at 18:30 (JST), October 19

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/20221019183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : japanese government move again
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Key words : yen 150 suzuki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221019_18/

The Japanese currency yen is weakening against the dollar to levels not seen in decades, and the government has once again reiterated its stance on the issue.

On Wednesday, the yen is being traded for the dollar at the upper-148 to lower-149 level. It is edging closer to the 150 level that analysts say is psychologically significant, and might prompt Japanese authorities to conduct another currency intervention.

Japanese Finance Minister Suzuki Shunichi said wild fluctuations in the yen's value triggered by speculation are unacceptable.

He said he'll closely monitor market movements and take decisive measures against extreme changes.

Some market participants suspect that the recent flow of funds suggests a covert intervention by the government last week.

When asked about this, Suzuki declined to give a clear answer.

Suzuki said "Generally speaking, the government may announce currency interventions it has conducted, or may not publicize them at all. I cannot comment on this."

Meanwhile, Bank of Japan Governor Kuroda Haruhiko remains laser-focused on his easing policy and has no intention of adjusting interest rates, even by a small margin.

Kuroda told the budget committee that he recognizes that the weak yen is pushing up prices in Japan across the board but says the effects will subside next year, and gradually curb inflation.

Kuroda said "Trends in exchange rates and international commodity markets are extremely uncertain. So we will keep a close eye on those trends in financial markets and their impact on our country's economy and prices."

Kuroda indicated that the current rise in prices is temporary, saying consumer inflation from fiscal 2023 onward will drop to under 2 percent year-on-year.

Key words : indonesia safety
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221018_37/

Indonesia's president and the head of FIFA have agreed to work together to improve safety at soccer stadiums across the country. The move comes after more than 130 people were killed in a crowd stampede earlier this month.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at a press conference with Joko Widodo that more than 150 million Indonesians are soccer fans. He said the first priority is to reform and transform the game in the country.

He said, "We owe it to them, that when they go to see a match, they are safe and secure. And we will do that, we'll do that because we agreed to work together as a team."

Infantino said FIFA plans to set up a temporary base in Indonesia and send experts to look at stadium operations and fan behavior.

Tragedy struck in Malang in East Java province on October 1, when fans stormed the pitch after their team lost. Police responded by firing tear gas, which prompted a stampede for the exits. Authorities say 132 people have been confirmed dead, and about 600 injured.
FIFA's guidelines on stadium safety ban the use of firearms or tear gas.

A government fact-finding team released a report last week which concluded that the use of tear gas was the leading cause of the deaths.

Joko Widodo said, "Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang will be demolished and rebuilt in line with FIFA standards as an example of a stadium that has better facilities."

As the Southeast Asian country prepares to host the Under-20 World Cup next year, Joko stressed the importance of complying with FIFA standards.

Key words : aircraft and domestic india
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221018_36/

India is holding a major international arms fair. This year the focus is on domestically produced military aircraft and armored vehicles.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration has what it calls the "Make in India" policy promoting the production of home-made military equipment. That is to ease the country's heavy reliance on imported Russian weapons for its defense. So, domestic firms have been given priority in exhibiting their products this year.

The five-day expo kicked off on Tuesday in the western Indian state of Gujarat. 1,300 companies from India and around the world are taking part.

One exhibit attracting attention was a model of an Indian-made Light Combat Helicopter, which entered service with the Indian Air Force this month.

According to a Swedish research institute, 67 percent of arms imported to India over the past 20 years were Russian-made.

India plans to further promote domestic weapons production in response to the war in Ukraine. It is hoping to sell arms to African and Southeast Asian countries.

US and other foreign companies are aiming to increase technological cooperation with Indian firms.

Key words : indonesia japanese police partnership
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20220929184119262/

A long-running partnership between Indonesian and Japanese police in the field of identification has come to an end. Officers in Indonesia have been learning crime scene techniques from their counterparts in Japan for two decades. The training ends this month now that investigators have learned the skills they need. Both sides say they have gained from the experience.