at 18:30 (JST), July 05

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/20230705183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : nuclear watchdog release plan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230705_02/

The UN's nuclear watchdog says Japan's plan to release treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the ocean is consistent with international safety standards. Experts with the International Atomic Energy Agency have spent more than two years assessing the safety of the plan.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi says the planned release would have a negligible impact on people and the environment -- seawater, fish and sediment.

Grossi says his agency plans to have a continuous on-site presence to monitor the procedure.

Grossi made the remarks after he presented a comprehensive report on the release plan to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Kishida stressed his commitment to not allow a discharge that has a harmful impact on human health or the environment of both Japan and the world.

Grossi says the report is neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of the government's plan. He says the release of the water is a national decision by the government of Japan. Officials plan to start releasing the water sometime this summer.

The plant suffered a triple meltdown in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Since then, groundwater and rain have been seeping into the damaged reactor buildings, and mixing with water used to cool molten nuclear fuel.

Workers treat the water to remove most radioactive materials. But tritium remains. More than 1,000 tanks being used for storage at the site are nearing full capacity.

Japan's nuclear regulators approved a plan last year to dilute and discharge the treated water into the ocean. The government says the level of tritium will be lowered to one-seventh of the World Health Organization's standards for drinking water.

But many in the fishing industry are against the release, raising concerns about another hit to Fukushima's reputation and its businesses.

The prefecture's governor is calling for continued effort by the government.

Fukushima Governor Uchibori Masao said, "The central government should continue to work with the IAEA and other international organizations to fulfil its responsibility to deepen understanding both in Japan and abroad.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson says water release may not be the only credible option.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said, "Japan must have a responsible attitude toward all humanity and future generations, and not push for the release of the water into the sea."

The IAEA chief will travel to South Korea on Friday to brief officials there on his agency's findings.

Key words : thailand compromise
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230704_34/

Thailand's parliament has selected a new House speaker. This comes after opposition parties scored a stunning victory in May's general election.

The progressive Move Forward Party and other allied parties are currently trying to form a coalition government. The selection of a house speaker could be a step forward.

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives unanimously endorsed veteran politician Wan Muhamad Noor Matha as speaker on Tuesday.

There was a rift between the second-largest party, the Pheu Thai Party, and Move Forward. They both wanted the post, as the speaker can influence the passage of legislation and the timing of votes.

But they came to a compromise on Monday. They settled on a third-party candidate from the opposition camp. The aim of that decision was to prevent the confrontation from affecting efforts to form a government.

The focus now turns to the election of the next prime minister. That is expected to take place in mid-July. The eight allied parties have agreed to back Move Forward's leader, Pita Limjaroenrat.

The coalition has a majority of the seats in the lower house. But it still needs the support of senators to get Pita the prime minister's job, and the senators were effectively handpicked by the military, after it orchestrated the 2014 coup.

Key words : myanmar detention Aung
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20230529195317226/index.html

Aung San Suu Kyi aide speaks to NHK

A close aide to Aung San Suu Kyi, the ousted de facto leader of Myanmar, has shared with NHK exchanges he had with her before and after the 2021 coup.