at 18:30 (JST), September 06

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/20210906183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : paralympic around 4,400
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210905_17/

The Tokyo Paralympics have now come to a close with a spectacular ceremony featuring music, dance and performance.

Around 4,400 athletes from 162 countries and territories participated in the Games, the most ever.

The athletes marched in carrying their flags, starting with the refugee team. Athletes from Afghanistan were present, even though they had given up on participating at one point. During the opening ceremony, the flag was carried in by a volunteer.

With harmony in mind, dancers conjured a vision of society celebrating diversity.
Tokyo's governor passed the Paralympic flag to the International Paralympic Committee president who then handed it over to the mayor of Paris. The French capital hosts the Games in 2024.
The ceremony was aired live in the City of Light, where crowds gathered near the Eiffel Tower. Some of the medal winners from Tokyo were there.

As the ceremony came to a close, the Paralympic flame was extinguished.

At Tokyo Tower in the city center, the word "arigato," meaning "thank you," was written out in giant letters and bright lights.

Key words : organizer no serious cases
#N/A


Key words : afghanistan small number
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210905_10/

Japan's government has instructed its embassies in countries neighboring Afghanistan to provide assistance if any Japanese nationals or local cooperators are seeking evacuation by a land route.

Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said on an NHK program on Sunday that there are still a small number of Japanese citizens in Afghanistan due to individual circumstances.

He said there are also many local staffers of the Japanese embassy in the country and the government will have to consider ways to evacuate Japanese nationals and local people.

Motegi said some people may even try to flee the country by land, but this is dangerous and is not recommended.

He said he had instructed Japanese embassies in nearby countries to create a support system for such people.

Motegi referred to a ministerial meeting of relevant nations scheduled for Wednesday to discuss responses to the Taliban.

He said it's important to work with China and Russia, which have a certain level of influence on Afghanistan.

Motegi also revealed a plan to dispatch a government representative in charge of the Middle East to the Qatari capital Doha as early as this week for information gathering and negotiations with the Taliban.

Key words : afghanistan nakamura
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210906_01/

A portrait in Afghanistan honoring a Japanese doctor who contributed for many years to the country's reconstruction, has been erased and replaced with words apparently praising Taliban rule.

An NHK crew confirmed on Sunday that the mural of Nakamura Tetsu painted on a wall in Kabul, had been whitewashed.

The original painting was created in his memory by local civil group members and others. Nakamura was fatally shot in December 2019 by an armed group while traveling by car in Afghanistan's eastern city of Jalalabad.

The mural featured Nakamura's profile, plum blossoms and a poem dedicated to him against the backdrop of the Japanese national flag.
His face and the poem were painted over in white and a slogan was written in its place that congratulates the people of Afghanistan on the country's "independence."

Also scrawled on nearby walls were the words "our nation has defeated America. End of occupation and start of independence."

It remains unknown who defaced the original artwork. But it is believed that Taliban members or their supporters may be responsible.

Taliban militants demolished two world-famous Bamiyan Buddha statues in 2001, when they were effectively in control of most of the nation. They said at the time that idol worship and portraits are against the teachings of Islam.

Key words : afghan women
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210905_03/

Afghan women have staged rallies, asking for the right to education and work as the Taliban are making arrangements to form a new government. It's rare in Afghanistan that women confront Taliban fighters to speak out for their rights.

Dozens of women took to the streets in the capital, Kabul, on Saturday, shouting that a government which does not protect women's rights lacks legitimacy.

Holding banners reading that they are not intimidated, the women urged the Taliban not to infringe their right to education and employment.

Some of the women complained they were beaten by the fighters during a skirmish between the demonstrators and armed Taliban fighters.
One woman said she took part because she wanted to convey to the Taliban the voices of women who cannot go to work or school.

The Taliban is in negotiations with other forces in the country to declare the establishment of a new government.

The group's senior members have said that women's rights will be respected within the limits of Islamic law.

But Afghan women have deep-rooted distrust in the Taliban's rule as the former Taliban-led government strictly restricted their access to education and work.

Key words : chinese tighten entertainment
#N/A


Key words : European donate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210905_08/

European countries are donating coronavirus vaccines to Taiwan, which is lagging behind in the effort to provide inoculations.

Taiwanese authorities say 400,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine donated by Poland were delivered by air to Taiwan on Sunday morning local time.

Polish authorities called the delivery a gesture of solidarity, as Taiwan sent medical supplies such as face masks and protective gear to Poland last year.

Lithuania has sent Taiwan 20,000 doses and the Czech Republic 30,000. Slovakia says it will donate vaccines as well.

Japan sent Taiwan 3.34 million doses and the United States gave 2.5 million.

Taiwanese authorities expressed gratitude, saying the donations show that partners in democracy and freedom help each other.

China has opposed moves that strengthen European countries' ties with Taiwan.

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party said, without mentioning China, that European countries are pursuing exchanges with Taiwan without fearing pressure.

Key words : Japan and south
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210905_13/

An annual cultural exchange festival between Japan and South Korea has been held online for the second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sunday's event combined livestreaming from the venue in Seoul with pre-recorded videos.

The distributed content included a performance of traditional South Korean musical instruments by a female group, and video messages by Japanese and South Korean pop stars.

University students who worked as volunteers wore "yukata" summer kimono at the venue.

A female student said young generations need to interact with each other even though relations between the two countries are strained.
The festival will also be held in Tokyo next Saturday, and the performances will be livestreamed.

A committee made up of Japanese and South Korean companies and organizations has organized the event since 2005.