at 18:30 (JST), September 28

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/20210928183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : north appear launch
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210928_09/

The Japanese government says North Korea appears to have fired one ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan early on Tuesday.

The South Korean military said the North appears to have fired a projectile. It is collecting and analyzing information with the US military.

North Korea announced earlier this month that it had successfully test-fired newly developed long-range cruise missiles on September 11 and 12.

It also fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on September 15. It's likely they fell inside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Tuesday's launch comes on the same day that North Korea is expected to convene a parliamentary session.
It will be the first meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly since January if it goes ahead.

Last week, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, called on South Korea to abandon its hostility against the North. She also referred to the possibility of holding another inter-Korean summit.

Key words : government several
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210927_35/

The Japanese government has decided to end the coronavirus state of emergency on Thursday for Tokyo and 18 other prefectures.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said, "The number of new coronavirus cases has dropped significantly. We recognize that the situation is improving."

The prime minister said he'll finalize the plan after consulting a panel of experts on Tuesday.

The emergency decree currently covers 19 prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka, until the end of September.

Officials in the areas have urged restaurants and bars not to serve alcohol. They've also called on shopping malls and event organizers to limit numbers of visitors.

Tokyo reported 154 new cases in the capital on Monday. The daily tally is below 200 for the first time in six months.

The seven-day average through Monday was less than half the figure of the previous week.

But even if the state of emergency is lifted, some restrictions will likely remain.

Several governors are considering allowing alcohol at restaurants but with shortened business hours.

They say they will come up with measures after reviewing the central government's plan.

Key words : south court work
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210928_03/

A South Korean court has approved the sale of some of the assets seized from Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in a case of plaintiffs seeking damages for wartime labor.

The district court in Daejeon decided on Monday that part of the assets, including the patents and trademarks the firm holds in South Korea, can be liquidated.

This is the first time a South Korean court has allowed the liquidation of a Japanese firm's assets in a wartime labor case.

This follows a 2018 Supreme Court ruling ordering the firm to compensate South Koreans who say they or their relatives were forced to work for the company in harsh conditions during World War Two.

Mitsubishi Heavy said it will immediately appeal. The firm also said it will take appropriate action while keeping in touch with the Japanese government.

The Japanese government says any rights to claims were settled completely and finally in 1965, when Japan and South Korea normalized ties.

The government argues that the compensation orders to Japanese firms and the legal proceedings are in breach of international law, and is urging South Korea to rectify the situation.

Plaintiffs in a separate wartime labor case have been trying to get the seized assets of another Japanese firm, Nippon Steel, sold off. The steel manufacturer was also ordered by South Korea's top court in 2018 to pay compensation.

Key words : britain defense
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210928_05/

Britain's defense ministry has revealed that one of its frigates sailed through the Taiwan Strait.

HMS Richmond is part of the UK's carrier strike group headed by aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The group has conducted exercises in the Indo-Pacific region with countries including Japan and the United States. The aircraft carrier is currently navigating in waters near Guam.

Talking with NHK on Monday, a British defense ministry spokesperson confirmed the passage of HMS Richmond through the Taiwan Strait.

The spokesperson said the Royal Navy operates in line with international law wherever it operates. The official said that the effort represents the country's commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific region.

This was reportedly the first passage by a British naval vessel through the Taiwan Strait since 2019. US Navy vessels pass through the strait on a regular basis.

The defense ministry said HMS Richmond recently conducted operations in the East China Sea to support the enforcement of UN sanctions against North Korea.

A spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command on Monday criticized the passage of the British frigate as a "meaningless display of presence."

The spokesperson said the UK's move undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and exposes its "opportunistic mentality."

The official added that China would resolutely counter all threats and provocations.

Key words : Japan ease quarantine
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210928_01/

Japan's government will ease quarantine rules in October for vaccinated travelers entering the country, except those coming from nine nations where the Mu variant of the coronavirus has been confirmed.

Under the current rules, travelers from the countries and territories where the coronavirus is running rampant have been required to stay at designated facilities for three days following their arrival in Japan.

Upon leaving the facilities, they still have to self-isolate in their homes or other locations in Japan until 14 days have passed since their arrival in the country.

The government will ease the rules on October 1. Those with proof of getting vaccinated at least 14 days before their entry into Japan will be exempt from the three-day stay at designated facilities.

The vaccines they receive must be those approved by Japanese authorities.

Such people will still have to self-isolate at their homes or other locations. But they will be able to end self-isolation early, if they test negative after at least 10 days after their arrival.

On the other hand, travelers from the nine countries will be required to stay at the designated facilities for six days and then will have to self-isolate at their homes or other places until 14 days have passed since their arrival.

The countries are Argentina, Costa Rica, Colombia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the Philippines, Brazil, Venezuela, and Peru.

Key words : sumo retire 2019
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210927_07/

Informed sources have told NHK that sumo Yokozuna Grand Champion Hakuho intends to retire.

The sources say Hakuho decided he would not be able to compete as a yokozuna for the entire 15 days of a grand tournament mostly due to injuries, such as to his right knee.

After the November tournament last year, Hakuho received a warning from the Yokozuna Deliberation Council for sitting out a series of tournaments. He had been suffering the effects of a surgery on his right knee.

Hakuho pulled out of the March tournament this year from its third day owing to the right knee injury and underwent an operation during the tourney. That was the sixth consecutive tournament from which he withdrew.

Hakuho took part in the July tournament, putting his future as a yokozuna on the line. He won the tourney with a clean slate, claiming his 45th title.

After the tournament, Hakuho told NHK his physical condition was very bad and that he would carefully think about his career.

Hakuho is a 36-year-old Mongolia-born wrestler who joined the Miyagino stable when he was 15.

With his flexibility, power and masterful techniques, he advanced to the top rank of yokozuna in 2007.

Hakuho has chalked up 1,187 wins and 45 tournament titles, remaining yokozuna for 84 tourneys of the past 14 years. They are all record highs.

Hakuho acquired Japanese nationality in 2019. He expressed his wish to produce strong wrestlers as a stable master to repay to the sumo world.

Key words : ontake
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210927_23/

The victims of the eruption of Mount Ontake in central Japan seven years ago have been commemorated in a ceremony at the foot of the mountain.

The eruption on September 27 in 2014 left 58 people dead, with five others still unaccounted for. It was the worst volcanic disaster in postwar Japan.

A memorial service to offer flowers for the deceased was held by Otaki Village, Nagano Prefecture, on Monday.

This year, ceremony attendees were limited to local government officials to prevent crowding amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Some bereaved relatives and others gathered near the ceremony site.

At 11:52 a.m., the exact time of the eruption, all the participants offered a silent prayer for the victims while facing a cenotaph that marks the tragedy.