at 18:30 (JST), April 24

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/20230424183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : 60 nationals
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230424_09/

Japan is trying to fly out 60 nationals from Sudan, where fighting is continuing between the country's armed forces and a paramilitary group.

Japanese Self-Defense Forces aircraft landed at Djibouti's international airport on Saturday. Sources say Japanese nationals in Sudan's capital Khartoum are heading to another city by land.

Despite a three-day truce agreement reached on Friday, the fighting between Sudan's military and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces hasn't stopped.

The World Health Organization says more than 400 people have been killed so far.

The United States and Britain say their nationals, including diplomats and their families, have been evacuated on military planes.

Germany's defense ministry tweeted on Sunday that its armed forces are trying to do the same for German citizens.

The internet is reportedly almost completely out in Sudan. That's making arrangements for evacuations more difficult.

Key words : kishida safety
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230424_13/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says the government is doing all it can to ensure the safety of its evacuation effort in Sudan. About 60 Japanese nationals are in the African country.

Kishida spoke with reporters on Monday morning as he entered the prime minister's office.

He said the government is carefully monitoring the situation in Sudan and closely cooperating with other concerned countries.

Fighting continues between the country's military and a paramilitary group. Kishida said he is being kept updated on the latest developments.

The prime minister declined to go into details about the evacuation effort, saying he wants to ensure the safety of the Japanese nationals.

He said the government will give updates whenever possible.

Key words : foreign minister visited marcos
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230424_06/

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang visited the Philippines over the weekend for talks with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in an apparent attempt to keep the country in check.

Qin's visit to the Philippines -- the first since assuming his post in December -- reflects China's concerns over Manila's moves to strengthen security cooperation with Washington.

Earlier this month, the Philippine government announced it will offer the US military expanded base access, including three sites in the north facing Taiwan.

China's foreign ministry says Qin told Marcos that China hopes the Philippines will properly handle the Taiwan issue, earnestly respond to China's legitimate concerns, and translate into action its commitment to upholding strategic independence rather than choosing sides.

Marcos told Qin the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair and said the Philippines will maintain strategic independence rather than pick sides.

He also said his country is ready to deepen its friendship, expand cooperation and strengthen communications with China.

Qin also suggested the two countries improve the management of new communication channel to discuss issues related to their South China Sea territorial dispute.

Key words : self-defense intercept yonaguni
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230423_19/

Japan's Self-Defense Forces are deploying units operating a land-based interceptor missile system as North Korea is reportedly making final preparations to launch what it calls a military spy satellite. The launch could involve the use of ballistic missile technology.

A transport plane carrying a PAC3 missile launcher arrived on Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni in Okinawa Prefecture on Sunday morning. The launcher was transported to a Ground Self-Defense Force camp.

The deployment comes after Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu on Saturday ordered the SDF to make preparations for destroying ballistic missiles or other objects that could land in Japanese territory.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force will also deploy destroyers equipped with the Aegis missile-tracking system, which has an advanced radar system and interceptor missiles.

North Korea has not revealed a launch date or any other details.

In 2012 and 2016, Pyongyang launched what were believed to be ballistic missiles, describing them as satellites. The projectiles flew over areas near the Sakishima Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

The SDF had deployed PAC3 systems in Okinawa and the Tokyo metropolitan area for those launches, but interceptor missiles were not fired.

Key words : south export control development
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230421_46/

South Korea plans to put Japan back on its list of nations entitled to simplified export control procedures.

The trade ministry said on Friday that it will announce the change on its official gazette dated Monday.

South Korea removed Japan from the preferential list as a virtual countermeasure after Japan tightened its controls on exports to the country in 2019. Japanese officials cited deficiencies in South Korea's trade control system.

The latest development comes after a summit between the two countries last month, followed by lower-level policy talks.
Seoul is asking Tokyo to also reinstate South Korea to its list.

Key words : taiwan digital
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230422_01/

Authorities in Taiwan plan to strengthen digital communications in areas close to the Chinese mainland.

On Friday, engineers working with the Ministry of Digital Affairs tested satellite links with the Matsu Islands, located 200 kilometers from Taiwan's main island but just 20 kilometers from China's Fujian Province.

In February, two undersea cables linking the Matsu Islands with the main island were severed in the space of a week. There were difficulties with internet access for more than a month after.

Authorities suspect the cables were cut by Chinese shipping or cargo boats operating in the area.

In Friday's test, officials used a satellite to connect with the Matsu Islands via video link.

Taiwanese authorities say a secure internet connection is important in case of a disaster or contingency. They plan to install satellite communications terminals on remote islands.

Key words : talent agency
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230422_08/

A Japanese talent agency says it is looking into allegations of sexual misconduct by its late president.

A male popstar who was formerly signed to Johnny & Associates recently told reporters that Johnny Kitagawa sexually abused him starting when he was 15 years old. Kitagawa died in 2019.

Sources say the agency has interviewed employees and media personalities, or talents, under its management regarding the issue and has sent a document to business partners about how it will respond.

In the document, the agency says it takes such allegations and media reports seriously. It also says investigations so far have uncovered no cases of misconduct, but adds it is aware such in-house interviews are not enough to uncover the truth.

The document also says the agency is preparing a counseling system for talents who have left the agency and ensures the protection of their privacy. The agency is also introducing a system that helps current talents seek advice from professional counselors.

The agency says it will announce the details of its response to the allegations at a later date.

Key words : one year sank
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230424_02/

One year has passed since a sightseeing boat carrying 26 people sank off the coast of Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido. Twenty people were confirmed dead, with six others still unaccounted for.

A memorial ceremony took place in the town of Shari on the Shiretoko Peninsula on Sunday.

Participants observed a moment's silence and laid flowers. They included 79 relatives of people who were onboard the boat "KAZU I" when it went down in waters off the peninsula.

Transport and tourism minister Saito Tetsuo delivered a speech during the ceremony. He said the government has implemented necessary measures as it seriously takes the fact that the incident occurred despite inspections of the boat and that no one was rescued.

Hokkaido Governor Suzuki Naomichi said his prefecture will work with the central government, municipalities and local communities to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy and promote efforts to let tourists feel safe.

The head of a local tour boat operator association said the group carefully studied the cause of the incident and drew up its own rules to raise awareness of safety. He promised to create a safe environment by placing top priority on protecting lives.

In December, the government's Transport Safety Board issued a report on the cause of the sinking. It pointed out that seawater flowed in due to problems with the boat's hatch and below-deck walls.

A transport ministry panel also said hatch inspections by a government-related organization were insufficient.