at 18:30 (JST), July 29

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/20220729183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : 47 avoid
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220729_09/

The Japanese government has decided to introduce a new system to allow the country's 47 prefectures to issue declarations on their own to step up coronavirus measures.

Japan reported a record high of more than 230,000 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday amid the spread of the Omicron BA.5 subvariant. Tokyo's daily count also topped 40,000 for the first time.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met with relevant ministers to discuss ways to tackle Japan's seventh wave of infections.

They shared the view that more people with a fever are coming to hospitals and the burden on medical institutions is increasing at a fast pace.

The ministers agreed on the need to prevent medical institutions from reaching their limits, while maintaining social and economic activities.

Under the new system to be announced on Friday, the country's prefectural governments can issue declarations to combat the BA.5 subvariant when the burden on medical institutions in their area increases, for example, when hospital bed occupancy rates exceed 50 percent.

Under those declarations, local governments will urge residents to take anti-infection measures, such as early vaccinations and remote working. They also may ask elderly people and those with underlying conditions to avoid crowded places.

The government says it will send officials who serve as liaisons to local governments that issued such declarations, when necessary.

Key words : industry law
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220729_05/

Chinese Communist Party officials say the minister of industry and information technology has been placed under investigation for suspected violations of party discipline and laws.

The party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said on Thursday that Xiao Yaqing is under scrutiny. It did not reveal details of the allegations.

Xiao entered the political world after serving as general manager of a state-owned major aluminum producer. He assumed the ministerial post in 2020.

Experts say sitting Chinese ministers are rarely placed under investigation. Officials are believed to face a higher likelihood of indictment once they are probed for suspected discipline violations.

President Xi Jinping's administration has been pushing an anti-corruption drive since its inauguration.

Analysts say it is working to tighten discipline among Communist Party officials in the run-up to the party's congress later this year, when Xi is expected to seek a third term as party leader. The congress is held once every five years.

Key words : pakistan monsoon rain
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220728_36/

People in Pakistan have been enduring weeks of monsoon rains that have triggered massive floods.

The death toll has exceeded 330 since mid-June.

Residents of a flood-hit area of the southwestern Balochistan province were left stranded. They evacuated by wading along flooded roads.

Weeks of downpours have damaged roads, bridges and over 8,000 homes across the country.

Pakistan is in the middle of monsoon season. Many areas are experiencing heavier-than-average rainfall this year.

Government officials blame climate change. They are urging people in affected areas to check weather information and evacuate to safe places.

Concerns are mounting that water polluted by the rain could cause cholera to spread.

Key words : school tough time
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20220721133347611/

Schools in Japan are having a tough time tackling cyberbullying. The rise of virtual classrooms during the pandemic, and the widespread use of smartphones, means harassment is happening online, away from the eyes of school staff. NHK's Nakagawa Saori has a look at how some schools are finding ways to stop bullying before it gets out of hand.