at 18:30 (JST), January 02

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/20230102183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : south emergency
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_04/

South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup has instructed senior military officials to continue to be on the alert against North Korea's provocations.

Lee convened an emergency meeting of senior military officials on Sunday in response to military policies announced by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un the previous day.

In an address to the plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party, Kim called for the development of a new intercontinental ballistic missile. He also said North Korea needs to "exponentially" increase production of nuclear warheads.

Kim called South Korea a clear enemy in the speech.

At Sunday's meeting, the South Korean defense minister noted that North Korean drones violated the South's airspace on December 26. Lee said the North could carry out surprise provocations, such as another drone infiltration, at any time.

He said South Korea should sternly and strongly punish any direct provocation by the North.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol spoke with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by telephone. Yoon said the military should certainly punish any enemy provocations with a firm determination not to avoid going to war.

Senior officials of Japan, the United States and South Korea held a telephone conference on Sunday evening.

They are Funakoshi Takehiro, the head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim, and South Korea's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn.

They reaffirmed that Pyongyang's frequent ballistic missile launches pose a grave and imminent threat to regional security and are a clear and serious challenge to the international community.

The officials agreed that Tokyo, Washington and Seoul will continue to work closely to enhance regional deterrence and make North Korea nuclear-free in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

Key words : covid surge
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_08/

As COVID-19 cases surge in China, Morocco is banning all travelers from the country regardless of nationality starting Tuesday.

Morocco's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement on Saturday, "This exceptional measure in no way affects the sincere friendship between the two peoples nor the strategic partnership between the two countries."

Morocco and China have enjoyed a growing economic relationship.

Local media reported that according to Morocco's tourist authority, the country hosted more than 130,000 visitors from China before the pandemic in 2018, up from 10,000 in 2015.

Other countries including the United States, Britain and France plan to impose COVID restrictions on arrivals from China, requiring negative test results.

Japan imposed emergency border controls on travelers from China on Friday.

All travelers on direct flights from mainland China and people who have been there within seven days before coming to Japan will be tested for the virus upon arrival.

Key words : xi new year address
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230101_18/

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for unity as the country enters a new phase of its coronavirus response.

Xi delivered his New Year address through state-run TV and other Chinese media on Saturday.

He stressed the outcome of his government's anti-virus measures, saying it has "put the people first and put life first all along." He did not refer to the zero-COVID policy.

The virus has been explosively spreading across China since the strict policy was eased last month. Experts warn that infections are surging in Shanghai, Hubei Province and elsewhere around the country.

Xi said, "We have now entered a new phase of COVID response where tough challenges remain. Everyone is holding on with great fortitude, and the light of hope is right in front of us. Let's make an extra effort to pull through, as perseverance and solidarity mean victory."

Before the easing of the antivirus measures, Xi had repeatedly stressed that perseverance would mean victory.

Xi referred to Taiwan without using any harsh expressions. He has shown a strong desire to achieve what he calls the reunification of Taiwan.

He said, "The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are members of one and the same family."

The Chinese president added that he sincerely hopes that "our compatriots on both sides of the Strait will work together with a unity of purpose to jointly foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation."

Key words : tsai
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230101_19/

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has called for dialogue with China and offered support to help it deal with the recent surge in coronavirus cases.

Tsai delivered her New Year speech at the presidential office on Sunday, accompanied by Vice President Lai Ching-te.

In the speech, Tsai noted that the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is the responsibility of all parties involved in the region.

She said war has never been an option for resolving problems. She added that more people can enjoy safety and well-being only through dialogue and cooperation under the same goal of promoting regional stability and development.

Tsai referred to the rapid surge in coronavirus cases across China in recent weeks. She said that based on humanitarian concerns, Taiwan would like to offer all necessary assistance if needed so that more people can have a healthy and safe new year.

Tsai was asked by local media reporters what she thinks about Chinese President Xi Jinping making no reference to what he calls the complete reunification of the motherland in his New Year address. The expression was used in his speech a year ago.

Tsai said she noted Xi was using a gentle tone.

But she also said that she must remind people that the Chinese military's activities near Taiwan are not conducive to the peace and stability of the region.

Key words : naruhito
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_13/

Japan's Emperor Naruhito has extended New Year greetings to members of the public at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for the first time in three years.

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, only a limited number of people were allowed into the palace grounds to attend the event on Monday. They had been chosen by lottery.

The Emperor and Empress Masako appeared on the palace balcony three times in the morning and waved at well-wishers. They were joined by Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko and other members of the Imperial family.

The daughter of the Emperor and Empress, Princess Aiko, also took part in the event for the first time as an adult member of the family.

The Emperor said many people have had difficulties in the past three years due to the pandemic and other factors. He said he is truly pleased to celebrate the New Year with the public, and that he is praying for the happiness of people in Japan and the world.

A dedicated space has been set up just outside the Imperial Household Agency's building at the palace to allow visitors to sign books of celebration.

Key words : prime minister determination group of seven
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230101_02/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has expressed his strong determination to address the issues of security and nuclear threats in his New Year's message as the chair of the Group of Seven nations.

The prime minister says the world is facing its most challenging security environment in the post-war era, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine and growing nuclear anxiety.

Kishida notes that Japan will host the G7 summit this year in the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima, and also serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The prime minister says, "I intend to display our strong will to firmly reject unilateral changes to the status quo by force and nuclear threats, in a way appropriate for the weight this carries historically."

He goes on to say he will resolutely carry out his mission as prime minister to fully defend Japan and its people by stepping up diplomatic efforts and enhancing the country's defense capabilities.

Key words : defense ministry miyako
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_06/

Japan's Defense Ministry says a Chinese military drone flew over waters between Okinawa Prefecture's main island and Miyako Island on Sunday.

The ministry says the Chinese military's reconnaissance drone WZ7 flew from the East China Sea and passed between the southern islands toward the Pacific. It then turned around south of Miyako Island and took the same route back toward mainland China.

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force scrambled its fighter jets. The drone did not enter Japanese airspace.

Defense Ministry officials say it was the first sighting of that type of drone around Japan. They add it is the fourth type of Chinese military drone ever spotted.

Officials continue patrol and surveillance as they believe the Chinese military could be using various drones in an effort to increase its operational capabilities.

Key words : manila power outage
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_03/

Manila's main airport has begun accepting some flights after a power outage hit air traffic control facilities and brought services to a halt.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport officials say they have partially restored power.

Officials say at least 280 flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted to regional airports. The incident affected about 56,000 passengers.

The stoppages came as a power outage cut communication between airlines and the air traffic management center.

Flights between Manila and Japan's Narita and Haneda airports were canceled or returned. Those passing over or near the Philippines on their way to or from Southeast Asian countries were also disrupted.

Airlines are asking passengers to check their websites for updates.

Key words : sunrise
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230101_11/

About 58,000 people flocked to a beach in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, to observe the first sunrise of 2023. Cape Inubosaki in the city of Choshi sees the New Year's Day sunrise earlier than anywhere else in Japan, except for mountaintops and remote islands.

On Sunday, winds were mild and the sea was calm. The sky gradually turned orange and the sun emerged above clouds on the horizon shortly before 7 a.m. Spectators prayed and took photos.

The cape is not the easternmost point of the country. But city officials say the sun rises early in a 10-day period around January 1 due to the tilt of the Earth's axis.

In the city of Osaka, western Japan, hundreds of people watched the year's first sunrise from the top of the country's tallest building.

Abeno Harukas is 300 meters high, with 60 stories above ground.

The operator holds an event every year allowing people to enjoy an unobstructed view of the first sunrise from the observatory and heliport.

About 260 people who applied in advance gathered while it was still dark on Sunday.

There were some clouds near mountains in the east in the morning. But the sun appeared shortly after 7 a.m., casting light through the clouds.

Key words : meiji
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230101_05/

Worshippers flocked to a shrine in central Tokyo in the early hours of New Year's Day to pray for good luck in 2023.

Crowds of people gathered at Meiji Jingu before midnight on New Year's Eve. They waited in line to hear the sound of a drum that signaled the arrival of the New Year.

They threw monetary offerings into a fenced-off area and offered prayers.

A woman in her 20s said she will start a new job this year, and is looking forward to trying various things.

A man in his 50s said he prayed for an end to military conflicts and the coronavirus pandemic, hoping the world will become peaceful.

A visitor in her 40s expressed hope that the day will soon come when children will take off their masks, so that people can see their smiles.

The shrine usually attracts more than 3 million worshippers during the first three days of January.

Key words : new year
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_01/

Russia's military continued attacking cities across Ukraine on New Year's Day. The leaders of both countries used New Year's messages to call on citizens to unite for victory.

Air raid sirens rang out in Kyiv less than an hour into 2023. Explosions were also heard.

City officials say multiple barrages hit the city. They add that fragments of shot-down missiles also damaged places on the ground.

In his New Year Message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the nation to unite.

He said, "Let this year be the year of return. The return of our people. Soldiers -- to their families. Prisoners -- to their homes. Immigrants -- to their Ukraine. The return of our land."

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the regional military headquarters of Rostov region bordering Ukraine. He recorded his annual New Year's address to the nation at the facility.

Putin said, "We will go forward and win for the sake of our families and for the sake of Russia."

Putin says the moral and historical truth is on Russia's side. A US think tank described Putin's speech as an ongoing effort to portray himself as an effective wartime leader. It says he remains focused on justifying the war in Ukraine and its cost to his domestic audience.