at 18:30 (JST), June 06

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/20220606183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : south korea on Monday
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220606_09/

South Korea and the United States have fired eight ground-to-ground missiles toward the Sea of Japan in an apparent aim to keep North Korea in check after its missile launches a day earlier.

South Korea's military said on Sunday that North Korea fired a total of eight short-range ballistic missiles from four locations, including from Sunan near Pyongyang, toward the east over a period of more than 30 minutes.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency says South Korean and US military forces launched the same number of ATACMS missiles over a 10-minute period from 4:45 a.m. on Monday.

Seven of the missiles were reportedly fired by South Korea, and one by US forces.

South Korea's military says the joint firing of the missiles "demonstrated the capability and posture to launch immediate precision strikes on the origins of provocations and their command and support forces."

On May 25, North Korea fired three projectiles, including what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile. Shortly after, the US and South Korean militaries launched two ground-to-ground missiles.

The US and South Korea remain on high alert amid growing concerns that North Korea may conduct its seventh nuclear test in the near future.

Key words : Kishida strongly criticize
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Key words : ashigara
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220605_25/

Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the US military have held a joint drill to respond to a ballistic missile launch.

The Japanese Defense Ministry says the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Ashigara, which is equipped with the advanced Aegis radar system, took part in the exercise on Sunday.

The ministry also says the participants checked the procedures for sharing information.

The drill is believed to have been a countermeasure to North Korea's ballistic missile launches earlier in the day.

The ministry has announced that at least six missiles were fired from three or more locations.
Fighter jets from Japan and the US made a joint flight over the Sea of Japan after North Korea fired at least two ballistic missiles on May 25.

Key words : 33rd
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220605_02/

A civic group in Taiwan unveiled a replica of the "Pillar of Shame" statue honoring the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident on its 33rd anniversary on Saturday.

The original sculpture created by a Danish artist had been on the University of Hong Kong's campus since 1998. Memorial services were held in front of the statue every year.

However, the university removed the statue last December following a series of arrests under the territory's national security law that is designed to clamp down on anti-government activities.

With permission from the Danish creator, the civic group in Taiwan has reproduced the statue using a 3-D printer.

About 500 participants, including Hong Kong people living in Taiwan, observed a silent prayer for 64 seconds from 8:09 p.m. that represented June 4, 1989.

The deadly incident unfolded after the Chinese military opened fire on pro-democracy students and other demonstrators who had gathered around the square.

Beijing says the incident left 319 people dead. But critics say the fatalities could be several thousand.

The organizers of Saturday's event said military aircraft and vessels of the same government which cracked down on students and deprived Hong Kong of its freedom are now deployed around Taiwan.

They said that if Taiwan people want citizens of other countries to think about Taiwan, they should regard what happened to those oppressed by the Chinese Communist Party as what they will experience.

Key words : Tiananmen prevent
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220605_03/

Authorities in Hong Kong have again prevented an annual vigil for victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, which had been held for years in the Chinese territory.

Tens of thousands of people had gathered for an annual vigil at Victoria Park and lit candles in remembrance of victims of the deadly incident.

On Saturday evening, police officers sealed off access to the park and checked people's belongings in a nearby shopping area.

Since 2020, Hong Kong authorities have banned the annual gathering, citing measures being taken for the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2020, China imposed a national security law on Hong Kong aimed at criminalizing anti-Beijing protests.

No groups applied for permission to hold an event for this year's anniversary after an organizing group of the annual vigil was forced to disband last year. Many pro-democracy activists have been arrested or charged.

The annual commemoration was viewed as a symbol of Hong Kong's freedom of speech and assembly guaranteed under the "one country, two systems" framework.

A man who had taken part in the vigil every year said that it's extremely difficult not to be able to say what he wants to say and that he has to hold his feelings back.

Key words : beijing easing movie
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220606_01/

Municipal authorities in Beijing say they are easing anti-coronavirus restrictions, allowing indoor dining at restaurants to resume on Monday for the first time in about a month.

The ban on dine-in services came after the daily number of newly confirmed infections started to climb in the Chinese capital in late April. About 50 new cases per day were reported for many days in May.

City officials decided to lift the ban, except for some areas, as new infection tallies have been on a downswing over recent days.

They are also allowing employees in most areas of Beijing to work at offices, instead of from home. Tourist facilities, parks, movie theaters and other spots are reopening with limits on visitor numbers.
Officials are requiring residents to show negative results of PCR tests taken within 72 hours to enter offices, commercial buildings and other public spaces. People previously needed to undergo PCR tests 48 hours prior to entry.

Officials also plan to end online lessons at elementary, junior high and other schools, and return to in-person classes in stages from next week.

Officials hope that easing the stringent restrictions will rejuvenate Beijing's economy, which has been battered by sluggish consumption.

Key words : china successfully
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220605_19/

China says it has successfully launched a spacecraft with three astronauts tasked with completing the country's space station.

State-run China Central Television reported that the Shenzhou-14 took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China after 10:40 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing time.

The spacecraft entered its planned orbit 10 minutes later, and the launch was declared a success.

The three astronauts will spend six months in the space station, which the Chinese authorities plan to complete by the end of this year. Their mission will include the docking of two lab modules.

China has been speeding up its space program. It has sent unmanned probes to the moon and Mars and aims to become a leader in space development.

Key words : massive fire
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220605_23/

A massive fire at a container depot in southern Bangladesh has killed at least 43 people and injured about 300 others.

The fire started on Saturday night near the port city of Chittagong, about 200 kilometers from the capital Dhaka.

Reports say the flames spread to many containers and triggered explosions. Local authorities say the victims include workers at the facility and firefighters who were battling the blaze.

Multiple local media outlets say the explosions occurred because the chemicals in some containers caught fire.

The fire had yet to be brought under control on Sunday afternoon, raising concerns that the number of casualties could rise.

The depot is a key logistics center for exporting and importing goods.

Lax regulations have been blamed for a series of fatal factory and warehouse fires in Bangladesh in recent years.

Key words : horie completed 69
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220606_10/

Yachtsman Horie Kenichi says he is in the prime of his youth after becoming the world's oldest person to make a solo, nonstop voyage across the Pacific at the age of 83.

Horie spoke on Sunday at a ceremony to welcome him back at a yacht harbor in the western Japanese city of Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.

He left San Francisco in late March and reached the goal line set in the waters south of the prefecture early on Saturday morning after sailing for 69 days.

Horie thanked the supporters who had gathered to congratulate him and give him flowers.

The octogenarian said he used up all his mental and physical energy during the solo voyage, but he feels he is still in the prime of his youth.

He said he will continue to work hard with the aim of having his talents mature at an advanced age.

Horie first made the headlines 60 years ago, when he sailed from Japan to San Francisco. He was the first person to cross the Pacific alone by yacht with no port calls.

A 62-year-old participant at the ceremony said he handed Horie a bunch of flowers 60 years ago. He said he was encouraged by Horie's challenging spirit as he completed the adventure at 83 by risking his life.

Horie told reporters that he was pleased to have been allowed to give it a try. He said he will continue to work hard as a "lifelong challenger."