Asian View
Key words : second state of
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210105_24/
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says a second state of emergency will be more focused than a similar measure instituted last spring. Millions of people in and around Tokyo are bracing for the state of emergency as coronavirus cases continue to rise.
Suga said on Monday, "We are taking the situation seriously, so it is necessary to send a stronger message. I think carrying out limited but intensive measures will be effective."
He added that the government will make a final decision on the matter on Thursday. He also said the declaration will apply to Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures. The measure is likely to remain in place for around a month.
A state of emergency gives prefectural governors the legal authority to urge residents to cooperate with antivirus efforts.
The four governors will ask people to refrain from non-essential outings after 8 p.m.
They will also request that bars and restaurants close by that time.
Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko said, "The situation has entered a completely different stage. It is necessary make efforts to reduce the risk of infection, including by significantly curbing the movement of people, and reducing social contact."
A state of emergency is less rigid in Japan than in many western countries. It has so far relied on voluntary closures, rather than strict lockdowns.
But Suga says he will submit a legal revision to the Diet that would allow penalties for those who do not comply.
The central government is also working with local officials in the affected areas to tighten rules on events, and to encourage businesses to allow more staff to work remotely.
The Greater Tokyo area now accounts for half of infections reported in the country. With the number of critically ill patients surging, governors around the capital are warning that the medical system could collapse.
Frontline medical workers say they hope the state of emergency will encourage people to be more alert.
More than 3,300 cases were reported across Japan on Monday. Over 3,600 people in Japan have died since the pandemic began.
Key words : chinese authorities
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210105_03/
Chinese authorities have notified two human rights lawyers that their licenses to practice may be revoked, following their involvement with Hong Kong activists who attempted to flee the territory to Taiwan last year.
The lawyers, Ren Quanniu and Lu Siwei, tried to help the pro-democracy activists and students by representing them in a trial, or meeting them in detention at the request of their families.
The activists were arrested last year while trying to flee to Taiwan by boat and were sentenced to prison last week.
The lawyers' request to represent the activists at the trial was rejected.
The Chinese authorities cited their handling of court trials in the past and their online posts as reasons for stripping them of their licenses. The authorities said the lawyers have seriously damaged the reputation of their profession.
In a telephone interview with NHK, Ren said he felt increasing pressure from Chinese authorities after he accepted the request from the activists' families in October.
He also said it is obvious that his involvement in the latest case played a role in the decision to revoke his license. He added it was unjust persecution of a lawyer, despite a lack of relevant legal provisions.
Key words : Hokkaido amid the
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210105_04/
Swordsmiths have prayed for safety amid the coronavirus pandemic in Japan's northern prefecture of Hokkaido.
They performed the traditional ritual on Monday at the Japan Steel Works M&E's plant. The workshop has been producing swords for more than 100 years.
Two swordsmiths forged a metal plate by hammering steel heated to around 1,000 degrees Celsius. Then, they put the plate on a Shinto altar and prayed for safety. The plate will be melted down and used to make swords during the year.
Swordsmith Sasaki Taneshige said he will produce swords this year, hoping that they are able to cut through hard times as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Key words : thailand tough
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210104_31/
Thailand plans tougher steps against the coronavirus after a spike of infections in the country.
Authorities confirmed a record daily number of 745 cases on Monday, bringing the total to over 8,000. The government ordered the closure of places posing a high risk of virus transmission.
New regulations will be introduced in Bangkok and 27 provinces from Monday.
Authorities will work out specific measures taking into account local conditions.
Bangkok earlier shut schools, nurseries and entertainment venues such as bars and karaoke parlors. Shopping malls can stay open, but must close early. Dining at restaurants after 9 p.m. will be banned from Tuesday.
A male citizen said: "The tougher measures will make our lives worse. My son is unemployed, and I have to use my pension to pay for living expenses. I'll have to economize."
New cases in Thailand have been in single digits most days since last May -- nearly all of them foreign visitors.
Monday's surge came after cluster infections broke out last month near Bangkok. Cases included workers at a seafood market -- mostly migrants from Myanmar.
The government has warned it may tighten controls further if the spread of the virus doesn't subside.
Key words : trade china
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210103_15/
Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has expressed his view that it would be difficult for China to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement under the status quo.
Suga appeared on a commercial broadcaster's radio program on Sunday, and referred to recent remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping that indicate China is positive about joining the pact.
Suga said he believes countries where businesses are run by the state will find it difficult to join the TPP because its regulations are set at levels that are too high for such a business structure to follow.
Regarding the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, Suga said his predecessor, Abe Shinzo, expressed his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without preconditions.
Suga said he wants to stand by Abe's intention and hold direct negotiations with Kim on the matter.
Key words : malaysia scrapped high-speed
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Key words : trader
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210105_10/
Traders at Tokyo's Toyosu wholesale market prayed for prosperity in the year ahead as they held their first auction of 2021 on Tuesday.
Attendance at the New Year event was limited as a precaution against the coronavirus. Infections were reported among a string of market traders last year.
Ahead of the tuna auction, a representative of a wholesaler pledged to ensure a stable supply of fish and marine products even amid the pandemic.
The auction floor began buzzing with activity with the ringing of the bell shortly after 5 a.m. Raw and frozen tuna from across Japan went up for bidding.
The top prize was a 208-kilogram bluefin from Oma in the northern prefecture of Aomori.
A market trader bought it for about 20.8 million yen, or around 200,000 dollars. That was well below a record price of 3.2 million dollars set at the start of 2019.
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