at 18:30 (JST), December 15

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/20211215183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : foreign and defense washington
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211215_03/

Japan and the United States are arranging to hold talks of their foreign and defense ministers in early January in Washington.

Japanese government sources say coordination is being made for Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo to hold a "two plus two" meeting on January 7 with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The Japanese government hopes to use the planned meeting to deepen bilateral security cooperation.

Japanese officials want to share concerns with the US over China's increasing maritime activities and reaffirm the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

The officials plan to confirm that Japan will shoulder more of the costs of stationing US troops in the country.

Japan also hopes to discuss global challenges including the coronavirus pandemic and climate change and show a united response with the US to those issues.

In March in Tokyo, Japan and the US held their first "two plus two" meeting since President Joe Biden took office.

They had considered holding another round by the end of this year. But the Japanese sources say it is now difficult to do so because both countries have political scheduling problems.

Key words : toyota by 2030
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211214_30/

Japan's Toyota Motor, accelerating its efforts in the fast-growing electric vehicle field, said it aims to achieve global sales of 3.5 million EV units a year by 2030.

President Toyoda Akio unveiled his company's new EV strategy on Tuesday. The automaker has been emphasizing hybrid cars, and had previously planned to sell 2 million EVs and fuel cell vehicles in that time frame.

President of Toyota Motor, Toyoda Akio, said, "We'd like to respond to every need in each country and region, and offer a variety of options for carbon neutrality."

Toyoda said that his company plans to release 30 EV models worldwide. He also said all Lexus luxury cars sold in North America, Europe and China will be electric.

He said Toyota will invest 4 trillion yen, or about 35 billion dollars, in development over the period, half of which will be for batteries.

Key words : weibo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211214_32/

China's Internet regulator says it has imposed a fine of about 470,000 dollars on Chinese social networking giant Weibo for repeatedly allowing posts with illegal content to appear.

The Cyberspace Administration of China made the announcement on Tuesday, but did not specify the exact reasons for the punishment.

The regulator said it had punished Weibo a total of 44 times from January to November this year, with fines totaling around 2.2 million dollars.

Weibo is known as the Chinese version of Twitter. The company said in a statement that it "sincerely accepts" the regulator's criticism.

The latest move comes after Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai last month posted sexual assault allegations against China's former vice premier on Weibo. The post was quickly deleted but her allegations spread widely.

The Chinese government is tightening controls on powerful and influential tech giants. The latest punishment is seen as part of this program.

Key words : electric eels
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211214_33/

A Christmas tree decorated with lights powered by electric eels is on display at an aquarium in central Japan.

Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture exhibits the tree every year to give visitors a sense of the power the aquatic creature from the Amazon River generates to stun its prey.

Five eels in a tank generate electricity when they are fed and at other times, powering some of the lights and a star on top of the tree.

Staff member Ito Miho says she hopes guests enjoy the tree, which is unique to the aquarium.

The eel-powered Christmas tree will be on display until December 25.

Key words : thailand anti-government Pitrapee
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20211201194425015/

Thailand's anti-government protesters have been calling for a change of leadership as well as reform of the monarchy since last year. But, angered by what they see as an inadequate official response to the pandemic, some feel the only way out of their current predicament is to resort violence.