at 18:30 (JST), August 09

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/20230809183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : silent more than 70,000
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230809_14/

People in Japan have marked 78 years since the US military dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The city remains the last place to suffer a nuclear attack. Survivors, known as "hibakusha," say world leaders need to do more to keep it that way.

People gathered to pray at Nagasaki Peace Park on Wednesday. It was established near the hypocenter of the atomic blast.

An 18-year-old man at the Memorial Park said, "I think our generation will be the last to hear directly from those who lived through the war, and convey their voices to future generations."

Sato Kazuyo, an 82-year-old survivor, said, "Every year, this grim anniversary saddens me. I don't think I'll ever be able to forget what happened here until the day that I die."

This year's memorial ceremony was significantly scaled down due to Severe Tropical Storm Khanun. It was held indoors for the first time in 60 years.

Nagasaki fell silent at 11:02 a.m. -- the same minute the bomb exploded on August 9, 1945.

By the end of that year, more than 70,000 had died. Many were killed instantly by the blast or the heat.

Others later succumbed to injuries, radiation sickness, or died years later, due to cancers or other diseases caused by the attack.

Kudo Takeko, who is an atomic bomb survivor, was 7 years old when the bomb exploded about 3 kilometers from her home. Her parents and siblings died of cancer in the years that followed, and Kudo herself underwent lung cancer surgery three years ago.

She said, "In order to prevent a nuclear war, Japan, as the only country to have suffered a nuclear attack, should convince the world of how inhumane nuclear weapons are. It should outline a path to peace without relying on force, and show that abolishing nuclear arsenals is the only way to protect the future of the Earth and mankind."

Nagasaki Mayor Suzuki Shiro spoke of the risks posed by nuclear weapons today, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He made a direct appeal to the leaders of nuclear weapons states and countries under the nuclear umbrella.

The mayor said, "Now is the time to show courage and make the decision to break free from dependence on nuclear deterrence. I ask that you move steadily, along the path to abolishing nuclear weapons through dialogue, not confrontation, based on a concept of security centered on humanity."

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio did not attend in person, but instead delivered a pre-recorded address. He said Japan will play a leading role toward nuclear weapons abolition with the Group of Seven and at the United Nations.

As part of the ceremony, Nagasaki registered 3,314 new names of atomic bomb victims. That brings the total number of deaths linked to the bombing to 195,607. The average age of survivors now stands at over 85.

People in Nagasaki have been working to pass on their memories and messages to future generations, as the number of living hibakusha dwindles each year.

Key words : speech in taiwan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230808_11/

Former Japanese Prime Minister Aso Taro has said in a speech in Taiwan that "a readiness to fight" serves as a deterrence in the region.

Aso, who is vice president of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was speaking at an international forum in Taipei on Tuesday.

Referring to China's growing military pressure on Taiwan, he said peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are very important for the stability of Japan and the international community. He said countries around the world are starting to recognize this.

Aso said there has never been another time in history when a readiness to activate an extremely powerful deterrence has been demanded of Japan, Taiwan, the United States and relevant countries.

He said clear communication of their intention to use their defense capabilities to defend Taiwan would serve as a deterrence in an emergency.

The LDP heavyweight concluded by calling for solidarity. He said he sincerely hopes that the successor to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will be committed to safeguarding the status quo to maintain the livelihood, happiness and prosperity of Taiwan's people. He said, "I hope that we can fight together with the successor, with whom we will share the same values."

Key words : met tsai partner
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230808_20/

During a meeting with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, Aso Taro, the vice president of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, expressed his willingness to further enhance bilateral ties.

Aso, who formerly served as prime minister, met Tsai in Taiwan's presidential office on Tuesday afternoon.

Tsai described Japan as Taiwan's important partner and voiced her willingness to cooperate on reinforcing supply chains and other areas of mutual interest.

Aso responded that even after diplomatic ties between Japan and Taiwan were severed, there has consistently been a sentiment within the LDP advocating for maintaining robust relations with Taiwan.

Aso said he hopes a Japan-Taiwan relationship will be characterized by mutual support during challenging times and shared celebrations in moments of happiness.

The two officials also reportedly discussed how to evacuate Japanese nationals in the event of a potential crisis involving Taiwan.

Prior to the meeting, Aso met Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's official candidate for the upcoming presidential election in January.

Lai emphasized the significance of strong ties with both Japan and the United States.

Aso underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, saying he is very concerned over emerging tensions in the strait resulting from China's expansionism.

Key words : south korea online
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230808_18/

South Korean police are on high alert in response to online threats of murder following stabbing rampages inside and outside the capital.

On July 21, a knife-wielding man attacked pedestrians in Seoul, killing one and wounding three. On Thursday, another man mounted a hit-and-run and knife attack near the capital. One person was killed and 13 others were wounded.

Since those incidents, threats to commit similar crimes have been posted on the internet, prompting police to mobilize officers to counter possible attacks.

Police in Seoul have deployed a special unit and an armored vehicle to the area around Gangnam Station. Armed officers were seen patrolling commercial facilities and other locations on Tuesday.

A woman in her 30s said the community has been gripped by fear since the attacks. She also said she feels uneasy due to the heightened security measures, but thinks they will contribute to citizens' sense of safety.

South Korean media report that police had identified 59 people suspected of posting threats or engaging in other criminal behaviors as of Monday, and that over half of them are aged from 10 through 19. The reports also say most of the threats appear to be hoaxes.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that even causing public anxiety constitutes a grave offense. He told officials to take thorough measures to address such acts.

Key words : school close population
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20230630102118648/index.html

Kids' English program boosts local community

Every year, about 450 schools around Japan close down due to the declining population. This trend is especially serious in remote villages, as it can lead to the disappearance of entire communities. But in one rural district, a program is reversing that trend and bringing children back to the area.