at 18:30 (JST), July 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/20230719183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Kishida soft power critical minerals
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230719_03/

Japan's prime minister has wrapped up a tour of the Middle East. Energy security was high on the agenda. But Kishida Fumio has also brought his country closer to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in the fields of foreign affairs and defense.

Kishida said, "During my visit, I was able to confirm with the leaders that we'll promote multilayered cooperation in a wide range of fields, such as energy, diverse economic relations, security and soft power exchanges. We also confirmed that we will base our cooperation on the shared goal of maintaining a free and open international community based on the rule of law. It was very significant in following up on and expanding the substantial discussions at the G7 Hiroshima summit in May."

Kishida said Japan will help the three countries in the Middle East diversify their economies and reduce their dependence on oil and gas exports.

Kishida said, "The Gulf nations and Japan will combine their strengths to transform Middle Eastern oil-producing countries into a global green energy hub that exports decarbonized energy and critical minerals.

Kishida stressed the need to support countries struggling to both expand their economies and decarbonize, adding that the approach will ultimately contribute to global peace and prosperity.

Kishida says he will reaffirm Japan's partnerships at the next G20 summit and UN General Assembly later this year.

Key words : north american soldier
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230719_N01/

US military officials say an American soldier crossed the demilitarized zone that separates North and South Korea on Tuesday. They say the man acted "willfully and without authorization."

The officials say the soldier was on a civilian tour of Panmunjom. Tourists get the opportunity to watch North Korean soldiers up close. The officials did not say why he crossed, but they say authorities in North Korea took him into custody.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, "I am absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop. And so we will remain focused on this and again this will develop in the next several days."

Media outlets say US officials have confirmed the soldier had been released from a military prison in South Korea. They added that he was to face disciplinary action back in the US.

Officials at the State Department advise Americans not to travel to North Korea. They warn there is a "serious risk of arrest and long-term detention."

Key words : survivor abolition
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230718_28/

Atomic bomb survivors in Japan aiming for a nuclear weapons-free world are calling on the government to push nuclear-armed nations for movement in this direction.

The Japan NGO Network for Nuclear Weapons Abolition on Tuesday submitted a letter to Foreign Ministry officials in charge of nuclear disarmament efforts.

The letter comes in advance of a July 31 meeting of a committee tasked with preparing for a gathering at which participants will review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Those taking part in last year's review conference failed to adopt a final document.

The letter requests that the government call on nuclear-armed nations to fulfill their obligation under the treaty to continue negotiations on nuclear-arms reduction.

It also calls on the government to make an effort to ensure that the committee stresses the significance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, a more recent UN pact.

Foreign ministry officials said the government acknowledges the importance of the latter treaty but that nuclear-armed nations must be involved in it.

Nuclear powers and countries under the US nuclear umbrella, including Japan, do not take part in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

After the meeting, a leading figure in the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations said she is disappointed that officials only repeated what they have always said.

Wada Masako said she wants Japan to take action on nuclear disarmament and the abolition of nuclear weapons.

She stressed the importance of this over simply working to extend the duration between the use of such weapons in the closing days of World War Two and the next time they are put to use in the course of an armed conflict.

Key words : labor shortage narita
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20230614101617444/

Rise of skilled overseas workers in Japan

As Japan's population continues to decline, widespread labor shortages are a critical issue. This report spotlights Narita Airport, Japan's gateway to the world - where a new project hopes to tackle this problem, by attracting skilled workers from overseas.