at 18:30 (JST), November 23

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/20221123183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : emergency authorization fever
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221122_39/

Japan has approved use of a pill that doctors who treat COVID-19 have been waiting for and can prescribe to anyone no matter how mild their symptoms.

Japanese Health Minister Kato Katsunobu told reporters on Tuesday evening that experts approved emergency authorization of Shionogi's oral drug Xokova. He added that he had just approved it in his capacity as minister of health, labor and welfare.

The ministry's expert panel had looked at clinical data and found evidence that the domestically developed pill is effective against fever and other COVID symptoms.

Two other oral medications are currently approved for mild cases. Both were developed in the US and are intended only for patients at high risk of developing severe symptoms.

Doctors say it's difficult to predict who COVID will hit hard, and called for a drug they could prescribe more broadly. Health officials plan to distribute Xokova nationwide, with hospitals getting enough doses for one million patients.

Japan is now facing an 8th COVID wave. More than 120,000 infections were reported nationwide on Tuesday, for the 18th straight day of week-on-week increase. Three northern prefectures confirmed record-high case counts.

Key words : halloween crowd crush 158
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221122_25/

In South Korea, families of the victims of a Halloween crowd crush in Seoul have lashed out at the government of President Yoon Suk-yeol for failing to prevent the tragedy.

The crush in the capital's Itaewon district on October 29 left 158 people dead, including two Japanese citizens and many other foreigners. Another 196 people were injured.

Local media say police and the fire department received numerous calls hours before the accident saying there were too many people, and warning that some could be crushed to death. But the authorities reportedly did nothing.

Families of the victims spoke at a news conference in Seoul on Tuesday for the first time since the accident.

A mother who lost her son said the whole family has been suffering so much they want to die.

She said the accident was caused by the authorities' inaction. She called it murder.

Other families also criticized the government and the police, while some attendees cried as they listened.

A special investigative team from South Korea's National Police Agency has been looking into how the police in charge of the Itaewon district and top local municipal officials responded to the accident.

Key words : rescue 268 people blankets
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221123_02/

Indonesian authorities are struggling to rescue survivors and to deliver aid supplies to nearly 60,000 evacuees after a powerful earthquake.

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck West Java province on Monday.

The country's disaster authorities say at least 268 people have been confirmed dead, and 151 are still missing. They say more than 1,000 people are injured.

Rescue workers are scrambling to reach people trapped in debris, as the strong jolt caused mudslides in many places.

More than 100 aftershocks have followed the initial quake, forcing about 58,000 people to evacuate.

In the Cianjur district, about 100 residents are using plastic sheets to erect makeshift tents outside.

Many evacuees have been left without aid supplies more than 24 hours after the quake.

Local media say evacuees need food, blankets and diapers. But many areas are isolated as mudslides made some roads impassable.

Weather officials warn residents to remain on the alert, as rain could trigger more mudslides, expanding the damage.

Key words : oversea medical school
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20221102134718548/

Japanese students study at medical schools in Eastern Europe because of lower tuition costs abroad. But many of those studying in Ukraine had to return to Japan after Russia's military invasion. We report on one student who faced difficulties trying to complete his education after returning.