at 18:30 (JST), June 08

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/20230608183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : japan scrambled
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230608_03/

Japan's Defense Ministry says Chinese and Russian strategic bombers carried out a joint flight over waters surrounding Japan.

The ministry says two Russian bombers and two Chinese bombers flew from the direction of China on Wednesday. The aircraft flew south above the East China Sea then traveled between the Okinawa main island and Miyakojima Island before reaching the Pacific Ocean.

The four bombers flew back to the East China Sea, taking the same route. They then took two separate routes toward the direction of their countries.

The ministry says the bombers were accompanied by a record number of aircraft during a joint flight, with 15 Chinese and two Russian fighter jets having been confirmed.

Japan scrambled Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets in response, but no intrusion into Japanese airspace took place.

The ministry confirmed a joint flight of Chinese and Russian bombers over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea on Tuesday.

This is the seventh time China and Russia have conducted a joint flight near Japan since July 2019, but the first time such activity has been conducted two days in a row.

The ministry says the joint flight is a clear sign of provocation toward Japan, and that it will convey Japan's grave concerns to both countries through diplomatic channels.

The ministry says it continues to be on the guard while monitoring for possible new moves.

Key words : defense chief southeast
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230607_39/

Defense chiefs and military commanders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have gathered on the Indonesian island of Bali. They've agreed to hold a joint exercise in the South China Sea.

The leader of Myanmar's military junta was not invited to the meeting. A defense attache attended instead.

The chief of staff of Timor-Leste also attended. The country's membership to ASEAN was approved in principle last year.

The participants agreed they will hold their exercise in September near the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea.
Indonesia's top commander emphasized the sea's importance, as it touches the borders of several member countries.

Indonesia's National Defense Forces Commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, said: "ASEAN must agree and unite, so that we all agree on the security and stability of the region. If the area is stable, shipping routes are safe, flights are safe, and of course, there will be prosperity."

The meeting comes amid China's growing activities in the waters. ASEAN resumed negotiations with China in March for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

The meeting also comes as North Korea says it plans to launch another military reconnaissance satellite. One such attempt failed last week. Parts of the rocket are expected to fall into an area of the Pacific east of the Philippines.

Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, General Andres Centino, said: "I think the better way for us, like in ASEAN, is to be aware of what's happening, also, and make sure that all other means are exhausted to ensure that what we think could be the worst situation will not happen."

Meanwhile, Indonesia has been hosting naval drills since Monday involving a number of countries near Sulawesi island. Thirty-six nations are participating, including the US, China and Russia. Indonesia's official foreign policy is to not take sides, and keep a balance between major powers.

Key words : plans to hold prevent sexual abuse
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230607_38/

The Japanese government plans to hold a conference for ministerial officials to study ways to prevent sexual abuse of children in culture, entertainment, sports and other fields.

The move follows allegations of sexual abuse of teenagers by the late founder of major talent agency Johnny & Associates.

Former agency members and others are calling for revisions to the country's child abuse prevention law to include sexual misconduct targeting children by adults with financial clout and social recognition.

Children's Policy Minister Ogura Masanobu is cautious about revising the law, saying it is different in nature from abuse by guardians assumed under the law.

The government says there is a need to look into ways to prevent similar abuses. It plans to set up a conference led by Ogura and hold an inaugural meeting as early as next week. Participants will include officials from the Cabinet Office, the industry ministry, the Cultural Affairs Agency, and others.

Officials are expected to discuss creating a consultation system to make it easier for children to voice their complaints. They will also study drawing up guidelines to prevent sexual abuse in culture, entertainment, sports and other fields where many children are engaged.

The government plans to compile concrete measures soon for implementation.

Key words : hong kong think tank
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230608_02/

A Hong Kong think tank has canceled the release of its annual public opinion survey on the 1989 deadly military crackdown on student-led pro-democracy protests at Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute was due to release online on Tuesday its "June 4th Anniversary Survey Report."

The survey has been carried out every year for 30 years, canvassing city residents.

Questions included whether people thought the Chinese government responded correctly to the student protests.
Those who responded negatively always outnumbered those who supported the move.

The institute disclosed on Tuesday it decided to cancel its release "in response to suggestions from relevant government department after their risk assessment."

The institute was raided by police in 2020 for supporting primary elections aimed at selecting pro-democracy candidates to run in Hong Kong's Legislative Council elections.

Key words : thailand ongoing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230607_41/

Talks in Thailand are ongoing to form a coalition government following the May 14 general election.
But the frontrunner to become prime minister has hit a roadblock over his holdings in a media company.

The Move Forward Party, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, won more seats than any other party in the election. It has been in talks with seven other opposition parties to form a coalition government.

But Pita's ownership of shares in a media company could be in violation of the Constitution, even though the media service is no longer operating. The election commission is investigating, following a petition by a ruling party politician. This is raising speculation that Pita may be blocked from becoming prime minister.

He says he received the shares as part of his father's estate, and they have now been transferred to an heir.

Pita said: "I was confident in the regulations, and my accounting of the matter. However, there is a possibility that an attempt will be made to revive the case in the future."

Meanwhile, incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was asked by reporters on Tuesday if he saw any chance of staying in power. He said no. Local media interpret this as suggesting he may have accepted his defeat.

Key words : chip maker
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230606_27/

The world's largest contract chip maker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, says its second plant in Japan will likely be in the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, the same as the first plant.

TSMC Chairman Mark Liu disclosed this to the Taiwanese media on Tuesday.

Liu reportedly said the company has been studying the idea of a second plant in Japan, and that the plan is to build it in Kumamoto.

The chairman said TSMC has only procured land for the first plant so far, and that it is working to buy land for the second one. He added the company is also discussing the plan with the Japanese government.

TSMC's first plant in Japan is currently under construction in Kumamoto.

Liu had said the company has been planning a second plant in Japan, but had not mentioned a possible site.

Key words : fishery visited ministry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230607_36/

A fisheries association in Fukushima Prefecture has conveyed to the industry minister its concerns over a plan to release into the sea treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The head of the association, Konno Toshimitsu, and others visited the industry ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday to meet minister Nishimura Yasutoshi. They expressed concern over possible reputational damage from the release. It was the first time that a fishing association directly conveyed its opinions on the matter to a Cabinet minister.

Japan plans to release the treated water after diluting it to reduce tritium levels to one-seventh of the World Health Organization's limit for drinking water. The government aims to start releasing the water by around this summer.

The fishery cooperative has opposed the plan.

The government has set up funds to deal with reputational damage and to support the fishing industry. It has also held briefing sessions in local municipalities to gain understanding.

But the cooperative says local fishers' opinions are not reflected in government measures, and that its members still have concerns.

Konno asked Nishimura why the water must be released from Fukushima. He also expressed concern that they might suffer reputational damage again after their efforts to recover from the nuclear accident.

Konno said after the meeting that he delivered opinions directly to Nishimura, in the hope that he does not waste the efforts of local fishers to rebuild their industry.

He said he opposes the water release and wants the government to take responsibility for possible reputational damage.

Earlier this month, experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency completed their final safety assessment of Japan's plan to release the treated water.

The government plans to use the IAEA's report, to be issued in the near future, to support its case for the release while addressing concerns of local authorities and residents near the plant.