at 18:30 (JST), February 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/20220224183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : prime reacted putin
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220224_22/

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has reacted to the Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement that his country's troops will conduct what he called a "special military operation" in eastern Ukraine.

Kisihda said, "There are various kinds of reports on the issue. We are focusing on gathering information and getting the whole picture of the situation there. As the situation is developing rapidly, we are working closely with the international community, including Group of Seven nations, to deal with this. And it will be very vital to secure the safety of Japanese nationals."

Kishida was asked about Kyiv's announcement that civilian aviation flights to Ukrainian airspace are limited.

Kishida said that in the light of maintaining the safety of Japanese nationals, the government will deal with the situation appropriately.

Key words : sanction semiconductor general use
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220224_03/

Japan is considering stepping up sanctions on Russia if Moscow takes further action over Ukraine. Export controls on semiconductors are on the table.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met senior government officials at his official residence on Wednesday, after Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of two regions in eastern Ukraine.

Kishida then announced sanctions against Russia. He said Japan will suspend the issuance of visas and freeze the assets of individuals linked to the pro-Russian regions, and impose a ban on trade.

The issuance and circulation of new Russian sovereign bonds will also be prohibited in Japan.

Kishida condemned Russia's actions, saying they infringe on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and violate international law.

He said that if the situation further deteriorates, Japan will need to swiftly consider additional measures in coordination with other Group of Seven nations and the international community.

Sources close to the matter say the government is considering tightening its sanction measures in stages, in tandem with the United States and other nations.

The government is expected to impose export restrictions on high-performance semiconductors and other high-tech products to Russia.

The government is also in talks with other nations with a view to making semiconductors for general use subject to export restrictions, if Russia acts to worsen the situation further.

Kishida and other leaders of the G7 nations are scheduled to hold an online emergency summit on Thursday. They are expected to confirm that they will closely work together on imposing sanctions and other measures to respond to the Ukraine crisis.

Key words : china opposition sanction
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220224_02/

China has expressed opposition to imposing sanctions on Russia over Ukraine.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying spoke to reporters on Wednesday, after the United States and some other nations announced sanctions against Moscow.

She said sanctions are not a fundamental and effective way to solve problems, and that China has consistently been against any illegitimate, unilateral sanctions.

She insisted that countries should make efforts to solve problems through dialogue and discussions.

Meanwhile, a Taiwanese newspaper, The Liberty Times, reported online that if the situation surrounding Ukraine worsens further, Taiwan may impose export bans on semiconductors to Russia.

Asked by a reporter from another Taiwanese media outlet about the possibility of such export restrictions or other sanctions, Taiwanese Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Tseng Wensheng said officials are mulling that option.

The ministry's data show that Taiwan's semiconductor exports to Russia were worth over 20 million dollars last year.

Key words : taiwan strait ukraine
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220223_18/

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has instructed the military and relevant agencies to increase their surveillance and alertness on military activities around the Taiwan Strait.

The presidential office said Tsai was briefed on Wednesday by a special working team on Ukraine, which was set up last month.

She said Taiwan "denounces Russia's infringement on Ukraine's sovereignty" and "As a member of the international community, Taiwan is willing to participate in all efforts that contribute to a peaceful resolution of this dispute."

Tsai then instructed Taiwan's security agencies and military to "ramp up their efforts to monitor and provide early warning of military developments in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas" and continue to strengthen readiness to "swiftly and effectively respond to any potential developments."

She also said the situations in Taiwan and Ukraine are fundamentally different in terms of "geostrategic factors, geography, and the importance of our role in international supply chains."

But she added that relevant agencies must "step up their guard against cognitive warfare from external forces as well as their local collaborators" and "strengthen efforts to clarify disinformation."

Tsai did not mention China at the meeting, but last month, she expressed empathy for Ukraine's situation, saying Taiwan has long faced military threats from China.

Key words : former malaysian
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220224_07/

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has expressed his intention to return to politics after being discharged from hospital.

Mahathir held a news conference on Wednesday after leaving hospital on February 5. He had been treated for cardiac disease.

The 96-year-old had been hospitalized in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, three times since last December. He was reported to have temporarily been in critical condition.

During Wednesday's news conference, Mahathir boasted of his recovery, saying, "As you see, I can still talk, I can still think, I can still be logical because I have really recovered."

He also expressed his willingness to return to political activity, saying "I know what is happening in the country."

During his 22 years in office, Mahathir made his name as a leading Asian politician. He worked for Malaysia's development by initiating the so-called Look East Policy and encouraging Malaysians to learn advanced industrial and other technologies from Japan.
He also criticized Western-centered values and globalism.

Mahathir became prime minister again at the age of 92 after temporarily retiring from politics.
He took the rein of government for two years before his party was driven into opposition.

Malaysian people still highly rate his political ability.

Key words : researchers university face mask
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220224_04/

Japanese researchers have found a face mask in the feces of a sea turtle that had inhabited the coast of Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan.

A group of researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and The University of Tokyo studies the ecology of sea turtles in the area.

They say the nonwoven fabric mask was excreted by the green sea turtle that was caught in a fixed net last August and is now being kept by the group.

The mask is made from polypropylene and measures about 9 centimeters by 14 centimeters. The ear loops are still attached to it.

The group says they have been conducting their study at the same place for about 15 years, and this is the first time for them to find a nonwoven fabric mask eaten by a sea turtle.

They say they will analyze blood samples from the sea turtle to see how materials contained in the mask could affect marine life.

Researcher Fukuoka Takuya at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology says sea turtles tend to swallow anything that can slide down their throat.

He says the group suspects the sea turtle mistook the mask for food, such as seaweed, and ingested it.

He pointed out nonwoven fabric face masks contain plastic materials, and it is important to appropriately dispose of them in consideration of their possible impact on wildlife.

Key words : customer higher
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220224_16/

Japanese customers can expect to pay higher prices for European-brand cars this year, due the soaring costs of raw materials and shipping.

German automaker Volkswagen says it will raise the prices of most of its models in Japan by about 2 percent on average from April. That would come on top of a round of hikes in October averaging around 1.5 percent.

Customers of the group's Audi brand can also expect a roughly 2-percent bump on several models.

Groupe PSA Japan has already gone ahead with price hikes. Most models under the French brands Peugeot, Citroen and DS Automobiles saw prices go up by around 3.3 percent on average in January.

Germany's Mercedes-Benz and some other European makers also raised prices last year on some models.

The automakers cite surging costs of raw materials like steel and precious metals. They add that high oil prices have raised shipping costs.

The price tags on some models may be marked up by around 1,000 dollars or more.

Japanese automakers have been managing to hold back so far amid intense price competition. But some say they may be forced to consider raising prices in the not-too-distant future.