at 18:30 (JST), December 28

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/20211228183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : defense minister counterpart
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211228_01/

Japan's Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo has conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe grave concerns over what he calls unilateral attempts by Beijing to alter the status quo by force.

The two spoke by video call on Monday at Japan's request. It was the first time they held talks since last December.

Kishi raised concerns about the situation in the East China Sea, including waters around the Senkaku Islands.

Japan controls the islands. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. China and Taiwan claim them.

Kishi expressed his opposition to China's unilateral attempts involving its military and government vessels. He urged China to exercise self-restraint.

Kishi also said the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait are crucial for Japan's security and the international community. He added that Japan is keeping a close watch on developments.

Kishi said international concern is growing over China's moves to increase defense spending in a veiled manner and to modernize and expand its forces. He asked that China act more responsibly.

The two agreed to aim at launching a hotline between their defense officials by the end of next year to prevent an accidental clash between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and China's military.

Speaking to reporters after the talks, Kishi emphasized the need for candid communication with China, in light of outstanding issues between the countries.

Kishi said Japan will continue to promote interaction with China in order to foster mutual understanding and confidence.

Key words : chinese man
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211228_06/

Japanese authorities say they suspect a former student from China tried to illegally buy sophisticated computer security software sold in Japan.

Investigative sources say the former student, who is in his 30s, allegedly tried to buy the software containing advanced technology in 2016. Only companies in Japan are allowed to buy it.

The sources suspect that the Chinese man was under the direction of a person linked to China's People's Liberation Army to buy the software using the name of a fictitious company.

But the attempt failed as the company that sells the software became suspicious and canceled the deal.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police questioned the former student on a voluntarily basis, but later learned he had left Japan. The police obtained an arrest warrant for the man on suspicion of attempted fraud.

Police suspect that China tried to obtain information on security measures taken by Japanese firms in a bid to find vulnerabilities in order to launch cyberattacks against them.

The authorities plan to ask the International Criminal Police Organization to put the Chinese suspect on an international wanted list.

The fraud attempt is believed to be the latest allegedly involving the PLA.

Japanese police discovered that hackers under the direction of the PLA carried out massive cyberattacks in 2016 against about 200 companies and institutions, including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and some defense-related companies.

The metropolitan police sent papers to prosecutors on a Chinese Communist Party member who had stayed in Japan on suspicion of renting a computer server that was used to launch the attacks under false names.

The investigative sources say that in the latest case, the person linked to PLA unit 61419, which specializes in cyberattacks, is suspected of having sent directions to the Chinese man in Japan using a communications app.

Japanese authorities are concerned that the threat to security is growing as they suspect Beijing is behind major cyberattacks and cyberespionage.

Key words : presidential candidate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211227_13/

The South Korean ruling party's candidate for president has expressed his willingness to improve his country's relations with Japan.

South Korea's presidential election is scheduled for next March. The Democratic Party candidate, Lee Jae-myung, met Japanese Ambassador Aiboshi Koichi in Seoul on Monday.

Lee said the two countries are often said to be "near yet far," but he wants them to be both geographically and psychologically close.

He called for the two sides to acknowledge and understand the facts, and aim for future-oriented cooperation.

Lee also touched on his past visit to Japan.

Aiboshi replied that he was happy to hear about Lee's personal ties with Japan.

Democratic Party officials say the closed-door meeting did not focus on issues between the two countries, such as wartime labor.

The presidential candidate for the main opposition People Power Party, Yoon Suk-yeol, met Aiboshi last month and expressed hope for better ties between the two countries.

Key words : wada online
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211227_18/

A Japanese survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki is scheduled to speak online next week at a review conference for a nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

The review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is set to start in New York on January 4.

Nihon Hidankyo, or the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations, normally sends a delegation of several dozen people to the review conference.

But the group will not attend in person this time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Wada Masako, aged 78, will represent the group and give a recorded 5-minute video speech during a session where NGOs from around the world express their views.

In an interview on Monday, Wada said that she was only a year old at the time of the bombing. She said she does not remember the experience and can only retell what she heard from her mother.

She said the number of people who can talk about the atomic bombings experience is decreasing and that she feels compelled to also talk about the situation. She said that despite the limited time, she wants to tell people around the world the reality of what nuclear weapons would bring about.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has announced he will not attend the review conference in person and is considering addressing it by video, due to the spread of the coronavirus in the United States.

Nihon Hidankyo Secretary General Kido Sueichi says the review conference is a place where Japan can serve as a bridge between nuclear powers and non-nuclear powers. He said Japan should naturally make the utmost effort in that role.

Kido said he was disappointed and exasperated to hear that Kishida was not attending in person.

Key words : kim
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211228_08/

North Korea is holding a key ruling party meeting to decide on crucial policies, with the country's leader Kim Jong Un in attendance.

The Tuesday edition of the ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that a plenary meeting of the party's Central Committee was held on Monday.

It said the gathering was held to review the implementation of main party and state policies for the past year and to lay out "strategic and tactical policies" to usher in a new period of development for the country.

The meeting is expected to be held for another day.

December 30 will mark the 10th anniversary of Kim becoming the country's top military commander.

Attention is focused on whether Pyongyang will come up with fresh policies on nuclear and missile development and stalled negotiations with the United States.

Participants are also likely to discuss how to revive the economy. The closure of the country's border with China to combat the coronavirus has dealt a serious blow to an economy that was already suffering the effects of international sanctions.

Key words : captain leaked oil
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211228_03/

The captain and a crew member of a ship that leaked a large amount of oil after running aground off Mauritius last year have been sentenced to 20 months each in prison.

A court in the island nation on Monday found the Indian captain and the crew member guilty of endangering safe navigation.

The bulk carrier Wakashio, owned by Nagashiki Shipping, was chartered by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, both Japanese companies. Roughly 1,000 tons of fuel oil leaked from the vessel.

Local media say both defendants admitted to the charges and apologized for the damage caused.

The reports say a birthday party was taking place on board at the time of the accident in July last year, and that the captain had been drinking. The captain also allowed crew members to bring the ship closer to the shore to receive a mobile phone signal.

The oil leak polluted the environment and caused significant damage to local fisheries.

Mauritian government officials say work to remove the oil has been completed but an investigation into the impact of the spill on ecosystems is ongoing.

Key words : jaxa
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211227_05/

Aspiring astronauts have learned tips that may help them pass a recruitment test to be held by Japan's space agency over the next year.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, plans to recruit astronauts for the first time in 13 years, and began accepting applications on December 20.

Yanagawa Koji was the former JAXA secretary general for the previous test. He spoke at a seminar in Tokyo on Sunday at the invitation of would-be astronauts. Participants were able to take part in the lecture either in person or online.

Yanagawa noted that applicants in the previous test were primarily evaluated on three levels in categories such as an English exam and a medical checkup.

He also explained that self-introductions and reasons for applying should be written in ways that are concise yet leave a strong impression.

One seminar participant said he will rewrite his application based on the advice.

Yanagawa said those who pass the upcoming test will join a lunar exploration program. He said applicants should seriously consider what benefits to society they will be able to bring back to Earth after the mission.