at 18:30 (JST), December 22

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/20211222183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : US forces 88
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211222_01/

Japan and the United States have agreed to increase Tokyo's cost for hosting US forces in the country for five years starting from the next fiscal year to begin covering spending for joint exercises.

Diplomatic and defense officials from the two governments agreed that Japan will pay a total of 1 trillion 55 billion yen, or about 9.3 billion dollars, for the five years from fiscal 2022, which will start in April.

The annual average will increase by 88 million dollars to 1.85 billion dollars from the current fiscal year.

The budget covers utility bills and costs of labor, and costs for transferring military drills, among other items.

New charges will be added for Japan-US joint exercises. Japan will pay up to 175 million dollars in five years for procuring equipment and materials needed for exercises.

Japan's budget for hosting US forces in Japan has been known as "omoiyari yosan," meaning a considerate budget.

But the government will now call it an alliance-solidifying budget. Tokyo hopes to gain public understanding for the increased spending at a time when the region's security environment is becoming increasingly severe.

Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said Japan's spending has been so far intended to support US forces in the country, but this time, the two countries agreed to build a foundation to enhance the alliance. He said, to better reflect the agreement, the government decided to call the spending an alliance-solidifying budget.

Key words : health ministry decide
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211222_02/

Japan's health ministry is set to discuss whether to approve an Alzheimer's drug that was jointly developed by US and Japanese pharmaceutical firms.

A panel of experts within the ministry will decide on Wednesday whether to approve Aducanumab. The drug was developed by the US company Biogen and the Japanese firm Eisai. The companies applied for approval of the medicine in December of 2020.

The companies say the drug removes deposits of a protein called amyloid beta in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. They say that removing the deposits prevents brain cells from being destroyed.

The firms report that international clinical trials involving those with early-stage Alzheimer's disease showed that the drug delayed cognitive decline by 22 percent.

The companies say there are medications that slow the progression of symptoms. But they say Aducanumab is the first drug that inhibits the progression of the disease.

The US Food and Drug Administration conditionally approved the drug in June.

But the European Medicines Agency said last week that the drug should not be authorized in the EU. It said the drug does reduce amyloid beta in the brain. But it added that there is no established link between the use of the drug and the improvement of symptoms.

Estimates indicate that about six million people in Japan are suffering from dementia. Around 60 to 70 percent of them have Alzheimer's disease.

Key words : china shown venues
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211222_03/

The Chinese government has shown members of the foreign media some of the venues that will be used during the Beijing Winter Olympics. The Games are due to begin in one and a half months.

This will be the first time that the Winter Olympics will be held in China. The event will start on February 4 in Beijing and in the city of Zhangjiakou, which is located in the neighboring province of Hebei.

An official at the ski jumping venue in Zhangjiakou explained that information will be available about the anti-coronavirus measures that are being taken. The individual added that the materials needed to implement the measures have already been prepared.

The organizers of the Beijing Olympics plan to use a so-called bubble arrangement to keep athletes and other participants separated from outsiders.

The official indicated that the number of spectators allowed in the venues will depend on the infection situations. Only mainland China residents will be allowed to attend the event.

An official at the cross-country skiing venue said that the artificial snow being used there will have a minor impact on the environment, as it is made mainly from rain water.

Key words : japan highest suicide rate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20211210150204051/

Japan has the highest suicide rate among G7 countries. The most recent government report shows a sharp rise in the number of women taking their own lives. Counselors are urging people to seek help.