at 18:30 (JST), July 23

 

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/20210723183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : suga biden also met
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210723_01/

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has started a series of meetings with foreign dignitaries visiting the country for Friday's opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.

But only about 15 countries and organizations have sent their representatives to Japan, partly due to the spread of the coronavirus.

Suga had dinner with US First Lady Jill Biden at the State Guest House in Tokyo on Thursday, with anti-infection measures in place. His wife, Mariko, was also present.

The prime minister said he welcomes the US First Lady's visit to Japan and that her attendance at the Olympics opening ceremony will be of great significance for Japan-US relations.

Jill Biden expressed her delight at seeing Suga again, after they met at the Group of Seven summit in Britain last month. She also conveyed her wishes for the success of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

The prime minister also met World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Suga expressed his gratitude for Tedros' commitment to anti-infection measures at the Tokyo Games.

Suga said he wants to send a global message that the world can unite and surmount the predicament with the efforts and wisdom of the people.

Tedros expressed his delight at the Tokyo Games going ahead and praised Japan for doing its best to prevent coronavirus infections. He voiced his gratitude to the country for helping with the global response to the virus.

Suga expressed Japan's intention to play an active role in discussions to review and reform the WHO. He emphasized the need for the information and expertise of different countries and territories to be shared more broadly. He also stressed the importance of an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.

Tedros responded by expressing his thanks for Japan's contributions to the WHO.

Key words : health authorities
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210723_07/

As organizers of the Tokyo Olympics make last-minute preparations for the opening ceremony on Friday, medical workers across the city are struggling with an alarming increase in coronavirus hospitalizations.

The number of COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in Tokyo hospitals passed 2,500 on Thursday, an increase of 100 percent from a month earlier. The number of people recuperating at home is also fast-rising.

Health authorities in the Japanese capital say the medical system is being stretched thin by the latest wave of infections.

Tokyo has imposed a coronavirus state of emergency in a bid to bring the situation under control, and is requesting that businesses close or reduce their hours of opening.

But the measures are yet to produce results across the city, where infections have been climbing since mid-June, reaching nearly 2,000 on Thursday. The numbers have prompted statements of concern from some senior Tokyo officials.

Others remain upbeat about the Games, and expect excitement to belatedly spread once the event is fully underway.

Health workers are concerned the extreme summer heat could trigger a sharp increase in cases of heatstroke, a condition that shares some symptoms with COVID-19, further burdening the medical system.

Key words : china 33
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210722_17/

The death toll in floods caused by record heavy rainfall in central China has risen to 33, with eight others still missing. More than 3 million people have been affected by the disaster.

Media outlets, including state-run China Central Television, say the city of Zhengzhou and surrounding areas in Henan Province have had downpours on and off since Saturday.

The rain flooded wide areas, causing mudslides and toppling homes.

Some parts of the city reportedly had rainfall exceeding the entire precipitation of an average year by Wednesday.

Although the rain largely let up in the city on Thursday, some roads remain submerged and many damaged vehicles have been abandoned on the street.

Damage to crops is expected to be extensive and serious. Local authorities estimate an economic loss of more than 180 million dollars.

Weather officials are warning of further strong rain and winds as Typhoon In-fa is expected to approach China's east coast and could make landfall.

Key words : olympic kicked off sakai masahiko
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