at 18:30 (JST), June 26

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/20230626183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : standing committee
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230626_05/

The Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress is expected to begin deliberations on a draft bill promoting patriotic education.

The Standing Committee of the Chinese legislature is set to convene a session from Monday to Wednesday.

While the legislation's details have not been disclosed, the committee's spokesperson noted at a Sunday news conference that it is based on the guiding principles of President Xi Jinping.

The spokesperson said the bill encourages love for the country, the Chinese Communist Party and socialism. It also focuses on achieving the nation's rejuvenation.

The bill reportedly stipulates the guiding principles, leadership mechanism and content of patriotic education.

Its overall aim appears to be boosting allegiance to the administration and achieving social stability.

Patriotic education has been emphasized in China before.

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin promoted education that asserted China was victorious in its war of resistance against Japan.

Jiang's focus on historical issues strained relations between Japan and China.

Key words : north reacted sharply
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_02/

North Korea has reacted sharply to remarks made by the top US diplomat on China's role regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

The country is warning of an "overwhelming" response to the United States' policies against Pyongyang.

North Korea's foreign ministry issued a statement on Saturday blasting comments by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

After Blinken met China's President Xi Jinping on Monday, he held a news conference at which he described China as being in a unique position to press North Korea to engage in a dialogue aimed at stopping Pyongyang's "dangerous" activities.

A director general at the North Korean foreign ministry accused the US of causing the heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula for persistently maintaining hostile policies towards Pyongyang.

The director warned that the scale and scope of North Korea's countermeasures will be extended more "overwhelmingly and offensively" when the US escalates its military provocations on the peninsula and the region.

The warning is apparently made in response to cooperation between the US and South Korea, including joint military exercises.

The statement also reflects North Korea's increased criticism of the US, as Sunday marks 73 years since the start of the Korean War, which Pyongyang regards as "the day of the struggle" against the US.

Key words : ballet dancer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_10/

Two Japanese dancers have won gold medals in one of the world's three major ballet competitions.

Sasaki Ryo, a 24-year-old from Osaka Prefecture, won the gold medal in the senior male division of the 2023 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi.

Toku Sayako, a 21-year-old from Kobe, won the top honor in the senior female division. Dancers 19 to 28 years of age are eligible for the senior division.

The results of the final screening were announced on Friday. The competition started on June 10, with about a hundred dancers from around the world taking part.

This is the first time a Japanese dancer has won the gold since 2014, when Kase Shiori achieved the feat in the senior female division.

The competition, held every four years, is considered a gateway to success for young ballet dancers, along with the competitions in Moscow and the Bulgarian city of Varna.

Key words : japanese nationals
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_18/

Family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have recorded encouraging messages for a radio broadcast aimed at the country.

The messages were recorded in Tokyo for Free North Korea Radio, a shortwave broadcaster. Its daily radio program is run by a group of people who defected from the North to South Korea.

The abductees' relatives called on their loved ones never to give up until they are rescued.

The leader of the relatives' group, Yokota Takuya, is a younger brother of Yokota Megumi, who was abducted in 1977 at the age of 13. He asked his sister how she is doing. He also said he is sorry that she has had to spend a long time in North Korea without freedom.

He added that the relatives will never give up until they achieve the return of all the abductees.

His twin brother, Yokota Tetsuya, told his sister about their parents. He said that their father, who died three years ago, thought about rescuing his daughter every day.

He added that their 87-year-old mother often falls over, but is doing well. He vowed to get back his sister and asked her to stay healthy until she can be reunited with her mother.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said last month that he wants to start high-level talks under his direct control to hold a summit with North Korea at an early date.

Yokota Takuya said after the recording that he wants the Japanese government to continue its steady diplomatic efforts until all the abductees are returned.

He expressed hope that a Japan-North Korea summit can be held and that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will decide to hand over all the abductees.

Key words : NHK found record
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_11/

NHK has found a record of conversations among US Marines who were on the ground during the Battle of Okinawa in the final stages of World War II.

More than 30 hours of unedited audio tape reveals the fierceness of the fighting.

NHK has obtained the tape kept in a conservation center of the US Library of Congress in the eastern state of Virginia.

The recording was made by a Marine in charge of radio correspondence. It was intended to deliver the voices of the troops to the people back home in the US.

This recording got underway in March 1945, just before US forces landed on Okinawa.

The tape, believed to be made shortly after landing, says, "There are some big guns going off now, pounding the hell out of Okinawa." It goes on to say, "From our smallest to the largest guns, they are all opening up in Okinawa."

Sound believed to be captured during battle on the Motobu Peninsula in the northern part of Okinawa's main island says, "That was close. Get away from that recording jeep. Get up here by the hill."

It was a tense moment for the Marines, who were apparently being targeted by Japanese snipers in the forest.

The recording also revealed difficulties faced by Marines in distinguishing Japanese soldiers from civilians. It also depicted the battle over a hill in Naha City called a sugar loaf.

Hosaka Hiroshi, a former professor at the University of the Ryukyus and an expert on the Battle of Okinawa, called the finding an important one that helps testify to the fierceness of the combat there.

He said even specialist researchers like him did not know such recordings of voices of US Marines on the battle ground existed.

Key words : young artist
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230625_13/

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has turned vacant space in public housing into studios for young artists.

The project was launched in April to provide young artists with space for creating and showing their artwork. Store spaces without tenants in two apartment buildings in Shibuya Ward have been made available.

The move was supported by the results of a metropolitan government survey that indicated many artists are struggling to find a space for their creative work.

The monthly rent is about 280 dollars, lower than the market rate. Officials plan to rent out the space for three-month periods.

On Sunday, some artists were seen giving the finishing touches to their work just before the first public viewing at one of the apartment buildings.

Graphic designer Yamada Yutaro expressed his gratitude, saying he can concentrate better in the space that is separate from his home.

Tokyo official Miyata Naoyuki says he hopes the space will someday produce the world's famous artists.