at 18:30 (JST), September 03

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/20210903183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : new prime minister
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210903_19/

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says he will not run in the upcoming leadership election for the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. This means he is giving up the premiership, and Japan will soon have a new prime minister.

Suga made the announcement at an extraordinary meeting of LDP executives on Friday. Suga reportedly said he will not run in the election because he wants to focus on coronavirus measures. The LDP leadership election is scheduled for September 29.

Suga also reportedly indicated he will not carry out the reshuffle of the party's executive posts that he had hoped to implement on Monday.

Suga had expressed his intention to run when he met LDP Secretary-General Nikai Toshihiro on Thursday.
One challenger for the party leadership is former foreign minister Kishida Fumio. Former internal affairs minister Takaichi Sanae is also interested in making a bid for the post, but she will need the signatures of 20 party lawmakers.

Many people in Japan were surprised by Suga's announcement. A man in his 60s says, "Japanese people are feeling uncertainty about the political situation, and they want politicians who are pro-active in dealing with the coronavirus."

A woman in her 80s says, "I think it's better for Suga not to run for the election as he is losing his popularity. I think his response to the pandemic has not been sufficient."

Key words : food program
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210902_14/

A UN humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan says food stocks kept by the World Food Programme in the country could run out as soon as this month.

Ramiz Alakbarov told an online news conference from Kabul on Wednesday that the UN needs at least 200 million dollars to be able to provide food to the most vulnerable.

Alakbarov added that "more than half of the Afghan children do not know whether they will have a meal tonight or not," and he called on other countries to provide immediate help.

The UN children's fund, UNICEF, has said around 10 million children in Afghanistan need humanitarian assistance to survive.

It predicts that one million children under 5 will suffer from severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition, if current trends continue.

A man who fled Afghanistan to neighboring Pakistan told the Reuters news agency that no jobs are available and children are hungry.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on Tuesday, "A humanitarian catastrophe looms" in Afghanistan.

Key words : protester
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210902_13/

In Thailand, anti-government protesters angry over the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic are back on the streets. This comes as lawmakers debate a no-confidence vote against the prime minister.

Thousands of protesters rallied in the capital Bangkok on Thursday, in defiance of a ban on public gatherings due to the pandemic. They're demanding that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha step down.

The rallies began more than a year ago with the protesters seeking political change including reform of the monarchy. However, the protest movement slowed due to the pandemic and because charges were brought against the leaders under the country's lese majeste law.

After a lull, the protests have experienced renewed energy in recent weeks.
Bangkok has seen almost daily protests. Some of the demonstrators have set fire to police facilities and vehicles. Police have responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas, with many injuries reported.

Debate on the no-confidence vote is taking place in parliament this week. The opposition is focusing on the government's handling of the pandemic and the economic fallout from the crisis. The vote will take on Saturday.

Key words : sri lanka died komai chie
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