at 18:30 (JST), January 24

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/20220124183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : emanuel
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220123_15/

The new US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, arrived in Tokyo on Sunday.

After landing at Haneda Airport with his wife, Amy, Emanuel posted a message on Twitter in both Japanese and English. It said, "Amy and I are excited to have arrived in Japan and are eager to meet the people of Japan as we travel throughout the country."

The 62-year-old Chicago native is known for his hard-driving style. He was a member of the US House of Representatives before serving as chief of staff to then-President Barack Obama. Emanuel is known to be close to current President Joe Biden, who was Obama's vice president.

In an interview with NHK before leaving for Tokyo, Emanuel indicated he will work to further strengthen Japan-US relations, with China's growing influence in mind. He said the two democracies are at a critical juncture to advance their common value systems.

The post of US ambassador to Japan was vacant for about two and a half years after William Hagerty stepped down in July 2019 to run for the Senate.

The US Embassy in Tokyo said Emanuel is expected to start his work as ambassador after 10 days of quarantine at his official residence in the capital.

Key words : taiwan defense aircraft
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220124_08/

Taiwan's defense ministry says that on Sunday 39 Chinese military airplanes flew over waters southwest of the island and entered its air defense identification zone, or ADIZ.

The ministry says that is the second largest number of aircraft recorded in a single day, since it began releasing reports about the entry of Chinese military planes in the current format in September 2020. J-10 and J-16 fighters were among the Chinese planes that entered the ADIZ on Sunday.

Fifty-six Chinese military aircraft entered the ADIZ on October 4. Nearly 1,000 Chinese military planes entered Taiwan's ADIZ in 2021. That was about 2.5 times more than the previous year.

It has been confirmed that more than 100 Chinese aircraft have entered the ADIZ this year.

The defense ministry released a report in November warning about gray zone threats posed by China.

The report says China is trying to wear down Taiwan's military capabilities, and create unrest among the people, without actually conducting an armed attack. It suggests that sending aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ is one of the tactics China is using.

The report says that China's goal is to take control of Taiwan without engaging in a fight.

Key words : okinawa election
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220124_03/

Incumbent Mayor Toguchi Taketoyo of Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, supported by ruling parties, has secured his re-election in Sunday's vote.

The mayoral race comes as the central and prefectural governments remain locked in a standoff over the planned relocation of US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to the city.

Toguchi, supported by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, garnered 19,524 votes. His rival and newcomer Kishimoto Yohei got 14,439 votes.

Kishimoto, supported by opposition parties and backed by Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny, called for the cancellation of the relocation plan.

60-year-old Toguchi was born in Nago and was first elected as mayor in 2018, after serving in the city's assembly.

During the campaign, Toguchi did not state whether he was for or against the planned relocation. He instead said he would wait and see how the rift between the central and prefectural governments pans out.

Toguchi also underlined his achievements during his first term, such as realizing free school meals and free medical services for children.

After the election, Toguchi said he thinks his governance over the past four years, including child support measures, has been appreciated by voters.

He noted that there have been lawsuits filed by the central and prefectural governments over the relocation plan, and said he, as mayor, had no choice but to wait and see how things will develop.

The voter turnout was 68.32 percent, down 8.6 points from the previous election, and the lowest-ever.

Key words : one week drinking
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220122_16/

Saturday marks one week since a massive underwater volcano erupted near the island nation of Tonga in the South Pacific.

Support from other countries is moving into full swing.

Australia and New Zealand have been delivering drinking water, communications equipment and other supplies since Thursday.

A Japanese Air Self-Defense Force aircraft arrived in Tonga with a load of drinking water on Saturday.

But local residents are concerned about damage to agriculture caused by volcanic ash, and power shortages.

World Health Organization staff member Setoya Yutaro told NHK from the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa by telephone that the situation is calm but that ash is still falling.

Setoya said that 99 percent of the island is blanketed in ash, crops have been damaged and distribution has been brought to a standstill. He said supplies of food and water are running low. He said that other islands were running out of petroleum and may soon not be able to generate electricity.

Setoya also said many homes had been partly or completely destroyed. He said recovery from the disaster will take time and long-term support will be required.

Key words : high-pressure
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220124_26/

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship has left for Tonga to deliver relief supplies.

The MSDF transport vessel Osumi departed from its base in Kure City, western Japan, on Monday afternoon with about 300 crew members on board.

A high-pressure cleaning machine to remove volcanic ash was loaded onto the ship earlier in the day along with drinking water and other supplies.

Osumi is also carrying an air-cushioned landing craft and a CH47 transport helicopter, for use if ports in Tonga have been damaged or are inaccessible.

The vessel is due to arrive at waters off the South Pacific nation in about two weeks.

Last Thursday, Japan's Defense Ministry dispatched two Air Self-Defense Force C130 transport airplanes to deliver drinking water to Tonga.

Key words : Saturday marked one year
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220123_06/

The head of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN, has urged Japan to contribute to the treaty's effort against nuclear weapons.

Saturday marked one year since the UN treaty banning the use, development and possession of nuclear weapons took effect.

Fifty-nine countries and regions have ratified the treaty. But Japan, which is under the US nuclear umbrella for its security, is not a signatory, along with nuclear states such as the United States and Russia.

Executive Director of ICAN, which won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution to the adoption of the treaty, Beatrice Fihn spoke with NHK.
Fihn expressed her strong concern over the present situation where nuclear states are modernizing their arsenals.

She warned of the dangerous situation stemming from the tensions between the US, and China and Russia while expressing appreciation for the participation of more countries.

The Executive Director said the "risk of nuclear weapons use is increasing" and it is urgent to "work on nuclear disarmament" and work with the treaty on nuclear prohibition.

She said that non signatory countries including Germany and Norway have shown their intent to take part as observers in the first meeting of signatories which is scheduled in March this year.

Fihn explained that a very concrete discussion about victim assistance, a subject in which the Japanese government has a lot of expertise, is to take place at the meeting and stressed that Japan could contribute much in a non-political way.

Key words : shipment lithuania
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220122_14/

A shipment of Lithuanian rum has arrived in Taiwan after it was learned last month that it could be blocked from the original destination, China. Taiwan's purchase of the rum is part of measures to support the Baltic nation which has been under pressure from China for strengthening ties with Taipei.

Lithuania's relationship with China has deteriorated since it allowed a "Taiwanese Representative Office" to open in mid-November. China responded by downgrading its diplomatic ties with Lithuania.

Lithuania asked Taiwan for help in December when the country's rum exporters concluded that a shipment of 20,400 bottles of rum was likely to be denied entry by Chinese customs.

Taiwan's public tobacco and liquor company agreed to purchase the rum. The liquor was reloaded onto another vessel and shipped to Taiwan. Bottles of the rum were shown to the media on Saturday.

The labels were printed in simplified Chinese characters for the China market but will be replaced with those with the characters used in Taiwan.

The importers plan to start selling the rum by the Chinese New Year holidays.

Taiwanese authorities say there are at least 120 cargo containers which Chinese authorities have refused clearance. Taiwan plans to purchase all of the cargo inside the containers including the rum.

Earlier this month, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said it was a mistake to allow the opening of a representative office under the name of "Taiwan," indicating differences of opinion within his administration.

Taiwan has pledged to set up a 1 billion dollar program to fund projects by Lithuanian and Taiwanese companies, aiming to boost ties between the countries.

Key words : olympic first 12 days
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220124_01/

The Beijing Winter Olympic village has opened its doors to the first group of residents, 12 days before the opening of the Games.

Chinese state media report that people involved in the Games arrived at the village on Sunday, from more than 20 nations and regions, including China, the United States and Britain.

The Olympic village will officially open on Thursday and many athletes are expected to arrive.

The Winter Games will begin on February 4 in Beijing and neighboring Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province.

The venues for the Games are divided into three zones and a separate Olympic village is set up in each zone.

Officials will put in place a "bubble" system where Games-related personnel are physically separated from others to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. The system was adopted at the Tokyo Games last year.

Beijing Olympic officials said on Sunday that they had confirmed 33 positive cases inside the "bubble" among over 330,000 tests conducted from January 4 to 22.

They said those who tested positive are neither athletes nor people related to them.

In Beijing 43 positive cases were reportedly confirmed as of Sunday, including people with no symptoms.

Chinese authorities are on high alert against the virus. They conducted coronavirus testing on roughly 2 million residents in Fengtai District, where a relatively high number of infections have been reported.