at 18:30 (JST), April 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/20220418183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : south exercise possible
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220418_08/

The South Korean and US militaries started their annual springtime joint exercises on Monday, despite a strong protest from North Korea.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff says the forces will simulate a response to a possible contingency on the Korean Peninsula. The drills will be held through April 28. This will be the last joint military training exercise under outgoing President Moon Jae-in's leadership.

Computer-simulated defensive drills will be carried out instead of live-fire training in the field. This is due to the coronavirus pandemic and other factors.

The South Korean military has stressed that its aim is to bolster its defensive capabilities by enhancing the two forces' operational readiness.

North Korea issued a statement on Sunday. It said that it will make aggressors and provokers that undermine peace on the Korean Peninsula pay a price.

Countries are remaining vigilant, as Pyongyang may launch more ballistic missiles or conduct its seventh nuclear test.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said some observers believe that the North could send a message by staging a military parade on April 25 to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army.

Key words : north successfully short-range
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220417_08/

North Korea says it has successfully conducted a test launch of what it calls a "new-type tactical guided weapon."

The newspaper of the country's ruling Workers' Party, Rodong Sinmun, reported in its Sunday edition that the launch took place in the presence of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

It is believed the weapon was a short-range ballistic missile. The launch likely took place on Saturday.

The paper published photos of the projectile shooting up from a launcher and hitting a target island. One showed Kim clapping and smiling with soldiers.

The report said the weapons system will help strengthen the effectiveness of the country's tactical nuclear operations and diversify its firepower.

It also said Kim gave instructions on further strengthening the country's defense capacity and nuclear combat forces.

Observers say North Korea may have carried out the launch in response to upcoming joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea. The drills are due to begin on Monday in South Korea.

North Korea unveiled a five-year defense plan in January of last year, and has repeatedly conducted test launches of weapons such as ballistic missiles.

Key words : afghan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220418_03/

The Afghan air force has accused Pakistan's military of conducting airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan, killing 50 people, including children.

An Afghan air force official told NHK that the attacks took place in the eastern provinces of Khost and Kunar on Saturday. The official said 25 people were injured.

The Taliban's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi summoned Pakistan's ambassador in Kabul to protest the strikes.

In response, Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday that its security forces had been targeted in a cross-border attack from Afghanistan, and claimed there had been victims in the last few days.

But the ministry would not say whether Pakistan's military conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan.

The Pakistani Taliban, an Islamic militant group based in Pakistan, has repeatedly attacked the country's military since December.

The Pakistani government claims the militants have been carrying out attacks against Pakistan from inside Afghan territory.

Officials in Islamabad have called on the Taliban interim government, which is said to have links to the group, to act to stop them.

Key words : chinese GDP grew
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220418_14/

The Chinese economy grew at a faster pace from January to March compared to the previous quarter.

The National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday that GDP growth was 4.8 percent compared to the same period a year ago. That was faster than the 4.0 percent in the October-to-December quarter last year.

But analysts say the country's economy faces risks from the spread of the coronavirus. Still, the government is aiming for around 5.5 percent growth this year.

Key words : Biden host
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220417_09/

The White House says the leaders of the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet next month in Washington.

A statement issued on Saturday says President Joe Biden will host a special summit on May 12 and 13.

It says a top priority of the Biden administration is to serve as a "strong, reliable partner in Southeast Asia."

The summit is seen as a US attempt to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, with China in mind.
The US regards China as a top diplomatic priority even with the latest developments in Ukraine.

ASEAN members are at odds over regional issues, including Myanmar and tensions in the South China Sea, while China accelerates its diplomatic offensive.

ASEAN members are also concerned that the deepening tension between the US and China could divide the organization.

They are expected to call on the US to find ways to engage in the region in a way that does not undermine its stability.

Key words : south delegation visit Japan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220417_15/

South Korea's President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has decided to send a delegation to Japan later this month. It is expected to talk with the Japanese side on North Korea, wartime labor and those referred to as comfort women.

A spokesperson for Yoon's transition team said on Sunday that the delegation will visit Japan from April 24 through 28. Yoon will officially become president on May 10.

She added the seven-member delegation includes National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Jin-suk. They will meet Japanese Foreign Ministry officials, Diet lawmakers and others.

The spokesperson said the delegation will hold policy consultations on North Korea as well as cooperation between South Korea and Japan and their collaboration with the United States.

She explained the transition team expects the visit to lay the foundation for the resolution of pending issues between South Korea and Japan.

The delegation will be the second sent overseas by Yoon after he won the presidential election last month. The dispatch apparently signals his willingness to enhance ties with Japan for better trilateral relations involving the US.

Key words : holiday season expect 70 percent
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220418_06/

A major Japanese travel agency is expecting the number of domestic travelers during the upcoming spring holiday season to increase by nearly 70 percent from a year ago.

JTB estimates that about 16 million people will travel to domestic destinations between late April and early May. The estimation is based on bookings for accommodations and economic benchmarks.

The figure is up 68.4 percent from last year's spring holiday season when Tokyo, Osaka and two other prefectures were under a coronavirus state of emergency.

But the number is 33.4 percent lower than the same period in 2019 before the pandemic.

An online survey shows that those who plan to travel will make a longer trip this year. Of more than 1,700 respondents, 36.1 percent said they plan to make a two-day overnight trip. That's a drop of 3.1 percentage points from a year ago.

And 32.6 percent plan to make a three-days-two-nights trip, followed by 17.1 percent planning to travel for four days.

Both travel plans increased by 4 points and 0.8 points respectively.

Key words : three chinese
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220416_19/

Three Chinese astronauts have returned to Earth after spending nearly half a year on board their country's space station.

The trio -- two men and one woman -- landed in the Inner Mongolia region on Saturday.

State-run China Central Television broadcast the landing of the Shenzhou 13 space capsule live.

The astronauts headed for the space station in October last year. The outpost is still under construction. They reportedly conducted spacewalks and carried out technical tests during their 6-month stay, the longest ever for Chinese astronauts.

The state media said a crucial technical review had been completed during the latest mission, giving great momentum toward the completion of the space station possibly within this year.

On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited a satellite launch center on the southern island of Hainan. He issued instructions to step up preparation work for the completion of the station as the country's Communist Party plans to hold a congress later this year.

The United States has said it will send a manned mission to the moon, fueling international competition in space exploration. Observers say China's leadership aims to enhance its national prestige through the space project.