at 18:30 (JST), December 09

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/20221209183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : lower house passed allegation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221209_02/

Japan's Lower House has passed a bill that would regulate religious donations, including those to the group formerly known as the Unification Church.

The move comes after months of public pressure to address allegations against the group.

The new law would ban religious entities from stirring anxiety to solicit donations, and implying followers have a spiritual obligation to give.

Violators could face up to one year in prison, or be fined up to 7,300 dollars.

The law would also require groups to consider if their practices impact people's free will, or their ability to support themselves.

And it would allow authorities to reveal the names of entities that don't follow the rules.

The bill is expected to be enacted on Saturday after a vote in the Upper House.

Constitutional Democratic Party lawmaker Ishibashi Michihiro said, "We should feel a grave responsibility for allowing horrible human rights violations, and must design a truly effective legal system as soon as possible."

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "We'll continue trying to widely share the interpretation of the law, and to enhance its effectiveness. We'll also carefully respond to feedback about it."

A woman who goes by the pseudonym Ogawa Sayuri and whose parents are followers of the former Unification Church says she's grateful that the ruling and opposition parties worked together to pass the bill.

She says, "There are still many issues that need to be resolved. I hope victims like myself will not be forgotten."

Kishida has faced significant scrutiny over the group's ties to his party's lawmakers.

His cabinet's approval rating has fallen sharply since the links were revealed.

Key words : indonesia paroled
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221208_38/

The Indonesian government has paroled one of the men who made bombs used in the deadly Bali attacks 20 years ago. But the controversial release has drawn criticism and concern.

Hisyam bin Alizein, known as Umar Patek, was a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group, which was blamed for the bombings. After being captured in Pakistan in 2011, he had been sentenced to a 20-year prison term.

In 2002, massive explosions ripped through nightspots packed with tourists in the Kuta area, killing 202 people from 22 countries and territories.

Authorities have executed three of the masterminds, and some convicted group members remain in jail.

The Indonesian government released Patek halfway through his sentence, saying he is already deradicalized and shows complete loyalty to Indonesia. But it added that his release would be revoked should he violate any law again.

Patek's release is a very sensitive issue for the Australia government, which condemned the decision. Of the victims, 88 were Australian--the largest number of all the countries that lost nationals.

Australia's home affairs minister asserts that it is only the view of the Indonesian government that Patek has been rehabilitated.

Clare O'Neil remarked, "I think it is an absolutely horrible day for the victims and families of the Bali Bombings. We lost 88 Australians in the Bali Bombings, those people are never coming back."

The minister says she and the government deeply sympathize with families and communities who have lost loved ones.

Key words : vietnam show
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221209_05/

Vietnam has opened its first international weapons fair, with exhibitors from Japan, the United States and Russia.

The event began at an airbase in the capital Hanoi on Thursday. More than 170 companies and other entities from about 30 countries are showcasing their products.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh spoke at the exhibition's opening. He welcomed the participants from overseas, saying the expo is a good opportunity to strengthen relations.

Vietnam has imported weapons primarily from Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with which the socialist Southeast Asian country enjoyed close ties during the Cold War.

A report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows that about 66 percent of the weapons imported by Vietnam between 2016 and 2020 came from Russia.

But Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February has stoked concerns in Vietnam over whether Moscow can continue its stable supply of arms.

Analysts are closely watching whether the expo helps Vietnam diversify its weapons suppliers.

Key words : german Jewish help
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20221118155344368/

Even after 80 years, more is being learned about a Japanese military officer who aided Jewish refugees. Higuchi Kiichiro helped them pass through Manchuria to escape persecution in Nazi Germany. Higuchi is being remembered both at home and abroad.