at 18:30 (JST), September 26

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/20230926183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : philippines special operation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230926_02/

The Philippine coast guard says they have conducted a "special operation" to remove a floating barrier installed by China near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

The Philippines last Friday confirmed the installation by the Chinese coast guard of a 300-meter floating barrier, held up by white buoys, near Scarborough Shoal.

The Philippines' National Security Council on Monday instructed the coast guard to remove the barrier. It said the barrier was blocking the entrance to the shoal and was posing a danger to Philippine fishing boats, and that its installation was a violation of international law.

Footage released by the Philippine coast guard shows a diver cutting a rope attached to the floating barrier. The coast guard said any action that hinders the livelihoods of Philippine fishermen amounts to a violation of international law and the country's sovereignty.

The waters around the shoal are known as a rich fishing ground and are located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. They have been under effective control of China since 2012. A 2016 ruling by an international arbitration tribunal acknowledged that China infringed on the traditional fishing rights of Philippine fishermen.

China's foreign ministry said on Monday that the areas have been "China's territory", and that the country has "indisputable sovereignty" over them.

Key words : yoon possible military
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230925_15/

North Korea has slammed South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol for criticizing Pyongyang's possible military cooperation with Russia, calling his remark a "hysteric fit."

Yoon said in a UN General Assembly speech last week that South Korea, "together with its allies and partners, will not stand idly by" while Pyongyang and Moscow seek to boost military ties.

A commentary on the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Monday said, "the development of friendship and cooperation among nations is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and the foundation for regional and global peace and stability."

It said that North Korea's "friendly and cooperative relations with the close neighbors will continue to grow stronger" to counter the United States, South Korea and Japan.

The commentary called Yoon incompetent and said no one would listen to him. It also accused him of disturbing the region.

Key words : hong kong custom arrested
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230926_04/

Hong Kong customs officials have arrested six people for allegedly attempting to smuggle Japanese seafood into mainland China.

The officials last Friday seized a fishing boat and apprehended its captain and five others.

China has kept in place a total suspension of Japanese seafood imports since August 24, when the release of treated and diluted water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean began. Meanwhile, Hong Kong has its own export and import control system and allows imports from Japanese prefectures other than Fukushima and nine others.

The customs officials said the ship's cargo included Japanese seafood, vegetables and fruit, as well as goods from India. They said those goods were worth roughly four million Hong Kong dollars, or more than 500,000 US dollars.

The customs officials didn't give details on where and when the Japanese seafood was caught and the catch was landed.

Key words : india domestic drone
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230926_07/

India is hosting its exhibition of domestically produced drones, highlighting the country's efforts to strengthen its defense and security with unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Indian Air Force and the Drone Federation of India held demonstration flights at an air base in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

The organizers have invited officials from friendly countries as well as international media crews to the two-day event.

Dozens of drones are on display, including some that can carry small explosives and others designed to attack targets such as tanks.

One demonstration featured a drone monitoring and tracking a group of armed intruders.

India is believed to be focusing on the production of homemade drones that do not rely on components from China, a leading drone manufacturer. The two countries are embroiled in a long-running border dispute.

Key words : health ministry eisai early
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230925_20/

Japan's health ministry has approved a new Alzheimer's drug that targets a specific cause of the disease.

Lecanemab was jointly developed by Japanese firm Eisai and its US partner Biogen. It is designed to slow the progression of the disease by reducing the accumulation of amyloid beta protein in the brain.

Eisai applied for the ministry's approval in January. On Monday, the ministry gave its formal approval after its expert panel endorsed the drug in August.

Candidates eligible for the treatment include patients with mild cognitive impairment who have not yet developed dementia, as well as patients in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease.

The drug has already been approved in the United States, where its average cost is about 26,500 dollars per year. The price in Japan has not yet been determined.

Japan's Central Social Insurance Medical Council is expected to decide on whether the drug will be covered under public insurance and on its price within several weeks. Lecanemab may become available to patients by the end of the year.

Key words : cyclist died
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230925_28/

A man riding on a bicycle has died after colliding with a passenger car on an expressway in Yokohama City near Tokyo. Police say that he may be a cyclist who came to Japan to take part in cycle messenger world championships events.

The collision occurred at past 3 a.m. on Monday near a junction on the Yokohane Line of the Metropolitan Expressway that connects Yokohama and Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

The driver of the passenger car reportedly told police that he could not stop in time as the bicycle suddenly appeared from the connecting Mitsuzawa Line.

The cyclist is believed to have entered the expressway by mistake.

Police say his personal belongings show that he may be a 31-year old US resident who was taking part in the Cycle Messenger World Championships events, which were held in Yokohama from last Wednesday through Monday.

Those who work for courier companies and deliver items by bicycle participate in the annual events, including races.

Organizers had been calling on participants to ride on the left side of the streets and wear helmets in Japan.

Key words : first auction blowfish
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230925_27/

This season's first auction of blowfish has been held in the western Japanese city of Shimonoseki, heralding the arrival of the traditional winter delicacy on the market.

The auction was held early Monday morning at the Haedomari fish market, which handles largest amount of the wild torafugu variety in Japan.

The first auction is held around this time every year to coincide with the start of blowfish fishing season in the Sea of Japan.

The auction began at 3:20 a.m. Buyers put their hands through a sleeve worn by the auctioneer, and communicate how much they are willing to pay by touching his fingers.

Monday's blowfish catch was around one-third of the seasonal average because of warmer seawater.

The highest price was 22,000 yen, or roughly 150 dollars, per kilogram. That is 40 dollars higher than last year.

The president of a local fish dealer, Goda Yuichiro, says he expects demand for blowfish from overseas tourists and restaurants to increase, now that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is waning.

He says the fish market wants to satisfy demand for the product.