at 18:30 (JST), May 13

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/20220513183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : defense minister fired three
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220512_41/

Japan's defense minister says North Korea fired three ballistic missiles on Thursday evening.

Kishi Nobuo told reporters that the missiles were launched from around the western coast of North Korea toward the Sea of Japan. He said they are estimated to have reached a maximum height of about 100 kilometers and flown around 350 kilometers before landing outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Kishi also said there were no reports of damage to aircraft or ships by the missiles.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff say three short-range ballistic missiles were fired from the Sunan area near Pyongyang shortly before 6:30 p.m.

Both the Japanese and South Korean governments have condemned the launch, calling it a threat to international peace and security.

North Korea has launched missiles every month this year.

The latest launch, the 15th this year, comes two days after the inauguration of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who pledged to enhance his country's deterrence against the North based on the South's alliance with the United States.

Yoon is scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden in Seoul on May 21.

Key words : kim ordered over 350,000
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220513_19/

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says there is a weakness in the country's infection prevention system.

North Korea confirmed its first coronavirus outbreak on Thursday. Kim ordered officials to lock down all cities and counties in the country.

North Korea's ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on Friday that Kim visited the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters on the previous day, and was briefed on the infection situation.

Kim reportedly said the spread of fever in the capital area shows that there is a vulnerable point in the country's epidemic prevention system. He instructed officials to step up preventive measures.

The newspaper showed pictures of Kim speaking with officials of the headquarters, and staff members lined up wearing protective gear.

The report said a fever of unknown cause spread explosively across the country since late last month, and that over 350,000 people had fevers. It said that about 162,200 people had recovered.

The newspaper said over 18,000 people were confirmed to have a fever on Thursday alone. It said about 187,800 people are being isolated and treated, and that six people had died, including one who was infected with the Omicron variant.

Key words : japan 200 million
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220513_04/

Japan has pledged up to 200 million dollars in additional aid to help Africa combat the coronavirus pandemic. The fund will be used to enhance the continent's capacity to locally produce pharmaceuticals and medical products, including vaccines.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio unveiled the plan in a video message delivered on Thursday at an online summit-level conference on the coronavirus. He said the assistance will be provided through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, known as JICA.

Kishida said, "More than two years have passed since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic." But he said that "in every corner of the world, people's health remains under threat and economic and social development is hampered."

Kishida stressed that concrete efforts must be accelerated to end the pandemic and build a better health security system.

He said Japan will steadily implement assistance totaling about 5 billion dollars to developing countries. The sum includes up to 500 million dollars committed to the COVAX Facility, a framework led by the World Health Organization for the development and distribution of coronavirus vaccines.

Key words : tourism industry
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220513_22/

Groups representing Japan's tourism industry have urged the tourism ministry to allow foreign tourists back into the country as soon as possible.

The coronavirus pandemic prompted the government to close the borders to tourists.

The groups on Thursday presented their written request to Tourism Minister Saito Tetsuo. The groups include the Japan Association of Travel Agents, the Japan Hotel Association, major airlines and Japan railway companies.

In the document, they point out that Japan is one of the few countries in the world closed to tourists.

They also say that if such strict measures drag on, travelers will no longer think of Japan as a place they need to visit.

The request also says allowing inbound tourists again will be key to Japan achieving a V-shaped economic recovery.

The groups also requested the end of a daily cap on foreign arrivals, and for the COVID-19 warning level set by the foreign ministry to be lowered.

Takahashi Hiroyuki, Chairperson of Japan Association of Travel Agents, said "We believe the weaker yen will help the tourism industry and we see this as a business tailwind. This should be a great opportunity for the government to bring tourists back to Japan."

The Japanese government is considering allowing back foreign travelers in phases starting in June at the earliest, after carefully assessing the coronavirus situation in Japan and abroad.

Key words : myanmar still fighting

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