at 18:30 (JST), June 20

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/20230620183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : and south repeated kishida
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230619_32/

The leaders of Japan, the US and South Korea are expected to meet in the United States shortly to discuss their response to North Korea's repeated missile launches.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio unveiled the plan on Monday during a meeting of executives of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Kishida noted that the two ballistic missiles North Korea launched on Thursday fell in Japan's exclusive economic zone, which cannot be tolerated.

He said bilateral ties between Japan and South Korea are improving at a rapid pace. He expressed readiness to respond to the complicated security environment more aggressively, by sharing information in accordance with the close alliance among the three countries.

He said leaders of the three nations briefly met in Hiroshima on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in May and subsequently they agreed to meet shortly in the United States for in depth discussions.

Key words : and ukrainian reconstruction
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230619_17/

Japanese and Ukrainian ministers have signed a memorandum of cooperation for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Japan's Reconstruction Minister Watanabe Hiromichi and Ukraine's infrastructure development minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov, signed the document in Tokyo on Monday. Kubrakov also serves as deputy prime minister.

Under the memorandum, Japan will share measures and knowledge to help rebuild Ukraine in a sustainable way by using the lessons learned from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

The document also states that the two countries will expand cooperation among relevant public and private organizations.

Specifically, Japan and Ukraine will exchange information to draw up a reconstruction plan, jointly hold seminars and symposiums, and set up points of contact to check progress.

Kubrakov said the war will not last indefinitely, and that Ukraine's damaged infrastructure, houses and economy will need to be rebuilt and revived.

He described Japan's rebuilding knowhow as unique and extremely important.

Watanabe said enabling evacuees to return to their homes and rebuilding communities will also be essential for Ukraine's reconstruction.

He expressed hope that dialogue based on the memorandum will bring about many positive outcomes.

Key words : masako outskirts contributed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230620_03/

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have spoken with dozens of Indonesians with links to Japan, following a meeting with Indonesia's president and his wife as part of a seven-day state visit.

On Monday, the couple met with about 60 people, including some who studied abroad in Japan and descendants of former soldiers of the Japanese army who remained in Indonesia after World War Two to fight for the country's independence.

The Emperor showed understanding of the hardships their ancestors had endured. The Empress expressed gratitude for the dedication of those who worked hard to build friendly relations between the countries.

Earlier in the day, they were welcomed to the presidential palace on the outskirts of Jakarta by President Joko Widodo and his wife. The Imperial couple also took a tour of a nearby botanical garden, escorted by the president and the first lady.

Joko thanked the Imperial couple for visiting Indonesia. The Emperor replied that he wishes to deepen his understanding of Indonesia's diversified society and culture, and reflect on the history of the country and of the people who have contributed to the friendship between Japan and Indonesia.

Afterward at the palace, the Emperor talked with the president, and the Empress with the first lady, before a luncheon hosted by the president and his wife.

During the talks with President Joko, the Emperor said it was exciting to head to the botanical garden in a golf cart driven by the president. Joko said it was the most nervous he has ever been as a driver.

On Tuesday morning, the Emperor and Empress are scheduled to visit Kalibata Heroes Cemetery. People who fought for Indonesia's independence from Dutch rule are buried there, including some of the former soldiers from Japan.

Key words : indian government
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230619_35/

Indian government sources say New Delhi has proposed that the African Union be given full membership of the Group of 20. India holds the group's rotating presidency and will host its summit in September.

The sources said the move is in response to a request from the union. They said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to G20 leaders urging the AU's inclusion.

They said Modi is a "strong believer" in developing and emerging nations, the so-called Global South, having a greater voice at international platforms.

The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union. It includes both developed and emerging countries.

The African Union, with 55 members, is the world's biggest regional bloc. Japan, the US and others back its full-fledged G20 participation.

Global South countries, including those in Africa, are increasing their presence in the international community.
India apparently aims to lead such countries, and, by doing so, raise its own profile.

Key words : south reported year-on-year
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230620_05/

South Korea reported a year-on-year decrease in seafood imports from Japan in May for the second-straight month.

Local media outlets say this apparently reflects growing unease about Japan's plan to release treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.

The Korea Customs Service said fishery products imported from Japan in May were down roughly 30 percent from the same month a year earlier to 2,129 tons. This followed a year-on-year drop of about 26 percent in April to 1,736 tons.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency attributes the decline to growing public concerns about the Fukushima water release project.

Japan plans to release treated water after diluting it to reduce tritium levels to one-seventh of the World Health Organization's safety standards for drinking water.

South Korea's government has taken a range of steps to ease the public's concerns, including holding daily news conferences since last Thursday to give updates on the plan.

Last month, a South Korean group of experts visited Japan to learn about the project, which apparently has ramifications for other sectors of the South Korean economy.

A supermarket in Seoul says it is selling out of salt made from seawater. A staff member said this may be due to worried customers stocking up on salt before the release of treated water starts, to prepare for the annual kimchi making season, which requires a lot of salt.

The South Korean government has denied reports of people hoarding salt. Officials say South Korean-made salt is safe, stressing that they have never detected radioactive materials from salt in hundreds of tests conducted since the March 2011 Fukushima accident.

Key words : post offices
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230619_37/

The operator of Japan's post offices and a major logistics firm say they will cooperate over mail delivery. Japan Post and Yamato Transport see the tie-up as a solution amid a serious labor shortage.

The two companies said Monday they have reached a basic agreement that Japan Post will handle the operations of Yamato's separate delivery services for documents and thin packages.

Masuda Hiroya, President & CEO of Japan Post Holdings told reporters that providing stable services has become an issue as the business environment in the logistics sector becomes more severe. He added their cooperation will help to resolve this problem.

Nagao Yutaka, President of Yamato Holdings said " We may be able to provide even better services through this partnership while maintaining the lineup of our postal products."

Yamato plans to stop mail delivery next January. The thin-package delivery service will be switched over gradually from October this year. But Yamato says it will continue to collect packages from customers.

Yamato started its mail services in 1997 and handled over 2 billion packages annually at one point. But the items the company can handle are limited by law. Letters can only be transported by Japan Post.

Another courier firm, Sagawa Express, has already outsourced the delivery operations of its similar service to Japan Post.

Key words : runners
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230619_15/

Runners have enjoyed the taste of summer while racing near Tokyo.

The Watermelon Road Race took place in Tomisato City, Chiba Prefecture, on Sunday after a four-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The race is usually held at the peak of the watermelon harvest season every year to promote the local delicacy.

About 5,800 people from across Japan took part in the 1.5- or 10-kilometer events.

Runners were offered slices of watermelon instead of water at stations along the courses to get hydrated.

Some participants wore headgear or hand-made costumes featuring watermelon themes.

One participant in her 40s from Tokyo said it was very hot, but the tasty watermelon energized her.