at 18:30 (JST), August 15

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/20230815183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : people in japan solemn
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230815_01/

People in Japan are observing a solemn 78th anniversary on Tuesday. On August 15, 1945, a statement from Emperor Showa was broadcast on the radio, announcing that the country had surrendered in World War Two.

Every year, the Japanese government organizes a ceremony in Tokyo to remember the approximately 3.1 million people who died in the war.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will deliver a speech. At noon, participants will observe a minute of silence. Emperor Naruhito will then make an address.

The number of the victims' relatives invited to the ceremony this year is the largest since the coronavirus started spreading. People from all 47 prefectures were scheduled to attend for the first time in four years.

But the health and welfare ministry says that as of Sunday evening, relatives from nine prefectures had decided not to take part due to Typhoon Lan.

More than 75 percent of the relatives of the war dead who were planning to attend the ceremony as of Sunday evening are 70 or older.

Japan faces the major challenge of passing on experiences of the war to future generations, as there is a shrinking number of people alive who experienced it.

Many other events to reflect on peace will also be held across the country on the day.

Key words : 50 people india
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230815_09/

Torrential rain has caused flooding and landslides in northern India, killing more than 50 people and leaving dozens of others unaccounted for.

The northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh has been hit by rain-triggered disasters since the weekend.

Local media reports say some of the fatalities occurred when a temple collapsed.

Footage shows buildings destroyed by a major landslide and people trying to clear debris and large rocks to rescue those trapped underneath.

Every year, monsoon rains cause death and destruction in India.

Experts are concerned that monsoon rains have caused more extensive damage in recent years, partly due to climate change.

Authorities in India are urging people to stay alert for flashfloods and other rain-related disasters.

Key words : june period
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230815_12/

Japan's economy expanded in the April-June period for the third consecutive quarter, mainly due to growth in exports.

The Cabinet Office released preliminary figures on Tuesday showing GDP grew an annualized 6.0 percent in real terms from the previous quarter.

Exports were up 3.2 percent compared with the January-March period.

An easing of the semiconductor shortage helped auto exports, while spending by foreign travelers also contributed to growth in exports.

Consumer spending was down 0.5 percent, as prolonged inflation continued to weigh on the economy, while demand for services such as dining and travel recovered as the coronavirus situation was downgraded in May to the same category as the flu.

Capital investment remained at around the same level as in the previous quarter, with just a slight increase of 0.03 percent.

Spending on housing was up 1.9 percent.

The size of Japan's economy in the April-June period came to the annual equivalent of 560 trillion yen, or 3.8 trillion dollars. That was the highest in yen terms since comparable data first became available in 1994.

Key words : north capacity
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230814_14/

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered a drastic increase in the country's missile production capacity.

Monday's edition of the ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, says Kim gave the order when he visited major munitions factories on Friday and Saturday. The munitions include tactical missiles, transporter erector launchers and large-caliber multiple rocket launchers.

Photos show Kim driving what is said to be a newly developed utility combat armored vehicle as well as a signboard calling for eradicating South Korea.

The report says Kim "set forth an important goal to drastically boost the existing missile production capacity."

Earlier this month, Kim also reportedly visited key weapons factories, including those producing mobile missile launchers and engines for strategic cruise missiles.

Some observers say the reported inspection tours are apparently aimed at showing North Korea's opposition to joint military drills by the United States and South Korea. The exercises are set to start on August 21.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency earlier reported that Pyongyang may seek to export weapons to Moscow for use in Russia's war with Ukraine.

Key words : criminal suspects cambodia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230815_02/

Two Japanese criminal suspects in Cambodia could soon be facing justice on home turf. Sources say authorities plan to have them deported and arrested in Japan on charges of fraud.

The men are accused of running a bogus investment scheme from a hotel in Cambodia's north. The area has in recent years become known for hotels and casinos.

The sources say Cambodian investigators detained a group of seven Japanese men after a tipoff around May. All are in their 30s to 50s.

Three have no passports. Sources say it's possible they have been working for someone else, who could have taken their travel documents away.

The sources say two of the suspects are accused of convincing a man in Saga Prefecture, southwestern Japan, to invest in a fictitious deal. Japanese police plan to visit Cambodia and escort them back home.

A similar case arose in April, when authorities in Cambodia detained 19 Japanese nationals. They are accused of running a fraud scheme from a resort.

One expert suggests the southeast Asian nation has become a hotbed for globetrotting crime groups.

Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch says, "The impunity to scam people, has been paved by a lot of Chinese gangs. They are by far away the largest ones that are using the cyber scamming and human trafficking elements there, in Cambodia, but now Japan is following as well."

And he believes Japan has a role to play in turning the situation around.

Robertson says, " There needs to be a concerted international effort then Japan should help lead this to demand accountability and to end the criminal gang activities in Cambodia."

Key words : universe body check
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230814_21/

Miss Universe Indonesia contestants have filed criminal complaints against its local organizer, claiming they were forced to strip naked for body checks.

Local media reported that ahead of the finals of the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant held in Jakarta on August 3, multiple contestants were told to take off their clothes by organizers. They say they were photographed.

One of the contestants told the outlets that a cameraman asked her to strip naked.

Seven contestants have filed criminal complaints against the organizer. Their lawyers say all the contestants, totaling about 30, are victims of sexual abuse.

The US-based Miss Universe Organization on Saturday issued a statement through social media that it has decided to terminate its relationship with its Indonesian franchisee, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its national director, Poppy Capella.

Its post reads "In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics or expectations."

The global organization also canceled this year's Miss Universe Malaysia as the event has been licensed to the same company.

The local organizers are denying their involvement in the sexual harassment. Local police are investigating the allegations.