at 18:30 (JST), March 03

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/20220303183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : ukrainian paralympic arrived
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220302_36/

The Ukrainian Paralympic team has arrived in Beijing.

A source with the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee told NHK that the team arrived on Wednesday.

The Beijing Winter Paralympics are set to begin on Friday amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Twenty Ukrainian athletes are expected to compete in cross-country skiing and biathlon events.

Ukraine won 22 medals at the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Games.

Key words : paralympic russia and open on Friday
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220303_05/

The International Paralympic Committee says athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete in the upcoming Beijing Games, but only as neutrals.

The committee members decided not to ban the athletes in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Instead, they banned the flags and anthems.

Russian athletes were already set to compete for the Russian Paralympic Committee -- rather than Russia -- as punishment for their country's systematic doping.

Now they, and athletes from allied country Belarus, will take part under the Paralympic flag and anthem. Neither Russia nor Belarus will be included in the medals tables, and their delegation must cover any national symbols on their uniforms.

Committee President Andrew Parsons issued a statement that described the move as "the harshest possible punishment." He also said "it is vital we show to world leaders through our sport that we can unite as human beings and that our true power is found when promoting peace, understanding and inclusion."

The Games are set to open on Friday.

Key words : two opposition alliance neck-and-neck
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220303_13/

Two opposition candidates in South Korea's presidential election have agreed to forge an alliance.

Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party and Ahn Cheol-soo of the minor centrist People's Party held a joint news conference on Thursday in Seoul.
Ahn, who ranks third in the polls, announced he would drop out of the race and back Yoon.

Ahn had first proposed merging their candidacies to Yoon in February. But he told reporters a week later that he hadn't gotten a response from Yoon and would continue his campaign.

Yoon and Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party are neck-and-neck in the latest opinion polls. Observers believe Yoon's agreement with Ahn may affect the result of the election, which is just six days ahead.

Key words : defense ministry violate
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220302_22/

Japan's Defense Ministry says a helicopter believed to belong to Russia has violated Japanese airspace over the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido.

The ministry says a helicopter entered Japanese airspace off Nemuro Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido at around 10:23 a.m. Wednesday, Japan time.

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets scrambled and radioed a warning. The helicopter reportedly left.

It is said to have been in Japanese airspace for less than a minute.

The Defense Ministry lodged a protest against the Russian government through diplomatic channels.

It is also trying to determine where the helicopter came from, and whether the territorial violation is linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The last time the ministry announced a territorial violation by an aircraft confirmed or presumed to be Russian was in September last year, when a Russian plane entered airspace around Hokkaido's Cape Shiretoko.

Key words : former nissan convicted
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220303_20/

Former Nissan Motor executive Greg Kelly has been convicted of underreporting the remuneration of ousted chairman Carlos Ghosn.

The Tokyo District Court on Thursday sentenced Kelly to six months in prison, suspended for three years.

Kelly was found guilty of violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act in fiscal year 2017 and was acquitted of the same charge for fiscal years 2010 to 2016.

Nissan Motor was fined 200 million yen, or about 1.7 million dollars.

Key words : accept refugee kishida
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220303_03/

Japan will accept refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "To show our solidarity with people of Ukraine, we will accept those who fled from Ukraine to a third country."

Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa told Ukraine's ambassador to Japan that Tokyo will work with other G7 members and the wider international community for a ceasefire.

Hayashi said, "I was deeply moved to see Ukrainian people fight for their nation's sovereignty and independence. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the victims of the Russian aggression."

Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky said, "Ukraine is facing a grave challenge now. On behalf of the people of my country, I express my deep gratitude for Japan's support."

An opposition lawmaker said at a Diet meeting the ambassador's request for an appointment with Hayashi went unmet for one month. The lawmaker accused the government of lax crisis management. Hayashi replied he was not aware of the request.

Ukraine's ambassador told NHK there are ways to counter Russia's overwhelming military power.

Ambassador Korsunsky said, "We're not asking anybody to fight on our side. We're just standing -- it's our war. What we ask for my partners, that's weapons, and political support, and financial resources to survive humanitarian crisis. They help in any possible way, so therefore, we believe we'll survive. With partners, friends, we're not alone."

Key words : toyota suspend russia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220303_25/

Toyota Motor is one of the latest multinational corporations planning to suspend operations in Russia as tough sanctions are being imposed on the country due to the conflict in Ukraine.

The Japanese automaker is manufacturing sport utility vehicles and other models at a plant in Saint Petersburg.

Toyota says the lines will stop running from Friday. It cites difficulty in procuring parts due to supply-chain disruptions.

Toyota's local subsidiary will also halt its vehicle imports.

Toyota says in a statement that it is "monitoring global developments" and will make "decisions as required."

Honda Motor has announced a suspension of its Russia-bound exports.

Mitsubishi Motors says it may halt operations of its local plant.

Key words : envoy
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220303_01/

Cambodia has announced that a special envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will visit Myanmar later this month.

The Cambodian government announced on Wednesday that its Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn will be visiting Myanmar between March 20 and 23.

He will be the first ASEAN envoy to travel to Myanmar with the aim of mediating dialogue among all parties in the country. But the announcement did not touch on which parties he will be holding talks with.

Cambodia is the ASEAN's rotating chair this year.

ASEAN leaders last year reached a Five-Point Consensus on the situation in Myanmar. It calls for an immediate cessation of violence and the appointment of a special envoy to facilitate mediation of the dialogue process.

A number of ASEAN member states are strongly urging Myanmar's military to allow the envoy to meet pro-democracy representatives, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains detained.

The military has rejected the requests, branding Myanmar's pro-democracy National Unity Government and others "terrorist" groups.

The envoy plans to seek ways to realize dialogue with pro-democracy bodies, but has attached importance to engaging in talks with Myanmar's military.

Attention is focused on how he will be accepted by the military.

Key words : children snow
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220302_24/

A children's book based on a Ukrainian folk tale is gathering attention in Japan amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The story of "The Magic Glove," also known as "The Magic Mitten," begins with a glove dropped in a snowy forest by an old man. The glove accommodates all the animals that gather seeking warmth.

Since the Japanese version of the book was first published in 1965, it has been cherished by many children in Japan and has sold over 3 million copies.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many Japanese have posted about the story on social media, praying for peace in the country.

A bookstore in Tokyo has displayed copies of "The Magic Glove."

A customer in her 30s said she wants to read the book to her children. She also said she feels sad thinking of Ukrainian children experiencing anxiety.

The bookstore staff says the book has long been popular but now more customers are buying them with their children.

The staff says he hopes the world will soon become peaceful and children in Russia and Ukraine can enjoy reading the story just like kids in Japan.