at 18:30 (JST), June 15

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/20220615183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : unable release
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220615_10/

Editors at Bloomberg News say a Chinese employee held on suspicion of security violations has been freed. But they have been unable to contact her, months after she was released.

Authorities in Beijing escorted Haze Fan from her home in December 2020. They arrested her the following year on suspicion of crimes endangering national security.

Officials at the Chinese embassy in Washington say she was released in January on bail.

They posted a statement last month saying her case was still under investigation. They said her rights have been "fully protected," and her case has nothing to do with her status as a "foreign media employee."

Editors at Bloomberg say they are doing everything possible to help Fan and her family.

Key words : the yen 24-year
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220613_27/

The yen fell to a 24-year low against the US dollar on Monday. Investors sold the Japanese currency and bought the greenback to lock in higher US yields on a widening interest-rate gap between the two countries.

The yen briefly weakened to the 135-yen mark in Tokyo trading on Monday, its lowest level since October 1998.

The US Federal Reserve appears more committed to tighten policy to curb inflation. The Bank of Japan, by contrast, is sticking to its easy-money stance.

The US Consumer Price Index for May rose 8.6 percent from a year earlier, its highest level in more than 40 years. Investors say that level of inflation will likely prompt the Fed to accelerate its pace of rate hikes.

On the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the benchmark index fell sharply on Monday for a second straight trading day. The Nikkei Average ended at 26,987, down 836 points, or 3 percent, from Friday's close.

Investors unloaded shares in a wide range of sectors, including export-related stocks, despite the weaker yen.

The market players are concerned that inflation may persist in the US.

Key words : idemitsu
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220614_31/

Japanese oil wholesaler Idemitsu Kosan says it will terminate operations at one of its refineries in 2024. The firm will consider using the site as a receiving base for carbon-free materials such as hydrogen and ammonia.

Executive Vice President Nibuya Susumu made the announcement on Tuesday.

He said domestic demand for petroleum products has declined faster than expected, partly due to the accelerating global trend towards decarbonization.

He also cited structural issues such as Japan's aging population as a factor behind decreasing demand.

The refinery slated for closure is in Yamaguchi Prefecture in western Japan. It produces 1.5 million kiloliters of gasoline a year, about 10 percent of the group's output.

Idemitsu says the group will be able to maintain stable supply with output from its other refineries.

Rival oil wholesaler Eneos Holdings is planning a similar move. Eneos says it will close a refinery in Wakayama Prefecture, also in western Japan.

Key words : Timor-Leste abduction
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20220530195924781/

May saw the Southeast Asian nation of Timor-Leste celebrate 20 years since independence was restored. Before that, people there lived under more than four centuries of Portuguese, then Indonesian rule. However, the country, also known as East Timor, faces many challenges, including reuniting families torn apart by systemic child abduction.