at 18:30 (JST), October 23

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/20231023183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : philippines collision
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231022_14/

The Philippine government says a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine military supply boat after making dangerous blocking maneuvers near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

The Philippines' National Security Council said the incident occurred on Sunday morning.

A video released by the Philippine military shows the Chinese ship's bow hitting the rear of the supply boat.

The NSC also said a Chinese maritime militia vessel bumped a Philippine Coast Guard patrol ship that was escorting the supply boat.

The Philippine vessels were on a mission to resupply a military post in the waters.
The NSC denounced the Chinese vessels for their "dangerous, irresponsible and illegal actions."

China's Coast Guard also released a video purportedly taken when the collision occurred.

It argued that the Philippine vessels ignored a warning, approached a Chinese ship with dangerous maneuvers and caused the collision.

The Coast Guard added that the Philippine side should take all the blame.

The two countries have been trading accusations over maritime incidents in the South China Sea, where they have overlapping claims.

Manila said a Chinese Coast Guard ship came within 1 meter of a Philippine patrol boat near the Spratly Islands on October 4.

Key words : foreign minister concerted efforts
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231022_02/

Japan's foreign minister has called for internationally-concerted efforts to halt the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Kamikawa Yoko is among officials from about 30 countries, territories and international organizations taking part in the Cairo Peace Summit hosted by Egypt.

Kamikawa told the conference that the priority is to minimize the deterioration of conditions in Gaza.

She said the bottom line for conference participants is to deliver needed supplies to the people of Gaza as soon as possible, and to evacuate foreigners there to Egypt.

She also announced the Japanese government's plans to provide emergency humanitarian aid worth 10 million dollars to Gaza residents.

She said Japan is also considering further assistance to the region as needed.

Kamikawa called on her colleagues to gather strength and wisdom to secure the safety of people in Gaza, and ease the situation as soon as possible to bring about sustainable peace and stability in the region.

Kamikawa noted that Japan stands by its unwavering support of a "two-state solution", in which an independent state of Palestine is established and coexists peacefully and safely with Israel.

Key words : relative missing 871
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231021_12/

A group of relatives of missing Japanese people who may have been abducted by North Korea has renewed its appeal for the early return of their loved ones as well as public support.

The possible abductees are separate from 17 people the Japanese government has officially recognized as being taken to the North. Five returned in 2002, but the others remain unaccounted for.

Police and a civil group investigating suspected kidnappings by North Korea say there are at least 871 cases of missing people across Japan.

Family members held a large rally in Tokyo for the first time in 13 years on Saturday.

The leader of the group is Imai Hideki. His brother Yutaka went missing 54 years ago in the northern prefecture of Aomori.

He noted that the relatives of suspected abductees are growing old, and some may have died after such a long passage of time. But he said there is still time for them to be reunited.

The participants included siblings of the officially recognized victims -- Masumoto Teruaki, a brother of Masumoto Rumiko, who was abducted in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima 45 years ago, and Matsumoto Hajime, whose sister Matsumoto Kyoko was kidnapped in the western prefecture of Tottori.

Soga Hitomi, one of the abductees who returned home 21 years ago, sent a video message to the gathering.

She spoke of her mother Miyoshi, who was abducted together with her but remains in North Korea.

Soga said a very long time has passed, but she has never forgotten her mother, not even for a day.

She said she wants to tell her mother she is doing well, as she must be worried.

Key words : chinese taiwan known
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231023_02/

A Chinese media outlet has reported that Beijing's tax and other authorities inspected Chinese offices of Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn.

The Global Times reported on Sunday that multiple offices of Hon Hai's subsidiaries across China had been subjected to tax audits and land use investigations.

The article cited an expert as saying that Taiwan-funded enterprises "should not only benefit from the development opportunities and dividends in the mainland but also shoulder corresponding social responsibilities."

The expert was also quoted as saying Taiwanese companies should play a positive role in promoting peaceful cross-strait relations.

Following the report, Hon Hai issued a statement saying it will actively cooperate with relevant authorities in their work.

Chinese officials have not provided the reasons or outcomes of the probe.

Beijing's move came as Hon Hai's founder, Terry Gou, announced that he will run in Taiwan's presidential election in January next year as an independent candidate. He is gathering the required number of signatures from eligible voters to be qualified.

Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te has pointed out the possibility of China's interference in the election. He plans to run as the presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

In a campaign speech on Sunday, Lai said Beijing should refrain from pressing Taiwanese companies to declare their political stances ahead of the election.

Key words : defense ministry risky
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231021_11/

China's defense ministry has hit back after the US Defense Department expressed strong concerns about "coercive and risky activities" by Chinse military aircraft over the East China Sea and elsewhere.

The Defense Department on Tuesday released images and videos showing Chinese military aircraft repeatedly flying dangerously close to US military planes in international airspace in the East and South China sea regions.

A spokesperson for the Chinese defense ministry issued a statement on Friday, saying the United States is attacking and smearing China by hyping the non-existent "Chinese military threat."

He said China firmly opposes the move by US defense officials and has lodged a protest.

The statement noted that the root cause of the issue lies in "provocative and hostile acts" by US warships and fighter jets at "China's doorstep," forcing China to take necessary countermeasures.

The spokesperson called the US side a "provocateur."

Washington and Beijing have been at odds over areas around Taiwan. Last week, the US Navy flew patrol aircraft through the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese military reacted sharply to the move.

Key words : 54 percent cancer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231022_09/

In Japan 54 percent of people aged 18 or over think that it will be hard to continue working while treated for cancer.

The Cabinet Office conducted a survey in July and August this year asking 3,000 people.

They were asked if they think their work environment would allow them to continue working when they need to make a hospital visit once every two weeks for cancer treatment.

54 percent or 1,626 people responded.

A total of 45 percent replied that they definitely or somewhat think they can continue working.

But 54 percent of the respondents thought they could not continue working.

When asked why they think that way, 28 percent said that it will be physically difficult to work and receive treatment and 22 percent said that there is nobody to fill in for them at work during a hospital visit, or even if there were, they are hesitant to ask for a replacement.

Another 16 percent said that they do not know if their employers would give a day-off for a hospital visit.

Officials at the health ministry say more effort is needed to make a work place environment receptive to the needs of a cancer patient who wants to continue working while receiving treatment.

Key words : memorial service thai
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