at 18:30 (JST), October 07

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/20211007183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar 1,100 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_21/

Myanmar's envoy to the United Nations has vowed to stay on the job and continue seeking international support for democratizing his home country.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun was appointed by Myanmar's former democratically elected government.

Myanmar's military, which seized power in a coup in February, reportedly appointed its own envoy. But Kyaw Moe Tun is still seen as representing Myanmar because the UN Credentials Committee has yet to decide on the country's representation.

Security around the ambassador has been stepped up since a plot to assassinate him was uncovered in August. US law enforcement officials are investigating the case.
Kyaw Moe Tun spoke with NHK at Myanmar's UN mission in New York.

He said that if he retains his post, his team can use the platform to convey people's voices and the situation on the ground to the international community. He said he believes this arrangement is a good option for the people and the country of Myanmar.

The ambassador said they will do their best to make numerous demands and appeals to save the lives of innocent civilians, end the military coup and restore democracy in Myanmar.

He made clear that this will all be reflected in statements he will make to relevant committees and the UN General Assembly.

The ambassador defended calls by pro-democracy forces in Myanmar to revolt against military rule.
He noted that more than 1,100 people have already been killed by the military, and appealed to the international community to understand that the people are fighting for their own defense.

Key words : north ship
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_16/

NHK has learned that in late June a North Korean ship armed with a man-portable surface-to-air missile was sighted in Japanese fishing grounds in the Sea of Japan.

Sources told NHK that the Japan Coast Guard confirmed the presence of the North Korean official ship in the Yamatotai area off Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The sources say the missile was the same type as the SA-16, which was developed by the former Soviet Union. It reportedly has a range of 4.5 kilometers.

They say it was the first time that a North Korean ship armed with a missile has been confirmed in the Yamatotai area.

In 2001, a North Korean spy ship armed with the missile, sank after exchanging gunfire with a Japan Coast Guard patrol ship off Amami-Oshima Island in the East China Sea.

The Yamatotai area is located in Japan's exclusive economic zone and is one of the nation's major fishing grounds.

Japanese fishing boats have long operated in the area, catching squid and other marine products. But illegal fishing by foreign vessels, including some from North Korea and China, has become a problem in recent years.

The Japan Coast Guard has raised its alert level to ensure the safety of Japanese fishing boats operating in the area. It constantly deploys patrol vessels to deal with suspicious ships and analyzes North Korea's latest intentions.

Key words : malaysia protest
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_29/

Malaysia has summoned China's ambassador to Kuala Lumpur to protest Beijing's maritime activities in its waters in the South China Sea.

Malaysian Foreign Ministry officials say the protest was against the presence of Chinese vessels in its exclusive economic zone near Borneo.

They say Malaysia's position is based on international law. Chinese survey ships were seen late last month in Malaysia's exclusive economic zone. But the officials didn't say if the protest was related to that case.

Malaysia also summoned the Chinese ambassador in June after 16 Chinese military planes were detected over its maritime zone. The incident prompted Malaysia to scramble fighter jets.
Beijing claims jurisdiction over most of the South China Sea. Its increasing presence has become a source of contention and vigilance with other countries that have competing claims in the disputed waters.

Key words : philippine
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_25/

The son of former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos says he will run in next year's presidential election.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a 64-year-old former senator, registered his candidacy on Wednesday.

After the registration, he called on people to unite to address the coronavirus pandemic and avoided criticizing the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The election is scheduled for next May, and registration for candidacy ends on Friday.

Duterte's eldest daughter, Sara Duterte, is seen as a possible candidate.
On Saturday, Duterte announced that he intends to retire from politics and not run for vice president in the election.

Duterte is said to have friendly relations with the Marcos family as his father served as a member of the Marcos administration.

Duterte allowed the burial of the body of former president Marcos at a cemetery for national heroes in the capital Manila. Previous governments did not permit his burial there.

Marcos was ousted in a 1986 people power uprising and fled to Hawaii after about two decades of dictatorial rule.

Key words : chief executive
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_24/

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has expressed her intention to implement a security legislation which has long met strong public opposition.

Lam outlined policies for the next one year in her address at the Legislative Council, Hong Kong's legislature, on Wednesday.

Hong Kong's Basic Law calls for the territory to enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason.

The Hong Kong government submitted the bill to the Legislative Council in 2003, but it was withdrawn after a protest rally that drew half a million participants.

Anti-government protests have since been restricted and election systems have been changed, making it difficult for pro-democracy candidates to run in elections.

Pro-Beijing forces are now almost certain to secure a majority in the Legislative Council election scheduled for December.

The Hong Kong government is believed to be aiming at having the legislation enacted by next June, when Lam's current term expires.

The legislation is expected to include articles that prohibit sedition, theft of state secrets and other acts.

If enacted, it could lead to a harsher crackdown of anti-government movements. It would be in force along with the Hong Kong National Security Law implemented by the Chinse government last year.

Key words : payment 200 million
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211007_02/

As the financial woes of Chinese real estate firm Evergrande Group continue, another Chinese property developer has failed to repay debts.

Trading in shares of the debt-laden Evergrande Group has been suspended at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since Monday.

Local media report that Evergrande is expected to sell a property management unit to improve its liquidity. Evergrande says trading of its stock was suspended because the group will soon announce a "major transaction," but it has yet to make an announcement on any such a deal.

It remains unclear whether the group will be able to fulfill a number of interest payments on its corporate bonds.

Meanwhile, Fantasia Holdings Group, which is also listed on the Hong Kong market, said it failed to repay a bond of more than 200 million dollars due on Monday. A major credit-rating firm said on Tuesday that it was a payment default on a debt.

The financial problems afflicting Chinese property developers come as the government is stepping up restrictions to try to cool the overheated market. Concerns are rising about possible impacts on financial markets across the world.

Key words : kawasaki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_28/

Japanese motorbike maker Kawasaki Heavy Industries says it's shifting its product lineup to more environmentally friendly, electric powered models.
The company says most of its bikes for developed markets will be electrified by 2035.

In the meantime, the firm plans to release at least 10 battery-powered models, including gasoline-electric hybrids, by 2025.

The firm is also working on new engines fueled by hydrogen.

Kawasaki president Hashimoto Yasuhiko said one challenge for electric-powered motorcycles is the importance of traditional engine sounds and vibrations to many riders. He says Kawasaki wants to keep offering such pleasures, while meeting the requirements of a carbon neutral society.