at 18:30 (JST), November 14

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/20231114183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : rescue 40 workers india
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231113_28/

In northern India, rescue teams are racing against the clock to save 40 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel under construction. Oxygen is being pumped in to help them breathe.

The tunnel being dug on a highway in the state of Uttarakhand caved in suddenly on Sunday morning.

Local and national disaster response officials are in the tunnel, and in contact with the workers. Karamveer Singh Bhandari of the National Disaster Response Force said: "We have been informed that everyone is safe inside. We have given them supplies of food and water, and everyone is safe."

Excavators are clearing rubble, but falling debris is making the rescue mission risky.

The state, covered by Himalayan peaks and dotted with Hindu temples, is often called the "Land of the Gods." It attracts large numbers of pilgrims and tourists.

To improve connectivity, roads are being improved and expanded. But experts say the construction work has made the region vulnerable to landslides.

Key words : defense equipment vietnam
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231113_15/

NHK has learned that Japan's government is considering providing defense equipment to Vietnam and Djibouti under a new security assistance framework.

Government officials say the two countries are candidates to receive Official Security Assistance, or OSA, during the fiscal year that begins next April.

The OSA framework is designed to provide defense equipment to Japan's like-minded countries as a way to deepen security cooperation.

Earlier this month, Japan and the Philippines agreed at a bilateral summit that Tokyo will provide Manila with surveillance radar systems under the framework.

Japanese officials are also making final arrangements to provide patrol boats to Bangladesh in the current fiscal year. Malaysia and Fiji are also set to receive equipment.

Vietnam has competing territorial claims with China in the South China Sea.

The eastern African nation of Djibouti hosts a temporary base for Japan's Self-Defense Force personnel, who are on an anti-piracy mission.

Japanese officials say they plan to make specific arrangements with the two countries about the types of equipment that would be provided.

Key words : intelligence gathering
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231113_14/

NHK has learned that Japan plans to launch an H2A rocket in January carrying a government intelligence-gathering satellite.

Sources say the launch is scheduled for January 11 from Tanegashima Space Center in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima.

The rocket will carry an optical satellite that can capture images of various locations across the globe from hundreds of kilometers above Earth.

The satellite will be used for such purposes as monitoring missile launch sites in North Korea and assessing damage in the aftermath of natural disasters.

There were concerns that the failed launch of Japan's new H3 rocket in March could impact H2A launches. But the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, strengthened measures, including inspections of rocket parts used by both models. An H2A rocket carrying a lunar probe was successfully launched in September.

The H2A faces problems such as high launch costs and aging facilities. It is slated to be replaced by its successor H3 rockets in fiscal 2025 or later after a final launch planned during the next fiscal year.

Key words : revise strategy
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231113_25/

The United States and South Korea have revised their joint "deterrence strategy" on North Korea for the first time in 10 years.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik had talks in Seoul at an annual security meeting on Monday. After the meeting, they released a joint statement.

It says the two countries have updated their bilateral deterrence strategy to counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats.

It also says the revised strategy reflects guidance on ways to leverage the full range of US military capabilities, including US nuclear capabilities, in preparation against North Korea's nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction attacks.

Austin told reporters that the US commitment to defending South Korea remains ironclad. He added this includes using a full range of its nuclear, conventional and missile defense capabilities.

Shin stressed that if North Korea provokes war, what will be eliminated will be the Kim Jong Un regime.

Key words : self-defense landing commercial
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231113_19/

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force has held landing and takeoff drills for the first time at commercial airports under the scenario that its bases become unusable in an enemy attack.

The drills were part of large-scale exercises the SDF has been conducting since Friday, held every two years to simulate the defense of Japan.

Four F-2 fighters belonging to the Tsuiki Air Base in Fukuoka Prefecture landed at Oita Airport one after another at around 1 p.m. on Monday.

The fighters moved to the apron and replenished with the same fuel as passenger aircraft from a commercial tanker truck before taking off about two hours later.

A similar drill was held at Tokunoshima Airport on a remote island in Kagoshima Prefecture. Four F-15 fighter jets conducted touch-and-go landings.

The drills reflected Japan's new policy presented in the National Security Strategy and other key documents approved last year that call for utilizing airports and seaports to respond to contingencies.

The drills will also be held at Okayama Airport in Okayama Prefecture and Amami Airport in Kagoshima Prefecture this week.

Key words : japanese wine
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231113_16/

French connoisseurs sampled a variety of wines from Japan at a tasting event held in Burgundy on Sunday. More than 70 unique wines made from grapes grown in Japan were on offer.

About 30 wineries from Japanese prefectures, including Yamanashi and Nagano, promoted their products at the first event of its kind in the major wine-producing region.

Staff from the Japanese wineries said the tasters spoke highly of the unique flavors and aromas that differ from those of French wines. They said the recognition will encourage them in their wine-making endeavors.

Event organizer Iwasaki Genki said, "A lot of people came to try the Japanese wines, so I think we can say the event was more successful than expected. I think news of Japan's wonderful wines will spread."

The growing popularity of Japanese wines in recent years has led to a surge in the number of wineries in the country. There are now over 470.

Key words : audience kabuki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231114_04/

A performance that brings together traditional kabuki and cutting-edge imaging technology featuring a computer-generated performer will be held at Tokyo's Kabukiza Theatre next month.

This will be the latest in a series of shows called "Cho Kabuki" co-staring kabuki actor Nakamura Shido and virtual idol Hatsune Miku that started in 2016.

Nakamura spoke to reporters on Monday, ahead of the opening of the show at the prestigious theater in December. It will be the first time for Kabukiza to host a Cho Kabuki performance.

The show "Hanakurabe-Senbonzakura" is based on a traditional tale depicting the relationship between parent and child foxes that transform themselves into human form. Officials say audience members can cheer performers by waving pen lights, and that it also features an image of Nakamura created by generative artificial intelligence.

Nakamura said it may be a bit controversial to stage such a show at the prestigious Kabukiza. He said he wants to pursue something new while protecting the traditional aspects of kabuki.

Nakamura also half-jokingly said Hatsune was a kabuki beginner back in 2016 when the series started, but her performance has improved and that she must have worked very hard.

Nakamura's sons are set to star in the show. He said one of his sons was born with partially missing fingers.

Nakamura said he hopes that his son's appearance in the performance will give courage to people with similar conditions.