at 18:30 (JST), September 02

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/20210902183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : first infection
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210902_02/

Japan has confirmed its first infections with a new coronavirus variant classified as one of interest by the World Health Organization.

The health ministry says two travelers who tested positive for the new coronavirus at quarantine stations at two airports have been found infected with the Mu variant.

The variant has been found in South America and Europe.

The World Health Organization added the Mu variant to its list of Variants of Interest on Monday.

Health ministry officials studied the genetic makeup of earlier collected samples.

They found that a woman in her 40s who arrived at Narita Airport from the United Arab Emirates in late June and a woman in her 50s who landed at Haneda Airport from Britain in early July were infected with the Mu variant.

The director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Wakita Takaji, called on the need to amass data.

He said various variants are being confirmed, but attention should be paid to ones that are more transmissible than others.

The WHO says the Mu variant has mutations that have the potential to evade immunity provided by vaccines.

The agency says the new variant was first identified in Colombia in January, but has since been confirmed in at least 39 countries.

Key words : foreign substances takeda production line
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210902_03/

Japanese health ministry officials say one of the foreign substances found in batches of Moderna coronavirus vaccine vials proved to be stainless steel.

Moderna contacted the ministry on Wednesday to explain stainless steel particles formed as a result of friction between metal in the production line, which was caused by an inappropriate set-up.

Unopened vaccine vials from three lots accounting for 1.62 million doses have been suspended from use after foreign matter was found in some of the vials sent to the over 900 vaccination sites across Japan since mid-August.

Takeda Pharmaceutical, the distributor of the Moderna vaccine in Japan, decided to recall the doses starting Thursday after holding talks with ministry officials.

At the same time, Moderna and Takeda maintain there is only a small likelihood of increased medical risk as the metal is used in joint replacements and pacemakers.

Another foreign substance found in the Moderna vials in Tokyo, Okinawa and elsewhere was identified as fragments of rubber stoppers that likely broke off from the vials at the production line and when the vials were opened.

Moderna released the results of its investigation of that incident and said the fragments pose no safety risks.

Key words : universal
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210901_24/

Universal Studios' theme park in Beijing has started trial operations after months of delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Universal Studios Beijing was initially scheduled to open in spring this year. The operator has announced the resort will officially open on September 20.

Only invited people were allowed into the theme park on Wednesday.

The operator says there are 37 attractions on the site area of about 400 hectares. Some Chinese media that had previously covered the resort reported about an attraction based on a movie featuring China, as well as a food court.

The operator says it will take thorough measures to prevent infections, such as asking visitors to submit personal information when they buy tickets. It will also check visitors' body temperature and ask them to show health codes to prove they have no risk of infection when they enter the park.

Key words : india taliban
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210901_28/

A handful of countries have admitted they're in talks with the Taliban to safely evacuate the rest of their people from Afghanistan.

Alongside the foreign nationals still stranded in the country are many Afghans who want a way out after working for the ousted government or on international projects there.

India's ambassador to Qatar met with a representative of the Taliban in Doha on Tuesday. The Indian foreign ministry said the meeting was set up after a request from the Taliban side.

Their discussions focused on "safety, security and the early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan," as well as, "the travel of Afghan nationals" wishing to visit India.
India also raised concerns that "Afghanistan's soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner." The Taliban representative reportedly said these issues would be positively addressed.
This is the first time India has publicly acknowledged such a meeting since the Taliban returned to power.

Meanwhile, the British government said on Tuesday that it has sent the prime minister's special envoy to Qatar to meet the Taliban.

The group has had full control of the airport in Kabul, since US troops completed their withdrawal.

The foreign minister of Qatar, which has built ties with the Taliban, said his country will continue talks to support airport operations.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said, "We feel that the issue of reopening the airport is one of the most important issues for Afghanistan in order to achieve one thing the Taliban had previously promised, which is the freedom of movement."

The Taliban have said they want to see commercial flights resume, although that currently appears to be a distant prospect.

Key words : thailand indonesia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210901_02/

Indonesia and Thailand are partially easing coronavirus restrictions, mostly for vaccinated people, although the spread of infections has not improved significantly.

In the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and some other areas, employees of the manufacturing industry have been allowed to go to work from Tuesday if they have been vaccinated.

Schools in some parts of Jakarta reopened in-person classes this week for the first time since April last year. Students aged 12 or older and teachers are required to have been inoculated before attending the classes.

In the Thai capital of Bangkok, operations of some commercial businesses, including indoor dining at restaurants, are resuming with limits on Wednesday.
Employees at shopping malls in the capital's central part are required to have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine to work. The government aims to require full vaccination as soon as possible. Currently, only 11 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated.

A health official stressed the need to continue to pay close attention to the level of infections, which can fluctuate.

Indonesia confirmed 10,534 new cases and 532 deaths on Tuesday, while Thailand reported 14,666 new infections and 190 deaths.

Key words : trans-pacific
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210901_18/

A Japanese Cabinet minister who chairs the 11-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership has suggested that the first working-level meeting to discuss Britain's bid to join the group may be held later this month.

Ministerial-level talks of the CPTPP, also known as TPP11, were held online on Wednesday, Japan time. The participants agreed to hold the first working-level meeting to discuss Britain's entry in about a month. They also agreed to set up a subcommittee on e-commerce toward boosting trade through digitalization.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi said Britain's entry may have great importance in allowing the CPTPP rules to apply beyond the Asia-Pacific region.

He said member states are now working closely to arrange the opportunity to discuss the UK's admission.

Key words : bank of japan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210901_27/

A Bank of Japan policymaker has suggested that there may be a delay in the country's economic recovery.
The bank's Deputy Governor, Wakatabe Masazumi, cited the impact of the spread of coronavirus variants.

Wakatabe made the remarks at a news conference on Wednesday. He said, "We had expected the economy to recover due to progress with vaccinations. But recovery may come later than expected as downside risks remain."

Wakatabe also said corporate performance mainly among manufacturers remains firm. He doesn't think the entire economy is slumping further.

But he said if that happens, the central bank would have to consider new monetary measures to deal with it.
The Deputy Governor also referred to the bank's decision to introduce a new measure to provide funds for efforts by private financial institutions to tackle climate change.

He said natural disasters could put downward pressure on the economy and impact commodity prices.
He said using monetary policy to fight climate change doesn't contradict the bank's mission, in view of ensuring sustainable economic development and building a robust economy.