at 18:30 (JST), October 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/20221020183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : hong kong education
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221019_33/

Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee has promised to promote education so that the people of Hong Kong would identify more with China.

Since taking office in July, Lee delivered his first policy address on Wednesday in the Legislative Council.

He stressed that Hong Kong is receiving robust support from China under the "one country, two systems" framework.

He then urged education both inside and outside school to strengthen the people's pride and sense of belonging to China.

He called on elementary and junior high schools to teach Chinese history and geography, and for parents to engage in educational activities.

Lee also revealed a plan to prepare Hong Kong's own security legislation to crack down on such activities as instigating revolt, apart from China's national security legislation already in effect in Hong Kong. But he did not disclose its timetable.

Policy addresses in the past have often been disrupted by pro-democracy lawmakers due to their shouting of anti-government slogans.

But Wednesday's speech was peaceful, now that pro-Beijing lawmakers dominate the Legislative Council following last year's electoral system reform.

Key words : british government urged abide
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221020_03/

The British government has urged Chinese officials in the UK to abide by the country's laws. It says a protester calling for democracy in Hong Kong was assaulted by men who came out of the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester.

Manchester police say more than 30 people staged a demonstration calling for democracy in Hong Kong in front of the consulate on Sunday. They say several men from the consulate pulled one of the protesters into its grounds and attacked him.

BBC footage shows men who emerged from the consulate removing placards and posters with slogans criticizing the Chinese Communist Party. It also shows the men scuffle with the protesters, and one protester being punched by several people in the consulate compound.

Alicia Kearns, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, said on Tuesday that the Chinese consul-general was seen "ripping down posters."

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday that he summoned China's charge d'affaires to urge Chinese officials to honor British laws and regulations. Cleverly called the protest peaceful, and said the actions of the Chinese side were unacceptable. He indicated that the British government is considering taking further steps after a police investigation is concluded.

Meanwhile, China claims some people illegally entered the consulate, and that staff were injured and the safety of the diplomatic premises was threatened.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters on Wednesday that China has made a request to Britain about a "malicious" incident at the consulate.

Wang also said China wants the British side to fulfill its responsibility and take effective measures to step up protection of facilities and personnel of the Chinese Embassy and consulates.

Key words : coast guard step up surveillance
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221019_22/

The Japan Coast Guard has launched operations of an unmanned aerial vehicle to step up its surveillance capabilities in waters around Japan.

The SeaGuardian took off on Wednesday from an airport in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan.

The UAV was developed by a US defense firm. The coast guard has conducted about 150 hours of test flights.

The aircraft can be remotely piloted from a ground control station. Its high-definition cameras can detect ships and other objects from altitudes of over 3,000 meters, and identify objects at night using infrared rays.

As for safety measures, the UAV can identify approaching aircraft using radar, and automatically avert collisions.

The coast guard says the SeaGuardian can fly more than 24 hours nonstop and send images in real time to have them checked on the ground.

Coast guard officials say they will use the aircraft to help reduce personnel workload, and for maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue operations.

The cost to introduce the aircraft is about 4 billion yen, or 26.8 million dollars. Piloting will be outsourced to keep up with the latest technologies, with coast guard personnel stationed nearby to manage and supervise operations.

Key words : explosion myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221020_02/

Blasts at a prison in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, have killed eight people.

The military says the two explosions occurred at Insein prison on Wednesday morning, and that three staff members and five citizens, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed and at least 18 injured.

The military says the blasts took place in front of the prison building and at the counter where visitors related to detainees are allowed to deliver supplies to them.

The military says terrorists detonated parcel bombs.

Japanese journalist Kubota Toru has been detained at the prison. The Japanese Embassy in Yangon says he is unharmed and safe.

Since the coup last year, citizens who supported pro-democracy forces or took part in demonstrations have been detained in this prison. Family members and others visit to meet the detainees and provide supplies.

In response to the explosions, the military suspended such meetings and launched an investigation.

Key words : hitachi
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221019_35/

Japanese industrial conglomerate Hitachi hopes to benefit from the weakening yen by increasing exports of home appliances.

A Hitachi subsidiary says about 5 percent of its home appliance sales are from exports, and now has the goal of doubling that figure to 10 percent by March of next year.

The company wants to boost sales of high-end products aimed at wealthy consumers in China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Ito Yoshiko, Executive Managing Director of Hitachi Global Life Solutions says "The weak yen presents a great opportunity for customers overseas to get to know Japanese products, especially the Hitachi brand."

Hitachi is working on adapting its products to fit local lifestyles.

Key words : traveler rise
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221019_36/

The number of foreign visitors to Japan is on the rise thanks to eased border controls. Foreign arrivals in September topped 200,000 for the first time since February 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic had a major impact.

The Japan National Tourism Organization estimates that 206,500 people visited the country last month. That's up 21.6 percent from August.

Starting on September 7, foreign travelers who have been vaccinated at least three times no longer need a negative PCR test result. Group tours without a guide are also allowed.

32,700 visited from South Korea, 30,900 from Vietnam and 18,000 from the United States.

The numbers are expected to go up after more regulations were dropped last week. Now individual tourists are allowed, and the weaker yen is making travel more affordable.

Key words : ukrainian band hiroshima
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221019_02/

Members of a popular Ukrainian band have come to Japan to cheer up fellow Ukrainians who have fled their homeland to live in Japan after the Russian invasion.

Singer Oleksandra Zaritska and another member of the band Kazka took part in an event in Tokyo on Tuesday. About 200 Ukrainian evacuees and others gathered.

Zaritska said she wanted to show her gratitude to people in Japan who are supporting Ukrainians. She noted that Japan has suffered from nuclear weapons, and Ukraine is now under threat from such weapons.

Kazka members sang a song that Ukrainians have long cherished. They also posed for photos with fans. The band has continued its activities in Ukraine even after Russia's invasion of their country.

A Ukrainian woman in the audience said she was moved to see Kazka in Japan. She added that their performance was very encouraging and heart-warming.

The group is scheduled to stay in Japan until October 25. They are also expected to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in western Japan.

Key words : michiko 88 patient
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221020_01/

Japan's Empress Emerita Michiko turned 88 on Thursday.

The Empress Emerita moved in April from a temporary dwelling to her current residence in the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo's Minato Ward, where she lived when she was Crown Princess.

Along with Emperor Emeritus Akihito, she strolls the garden in the morning and evening. She also reads books aloud after breakfast.

The Imperial Household Agency says the Empress Emerita is growing balloon plants after she was given their seeds by children at a nursery school near her former residence.

Along with the Emperor Emeritus, the Empress Emerita has been concerned about coronavirus patients, and the couple have been closely following infection numbers daily.

The agency says the Empress Emerita is also thinking of people in areas hit by natural disasters, including a major quake that occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture in March.

An event to celebrate her birthday has not been held in recent years due to the impact of the pandemic and for other reasons. But a celebratory event will be held this year for the first time in four years -- in a simple manner, with measures against the coronavirus.