at 18:30 (JST), November 13

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/20231113183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : japanese man prison
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231112_02/

A Chinese high court has finalized a 12-year prison sentence for a Japanese man charged with espionage under China's two-tier judicial system.

Japanese government sources say the high court in Hunan Province dismissed the man's appeal, upholding a lower court's decision.

The man in his 50s was detained in 2019 in Changsha in the province. The lower court found him guilty and sentenced him in February this year.

Chinese authorities have detained at least 17 Japanese nationals on suspicion of involvement in spying and other activities since 2015, a year after Beijing put an anti-espionage law into effect.

Among those charged is an employee of a major Japanese drug manufacturer living in China. He was arrested in October after being detained for more than six months without any detailed explanation.

The sentences for ten of them have been finalized. However, after their court proceedings, it remains unclear why they were detained, or what actions they had taken were considered criminal.

Plans are being adjusted in Tokyo and Beijing to set up a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit scheduled to begin on Wednesday in San Francisco.

If the meeting is held, one of the key issues the two leaders are expected to focus on is China's recent detentions of Japanese nationals.

Key words : defense chief data
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231113_01/

The defense chiefs of Japan, the United States and South Korea have agreed to speed up the sharing of real-time data on North Korean missile launches.

Japan's Defense Minister Kihara Minoru joined via a video link a meeting between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik in Seoul on Sunday.

The defense chiefs condemned North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches. They stressed that even if the objective is to launch a satellite, using ballistic missile technology violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The chiefs said a new mechanism for data sharing is in the final stage of preparations. They agreed to accelerate efforts to officially activate it by the end of the year.

They also agreed to finalize a multiyear plan for trilateral military drills by the end of the year.

Kihara later told reporters that the three nations must cooperate to provide regional peace and stability given the severity of the security environment that includes the North Korean situation. He said Japan will collaborate more closely with South Korea and the United States.

Key words : acting president myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231110_25/

Myanmar's ruling military has been attacked by ethnic-minority forces in the country's east. The military-appointed acting president, Myint Swe, has warned that the country is at a risk of breaking apart.

Fighting has been continuing in Myanmar between the military and pro-democracy armed forces since the military seized power in the 2021 coup.

Three ethnic-minority forces launched a major offensive in the eastern state of Shan in late October. They had taken control of about 150 posts, including military facilities, as of Wednesday.

State-run media reported on Thursday that the military's top general Min Aung Hlaing and senior officials held a meeting in the capital Naypyitaw the previous day.

Myint Swe said at the meeting the country could be torn apart if the military does not take effective action.

The latest round of fighting has taken place in areas near the border with China.

The United Nations says that as of October 30 several hundred people had crossed the border into China in search of safety.

Key words : philippines transport vessel
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231110_24/

The Philippines says it has lodged a protest with China, saying Philippine military transport vessels were harassed by Chinese ships in the South China Sea.

The Philippine National Security Council said on Friday that the Chinese ships fired a water cannon and came dangerously close to the Philippine vessels near the Spratly Islands.

The two countries have overlapping claims in the area.

In a statement, the council also said the transport vessels were headed to a military outpost, carrying replacement personnel and supplies.

The council said the site is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone based on a decision by an international arbitration tribunal in 2016.
The council also said that while China calls for dialogue, it takes illegal and irresponsible actions systematically and continuously. It added that such actions pose questions about China's sincerity, and that Manila lodged a protest with Beijing.

A spokesperson for China's coast guard said in a statement that the country has undisputed sovereignty in waters around the Spratly Islands. The statement also said China's crackdown was based on law.

In the waters, Philippine transport boats were sprayed with a water cannon by a Chinese vessel in August, and ships of the two countries collided in October.

Key words : indonesia soccer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231110_34/

Indonesia is hosting its first international soccer tournament as the Under-17 Men's World Cup kicks off on Friday. Much attention is on security, following a fatal stampede at a soccer stadium last year.

Matches are being held in the capital Jakarta, the second largest city Surabaya, and two other cities. Twenty-four teams are competing for slots at the final scheduled for December 2.

In October of last year, fans of the team that lost in a pro league match stormed the pitch in the city of Malang. Police fired tear gas, causing the crowd to panic and rush for the exits. More than 130 people were killed.

The sport's global governing body, FIFA, then helped Indonesia's police and soccer association improve their safety management. The current tournament will see 13,000 police officers deployed to the four venues.

"We made sure everything follows FIFA security standards, including no use of tear gas," said Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan, public information head of Indonesian National Police. "The Indonesian people are rightly proud to be chosen to host this event."

The government hopes making this tournament a success will lead to further opportunities, including one day co-hosting the World Cup with other ASEAN countries.

Key words : mexico
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231111_01/

The organizer of the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka will soon hold a meeting with participating countries to discuss how they can smoothly prepare for the event as a number of countries are behind schedule in building their pavilions.

A total of 153 countries have signed up to participate in the expo, and 60 of them had initially planned to finance the construction of their pavilions.

But it has come to light that preparations are behind schedule amid a surge in the prices of construction materials. More than half of the countries have yet to decide on a pavilion construction company.

Mexico has notified the Japanese side that it is withdrawing from the event, citing its inability to decide on a budget due to the country's upcoming presidential election. Mexico was the first country to notify its withdrawal.

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition says it will prepare for the assembly of 25 prefabricated buildings for countries whose preparations are behind schedule. It says it plans to start construction of the prefabricated buildings as soon as it receives requests.

At the meeting with participants to be held in Osaka, the organizer will provide information on pavilion construction, including firms that handle interior decorations and exhibits.

It will also explain how it will help staff, who are in charge of preparations and running of the event, find dormitories.

With less than 18 months to go before the expo opens, the organizer is facing the challenge of providing adequate support for participants as their needs and preparation status are varied.

Key words : rally 46 years
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231111_13/

Family members of a Japanese woman abducted by North Korea 46 years ago have called on the Japanese government to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

A rally was held on Saturday in Niigata City on the Sea of Japan coast.

Yokota Megumi was abducted in the city while on her way home from school on November 15, 1977. She was 13 years old at that time.

Her father Shigeru died three years ago without ever reuniting with his daughter. Megumi's mother Sakie is now 87 years old.

Sakie, who took part in the rally online, said she has given speeches and collected signatures across the country, and has done everything possible, but the issue has still not been resolved.

She urged the government to seriously consider taking action and resolving the issue.

Megumi's 55-year-old brothers Takuya and Tetsuya also took part in the rally.

Takuya said his family can only remember how Megumi looked when she was 13 years old which he described as cruel.

He said his mother's dream is to have a moment with Megumi to look at clouds together and tell her "Finally, you're free."

He said her wish is simple, and that he cannot give up.

Soga Hitomi, who returned to Japan 21 years ago after being abducted by North Korea, also participated. She spoke about her mother Miyoshi, who was abducted with her but has not yet returned.

She said her mother will turn 92 years old next month, and she hopes Miyoshi will stay healthy and wait without giving up.

Soga called for help in getting all the abductees to return home and reunite with their families.

She said her hope is to take care of her mother once again.