at 18:30 (JST), June 16

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/20230616183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : lgbtq in 2021
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230616_13/

Japan's Diet has enacted a bill to promote understanding of the LGBTQ community in the country.

Three bills were originally submitted to the current Diet session. The one sponsored by the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito was revised to include content proposed by two opposition parties, Nippon Ishin Japan Innovation Party and the Democratic Party for the People.

The revised bill was approved at the Upper House plenary session on Friday, with a majority in favor.

The legislation says "there should be no unfair discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity." It stipulates that the government will draw up a basic plan to promote understanding of the LGBTQ community.

It also says that when implementing measures based on the law, the government will need to ensure that every citizen can live with a sense of security.

Opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party and Reiwa Shinsengumi, voted against the bill. They said the legislation could lead to people being rejected and there is disappointment among the LGBTQ community.

They also say the contents of the legislation have regressed from the bill written by a nonpartisan group of lawmakers in 2021.

Some conservative lawmakers of the ruling LDP continue to oppose the legislation. They walked out just before the vote at Friday's plenary session. Some lawmakers took similar action earlier this week when the Lower House approved the bill.

Key words : defense ministry north two
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230616_07/

Japanese crab fishers operating in the Sea of Japan say they heard a loud noise on Thursday night, after North Korea launched ballistic missiles.

Japan's Defense Ministry announced that North Korea launched two ballistic missiles at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. It said they are believed to have fallen into Japan's exclusive economic zone, about 250 kilometers off the Noto Peninsula in the Sea of Japan.

Tottori Prefecture, a western Japanese prefecture that faces the sea, held an emergency meeting on the same day, following the announcement. Officials from the prefecture, the police and Japan's Self-Defense Forces were among the participants.

Prefectural officials reported that red snow crab fishers operating in the prime fishing grounds of Yamatotai, off the Noto Peninsula, had notified their boat's owner that they heard a heavy sound, such as that made by an object falling into the sea.

The officials said there was no damage to the fishing boat, and that the vessel was able to continue operating without a hitch.

They said the prefecture will make an emergency request to the central government as early as Friday. They said they will urge the central government to ensure the safety of fishing boats operating in the Sea of Japan.

Tottori Governor Hirai Shinji said any missile launch is unacceptable. He said he will lodge an angry protest. Hirai added that he hopes the government's response will be firm and resolute.

Key words : international peace
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230616_03/

Senior security officials from Japan, the United States and South Korea have condemned North Korea's latest missile launches.

A statement was released just hours after Pyongyang's Thursday evening ballistic missile launches by the Secretary General of Japan's National Security Secretariat, Akiba Takeo, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and South Korea's National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong.

The statement condemns the launches as clear violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. It emphasizes that they demonstrate the threat North Korea's "unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs pose to the region, international peace and security."

The statement says the US reaffirms its security commitments to Japan and South Korea.

It also refers to a meeting of the three officials in Tokyo on Thursday, just hours before the missile launches. It explains that they discussed ways to enhance trilateral cooperation, which they affirmed will "not be shaken by provocations."

Meanwhile, the US government announced on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on two Beijing-based North Koreans for their involvement in procuring equipment and materials that support Pyongyang's ballistic missile program. It said the penalties include freezing all assets they hold in the US.

Key words : naruhito abroad
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230615_35/

Japan's Emperor Naruhito says he hopes his upcoming visit to Indonesia will help develop friendly relations between the two countries.

The Emperor and Empress Masako are expected to leave for the Southeast Asian nation on Saturday. It will be their first goodwill trip abroad since the Emperor ascended the throne in 2019.

Asked at a news conference on Thursday about the bilateral relations in the past when Japan ruled over Indonesia, the Emperor noted that there were difficult times.

He said Japan has contributed to peace and prosperity of the international community with Indonesia and other Asian nations since the end of the war.
The Emperor also said the visit will help further deepen friendship and goodwill between the two countries, building on their history of bilateral exchange.

He added that he expected the Empress to accompany him throughout his travel in Indonesia, but later decided to visit some places alone. He said he made the decision after conducting a comprehensive review of planned events.

He added that he hopes the Empress, who will be making her first official visit to Southeast Asia, will maintain her condition so that she can carry out her duties safely.

The Imperial couple's seven-day trip will take place from June 17 to 23.

Key words : kubota myanmar filmmaker
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