at 18:30 (JST), June 13

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/20230613183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : four officers killed vietnam
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230612_33/

An armed group has attacked police stations in central Vietnam, killing four officers. Investigators have detained 26 people.

The Public Security Ministry says the group targeted stations in two villages in the highland province of Dak Lak early on Sunday. It says village officials and residents were also killed or injured.

The group fled after the attack. A search is underway for the members at large.

In Vietnam, the Communist Party exercises absolute rule and anti-government activities are rare. Large-scale attacks on police stations are very unusual.

The ministry has not disclosed the background of the incident or the group's motives.

Key words : pakistan discounted
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230613_01/

Pakistan's government has announced the arrival of the first shipment of Russian crude oil under a deal between the countries.

Experts say Pakistan is building closer ties with Russia, a major oil producer that has been struggling under Western economic sanctions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday tweeted that "the first discounted cargo of Russian crude oil has arrived in Karachi." But it's unclear how much Pakistan paid.

Sharif added that this represents "the beginning of a new relationship between Pakistan and Russian Federation."

Pakistan has long relied on Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia for its oil supplies, according to local media outlets.

Pakistan's economy has been in a dire situation in the aftermath of devastating flooding last year, as well as dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

Rising energy prices have made it difficult for Pakistan to import oil so it is expanding trade ties with Russia.

Key words : sushi chain
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Key words : china honduras
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230613_02/

Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced that his country will provide economic support for Honduras. The Central American nation's president is currently visiting China, following the establishment of diplomatic relations with the country in March.

Xi on Monday met with Honduras' President Xiomara Castro, who is on a six-day official visit to China.
Honduras formed ties with Beijing after cutting them with Taiwan.

China's foreign ministry quoted Xi as saying Castro's visit opens a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations and that Beijing will firmly support the economic and social development in Honduras.

Xi suggested that China will step up its economic support for Honduras, including facilitating Honduran products entering the Chinese market.

Castro told Xi that establishing ties with China was a historic choice for her country. She said Honduras resolutely supports Beijing's efforts for realizing national unification.

The number of sovereign states that recognize Taiwan has hit a record low of 13, seven of which are in Central America and South America.

China seeks to expand its influence in those regions, probably with their proximity to the United States in mind. It appears that Beijing is encouraging other countries to cut ties with Taiwan by stressing potential economic benefits gained by closer ties with China.

Key words : talent agency examine
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230612_21/

A team of outside experts set up by major Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates has held a news conference to explain how it will examine allegations that the agency's founder had sexually abused young male talents.

Performers who once belonged to the agency have recently come forward with allegations against its founder and former president Johnny Kitagawa, who died in 2019.

The agency in May launched a special team led by former top public prosecutor Hayashi Makoto, to draw up steps to prevent such incidents.

Hayashi and another member of the team, psychiatrist Asukai Nozomu, held the news conference in Tokyo on Monday.

Hayashi announced that the team will conduct studies and make proposals from the standpoint of an outside party.

He said the inquiry will be carried out on the assumption that sexual misconduct had taken place. He added that the team will look into the agency's corporate culture.

Hayashi said the team will interview senior officials of the agency and people who claim they were sexually abused by the former president. He said the group will then compile and announce proposals for preventive measures.

Hayashi said he finds the issue extremely grave. He said the team will stand by the alleged victims, conduct a strict investigation, and call on the agency to implement preventive steps.

Key words : abe
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230612_17/

The Nara District Court in western Japan says it received a potentially dangerous item on Monday morning. Court officials and visitors were evacuated as authorities conducted safety checks. A large number of people emerged from the entrance looking concerned.

Investigative sources say that police dispatched an explosives handling unit to the court to inspect the unclaimed bag-like object.

Pretrial procedures for Yamagami Tetsuya, who has been indicted for the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, were scheduled to take place at the court from 3 p.m. on Monday. But the court says they have been canceled for now.

Court officials, prosecutors and lawyers were scheduled to take part in proceedings to organize key issues before the first hearing. The defendant was also expected to attend.

Key words : ceo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230613_14/

The CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI has told a gathering of university students in Tokyo about the potential and importance of artificial intelligence.

Sam Altman was speaking at Keio University.

He told the audience that while AI will eliminate some jobs in the near future, it will also improve life for many people. He said he wanted the students to become familiar with AI and to think about using the technology to create things.

Altman said, "The next paradigm is when these models can not only mimic what humans would do and put together existing ideas in new ways and do everything that people like GPT 4 for, but really help generate fundamental new ideas.

"And so, I think what's next for us, in addition to continuing to push on the GPT paradigm, is figuring out how go we beyond that and how we get these models to go discover new knowledge."

After the seminar, Altman said he met with SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Son Masayoshi and that they are jointly exploring business opportunities.

Altman said their conversation touched on "all the different ways" the two can work together. He declined to elaborate, saying their discussions are at a "very early stage."