at 18:30 (JST), April 14

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/20230414183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : north test-launch
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230414_05/

North Korea says it conducted its first test-launch of a new type of solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday.

The country's state media reported on the launch of Hwasong-18 on Friday morning. They say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed at the launch site.

Solid-fuel missiles can be launched quicker than liquid-fuel missiles, making them harder to detect and intercept.

The missile is believed to be the one the South Korean military said was launched from around Pyongyang towards the sea to the east of the peninsula on Thursday. The South said it was likely a ballistic missile with an intermediate or intercontinental range.

Key words : north stage
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230414_17/

North Korea says it sent up a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday. It reportedly used "solid fuel" that enables quicker launches compared to conventional liquid fuel.

The North's ruling Workers' Party newspaper reported that Pyongyang had conducted its first test-launch of its Hwasong-18.

It says the missile has three stages. The first stage was set to fly at a normal angle. The second and third stages were set to fly at a steeper angle in a so-called "lofted" trajectory. The newspaper also reported that the first and second stages fell into the sea east of the Korean Peninsula. But it did not refer to the whereabouts of the third stage.

Rodong Sinmun said that leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his wife and daughter, witnessed the launch. The North Korean leadership reportedly said the missile is a primary strategic weapon of deterrence. The newspaper also reported that the missile's performance and reliability were confirmed by the test. Kim reportedly said the development of the Hwasong-18 will radically promote the effectiveness of the nuclear counterattack posture.

North Korea displayed a missile that may have been a model of a new solid-fuel ICBM in February. Military experts point out that it is difficult to catch pre-launch preparations for solid-fueled missiles.

The UN Secretary-General strongly condemned North Korea's missile launch. Antonio Guterres repeated his call for the North to fully comply with its international obligations under UN Security Council resolutions.
He also called on Pyongyang to reopen communication channels.

Key words : self-defense search and rescue found
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230414_02/

Search and rescue crews may have found one of 10 people who were on board a Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter that went missing in southwestern Japan during a reconnaissance flight last week.

SDF vessels equipped with sonar have been searching the area where the chopper disappeared on April 6.

Defense Ministry sources say they have been informed that an underwater camera has also found what appears to be part of the helicopter in the water.

The SDF are preparing to send divers to the spot to confirm the details.

The helicopter took off from Miyakojima Island and disappeared from the radar about 10 minutes later while flying over the sea.

All 10 SDF members on board went missing, including a GSDF division chief.

Key words : former j-pop
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230413_34/

A former J-pop idol says he was repeatedly sexually abused by Johnny Kitagawa, the founder of major Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates. Kitagawa is known for creating some of Japan's most iconic boy bands such as SMAP and Arashi. He died in 2019.

Musician Kauan Okamoto told reporters on Wednesday that he suffered the abuse by Kitagawa, who was then the agency's president, about 15 to 20 times from the age of 15. Okamoto was in a boy band of the agency.

He said he believes everyone at the agency thought they had to gain the president's favor.

Okamoto said he feels gratitude toward Kitagawa, but thinks it was wrong of the president to do such things to him when he was 15.

Johnny & Associates issued a comment on the issue. The agency says it has put importance on creating an organization and system with high transparency to gain public trust, with renewed management following the death of the former president.

The agency added it will continue its unified effort to ensure compliance without exception and enhance its governance with cooperation from neutral experts.

Key words : thailand celebrating
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230413_42/

People across Thailand are celebrating the traditional New Year holiday with a splash as full-scale festivities return for the first time in four years.

The Songkran holiday began on Thursday, including its famous "water festival."

People took to the streets to soak each other as part of a cleansing ritual and forget about the scorching heat. Temperatures in the capital, Bangkok, have topped 35 degrees Celsius in recent days.

The celebrations will continue through Saturday, as people welcome the new year by getting together with family and visiting temples.

Key words : nagasaki ukraine musical message
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20230328105528868/

Nagasaki Children Sing for Peace in Ukraine

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, a group of children in Nagasaki are sending a message of support through music. In this report, we look at how the children prepared to perform a Ukrainian song in the original language, with the help of a Ukrainian student in Japan.