at 18:30 (JST), November 06

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/20231106183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : provide surveillance radar malaysia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231104_02/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have agreed Tokyo will provide Manila with surveillance radars under a new security assistance program.

The two leaders met in Philippine capital on Friday.

The deal comes under Japan's Official Security Assistance framework, or OSA. It will be the first time Japan has applied the framework. It was launched in April to provide supplies, including defense equipment, to like-minded countries to enhance security cooperation. It comes with China's increasing maritime activities in mind.

The leaders also confirmed their countries will start negotiations to conclude a Reciprocal Access Agreement. It is designed to arrange necessary details for Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military to conduct activities, including joint drills.

Kishida said, "Through concrete cooperation with the Philippines, we want to secure a world where human dignity is protected by maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law."

Marcos said, "This OSA will further enhance the military capacities of our countries, including the Philippines, which shares common security concerns with Japan."

Kishida also asked Marcos for help to stage a successful special summit between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next month in Tokyo.

Following his stop in the Philippines, the prime minister will next head to Malaysia.

Key words : environment minister
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231104_14/

The environment ministers of Japan, China and South Korea have adopted a joint statement that pledges cooperation on challenges such as climate change and marine environment conservation.

The Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting began in the Japanese city of Nagoya on Friday.

At the opening of the plenary session on Saturday, Japan's Environment Minister Ito Shintaro stressed the safety of the ongoing release of treated and diluted water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.

Ito said that detailed analyses of water samples show the concentration of tritium is far lower than the standard set by the World Health Organization for drinking water.

He added that Japan has confirmed that the discharge has had no harmful impacts on human beings or the environment.

China's Ecology and Environment Minister Huang Runqiu called for thorough consultations with other stakeholders, including neighbors, regarding the release, which he said affects the marine environment and people's health.

In a joint statement, the ministers confirmed that they are facing an unprecedented global crisis, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

They agreed to cooperate on global issues and protect the marine environment within a framework designed to tackle issues hand-in-hand with concerned countries.

The ministers also agreed to promote the trilateral cooperation for major environment meetings, including the upcoming United Nations climate conference COP28.

After the plenary session, Ito said the meeting has produced a significant result as he could exchange candid opinions in person with the Chinese and South Korean ministers.

He noted that he explained to the ministers Japan's commitment to providing the international community with information in a highly transparent manner.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power 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 : authorities in nepal 157
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231105_03/

Authorities in Nepal say a strong earthquake has hit the western part of the country and left at least 157 people dead.

The United States Geological Survey says the quake had an estimated magnitude of 5.6. It notes the temblor struck shortly before midnight on Friday, local time, at a depth of about 18 kilometers.

Nepalese authorities estimate that it had a magnitude of 6.4. They say the epicenter was in Jajarkot and the surrounding areas. Jajarkot is about 300 kilometers northwest of the capital, Kathmandu.

Local officials say they have confirmed at least 157 deaths. They also say that some people have been injured.

The quake hit a mountainous area where there are scores of brick houses. Many of the structures collapsed. Rescuers are trying to free people trapped under the rubble.

The strong earthquake was followed by a series of tremors, which had a magnitude of four or lower. The tremors occurred in areas around the epicenter.

Central Nepal was hit by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 2015. The quake and subsequent tremors killed about 9,000 people.

Key words : singapore hand over
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231106_06/

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says he will hand over his post to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong by autumn of next year.

It will be the first change in prime minister in 20 years for the Southeast Asian country.

Lee said at an annual conference of the People's Action Party on Sunday, "I intend to hand over to DPM Lawrence before the next general election." The party has dominated the country's politics in de facto one-party rule since independence.

He added, "If all goes well, I will hand over by PAP's 70th birthday next year," which will take place next November.

Lee, 71, is the eldest son of Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He became the country's third prime minister in 2004 and has overseen its growth into one of Asia's largest economies.

He had already decided to transfer power to Wong but had not previously disclosed the timing.

Wong, 50, also serves as finance minister. Attention is focused on how he will steer the country. Singapore has developed into one of the world's leading financial centers by attracting investment from around the world.

Key words : japanese expert ioto
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231105_01/

A Japanese expert says volcanic eruptions near the Pacific island of Ioto, also known as Iwojima, have created a new islet.

Associate Professor Maeno Fukashi of the University of Tokyo's Earthquake Research Institute conducted an aerial survey over Ioto Island, which is part of the Ogasawara island chain, on October 30.

He observed black plumes, which contained rocks, spewing out of the sea every few minutes, about one kilometer off the southern coast of Ioto.

He said that the plumes reached heights of more than 50 meters. He added that some of the rocks thrown up into the air by the eruptions were several meters in size.

Maeno suspects that steam eruptions, caused by magma coming into contact with seawater, are taking place.

He said that a round and blackish islet measuring about 100 meters in diameter was formed north of the plumes.

Maeno said the surface of the islet is covered with rugged rocks. He noted this suggests that rocks thrown up by the eruptions piled up and created the islet.

A volcanic vent has not been observed on the little island, but floating bands of pumice have been seen around it. There has also apparently been a noticeable change in the color of the seawater around the islet.

Maeno indicated it is likely that eruptions are occurring at two or more locations.

He said eruptions have occurred in the area before. But the associate professor said it had been a long time since volcanic activity there had reached the level at which it could cause magma to create an islet.

He also said there are reports that the islet is still expanding. He added it is possible that the little island will keep expanding, if eruptions continue to occur.

Key words : industry day
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231105_14/

North Korea has designated a "missile industry day" to mark the anniversary of what it called a successful test launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile last year.

The North's ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Sunday that the designation of November 18 was made at a session of the Permanent Commission of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly.

The newspaper described November 18 as a historic day when the might of a world-class nuclear power and the strongest ICBM possessor was demonstrated to the whole world.

Pyongyang claimed that it successfully test-fired the Hwasong-17 on November 18 last year.

Experts say the missile has a range that could cover the entire US mainland.

The test-firing also attracted attention because leader Kim Jong Un's daughter made her first public appearance with her father.

Experts say the North Korean leadership may be hoping to further consolidate its power by touting its ICBM capabilities to counter the US and through the symbolic meaning of the appearance of Kim's daughter.

Key words : 128 countries import expo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231105_13/

A large-scale trade show for imported goods has opened in Shanghai.

The China International Import Expo is held under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping with the aim of expanding imports. In recent months, sluggish domestic demand has caused imports to decline.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang kicked off the event by saying his country will continue to promote greater inclusiveness and opening up market opportunities.

Companies from 128 countries and territories are taking part in this year's event. Large Japanese companies participating include a major apparel chain. In addition, about 150 smaller companies are exhibiting at the fair through the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO.

Camping goods and pet products that gained popularity during the coronavirus pandemic are displayed in the consumer goods section, while the food section offers about 150 variety of Japanese sake available for tasting.

China's imports have declined for seven consecutive months amid economic woes, such as the country's slowing real estate market and employment concerns.

Takayama Hiroshi of JETRO's Shanghai office said that it is important to understand what products sell as the country's consumption has yet to fully recover. He said Japanese companies should not miss out on opportunities in China as its market is big.