at 18:30 (JST), October 26

 

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/20201026183000_english_1.mp3

Key words : united nations treaty will go into
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201025_08/

A United Nations treaty banning nuclear weapons has reached the 50 ratifications it needs to come into force.

A UN official told NHK on Saturday that Honduras has ratified the pact.

The UN adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in July 2017 with the approval of 122 countries and territories.

It says the use of nuclear weapons violates international law, which is applied in armed conflicts, and bans the development, possession and use of such armaments.

It will go into effect on January 22, 2021, 90 days after the 50th ratification.

The five major nuclear powers, including the US, Russia and China, and countries such as Japan that fall under the US nuclear umbrella have not joined the treaty.

Non-nuclear nations, including Austria, and international NGOs, such as ICAN, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, hope the treaty will give impetus to the movement for disarmament.

Nuclear weapons will be deemed illegal for the first time under international law when the treaty comes into force. But its effectiveness in achieving disarmament is uncertain, as the major nuclear powers are against the pact.

Key words : atomic bomb survivors calling for
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Key words : Sunday marks korean war
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201025_19/

In an apparent bid to boost patriotism, state-run China Central Television has been broadcasting drama programs and documentaries highlighting country's role in the Korean War.

This comes as Sunday marks the 70th anniversary of China's entry into the 1950s conflict.

In news programming on Sunday, the station called on people to remember a great victory in a war to protect peace and justice.

President Xi Jinping said at a ceremony on Friday in Beijing to commemorate the war that it took place at a time when China was still poor, and the United States was a great military power.

But he said the forces of China and North Korea defeated their rival and shattered the myth of US military invincibility.

Highlighting the history of the war is seen as a way for China to unite its people in the face of a serious downturn in ties with the US.

Key words : anti-government Bangkok ignored
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201025_24/

Anti-government protests have resumed in the Thai capital Bangkok after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ignored calls to step down by Saturday.

Protesters began gathering on Sunday afternoon. They are calling for Prayut's resignation and reforms to the monarchy.

The protesters had put the rallies on hold while awaiting the government's response. But they warned the protests would resume if their demands were rejected.

The protesters occupied an intersection, urging the prime minister to step down and making the three-finger salute of resistance to authoritarian politics.

A university student said everyone who had gathered wanted Prayut to resign. She also said that if nothing changes, the country won't become a better place.

A two-day special session of parliament starts on Monday to discuss how to respond to the protests.

Local media reported on Sunday that King Maha Vajiralongkorn praised a supporter of the monarchy who held up a royal portrait last week during a protest.

The man was among a crowd of well-wishers who greeted the king as he walked back to the palace after a religious ceremony on Friday.

It is the first report of the king speaking directly with a supporter since the protests began.

The act is likely to fire up pro-monarchy groups, raising concerns about clashes between the two sides.

Key words : from Japan and
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201024_19/

A group of thirty-five people from Japan and the United States have attended a memorial ceremony for soldiers who died in a fierce battle on the Pacific island of Ioto during World War Two.

Around 21,900 Japanese soldiers and about 6,800 US servicemen lost their lives on the island, also known as Iwojima, in the closing days of World War Two.

Relatives of the dead and government officials from both countries, gathered on the island on Saturday.

The joint Japan-US ceremony is usually held every March but was delayed this year following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The number of participants at Saturday's event was about one-tenth that of normal years.

Teramoto Tetsuro, who heads an organization of families of Japanese soldiers who perished in the battle, addressed the ceremony.

He said he is deeply concerned that the memories of the fierce battle are gradually fading away, and that those who survived have the responsibility and obligation to pass on to future generations the lesson that wars brings misfortune to humans.

Nicholas Hill, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Japan, said he offers his prayers for the soldiers from both countries who fought and died or were injured for their beloved homelands.

The participants, who were socially distanced from one another, observed a moment of silence.

Key words : China top leader five-year
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201026_01/

The Chinese Communist Party is set to begin a pivotal meeting of its top leaders on Monday. They will likely discuss a new five-year plan and long-term national strategies.

At least 300 officials, including the leadership headed by President Xi Jinping, will attend the four-day gathering in Beijing.

Police presence is heavy around the military facility that is believed to be the venue for the event.

Its agenda will likely include economic and other policies for the five years from 2021 through 2025, as well as long-term goals through 2035. A communique is expected to be released on Thursday, the final day of the meeting.

Attention is focused on what strategy will emerge in the high-tech industry where a rivalry between China and the United States has been intensifying. A new policy could fuel the tensions.

The last time China set long-term visions was 1995 under then-President Jiang Zemin. Analysts say that if new ones are presented at the upcoming meeting they will be used to further cement the foundation of the Xi administration.

Key words : leader samsung
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201025_15/

Lee Kun-hee, the leader of Samsung Group, South Korea's biggest conglomerate, died on Sunday at the age of 78.

Samsung Electronics said in a statement that Lee died with his family by his side.

The third son of Samsung's founder studied at universities in Japan and the United States, and assumed the post of chairman in 1987. Lee was known as a charismatic business leader, helping the group's core firm, Samsung Electronics, to become a global giant in such fields as semiconductors and smartphones.

Lee had not made public appearances in recent years due to ill health. His eldest son, Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, served as the de-facto head of the conglomerate.

South Korean media outlets are giving extensive coverage to the news, as Samsung Group has an enormous influence on the country's economy.

Key words : singapore
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201025_06/

Diners in Singapore are enjoying meals on board an Airbus A380 parked at Changi Airport.

Singapore Airlines opened the restaurant in the world's biggest passenger plane for two weekends from Saturday. It hopes to raise revenue to help make up for the losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Customers have a choice of cabin class. The meals on offer include spicy Malay dishes with fish and shrimp or a Japanese fish dish. The prices range from about 38 to 480 US dollars.

A range of cabin crew uniforms are on display at the airport. Customers can also have their photos taken with crew members.

A man in his 20s said he enjoyed the meal and imagined that he was up in the sky.

Singapore Airlines has had to cancel most of its flights because of the pandemic. It reported a deficit of more than 760 million US dollars for the April-June quarter.

The carrier has cut 4,300 jobs, or about 15 percent of its workforce.