at 18:30 (JST), September 21

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/20220921183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : prime reforming in new york
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220921_09/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has called for talks to begin on reforming the United Nations Security Council in a speech at the UN General Assembly.

Kishida delivered his address at the world body's headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

The prime minister started out by saying that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shaken the foundation of world order, which the UN has worked to build since its establishment. He called the invasion an act that tramples on the philosophy and principles of the UN Charter.

Kishida noted that the attacks by Russia, a permanent Security Council member, have also put the credibility of the council at stake.

The prime minister said it is time to return to the UN ideals and principles and to gather power and wisdom. He said that in order to do so, it is necessary to reform the UN and strengthen its functions.

Kishida said text-based negotiations must be begun to reform the Security Council, which has often been described as dysfunctional.

The prime minister stressed the importance of the rule of law, and pledged efforts to enhance it when Japan becomes a non-permanent council member from January.

He also said the coronavirus pandemic and inflation have threatened the safety of many people. He added Japan will work with the UN to achieve human security.

Kishida expressed disappointment over the outcome of the recent review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It failed to adopt a final document due to opposition from Russia.

Still, Kishida said he has not given up. As the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, he said Japan will proceed with a historical sense of mission to realize a world without nuclear weapons.

The prime minister noted that 20 years have passed since North Korea admitted to abducting Japanese nationals. He said there is no change to Japan's policy of aiming to comprehensively resolve outstanding issues, including the abductions and nuclear and missile programs. He reiterated his willingness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without preconditions.

Kishida wrapped up his speech by saying Japan is maintaining high hopes for the UN at a time when the world stands at a crossroads in history. He said that his country will move forward in strengthening the UN with the conviction that even as times change, the world body's ideals and principles will remain the same.

Key words : consumer price
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220920_15/

Prices for consumers in Japan rose in August at a rate not seen in nearly 31 years. Officials at the internal affairs ministry say companies are passing on the effects of soaring energy costs and a weak yen.

The ministry says the consumer price index, excluding fresh food, climbed 2.8 percent in August from a year earlier. Excluding the effects of consumption tax hikes, Japan has not seen that level of increase since the early 1990s.

The government and the Bank of Japan have set an inflation target of 2 percent to pull the country out of deflation. August was the fifth straight month the figure exceeded that mark.

Overall energy costs soared 16.9 percent.
Electricity bills jumped 21.5 percent and gas prices went up 20.1 percent.
Shoppers also paid 4.1 percent more for food, excluding fresh items.

Key words : defense ministry stop myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220920_29/

Japan's Defense Ministry has decided to stop accepting members of Myanmar's military as students in response to Myanmar's executions of four people, including pro-democracy activists.

The ministry has accepted senior military officials from Myanmar as students, even after the military took power in the country in a coup in February last year.

But the executions in July prompted a nonpartisan group of Japanese lawmakers who support Myanmar's democratization to demand that Japan stop accepting military members.

Ministry spokesperson Aoki Takeshi told reporters on Tuesday that the ministry will stop accepting the students from fiscal 2023, which begins in April next year.

The 11 individuals who are already studying in Japan at the National Defense Academy and elsewhere will be allowed to complete their courses.

Aoki said the ministry decided it was not appropriate to continue defense cooperation and exchanges with Myanmar, as prior to the executions its military leaders ignored Japan's expression of strong concern.

Key words : ukrainian fled to japan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20220909222547561/

More than 1,800 people have fled to Japan following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Among them is one displaced mother and her children who are seeking refuge in northeastern Japan -in a town with a surprising family connection. NHK World's Umezawa Miki reports on a story that transcends borders and conflict.