at 18:30 (JST), May 12

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/20220512183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : japan introduced
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220512_01/

Japan introduced additional sanctions on Russia on Thursday over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They include an effective ban on new investments.

Government approval is required to obtain 10 percent or more of a Russian company's shares, or to extend new loans to Russian firms with terms lasting over a year. That means an effective ban on those activities.

Payments to Russian firms and other organizations are also banned.

Japan has taken a series of measures in response to Russia's aggression.

The government introduced restrictions on the transfer of crypto assets by people on the sanction list to third parties on Tuesday. The move is aimed at preventing the use of digital assets as a loophole.

The Japanese government also stripped Moscow of "most favored nation" trade status last month, raising tariffs on imports from Russia.

Also on Tuesday, the government added 141 people, including Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, to its list of those subject to asset freezing.

Key words : hong kong
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220512_05/

The Hong Kong police have arrested four people, including a 90-year-old Roman Catholic cleric, on suspicion of operating a fund that supported anti-government protesters.

The police announced they detained a former bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen, singer-actress Denise Ho and two others. The four were released Wednesday night.

The police say Zen and three others colluded with foreign forces to run a legal aid organization that violates the national security law.

The now-defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund helped those who took part in anti-government protests three years ago and were arrested or injured.

Zen, a prominent pro-democracy activist, has long been critical of Beijing's restrictions on religion. In recent days he had been supporting activists detained or imprisoned in Hong Kong.

Asked about the arrest of Zen, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday that freedom of expression is critical to prosperous and secure societies.

She called on Beijing and Hong Kong to cease targeting activists and to immediately release those who have been unjustly detained and charged.

Key words : north omicron attendance
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220512_11/

North Korea's state-run news agency says the country is entering a stage of "maximum emergency" after detecting its first case of the coronavirus.

The Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday that the country's first case of the Omicron variant had been confirmed on Sunday in the capital Pyongyang.

The news agency said implementation of the maximum emergency virus control system was decided at a meeting of the ruling party's Political Bureau, with leader Kim Jong Un in attendance.

This is the first time North Korea has officially recognized a COVID-19 infection in the country.

Key words : afghan rally
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220511_04/

Several dozen women have held a rally in the Afghan capital Kabul to protest against the Taliban's decision to require women to cover their faces in public.

About 40 women took to the street on Tuesday, arguing that a decree on compulsory face-covering is a step too far.

One protester said the Islamist group should work to improve the living standards of poor people, but instead they are focusing on limiting women's rights.

She urged the international community to pay attention to the situation.

After the 30-minute rally, Taliban fighters briefly detained demonstrators and media personnel covering the protest.

The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said last week that Muslim women must cover their faces except for the eyes with the "hijab" when in public.

The ministry also said male relatives of women who do not comply will be detained.

The UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan criticizes the decree for contradicting the Taliban's assurances that they will respect and protect women's human rights.

Key words : india heat wave
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220511_24/

Parts of northern India are in the grip of an intense heat wave, with both water and power in short supply due to a spike in consumption.

The temperature in New Delhi has soared to dangerous levels in recent weeks, up to 45 degrees Celsius.

People are struggling to cope, and many must wait in long lines every day to get water.

Summer began early this year. India suffered its hottest March in over a century. Since April, many places have recorded temperatures above 40 degrees on most days.

Animals are suffering along with humans. A zoo in the western city of Pune has installed fans, sprinklers and water coolers to help the animals.
Many local governments are taking action on their own, as the heat is expected to continue in wide areas over the coming few weeks.

Key words : zero-corona alternative approach
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220511_31/

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has defended the country's zero-coronavirus policy after the World Health Organization chief said it is not sustainable.

Zhao Lijian spoke to reporters on Wednesday about the comment made by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the previous day. Tedros suggested that China needs to seek an alternative approach in its anti-coronavirus measures.

Zhao said the Chinese government's virus control measures can stand the test of history and they are scientific and effective.

He said everyone in the international community acknowledges "the fact" that China is one of the world's most successful countries in fighting the virus.

The spokesperson said China hopes that the individual concerned can view the country's COVID policy objectively and rationally, instead of making what he called irresponsible remarks.

Key words : chinese byd
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220511_11/

Major Chinese electric-vehicle maker BYD has set a target of selling 4,000 electric buses in Japan by 2030. The firm is one of the leading producers of such vehicles, having sold about 70,000 units worldwide.

BYD unveiled a new range of EV buses in Tokyo on Tuesday. The company says it also has plans to launch two models next year that offer 10 percent longer driving ranges.

"The goal should not be difficult to reach as transportation operators are increasingly aware of the need to shift to electric," said Hanada Shinsaku, Executive Vice President of BYD Japan. "We are doing what we can to help Japan achieve carbon neutrality.

BYD entered the Japanese market in 2015 and has quickly made big inroads. The company now produces more than 70 percent of the electric buses sold in the country.

Competition between Japanese and overseas manufacturers has been heating up in the business-use EV sector in recent years. Japan's Isuzu Motors and Hino Motors are the latest firms to enter the field. They have announced a plan to jointly build electric buses starting in fiscal 2024.