at 18:30 (JST), November 18

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/20221118183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Kishida concern activities
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221118_07/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met in Bangkok. It marks the first bilateral in person summit for their countries in three years.

Kishida said, "It is important for both sides to accelerate efforts to build constructive and stable Japan-China relations."

Xi said, "We want to grasp the direction of bilateral ties from a strategic point of view and build relations that meet the demands of the new era."

The summit comes amid frequent incursions by Chinese government ships into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku islands.

Japan controls the islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory.

China has also been increasing military pressure on Taiwan. During recent Chinese military drills near Taiwan, several missiles landed within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Kishida said, "I expressed serious concern about the situation in the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands, as well as China's ballistic missile launches and other military activities. I also reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

Kishida says he also raised the issue of human rights in China and the detention of Japanese citizens by Chinese authorities.

The leaders agreed to promote communications between the countries at all levels, including the resumption of ministerial dialogues. They agreed to arrange a visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa to China.

Kishida expressed concern over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and urged Xi to play a role at the UN Security Council. They confirmed they would cooperate to solve the issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea decades ago.

Key words : japanese journalist back
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221117_45/

Myanmar's military has released a Japanese journalist from prison. The Japanese embassy in Myanmar confirmed Kubota Toru's flight has departed from the country.

Kubota had been facing a 10-year sentence for incitement and violating a telecommunications law after a military court found him guilty last month. He had been detained by security authorities in Yangon for filming protests against the junta while on a tourist visa.

The junta has arrested more than 16,000 people since seizing power, as part of its violent crackdown on dissent.

State-run media say thousands of prisoners are set to go free on Myanmar National Day. Video footage showed newly freed inmates emerging from a prison in the largest city of Yangon, where they were reunited with their families and friends who came to greet them.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said on Thursday afternoon that Kubota was set to come back to Japan on Friday, and was in good health.

Matsuno said, "The Japanese government, including the Ambassador to Myanmar, has repeatedly and strongly demanded that Mr. Kubota be released as soon as possible. Myanmar explained that his release is because of a strong request from the Japanese government."

Kubota is one of four foreigners receiving amnesty. They include Australian economist Sean Turnell, who had served as an advisor to Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and was accused of violating the state secrets law.

Former UK ambassador to Myanmar Vicky Bowman and her pro-democracy activist husband, Htein Lin, will also be pardoned.

Key words : ukraine suntory
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221117_19/

It is Beaujolais Nouveau time again, but this year the French wine may leave a bitter taste for Japanese consumers. Prices have surged due to the conflict in Ukraine and the weak yen.

The wine made with this year's harvest of grapes from the Beaujolais region traditionally goes on sale on the third Thursday of November.

A bar in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward held the first in-person countdown event in three years to celebrate the wine's arrival.

Japanese beverage company Suntory says prices are 40-to-120 percent higher than last year.

Freight costs have risen because aircraft are taking longer routes from Europe to Japan to avoid Russian airspace.

The Japanese currency's steep depreciation has also made imports more expensive.

Suntory said it received fewer orders for this vintage and its imports of Beaujolais Nouveau have declined to around 40 percent of last year's volume.

Key words : xi economic challenges zero-covid
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20221104153038313/

As the pandemic rumbles on, Chinese President Xi Jinping is facing mounting economic challenges. The country has been opening up its markets to attract foreign investment for decades now. It's a policy that has driven growth... but Xi's so-called zero-COVID policy is being blamed by many for threatening that expansion.