at 18:30 (JST), April 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/20230428183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : lift border japan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230427_02/

The Japanese government is planning to end its entry restrictions on people arriving in the country on Saturday, before downgrading the legal classification of COVID-19.

The government initially decided to lift the restrictions on May 8, when officials will reclassify the virus to the lowest level of category five--the same as seasonal influenza. But sources say the government is now making arrangements to bring forward the end of border controls.

Currently, people entering Japan are asked to show proof that they have received three doses of a coronavirus vaccine, among other requirements.

The government is also expected to end the random testing of a limited number of travelers arriving from mainland China on direct flights.

In Japan, the "Golden Week" spring holidays start this weekend and continue through May 7. The number of Japanese people who will travel overseas during this period is expected to increase.

Observers say the government wants to make procedures for people coming home smoother.

But officials say that, on a voluntary basis, they will check the health of people entering the country who have symptoms such as fever and cough even after lifting the entry restrictions. They say a genetic analysis of viruses will be also carried out.

Key words : five times
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230427_26/

International arrivals and departures at Narita Airport, near Tokyo, during Japan's upcoming spring holidays are predicted to surge to more than five times last year's figure.

Officials of Narita International Airport Corporation said on Thursday that over 565,000 people are expected to use Narita Airport to enter or leave Japan during the 10-day period from Friday, April 28 through May 7.

This is 5.7 times the number for the same period last year. But it is less than 60 percent of the figure for the spring holidays in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials say more than 300,000 people are likely to head abroad from Narita Airport, more than seven times last year's figure. They predict that departures will peak on Saturday.

The number of passengers entering Japan through Narita Airport during the 10-day period is estimated at over 264,000. This is more than four times the number recorded in the same period last year. Arrivals are expected to peak on May 7.

Officials of the airport operator say baggage handling and security checks will require more time than usual during the period.

The president of Narita International Airport Corporation, Tamura Akihiko, is advising travelers to arrive early for their flights.

Key words : global south
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230428_05/

The Japanese government is considering using the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima to discuss relations between the G7 countries and the emerging and developing nations collectively known as the Global South.

Japan, which holds this year's G7 presidency, will host the summit in the western city from May 19 to 21. It has invited the leaders of eight nations outside the G7 framework as well as representatives from seven international organizations to join the gathering.

They include India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. India and Brazil are seen as major nations in the Global South.

Many Global South nations take a neutral stance on issues such as the conflict in Ukraine, out of consideration for Russia and China.

The G7 foreign ministers agreed at their meeting last week that it is important to bolster relations with Global South nations through food assistance and other means.

The Japanese government is apparently hoping that discussions on ties with the Global South at the summit will showcase the G7's increased focus on cooperation.

Key words : us navy
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230427_35/

A US Navy carrier strike group led by the USS Nimitz has pulled into a Thai naval base. The US says the visit aims to bolster the two nations' security partnership.

The Nimitz carrier strike group arrived at the base in the central province of Chonburi on Thursday. Previously this month, it participated in joint drills with Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea.

Earlier this year, Thailand and the US led one of Asia's largest multinational military drills amid China's increasing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, Thailand is also pursuing diplomacy with China to advance its national interests.

The Southeast Asian country has purchased a Chinese-built landing ship, the HTMS Chang.

Chinese military officials attended a ceremony at another port in Chonburi Province on Tuesday to mark the arrival of the multipurpose troop carrier.

The ship is one of the largest China-made military vessels ordered by Thailand. It cost about 180-million dollars.

Key words : japanese food fan
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