at 18:30 (JST), January 02

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/20240102183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : rescue operation 30 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240102_26/

Rescue operations are still underway after a deadly earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture, in central Japan, on New Year's Day. At least 30 people are confirmed dead in Ishikawa Prefecture, but that number could still rise further as many more are still trapped under collapsed buildings. Japan's Meteorological Agency has lifted all tsunami advisories along the Sea of Japan after a strong earthquake struck the area Monday afternoon. But officials warn that strong aftershocks may occur in the next week -- especially over the next two to three days.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio addressed the nation Tuesday morning. Kishida said, "Relief efforts are being hampered by obstructions on the roads. This is also making it difficult to send heavy machinery. We're thinking about ways to secure routes and using ships could be one option. We're ready to do whatever we can to meet the people's needs."

Ishikawa Prefecture officials say at least 30 people have been confirmed dead.

Wajima City's fire department says 25 buildings have collapsed -- and people could still be trapped in 14 of them.

Firefighters were seen using chainsaws to get inside collapsed buildings. Bystanders could be heard cheering "hang in there" to those trapped under the debris.

Devastating fires caused by the quake have also destroyed about 200 houses in Wajima. Firefighters were still battling the fires Tuesday afternoon.

In nearby Suzu City, officials confirmed more than 50 houses have been leveled.

In hospitals in Wajima City and Suzu City, many are being treated for injuries.

The magnitude 7.6 earthquake took place on New Year's Day in central Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture, catching many people off guard. The quake also triggered a major tsunami warning in that prefecture.

Several cities in Ishikawa observed tsunami. Wajima reported tsunami waves over 120 centimeters high and Kanazawa recorded 90 centimeters. Other prefectures also reported sightings.

Thousands of people are taking shelter at evacuation centers. A woman at an evacuation facility in Himi city said, "I was at home when the quake happened. I ran out of the house barefoot. Since then I haven't slept at all. Only the children are sleeping. I'm so scared there'll be more potential quakes. That keeps me up at night."

Some areas have had their water supplies cut off. Residents have been lining up to receive drinking water.
The quake has also triggered mudslides in both cities severing major roads.

The Meteorological Agency says there have been over 100 jolts in the region since the initial quake.

In neighboring Toyama Prefecture, authorities say they have received reports at several locations of cracks in roads and broken water pipes.

Ishikawa Prefecture says more than 32,000 people are believed to have spent the night at evacuation shelters across the region. A man in his 80s said, "It was the biggest tremor I've ever experienced. The ground was shaking."

The Hokuriku Electric Power Company says it has shut down two generators at its Nanao Ota thermal power plant in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Officials say more than 44,000 households in the prefecture are without power.

There are several nuclear facilities in the region but none of them have reported major irregularities.

Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train operations have resumed between Kanazawa and Toyama. East Japan Railway says services between Toyama and Nagano will resume at around 3:00 p.m.

Joetsu Shinkansen has resumed operations from 1:47 p.m. between Echigoyuzawa and Niigata.

Japan's major mobile phone carriers say they are also suffering service disruptions in the region hit by the earthquakes.

Key words : taiwanese president online
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240102_16/

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has posted a message online following the strong earthquake that hit central Japan on Monday.

In her message posted a few hours after the quake, Tsai wrote in Japanese that she prays for the safety of people in the affected areas and she hopes their lives will return to normal as soon as possible.

Tsai said she instructed the foreign ministry to inform Japan that Taiwan is ready to provide any necessary assistance.

Vice President Lai Ching-te also posted a message online that Taiwan is ready to provide maximum help and cooperation.

The leader of the largest opposition party Kuomintang, Eric Chu, also posted a message on social media, saying that the heart of the Taiwanese people is with the people of Japan.

The White House said on Monday that US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed by their national security team on the earthquake in Japan.

Biden later issued a statement, which says he and his wife are praying for the people of Japan who have been impacted by the terrible earthquake. He also said his country stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people.

The president added that the US and Japan, as close allies, share a deep bond of friendship that unites their people. He said the thoughts of the US people are with the Japanese people during this difficult time.

Key words : imperial cancel
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240102_13/

Japan's Imperial Household Agency has canceled visits by the general public to the Imperial Palace for the New Year Greeting by the Imperial family. The decision follows the strong earthquake that hit central Japan on Monday.

The Emperor and Empress, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, Crown Prince and Princess Akishino, and other members of the Imperial family were scheduled to greet well-wishers from a palace veranda five times on Tuesday.

The Imperial Household Agency says this is the first time a greeting to the general public at the palace has been canceled due to a natural disaster.

The agency says Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wish that rescue operations and fire-fighting efforts in affected areas will progress as quickly as possible amid the severe cold weather.

Key words : taiwanese president rejected
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240102_01/

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has rejected Chinese President Xi Jinping's comment that unification with Taiwan is the natural course of history.

Tsai made the remarks while speaking to reporters after delivering her New Year's Day address on Monday.

In her speech, Tsai called for stronger defense for Taiwan. She said that peace requires practical capabilities more than it requires goodwill. She said Taiwan should show its resolve to defend itself in order to buttress international efforts to preserve peace and stability in Taiwan and the Taiwan Strait.

Tsai also called for the resumption of what she called healthy and orderly exchanges with China as soon as possible.

She reiterated a desire to seek a path toward Taiwan's long-term stable and peaceful coexistence with China through dialogue as an equal party.

After her speech, she responded to a reporter's question about Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks in his New Year's Eve message that the unification of the motherland is a historic inevitability.

Tsai said Taiwan is a democratic nation and the sort of relations Taiwan establishes with China in the future should be ultimately decided through the democratic process.

Regarding the next presidential election scheduled for January 13, Tsai expressed hope that candidate Lai Ching-te from her ruling Democratic Progressive Party will win to become her successor. Lai has been serving as vice president in her administration.

Tsai said she is confident that the people of Taiwan will make the right decision over the question of whether Taiwan will continue to move towards the international community or turn its back on it.

Key words : south opposition attacked
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240102_25/

South Korea's main opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung was attacked by a man during a visit to the southern city of Busan on Tuesday morning. He was taken to the hospital while conscious.

Local police say a man carrying a weapon attacked Lee, the head of the Democratic Party. Lee was reportedly bleeding from the neck when he was rushed to a hospital.

The party officials say Lee plans to be taken by helicopter to a university hospital in Seoul to undergo surgery because it is suspected that blood vessels in his neck have been damaged.

The Yonhap News Agency quoted eyewitnesses as saying that a man approached Lee and attacked him with the weapon after the politician toured the construction site of a new airport.

Police detained the assailant on the spot.

Lee narrowly lost the 2022 presidential race to Yoon Suk-yeol.

The attack comes as key members of the main and opposition parties campaign across the country ahead of the general election scheduled for April.

President Yoon expressed deep concern about Lee's health and ordered authorities to investigate the attack, saying such violence would never be tolerated.

Key words : wind farm hokkaido
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240102_02/

One of Japan's largest offshore wind farms has started commercial operation in the prefecture of Hokkaido.

Tokyo-based renewable energy company Green Power Investment built the facility in Ishikari Bay, off the coast of western Hokkaido. It has 14 turbines, each of which is 196 meters tall.

The wind farm started commercial operation at the start of the year.

The facility is estimated to be able to provide electricity for up to 83,000 households. The power will be sold to a local utility company. There are also plans to use the electricity to produce hydrogen, a next-generation power source.

The Japanese government has been promoting offshore wind power generation as one of the pillars of renewable energy, which is crucial for decarbonization.

Last year, Japan's largest thermal power producer, Jera, and IT giant NTT jointly acquired Green Power Investment. The acquisition cost about 300 billion yen, or roughly 2.1 billion dollars. It was the most ever paid to buy a Japanese renewable energy firm.

Jera will be primarily responsible for operations.