at 18:30 (JST), June 19

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/20230619183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : transport minister agreed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230618_09/

Transport ministers from the Group of Seven nations have agreed to work together toward de-carbonization in the transportation sector by promoting sustainable aviation fuel.

The ministers wrapped up their two-day meeting in the central Japanese city of Shima on Sunday.

They released a joint statement pledging to make a coordinated effort in promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, which is made from plants and waste oil.

The ministers hope to cut greenhouse gas emissions to less than half of the levels generated by conventional jet fuel.

On Saturday, the ministers also discussed with their Ukrainian counterpart ways to restore the war-torn nation.

The statement confirms that the G7 will work together to help rebuild transportation infrastructure in the country.

The ministers say that they will consider setting up a working-level meeting to strengthen supply chains after the Russian invasion caused disruptions on a global scale.

Key words : foreign minister willing to help
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230618_01/

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa says his country is willing to help emerging and developing nations combat climate change. Those nations are collectively known as the Global South.

Hayashi accompanied ambassadors from nine countries on a trip to an offshore wind farm in the northern Japanese prefecture of Akita on Saturday. Envoys from India, South Africa and Mexico were among the participants.

Commercial operations have begun at two wind farms in Akita. A representative of the company that operates them said two farms can generate enough electricity to power more than 130,000 ordinary households.

Hayashi spoke to reporters afterwards. He referred to climate change as a "climate crisis" that is a challenge to all humankind. He said countries need to try to achieve the same goals by utilizing a range of technologies and energy sources.

The minister said Japan wants to help the Global South and other nations switch to other forms of energy. He added that Tokyo wants to help the countries make the transition in a way that does not undermine their economies.

Key words : north second attempt wrong
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230619_10/

North Korea's Workers' Party has called last month's military reconnaissance satellite launch the most serious failure and reaffirmed the country's intention to make a second attempt at an early date.

State-run Korean Central Television broadcast on Monday a three-day plenary meeting of the ruling party's Central Committee that wrapped up the previous day. Leader Kim Jong Un was in attendance.

The media said that the participants reviewed the failed launch of the country's first military reconnaissance satellite on May 31. The officials in charge of the project were reportedly bitterly criticized.

This is the first time that Pyongyang disclosed the failure of the launch to the nation.

North Korean officials vowed to thoroughly analyze the launch to determine what went wrong. They said a successful second attempt will be carried out as early as possible to boost the country's reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

They also said the development of a military satellite is of great significance among the five major goals included in the five-year national defense plan that started in 2021.

North Korea is set to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in July and 75 years since the nation's founding in September. Pyongyang sees the armistice as a day to celebrate what it claims to be its victory over the United States.

North Korea is expected to choose a suitable date for the second satellite launch to stir up patriotism.

Key words : industry minister
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230619_02/

Japan's industry minister Nishimura Yasutoshi has visited the site of a new plant that a Japanese semiconductor company plans to build in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido.

Rapidus was formed last year with investments from Toyota Motor, telecom giant NTT, Sony Group and others. It has the goal of producing leading-edge chips essential for self-driving vehicles and artificial intelligence at the new plant in Chitose City.

The industry ministry has decided to provide the firm with 330 billion yen, or about 2.3 billion dollars, in assistance.

During his visit on Sunday, Nishimura was briefed by Rapidus President Koike Atsuyoshi about the company's business plans.

The plans include putting a trial line into operation in April 2025. The firm also seeks to attract chip-related businesses and research centers, such as universities, to the area.

Nishimura later met business group representatives from the prefecture. The minister told them the government will support human resources development and business launches to help the semiconductor industry agglomerate.

Nishimura told reporters it is no exaggeration to say that Rapidus holds the future of Japan in its hands. He called the company a project for Japan's chip industry to play a central role in the world again. He added the government intends to firmly support it.

Key words : other western countries
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230617_02/

Investigative sources in Japan say a Chinese researcher arrested on suspicion of leaking sensitive data to his country is believed to have been involved with a Beijing-run initiative to recruit foreign talent.

Quan Hengdao is a senior researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Ibaraki Prefecture.

He is suspected of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Act by emailing research data on fluorine compounds to a Chinese company. He reportedly denies the allegations.

Beijing's Thousand Talents Plan is aimed at strengthening science and technology in China by recruiting foreign researchers, as well as Chinese citizens active overseas.

The United States and other Western countries say technologies and information are being leaked in exchange for large payoffs.

Key words : naruhito subway
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230618_15/

Japan's Emperor Naruhito has visited a facility for Indonesia's first subway system, which was built with support from Japan.

The Emperor visited the railway facility in Jakarta on Sunday, the second day of a week-long official trip to the country.

After putting on a safety helmet, he watched workers overhaul train cars. Extensive checks are conducted every few years. Workers separate train bodies from their undercarriage to inspect all parts.

Officials briefed the Emperor on the process. He asked about hardships encountered during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as measures taken to help women and people with disabilities.

He also entered a driver's cabin and asked a female driver what made her decide to do such work.

Indonesia's first subway began operating in 2019, supported by Japanese technological cooperation and a yen loan. The line extends about 16 kilometers, connecting the center of the capital with southern areas.

Construction is underway to extend the system to the north. The expansion is expected to help ease traffic congestion in Jakarta, where conditions are said to be among the world's worst.

The Emperor and Empress Masako are scheduled to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife and attend a luncheon on Monday.

The Imperial Household Agency said the Empress refrained from visiting the subway facility to take care of her health.

Key words : sakamoto
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230619_01/

An editor has revealed the final days of world-renowned Japanese musician and composer Sakamoto Ryuichi in the artist's upcoming posthumous autobiography.

Sakamoto is well known for his work with the pioneering electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra. He died in March at the age of 71.

The autobiography is due to be published on Wednesday. It was compiled from Sakamoto's magazine series titled, "How many more times will I watch the full moon rise?" It was carried in 2022 while he was battling cancer.

Editor Suzuki Masafumi served as an interviewer in the series and contributed the afterword to the book.

In it, Suzuki recalls Sakamoto saying he would hang on a little while longer, after fellow YMO member Takahashi Yukihiro died in January 2023.

Suzuki also touched on the contents of Sakamoto's diaries that were given to him by the bereaved family.

About a month after Takahashi's death, Sakamoto wrote he had watched a video of Takahashi and "Rydeen" sounded sad. Takahashi composed one of the group's most famous instrumentals.

Suzuki says Sakamoto's musical career spanned his entire life. He asked for palliative care three days before his death, thanking each of his doctors while shaking their hands.

Suzuki says Sakamoto was a very generous person and always cared about the people around him.

He adds that he hopes the new book will provide an opportunity to understand what kind of person Sakamoto was.