at 18:30 (JST), December 07

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/20231207183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : us military around the world preliminary
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231207_17/

The US military has grounded all types of Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft deployed around the world following a fatal crash last week off Japan.

A CV-22 Osprey from the US Yokota Air Base in Tokyo crashed into the sea off Yakushima Island in southwestern Japan on November 29.

The bodies of six of the eight crewmembers on board have been recovered. The search continues for the remaining two.

The US Air Force Special Operations Command released a statement on Wednesday saying, "Preliminary investigation information indicates a potential materiel failure caused the mishap."

It added, "The underlying cause of the failure is unknown at this time."

Flights of all Ospreys, including MV-22s used by the US Marine Corps, have been suspended.

The US military grounded the Air Force's CV-22 fleet in Japan after the accident, and said additional measures would be taken if necessary.

Key words : head of myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231206_29/

The head of Myanmar's junta has called on groups opposing the military to resolve problems "politically."
The remark by the military's top general is drawing attention, as the junta has refused dialogue with opposition groups since seizing power in 2021.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing gave a briefing on the fighting to the highest decision-making body on Monday.
He warned that if such groups continue acting foolishly, there will be a negative impact on residents in certain regions.

He added that it is "necessary to consider the lives of the people, and those organizations need to solve their problems politically."

Militants from three groups launched a coordinated offensive in October in the country's eastern Shan state.
One group announced that over 100 soldiers had been killed last week in a single day.

Since the coup nearly three years ago, the top general has designated pro-democracy forces and their armed minority allies as terrorists, refusing any dialogue with them.

Key words : kim daughter
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231207_03/

South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un looks to be highlighting his intention to have his daughter succeed him.

The minister ventured that opinion on Wednesday in response to the release by the North's state media of photographs of the daughter in recent days.

South Korea's intelligence agency has suggested that Kim has three children and that she is his second child, aged around 10.

The minister called the move "an indication that the North Korean leader is trying to demonstrate his will for succession."

South Korean media speculate that Kim may be putting the daughter in the spotlight to prepare the way for her appointment as his successor.

South Korean National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong on Sunday said though he "can't be 100 percent sure," the South is "at the stage of considering, 'Does it seem likely that she will be the successor?'"

Seoul previously maintained that it was too early to judge whether the daughter is being primed to be North Korea's next leader.

The country's media last Friday released photographs of Kim and her wearing leather coats and sunglasses, and the girl standing in front of her father.

The commander of North Korea's navy has also been seen saluting the daughter.

The girl is fast capturing attention as she is increasingly under media scrutiny.

Key words : hong kong government for life
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231206_21/

The chief of the Hong Kong government says Agnes Chow will be pursued for life as a fugitive. The prominent pro-democracy activist said she is now staying in Canada.

Chow updated her Instagram account for the first time in about two years on Sunday. She said she is in Toronto and has decided not to return to Hong Kong, citing reasons such as the situation in the region and her safety.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee spoke at a news conference on Tuesday. He said the government will pursue fugitives endangering national security "for life unless they turn themselves in."

Chow was arrested in 2020 on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security. She was later released, but authorities have been continuing investigations.

Many pro-democracy activists have left Hong Kong since the national security law was introduced. Police have put those people on a wanted list.

Key words : china taliban
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231206_12/

China has showed a positive stance toward recognizing the Taliban's interim government as the legitimate ruler of Afghanistan.

The Taliban established control following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters on Tuesday that his country hopes Afghanistan will "adopt moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies" and "develop friendly relations with other countries, especially with its neighbors."

He added, "We believe that diplomatic recognition of the Afghan government will come naturally as the concerns of various parties are effectively addressed."

The Taliban said it had appointed Bilal Karimi, who worked as a spokesperson for the government, as its new ambassador to Beijing. It added that Karimi submitted his credentials to the Chinese Foreign Ministry earlier this month.

The Taliban government said Karimi was welcomed by the Chinese official in charge of protocol. It added that Karimi's credentials are to be presented to Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future.

No country has recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan so far, mainly because of their harsh restrictions on women and girls.

Observers say China may seek to strengthen ties with the country, which is rich in natural resources and is a potential partner in its Belt and Road initiative.

Key words : italy informed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231207_06/

Italy has officially informed China that it is leaving the Beijing-led Belt and Road initiative, which is aimed at creating a massive economic zone.

Italian government sources confirmed the move to NHK on Wednesday.

An Italian media outlet reported on the same day that the notification was made to China three days earlier.

In March, 2019, Italy exchanged a memorandum with China to join the Belt and Road initiative as the sole country among Group of Seven nations.

The leaders of the two countries agreed to cooperate in infrastructure development and boost investment and trade.

But the Italian government says the country's exports to China grew only by 27 percent while its imports from China increased by 81 percent through 2022.

Some local critics have argued that Italy should pull out of the framework, citing a lack of economic benefits for the country.

There is also speculation that political motives lie behind Italy's move to leave the initiative.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has emphasized attaching importance to relations with the United States and the NATO alliance. Italy will serve as G7 chair from next month.

China hosted an international forum about the initiative in Beijing in October. President Xi Jinping delivered a speech to mark the 10th year since the country first advocated the Belt and Road concept, and he touted its achievements.

Following Italy's withdrawal, China is expected to step up ties with developing and emerging countries collectively known as the Global South.

Key words : major tunnel
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231207_02/

A major tunnel construction project funded by official development assistance from Japan is expected to ease traffic jams in the city of Davao in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

Davao is struggling to cope with chronic traffic congestion. Its population has risen to over 1.6 million, bringing more vehicles into the city, despite the lack of an efficient road network.

With the help of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA, the Philippine government has launched the 45-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project. It includes the construction of two 2-kilometer mountain tunnels.

General contractors from Japan are involved in the tunneling work. Drilling equipment has been brought in from Japan with the aim of passing on tunneling skills to local engineers. Construction work was shown to reporters on Wednesday.

The excavated tunnels have been lined with concrete after tarps made in Japan were plastered on their surfaces. The technology, fostered in Japan, prevents water from seeping in while maintaining the strength of the tunnel.

Mito Akira of Japan's Shimizu Corporation, who heads the tunnel construction project, told reporters that given how mountainous Mindanao is, the tunnels will reduce traffic congestion and hopefully vitalize the Philippines as a whole.

The project is scheduled to be completed in March 2025.