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/20221208183000_english_1.mp3
Key words : government change name
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221208_04/
Japanese government officials plan to change the name of the country's Air Self-Defense Force to include the word "space," reflecting the increasing importance of security in the domain.
The government created the Space Operations Squadron as part of the Air Self-Defense Force in May, 2020. The unit monitors outer space to protect Japanese satellites from other countries' attacks or space debris.
Officials want to add the word "space" to the name of the force, in light of the importance of the mission.
They plan to state this in the National Security Strategy and related documents to be revised by the end of the year.
Legal changes are necessary to change the name of the force. The names of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense forces have never been changed since they were established in 1954.
The main governing Liberal Democratic Party suggested the name change in April. It cited the need to drastically strengthen the Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces in response to China's space development and North Korea's missile program.
Key words : chinese government protest border
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221208_02/
The Chinese government has eased quarantine and other anti-coronavirus steps following protests against its strict "zero COVID" policy. Beijing says the easing is aimed at further optimizing its response to the pandemic.
The government said on Wednesday it will no longer transfer all infected people to hospitals or quarantine facilities. Officials say people with no or mild symptoms can isolate themselves at home for seven days, in principle.
The officials say they are switching from PCR to antigen testing, except in places such as elderly care homes, medical institutions and schools.
They say people no longer need to show negative test results to cross provincial borders.
The officials have instructed operators of housing complexes to secure evacuation routes and take thorough safety measures when closing them off if infections are confirmed.
This request is apparently in response to a fatal apartment building fire in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region last month. Over the incident, there is a claim that evacuation routes had been sealed as an anti-infection measure, delaying the rescue operation. This triggered protests against the "zero COVID" policy in major cities.
Some people are expressing concern that eased restrictions could lead to a further spread of infections.
Key words : lawmaker indonesia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221207_42/
Lawmakers in Indonesia have approved a new criminal code that bans sex outside marriage, and unmarried couples living together. Violators could be sentenced to up to one year in prison in the first case, and six months in the second.
The controversial changes gained support from most political parties. The new code also bans criticizing the government and protesting without notice.
But the changes are drawing criticism as a setback for freedom and democracy in the country. Protesters from several communities gathered in front of the parliament on Tuesday, calling for the changes to be withdrawn.
Foreigners will also be affected. That's raising concerns in the tourism industry, currently struggling to recover from the pandemic.
The revisions come as Islamic conservatives increase their influence on society. But the parliament has emphasized it is just updating the code inherited from the Dutch colonial era.
The new code will take up to three years to fully implement. The government says it needs time to explain the reasons for it to society.
Key words : taliban execute
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221208_06/
The Taliban say they have publicly executed a man accused of murder in western Afghanistan.
A Taliban spokesperson said on Wednesday the man was convicted of stabbing another man to death and stealing his mobile phone.
The spokesperson said the man was arrested after the victim's family accused him of the crime and the man admitted to the killing.
Courts reportedly ruled that the man should face punishment equivalent to the damage he inflicted, based on Islamic law.
This is the first officially confirmed public execution since Taliban retook power in August last year.
The group used to carry out executions in front of many people during its previous rule in the late 1990s.
Local media say Taliban's supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada ordered judges last month to fully enforce Islamic law.
Key words : thailand indicated
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221207_41/
Thailand's prime minister has indicated he is prepared to stay in power for two more years after an upcoming general election. It was the former army commander's first remark on his political future since a legal challenge to his term limit was thrown out in September.
Prayut Chan-o-cha was speaking to reporters on Tuesday. He said he's willing to remain in office until 2025, which is the end of his eight-year term allowed by the constitution drafted under military rule. He says he will then hand off power to a successor.
The opposition has argued Prayut assumed the post after the coup he led in 2014. But the Constitutional Court ruled his tenure started in 2017, when the constitution came into effect. He stayed in office following a general election in 2019.
Prayut's pro-democracy opponents have been demanding that he step down. The administration's approval rating is low, and some members of the ruling parties are showing signs of a split.
The next general election is scheduled to be held by May next year. Observers say Prayut has a strong chance of holding onto power.
Key words : religious group set up
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221207_32/
Offspring of religious group followers in Japan, who claim to have suffered due to the compulsion of the groups' teachings, have set up a body to raise awareness about their plight.
The religious groups include the former Unification Church.
The body was set up by 11 individuals, including a lawyer who supports the offspring's activities.
At a news conference on Wednesday, the members pointed out that some children have been forced to follow the faiths of their parents, and their right to education has been violated.
They explained that they decided to unite because there is a limit to what they can do as individuals.
The members said they will urge others with similar experiences to join them, and campaign for measures and legislation to stop abuse by religious groups.
One member said there has been debate on providing relief for those who have been forced to make large donations, but nothing else is happening.
She said she will appeal for legislation that would make life easier for offspring of followers, safeguard their rights and prevent abuse.
A man in his 20s who heads the body claims he was physically abused by his parents.
He said if those who are abused want to speak out about their ordeal, the body will listen to them and bring their voices to the central government.
Key words : soccer team returned
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221208_01/
Japan's national soccer team has returned home to a warm welcome. The squad advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup for the second consecutive tournament.
The Samurai Blue players were greeted by some 600 fans at Narita Airport near Tokyo.
The team did not advance beyond the round of 16, but it did finish at the top of its group, beating former champions Germany and Spain.
Japan's coach, Moriyasu Hajime, told reporters that every member of the squad needs to aim for a higher level by continuing to compete against other rivals.
He said, "The future of soccer in Japan depends on improving the players' individual ability so they become stronger. I also told them unity is a Japanese asset, and they must stay that way."
Captain Yoshida Maya said, "We mustn't stop here. We have many matches ahead of us. As long as we are professional soccer players, we must win matches every day."
Yoshida says he hopes more children develop an interest in soccer and that he wants to contribute to the growth of the sport in Japan.
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