at 18:30 (JST), April 07

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/20210407183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar pressure
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210406_38/

The anti-coup protesters in Myanmar continue to take to the streets to show their resistance in a variety of ways.
As the military intensifies its violent crackdown on protesters, it is also increasing pressure on celebrities who support a return to democracy.

Demonstrators are now dividing into smaller groups to evade the security forces. In the largest city Yangon on Tuesday, people threw red paint on a road near where protesters had been killed.

One of the protesters said, "The red paint represents the blood of our fallen heroes. This is a way to send the message that their blood is not yet dry."

Meanwhile, the military has expanded its targets to celebrities, including actors and social media influencers. A state newspaper has published a list of those charged with violating laws on spreading news that affects the stability of the state.

An actor on the list told NHK in a text that she will continue to speak out and will not stop until democracy returns.

The death toll has continued to rise since the February 1 coup. A local human rights NGO reports that 570 civilians have been killed so far by security forces.

Brunei, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, issued a joint statement with Malaysia after the two countries' leaders met on Monday.
It said they agreed that the ASEAN leaders will meet to discuss the developments in Myanmar and asked their cabinets to undertake the necessary preparations for the meeting.

Key words : toshiba
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210407_16/

Japanese industrial conglomerate Toshiba has received a buyout proposal from an international private equity firm, CVC Capital Partners. The value of the offer has not been disclosed.

Toshiba officials say they will carefully consider the proposal while seeking more information. President and CEO Kurumatani Nobuaki told reporters on Wednesday that they will discuss the proposal at a meeting of the board of directors.

Toshiba's market capitalization is over 1.7 trillion yen or about 15.8 billion dollars.

Sources say CVC has suggested taking Toshiba private.

The proposed deal comes as Toshiba is locked in a dispute with another investment fund, Effissimo Capital Management, a major shareholder. That is over Toshiba's handling of its stockholders meeting last July.

CVC may be aiming to win over Toshiba's board by suggesting that going private would protect the company from the influence of activist shareholders.

Toshiba is engaged in the nuclear business.
That means the deal must be notified to the Japanese government before it can be completed.
Japanese law requires stronger regulation of foreign investment in firms that are key to national security.

Key words : suga visit india
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210407_03/

NHK has learned that the Japanese government is making arrangements for Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to visit India and the Philippines from late April.

The visit is planned as Suga works to deepen ties with the United States, Australia, India and others that share the same values as Japan in the face of China's growing military and economic might.

He is scheduled to visit the US next week for talks with President Joe Biden.

India has traditionally adopted a more unaligned foreign policy, but now seeks closer ties with Tokyo and Washington as tensions continue in a disputed border region with China.

The Philippines is also at odds with Beijing over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
Suga hopes that his first face-to-face talks with the Indian and Philippine leaders will help realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The government is likely to make the final decision on his visit after assessing the coronavirus situation.

Key words : fukushima yotsumoto jun
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/1551/

 Defiant Fukushima cowboy’s source of hope

In the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident, many farmers in northeastern Japan were forced to evacuate and leave their livestock behind. Some animals died of hunger. Others, abandoned in the shadow of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi power plant, were slaughtered. But one man – in a defiant show of protest and hope – has kept his alive.