at 18:30 (JST), March 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/20210317183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : thinking
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210317_05/

Japanese government officials are thinking about lifting the coronavirus state of emergency that is currently in place for Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures, as the strain on the healthcare system is easing.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide spoke about the matter on Tuesday. He said he hopes to make a decision after listening to the opinions of experts and examining figures, such as the number of new cases and the hospital bed occupancy rates.

The rate of decline in new cases in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba is slowing. But increasing numbers of officials hold the view that the state of emergency should be lifted on Sunday, when the declaration is due to expire.

Suga is scheduled to meet on Wednesday with the minister in charge of the country's coronavirus response, Nishimura Yasutoshi, and health minister Tamura Norihisa. They will discuss the situation.

The government plans to hold an advisory committee meeting on Thursday to determine whether to lift the emergency declaration. It will assess the number of infections and the state of the healthcare system. It will also consider measures to prevent a resurgence of infections, such as tests for variants.

Key words : united nations 149
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210317_04/

Myanmar's military is increasing pressure on a group formed by lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.

The country's state-run television reported on Tuesday that the military issued an arrest warrant for the UN special envoy appointed by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, or CRPH, a body of lawmakers including NLD members. The military charged the envoy with treason.

The CRPH calls on civilians to continue protesting, saying that legal actions for defending themselves are not crimes. The military says the group is illegal.

The military declared martial law for some areas in Yangon on Sunday to crack down on protests.

On Tuesday, demonstrations took place across the country. Local media reported two people were killed as security forces opened fire on protestors in Yangon and elsewhere.

The United Nations says at least 149 people have been killed in crackdowns since the coup on February 1.

Key words : women and children statement
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210316_04/

Media outlets in Myanmar say at least four more people died on Monday amid the continued crackdown on anti-coup protesters. The United Nations said at least 138 protesters have been killed in the country since the February 1 coup.

The military is apparently ready to play a greater role in the crackdown. It declared martial law in parts of the country's largest city, Yangon, where administrative and judicial powers are now in the hands of the military.

On Monday, protests occurred in the second largest city of Mandalay and other places. Security forces reportedly opened fire on citizens, leaving at least four people dead.

A UN spokesperson revealed that women and children are among the more than 130 people who have been killed.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the ongoing violence against peaceful protesters.

A group that includes lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyi's political party issued a statement on Sunday calling for resistance to the military. It said the act of law-abiding self-defense is not criminal.

Key words : line engineer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210317_06/

It has come to light that engineers at a Chinese company entrusted with system management of messaging app provider Line were able to access personal information of Japanese users.

Japanese privacy protection regulations stipulate that consent of users must be obtained before their personal information is transferred to a foreign country. Line failed to provide users with a sufficient explanation regarding foreign access to their data. The company reported the matter to the government's panel on personal information protection.

Line has about 86 million users in Japan. Its parent company Z Holdings has decided to set up an in-house committee to investigate and rectify the situation.

Key words : 20 years south korean student died
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20210225082327488/

Twenty years have passed since a South Korean student died at a railway station in central Tokyo. He was trying to save a man who had fallen onto the tracks. Media outlets in Japan and South Korea gave extensive coverage to the accident. Lee's dream has been passed onto many international students in Japan.