at 18:30 (JST), May 23

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/20230523183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : taiwan world health
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230523_03/

Taiwan has not been allowed to participate in the World Health Organization's annual assembly as an observer, due to opposition from China and other countries.

Taiwan was excluded from the assembly in Geneva for the seventh year in a row, after officials from member nations decided on Monday not to consider whether Taiwan should be allowed into the meeting. Taiwan is not a WHO member, but it attended the annual gathering as an observer for eight years through 2016.

This year's assembly, which runs from May 21 to 30, is expected to feature discussions on what steps countries can take to prepare for a future pandemic.

Western countries have shown support for Taiwan's participation, citing its achievements in fighting the coronavirus.

The United States said Taiwan's public health expertise and advanced technology would bring considerable value to the organization.

During a meeting on Monday, a representative from the Chinese government said Taiwan is part of Chinese territory and that the matter should be considered based on the "One China" principle.

Taiwan's foreign ministry, meanwhile, said in a statement that it's a matter of public health and politics should not be prioritized.

Key words : a week cyclone allow
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230522_33/

It's been a week since deadly Cyclone Mocha battered Myanmar. People in affected areas are suffering serious food shortages because the country's military junta hasn't allowed international organizations to provide full-scale assistance.

The western state of Rakhine was hardest hit. It's a region where the military has been suppressing minority Rohingya Muslims. In footage obtained by NHK, people are seen eating rice soaked in seawater.

"Finding food is a huge problem," a male villager said.
"Every time we eat damaged rice, it upsets our stomachs."

The pro-democracy National Unity Government opposing the military rulers says the cyclone killed 435 people. That figure is expected to rise.

The United Nations began stockpiling relief supplies even before Mocha made landfall in Myanmar. But the junta hasn't issued the UN permits allowing it to freely travel in Rakhine and other badly damaged areas. The world body continues to ask military officials to let it in and help with its aid activities.

Key words : china hideo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230522_04/

China's foreign ministry says it has summoned the Japanese ambassador over references to Beijing-related issues in statements announced at the Group of Seven summit in the city of Hiroshima.

The ministry says Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong lodged "representations" with Japan's ambassador, Tarumi Hideo, on Sunday.

The ministry says Sun told Tarumi that Japan, as the host nation, colluded with other countries in smearing and attacking China and grossly interfering in its internal affairs.

The ministry also quotes Sun as stressing that the move undermines China's sovereignty, security and development interests. It adds that he expressed China's strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition.

Japan's embassy in Beijing says Tarumi responded that it is natural and will remain so for the G7 to refer to its shared concerns as it has done so far, unless China changes its behavior. It says Tarumi also urged China to take a positive response.

Key words : south expert pipeline
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230522_34/

South Korean nuclear experts are now in Japan to check on the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The visit comes ahead of the release of treated and diluted water from the facility into the ocean around this summer. Seoul has raised concerns about the plan.

Ahead of their visit to the plant, Japanese officials briefed them on Monday about the water release procedures and the construction of the pipeline into the sea.

Water used to cool molten nuclear fuel mixes with rain and groundwater. It has been treated to remove most of the radioactive materials, but the filtered water still contains some tritium.

The government plans to release it after it has been diluted to well within Japan's safety limits. Officials say it will even clear the World Health Organization's suggested levels for drinking water.

The South Korean delegation is scheduled to visit the Fukushima plant for two days from Tuesday to confirm how the water is stored and the safety levels.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said, "Japan will carefully explain that the water will be treated to meet the safety standards, and then will be diluted with seawater. We will try to build understanding in South Korea regarding the safety of the release."

Officials in Seoul have said their team will investigate the potential effects on South Korea's oceans and marine products and immediately implement necessary measures.

Key words : eight opposition
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230523_08/

Eight opposition parties in Thailand have signed an agreement on a joint platform that they hope will help them form a coalition government.

The alliance is led by the Move Forward Party, which won the largest number of seats in the recent general election, but fell short of winning a majority.

The eight parties signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday. It calls for a new constitution to be drafted and military conscription to be abolished.

But the memorandum did not include a plan to revise the law that prohibits people from insulting the monarchy. That was one of Move Forward's election pledges. Other parties are cautious about such a revision.

The Pheu Thai Party, which is affiliated with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is a member of the alliance. The party placed second in the election.

However, the eight parties still do not have a majority of the combined lower house and senate seats. If they clear that threshold, they will have the power to choose the prime minister.

The parties plan to court the votes of some senators. But it is unclear if the effort will pay off, as members of the senate were appointed by the military government that was installed following a coup.

Key words : self-driving
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230522_15/

Fully self-driving vehicles have hit the road in a town in central Japan. They are the first ones allowed to run on a public road in the country.

Under a law revised in April, so-called Level-4 driverless vehicles can operate on limited routes at restricted speeds.

The passenger transport service was launched in Fukui Prefecture. Industry minister Nishimura Yasutoshi took a test ride.

The driverless electric cart traveled a roughly two-kilometer route trouble-free in around 10 minutes.
The service operator can run them at up to 12 kilometers per hour.

It previously offered a service with Level-3 autonomous vehicles. These allow for humans to take over in emergencies.

Nishimura said, "Regional communities face declining birthrates, an aging society and depopulation. We aim to provide technology to address such problems and lead the world in self-driving development."

The Japanese government hopes to see fully autonomous driving services launched in about 50 locations by around fiscal 2025.

Key words : ceremony fuji
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230522_25/

A ceremony was held at the foot of Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak, on Monday to pray for the safety of climbers before its trails open in July.

About 30 people, including officials from mountain lodges, the local government and police, attended the event on Monday in Yamanashi Prefecture's Fujiyoshida City. It took place in front of a cenotaph near the Yoshida route leading to the peak that is dedicated to climbers who died on the mountain.

A priest from a local shrine began the ceremony by carrying out a ritual. Participants then prayed for the safety of climbers and the souls of the victims.

Organizers say that from 1956 until last month 325 climbers died on Mount Fuji's Yamanashi side from causes that included slipping off trails.

The Yamanashi side's Yoshida route will open from July 1 through September 10.

Local officials expect the number of climbers to rise this season as this year marks 10 years since Mount Fuji's registration on UNESCO's World Heritage list. The lifting of restrictions on people's movements that were imposed due to COVID-19 is also expected to push up the number.

The officials are concerned that the number of accidents may increase as well.

Nakamura Osamu, the head of an association of local accommodation facility operators, said the participants prayed for a season without accidents. He also said the operators will make preparations to safely accept climbers.