at 18:30 (JST), August 28

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/20230828183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : japanese school harassment egg
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230828_02/

Japanese-related facilities in China have observed acts of harassment since Japan started releasing treated and diluted water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea.

A stone was found to have been thrown into the grounds of a Japanese school in Qingdao, Shandong Province, on Thursday, when the water discharge began.

Eggs were hurled into the compound of another Japanese school in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, on Friday.

The operators of the schools say neither children nor buildings were harmed in the incidents. They are stepping up security of the compounds.

Officials at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing and the Japanese Consulates-General in China say they have been receiving many calls of protest and nuisance.

Embassy officials say they increased the number of security staff to prepare for unpredictable situations. They say Chinese security authorities also boosted personnel being deployed around the embassy.

The officials say they will monitor developments before deciding whether to go ahead with events where they invite ordinary people into the embassy.

Some posts on the Chinese social media platform Weibo are urging consumers to avoid using Japanese cosmetics. But they cite no convincing reasons why people should do so.

A person posted a list of cosmetics-related Japanese firms that have brands the individual appears to believe are radioactive.

Some Japanese cosmetics firms are responding on their websites for the Chinese market. They say the products they sell in China have no safety problems as they have met various standards.

The Chinese government suspended all imports of Japanese seafood last week after Japan started the discharge of what Chinese state-run media called "nuclear-contaminated water."

The Fukushima Daiichi plant suffered a triple meltdown in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Water used to cool molten fuel at the plant has been mixing with rain and groundwater.

The accumulated water is treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium. Before releasing the treated water into the sea, the plant's operator dilutes it to reduce tritium levels to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water.

Key words : north citizen pandemic
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230827_06/

North Korea has ended its ban on citizens returning to the country that was started during the coronavirus pandemic.

The North's ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on Sunday an announcement by The State Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters.

The decision was likely made because the pandemic situation has eased.

The newspaper says citizens who return will undergo medical observation at quarantine wards for one week.

North Korea has been maintaining strict border controls during the coronavirus pandemic.

But Pyongyang resumed flights to and from Beijing and Vladivostok in Russia's Far East this month, ending a three-and-a-half-year suspension.

More than 100 North Koreans boarded a flight to Pyongyang at an airport in Beijing on Tuesday.

A South Korean intelligence organization says that Pyongyang is easing border controls to help revitalize economy.

Observers say that prolonged international sanctions have weakened its economy and strict pandemic protocols have dealt it an additional blow.

Key words : evergrande net loss
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230828_17/

Chinese real-estate developer Evergrande Group has reported net loss for the January-to-June period is about 33 billion yuan, or about 4.5 billion dollars.

The company filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection with a US court earlier this month. It went into default after the Chinese government tightened restrictions on the property sector.

Evergrande still appears to have many challenges ahead. It racked up a total of over 75 billion dollars of net losses during 2021 and 2022. The company also reports total liabilities to the end of June 2023 at nearly 2.4 trillion yuan, or over 327 billion dollars.

The developer has been seeking ways of rebuilding its business since its bankruptcy filing.

Trading of the firm's shares resumed on Monday on the Hong Kong Exchange after a 17-month-long suspension. The company said on Friday it had "adequately" fulfilled exchange guidance issued by the exchange.

Evergrande's negotiations with creditors are expected to proceed with difficulties. Tight conditions will likely continue for the company as China's real-estate market remains sluggish.

Key words : china india border
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230826_01/

The leaders of India and China have agreed to seek a solution to a long-running border dispute that has at times seen tensions spill over.

India's Foreign Ministry says Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the issue on the sidelines of an international summit in South Africa on Thursday.

The Indian side says Modi told Xi that maintaining peace in border areas is essential for the normalization of bilateral ties.

China's Foreign Ministry says Xi agreed that the two countries should handle the issue properly.

India and China share a provisional border known as the Line of Actual Control. But they have on occasion been unable to prevent military clashes from breaking out.

In June 2020, fighting resulted in casualties on both sides, and they remain apart in their border claims.

Observers say Modi is hoping to improve ties with China ahead of the Group of 20 summit in India next month.

Key words : myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230828_05/

Myanmar's military says it has ordered a diplomat of Timor-Leste, formerly known as East Timor, to be expelled for engaging with an opposition organization despite repeated warnings.

It said on Sunday that Timor-Leste's charge d'affaires must leave Myanmar no later than September 1.

Myanmar's military designated the pro-democracy National Unity Government as a terrorist group three months after it launched a coup in February 2021.

The military said what it called irresponsible actions by Timor-Leste's government are not only harming diplomatic ties between the two countries, but also encouraging the terrorist group to further commit violations in Myanmar.

Timor-Leste's government condemned the expulsion. It said in a statement that it "reiterates the importance of supporting all efforts for the return of democratic order in Myanmar and expresses its solidarity with the Myanmar people."

Last month, Timor-Leste invited a senior official of the National Unity Government to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the prime minister. The official also met Timor-Leste's president and confirmed their cooperation to restore democracy in Myanmar.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is seeking to mediate dialogue between Myanmar's military and pro-democracy forces.

Key words : kanagawa anthem
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230827_13/

An event to support people evacuated from Ukraine was held in Yokohama, near Tokyo.

About 100 evacuees were invited to the event at the office of the Kanagawa prefectural government on Sunday.

The participants took photos together and wrote messages of peace and gratitude for Japan's support on papers shaped like sunflowers, which are a symbol of Ukraine.

They sung Ukraine's national anthem and folk songs to commemorate the country's Independence Day on August 24.

The day also marked 18 months since Russia's invasion of their country began.

A woman who arrived in Japan with her mother in December said they have been able to lead a relaxed life thanks to support from people here.

She also said she hopes the conflict will end soon with victory for Ukraine.

Prefectural official Yada Kenji said local authorities will help address the challenges the evacuees are facing, such as finding housing and work.