at 18:30 (JST), August 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/20220829183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : african leaders importance
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220829_02/

Leaders from Japan and African countries at a Tokyo-led conference have stressed the importance of what they call "sound development finance." It comes at a time when China has been offering huge loans to African nations.

The leaders adopted the Tunis Declaration and concluded the Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD 8, in Tunisia on Sunday.

The declaration calls private-sector investment "critical for Africa's inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development."

It says the leaders reaffirm the importance of Japan-Africa partnership to promote innovation from the private sector through technology transfer and to strengthen industrial human resources development.

It says they "recognize the transformative roles of start-ups and private companies, including youth and women entrepreneurship, as emerging driving force to resolve social challenges in Africa."

The declaration says the leaders "stress the importance of sound development finance adhering to international rules and standards." They "urge all major creditors including private lenders to adopt and follow fair and open lending practices."

The declaration says the leaders "fully commit to achieving universal health coverage in African countries" as the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in the health sector.

It says they "highlight the need to address Africa's limited access to vaccines and medical products, especially in crisis circumstances."

The declaration says that to achieve sustainable development in Africa, the leaders emphasize "the pressing need to address environmental issues," such as climate change, natural disasters, waste management and desertification. They call for "scaled-up international support" for Africa to tackle the challenges.

The declaration says the leaders "express serious concern about the situation in Ukraine and its impact on African and global economies."

It says they "emphasize the importance of the preservation of peace, security and stability, through dialogue and respect for the principles of international law."

They also "call upon all international partners to support African countries to overcome the increasing food and energy prices."

The declaration says the leaders reaffirm their "commitment to realizing a world without nuclear weapons" and recognize "the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the nuclear weapons use."

It says they "are committed to maintain and strengthen the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime."

The declaration also says the leaders are determined to cooperate to accelerate the reform of the UN Security Council.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio spoke online at a joint news conference at TICAD on Sunday. He canceled his in-person attendance after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Kishida said Japan aspires to be a partner that grows together with Africa. He said Japan contributes strongly to the continent's development by jointly overcoming challenges.

Key words : us navy trait corridor
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220828_10/

The US Navy said two of its warships were sailing through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday.

The Navy's Seventh Fleet said Navy cruisers USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville were conducting a "routine" transit through the strait.

It said the ships passed through a corridor "beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state," and that the action demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The US Navy had frequently had its ships sail through the strait in the past, but this was the first such operation since tension heightened with China over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this month.

The United States is believed to be reemphasizing its commitment to Taiwan and East Asia. Meanwhile, China appears to be trying to shift the status quo by putting pressure on Taiwan with military drills and flights over the median line in the strait in the wake of Pelosi's visit.

Key words : ichiro inducted
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220828_09/

Japanese former Major League Baseball star, Suzuki Ichiro has been inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame.

An induction ceremony was held at the team's home field in Seattle on Saturday.

Ichiro joined the Mariners in 2001 to become the first Japanese non-pitcher to play in the Major Leagues.

He was selected for All-Star Games and reached 200 hits for 10 straight years until 2010. In 2004, he knocked 262 hits to set a MLB single-season record.

Ichiro was greeted with a big cheer and the Ichiro chant when he appeared in a suit. His wife Yumiko and former teammates were among the attendees.

Ichiro gave a speech in English, and excited the packed stadium by starting with the words "What's up, Seattle?"

He reflected on his career in his 17-minute speech peppered with jokes. He recalled he was first "shocked" when then Seattle Mariners manager Lou Piniella kissed him on the cheek.

Ichiro said even though he retired as an active player, baseball will forever be his soul. He said he still proudly wears the Mariners uniform.

He wrapped up the speech with a message to "the outstanding fans of Seattle." He said, "You cheered loudly for me as a new player that first game 21 years ago, and you never stopped. When I returned in 2018, it was as if I never left. The passion with which you welcomed me back touched my heart. It is one of the best memories of my career, and I will never forget the feeling. It is my greatest honor to have played for you as a Seattle Mariner."

Ichiro will become eligible for the US Hall of Fame in 2025, five years after his retirement. It is widely believed that he will be the first Japanese to win the honor.

Key words : criticism and
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220827_17/

Criticism and disappointment have been sharp in Japan and internationally after delegates to the review conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons failed to issue a final document.

A survivor of the 1945 atomic bomb attack on the western Japanese city of Hiroshima expressed frustration.

Mimaki Toshiyuki said, "I just beg that nuclear weapons be abolished while I'm still alive. I would honestly like this to happen very soon, but it's hard to see."

Friday's closing session of the NPT review was the culmination of four weeks of talks. Russia was the only state to object to the wording of a draft statement.

It referred to the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine. The document noted that the parties agreed the plant should be controlled by Ukrainian authorities. It did not mention Russia by name.

After Russia objected to such wording, the Ukrainian delegate said, "Unfortunately, Russia has confirmed its unwillingness to adhere to the NPT regime. The deliberations in the room have also clearly demonstrated how isolated the delegation of the Russian Federation is."

The US delegate said, "The last minute changes Russia sought were not of minor character. They were intended to shield Russia's obvious intent to wipe Ukraine off the map."

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said the conference outcome was extremely regrettable.

He had addressed the UN meeting at its outset earlier this month, laying out his proposal to realize a world free of nuclear arms.

Kishida said, "With the belief that maintaining and strengthening the NPT is the only realistic path toward nuclear disarmament, we will proceed with our efforts with a historical sense of mission, as the only country to have suffered from attacks by atomic bombs."

A member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons criticized the stance of the nuclear powers.

Kawasaki Akira said, "I think it's necessary to create an upsurge in international public opinion that will encircle the nuclear powers in such a way that there won't be a situation where the nuclear powers have veto power."

There was also criticism and disappointment in Nagasaki, the second city to have been attacked with an atomic bomb.

Key words : china severe drought rocket
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220827_01/

Persistently high temperatures and a severe drought in China are wreaking havoc on business operations and people's daily lives.

The mercury has recently topped 40 degrees Celsius in many regions. Weather officials say it's the most severe heatwave since record keeping began 1961.

Power supply is strained in Sichuan Province and other inland areas that rely heavily on hydroelectric energy. Local authorities have forced some factories to shut since mid-August.

The Japan External Trade Organization says operations resumed on Friday at some plants in the city of Chengdu.

Authorities have extended restrictions in the city of Chongqing, including the use of air conditioners in some apartment complexes.

Chinese media say the farming industries in Hubei and Jiangxi provinces along the Yangtze River are being hit hard by the drought.

The central government is planning a series of measures totaling about 1.5 billion dollars. They include launching rockets to trigger rainfall.

Key words : agreed return three bodies
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220827_13/

Japan and Russia have agreed on the return of three bodies found on the coasts of the Russian-controlled Kunashiri Island and Sakhalin Island after a Japanese tour boat sank in April.

The tour boat "Kazu I," carrying 26 people, sank off Shiretoko Peninsula in the northern Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido. Fourteen people have been confirmed dead. Twelve remain unaccounted for.

Two bodies were found on the coast of Kunashiri Island in May, and another was discovered on the shore of southern Sakhalin in June.

Kunashiri is one of four Russian-held islands Japan claims as an inherent part of its territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.

The two governments have been engaged in discussions to arrange for the handover of the bodies through diplomatic channels.

The Japan Coast Guard says that the governments agreed that a Coast Guard vessel will be dispatched to the port of Korsakov in southern Sakhalin for the handover.

Officials say the Russian foreign ministry contacted Japan's foreign ministry on Tuesday. The handover is expected to take place as early as September.

DNA tests conducted by Russian authorities found they matched three of the people who were aboard the tour boat.

Japan plans to conduct further DNA tests to confirm their identities once they are returned.

Key words : car manufacture
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220828_08/

Japanese car manufacturers are introducing new features to their vehicles to fit lifestyles changed by the pandemic.

Suzuki has developed a light car that can be used as a remote working space. The rear seat transforms into a computer workstation with a wide desktop.

The carmaker says the new vehicle will also come in handy for enjoying outdoor life, as the desktop can become a shelf for storing cargo such as camping equipment.

Toyota Motor has launched a new minivan which the company says makes it easier to carry a pet on board.

With more people buying pets during the pandemic, the carmaker says the new model has a wider space between the front and rear seats, making it easier for pets to get in and out. It also has more luggage space.

Nissan is also working with an office furniture maker to develop a new type of car to better accommodate remote work.