at 18:30 (JST), August 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/20220815183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : moment of silence 70
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220815_16/

People in Japan are marking 77 years since the end of World War Two. On August 15, 1945, people gathered around their radios to hear a message from the Emperor. He announced that Japan had surrendered. Millions of Japanese people died in the war. On Monday, the government held a ceremony to remember them.

About 1,000 people attended the annual event in Tokyo. The number of attendees this year was reduced as a coronavirus measure.

The country observed a moment of silence at the stroke of noon to honor people who were killed in the war.

Over 2 million were related to the Imperial Japanese military and about 800,000 were civilians.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako took part in the memorial event.

Emperor Naruhito said, "Looking back on the long period of post-war peace, reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated. Together with all our people, I now pay my heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives in the war, both on the battlefields and elsewhere, and pray for world peace and for the continuing developments of our country."

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio also delivered a speech, saying Japan is committed to building peace and prosperity.

He said, "Conflicts are still a constant in this world, but our nation will, under the banner of proactive contribution to peace, work committedly with the global community to solve the various challenges that the world is facing."

More than three quarters of the relatives of the war dead who attended Monday's ceremony are over the age of 70.

One of them is 83-year-old Otsuki Kenichi. His father left to fight in China while his mother was pregnant with him. His father died without knowing that he was born.

Otsuki said, "The world is still plagued with conflicts, like Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They are causing families to lose their loved ones every day, like we did. It's our sincere hope that peace will prevail in the world as soon as possible."

Events to remember the lives lost in the war and to reflect on peace are being held throughout the day, across Japan.

Key words : one year taliban growing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220815_06/

Monday marks one year since the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan. But Taliban rulers remain under growing international criticism for restricting the rights of girls and women.

The Islamist group took over the capital, Kabul, on August 15, 2021 amid the withdrawal of US forces from the country.

Taliban leaders resumed governance in accordance with their interpretations of Islamic law. They decreed earlier this year that women must cover themselves from head to toe, including their faces, when they are in public.

The rulers have also not allowed girls to attend secondary schools. They say the correct environment should be prepared first.

The Taliban have failed to fulfill repeated demands by the United Nations and others that they should improve the situation. No country outside Afghanistan has recognized the legitimacy of the Taliban rule.

Afghanistan's economy is in dire straits as it has not been able to receive international aid, which had constituted large shares of the country's national budgets even before the Taliban takeover.

Afghanistan is also facing grave food shortages. The World Food Programme said in May that 18.9 million people in the country were facing acute food insecurity. That translates to half its population.

Taliban leaders are seeking international financial assistance and also calling for Afghanistan's frozen assets overseas to be freed up. The assets in the United States and elsewhere were frozen following the Taliban takeover.

Key words : myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220814_15/

Myanmar's junta-controlled election panel has issued a notice that requires political parties to ask for permission to meet foreigners.

Media outlets in Myanmar reported on Saturday that the election commission under the country's ruling military issued the notice last Thursday. Political parties in Myanmar will now need its permission if they wish to meet foreign organizations or individuals.

The panel notes that if parties fail to meet the requirement, their registration will be canceled.

The statement also claims that irregularities were committed during the general elections in November 2020 with interference from foreign embassies and civic organizations.

Ko Ko Gyi of the pro-democracy People's Party told reporters that meeting foreigners and getting assistance from them are different matters. He said the restriction was impractical and illegal.

Myanmar's ruling military has become further isolated since four pro-democracy activists were executed last month. The executions drew international condemnation.

The notification is believed to be aimed at monitoring international moves to support pro-democracy forces in Myanmar.

Key words : taiwan opened
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220813_15/

Taiwanese authorities have opened a research and development center for unmanned aerial vehicles.

The center, which brings together industry, government and academia, is located in the southern county of Chiayi.

Facilities have been set up by private drone makers, defense ministry-affiliated agencies and universities. The aim is to explore cutting-edge drone technologies combining artificial intelligence and other applications.

An opening ceremony was held on Saturday. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen as well as the defense minister and other officials were in attendance.

Tsai said Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shown the importance of unmanned aerial vehicles, and she expects the UAV industry to grow in importance.

She went on to say that Taiwan will actively boost its capabilities to defend itself and cope with the disparity in military power with China.

Taiwan's move comes as Ukraine is reportedly using drones effectively to repel Russian attacks.

Taiwan is apparently trying to speed up efforts to establish a system to mass produce high-performance drones on its own, as China is increasing its military pressure on Taiwan.

China has a large share of the commercial drone market. But Taiwanese authorities and manufacturers see growing opportunities for Taiwan in terms of its supply chain safety and reliability.

Key words : five chinese
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220813_04/

Five Chinese state-owned firms announced on Friday that they are delisting from the New York Stock Exchange, citing tougher US regulations.

They include PetroChina, Sinopec and China Life Insurance. All are on a list of Chinese entities that have been warned of possible delisting, should they fail to fully show their auditing records to US regulators.

Private companies on the list include online retail giant Alibaba Group Holdings.

Beijing is also strengthening oversight of Chinese firms whose stocks are traded abroad. Authorities suggested on Friday that they do not believe the decision by the five entities will affect the overseas listings of others.

Analysts say the regulations could further decouple the US and Chinese economies.

Key words : harris attend
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220815_01/

Japanese government sources say Washington is considering a plan for Vice President Kamala Harris to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in Tokyo next month.

It would be Harris' first visit to Japan in her current capacity.

The sources say President Joe Biden will not be able to attend the September 27 ceremony due to scheduling conflicts.

They add that other possible attendees include former US President Barack Obama and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Obama, along with Abe, visited the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor in Hawaii while they were in office. Merkel met Abe at international meetings and other occasions.

The Japanese government is expected to consult other countries to learn who will be attending the funeral.

It is also likely to expedite preparations for the ceremony, such as security arrangements for the venue and dignitaries.

Abe was shot dead on July 8 while giving an election campaign speech in Nara City, western Japan.