at 18:30 (JST), April 16

 

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/20210416183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar suffer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210415_33/

Myanmar's military has reportedly suffered heavy casualties in trying to retake a strategic base from an armed ethnic minority group in the northern state of Kachin.

An independent media outlet, The Irrawaddy, said the Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, seized the base on March 25.

It said the military launched air attacks over four days and that about 100 soldiers came in two columns to attack the KIA outpost at the base, but that one column withdrew on Tuesday after suffering a heavy defeat.

It said the other column clashed with KIA forces on Tuesday night and also suffered heavy casualties.

The Irrawaddy quoted a KIA officer as saying, "almost all the troops in that column have died," and that KIA troops are pursuing the "two or three soldiers" that survived.

NHK has sought confirmation by a spokesperson for the State Administration Council, but has received no response. The council is the highest decision-making body set up by the military following the country's February 1 coup.

KIA fighters have been supporting those protesting the coup. Clashes between the KIA and the military have continued since early March. Observers say the military may launch more powerful retaliation against the KIA.

Key words : china says
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210415_21/

China says it is conducting live-fire drills in waters south of the Taiwan Strait from Thursday, as a group of former high-level US officials visit Taiwan.

China's Maritime Safety Administration issued a warning on Wednesday that bans ships from navigating in the designated area for six days through Tuesday. It did not give any details about the drills.

Former US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and other members of an unofficial US delegation arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday, and met President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday. A US official described the visit as a "signal" of President Joe Biden's support.

The Chinese government says it opposes exchanges between the US and Taiwan in any official form.

The Chinese military has been increasing its activities near Taiwan. Taiwan said earlier this week that 25 Chinese military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone on Monday.

Key words : government additional
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210416_36/

Japan's government has designated four more prefectures as areas where stricter anti-coronavirus measures should be taken without announcing an official state of emergency.

The move comes as infections continue to spread with particular concern surrounding variants.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu said, "In order to prevent local waves of infection from becoming a large wave on a national scale, we will continue to flexibly and intensively take stringent measures in limited areas to contain the spread of infection."

Three of Tokyo's neighbors -- Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa -- as well as Aichi in central Japan, were newly designated.

The stricter measures are already in place for Tokyo, Osaka and four other prefectures.

The additional designation will come into effect on Tuesday and remain in place until May 11.

Governors will be able to order bars and restaurants to close by 8 p.m. in targeted areas and impose fines for non-compliance.

The government is also urging people to refrain from nonessential travel across prefectural borders, ahead of a weeklong holiday starting in late April.

The number of new infections has been on the rise since the last state of emergency was lifted in March.

Tokyo on Friday reported 667 new cases, while Osaka hit a new record 1,209.

Medical experts are concerned about more infectious variants.

They predict that variants will almost completely replace the original strain in major urban areas around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in May.

The spike in new cases is putting a strain on the healthcare system. As of Thursday, the number of patients with serious COVID-19 symptoms in Osaka was higher than the number of hospital beds available for such cases.

Key words : decided into the ocean
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210416_24/

Japanese Cabinet Ministers met Friday to discuss plans for how the operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant will release a build-up of treated water into the ocean, safely and transparently.

They heard from Fukushima's governor and the plant's operator.

It is the first time relevant ministers have met, since the plan was decided upon. They said they want to prevent any reputational damage to local industries, especially fisheries.

They confirmed they will work closely on the issue and address potential challenges quickly.

The ministers say they are looking for the best method to discharge water --- prioritizing safety and transparency.

They set up a working group, which will listen to industry and municipal representatives, and create an action plan by the end of the year.

The plan will cover the two years leading up to the initial release of water, and beyond.

The wastewater is treated to remove most radioactive materials, but still contains radioactive tritium.

Before the water is discharged, it will be diluted so the concentration of tritium is well below national standards.

It will be about one-seventh of the level the World Health Organization suggests for drinking water.

The ministers pledged to ensure accurate information is disseminated, avoiding potentially damaging misunderstandings.

Fukushima Governor Uchibori Masao said, "I'm concerned that efforts made by the people of Fukushima Prefecture to rebuild their lives over the past 10 years, could become worthless. I strongly urge the government to take the lead and relevant ministries and agencies to work together to take all possible measures."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu said, "The government must take thorough measures to respond to your request. We will secure necessary budgets in the future without any hesitation and take concrete measures."

The plant's operator is the Tokyo Electric Power Company. Its president promised to provide accurate information.

TEPCO President Kobayakawa Tomoaki said, "We will listen to various opinions so we can create a situation in which people would feel safe if there were any reputational damage after the water is discharged."

Neighboring countries are continuing to criticize the plan.

China's foreign ministry says it summoned the Japanese ambassador on Thursday to convey its "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition".

The ministry demanded that Japan retract the decision and allow inspections by an international engineering team that includes Chinese experts.

A spokesperson for Russia's foreign ministry said on Thursday that her country is waiting for a "more detailed explanation" of all aspects of the plan.

Key words : treated water release sakai masahiko
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