at 18:30 (JST), November 14

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/20221114183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : east asia summit attendee
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221113_15/

The East Asia Summit capped a series of ASEAN meetings in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, on Sunday, at which leaders discussed situations in North Korea and Ukraine.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, US President Joe Biden, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were among the attendees.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen opened the meeting by saying social development and people's lives have been made difficult by tensions brought about by the recent international situation.

He said he believed productive discussions were possible despite differences in the participants' positions.

Details of the closed meeting were not disclosed. Participants are believed to have discussed North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches, the situation in Ukraine where Russia's military aggression continues, and China's maritime activities in the South China Sea.

The White House says Biden raised concerns regarding the threat posed by North Korea, and criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the strongest terms.

A draft of the chairperson's statement obtained by NHK says it strongly condemns North Korea and urges it to observe the UN Security Council's resolutions. It also calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

As Russia attended the summit, the focus is on how the chair country Cambodia will finalize the statement.

Key words : discuss myanmar minority
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221114_01/

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as Japan, the United States, China and other nations have ended a series of summit meetings.

Cambodia hosted the meetings in the capital, Phnom Penh, from Friday through Sunday. They took place in person for the first time in three years.

The ASEAN leaders were joined by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, US President Joe Biden, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other delegates.

On the first day, the ASEAN leaders discussed Myanmar, where the military continues to crack down on pro-democracy activists and fight against ethnic minority militias following the coup in February of last year.

The leaders confirmed their commitment to the Five-Point Consensus, on which ASEAN and Myanmar's military agreed in April of last year to bring peace to the country. It includes a call for an immediate end to violence.

But the leaders said "little progress" has been achieved in its implementation, urging Myanmar's military to comply with its commitments.

They decided to develop a plan "that outlines concrete, practical and measurable indicators" with a specific timeline to support the five-point peace plan.

Myanmar's military spokesperson issued a statement, strongly criticizing the decision made without the country's representation.

Myanmar's military did not send a delegation to the summit. Its members are barred from ASEAN summits, with only its non-political representatives allowed to attend.

The White House says Biden "raised concern regarding the deteriorating crisis" in Myanmar at the East Asia Summit, which was also held in Phnom Penh on Sunday.

It adds that the president also "highlighted the importance of taking further action to increase pressure" on Myanmar's military to implement the Five-Point Consensus.

Key words : Kishida yoon resolutely
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221114_09/

The leaders of Japan, the United States and South Korea say they strongly condemn North Korea's ballistic missile launches and will respond resolutely should Pyongyang conduct a nuclear test.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a joint statement after meeting on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit on Sunday.

The statement says North Korea's unprecedented number of ballistic missile launches this year poses "a grave threat to the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond."

It says the three leaders urge the North to comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The statement goes on to say Pyongyang's nuclear test "would be met with a strong and resolute response from the international community."

It says Japan, US and South Korea will coordinate in ensuring that "all relevant sanctions are fully enforced."

The statement underscores the US commitment to reinforce extended deterrence to Japan and South Korea "backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear."

It also says the leaders intend to share North Korea's "missile warning data in real time to improve each country's ability to detect and assess the threat posed by incoming missiles, a major step for deterrence, peace and stability."

In addition, it says the three leaders call on North Korea to return to negotiations, saying, "The path to dialogue remains open toward peaceful and diplomatic resolution."

The statement also says the leaders reaffirm their commitment to an immediate resolution of the abduction issue.

Key words : Kishida one-on-one yoon
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221113_17/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol are believed to have discussed bilateral issues during their talks in Cambodia.

Kishida and Yoon met on Sunday on the sidelines of ASEAN-related summits. These were the first official talks in almost three years between leaders of the two countries.

Bilateral relations soured over wartime labor and other issues during the term of Yoon's predecessor.

But the president, who took office in May this year, has expressed his willingness to improve ties.

Earlier on Sunday, Kishida held a three-way summit with Yoon and US President Joe Biden.

Kishida said the pace and manner of North Korea's provocations are unprecedented, and it is expected to make further provocations.

He expressed hope to strengthen collaboration with Seoul and Washington to respond resolutely.

Kishida and Biden also had a one-on-one meeting.

They are believed to have discussed ways to boost the deterrence and responsiveness of the Japan-US alliance amid the tougher security situation in East Asia due to China's assertiveness and North Korea's nuclear and missile activities.

Kishida and Biden are also likely to have reaffirmed that they and the other Group of Seven members need to work together in responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Key words : taiwan rally election
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221113_03/

Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties staged major rallies on Saturday. They are trying to gather support ahead of the local elections on November 26. The contests are being viewed as a precursor to the 2024 presidential race.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party is led by President Tsai Ing-wen. It held a rally near the presidential office in Taipei.

Tsai said the upcoming local elections are going to be watched closely by the whole world. The elections will be the first in Taiwan since the wrap-up last month of the Chinese Communist Party's five-yearly National Congress.

Tsai said that people in Taiwan should send out the right message to the world on November 26.

The president said that Taiwan needs to protect democracy and gain international support.

Kuomintang, or KMT, is the largest opposition party. It held a rally in New Taipei City, which has the most voters. KMT candidates running for mayor in six major cities were present.

Party leader Eric Chu said that Taiwan will be better off, if those six cities prosper.

Chu backs the "One China" principle advocated by Beijing. He has been trying to prevent cross-strait relations from becoming a contentious election issue.

Chu stressed that the KMT loves Taiwan more than any other political party does. He added that the party's most important mission is to protect democracy and freedom.

Key words : marcos
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221113_12/

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will make his first visit to China as president early next year.

The president's office announced on Friday that Marcos will start the trip on January 3 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China is the largest trade partner for the Philippines, but their relationship has been strained by territorial disputes in the South China Sea. China's increasing maritime activities there are undermining their security relationship.

Since taking office in June, Marcos has maintained that he will not compromise on the territorial issue. He says the 2016 ruling by an international court of arbitration rejected China's claims on the disputed waters.

Marcos has repeatedly called for dialogue to resolve the issue. He is suggesting a restart of talks with China for joint oil and natural gas exploration in the South China Sea.

The question is how the two leaders will address the territorial issue when they meet.

Key words : afghanistan amusement
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221113_01/

The Taliban have banned women from entering amusement parks in Kabul. This is the latest move by the group to restrict women's rights.

A Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice spokesperson discussed the matter with NHK on Saturday. The ministry monitors the activities of people in Afghanistan to make sure they are following the group's interpretation of Islamic laws.

The spokesperson said the ban took effect this month. The individual explained that women cannot enter amusement parks, even if they are with their children or other family members.

The spokesperson cited as a reason recent cases in which women were seen improperly wearing "hijab" scarves at amusement parks. Muslim women are supposed to cover their hair with the scarves in public places.

The number of visitors to one amusement park in central Kabul has plunged. The park was deserted on Saturday, and most of the rides were not working.

A female resident said she is not happy with the ban. She said she believes that, like men, women have the right to visit amusement parks. She also said she wants the ban to be lifted.

The Taliban have been tightening restrictions on women's rights since the group retook power in the country in August of 2021. Girls are currently prohibited from attending secondary schools.

Key words : rally niigata
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221112_20/

A rally calling for an early resolution of the abduction issue was held in Niigata City on the Sea of Japan coast on Saturday, ahead of the 45th anniversary of the abduction of Yokota Megumi.

The 13-year-old junior high school girl was kidnapped by North Korean agents while on her way home from school on November 15, 1977.

While Pyongyang has admitted to her kidnapping, no progress has been made leading to her return.

Megumi's father Shigeru died two years ago without ever seeing her daughter again.

Her 86-year-old mother, Sakie, who took part in the rally online, said she only feels irritation and a sense of emptiness while she wonders why the issue has not been resolved.

Megumi's 54-year-old brother, Takuya, said he visited the site where his sister was abducted before the rally.

He said words are the only means the family has and that he wants Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to convey to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that both countries can benefit by resolving the human rights issue.

He asked the participants to call on the government to act.