at 18:30 (JST), July 10

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/20230710183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : south grossi criticized
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_12/

Lawmakers from South Korea's largest opposition party have told the chief of the UN nuclear watchdog of their concerns about Japan's plan to release treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the ocean.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi met officials of the Democratic Party on Sunday in Seoul.

Grossi reiterated that the IAEA's review of Japan's release plan is "in conformity with international safety standards." He added that he will carefully address the concerns of South Koreans.

The opposition lawmakers criticized the IAEA's inspection, saying it was biased in favor of Japan. They described the treated water as "radioactive waste."

South Korea's ruling party has accused the opposition of fanning fear with unscientific claims.

Water used to cool molten nuclear fuel at the Fukushima Daiichi plant mixes with rain and groundwater. The accumulated water is treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium.

Before releasing the water into the ocean, the Japanese government plans to dilute the water to reduce the level of tritium to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water quality.

Grossi wraps up his three-day visit to South Korea on Sunday. He will then travel to New Zealand and the Cook Islands to discuss the IAEA's report.

Key words : south intends to accept
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_03/

The director general of the UN nuclear watchdog and South Korea's foreign minister have discussed Japan's plan to release treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in the South Korean capital, Seoul, on Saturday.

Ministry officials say Grossi briefed Park on the IAEA's assessment of the plan during the meeting.

The IAEA review concluded that the treated and diluted water that Japan plans to release from the plant meets international safety standards.

Water used to cool molten nuclear fuel mixes with rain and groundwater. The water is then treated to remove most radioactive substances. But tritium remains.

Before the Japanese government releases the water into the ocean, it plans to dilute the water to reduce the level of tritium to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water quality.

The officials say Park asked Grossi to continue to cooperate, so that people in his country can feel secure about the safety of the treated water.

After the meeting, Park told reporters that he and Grossi had in-depth discussions about ways in which the IAEA and the South Korean government can work together to check and see if the water is safe.

On Friday, the South Korean government noted that its own assessment indicates the treated water from the plant will meet international safety standards, if it is released as currently planned by the Japanese government.

The South Korean government said it intends to accept the IAEA report.

There is growing concern in South Korea about the planned release. Groups protesting against it held a rally in Seoul on Saturday.

On Sunday, Grossi is scheduled to meet with lawmakers from South Korea's largest opposition party. They have been protesting against the plan.

Key words : yoon kishida talk
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230710_24/

The Japanese government says arrangements are underway for talks between Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on the sidelines of a NATO summit that opens on Tuesday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu told reporters on Monday that the two leaders will meet in Lithuania, where they will take part in the NATO summit as partner countries of the alliance.

Kishida is expected to tell Yoon that Japan will ensure safety and prevent reputational damage in connection with its plan to release treated and diluted water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea.

The International Atomic Energy Agency last week released a report that said the plan is consistent with international safety standards.

The accumulated water is treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium. Before releasing the water into the ocean, the Japanese government plans to dilute the water to reduce the level of tritium to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water quality.

Kishida and Yoon are also expected to discuss ways to advance economic and security cooperation to further improve bilateral ties. The North Korean situation is another likely agenda item.

After attending the NATO summit, Kishida will travel to Brussels for a regular summit with leaders of the European Union.

Key words : north denounced
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230710_10/

North Korea has denounced the United States, saying its reconnaissance planes have violated its airspace.

A spokesperson for North Korea's defense ministry released a statement on Monday via the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

The statement says the US aircraft violated North Korea's airspace as they flew over the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea from July 2 through Sunday.

The statement says the US has sent spy aircraft to areas near the military demarcation line between the two Koreas and elsewhere this year. It warns that Washington will pay a price for its provocative reconnaissance activities.

The statement also says, "There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the U.S. Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen" over the Sea of Japan. It calls for an end to such flights.

The statement comes ahead of July 27 -- the 70th anniversary of the 1953 Korean War Armistice. Pyongyang sees it as a day to celebrate what it calls its victory over the United States.

Meanwhile, South Korean forces say North Korea's claim that its airspace was violated by the US aircraft is false. They noted that US aerial surveillance is a routine activity and sternly urged the North to stop stoking tensions through false claims.

Key words : abe nara lay
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230708_08/

People have been laying flowers in the city of Nara, where former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was fatally shot while delivering a campaign speech one year ago.

A tent for condolence flowers was set up on Saturday near the site of the shooting. Uniformed police officers patrolled the area.

Visitors observed a moment of silence just after 11:30 a.m., marking the exact time the incident took place.

One man in his 20s said he wanted to pay his respects to Abe as he thinks the former leader changed Japan.

He also said he wants the country to bring in more security measures to make it safer.

In January this year, prosecutors indicted Yamagami Tetsuya for the shooting.

Yamagami reportedly told investigators that he believed the former leader had close ties with a religious group formerly known as the Unification Church. He says his mother donated large sums of money to the group, which left his family in financial ruin.

His lawyers have not spoken about a motive, saying that it would affect the trial.

The case is to be heard in a lay judge trial. Yamagami's lawyers say the first hearing is expected to be held next year at the earliest.

Key words : abe widow
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230708_06/

A memorial service for former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was held on Saturday to mark one year since he was fatally shot while delivering a campaign speech in the western city of Nara.

The service took place in the morning at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo. Abe's widow and relatives, as well as current Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Secretary-General of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party Motegi Toshimitsu were among those in attendance.

The public will be able to offer flowers at a temporary stand at the temple in the afternoon.

The faction of the Liberal Democratic Party that Abe led will hold an event in the capital on Saturday.

A meeting of experts and others who want to carry on Abe's wishes is also due to take place.

Key words : athlete russia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230710_02/

A regional sports governing body has decided to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under a neutral flag at the Asian Games later this year. But they will be denied medals even if they achieve podium finishes.

The Olympic Council of Asia reached the decision at its General Assembly in the Thai capital, Bangkok, on Saturday.

The council said it will permit up to 500 athletes from the two countries to take part in 12 individual sports at the quadrennial event.

Russian and Belarusian athletes have been largely banned from international competitions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

But the International Olympic Committee has been exploring possible access to international events for those athletes. It said in a statement in January that "No athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport."

Ukraine and other countries have been opposing the IOC's stance, with some sporting bodies canceling their international competitions.

The OCA's decision could help athletes from Russia and Belarus gain a pathway to qualify for the 2024 Paris Games.

The Chinese city of Hangzhou is set to host the Asian Games from September 23 through October 8. It was delayed by one year due to the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

Key words : group of seven sustainable 70 percent
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_10/

The Group of Seven ministers for sustainable urban development have agreed to work together to make cities more carbon neutral.

The G7 ministers issued a statement on Sunday to wrap up their two-day meeting in Takamatsu, western Japan. The document stresses that cities have an important role to play in realizing carbon-neutral societies. The United Nations estimates that cities are responsible for more than 70 percent of global CO2 emissions.

The statement says that greening cities and the surrounding areas can help deal with the causes and impact of climate change.

The G7 ministers say they will work to secure more green spaces as well as creating green roofs and walls on buildings.

The statement also welcomes international cooperation to promote energy-efficient buildings that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero in the entire process from construction to demolition.

The ministers pointed to the importance of government funding, such as subsidies and tax incentives, as well as private investment.

Regarding support for Ukraine, the statement stresses the active involvement of the G7 nations, saying they can contribute more effectively to the restoration of the country's infrastructure from the planning stage.

Japan's land minister Saito Tetsuo told a news conference that when addressing global issues such as disasters and climate change, countries should focus on the problems of urban areas where people and assets are concentrated.

Saito added that the G7 ministers were able to put together a strong message to make cities more sustainable.

He noted that Japanese cities will need more green areas to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

He also said it is important for the public and private sectors to work together to secure more of these green spaces.

Key words : pacific island fishing boat beijing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230710_01/

The Japan Coast Guard has provided its counterpart in the Pacific island country of Kiribati with technical support to crack down on illegal fishing boats. The move came following China's recent increased presence in the region.

Japan sent three officers for the support program from June 19 to 26 in the capital, Tarawa. The program was the first of its kind extended by Japan to Kiribati. It involved training on how to conduct on-board inspections and how to approach and climb aboard a ship using a small boat.

Kiribati has only about 40 coast guard personnel and one patrol boat. It is exploring effective ways to crack down on a growing number of illegal fishing boats operating around the country known for its rich fishery resources.
The Japanese officers included members of a special team that helps foreign coast guard agencies build their capacity for maritime safety and security. Japan's coast guard set up the team in 2017 to help realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

A boat captain at the Kiribati Police Service's maritime unit, Tom Redfern, said the training provided by Japan was important and helpful to develop his nation's capabilities.

A Japan Coast Guard official, Nishimura Issei, said the Kiribati side sought martial arts techniques for use during crackdowns. He said Japan is willing to give Kiribati necessary support in both hardware and software.

In recent years, Japan has been expanding its support for Pacific island nations, as many of them have traditionally friendly ties to the country.
In 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan provided vaccines to Kiribati through the COVAX Facility, a framework led by the World Health Organization for the development and distribution of vaccines.

In January this year, Japan opened an embassy in Kiribati, saying their bilateral relations are growing in importance.

Japan has also hosted a summit-level gathering, called the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, every three years since 1997 to discuss maritime security, climate change and other issues.

Kiribati switched its diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China in September 2019 following a similar move by the Solomon Islands, another Pacific island nation.

Kiribati has been receiving infrastructure investment and support including building a port facility and a runway from China, which is pushing for the Belt and Road initiative to create a massive economic zone. China is believed to be trying to secure maritime resources from Kiribati in exchange for the development support.

China is also believed to be moving to ramp up its military involvement in the region. Beijing announced in April 2022 that it had signed an agreement on security cooperation with the Solomon Islands.

In an apparent countermeasure against China's move, the administration of US President Joe Biden disclosed in July last year that it would begin talks with Kiribati and Tonga on opening embassies there.

Key words : asean studied
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230709_06/

Former ASEAN international students to Japan have said that they will continue to help develop ties with the country in which they studied. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN friendship and cooperation.

A group of former students from the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries holds meetings every few years. This year about 140 people got together in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.

Heru Santoso, head of the organizing committee, studied management engineering in Japan. He told the gathering in Japanese that he hopes to raise funds for scholarships and send students to study in Japan as a way of showing his gratitude for the grants he received from the country.

Participants gave presentations on various subjects such as how to cooperate with Japan in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs.

Many former international students are active as business and political leaders, and are playing a role as a liaison with the Japanese government and companies.

A participant from Malaysia said China and South Korea are increasing their presence, but Japan has many merits, such as its manufacturing.

He added students could contribute to the Japanese economy if they are granted visas after their studies that allow them to stay and work in Japan.

The Japan Student Services Organization says more than 20 percent of international students studying at Japanese universities and elsewhere last year were from ASEAN countries.