at 18:30 (JST), May 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/20210505183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : india topped 20 million
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210504_16/

India's tally of confirmed coronavirus infections has topped 20 million. It is now the second country after the United States to pass the grim milestone.

India's government reported 357,229 new cases on Tuesday, marking the 13th consecutive day of more than 300,000 new infections. The nation's accumulated number of infections is now 20,282,833.

The government also confirmed 3,449 deaths related to the virus on Tuesday.

The surge in infections has put a significant strain on India's healthcare system, with hospital beds and medical oxygen in short supply. Many people have died due to a lack of proper treatment.

The spread of the virus has remained unabated despite various social restrictions that have been put in place by several states since mid-April. Experts are calling for a strict national lockdown to be introduced.

Key words : motegi escalating
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210505_06/

Japan's foreign minister has voiced concern over China's attempts to change the status quo in the East China and South China seas, and the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu expressed the views during the second day of the Group of Seven foreign ministers' meeting in London on Tuesday. The ministers discussed regional issues.

Motegi said he was seriously concerned about China's enforcement of a new maritime police law, and about Beijing's continued and escalating attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China and South China seas.

Motegi also said the G7 and the international community must generate a unified message on the situation in Hong Kong and human rights in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Regarding escalating tensions in Myanmar, Motegi said Japan welcomes the recent statement by leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which said they intend to mediate dialogue toward a peaceful solution.

Motegi stressed the need for the G7 to support ASEAN's efforts and to work closely with the group.

The G7 foreign ministers also held a working dinner on Tuesday. Also attending were their counterparts from South Korea, Australia, India, South Africa, and this year's ASEAN chair, Brunei.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab welcomed the five guests, noting that their invitation reflects Britain's stance, as this year's G7 chair, of placing importance on involvement in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi noted that Britain's invitation was extended in a timely manner given the growing interest among the international community in the significance of the Indo-Pacific region.

Motegi touched on the fact that ASEAN came up with its own initiative regarding the Indo-Pacific region in 2019.

He said the G7 countries must step up their involvement in ASEAN, and cooperate further with member nations to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The foreign ministers will hold a third day of meetings on Wednesday, after which they are expected to issue a joint statement.

Key words : May 5 is
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210505_02/

May 5 is Children's Day in Japan.
The number of children in the country has declined for 40 straight years since 1982.
Japan's internal affairs ministry says the number of children aged 14 or younger totaled 14.93 million as of April 1 -- 7.65 million boys and 7.28 million girls.

That's down 190,000 from the figure a year earlier.

Children now account for 11.9 percent of Japan's total population, down by 0.1 percentage points over the past year.

The ratio is the lowest among other countries with a population of over 40 million. The figure for the United States in 2018 was 18.6. The same year in Italy the percentage was 13.3.

The ministry has usually published the prefectural figures for the number of children each year. But this year, it failed to do so, saying that there was not enough data available on time due the spread of the coronavirus.

Key words : monk kukai omori akio
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