at 18:30 (JST), January 01

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/20240101183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : emperor hope
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240101_09/

Japan's Emperor has expressed his wish that the new year will bring bright hope to people in Japan and the rest of the world.

Emperor Naruhito conveyed his New Year message in a written statement.

He expressed concern for people who have experienced hardships due to natural disasters and soaring prices.

At the same time, the Emperor said he is heartened to see many people making steady efforts to help those in need. He expressed hope that such support will expand.

The Emperor said it is heartrending that many lives are being lost in wars and conflicts around the world. He said he is reminded how important it is for people to understand each other and work together to build a peaceful world.

He expressed hope that people will support each other with a sense of compassion. He said he prays the coming year will be one in which people in Japan and the rest of the world can have bright hope.

Emperor Naruhito and other Imperial family members are scheduled to offer New Year's greetings to the public at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday.

This May will mark five years since the Emperor ascended the throne.

He and Empress Masako are expected to visit Okayama, Saga, Gifu and Oita prefectures to attend various events in the coming year.

Key words : Kishida new year regain
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240101_08/

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has stressed in his New Year's message that he is determined to lead efforts to regain public trust. The remark comes amid a fundraising scandal involving factions of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

On the economy, Kishida said he wants to make 2024 a year for Japan to "break completely free of the deflationary mindset and orientation towards shrinking through cost-cutting."

He said pay increases that outpace rising prices must be achieved, and that he will ask that the business community grant higher wage hikes than last year in upcoming spring negotiations.

The prime minister added that the government will implement fixed-sum reductions in income and resident taxes in June, with the aim of bringing about synergistic effects with the pay rises.

On the diplomatic front, Kishida said 2024 will be "a year of tension," citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian situation. He also mentioned the US presidential election and elections in Asia and Europe scheduled for this year.

He added that Japan needs to demonstrate leadership, and that he is determined to actively engage in diplomacy at the summit level.

Kishida also noted that political stability is essential for promoting policies. He said he is "determined to stand at the fore, making every possible effort to restore public trust in response to the LDP policy groups' political funding issue."

He went on to say Japan will "transform change into strength" in the economy, society and diplomatic relations. He said the effort is aimed at realizing an era in which all the people of Japan are able to believe that "tomorrow will be even better than today."

Key words : xi reiterated unification
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240101_04/

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated his desire for unification with Taiwan in his New Year's message for 2024.

Xi delivered the speech to the general public through a state-run TV broadcaster and other media on Sunday, New Year's Eve.

Xi made an apparent reference to Taiwan, which is due to hold a presidential election on January 13. Major points of contention in the quadrennial vote include relations with China.

Xi said China will "surely" be unified. He said "all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Xi also expressed his willingness to contend with domestic challenges. Prospects for China's economy are growing increasingly opaque due to a protracted downturn in the real-estate market and a tough employment situation.

Xi said, "Our children should be well taken care of and receive good education. Our young people should have the opportunities to pursue their careers and succeed. And our elderly people should have adequate access to medical services and elderly care."

He said, "These issues matter to every family, and they are also a top priority of the government."

But the Chinese Communist Party has yet to convene a key meeting to set directions for economic measures. Analysts expected the session to take place in the autumn of 2023.

Key words : kim security cooperation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240101_02/

North Korea's state-run news outlet says the country's leader Kim Jong Un has condemned security cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea and threatened what he calls a "super-tough counteraction."

The media outlet covered Kim's foreign policy speech for 2024 on Sunday. He delivered the address during the ruling Workers' Party's five-day policy-setting Central Committee meeting, which wrapped up on Saturday.

Kim warned that Washington could trigger an armed conflict between the US and North Korea through security cooperation among Japan, the US and South Korea or other means. He referred to a missile development plan as part of his efforts to reinforce the military to counter the three countries.

Kim said North Korea will fulfill a main task in its five-year defense program at an early date. The program entered its fourth year in 2024.

Kim mentioned the need to develop various kinds of unmanned military hardware and electronic warfare means. He also pledged to enhance the navy's underwater and surface combat strength. This may mean Pyongyang will seek to develop nuclear-powered submarines.

Kim also underlined the necessity to further boost relations with countries opposing what he described as the "hegemony strategy" of the US and other Western nations. This suggests Pyongyang will try to strengthen ties with its two key allies, Beijing and Moscow.

Key words : china nine senior
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231231_12/

China has removed nine senior military officials from its top legislative body, the National People's Congress. The NPC Standing Committee made the announcement on Friday but gave no reasons.

A Hong Kong media outlet says those dismissed include top officials of the military's Rocket Force. It says the move could be related to a corruption probe reportedly underway into procurements by the force, which manages nuclear and missile arsenals. There is speculation of a major crackdown.

Some foreign media reports say former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was involved in the corruption. Li was dismissed in October without an immediate replacement.

The Standing Committee on Friday appointed Dong Jun, former top commander of the Chinese Navy, as Defense Minister.

There have been other dismissals. On Wednesday, three senior executives at military-related companies were removed from the top-level advisory body called the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Key words : about 1.06
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231231_14/

About 1.06 million young people in Japan will celebrate New Year's Day as new adults, at the age of 18.

The internal affairs ministry estimates that as of January 1, 2024, there will be about 550,000 men and about 520,000 women aged 18 in the country.

Compared with the 2023 figure, the number of 18-year-olds in 2024 will be down by about 60,000, making the tally a record low since such statistics were first recorded in 1968.

Until New Year's Day, 2022, the ministry had defined new adults as those reaching the age of 20.

The 18-year-olds account for 0.86 percent of the country's overall population, down 0.03 percentage points from the previous year, and the lowest figure ever.

Key words : meiji
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240101_06/

Worshippers packed the grounds of a major Shinto shrine in central Tokyo in the wee hours of Monday, New Year's Day, to summon good luck their way in 2024.

People began to line up along the approach to Meiji Jingu in Shibuya Ward late at night on Sunday, New Year's Eve. They later slowly proceeded to the main hall, guided by police.

When a drum was pounded at midnight to signal the arrival of the New Year, the visitors started to throw monetary offerings into a wide fenced-in area and made their wishes.

A man in his 20s said he made an early-morning New Year's visit to a shrine or temple for the first time. He said he likes the mystical ambiance. He added that he will try something he wants to do as he turns 30 in 2024.

A woman in her 20s said she offered prayers on her way to the main hall and was leaving the compound because of the crowd. She said she made a wish for good health.

A man in his 40s said he is amazed at the huge throng. He said he works in the photography industry but he will try his hand at something new in 2024.

Meiji Jingu officials say the shrine is usually crowded with worshippers during the first three days of each year. They are asking people to avoid peak congestion hours when visiting the shrine.