at 18:30 (JST), December 12

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/20231212183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : learned faction underreported
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231212_06/

NHK has learned that the faction in the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party that was led by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio until recently may have underreported revenues from fundraising parties.

The new revelation comes amid a political fund scandal involving major factions of the LDP.

The LDP's largest faction once led by late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and another led by the party's former secretary-general, Nikai Toshihiro, are suspected of having underreported revenues from fundraising events in their political fund reports and having paid kickbacks to members who exceeded their sales quotas of tickets for fundraising events.

Kishida last week left the faction that he had headed since 2012. He said he wants to take the initiative and work hard to restore public trust from a neutral position.

Sources told NHK that the Kishida faction also likely underreported income in its political fund reports.

They also said the amount it likely failed to declare is smaller than those the Abe and Nikai factions allegedly failed to report.

Tokyo prosecutors are questioning officials from those factions on a voluntary basis. They are believed to be investigating the flow of funds and how the political fund reports were created.

Key words : southeast security
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231212_07/

Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are expected to agree to strengthen security cooperation at their special summit this weekend, in view of China's increased maritime activities.

NHK has obtained draft documents intended for the three-day summit that starts on Saturday in Tokyo. The meeting was arranged to mark 50 years of friendship and cooperation between Japan and ASEAN.

A draft statement outlining the leaders' joint vision consists of three pillars, including the promotion of exchanges across generations. On peace and stability, it calls for "strengthening security cooperation, including maritime security cooperation."

This is apparently in response to China's stepped-up activities in the South China Sea, parts of which are subject to conflicting territorial claims.

The draft of an implementation plan calls for stronger cooperation for maritime capacity-building. It says conflicts should be resolved through "peaceful means, without resorting to threat or use of force, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law."

The draft document also calls for further cooperation to eradicate transnational crime, amid an increase in cases of cross-border organized fraud. Cybersecurity is mentioned as another area of collaboration.

It says Japan and ASEAN will jointly submit a report on how much progress they've made to their annual summit meetings.

Key words : australia immigration
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231211_33/

The Australian government has announced a new immigration policy that aims to halve the number of incomers. Visa rules, mainly for international students, will be tightened under the reform.

The scheme announced Monday requires overseas students to get higher scores in English tests. And they'll also need to prove the course they apply for will advance their planned career if they want to prolong their stay.

Officials say the policy will prevent foreign students from abandoning their original studies for vocational training courses.

Australia is seeing a record number of migrants as the coronavirus pandemic subsides. Over 500,000 arrived in the year through September. Some people blame the spike for rising house prices.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said on Monday that the country faces "big national challenges," and the government will bring numbers of migrants "back under control."

Officials say their reforms will cut the number of migrants to around 250,000 annually.

Key words : pakistan smog
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231208_36/

A wave of thick toxic smog has blanketed Pakistan's second largest city of Lahore, causing tens of thousands of people to fall ill. Doctors have advised residents to take shelter.

Health officials estimate that there has been at least a 50% rise in pediatric patients since November. Poor air quality has exacerbated respiratory issues.

A hospital says that smog is affecting many children, particularly those at school age.

Residents say air pollution is a regular problem that severely affects their health and daily activities. Many are calling on the government to do something about the situation.

Experts believe the burning of crops for the winter wheat-planting season is a major cause.

Last month, the local government in Lahore ordered offices and markets to remain closed on weekends in an attempt to help cut toxic levels of smog.

Key words : taiwan defense ministry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231211_35/

Taiwan's defense ministry said on Monday that China's Shandong aircraft carrier sailed through the Taiwan Strait north to south.

The ministry also said the vessel was traveling on the Chinese side of the median line in the strait. It noted that it deployed appropriate forces to monitor the vessel.

The Shandong is China's first domestically built carrier, commissioned in 2019. It conducted drills in the Pacific for the first time in April and also sailed in the ocean in September and October.

The Chinese military has been stepping up its activities around Taiwan. Taiwan's defense ministry suspects that the Chinese navy is trying to improve its operational environment around Taiwan and strengthen its capabilities in the open sea.

Key words : chipmaker
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231211_22/

The opening ceremony for a plant currently under construction in southwestern Japan by the world's largest chipmaker, which is based in Taiwan, will reportedly be held next February.

Local Taiwanese media on Monday quoted parties close to the Japanese government and affiliate company sources as saying the plant being built in Kumamoto Prefecture for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC, will hold an opening ceremony in February.

The digital version of the Liberty Times reported that machinery and equipment are being installed at the plant, and that pilot production will likely start in April.

C.C. Wei, the Chief Executive Officer of TSMC, in October disclosed that the plant will locally create about 800 jobs and that equipment installation work had begun. Wei suggested the company can begin mass chip production before the end of 2024, as planned.

When contacted by NHK, a TSMC official declined to comment on the media reports.

Taiwan's Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua said the plant construction is proceeding at the "world's fastest speed," thanks to the cooperation of the Japanese government and local municipalities.

She added Taiwan will pay close attention to related timetables.

Key words : ohtani change uniform
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