at 18:30 (JST), January 20 (text converter and manual correction with Top Stories)

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/20220120183000_english_1.mp3 

This is Asian view from NHK world-japan. I'm Raja Pradhan. 

He's a quick look at, what's the making use here in Japan and elsewhere in Asia? 

Japan is expanding quasi-emergency measures to Tokyo and 12 other prefectures, where the coronavirus is spreading faster than ever. The measures will take effect, Friday and last through February 13. 

The top government advisor Omi Shigeru says officials need to take a tailored approach.

"Simply put, this is not about restricting, the movement of people. Instead, I think the key will be to limit how many people gather in one place."

Omi says restaurants can remain open but they must be well-ventilated and limit groups to about four people. 

New coronavirus infections across Japan topped 40,000 on Wednesday, marking the country's highest number of cases on record. 

A former pro-independence activist known for the protest chant "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" has been released from prison. Edward Leung was a senior member of a group seeking independence for Hong Kong. He was sentenced to six years in prison in 2018 for his role in a protest in the city in 2016. He was reportedly allowed out on Wednesday. The slogan is banned under the national security law for the territory. 

A senior member of an Indonesian militant group was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday for the deadly 2002 Bali bombings. Aris Sumarsono better known as Zulkarnaen had been on the run for almost two decades. He was a former military commander at Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian jihadist network with ties to al-Qaida. The group is blamed for the Bali bombings that killed 202 people mostly foreign tourists. 

This is NHK world-japan. 

North Korea has hinted the regime may resume its long-range missile and nuclear testing. Its test programs were halted ahead of the first Pyongyang Washington Summit in 2018. On Wednesday leader Kim Jong Un presided over a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's political bureau. A statement released through the state-run news agency highlighted a joint military exercises by Washington and Seoul as well as sanctions. The statement said "The hostile policy and military threat by the US  have reached a danger line that cannot be overlooked anymore." Pyongyang said it would take steps to prepare for a long-term confrontation with the United States. North Korea has test-fired six ballistic missiles this month fueling international concern. 

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake that hit northwestern Afghanistan on Monday has left at least 26 people dead. Reports say hundreds of homes have a damaged or destroyed. Heavy rain before the quake reportedly left mud-brick houses, particularly vulnerable to damage. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says aid is urgently needed including food, shelter, and heating materials. Local media reports say the quake has also put the UNESCO world heritage site, the Minaret of Jam at risk of collapse. The 65-meter-tall tower dates  back to the 12th century. It was designated Afghanistan's first world heritage site in 2002. 

Taiwan's Vice-President plans to visit Honduras later this month to attend the inauguration of its president-elect. The Taiwanese presidential office says Lai Ching-te will attend Tte ceremony is scheduled for January 27th. He'll go as a special envoy of President Tsai Ing-wen. Honduras is one of 14 countries with which Taiwan has diplomatic relations. President-elect Xiomara Castro floated the idea of severing ties with Taiwan and establishing relations with Beijing during her election campaign  last November. Lai is hoping to have a separate meeting with Castro during his trip  as he seeks to keep the relationship intact. Beijing has stepped up and strive to win over taiwan's diplomatic partners through economic assistance and other means. 

Organizers in northern Japan had decided to cancel a popular snow and ice sculpture event due to a surge on coronavirus cases. The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Hokkaido's main winter attractions, drawing 2 million visitors each year. It was to be held in the center of the city for eight days next month, but organizers now say they'll set up smaller works at a different location and post videos of the process.

A photo contest will be held on the festival's official website. The online Sapporo  Snow Festival will take place from February 5 through the 28. 

This is Asian view from NHK world-japan. I'm Raja Pradhan.