Asian View
Key words : protester thailand angry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201130_05/
Anti-government protesters in Thailand, who are calling for the reform of the monarchy, have marched to the base of a military unit that takes its orders directly from the King.
The rally took place on Sunday just outside the base of the 11th Infantry Regiment in the capital, Bangkok. Police say about 2,000 people took part.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn assumed control over the regiment when it was removed from the army's chain of command in October last year.
Protest leaders say the arrangement violates popular sovereignty as armed forces should report to the government chosen by the people. They say the regiment must be accountable only to the people.
Protesters have been increasingly angry since the parliament rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to reform the monarchy.
They are stepping up their calls for comprehensive reforms of how the monarchy manages its assets, and its relationship with the military.
The government appears ready to thoroughly crack down on the protesters by applying the law that bans insults of royal family members.
A 16-year-old demonstrator said he wants the monarchy to be reformed as actions of the King and other royals should be transparent and open to criticism.
Protesters are also demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who led a military coup six years ago.
Key words : extra cost
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201129_17/
Sources say the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics now estimates that the extra costs related to the Games' postponement will come to about 200 billion yen, or 1.9 billion dollars.
The original cost estimate for the Games was about 13 billion dollars, excluding a reserve fund.
The organizing committee was to shoulder 5.79 billion dollars, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government 5.73 billion dollars, and the central government 1.44 billion dollars.
Additional funds will be needed to renew the contracts for venues and to pay for labor and other items, as the Games were postponed by one year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The sources say the coronavirus measures that are being considered by a government-led panel are not included in the extra costs.
The organizing committee had already cut the Games' costs by about 288 million dollars by streamlining plans.
The committee says it hopes to announce the total expenditures by the yearend after discussions with the central and Tokyo governments on how to share the burden.
Key words : akishino approve
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201130_01/
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino has said he approves of his eldest daughter Princess Mako's marriage to her college classmate which was postponed.
Crown Prince Akishino spoke to reporters ahead of his 55th birthday on Monday.
He said the Constitution stipulates that marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes. He added that parents should respect their children's wishes to marry.
The Crown Prince added that his daughter's marriage schedule will be considered at a future date.
In September 2017, the Imperial Household Agency announced that Princess Mako was getting engaged to Komuro Kei.
But soon after, some media reported that his mother had financial problems. In February 2018, the agency announced that the string of events leading up to the wedding would be postponed.
In May last year, Crown Prince Akishino became first in the line of succession when his older brother, Emperor Naruhito, ascended the throne after their father's abdication.
Under the current system, any princess must leave the imperial household once married to a commoner.
Key words : first weekend
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201130_12/
Japan is coming out of the first weekend in a three-week period the central government has deemed crucial for curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
Several prefectural governments, including Tokyo and Osaka, have requested bars and restaurants serving alcohol to limit their hours.
In Nagoya in Aichi prefecture, the suggested changes began on Sunday. One customer said, "It's kind of sad that restaurants close early, but I'll try my best to have fun while adhering to the rules."
At a pub which usually stays open until 1 a.m., the manager said, "It's hard for us to have to close businesses early just when it's getting busy."
Tokyo's prefectural neighbor, Saitama, is due to make the same early closure request to businesses in some entertainment districts.
After hearing from experts on Monday, officials plan to announce a detailed plan that could see hours limited to 10 p.m., for 11 days beginning December 7.
Preventing the spread of the virus -- while working on economic recovery -- remains a challenge, though.
Business travel between Japan and China is resuming on Monday, allowing both short- and long-term stays.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said, "It's extremely important that we resume international travel. I'm pleased about starting up business travel between Japan and China even if it begins in phased stages."
Chinese travelers with resident status in Japan made their way through Narita Airport near Tokyo on Friday.
One said, "A plane combines a closed, crowded and close-contact setting all in one, in my view. So I'm worried."
Japanese officials reported 2,066 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday. The health ministry says that as of Sunday, a record 462 people with severe symptoms were being treated with respirators and intensive care.
Key words : business travel vietnam
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201130_04/
Japan and China are resuming business travel between the countries on Monday, as part of efforts to ease entry restrictions and promote economic activities.
Business people are now allowed to make trips for both short- and long-term stays.
Japan has taken the same measure with Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam.
An influx of Chinese travelers is expected at Narita Airport near Tokyo. About 20 flights to and from Chinese cities are operated weekly.
Some Chinese people who have resident status in Japan were seen arriving at the airport wearing white protective gear or raincoats.
Airline officials say up to half of passengers on a flight from China wear some kind of protective clothing.
Key words : Toyota sales electric vehicle
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Key words : two major
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201130_02/
Two major Japanese airlines will launch trials of a digital certificate for negative coronavirus test results to reduce the complexity of immigration procedures for international air travelers.
All Nippon Airways will start examining the usefulness of the smartphone app, "CommonPass", on its flights between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and New York as early as December. Japan Airlines is also considering a similar program.
The system can show the results for those who have taken PCR tests, as well as the names of testing facilities.
It includes passport numbers, users' current health status, itineraries and other pertinent information.
Users can quickly learn whether they meet entry requirements by holding their smartphones over data scanners.
Airlines around the world are considering introducing the CommonPass. US carrier United Airlines and Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways are conducting trials.
Efforts to develop CommonPass are being supported by the World Economic Forum.
Challenges that must be overcome before a full-fledged launch of the app as a globally standardized format include cooperation among global quarantine officials and other authorities.
Key words : powerful drum
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201130_03/
Powerful Japanese drum beats at a Buddhist temple in western Japan gave encouragement to people affected by the coronavirus and those responding to the crisis.
Six drummers performed on Sunday in front of about 300 spectators at the Jogyo-do Hall of Shoshazan Engyoji Temple in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. The building is a national important cultural asset.
Organizers took anti-infection measures, such as requiring the audience to wear masks and placing them more than 3 meters away from the performers.
One spectator said she enjoyed seeing the concert at the great location. Another said it seemed like the strong drumming would drive away the coronavirus.
One of the drummers said he is happy to be able to perform in public for the first time in a long while. He added that he hopes the event has lifted the spirits of people in the audience.
