at 18:30 (JST), May 17

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/20220517183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Kishida defense capabilities
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220517_03/

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and US President Joe Biden are to meet in Japan next week, amid China's increasingly assertive activities.

Kishida wants to confirm with Biden that Japan and the US will take steps to beef up their deterrence and response capabilities.

The meeting of the two leaders is scheduled for next Monday. This will be Biden's first visit to Japan as president. Key topics at the meeting are expected to include China's moves in the East China Sea, as well as its economic coercion.

The talks come at a time when China is showing its reluctance to explicitly criticize Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Kishida hopes to agree with Biden that any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force anywhere in the world is unacceptable.

Kishida will likely convey Japan's readiness to fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities. His ruling Liberal Democratic Party has proposed that Japan possess "counterattack capability" against ballistic missile threats and it has also called for an increase in defense expenditures.

Their discussions will also likely cover the US commitment to provide extended deterrence for Japan, using its conventional and nuclear capabilities.

The Japanese and US leaders are expected to confirm their commitment to providing support for Ukraine as well as placing heavy sanctions on Russia, in tandem with other G7 members.
They will also likely reaffirm the importance of calling on countries in Asia and Africa to work closely together on the matter.

Key words : and britain develop fighter jet
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220517_02/

Japan plans to deepen cooperation with Britain in the development of a new fighter jet that will replace the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's F-2 aircraft.

The Defense Ministry intends to have Japanese firms lead the development of the new jet. Research on its engine has already started. Japanese heavy machinery firm IHI Corporation and Britain's Rolls-Royce have been working on it together since January.

The ministry is now planning to expand the countries' cooperation beyond the engine to include the fuselage.

This follows a meeting earlier this month between Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his British counterpart Boris Johnson.

The leaders confirmed that their countries will reach an agreement by year-end on the outline of how they will work together in the development of the new jet.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which is in charge of overseeing the project as well as developing the fuselage, will discuss cooperation with British defense company BAE Systems.

This is the first time in more than 40 years that Japanese companies have led fighter jet development. Japanese engineers will receive technical support from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

The Defense Ministry hopes to begin the deployment of the new fighter jet by around 2035, when the retirement of the F-2 aircraft fleet will start.

Key words : shanghai return to normal
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220516_19/

Authorities in the Chinese city of Shanghai are planning for a return to normal life in June after a prolonged lockdown to combat coronavirus.

Vice Mayor Zong Ming announced the plan on Monday, as new infections in the city have been on the decline.

The daily count of new cases last month often exceeded 20,000. But on Sunday, the figure dropped to below 1,000 for the first time since March 23.

Zong said the city will fully restore normal production and life from June 1 onward, as long as the risk of a rebound of infections is under control.

Shanghai had extended a strict lockdown, which was originally planned to be lifted on April 5.

The vice mayor said the city will allow supermarkets and other stores to reopen in phases, starting on Monday. She also said operations of the subway train system and buses will be resumed gradually from next week.

Residents have been more frustrated over the lockdown, as the impact on their lives and economic activities has increased.

Key words : north reported 24 hours through
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220517_06/

North Korea's ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, has reported about 269,500 new fever cases and six deaths in the 24 hours through 6 P.M. on Monday.

The latest daily tally of cases, reported in the newspaper's Tuesday's edition, was 123,400 fewer than the previous day's total. This is reportedly the first decline since Pyongyang last week officially revealed the country's first COVID-19 cases.

North Korea's total number of confirmed fever cases since late April has exceeded 1,483,000, with 56 deaths. The country has a population of about 25.8 million.

The Rodong Sinmun also featured a front-page story reporting that the country's military on Monday staged a rally pledging victory over a "malignant virus."

The rally came after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued a special order mobilizing the military's medical corps to stabilize the supply of medicine.

The newspaper said military personnel pledged at the rally to overcome the quarantine crisis in the capital Pyongyang.

Senior officials of the ruling party and the government inspected pharmacies, which have shifted to a 24-hour operation, as well as facilities storing medicine.

Noting the country's poor medical system, North Korea watchers say the military rally was apparently designed to shore up unity to contain the spread of infections. Kim Jong Un has reportedly donated household medicine.

Key words : malaysia met NUG
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220516_26/

Malaysia's foreign minister has met with his counterpart in Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government. Malaysia is the first Southeast Asian country to engage with the pro-democracy NUG.

The informal talks were held on the sidelines of the US-ASEAN summit in Washington late last week.
The NUG's Zin Mar Aung tweeted that her meeting with Saifuddin Abdullah was "productive."

Saifuddin tweeted that his country is ready to work toward restoring peace and democracy in Myanmar.

Myanmar's military junta on Saturday warned ASEAN and Washington not to talk to the NUG, which it dubs a terrorist organization.

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said at the summit ASEAN should informally engage with the NUG. He pointed to the lack of progress in implementing a five-point road map the bloc drew up to resolve the conflict in Myanmar.

Key words : loan agreement
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220516_23/

Japan signed a loan agreement with Ukraine's government for the equivalent of 100 million dollars on Monday. It is part of a package of about 300 million dollars in support for the country facing an economic crisis caused by Russia's invasion.

The signing ceremony took place via video link. The president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tanaka Akihiko, signed the document in Tokyo, while Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko sealed it in Kyiv.

Tanaka described the Russian invasion and humanitarian crisis as the greatest threat this century to the international order that shares democratic values. He stressed the need to resolutely deal with this threat.

Marchenko expressed his gratitude for Japan's assistance. He said Japan is supporting Ukraine in various ways, including economic aid, amid the crucial situation which Ukrainians are experiencing.

The Japanese government previously said that it would provide the loan for Ukraine's reconstruction and other economic measures.

Key words : ukrainian singer
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220516_14/

Renowned Ukrainian singer Tina Karol has thanked Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for Japan's humanitarian aid to her country and asked for continued support.

Karol, who was invited to visit Japan by a Japanese firm, visited the prime minister in Tokyo on Monday. She was awarded the People's Artist of Ukraine in 2017 and presented with a state award by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2020.

Karol said Ukraine was attacked for choosing freedom and that Russia was destroying peaceful cities. She also said her country is fighting for world peace.

Kishida said he respects Karol for her work spreading awareness of the situation in Ukraine through her music.
He said he will not allow a unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force, adding that he will take the matter seriously and continue to work with the people of Ukraine.

Karol told reporters that she asked Kishida not to forget Ukraine. She said Kishida gave her a very important message that Japan will continue to support her country.