at 18:30 (JST), March 18

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/20220318183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : south korea 600,000 new
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220317_57/

South Korea has reported a record high of more than 600,000 new cases of coronavirus amid rapid spreading of infections.

The country's health authorities said they confirmed 621,328 new infections on Wednesday. That's up more than 200,000 from Tuesday, when the previous record was logged.

They said the number of people who died from COVID-19 on Wednesday was 429, also a record high.

People formed long lines at a virus testing venue in Seoul on Thursday.

Local media have quoted experts as saying one reason for the spike is the inclusion this week of positive antigen test results in the daily tally, which had been based on only PCR test results.

They also cited large gatherings of people during recent presidential election campaigning.

The government has predicted that the surge will reach its peak this week or in the first half of next week. It had planned to ease restrictions such as shorter business hours for restaurants and bars as early as next week, and said it would announce details on Friday.

But the government is apparently being forced to reconsider the plan due to opposition from some experts amid the record-high number of new cases.

Key words : lift all quasi
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220317_53/

Japan's coronavirus advisory panel has approved the government's plan to lift all quasi-emergency measures in the country after March 21.

The panel met on Thursday to discuss ending the restrictions now in place in 18 prefectures across the country, including Tokyo, Osaka and Aichi.

The government decided on the measure after assessing the infection situation, the state of medical care services in each region and requests from the prefectures.

The panel also approved the government's plan to ease self-isolating requirements for those who come into close contact with infected people in order to keep social and economic activities functioning.

Ordinary businesses with low risk of infection will no longer be uniformly required to identify close contacts who have to self-isolate.

The Cabinet Office's state minister in charge of coronavirus measures, Kikawada Hitoshi, explained that the government's top priority is to protect the lives of citizens.

He said it's important to promote efforts to restore social and economic activities while maintaining and stepping up the provision of medical services.

The government will make the decision official later on Thursday after briefing the Diet and holding a question-and-answer session. It will be the first time since January 8 for all of Japan's prefectures to be free of wide-sweeping coronavirus restrictions.

Key words : self-defense cyber
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220317_59/

Japan's Defense Ministry has launched a new integrated cyber defense unit of the Self-Defense Forces to improve the country's abilities to counter increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

The new task force, with a staff of 540, consolidates several cybersecurity units that had operated under different branches of the SDF.

At the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo handed a flag to the new unit's commander, Major General Kimura Akitsugu of the Ground Self-Defense Force.

Kishi told reporters that the start of the expanded cyber defense unit represents a major step forward in securing Japan's superiority in cyberspace, as the national security environment is becoming increasingly severe.

Key words : south jakarta
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220317_87/

Indonesia has taken its first step toward domestic electric vehicle production with the launch of the country's first plant making the eco-friendly cars.

South Korea's Hyundai Motor opened the facility near Jakarta on Wednesday. It plans to eventually produce up to 250,000 vehicles there for both local and global markets.

President Joko Widodo attended the plant's inauguration ceremony and inspected the first electric car produced in the country. He said Indonesia must become an important player in the EV industry's global supply chain.

The government has pushed for electric vehicle development in recent years, in part to help clear up the country's serious air pollution.

Another auto maker reportedly plans to start producing EVs in Indonesia by the end of this year.

The country is a major supplier of mineral resources essential for EV production, like nickel and cobalt.

The government said this year will be important for domestic lithium battery production, and it expects increasing investment. Its goal is for all EVs produced in Indonesia to use locally made batteries and other components by 2024.

Key words : ukraine abstain india
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