at 18:30 (JST), February 22

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/20220222183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : china sale taiwan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220221_32/

The Chinese government says it has decided to take countermeasures against two "US military firms long engaged in arms sales" to Taiwan.

Earlier this month, the administration of US President Joe Biden notified Congress of its approval of arms sales totaling 100 million dollars to Taiwan related to missile defense systems.

At a news conference on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin condemned the arms sales.

Wang stressed the deal seriously undermines not only China's sovereignty and security interests but also China-US relations, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

He explained that China will impose sanctions on US firms Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies, based on its anti-foreign sanctions law.

He did not specify the content and timing of the measures.

The spokesperson urged the United States and relevant parties to respect the "One China" principle, stop arms sales to Taiwan and any military ties with it.

Key words : china dismissed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220221_33/

China has dismissed Australia's announcement that a Chinese naval ship shone a laser at an Australian military patrol plane.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a news briefing on Monday that information released by Australia is false.

The Australian Defence Department announced on Saturday that the vessel, in company with another Chinese navy vessel sailing through the Arafura Sea, directed a laser at an Australian military patrol aircraft in flight last Thursday. The Arafura Sea lies between northern Australia and eastern Indonesia.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed Australia's intention to lodge a complaint.

Spokesperson Wang said the Chinese vessels were sailing on the high seas, conforming to relevant international law and international practice.

He said Beijing is urging Australia to respect Chinese vessels' legitimate rights in accordance with international law in relevant seas and stop "maliciously spreading disinformation" about China.

Relations between Australia and China have soured since Canberra angered Beijing by calling for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus in 2020. China responded by restricting agricultural and other imports from Australia.

The latest dispute could worsen the already strained ties.

Key words : prime condemned russia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220222_21/

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has strongly condemned Russia's recognition of the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

Kishida told reporters on Tuesday that Russia's action infringes on Ukraine's sovereignty and unity, violates international law and cannot be allowed.

He said Japan will closely watch developments with serious concern and work with other G7 countries and the global community to coordinate responses, including sanctions.

The prime minister said that should Russia invade Ukraine, Japan will also respond while working with the G7 members and the international community.

Kishida said he has been told that some Japanese nationals in Ukraine are leaving, but many others including those who have Ukrainian family members are determined to stay.

He said the government will continue through the Japanese Embassy to call on Japanese nationals to leave, as the situation is becoming increasingly tense.

Key words : taiwan lift
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220221_26/

Taiwan says it has partially lifted import bans on Japanese foods on Monday that have been in force since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident.

Taiwan had stopped importing all food items from Fukushima and the nearby prefectures of Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Chiba. The ban excluded alcoholic drinks.

Officials announced earlier this month that they would lift the ban, except for wild bird and animal meat as well as mushrooms from those prefectures.

They said the move was based on global standards and scientific proof and noted that most countries have eased restrictions.

Taiwanese authorities say they sought feedback from the public about the decision and received only a few objections.

Food from the five prefectures must still be accompanied by test results for radioactive materials, and all items will be subject to inspections in Taiwan.

All prefectures must also still provide proof of origin.

Officials in Japan say the safety of the food has been scientifically proven and they will continue asking Taiwan to lift all the regulations.

Key words : kim olympic
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220222_11/

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent a message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, congratulating him on the successful completion of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

North Korea's Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Tuesday that Kim praised Xi in the message, saying that China left its mark in Olympic history despite "the hostile forces' maneuvers."

The remark apparently refers to a diplomatic boycott by the United States and other countries that refused to send officials to the Games due to China's alleged human rights abuses.

In the message, the North Korean leader stressed his resolve to strengthen solidarity with China in their opposition to the US.

Kim told Xi that the two countries will frustrate "the undisguised hostile policy and military threat of the US and its satellite forces by strengthening the bilateral strategic cooperation and unity."

North Korea test-fired missiles seven times in January. However, the launches stopped during the Beijing Olympics, which ran from early February to Sunday. Some observers believe Pyongyang refrained from provocative actions to avoid offending China during the games.

Relevant countries are closely watching the North's moves in the run-up to the South Korean presidential election in March and the 110th birth anniversary of the late Kim Il Sung, the current leader's grandfather, in April.

Key words : myanmar junta
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220221_31/

Myanmar's military junta has refused to allow a special envoy from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to meet with pro-democracy bodies, calling them "terrorist" groups. The visit by the newly appointed envoy, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, is planned for next month.

State-run TV broadcast a statement from Myanmar's Foreign Ministry under the military regime on Sunday. It said suggesting the special envoy engage with such groups is not only contrary to the principles of the ASEAN Charter, but also undermines the bloc's counterterrorism efforts.

The ministry said Myanmar will continue to promote "constructive cooperation" with ASEAN, including the special envoy.
But it ruled out meetings between the envoy and representatives of the ousted civil government.

ASEAN barred Myanmar's top diplomat from attending a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers last week.

Indonesia and Malaysia called for the envoy to meet all parties in Myanmar, including the pro-democracy National Unity Government. The junta said the countries should not use ASEAN platforms to make such statements.

Key words : docomo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220221_17/

Japanese telecom giant NTT Docomo is trying a novel approach to stopping spam email scams by sharing them with users. The company has launched a website that showcases malicious messages to warn people to be on guard.

The site is called "junk e-mail exhibition," and it is formatted like an email inbox.

It displays actual spam messages claiming to be from online retailers, credit card firms, mobile carriers and more.

They warn of issues like payment problems and ask users to click links. The messages are phishing scams that aim to steal customer data.
NTT Docomo is also asking the public to help out with the exhibition. It has launched a Twitter account where people can share spam email they've received.

The website will run through March 18 to coincide with cybersecurity month in Japan.