at 18:30 (JST), January 16

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/20230116183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : kishida tour G7
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230115_03/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has highlighted the agreement with other Group of Seven leaders that they will closely cooperate to protect the rules-based international order.

Kishida held a news conference in Washington on Saturday, the last leg of his tour of five G7 nations.

Recalling talks with leaders of France, Italy, Britain, Canada and the United States, Kishida said that he exchanged candid views with each leader on bilateral issues and cooperation, as well as uncertain security situation worldwide.

Kishida said that he explained Japan's role as the chair of this year's G7 summit in Hiroshima, and discussed with them the G7's activity through the year.
The prime minister said that he and other leaders reaffirmed the group's unity in efforts to protect the international order based on the rule of law.

With regard to his meeting with US President Joe Biden, Kishida said that the president expressed full support for Japan's decision to make a major shift in its national security strategy, including a decision to boost defense spending, and acquire the ability to launch counterstrikes.

Kishida also said that he and Biden agreed that national security strategies of Japan and the US are in alignment.

He said that they renewed their resolves to further strengthen the deterrence of the Japan-US alliance before they issued a joint statement.

Kishida vowed to work to strengthen the alliance and bilateral security cooperation that now covers economic and technology sectors.

He also pledged to work harder to contribute to the safety of people in Japan and its prosperity.

Key words : beijing hong kong
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230115_01/

The Chinese government has appointed a top security official in Hong Kong as the chief of its Liaison Office in the territory.

Zheng Yanxiong has been the director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security set up under the 2020 National Security Law for Hong Kong.

Zheng is also being appointed as an adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong, which assesses the security situation in the territory and draws up policies.

Under the national security law, Hong Kong's Chief Executive nominally serves as the head of the committee, which is under the supervision of the central government in Beijing.

Zheng will in effect supervise Chief Executive John Lee.

Zheng has maintained a hardline stance as the chief of the security agency in Hong Kong, cracking down on antigovernment protests for more than two years.

His promotion to the head of the Chinese government's top representative office in Hong Kong signals Beijing's intention to tighten its control over the territory.

Key words : tonga remember
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230115_17/

People in the South Pacific nation of Tonga have remembered the victims of a massive tsunami on the first anniversary of the disaster.

Churches across the predominantly Christian country held services on Sunday, exactly one year after an undersea volcanic eruption generated the tsunami of up to 15 meters.

The Tongan government says four people died. The tsunami also caused extensive material damage.

More than 1,000 people gathered at the country's largest Catholic church in the capital Nuku'alofa and observed a minute of silence at the start of the service.

A priest urged them to join hands and rebuild their communities.

A farmer who attended the service says the progress of the reconstruction makes him feel hopeful about a better future. He added that he hopes people will not forget the hard times and will work together to make progress.

Key words : nepal 68 aviation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230116_04/

Nepal's military said 68 people have been confirmed dead after a passenger plane crashed near a popular tourist spot at the foot of the Himalayas.

The country's aviation authorities said the plane carrying 72 passengers and crew members went down on Sunday morning, local time, on its way from the capital Kathmandu to Pokhara in central Nepal.

Domestic carrier Yeti Airlines operated the flight.

The aircraft is believed to have crashed in a gorge about 3 kilometers from Pokhara airport.

Footage from the site shows firefighters working in the wreckage of the aircraft amid billowing plumes of black smoke.

The mountainous country has a long history of air accidents.

The latest crash occurred as tourists and climbers started to return after the coronavirus pandemic dealt a severe blow to Nepal's tourism industry.

The airline officials said 15 foreign nationals, such as Indians, Russians and South Koreans, were among the passengers on the flight.

Key words : taiwan vice president
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230116_01/

Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te has been elected as the new head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP. He is widely seen as the party's potential candidate in next year's presidential election.

Lai became DPP chairperson-elect after an uncontested vote by party members on Sunday.

The poll came after President Tsai Ing-wen resigned as DPP chairperson to take responsibility for the party's major setback in local elections in November.

After working as premier, Lai assumed the post of vice president in May 2020 when Tsai entered her second term as president.

Lai issued a statement after the election, pledging that the DPP would do all it can for Taiwan.

He also promised to protect Taiwan and advance its democracy, peace and prosperity in what he calls complex and fast changing international circumstances.

The turnout for the election was only 17.59 percent.

Lai is facing the pressing challenge of restoring support for his party as recent opinion polls show the DPP trailing the opposition Kuomintang, or Nationalist Party.

Key words : yellow magic
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230115_07/

Takahashi Yukihiro, co-founding member and drummer of electropop group Yellow Magic Orchestra, has died at 70.

Takahashi was born in Tokyo in 1952. He founded the group also known as YMO with Hosono Haruomi and Sakamoto Ryuichi in 1978. He is known as the composer of "Rydeen," one of the band's most popular tunes.

YMO pioneered the use of computers and electronic musical instruments, such as synthesizers, in pop music for a world audience.

The group drew international acclaim and performed at home and abroad until its breakup in 1983.

Takahashi's precise rhythms and simple, diverse drumming expressions were seen as the basis of the band's performance.

He was a man of various talents, who also worked as a fashion designer and established his own brand. He designed YMO's iconic red outfit which its members wore at concerts.

In August 2020, Takahashi made public that he underwent surgery for a brain tumor. He said at the time that he would try his best to recover so he could perform again in front of fans as soon as possible.

His agency said Takahashi died of aspiration pneumonia at his home on Wednesday.

Key words : archery kyoto
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230115_09/

A traditional New Year's archery event in Kyoto drew women who turn 20 this year as performers.

About 50 women wearing kimono shot arrows at the Sanjusangendo Buddhist temple on Sunday. The annual event comes ahead of the national Japanese archery championships.

The women took aim at one-meter diameter targets 60 meters away.

A college student from Kyoto Prefecture said that it is a dream come true to participate as she turns 20.
She added that she majors in science and wants to help others in society.

Another college student from Hyogo Prefecture said that she wants her parents to see how much she has matured with her archery skills.

Sanjusangendo is where many archers competed from the Kamakura period to the Edo era during the 12th to 19th centuries.