at 18:30 (JST), September 20

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/20220920183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : prime shaken
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220920_11/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio left for New York on Tuesday to attend the UN General Assembly, after a one-day delay due to a powerful typhoon.

Before departing from Tokyo's Haneda Airport, Kishida told reporters that this year's general debate at the UN meeting is themed on a historical watershed.

The prime minister said he wants to clearly convey Japan's views on a variety of issues, including how to strengthen the UN's functions at a time when the foundation of the international order has been shaken by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Kishida is scheduled to host a summit-level meeting aimed at putting into force the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

He is also expected to have separate meetings with other leaders, including Britain's new Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Kishida said he would like to discuss a range of global issues with them and reaffirm cooperation.

He added that he will deliver a speech at the New York Stock Exchange focusing on his economic policies, including a "new form of capitalism."

Key words : severe tropical low-pressure
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220920_13/

Japanese weather officials say Severe Tropical Storm Nanmadol is now an extratropical low-pressure system over the Pacific east of Japan.

The Meteorological Agency says Nanmadol became a low at 9 a.m. on Tuesday after barreling across Japan's northeastern Tohoku region.

Officials say localized downpours of more than 50 millimeters per hour are still possible through late Tuesday afternoon in eastern and northern Japan.

Rainfalls in the 24 hours through Wednesday morning could reach up to 120 millimeters in Kanto-Koshin, 100 millimeters in Tokai and Tohoku, and 80 millimeters in Hokkaido and Niigata prefectures.

Very strong winds are also expected for several more hours, mainly in coastal areas. Gusts may reach up to 126 kilometers per hour in Hokuriku, Niigata, Tohoku, Kanto-Koshin and Hokkaido.

The seas will remain rough on Tuesday, with waves likely to reach seven meters off the Chugoku and Kinki regions, and six meters off Hokuriku, Niigata, Kanto, Tohoku and Hokkaido.

Heavy rainfalls have loosened the ground and caused rivers to swell in some areas. Weather officials are warning residents to stay alert for landslides, flooding, strong wind gusts and high waves.

Key words : two people injured
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220920_02/

At least two people have been confirmed dead and 120 injured in Japan due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Nanmadol, according to data collected by NHK as of 11 p.m. on Monday.

In Miyazaki Prefecture, a man in his 40s was found unconscious and later confirmed dead at a hospital. Officials suspect he was caught up in a mudslide.

In another part of the prefecture, a man in his 60s was confirmed dead after his car was submerged till water reached its roof.

One person has been reported missing in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Key words : Nanmadol moving
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220920_07/

Severe Tropical Storm Nanmadol is making its way up northern Japan on Tuesday morning, after making landfall near the city of Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast.

The Meteorological Agency says that as of 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nanmadol was moving east-northeast near Yamagata City at a speed of 55 kilometers per hour.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the regions of Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai, and Hokkaido prefecture.

Torrential rain of more than 50 millimeters per hour could pound some parts of eastern and northern Japan through Tuesday evening.

In the 24 hours through Wednesday morning, up to 120 millimeters of rain are expected in the Kanto-Koshin region, up to 100 millimeters in the Tokai and Tohoku regions, and up to 80 millimeters in Hokkaido.

Winds of 90 kilometers per hour are forecast for the Hokuriku and Tohoku regions, and 83 kilometers per hour for the Kanto-Koshin region and Hokkaido.

Weather officials are urging people to stay on the alert for landslides, swollen rivers, flooding in low-lying areas, violent winds, and high waves.

Key words : china southeast
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220919_15/

The United States and China have separately called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to strengthen bilateral economic ties.

ASEAN economy ministers held a series of talks with officials from various countries in Siem Reap, Cambodia, through Sunday.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the US is committed to ensuring that its cooperation with ASEAN helps shift the economies to a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.

In an online meeting on Saturday, China's representative told ASEAN economy ministers that the country's trade and economic ties with the bloc's member states are stronger than ever before. The representative called for increased cooperation.

The US is making moves to boost economic relations with Southeast Asian nations to counter China. They include leading talks on a new economic cooperation framework for the Indo-Pacific.

Key words : and south pending
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220920_12/

The foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea have agreed to continue negotiations toward solving a pending wartime labor issue between the two countries.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin met for about an hour in New York on Monday. Hayashi is visiting the US city to attend the UN General Assembly.

Park reiterated that the South Korean side is making efforts to find a solution before assets seized from Japanese companies are liquidated.

In South Korea, rulings have been finalized ordering the Japanese companies to compensate people who say they or their relatives were forced to work for the firms during World War Two.

Hayashi also repeated his call for the South Korean side to act responsibly in solving the matter.

The Japanese government says any right to claims was settled completely and finally in 1965, when Japan and South Korea normalized ties.

The two said constructive diplomatic exchanges are being made. They confirmed that they would continue talks toward solving the issue and bringing bilateral ties back to a healthy state.

They also agreed that Japan, South Korea and the United States would cooperate closely in dealing with North Korea, which is accelerating its nuclear and missile programs.

Hayashi told reporters after the meeting that he has been speaking with Park for the past three months. He said that while Japan and South Korea have various pending issues, both sides are willing to settle them and are continuing talks to that end.

Hayashi said nothing has been decided about a possible summit between Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Key words : head of the hong kong
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220920_09/

The head of the Hong Kong Journalists Association was indicted on Monday on charges of obstructing police officers.

Hong Kong officials have been intensifying a crackdown on media outlets that are critical of the government, since the national security law was introduced in 2020.

Ronson Chan is the chairperson of the association. On September 7, he was arrested on a busy street on the Kowloon Peninsula. The police say that Chan did not cooperate with officers, when he was asked to show his ID.

Chan is a former reporter for the pro-democracy online media outlet Stand News. He has called on the Hong Kong government to protect the freedom of the press.

Some local newspapers have been forced to close, due to the government's crackdown.

Key words : naruhito ended reflect
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220920_10/

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are on their way home from London, where they attended the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II.

On Monday night, the couple flew out of Stansted Airport, which is located in a London suburb. They are due to arrive at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Tuesday afternoon.

During the funeral at Westminster Abbey, the couple observed two minutes of silence, alongside other dignitaries, to bid farewell to the Queen. The Emperor wore a morning suit for the occasion, while the Empress had on a black formal day dress.

Emperor Naruhito's attendance at the Queen's funeral reflects the close ties between the Japanese Imperial family and the British royals.

The Emperor spent time with the Queen, when he was a student at Oxford University. He studied at the institution for two years in the 1980s. Aides say he has fond memories of his meetings with the Queen.

The visit to London was the Emperor's first overseas trip since he ascended the throne in 2019.

Key words : empress surgery
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220919_20/

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito has undergone cataract surgery at a hospital in Tokyo.

The Emperor Emeritus arrived at the University of Tokyo Hospital shortly after 9:30 a.m. on Monday. His wife, Empress Emerita Michiko, joined him there a little later.

Officials of the Imperial Household Agency say doctors found that the Emperor Emeritus needed surgery on both eyes, as clouding of the lenses had progressed. They say he had his left eye operated on.

The Imperial couple left the hospital together shortly before noon.

Agency officials say the Emperor Emeritus also has glaucoma symptoms in his right eye, and is expected to undergo cataract and glaucoma surgery next Sunday.

The Emperor Emeritus was diagnosed with heart failure in July. The officials say there have been no particular changes since then, and that he maintains his daily routine, including walks with his wife.