at 18:30 (JST), June 15

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/20230615183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar believe 33
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230614_31/

Sources say senior officials of the Myanmar military appear to have visited Aung San Suu Kyi in jail toward the end of last month and the start of this month. It is believed that they were seeking her mediation for a breakthrough as fighting between the ruling junta and pro-democracy forces intensify.

The sources close to the pro-democracy side say three military officials likely met the ousted de facto leader at a prison in the capital Naypyitaw on May 27 and Jun 4.

They reportedly requested Aung San Suu Kyi to call on the People's Defense Force, the armed wing of the exiled pro-democracy National Unity Government, to halt its armed resistance after explaining the situation of the battle.

She is believed to have rejected cooperating with the military.

The fighting has intensified, as the military carried out airstrikes in the northwestern region of Sagaing and elsewhere, and pro-democracy forces mounted resistance to ground troops.

Multiple local media reported the visits to Aung San Suu Kyi by the military officials. A spokesperson for the military told NHK that no such visits took place, and accused local media of spreading misinformation.

Aung San Suu Kyi was detained in a coup in 2021 in which the military seized power. She is now in jail after receiving a combined 33-year prison sentence for 19 guilty verdicts.

The military also invalidated the National League for Democracy, the political party led by Aung San Suu Kyi, forcing it to be dissolved in March.

Key words : xi peace talk
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230615_03/

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for international peace talks to resolve the Palestinian issue during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

State-run China Central Television reported that Xi met with Abbas in Beijing on Wednesday.

At the talks, Xi said the two sides will establish a strategic partnership, and that it will serve as an important milestone in bilateral ties. He added that China is ready to advance cooperation in all areas.

The Chinese leader presented a three-point proposal, including the peace talks and increased assistance to Palestinians by the international community.

Abbas said he thanks China for protecting the rights of Palestinians and supporting Palestine. He expressed hope for further Chinese support in the fields of politics and economy.

In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to normalize diplomatic ties with China's mediation, following a lapse of several years.

Observers say China wants to increase its presence in the Middle East, where the United States has long wielded strong influence.

Key words : ground self-defense trainee targeted
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230615_05/

The Japanese Self-Defense Forces candidate who was arrested on suspicion of a fatal shooting during training fired four shots.

Sources familiar with the matter disclosed details of the incident to NHK.

The 18-year-old male trainee allegedly opened fire at three personnel at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hino shooting range in Gifu City, central Japan, on Wednesday.

The GSDF said a 25-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and a 52-year-old man in the chest. Both died. The GSDF also said another 25-year-old man was wounded with a shot in the left thigh.

The sources say the trainee opened fire while he was waiting for his turn to shoot in the training. They say he shot once at the 25-year-old, twice at the 52-year-old and then once at the other 25-year-old.

The sources say the shots were fired one by one, not in rapid succession.

Investigative sources said the alleged attacker told police that he targeted the 52-year-old instructor but did not intend to kill the 25-year-old who died.

Key words : palau plans to
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230614_34/

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. has told Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio that he trusts the country's efforts to ensure the safety of releasing treated and diluted water from the Fukushima plant.

The two leaders met in Tokyo on Wednesday. Whipps is on a four-day visit to Japan. He visited the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Tuesday.

In Wednesday's talks, Kishida said it is very encouraging that the leader of a Pacific island nation geographically close to Japan has shown understanding and trust in the country's sincere efforts.

Kishida said that as prime minister, he was renewing his promise that the water will not be released in a way that harms human health or the marine environment.

Whipps told Kishida that he fully understands that Japan is making sincere efforts to ensure safety by making the most of science and technology, and that he trusts the people of Japan.

Water used to cool molten fuel at the plant mixes with rain and groundwater. The water that accumulates is treated to remove most radioactive materials, but still contains tritium.

The Japanese government plans to release the treated water after diluting it to reduce its tritium level to about one-seventh of the level the World Health Organization suggests for drinking water.

The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, is preparing to start discharging the water into the ocean by around this summer.

China has opposed the plan, calling it a grave issue that concerns human health and safety. Strong concerns also remain in South Korea.

The Pacific Islands Forum says there should be no discharge until all parties verify its safety. Palau is a member of the group.

Japan's government has repeatedly asked the international community for understanding, saying Tokyo puts top priority on the operation's safety. The country also says no harm will be done to the environment or human health.

Whipps on Tuesday became the first foreign head of state to observe the damaged facilities at the Fukushima plant since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Key words : taiwan foreign minister global community
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230614_33/

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has said freedom and democracy are at stake and called on the global community to support Taiwan.

Wu was giving a speech at an international conference on security and democracy in the Czech capital Prague on Wednesday. Czech President Petr Pavel was in attendance.

At the start of the event, Pavel said China's strategic long-term interests and values are "not compatible with ours." He said the world should stay fully in support of preserving a democratic arrangement in Taiwan.

Wu said Taiwan faces enormous challenges from China, stressing that Beijing's military threat has been increasing around the Taiwan Strait.

He sought international support for Taiwan, saying "what is at stake is our true belief in freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law."

Wu added, "I have every confidence that when democracies in the east and west stand together, we will prevail."

In 2021, he visited the Czech Republic and other European countries that used to be under the influence of the former Soviet Union, drawing a sharp reaction from China.

The Czech Republic has diplomatic relations with China, but the central European country has enhanced its relations with Taiwan. In January, President-elect Pavel spoke by phone with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen before being inaugurated as head of state, in a rare diplomatic move.

Key words : south 35 million
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230614_32/

The South Korean government is demanding 35 million dollars in damages from North Korea for destroying a joint inter-Korean liaison office three years ago.

North Korea blew up the office in the border city of Kaesong in June 2020, after a group of North Korean defectors in South Korea circulated leaflets criticizing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

South Korea's Unification Ministry said on Wednesday that it filed the lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court before the third anniversary of the incident on Friday.

The ministry is seeking 44.7 billion won, or about 35 million dollars, in damages for the office building and an adjacent facility.

It took legal action to prevent the statute of limitations for property damage related to the incident from expiring on Friday.

This is said to be the first time the South Korean government has sued the North for damages.

The ministry said it will sternly respond to the North's infringement upon the property rights of South Koreans.

But South Korea's Yonhap News Agency says there are no means for the government to force the North to pay the compensation, even if the South wins the lawsuit.

Key words : renowned ukrainian
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230615_07/

A renowned Ukrainian pianist has held a concert in Tokyo, calling for support for his country.

Alexei Grynyuk is based in The Hague, in the Netherlands. He's currently on tour around Japan.

Grynyuk has performed several times in Japan, including in Fukushima after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

At the Tokyo concert on Wednesday, he played compositions by Mozart and Schubert. He said he wants to convey that there will always be light even during the most painful times in people's lives.

Japanese female audience said: "I was encouraged to see Grynyuk continue to perform. It made me realize no one can stop his music even during wartime."

Ukrainian female audience said: "Japanese people and Ukrainian people together, and Japanese people are supporting Ukraine, I feel it so much. I am really thankful."

Grynyuk plans to perform in other places in Japan, such as Hokkaido and around Tokyo. Part of proceeds from the shows will be donated to support children in Ukraine.