at 18:30 (JST), January 17

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/20240117183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : kobe solidarity noto
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240117_01/

Japan marks the 29th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on Wednesday that devastated the western Japanese city of Kobe and surrounding regions.

The 1995 disaster left 6,434 people dead.

At a park in Kobe's Chuo Ward, residents arranged lanterns to form "1.17" to represent the date of the disaster, and "Tomoni," the Japanese word meaning "together."

The word was chosen to express solidarity with people affected by the massive quake centered on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year's Day.

It also reflects people's wish to pass on the experiences and lessons to younger generations.

A moment of silence was observed at 5:46 a.m., the exact time the Great Hanshin-Awaji quake occurred and at 4:10 p.m. another observance will mark the time that the Noto quake hit.

More than 300,000 people evacuated to schools and other emergency facilities after the 1995 disaster.

The Cabinet Office says more than 900 survivors later died because of injuries they suffered in the quake, or after their health deteriorated in prolonged evacuations.

The number of possible disaster-related deaths in the Noto quake is rising. Health management of affected people and supporting them to rebuild their lives has become a challenge.

Key words : 232
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240117_20/

The death toll from the New Year's Day earthquake on the Noto Peninsula in central Japan has risen to 232. As survivors try to return to normal, some are finding it may be harder than they expected.

Fishermen in Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture are finally seeing the scope of the damage. The quake caused 200 meters of coastline to lift.

Dead marine life litters this area, which was originally part of the seabed. But without access to the ocean, fishermen at Kuroshima Port say their livelihoods may be gone for good.

Fisherman Takashima Naganori said, "There's so much damage I don't think anything can be done about it. I don't see how we can keep fishing." He is concerned about how his community will survive.

Takashima is not the only one. There are about 70 fishing ports in Ishikawa Prefecture. On Monday, officials said more than 80 percent were damaged in the disaster.

Local students are also wondering about their futures. Hundreds of junior high school students in Wajima City left en masse Wednesday. All three of the city's junior high schools are being used as emergency shelters.

Four hundred students were given the option to continue their studies in the southern part of the prefecture. Two-hundred-and-fifty of them chose to go.

Junior high school student Miyawaki Mizuki said, "I'm a little worried. But I think the facility there is well-equipped so I'm looking forward to it."

Mizuki's father said, "I can only tell him to do his best. There are many things that we can't provide here right now. I hope he'll grow up a bit and come back."

The students are expected to be there for about two months. Teachers from Wajima City schools will be responsible for the students at the new site.

Key words : kim power station
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240116_24/

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has suggested he will promote the construction of nuclear power stations to resolve his country's power shortage.

Tuesday's edition of North Korea's ruling party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that Kim referred to nuclear power generation in his speech at the Supreme People's Assembly on Monday.

Kim said that if the country operates nuclear and other power-generating plants in the future, it can solve its power shortage problem.

North Korea is building an experimental light-water nuclear reactor at its nuclear facility complex in Nyongbyon in the country's northwest.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said in a statement last month that the discharge of warm water from the light-water reactor's cooling system has been confirmed, which indicates the reactor has reached criticality.

South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said late last month that North Korea's experimental light-water reactor is expected to be in full-fledged operation this summer.

North Korea claims the light-water reactor is for providing electricity.

But relevant countries are worried that North Korea would become more capable of producing plutonium, which could be used for nuclear weapons. They are also concerned that the North may use the reactor to develop a nuclear-powered submarine.

Key words : indonesia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240116_41/

Indonesia has been hit by more volcanic activity following a series of eruptions last month that killed 24 climbers.

Residents near Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province report hearing a loud boom on Sunday before the mountain again erupted. The explosion sent a cloud of smoke and ash up to one kilometer into the sky.
This was followed by ash rain which inundated the mountain's slopes.

The eruption forced dozens of residents to evacuate. Officials are advising people to take cautionary measures, including wearing masks and staying clear of the mountain. They are also warning people to beware of lava possibly flowing into rivers.
Meanwhile, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on the country's Flores Island has also seen a surge in volcanic activity following an eruption in December.
The increasing volcanic activity has resulted in 6,500 residents fleeing their homes.
Authorities say many people staying in shelters are now suffering from a variety of respiratory infections.

Key words : hiroshima fashion show elderly
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20231130110022370/

Seniors sparkle on catwalk

It's never too late to try something new. Recently, elderly residents in Hiroshima Prefecture shone brightly on the catwalk of a fashion show. This report spotlights one woman who rediscovered her joy for life through this experience.