at 18:30 (JST), February 11

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/20220211183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : india traveler
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220211_05/

The Indian government plans to ease coronavirus border restrictions as the number of new cases declines.

Starting on Monday, international travelers will no longer be required to quarantine for seven days after arrival or take a PCR test on the eighth day.

The tightened entry rules went into force on January 11 following a resurgence in infections in December. But the case count began to fall late last month. India's government also judged that medical services are not under strain.

All travelers will still need to submit a negative PCR test report. The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to departure.

The government says it will also continue to conduct random PCR tests on arriving passengers.

Key words : philippines visitor
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220210_38/

More countries in Southeast Asia are relaxing coronavirus border controls as they try to promote economic recovery.

The Philippines on Thursday started to welcome back foreign visitors, marking the end of an entry ban that had been in place for nearly two years.

Fully vaccinated travelers from over 150 countries and territories who test negative for the coronavirus are no longer required to quarantine. Officials had aimed to reopen in December but suspended the plans due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

Meanwhile in Malaysia, the government's advisory body suggested that the country fully reopen to international travelers as early as March 1.

That's despite surging daily infections, which have hit their highest level in four months.

Officials have recommended that tourists be allowed to visit without quarantines upon arrival.

Key words : china suspended
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220210_43/

China's government has suspended imports of beef from Lithuania amid a discord with the Baltic nation over Taiwan.

Chinese customs officials gave no reasons when announcing the suspension on Wednesday.

Beijing has been pushing back against a move last year by Lithuania to allow Taiwan to open a representative office under its own name. China already downgraded its diplomatic relations with the Baltic state.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters on Thursday that Lithuania should correct its own mistakes, and come back on the right track of adhering to the One China Principle.

He suggested that the move is a countermeasure against Lithuania's policy over Taiwan, apparently justifying the customs authority's decision.

The European Union last month launched a case at the World Trade Organization against China, saying it significantly restricted trade with Lithuania since December.

Key words : south heritage
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220210_25/

South Korea's President Moon Jae-in has expressed regret over Japan's bid to have a group of gold mines registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Japan on February 1 recommended to UNESCO that the mines on Sado Island in the Sea of Japan be listed.
South Korea's government lodged a protest, saying Koreans were forced to work at the mines.

Moon expressed views on the matter for the first time on Thursday in a joint written interview with major news agencies worldwide.

He said it is "unnerving" at a time when South Korea and Japan should seek to resolve historical issues and develop future-oriented relations.

Moon also noted with regret that the two countries have yet to reach an agreement on their pending issues despite constant efforts to solve them diplomatically.

South Korea's foreign minister on February 3 protested Japan's move in a phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart. Japan's foreign minister said the country cannot accept South Korea's claim, which he called groundless and regrettable.

He added that Japan intends to hold calm, careful discussions with the South Korean side toward registering the mines.

Key words : india children
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20220112210203875/

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed millions of lives worldwide. Countless children were left orphaned. India alone had an estimated 110,000 coronavirus orphans in the year through April last year - a number that has surely risen since then. Some of these children now face another tragedy. Human traffickers are targeting them.