at 18:30 (JST), March 08

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/20220308183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : japan and the
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220308_10/

Eleven countries, including Japan and the United States, have released a statement condemning North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch.

The move came after members of the UN Security Council again failed to agree on a concerted response at a closed-door session on Monday.

North Korea launched the missile toward the Sea of Japan last Saturday. It said the following day that it had staged a test to develop a reconnaissance satellite.

The 11 countries, including seven Security Council members, called the test-firing a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Their statement urges Pyongyang "to choose the path of dialogue over instability and to prioritize the basic needs and human rights of its own people" over its ballistic missile programs.

The statement also calls on all Security Council members "to speak with one voice in condemning these dangerous and unlawful acts."

The UN Security Council has held five emergency sessions in response to the North's missile launches this year.

But none of the meetings ended with an agreement, with China and Russia opposing stronger sanctions proposed by the US and others.

Key words : china dispute invasion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220307_32/

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for settling disputes by peaceful means through dialogue and negotiations, in reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Wang was speaking at a news conference on Monday on the sidelines of a National People's Congress meeting in Beijing.

He said China is willing to work with the international community to carry out necessary mediation when needed.

Wang described Beijing's ties with Moscow as one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. He said cooperation between the two countries brings benefits to the two peoples, and contributes to global peace, stability and prosperity.

Wang said China's friendship with Russia is "rock-solid" and there are bright prospects for cooperation between them.

He said no matter how precarious and challenging the international situation may be, China and Russia will steadily advance their comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era.

Key words : japan new law foreign media
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220307_36/

Japan's top government spokesperson on Monday expressed deep concern that a new law in Russia is forcing foreign media to suspend operations in the country.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu was referring to a recently enacted law that effectively limits the freedom of press.

Speaking at a news conference, he also condemned Moscow and state media for disseminating false information to ''support'' the country's aggression against Ukraine.

Asked whether the International Criminal Court should initiate proceedings to charge Russian President Vladimir Putin, Matsuno said Russia's military operation in Ukraine clearly violates international law and is totally unacceptable. He said the Japanese government harshly condemns it.

Matsuno said the government has been and will closely watch developments regarding the ICC's judicial proceedings.

Key words : wast nuclear accident
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220308_08/

Japan's government says almost all of the contaminated waste collected in Fukushima Prefecture following the 2011 nuclear accident will have been moved to interim storage sites by the end of this fiscal year.

The project to transfer contaminated soil and vegetation, along with other waste to the interim facilities began in 2015. Officials say this will be largely completed by the end of fiscal 2021 at the end of this month.

The Environment Ministry says decontamination work, which was conducted in areas other than so-called "difficult-to-return" zones, has produced roughly 14 million cubic meters of waste. Of them, 92 percent, or over 12 million cubic meters, were mostly transferred to the interim sites, while others were processed for reuse.

Officials say waste that has been left where it was due to transport difficulties will be removed in the next fiscal year.

Decontamination efforts are also underway in parts of the "difficult-to-return" zones, which have relatively high levels of radiation. Officials plan to formulate concrete plans for the remaining areas after consulting with residents.

The waste stockpiled at the interim facilities is required by law to be moved out of Fukushima for final disposal by 2045, but exactly how it will be done has yet to be determined.

Key words : hino motor
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220307_29/

Inspectors from Japan's transport ministry raided the Tokyo head office of major truck maker Hino Motors on Monday over rigged engine data.

The company has admitted to falsifying data on emissions and fuel economy for three types of engine sold in the domestic market.

Hino is said to have used manipulated data for a medium duty engine to obtain certification needed for production. Government officials plan to decide whether to revoke the permit based on the results of their probe.

Officials suspect that some of the engines fall short of emission safety standards as a key component was replaced during testing to inflate performance. Hino is considering a recall, which would cover more than 43,000 units.

The company says the misconduct dates back to at least September 2016. It plans to investigate further to see whether the practice began earlier.

Key words : china denounced
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220307_38/

China's foreign minister has denounced the new US strategy for the Indo-Pacific region.

Wang Yi mentioned the strategy during a news conference on Monday on the sidelines of the National People's Congress.

He said the real goal of the strategy unveiled in February is to establish another version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to maintain US hegemony.

He criticized the Quad framework made up of the United States, Japan, Australia and India, adding that China staunchly opposes claims that incite regional confrontation.

In announcing the strategy, Washington said it will strengthen cooperation with regional allies and partners in a wide range of fields with the aim of countering China's growing influence.

Key words : putin removed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220307_12/

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been removed from all the positions he held at the International Judo Federation, or IJF.

The IJF announced the move on its website on Sunday. This comes after the federation suspended Putin as its honorary president and ambassador last month, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Putin holds a black belt in judo. He began practicing the sport when he was 13 years old.

Late last month, the IJF canceled an international competition that was due to be held in May in Kazan, Russia.

The federation also announced last week that it will only allow Russian athletes to participate in IJF events "under the IJF flag, logo and anthem."