at 18:30 (JST), December 22

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/20221222183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : born 10 month
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221221_10/

The number of births in Japan is continuing to shrink at a record pace.

The health ministry says in its preliminary report that 669,871 babies were born in the first 10 months of this year. That includes births to foreign nationals.

The figure is 33,827 less, or 4.8 percent lower, than the number from the same period last year. The monthly number of childbirths year-on-year has also fallen for the ninth straight month since February.

At this rate, the number of births in Japan in 2022 is likely to drop below 800,000. It will be the first time since record-keeping began in 1899. In 2021, there were 811,622 births.

The Japan Research Institute last month projected that about 770,000 babies would be born in 2022.

The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research forecast in 2017 that births would not fall below 800,000 until 2030.

Key words : russian crude oil
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221222_16/

China's imports of Russian crude oil and liquefied natural gas have risen for eight months in a row. The trend is an indication of Beijing's support for the Russian economy amid Western sanctions.

Chinese customs authorities say the country imported 7.8 million tons of Russian crude in November.
That is a 16.6 percent increase from a year earlier.
LNG purchases doubled year-on-year to 850,000 tons.

That contributed to overall imports from Russia surging 47.5 percent in the first 11 months of 2022 from the same period last year.

The Group of Seven nations and Australia introduced a price cap of 60 dollars per barrel on Russian crude transported by sea from December 5.

China's imports are likely to affect the extent to which the new sanction will hurt Russia's economy.

Key words : world boxing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221221_31/

The World Boxing Organization has awarded Japanese boxing star Inoue Naoya the status of bantamweight super champion in its latest rankings.

Inoue became the first undisputed bantamweight world champion to hold all four major titles by beating Paul Butler of Britain on December 13. Inoue floored his opponent in the 11th round.

The WBO awards the status of super champion when a WBO champion meets criteria such as defending the title a minimum of 10 title bouts, or in the event of less than 10, defending his or her title against opponents of high recognition and high skills.

A super champion will be given priority for a title shot to challenge a WBO champion after switching to another class.

Inoue has expressed his intention to move up to the super bantamweight class next year.

Key words : sufficient holiday
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221222_01/

The Japanese government says it will make efforts to prepare sufficient medical care as the coronavirus spreads in the country in the run-up to the year-end and New Year holidays.

The health ministry said on Wednesday that the daily count of new coronavirus cases across the country stood at more than 206,000. It is the first time for the figure to exceed 200,000 since August 25 amid the seventh wave of infections.

An expert panel for the government pointed out that the number of people visiting entertainment districts in Tokyo, Osaka and other prefectures between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. is at the highest level since the onset of the pandemic.

Panel members also said it is necessary to pay attention to the impact from an increase in opportunities for people to have contact with others during the year-end and New Year holidays.

The government says infection cases may rise further during the period. It plans to work to secure enough hospital beds for seriously ill patients, as well as care for outpatients with fever.

The government will also ask the public to follow anti-infection steps.

The health ministry on Friday will hold a meeting with officials from broad areas, including people from the Japan Medical Association and the Japan Business Federation. They will discuss effective ways to spread messages for preventing infections, among other issues.

Key words : visitor doubled
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221221_25/

The number of foreign visitors to Japan nearly doubled in November from the previous month due to an easing of anti-coronavirus border controls.

The Japan National Tourism Organization estimates that 934,500 people arrived from overseas last month.

Those from South Korea were 315,400. Second was Taiwan with 99,500, followed by the United States with 84,300.

But the overall figure was down sharply compared to before the pandemic. The decline was more than 60 percent from the same month in 2019.

Key words : russian navy kicked off
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221222_07/

The Chinese and Russian navies have kicked off joint drills in the East China Sea, off the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang.

State-run China Central Television reported the drills are taking place from Wednesday to next Tuesday.

The ostensible aim of the drills is to promote the two navies' capabilities in jointly dealing with maritime security threats.

The Chinese side sent guided-missile destroyers, a submarine and other vessels, while the Russian Navy's fleet included a guided-missile cruiser and vessels in the frigate and other classes.

A spokesperson for the Chinese navy said the joint naval exercises that have continued since 2012 enhance traditional friendship and improve the capability of joint maritime operations.

The two countries' air forces last month carried out joint aerial patrols over the Sea of Japan and East China Sea, among other waters.

Observers say their increasing military cooperation may be aimed at keeping the United States in check.

Key words : sapporo pause
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221221_33/

Sapporo is hitting pause on promoting its bid for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The northern Japanese city is considered a favorite to host the games in 2030. But officials are facing pressure as the investigation into the Tokyo Games corruption scandal unravels.

Sapporo Mayor Akimoto Katsuhiro said, "We have come to the conclusion that the first priority in our bid to host the 2030 Games is to dispel the anxiety and distrust being felt by people in Japan, rather than continue our campaign recklessly."

More than 10 people have been charged so far in connection to alleged bid-rigging related to last year's Summer Olympics. The bids include contracts for mascot dolls, uniforms and test events.

A former executive of the Games' organizing committee has been indicted. He is also a former executive of a large advertising company that won a tender.

Officials for Sapporo and the Japan Olympic Committee say they will review the organizing committee's management system, including how contracts are awarded.

The International Olympic Committee said this month it is postponing the selection of the host city until after next year's general meeting.

Salt Lake City has also expressed interest in hosting the Winter Games.