at 18:30 (JST), May 12

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/20230512183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : j-pop
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230512_02/

A group of J-pop fans and supporters is asking talent agency Johnny & Associates to form an outside panel to investigate sexual misconduct allegations against its late president.

Representatives of the group said at a news conference Thursday that more than 16,000 people had signed an online petition supporting such a probe. They said they have mailed the petition to the agency.

Johnny Kitagawa, founder and former president of the agency, died in 2019, but was recently accused of misconduct in his career. Last month, a former performer who worked under the agency said at a news conference that he had been sexually abused by Kitagawa since he was 15 years old.

The petition called on the agency to sincerely listen to anyone who says they fell victim to Kitagawa's misconduct.

A member of the group said she wants the agency to take the matter sincerely so that fans can continue to support pop singers, or idols, working with Johnny & Associates.

The agency told NHK that it will make clear where it stands on this issue and how it plans to deal with it.

Key words : pakistan court immediate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230512_09/

Judges on Pakistan's Supreme Court have ruled that the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan was illegal.
They've ordered he be released immediately.

Khan has faced a series of corruption allegations and was arrested on Tuesday in a land fraud case. The following day he was reportedly charged with selling off state gifts during his four years in power.

Demonstrations against the arrest had escalated. Police vehicles were destroyed and a radio station was set on fire. On Wednesday, crowds clashed with security forces in the northwestern city of Peshawar. At least 4 people were killed and over 80 wounded.

Authorities in the capital Islamabad and some provinces have reportedly called in the military to restore order.

AP reports the country's chief justice has urged Khan to appeal to his supporters to be peaceful following the top court's decision.

Key words : pakistan 1,500 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230512_10/

Pakistan's Supreme Court has ruled that the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan was illegal and ordered authorities to release him.

Khan, a cricket star-turned politician, is facing multiple allegations of corruption. He was arrested on Tuesday. Local media outlets say the court issued the order two days later, after Khan's legal team lodged an objection. Khan was present in the court.

In April of last year, Khan was forced to step down as leader, after he lost a no-confidence vote. He has since been at odds with Shehbaz Sharif, the current prime minister. Khan has called for the early dissolution of parliament. He has also called for a general election to be held.

Tuesday's arrest prompted violent protests across Pakistan. Media outlets report at least eight people have died in clashes with security forces and more than 1,500 people have been detained.

Some analysts believe Khan's release was aimed at preventing the security situation from getting worse. But the confusion may continue, as some Cabinet members are strongly objecting to the court's decision. They allege that the court's action is akin to helping terrorists.

Key words : turmoil myanmar peace
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230512_01/

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have ended a summit with little concrete progress toward resolving turmoil in Myanmar.

That country's struggles were high on the agenda at the two-day meeting in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, which ended on Thursday.

Fighting between Myanmar's military and pro-democracy forces has been continuing since the armed forces staged a coup in February 2021.

The ASEAN leaders discussed how to nudge Myanmar's military to implement a peace plan known as the Five-Point Consensus. ASEAN leaders, including Myanmar's military chief, agreed to the plan at their summit in April 2021. It calls for an "immediate cessation of violence" and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

A chairperson's statement issued at the latest ASEAN summit expresses deep concern about the escalation of armed conflicts and violence in Myanmar.

The statement also says the leaders reiterated their "unified position" that the Five-Point Consensus remains their "main reference." But it mentions hardly any specific progress to help settle the situation in Myanmar.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who chaired the summit, spoke at a news conference after the summit. Joko stressed that the ASEAN countries must hold onto inclusivity because the bloc's credibility is at stake. He added that Indonesia is ready to talk with anyone.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi announced that ASEAN can now interview non-military personnel in Myanmar as part of the bloc's efforts to supply humanitarian aid to the country.

Diplomatic sources say ASEAN is seeking to realize dialogue among concerned parties in Myanmar by using the provision of humanitarian support to establish contact with pro-democracy and other forces.

Key words : thailand general election army
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