at 18:30 (JST), August 14

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/20230814183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Japan and interceptor
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230813_15/

Japan and the United States are working to conclude an agreement to jointly develop a new type of missile interceptor that can detect hypersonic missiles.

North Korea and China are developing weapons that are hard to detect, such as hypersonic missiles that travel about five times faster than the speed of sound, and ballistic missiles with irregular trajectories.

Japan and the United States are planning to jointly develop the new type of missile interceptor in an effort to strengthen their deterrence and response capabilities.

The two countries also hope to strengthen cooperation for introducing a satellite constellation program. This would involve small satellites working together to enhance intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and US President Joe Biden are expected to reach an agreement in a bilateral summit during Kishida's visit to the United States that begins on Thursday, if the details are worked out by that time.

Key words : cambodia relation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230814_09/

Cambodia's incoming Prime Minister, Hun Manet, has met with China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, and confirmed his intention to further improve ties between their countries.

The meeting took place in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on Sunday.

Cambodian state-run media and other outlets report that Hun Manet indicated he will continue to place importance on relations with China. His government is due to be launched as early as August 22.

The reports say the two also discussed the possibility of an official visit by Hun Manet to China in mid-September.

China's foreign ministry says Wang told Hun Manet that China is willing to forge close ties with Cambodia's new government and stay true to its commitments to advancing mutual friendship.

In late July, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced he would step down in the coming weeks. He appointed his eldest son as the new leader. Hun Sen has been in power for almost 40 years.

Sunday's meeting was likely Hun Manet's first with a cabinet minister of a major country since his appointment.

Cambodia held a general election in July. The main opposition party was banned from running, raising concerns around the world.

China is Cambodia's biggest supporter and is working to further increase its influence in the country through investment in infrastructure projects.

Key words : bangladesh mosquito
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230814_04/

The number of dengue fever cases has been soaring in Bangladesh, with more than 350 deaths from the illness registered since the start of last month.

The South Asian country experiences a dengue outbreak annually. But this year, it saw infection counts start to climb around May, which was earlier than usual.

In July, officials reported over 43,800 infections and 204 deaths. The tallies were 28 and 23 times higher respectively than the figures from the same month last year.

The outbreak has been growing even faster in August, with upward of 33,500 infections and 147 fatalities logged for the first 13 days of the month alone.

Officials warn that the infection number could break a record this month.

Footage taken at a hospital in the capital, Dhaka, shows children lying on the floor as all beds were occupied by dengue patients.

The mosquito-borne disease causes high fever and severe headaches, as well as pain in muscles and joints.

Officials are advising people to avoid mosquito bites through such measures as wearing long sleeves and long pants.

Key words : australia new agreement
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230809_03/

A new agreement between Japan and Australia aimed at strengthening bilateral security cooperation is set to take effect on Sunday.

Japan's government decided on the date at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. It comes after Japan's Diet approved the pact and the Australian government completed the necessary domestic procedures.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement will apply when Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military hold joint drills and other activities in each other's country. It covers matters such as the handling of weapons and ammunition and the right to exercise jurisdiction in the event of incidents or accidents.

It is Japan's first agreement of its kind to enter into force, other than its Status of Forces Agreement with the United States.

At a news conference after the Cabinet meeting, Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said the fact that Australia is the first country with which Japan has concluded a reciprocal access agreement demonstrates how close the ties are between the nations.

He said he expects the deal to promote bilateral security and defense cooperation, and help ensure peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan has signed a reciprocal access agreement with Britain but it has yet to come into effect.

Key words : china called on
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230813_03/

China has called on Japan to work jointly to improve bilateral relations while removing "distractions and barriers."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry commented on the 45th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China on Saturday in a posting on its website. The pact was signed in Beijing on this date in 1978.

The remarks stressed the significance of the treaty, saying, "In the past 45 years, China-Japan relations have come a long way, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and contributing to the prosperity and stability of the region and beyond."

Regarding current bilateral relations, the document notes that the two countries are "at a critical stage of improvement and growth."

It states that China looks forward to Japan's cooperation in using the anniversary as an opportunity to "jointly build a China-Japan relationship that can meet the requirements of the new era."

With Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands likely in mind, the document also expresses China's hope for Japan to work together to "uphold the political foundation" and "remove distractions and barriers."

Japan controls the islands in the East China Sea. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.

Key words : two years okada
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230813_11/

Japan's ambassador to Afghanistan says he has been raising concerns about restrictions on women's rights in discussions with the country's Taliban leaders.

The Japanese embassy in Afghanistan temporarily relocated to Qatar after the Taliban seized power in August, 2021. It partially resumed work in the Afghan capital, Kabul, in September of last year.

Ambassador Okada Takashi, who has been talking with the people of Afghanistan as well as meeting with the Taliban leadership, recently spoke to NHK online.

Okada said two years after the Taliban returned to power, cities and towns appear to be regaining a sense normalcy but that people still struggle just to survive.

He said they are facing hardships such as shortages of food because foreign aid has been lagging and the economy is in the doldrums.

Okada talked extensively about the rights of women and girls, which have been eroded during the past two years. He said that girls are denied secondary education in many parts of the country and women are being increasingly deprived of opportunities to socialize.

He said he repeatedly told Taliban leaders that women's support is essential to stabilize the country.

He expressed hope that change could occur in the future as there seem to be members of the Taliban who support introducing a more relaxed policy on women.

The ambassador stressed Japan's intention to continue providing assistance to the people of Afghanistan and reaching out to the Taliban.

Key words : awa odori full number
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230813_10/

A renowned dance festival in western Japan, Awa Odori, is once again drawing large crowds, following the lifting of restrictions for coronavirus.

The annual August spectacle in Tokushima City began on Saturday. Groups of skilled dancers performed in the city's central area where seats for spectators are installed.

The organizers put in a full number of seats this year because the government lifted all coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Last year, they were limited to three quarters of capacity.

For the first time, seats for spectators were set aside at the price of about 1,400 dollars per person. The expensive tickets for the first day were sold out. Seated spectators, many of them foreign tourists, enjoyed the dances while tasting local delicacies.

Visitors were also allowed to march as an impromptu group in part of the festival. A young visitor from Kyoto who came for the first time said being able to join in was very enjoyable.

The climax of the festival featured a grand march of 1,000 outstanding dancers from 15 prominent groups. Spectators also danced on their own beside them.

The Awa Odori event is scheduled to run through Tuesday.