at 18:30 (JST), November 05

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/20201105183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : cabinet finalize
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201104_25/

The Japanese government has finalized a bill on Wednesday for a new economic partnership agreement with the United Kingdom. The government aims to seek swift Diet approval so that the deal will take effect on January 1, 2021.

The agreement was signed by both countries' cabinet ministers in October following Britain's departure from the European Union.

The new pact is based on the existing economic partnership agreement between Japan and the EU.

It calls for abolishing tariffs in 2026 on Japan's automobile exports, and for no new tariffs on Japan's farm product imports.

The agreement sets tighter rules than existing ones in the field of e-commerce, aimed at limiting state control over information by countries such as China.

The rules include restricting government intervention in data exchanges for business purposes.

Key words : Xi market video
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201105_03/

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed willingness to open up the country's markets.

In a video speech at the opening ceremony of China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Wednesday, Xi implicitly criticized the United States, saying the world should not let unilateralism and protectionism undermine the international order.

He also said China expects to import 22 trillion dollars' worth of goods over the next decade.

He said China will adhere to its belief in the benefits of opening up. He stressed that China "will stay committed to openness, cooperation and unity for win-win results" and will "steadfastly expand all-round opening up."

This year's in-person import event requires participants from abroad to undergo a 14-day isolation period and a PCR test upon their entry to China, among other measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Some 400 companies and groups from Japan are expected to take part in this year's event.

Key words : anti-government Thailand
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201105_11/

An anti-government group in Thailand has refused to join a committee for reconciliation with the government.

The Thai parliament proposed on October 27 setting up the committee in a bid to dampen ongoing protests in the capital, Bangkok, led by young Thais.

The group read out a statement at a news conference on Wednesday. It said the committee is merely a political show to buy time for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. It said as long as he remains in power, there can be no solution.

Local media have reported that selection of members for the committee is already underway.

But young people appear set to continue their protests. They are calling for Prayut's resignation and reform of the monarchy, among other demands.

Key words : Hokkaido
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201105_02/

The governor of Japan's northern prefecture of Hokkaido and the mayor of its biggest city, Sapporo, are united in stepping up preventive measures as coronavirus infections are increasing there again.

Prefectural officials confirmed 75 new cases on Wednesday. Fifty-one of them are in Sapporo. The tally in the prefecture surpassed 70 for the third day in a row.

The two leaders are weighing ways to strengthen preventive measures. These include requesting establishments that serve alcohol in Sapporo's entertainment district to reduce business hours.

Governor Suzuki Naomichi said, "We have a strong sense of crisis over the current situation. I think now is the crucial moment. We must implement stronger measures."

Meanwhile, Japan's government approved a measure allowing 10 taxi companies in Tokyo to reject passengers who refuse to wear face masks.

The operators pushed for the move to protect their drivers and customers.

Tokyo officials confirmed 122 new cases on Wednesday. The figure brings the total number in the capital to more than 31,000.

Key words : transport ministry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201104_26/

Japan's transport ministry has approved a measure allowing some taxi operators to reject passengers who refuse to wear face masks without proper reasons.

Ten taxi operators, including a major taxi company in Tokyo, had asked the ministry to review their rules. Taxi drivers are essentially banned from refusing passengers except under some circumstances.

Drivers worried about the possible spread of infection were behind the move. They say some drunken passengers speak aloud inside their cabs without wearing masks.

The ministry says the measure does not allow drivers to flatly deny passengers without masks. It says the measure is aimed at urging passengers to wear masks.

It says the measure would result in protecting not only taxi drivers but also the next passengers.

Other taxi operators and public transport systems may follow the move.

Key words : chickens mitoyo banning
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201105_23/

Authorities in Kagawa Prefecture, western Japan, are culling hundreds of thousands of chickens after the H5 strain of bird flu was detected in dead poultry at a farm.

The farm in Mitoyo City reported that a total of 3,800 chickens had died between Sunday and Wednesday. A detailed examination confirmed that the virus is likely to be the highly pathogenic H5 strain.

Kagawa Governor Hamada Keizo indicated on Thursday that immediate measures will be taken to prevent the virus from spreading. The prefecture has begun the process of culling roughly 330,000 chickens at the farm.

The governor plans to request the dispatch of Self-Defense Force personnel for assistance.

Prefectural officials say it will take about 10 days to cull and bury the chickens.

The prefecture is banning the transport of chickens and eggs within a 3-kilometer radius of the farm. Samples taken randomly from 2 million chickens at 26 poultry farms in the area will be tested for the virus.

The prefecture is also restricting shipments from the area within a 10-kilometer radius of the farm.

Authorities say these are first cases of the bird flu virus to be confirmed on a Japanese farm since the H5 strain was detected at another poultry farm in Kagawa Prefecture in January 2018.

Key words : china patrol ship
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201105_06/

A draft of a revised law governing China's coast guard allows the use of arms against foreign vessels unlawfully conducting activities in waters under China's jurisdiction.

The National People's Congress revealed the draft on Wednesday for the first time.

The draft details the responsibilities of the coast guard, maintaining it has the authority to forcibly drive away foreign vessels that intrude into Chinese territorial waters or interrogate the crew.

It also allows the use of arms against vessels that do not obey orders in territorial seas, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf.

The move comes as Chinese patrol ships continue to enter Japan's territorial waters off the coasts of the Senkaku Islands, sometimes chasing Japanese fishing boats operating in the waters.

The China Coast Guard was incorporated into the armed police force in recent years, and the coast guard fleet has been upgraded with larger vessels.

There is rising concern that when the legislation is enacted, Japanese fishing boats operating near the Senkaku Islands may come under threat.

Japan controls the Senkaku Islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.

Key words : south resume
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201104_41/

South Korea has resumed tours of the truce village of Panmunjom after more than a year of closure.

Tours of the village in the demilitarized zone were suspended in October last year due to the outbreak of African swine fever, and the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year.

South Korea's Unification Minister Lee In-young spoke at the opening ceremony for a tourism support center at Panmunjom on Wednesday.

Referring to the two inter-Korean summits held at Panmunjom, Lee described the village as a starting point for peace and hoped it will lead to longer lasting peace.

Officials and others later visited a building that straddles the border, and the bridge where South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walked side by side.

The group was watched from the North Korean side by soldiers carrying cameras.

Tours of Panmunjom are currently limited to South Koreans, but foreigners will likely be allowed to apply through a designated tourist agency.