at 18:30 (JST), November 05

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/20211105183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : xi opening market
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211105_04/

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to make progress in further opening its domestic markets. He also reiterated China's resolve to join a Pacific Rim free trade pact.

Xi gave a video address to the opening ceremony of the China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Thursday.

He stressed that since China acceded to the World Trade Organization two decades ago, the country has cut its overall tariff rate to below the level set in its accession commitment.

Xi promised that China will maintain its commitment to economic globalization that is more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all.

He added China will actively participate in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, known as CPTPP.

In September, Beijing applied to take part in the trade accord, which encompasses 11 countries, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The United States is not a signatory to the pact.

Analysts say Xi sought to underscore his stance on international cooperation in contrast with other countries, such as the US, that are perceived to be taking protectionist policies.

The expo will open on Friday, and will bring together businesses and other entities from more than 120 countries and territories.

Key words : taiwan intelligence
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211105_01/

Taiwan's intelligence chief has said his bureau believes that China will not try to attack Taiwan-controlled remote islands while President Tsai Ing-wen is in office.

National Security Bureau chief Chen Ming-tong made the remark during a question-and-answer session at the Taiwanese legislature on Thursday.

Regarding the possibility of China's military attack on Taiwan, Chen said possible scenarios include China's occupation of remote islands, blockade of the sea and a saturation attack that overwhelms Taiwan's defense capabilities.

Chen said Taiwan continuously conducts surveillance activities covering all these possibilities every day.

Chen was specifically asked about media reports saying that the Chinese military may be preparing an attack on the Pratas Islands.

Taiwan effectively controls the islands, which are located in the South China Sea.

Chen suggested that based on intelligence activities, his bureau has concluded that Beijing is not planning such an attack during Tsai's presidency, which is set to last until May 2024. He said this issue has already been studied inside China.

Chen also ruled out the possibility of a China-Taiwan armed clash elsewhere during her term.

However, he admitted that the tension across the Taiwan Strait is rising compared to before. He stressed that any unplanned incidents must be prevented.

Key words : toyota record sales
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211104_26/

Toyota Motor has reported record sales and net profit for the first half of the current fiscal year. Sales were strong in North America, where demand is recovering rapidly as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic ease.

The Japanese automaker says its group-wide sales for the April to September period came in at 15.5 trillion yen, or about 135 billion dollars. That is up 36.1 percent in yen terms from a year earlier.

Net profit rose 142 percent to 13 billion dollars.

Toyota was forced to cut output from August due to COVID-19 lockdowns in Southeast Asia. But it says it managed to minimize the impact through improved procurement of semiconductors and other parts.

The automaker upgraded its net profit forecast for the year through March, from 20 billion dollars to 21.8 billion dollars.

But executives say the revision is mostly due to the effects of a weaker yen. They say rising raw material costs may squeeze annual earnings.

Toyota revised downward the group's unit sales forecast for the year to nearly 10.3 million vehicles, a drop of 2.5 percent from the previous outlook in August.

Key words : women period poverty sanitary products
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20211020195458625/

In many parts of the world, some women suffer from what's known as "period poverty". This means they can't afford to buy the sanitary products they desperately need each month. The problem is common in India...where cost isn't the only barrier. Compounding the issue is widespread prejudice against menstruation. NHK World's Neha Sharma reports on how some people are tackling a problem long considered taboo.