office made the announcement on Monday. The move comes after the countries agreed in February to make four more sites available to US forces on top of the five locations designated under a bilateral deal.

The four locations include a navy base, an army base and a civilian airport, all in the north of Luzon Island. They are close to the Taiwan Strait.

The remaining one is on an island off the southern coast of the western Palawan province. The province faces the South China Sea, where China has in recent years ramped up maritime activities.

The expansion of the US military presence in the Philippines is seen as an attempt by both countries to boost deterrence against escalating Chinese military activities in the region.

Some Philippine leaders, however, are reluctant to allow the US military to expand its presence in the country, as they are worried about being caught up in a feud between the US and China. The governor of Cagayan is opposed to hosting US troops in the province.

The presidential office stressed that those locations are "suitable and mutually beneficial." Officials said the sites would also be used for humanitarian and relief operations in the event of a disaster.

Key words : children families agency
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230403_23/

A new Japanese agency in charge of implementing policies for children and families has begun full-scale operations.

The Children and Families Agency was established with about 400 personnel on Saturday. An inauguration ceremony was held at its Tokyo office on Monday.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said at the ceremony that his government aims to create a society centered on children, always considering what is best for them.

He said the most important thing is to listen to the voices of children and reflect them in implementing policies.

Six youngsters, including elementary school and technical college students, attended the ceremony. They helped create the agency's signboard.

The agency was set up as an external organ of the Cabinet Office, under the direct supervision of the prime minister. It has integrated some functions of the health and welfare ministry and other government entities.

It is in charge of handling child benefits, and systematic support for pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing, as well as daycare services and tackling such issues as abuse, bullying and poverty.

Key words : critic reportedly arrested
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230404_03/

A vocal critic of the Chinese authorities' response to the coronavirus pandemic has reportedly been arrested after posting a video purportedly showing a February protest against medical insurance reforms.

Zhang Hai was arrested on Saturday or before, according to a website that supports human rights activities in China.

Thousands of elderly people in Wuhan staged a protest against huge cuts to their medical benefits in February.

Zhang fell out of contact after posting on Twitter a video that apparently shows the rally, according to the website.

Zhang has claimed that the Chinese authorities were responsible for the death of his father, who died from the coronavirus.

He told foreign media outlets that his father's death was due to the authorities hiding information from the public.

Local authorities across the country appear to be on edge, as similar protests are also erupting in other cities.

Key words : 4.8 percent
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230404_10/

The Asian Development Bank says the end of China's zero-COVID policy is likely to boost the growth of developing economies in the Asia Pacific this year.

In its economic outlook for 2023, the ADB projects that developing Asian economies will grow by 4.8 percent, compared with 4.2 percent last year. This excludes Japan and other industrialized countries.

The ADB says China's economy will likely expand by 5 percent, up from 3 percent last year. It cites the normalization of the country's economic activities following the end of the zero-COVID policy.

The ADB expects China's recovery to boost trade and tourism in other parts of the Asia Pacific and lead to solid growth.
Projections range from growth of 6.4 percent for India, 4.8 percent for Indonesia and 3.3 percent for Thailand.

However, Sri Lanka's economy is expected to contract for the second year in a row as the country grapples with an economic crisis.

The ADB says risks to the outlook include financial instability caused by an increase in debt and monetary tightening. It also warns that a protracted or escalated Russian invasion of Ukraine could stoke renewed spikes in commodity prices and global inflation.

Key words : sakamoto 71
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230403_02/

World-renowned Japanese musician and composer Sakamoto Ryuichi, a founding member of a trailblazing electronic music band, has died. He was 71.

Sakamoto started playing the piano and studying composition when he was a child. He finished his master's course at the Graduate School of what is now Tokyo University of the Arts.

Sakamoto co-founded the band Yellow Magic Orchestra, known as YMO, with Hosono Haruomi and Takahashi Yukihiro in 1978. The group pioneered the use of computers and electronic instruments, such as synthesizers, establishing the genre called techno-pop.

Sakamoto won much-coveted honors, including an Oscar and a Grammy, for scoring the film "The Last Emperor."

Sakamoto was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. He resumed his musical activities after undergoing treatment. But he disclosed his rectal cancer diagnosis in 2021.

His management agency says Sakamoto died on Tuesday.

The company, along with two other entities, issued a statement online saying, "While undergoing treatment for cancer discovered in June 2020, Sakamoto continued to create works in his home studio whenever his health would allow."

The statement adds that Sakamoto "lived with music until the very end."

Key words : sakamoto movie soundtrack
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230403_13/

Media around the world reported the death of Japanese musician and composer Sakamoto Ryuichi as breaking news.

British public broadcaster BBC ran a story with the headline: "Ryuichi Sakamoto: Japanese electronic music maestro dies." The report said his film score for the movie, "The Last Emperor," won him an Oscar, a Grammy and a Golden Globe.

CNN called Sakamoto a world-renowned Japanese composer. It said he had been treated for cancer in recent years.

French news agency AFP described Sakamoto as a pioneering composer and green activist.

The agency said he was best known for his film soundtracks, including the World War Two drama "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence." It also said Sakamoto became a prominent figure in Japan's anti-nuclear movement and founded a conservation organization to promote sustainable forestry.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency called Sakamoto a Japanese master of film music. It said he served as music director for a South Korean film in 2017 and won the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award at the Busan International Film Festival next year.

Meanwhile, Hosono Haruomi, who co-founded the band Yellow Magic Orchestra, or YMO, with Sakamoto and Takahashi Yukihiro, posted a gray square on Instagram early on Monday. A similar post appeared on Sakamoto's Instagram account when Takahashi died in January.

K-pop supergroup BTS member Suga posted a message on social media on Sunday. He referred to Sakamoto as a teacher and wished him a peaceful, long journey.

Suga plays piano, as did Sakamoto, and says he listened to Sakamoto's music when he was very young and has been influenced by it. When Sakamoto was battling his illness, Suga posted an online message hoping for his recovery.

A Twitter account representing late British musician David Bowie also posted a condolence message. It says, "Sad to learn of the passing of" the actor, composer and producer. The account also posted images of the two musicians next to each other.

Both of them starred in "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence."

Key words : sakamoto new york
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230403_08/

A New York record shop has set up a section featuring the renowned Japanese musician and composer Sakamoto Ryuichi following the news of his death.

Many people who learned the news visited the shop as soon as it opened on Sunday. The shop's online store has also received many more orders than usual.

A visitor who saw the news on social media expressed his sadness. He said that Sakamoto was very good at what he did, and made the most of his time left while battling cancer.

The shop's manager, Mamiya Yuichi, said sales of Sakamoto's records were five to 10 times as much as usual. He was surprised to find that the musician had so many fans in the US and said he felt the immensity of Sakamoto's influence. Mamiya said he will play Sakamoto's records throughout the day.