at 18:30 (JST), November 24

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/20211124183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : oil reserve first time
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211124_02/

The Japanese government has decided to release state oil reserves for the first time, after the United States announced the same move to help curb the spike in crude oil prices.

The government stockpiles enough oil for about 140 days of domestic consumption. It had been considering releasing some portion of those reserves.

Government officials now plan to provide the market with a reserve surplus worth several days' consumption and study whether to release more.

Also on Tuesday, India announced that it will release five million barrels of oil from its reserves.

The Petroleum Ministry said in a statement that India strongly believes that the price should be reasonable and be determined by market forces.

It also says "India has repeatedly expressed concern at the supply of oil being artificially adjusted below demand levels by oil producing countries, leading to rising prices and negative attendant consequences."

Key words : shortage framework
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211121_02/

NHK has learned that the Japanese government is considering releasing oil from the country's reserves to help curb a crude oil price hike in response to the request of the United States.

As of the end of September, the government had reserves equivalent to 145 days of domestic consumption.

Current regulations allow releasing the reserves only in the event of supply shortages or natural disasters. Addressing soaring oil prices is not intended by the scheme.

Government officials say stockpiles can be released within the legal framework if they are deemed surpluses, as domestic oil demand has been on the decline in recent years.

The Kishida Fumio administration is considering supplying oil to the market in concert with the US and South Korea. However, some government officials say the impact on the market would be limited taking the amount they can supply into account.

It would be Japan's sixth such release. In 2011, supplies were provided from the stockpile of the private sector twice -- once after the major earthquake and tsunami in March, and the second due to the worsening situation in Libya in June.

Key words : and russia agreed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211124_07/

Chinese and Russian defense ministers have agreed to strengthen the two countries' military cooperation through joint drills and patrols.

China's defense chief Wei Fenghe and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu held online talks on Tuesday. They were reportedly accompanied by naval and air force commanders.

The Chinese defense ministry said Wei and Shoigu affirmed the two countries' steadfast friendship and unity.

It said they agreed to strengthen cooperation in strategic exercises, joint patrols and other activities, so as to safeguard their core national interests.

The Russian defense ministry said the two sides confirmed that they will implement the consensus reached between the two heads of state, and are prepared to expand their military cooperation.

The two defense ministries recently announced that four Chinese and Russian bombers held patrols over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea last Friday.

Warships from the two countries also staged their first joint patrols in the same region last month.
Observers say similar activities could become more frequent.

Key words : china entertainment
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211124_04/

China's Internet regulator has issued another notice aimed at restricting celebrity information online as the latest step to crack down on the showbiz industry.

The Cyberspace Administration said on Tuesday that the Internet has become more entertainment-oriented and vulgar content has been posted in recent years. Officials believe the chaotic fan culture is negatively affecting mainstream values.

The administration stressed the need to create a healthy Internet environment.

The regulator announced that it will ban what it calls abnormal aesthetics and distorted values such as ostentatious wealth and money worship, as well as spreading celebrity scandals.

The Chinese government has cited effeminate men as an example of abnormal aesthetics, apparently taking issue with the popularity of feminine-looking male idols.

Key words : hong kong patriotic education
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20211029191659122/

Since Hong Kong's National Security Law came into effect, China has clamped down on pro-democracy groups. It has also revised the election system, so that only lawmakers considered "patriots" can hold office. And in schools, "patriotic education" has been introduced, to foster a greater sense of national identity among young people.