at 18:30 (JST), January 06 (now testing voice-text converter)

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/20220106183000_english_1.mp3 

This is Asian view from NHK world-japan and Raja Pradhan. Here's a quick look at what's been making news here in Japan and elsewhere in Asia. 

Officials in Japan. May authorize restrictions in three, prefectures to curb surging coronavirus cases. The government is likely to approve quasi emergency measures in the southern prefecture of Okinawa as well as the Western prefectures of Yamaguchi and Hiroshima on Friday. 

The number of new cases across Japan from Monday, has nearly doubled on a daily basis. The figure is largest in Okinawa. New infections at US military bases. There are rising sharply. 

A growing number of cases have been reported at a US Marine Corps Base in Yamaguchi, as well as neighboring. Hiroshima. 

Japanese foreign minister Hayashi yoshimasa has asked the US Secretary of State, Antony blinken to strengthen measures against infections at US military installations in Japan. The top Diplomat spoke over the phone on Thursday morning. I asked you urged tougher, counter measures including curfews, to ease the worries of communities, around the facilities. Lincoln said the u.s. Attaches importance to the health and safety of the residents of Japan. He said he'll convey the request of the Department of Defense and will do whatever he can in partnership with Japan. 

North Korea's state-run media have confirmed the country test-fired, a Hypersonic missile on Wednesday. The ruling Workers Party newspaper. Said the Academy of Defense science carried out. The tests it reported the missile traveled, 700 km, and hit its Target. South. Korea says the missile flew toward the sea. 

Hypersonic missiles travel at five times. The speed of sound, they can fly at low altitudes for long periods and change course in Flight, which makes such missiles difficult to detect and intercept North Korea. First launched one in September. 

This is NHK world-japan. 

The Hong Kong government has announced stricter anti coronavirus measures, including a ban on dining out in the evening chief executive. Carrie Lam said from Friday. There will be a ban on eating in restaurants after 6 p.m. And Facilities such as bars and fitness centers will be closed. Since late. December more people arriving from overseas have been confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant with about 30 cases detected per day. Government officials aim to prevent their purse. Russians before the Lunar New Year on February 1st, when people gather 

Chinese president Xi Jinping has toured venues preparing for the upcoming Beijing. Winter Olympics. China's state-run. Media say, she visited a speed skating venue a media center and other sites in the Chinese capital on Tuesday one month. Before the opening of the games, speaking to reporters. She said the media would have an important role as a result of the restrictions placed on in-person Spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic. He asked them to help ensure the games are a success. He said, Country aims to increase its International influence through the games. 

Electric Vehicle, Manufacturer, Tesla has drawn widespread criticism in the US. For opening a showroom in China's. Xinjiang uyghur autonomous region, Tesla announced on in Chinese social media account on New Year's Eve. It opened a showroom in urumqi, the regional Capital. The company posted photos from the opening event. The United States has been pressuring China over human rights issues in zhijiang last month. The US Congress passed legislation to ban Imports of products believed to have been made. __  Forced labor in the region. Business groups and Muslim activists in the US are lashing out at the automaker. 

Three zookeepers have an injured in a tiger attack at a Wildlife Park north of Tokyo. A man and two women were bitten by the big cat Wednesday at Nasa. Safari park in tochigi prefecture. One of the women sustains serious injuries and a visual of the facility says, the incident occurred as two tigers were being moved outdoors from their enclosure about an hour before the park was set to open. The official says only one of the zookeepers involved was a tiger hand. And the other two were staff working nearby. That's the safari park exhibits about 700, wild animals in a free-roaming environment. 

New car sales in Japan drop last year for the third straight year. Auto industry groups, say about 4.4 million Vehicles were sold in 2021 that's down. Three point three percent from the previous year, vehicle output, fellows, pandemic lockdowns, caused Supply, constraints, shortages of semiconductors and other parts produced in Southeast. Asia, also prompted, automakers to cut or suspend production. 

__ Asian view from NHK world-japan, I'm Raja Pradhan.