at 18:30 (JST), October 26

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/20211026183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar maritime
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211026_02/

The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are to kick off their online summit talks on Tuesday. The situation in Myanmar and Chinese maritime activities are expected to top the agenda during the 3-day talks.

This year, the 10-nation bloc decided to invite to the summit Myanmar's highest-ranking diplomat as the country's non-political representative, and not its military chief. In response, Myanmar's military hinted at the possibility of boycotting the summit.

On the first day, ASEAN leaders will likely discuss ways to settle Myanmar's worsening crisis peacefully, including sending a special envoy to mediate talks between the military and pro-democracy forces.

The leaders are also expected to check progress on developing a code of conduct for the South China Sea, where Beijing has been stepping up maritime activities.

They will also likely look into an apparent attempt by the United States to increase cooperation with countries in the region in a bid to keep China in check.

During the 3-day period, ASEAN is also scheduled to hold a number of summit talks separately with the leaders of countries such as Japan, the United States and China.

The East Asia Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, with officials from 18 countries to attend, including Australia, India and Russia.

Heated discussions are expected on security and trade issues, as the US and China jostle for a greater presence in the region.

Key words : food agencies
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211026_06/

The food agencies of the United Nations are warning that more than half of Afghanistan's population could face acute hunger unless urgent action is taken.

The World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization issued the warning on Monday in a report on food security in Afghanistan.

The report says that 22.8 million people, or more than half of Afghanistan's population of 39 million, will barely have minimum food, or will suffer malnutrition between November and March, due to serious food shortages.

It cites a combination of drought and the economic situation that has worsened since the Taliban took power.

The paper also says this is the highest number of acutely food insecure people ever recorded by the UN during its 10 years of conducting analyses in Afghanistan.

The WFP says 100 million dollars is needed for emergency assistance for Afghanistan for the next three months.

WFP Executive Director David Beasley said, "this winter, millions of Afghans will be forced to choose between migration and starvation unless we can step up our life-saving assistance, and unless the economy can be resuscitated."

He also warned, "we are on a countdown to catastrophe and if we don't act now, we will have a total disaster on our hands."

Key words : mako declined
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211026_03/

Japan's Princess Mako and her former college classmate Komuro Kei will marry on Tuesday.

An official of the Imperial Household Agency will file their marriage registration with a municipal government in the morning on their behalf.

The registration will mark her departure from the imperial family.

Female imperial family members are entitled to a lump-sum payment upon their marriage, but the princess declined the money.

Ceremonies traditionally given for imperial family members' wedding won't be held for the couple.

In the afternoon, Mako and Komuro will appear before about 50 journalists at a hotel in Tokyo.

The agency said the couple will not respond to questions prepared in advance by reporters at the conference, and that they will provide their answers in writing instead.

Officials said the decision was made at the advice of a doctor, after the princess was shocked by the content of some of the questions.

Key words : china foreign minister advocate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211025_28/

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is to meet with a Taliban delegation during a two-day visit to Qatar that began on Monday to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a news conference on Monday that the foreign minister will speak with delegates from Afghanistan's Islamist group in the Qatari capital, Doha.

The spokesperson said Afghans have been facing difficulties and challenges since August and urgently need outside support. He also said China has consistently advocated the sound development of the situation in Afghanistan through dialogue, and reiterated that China will help Afghans overcome the difficulties they face.

In July, Wang Yi held talks with senior Taliban official Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and others in China.

Observers say China apparently wants to increase its influence over Afghanistan as the United States and others wait to see what steps the Taliban interim government will take.

Key words : navy secretary
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211026_N02/

The secretary of the US navy expressed his concerns on Monday about Chinese and Russian warships navigating off the coast of Japan. Carlos Del Toro said their activities were not based on the rule of law and pose threats.

On October 18, 10 Chinese and Russian military ships passed through the Tsugaru Strait. The waters sit between Japan's main island, Honshu, and Hokkaido. Then, on Friday, they sailed through the Osumi Strait, off Japan's southwestern coast.

Both channels are international waterways. Foreign vessels, including warships, are allowed to navigate through them.

Officials with Japan's defense ministry said this is the first time they have seen Chinese and Russian warships sailing through the straits at the same time.

Del Toro said deterrence would help the Chinese and the Russians recognize international order. He said that is a key to regional stability. He promised more cooperation with Japan and other nations in the region.

Key words : taiwan foreign minister left
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211025_17/

Taiwan says its foreign minister Joseph Wu has left for a European tour.

The Taiwanese foreign ministry says Wu will give a speech at a forum in Slovakia on Tuesday and will also meet the president of the Czech Republic's Senate.

Before his departure, Wu touched on the 1989 pro-democracy movement known as the Velvet Revolution in the former Czechoslovakia. He said people in Taiwan are also craving freedom, human rights and the rule of law. He said he finds it an honor to be able to visit the partners of Taiwan.

The former Soviet Union used to exert strong influence over Czechoslovakia, which split in two.

Last week, a Taiwanese Cabinet spokesperson told reporters that Wu's itinerary also includes Poland. But the detailed schedule has not been made public.

It is rare for Taiwan to previously announce visits by its foreign minister to countries with which it has no diplomatic ties. China has reacted sharply to Wu's European tour.

Key words : hong kong
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211026_05/

The human rights group Amnesty International will close its two offices in Hong Kong amid a crackdown on anti-government movements.

The organization announced on Monday that the local office focused on human rights education in the territory will cease operations on October 31.

The other office, which carries out research, advocacy and campaigning work in East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific region, is due to close by the year end.

The group said Hong Kong's national security law made it effectively impossible for human rights groups in the territory to work freely and without fear of serious reprisals from the government.

It said the vaguely worded law has been used arbitrarily as a pretext to restrict the human rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and to repress dissent and political opposition.

The organization has been in operation in Hong Kong for roughly four decades. In 2019, the group raised voices against police crackdowns on pro-democracy protests.

A number of pro-democracy groups are disbanding in Hong Kong, as they have come under pressure from the national security law.