at 18:30 (JST), September 21

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/20230921183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Kishida warn
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230921_12/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met with the media Wednesday in New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly. He is using the opportunity to warn against the dangers of a divided world, and encouraging his peers to focus on collaboration.

Kishida said, "We should aim for a world where human dignity is protected. This stance is based on my political beliefs of investing in people. And also this is a unique vision of Japan, which has long been promoting human-centered international cooperation based on the concept of human security."

He says cooperation is the only way to overcome challenges such as climate change and infectious diseases.
The prime minister says those issues are particularly difficult for people in what's known as the Global South.
And he says their voices need to be heard.

Asked how he assesses the influence of China in Africa, Kishida said, "We are closely and carefully watching what China is doing in Africa and its influence on the countries in the region. Japan hopes to deepen its ties with African nations through a meticulous approach, in a respectful way."

Japan is serving a two-year term on the Security Council as a non-permanent member.

And Kishida is making another push for reform, urging permanent members to refrain from using their veto.

He also repeated his commitment to realizing a world without nuclear arms, what he called "his life's work." He hosted talks earlier this week on banning the production of fissile material used in such weapons and in other devices.

Kishida announced that Japan will create a fund to support institutions and think tanks.

He wants researchers to find ways to accelerate the move from deterrence to disarmament.

Key words : south denounce
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230921_06./

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has denounced military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, calling it "a direct provocation" against his country.

In a keynote address to the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Yoon also said the North's nuclear and missile programs pose a serious challenge to peace in the Indo-Pacific region and across the world.

Yoon's statement followed a meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. They reportedly agreed to expand military cooperation.

Yoon said that "the deal will be a direct provocation," threatening the peace and security of not only Ukraine, but also South Korea.

He added that South Korea, "together with its allies and partners, will not stand idly by."

Yoon also called on countries to support South Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan, its second largest city. He noted that Busan links the Eurasian continent with the Pacific Ocean.

He said South Korea hopes to use the event to share its experience of growth and development with the world.

Key words : asian nation joint
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230920_37/

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have begun their first ever joint military exercise. The drills are taking place on some Indonesian Islands. Jakarta asked for the exercise to be held. It holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year.

Most of the ASEAN members are taking part in the drills as observers. Timor-Leste is also participating as an observer. The country has been admitted to ASEAN "in principle." The exercise will take place through Saturday.

Admiral Yudo Margono is the commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. He said that the drills are not combat operations, as ASEAN is more concerned with economic issues. He also said that the training sessions will focus on disaster relief and humanitarian activities.

The drills will be conducted on Batam Island and on the Natuna Islands. The Natuna Islands are located in waters south of the South China Sea.

Chinese ships have entered Indonesia's exclusive economic zone in recent years.

The joint exercise comes amid rising tensions with China. Beijing released a map with a "10-dash line" in August. The line accords with the Chinese government's claim that Beijing has jurisdiction over almost all of the South China Sea. Several ASEAN members have rejected the map.

Key words : putin visit xi
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230920_35/

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will visit China next month.

He made the announcement during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Wednesday.

Putin said he will accept an invitation by Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit China in October, expressing his intention to visit the country to coincide with the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

In March, Xi visited Moscow and invited Putin to China to participate in the forum. It is believed that a bilateral summit will also be held.

If realized, it would be Putin's first visit to China since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

During the meeting with Wang, Putin said the two countries are both in a stance of forming a "multipolar world."

Observers say Putin is aiming to strengthen Russia's relations with China, as a rift between his country and the West is widening over Ukraine.

Key words : espionage 50 urging
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230921_21/

Japan's government will continue to call for the early release of a Japanese businessman detained in China on espionage charges.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu spoke to reporters on Thursday about the man in his 50s who was detained in March in Beijing. The employee of Japanese drug maker Astellas Pharma was initially put under surveillance at the facility where he was being held.

But the Chinese authorities revealed earlier this month that he is now under criminal detention and is being investigated for alleged espionage.

Matsuno said the Japanese government has been providing as much support for the man as possible, including meetings with Japanese consular officials. He said officials will continue to deal with the matter appropriately.

He added that the government has been strongly urging China to quickly release him through various levels and opportunities and will continue that effort.

Key words : akishino opera
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230920_11/

Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Akishino have started their trip to Vietnam to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between Japan and Vietnam.

The couple left their home in Tokyo on Wednesday morning. Their younger daughter, Princess Kako, sent them off.

At Haneda Airport, they were greeted by Upper House President Otsuji Hidehisa and other officials before boarding a government plane. The airplane took off for the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.

They are making their first official visit to the country in 24 years.

Thursday marks the 50-year anniversary of bilateral relations. The couple will attend a ceremony to celebrate the milestone year after being treated to a reception at the presidential office.

The Crown Prince and Princess will stay in Vietnam until Monday. They are scheduled to watch the premiere of an opera jointly produced by the two countries as one of the commemorative events.

They will also promote goodwill through exchanges with Vietnamese people, including those with connections to Japan.

Key words : kim personality
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230920_03/

The first mural depicting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been completed in Pyongyang. It is seen as a sign that the country is further promoting his personality cult.

State-run Korean Central Television reported on Tuesday that a ceremony marking the mural's completion was held on Sunday at Mangyongdae Revolutionary School.

The mural shows a smiling Kim with a red scarf around his neck, surrounded by students wearing the same scarf.

The school trains future leaders of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and the military.

The broadcaster reported that a monument had been completed that will forever convey a great history, and that the beliefs of students and school staff had been reinforced.

The Tokyo-based Radiopress news agency says it was reported last year that a mural depicting Kim had been erected outside Pyongyang, but this is the first to be completed within the capital.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported that Pyongyang is demonstrating that Kim now has the same level of authority as his late father and grandfather, having taken power more than 10 years ago.

Key words : driver west japan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230920_23/

West Japan Railway and SoftBank are to jointly start bus platooning trials on public roads using autonomous-driving technology.

Platooning involves vehicles traveling together, keeping a constant distance between them with the help of automated driving support.

The companies say two buses will run on public roads in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, starting in November. The service will connect a train station and a university campus. Only the second bus will be driverless.

The companies say they decided to experiment on public roads after conducting tests since 2021. Those resolved issues such as a braking problem and the timing of opening and closing the doors.

A West Japan Railway official said the aim is to run commercial services by the middle of the decade.