at 18:30 (JST), March 31

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/20230331183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : former respect
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_26/

Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou has indicated that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should work to reduce tensions based on the view that the mainland and Taiwan both belong to one China.

Ma, who belongs to Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, started his trip to China on Monday. He has become the first Taiwanese leader, current or former, to visit China.

Ma visited the mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Kuomintang, in Nanjing on Tuesday.

In comments issued after that visit, Ma expressed hope that the two sides will work together to pursue peace, avoid war and promote Chinese ethnicity.

He said these goals are the inevitable responsibility of Chinese people on both sides of the Strait, and that they must all work hard to achieve them.

Ma was asked by reporters whether he is satisfied with his welcome. There are views in Taiwan that officials who met Ma when his plane landed in Shanghai on Monday were low ranking.

Ma replied that he is very satisfied and that his treatment has been beyond his expectations.

Taiwan's premier Chen Chien-jen said Ma is its former president, and expressed hope that he would be treated as such in accordance with international norms.

The premier's remarks are seen as asking for respect for Taiwan's sovereignty, as well as a warning to Beijing and to Ma against putting Taiwan under the framework of "one-China."

Key words : ma met
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230331_04/

Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou has reaffirmed that Taiwan and China should uphold the view that both belong to "one China."

Ma met Song Tao, the director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, in the city of Wuhan in the inland Chinese province of Hubei on Thursday.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency says Song told Ma that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of one family.

Song emphasized that China resolutely opposes what he called "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and interference from external forces.

Ma said people on both sides belong to the same Chinese nation. He said the two sides must maintain exchanges, cooperate and do everything possible to avoid war and conflict.

Ma, a member of Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, was president from 2008 to 2016. He met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore in 2015, when they affirmed the "1992 Consensus."

The Consensus refers to what's described as a confirmation between the Kuomintang and China that there is "one China." The Kuomintang was in power when the Consensus formed.

Analysts say Ma is seeking to demonstrate to voters ahead of Taiwan's presidential election next January that the Kuomintang has China's ear.

Ma's meeting with Song comes as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is stopping in the United States on her way to Guatemala and Belize, two Central American nations with diplomatic ties to Taiwan.

She is expected to stop again in the US next week to meet House Speaker Kevin McCarthy before returning to Taiwan.

Key words : south publicly
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230331_09/

The South Korean government has for the first time publicly released a report on North Korea's human rights violations.

The government of President Yoon Suk-yeol compiled the report based on testimonies from more than 500 people who had defected from North Korea since 2017.

The 450-page report released on Thursday says citizens were executed for watching and distributing South Korean dramas, or selling cosmetics and other South Korean items.

A pregnant woman was also reported to have been publicly executed in 2017 for pointing her finger at a portrait of the country's founder, Kim Il Sung.

The report says executions are widely carried out in the North for acts that do not justify the death penalty.

The human rights report has been compiled annually under a law enacted in 2016. But the documents were classified under the administration of Yoon's predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who sought dialogue with North Korea.

Yoon has been putting increasing pressure on Pyongyang over human rights issues.

Earlier this week Yoon said human rights violations against the North Korean people should be fully revealed to the international community.

Key words : myanmar US state
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230330_40/

The decision by Myanmar military junta to dissolve the party of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and dozens of others has drawn international condemnation.

The US government criticized the decision to abolish 40 political parties including the National League for Democracy.

US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters "Any election without the participation of all stakeholders in Burma would not be and cannot be considered free or fair."

The State Department spokesperson said Washington continues to support efforts to establish democracy in Myanmar.

Myanmar's military announced on Tuesday that the NLD would be dissolved as it had failed to meet a deadline to register for elections.

The NLD won the 2020 general election, but the military alleged voting irregularities and seized power in a coup early the next year.

Japan's Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing ''serious concern". It said the further exclusion of the NLD will ''make it even more difficult to improve the situation.'' It also called on the Myanmar military to immediately release NLD leaders.

Britain and Australia also condemned the junta for increasing repression of people's democratic rights.

The NLD said in a statement that the junta's actions were a breach of the law. It added that the election commission controlled by the military had no right to dissolve lawfully established political parties.

Key words : 12 years sharing painful memories
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20230310091646890/

The Power of Storytelling

March 11 marks the 12th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. One young woman from a badly-hit area was unable to talk about the disaster for years, following the tragic death of her sister. This report explores how she is finally able to share her memories and transform her grief - through the power of storytelling.

at 18:30 (JST), March 30

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/20230330183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : tsai new york
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230330_17/

The government of Honduras has announced that President Xiomara Castro will make an official visit to China.

The Honduran government said on Twitter on Wednesday that Castro will travel to China soon and sign bilateral agreements. It did not provide a date.

Honduras established diplomatic ties with China on Sunday.

The announcement of the trip comes days after Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen begins a tour of countries in Central America.

Tsai made a stopover in New York on Wednesday on her way to Guatemala and Belize.

After visiting the two countries, Tsai will make a stop in Los Angeles, where she is expected to meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

China appears to be sending a warning to Tsai by welcoming the Honduran president.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told reporters on Sunday that the establishment of ties between China and Honduras was likely timed to coincide with Tsai's overseas trip.

Key words : tsai protest
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230330_27/

Taiwan's intelligence chief says Chinese authorities are paying people to protest outside a hotel in New York where President Tsai Ing-wen is staying.

National Security Bureau Director General Tsai Ming-yen made the remark at a parliamentary committee meeting in Taipei on Thursday.

President Tsai has been staying at the hotel in downtown Manhattan since arriving in New York on Wednesday for a stopover on her way to countries in Central America. About 500 people on the other side of the street chanted, "There is one China," and "No to Taiwan independence."

The intelligence chief said the Chinese Consulate General in New York is mobilizing pro-China organizations and paying the protesters 200 dollars a day each.

He stressed that Taiwan is coordinating closely with US authorities to prevent any unexpected trouble.

Key words : private unofficial
#N/A


Key words : myanmar condemn
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230330_03/

Myanmar's political party headed by ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has strongly condemned the military's announcement that the party will be dissolved.

The military reported on state media on Tuesday that the National League for Democracy will be invalidated as it failed to meet the deadline to register for the general election.

On Wednesday, the NLD said in a statement that the military council violated laws and has no legitimacy to represent the public. It went on to say the election commission under the military council "has neither the right to dissolve nor the right to approve the lawfully established political parties."

The NLD said 1,235 party members have been arrested so far, and that 26 of them have died during interrogations and in prisons since the military seized power in the 2021 coup.

It said the NLD is "a political party that only carries out the public interests according to the decision of the people," adding, "As long as there are people, the party will exist."

Key words : xi saudi iran
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_32/

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed his country's role in normalizing ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and expressed eagerness to expand China's involvement in the Middle East.

Xi spoke by phone with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday. China's Foreign Ministry says Xi stressed that the international community widely praised China for mediating the normalization of ties.

Xi said China is ready to continue to support the follow-up process of the talks between the two countries.

The crown prince thanked Xi for China's strong support for improving Saudi Arabia-Iran relations. He stressed the importance of strengthening ties between China and Saudi Arabia.

Xi also said China will contribute more to promoting peace, stability and development in the Middle East.

China has displayed growing power in the region where the United States previously had strong influence.

Key words : japan and supply chain
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230329_17/

Japan and the United States have signed an agreement to support EVs that run on batteries produced in Japan. The deal aims to strengthen supply chains for key minerals used in EV batteries.

The two countries announced the deal on Tuesday. The minerals covered in the pact include lithium, nickel and cobalt.

It comes after the US introduced a policy last year that gave customers who purchased an EV 7,500 dollars' worth of tax credits. But the measure did not apply to EVs that run on minerals processed in Japan, even if the vehicles themselves were made in the US.

The new agreement changes this. Customers who buy a Japanese EV will receive half of the amount of tax credits as long as the vehicle is made in North America, even if it runs on minerals processed in Japan. The countries say the agreement will help Japanese automakers compete in the US market.

Key words : south resign
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230329_30/

South Korea's top presidential adviser on diplomacy and security has announced he is stepping down.

National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han said in a comment to the media that his resignation was effective Wednesday.

Kim said his goals of establishing a foundation to restore the alliance with the United States, improving relations with Japan, and strengthening security cooperation between South Korea, the US and Japan have been met "to some extent."

He said he believes his successor will be able to take over his role smoothly.

Kim did not provide any reason for his resignation.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has nominated the ambassador to the US, Cho Tae-yong, as Kim's successor.

Kim previously worked as a university professor of US diplomatic policy and other issues.

He has served as Yoon's national security adviser since the inauguration of his administration.

Kim accompanied Yoon to his visit to Japan earlier this month and other overseas trips.

South Korean media are reporting that officials at the presidential office have been replaced due to a protocol blunder concerning the president's US visit next month. Kim's resignation is rumored to have come against such a backdrop.

The sudden resignation of the top security adviser has prompted public concerns, as North Korea continues its ballistic missile launches and other provocations.

Key words : fuji
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230329_34/

Mount Fuji has not erupted in more than 300 years, but Japan has a new strategy in case an eruption is imminent. A major blowup could prove catastrophic for neighboring communities and also paralyze daily life in Tokyo and beyond.

The evacuation plan was unveiled on Wednesday. It was developed by three prefectures along with the central government.

About 800,000 people living in Shizuoka, Yamanashi and Kanagawa Prefectures would be subject to evacuation. The plan aims to leave no one behind, including climbers and tourists around Japan's highest peak.

People will be asked to voluntarily evacuate well before a potential eruption, depending on the alert level and their location at the time.

Volcanic ash could travel as far as central Tokyo, depending on weather conditions. The ash could also cause road closures, crippling freight transportation and significantly impacting commerce.

The plan asks people to stay indoors to avoid the ash, and ensure they have enough food and water on hand to last for at least a week.

Municipal officials are now drawing up more detailed versions of the plan to better suit their own communities.

Key words : fisher crab
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230329_16/

The season's first catch of Hanasaki crab, a local specialty, has been unloaded in a port in Hamanaka Town in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, starting the fishing season on Monday.

The crab, a type of king crab, is harvested in the Pacific off the coasts of eastern Hokkaido. It turns bright red when it is boiled or steamed, and its rich flavor is popular among food enthusiasts.

Before noon on Wednesday, boats that set sail earlier in the day returned to the port with their hauls.

More than one ton of Hanasaki crabs were auctioned off on Wednesday morning. Bigger crabs with shells over 9 centimeters wide fetched about 11 to 13 dollars per kilogram -- about 10 percent higher than last year.

Nakashita Yoshimoto of the local fishery cooperative said he hopes that many people will visit the town to enjoy the crabs fresh from the sea, as they are a local delicacy.

Hanasaki crab fishing will open at other nearby coastal municipalities one after another. The fishing will last until September.

at 18:30 (JST), March 29

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/20230329183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar political party
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230329_04/

Myanmar's military-appointed election commission has announced that the political party led by Aung San Suu Kyi will be dissolved as of Wednesday.

The election commission made the announcement on state media on Tuesday. It said the National League for Democracy, or NLD, will be invalidated and dissolved as it failed to meet a Tuesday deadline to re-register.

The military, which seized power in a coup in 2021, enacted a new law on the registration of political parties in January.

The law also requires political parties to field candidates in more than 500 constituencies in the country. The requirement made it impossible for the NLD to apply for re-registration as Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD executives have been detained and many other party members fled overseas.

The military staged a coup, claiming that there were irregularities in the 2020 general election, which the NLD won in a landslide victory.

The junta claims that it will conduct a fair election upon the completion of the state of emergency, which was extended in February. But the election's significance is in question now that the military effectively eliminated pro-democracy parties from elections.

Key words : north nuclear weapon inspected
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_09/

North Korea's state-run media say leader Kim Jong Un inspected the country's nuclear weapons program on Monday.

The media reported on Tuesday that Kim was briefed by Nuclear Weapons Institute officials on the development of the country's tactical nuclear weapons and the system for managing its nuclear arsenal.

Kim is said to have called for scaling up the production of weapons-grade nuclear materials to exponentially increase the country's arsenal.

The media also reported North Korea launched two ground-to-ground tactical ballistic missiles in a drill on Monday. It said the missiles were fired from Pyongyang toward an island in the country's northeast.

South Korea's military has said the North launched two short-range ballistic missiles near Pyongyang on Monday morning.

Key words : two-way highest
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_21/

US business magazine Forbes says Japanese two-way star Ohtani Shohei is now the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball, with total earnings for the 2023 season estimated at 65 million dollars, an MLB record.

The magazine has announced baseball's ten highest-paid players for this year.

It says nearly half of Ohtani's earnings come from the 30 million dollar one-year contract extension he signed with the Los Angeles Angels in October. He is also expected to collect at least 35 million dollars from 13 endorsement partnerships.

Ohtani's endorsement portfolio has grown significantly in just half a year. It was estimated at 20 million dollars last October.

In second place on Forbes' list was New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer, with 59.3 million dollars, followed by Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, the 2022 American League MVP, at 44.5 million dollars.

Ohtani's Angels teammate Mike Trout was in fifth place, with 39.5 million dollars.

Ohtani's endorsement number stands out at more than seven and a half times the 4.5 million dollars expected by Aaron Judge, the next highest off-the-field earner.

Forbes says Ohtani's continued popularity on both sides of the Pacific is the most significant factor in his endorsement earnings.

Key words : taiwan scepticism
#N/A

at 18:30 (JST), March 28

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/20230328183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : pro-democracy continue junta
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230327_36/

Myanmar's junta chief has overseen a massive military parade and stressed his soldiers will continue to confront pro-democracy forces head-on.

Monday marked Armed Forces Day. The display commemorates the start of the country's fight for independence from Japan in 1945.

Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets took to the skies and over 8,000 troops marched in the capital, Naypyitaw.

The annual show of strength comes as the military intensifies its fight against pro-democracy forces and ethnic minorities.

Top general Min Aung Hlaing called the pro-democracy groups "terrorists." He said their attacks are a conspiracy to devastate the country, and the military will resolutely oppose them.

Myanmar has been mired in turmoil since the military seized power two years ago. It has cracked down violently on demonstrators and ethnic minority groups ever since.

The United Nations says nearly 3,000 civilians have been killed by security forces and one million have fled their homes.

Key words : chinese authorities japanese animation
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_02/

An investigation launched by Chinese authorities at the request of a Japanese industry group has led to the closure of an illegal website that hosted pirated versions of Japanese animation, movies and soap operas.

The Chinese crackdown targeted four people in their 30s who were suspected of involvement in running the piracy site known as "B9GOOD," officials with Japan's Content Overseas Distribution Association said.

The site has been popular with fans of Japanese movies and anime since its launch 2008.

It was accessed more than 300 million times in the two years until last month and in its busiest periods over 15.8 million times per month.

The Japanese association had conducted an investigation, together with cyber security experts, and found that the website -- which was mostly accessed by people in Japan -- was run from China. The group repeatedly demanded that the operators remove pirated content from the website.

The crackdown by authorities in Jiangsu Province was prompted by a tip from the Japanese side, resulting in the closure of the site.

Officials believe the operators have made more than 100 million yen, or over 759,900 dollars, in revenue running the website.

The Japanese association has ramped up efforts to provide information to overseas authorities, as piracy site operators move out of Japan.

The group says the latest case was the first time for operators of a China-based piracy site to be subjected to a law enforcement crackdown based on a tip from the Japanese side.

Key words : taiwanese president czech strengthen
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230327_31/

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and the speaker of the Czech parliament's lower house have vowed to strengthen solidarity among democracies around the world.

Marketa Pekarova Adamova met with Tsai on Monday at the presidential office in Taipei. The Czech Republic's top legislative official arrived on Saturday, leading a delegation of more than 150 people, the largest ever from the country to Taiwan.

Tsai praised Adamova's visit as an important milestone in Taiwan-Czech relations. The Taiwanese leader also noted that the Czech speaker had come to Taiwan despite great pressure, an apparent reference to China.

Tsai said the cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic will cover a range of fields including the economy, science technology, culture and regional security.

Adamova said that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are necessary for global security and prosperity. She added that it will benefit the pro-democracy camp.

Taiwan has formal diplomatic relations with only 13 countries, after Honduras severed its decades-long ties with Taiwan on Sunday.

Observers say Adamova's visit to Taipei has created an opportunity to convey that support for Taiwan is spreading in countries that embrace similar values, even if they lack diplomatic ties.

Key words : pharmaceutical 20
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_01/

An Astellas Pharma employee who was detained by Chinese authorities on espionage charges fell out of contact on the day he was set to leave for Japan, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The Japanese businessman in his 50s has roughly 20 years of experience working in China for the Japanese pharmaceutical company, the sources said.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson revealed on Monday that the businessman is being questioned on suspicion of violating China's criminal and anti-espionage laws.

The employee was due to return to Japan in March, as he was reassigned to a different post. But on his scheduled day of departure, officials lost contact with the man after he left a hotel.

This is the latest in a string of cases in which Japanese nationals have been detained on spy charges since 2014, when the anti-espionage law came into force in China. It was unclear what activities constitute espionage, since trials have been held behind closed doors.

Officials say the latest case has rattled Japanese communities in China. They are worried that it could have a significant impact on the economic relations between the countries.

Key words : six civilians explosion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230328_03/

At least six civilians have been killed in an explosion near a Taliban-run facility in the Afghan capital.

The blast took place in the vicinity of the foreign ministry in central Kabul on Monday afternoon. Police said several people, including children, were injured.

The police said Taliban fighters opened fire in a bid to stop a suspicious man walking toward a security checkpoint. The explosion occurred when the man fell to the ground.

Muslims are currently observing the holy month of Ramadan. The area at the time was busy with many people on their way home.

In January, at least five people were killed when a suicide bombing hit the area, which is home to government buildings and embassies.

The Islamic State militant group was believed to be responsible for the attack.

Key words : missile north fighter
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230327_39/

North Korea's missile launches Monday did not deter joint military exercises in the region. The US and South Korea paired up in waters near the Korean Peninsula.

The drill was held off the South Korean island of Jeju. Fighter jet pilots practiced taking off from and landing on the USS Nimitz.

Crews also confirmed protocols for guarding the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. It's set to dock in South Korea Tuesday.

The commander of the US carrier strike group says the ship gathers information on the area from under the sea to outer space, and shares it with allies.

Carrier Strike Group 11 Commander, Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, said, "I feel pretty confident in our capability to operate in the sea in any given time and in any place."

The drill was held days after the two countries wrapped up their first major spring field exercise in five years.

Pyongyang has accused Seoul and Washington of holding a war game for an invasion. It's continuing to pursue its missile development program, firing two short-range ballistic missiles in the morning eastward into the sea.

Key words : russia fishing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230327_14/

A deal with Russia will allow Japanese boats carry out their annual salmon fishing operation in the northern Pacific from April 10 as usual.

The agreement was reached after online talks between officials of the two countries. It covers salmon and trout caught in Japan's exclusive economic zone off the northern prefecture of Hokkaido.

Japan's catch conditions are negotiated because most of the fish in the area originate in Russian rivers.

Japanese officials say the terms are unchanged from last year. The annual catch quota is set at 2,050 tons. Japan will pay Russia a cooperation fee of around 1.5 million to 2.3 million dollars, depending on the size of the catch.

Last year's negotiations were hampered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. An agreement was delayed, forcing Japanese fishers to wait more than three weeks before they could get underway.

at 18:30 (JST), March 27

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/20230327183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : and honduras ties with taiwan republic of china
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_17/

China and Honduras established diplomatic ties on Sunday after the Central American country announced a severing of diplomatic ties with Taiwan. This brings the number of sovereign states that recognize Taiwan to 13 -- the fewest ever.

China says Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina met in Beijing on Sunday and signed a joint communique to establish diplomatic ties.

The communique says the two governments agree to develop friendly relations on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

Honduras cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, stating that it recognized the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate government that represents all of China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is due to depart on Wednesday for a visit to Guatemala and Belize, which maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

She is expected to meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on her way back. Beijing strongly opposes the planned meeting.

Taiwan is to hold a presidential election in January 2024. China is stepping up pressure ahead of the election.
Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te is expected to run from Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

Key words : japanese man alleged
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_17/

A Japanese man in his 50s has been detained in Beijing.

Japanese governmental sources say the man was detained earlier this month by China's security authorities for allegedly violating Chinese law.

Details remain scarce, but he is believed to have been arrested on suspicion of spying.

The man is an executive of a Japanese company.

The Japanese embassy in Beijing has requested permission to talk with the man, and is also collecting information about the reasons for his arrest.

At least 17 Japanese nationals, including the man, have been detained in China on suspicion of spying and other activities since 2015, one year after an anti-espionage law went into effect.

Key words : 78 years okinawa
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_20/

Sunday marked 78 years since US forces made their first landing in a village in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Okinawa in the closing days of World War Two.

People in Zamami Village on the Kerama Islands, about 40 kilometers west of Okinawa's main island, gathered to mourn the soldiers and civilians who died there.

The Battle of Okinawa in 1945 left more than 200,000 people dead. One in four of the residents were killed.

About 1,200 people died in the village in fierce battles between Japanese and US troops. The casualties included those who died in a mass suicide.

The village held a memorial service on Sunday. Bereaved families and others prayed for peace at a memorial cenotaph, called the Tower of Peace, inscribed with the names of the victims.

A 38-year-old man whose great-grandmother died in a mass suicide said that he came with his children to mourn the victims. He said that he wants to pass on the history as the number of war survivors is decreasing.

A 36-year-old woman said she heard war stories from her husband's grandmother, who is 91 years old. She said she prayed for a world without war, and that she wants to share her in-law's experiences with younger generations.

The village faces the challenge of conveying the history to future generations as war survivors are aging. Village officials say few people remain who can talk about their experiences.

Key words : ioto
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_03/

Groups of people from Japan and the United States have held a memorial ceremony on the Japanese island of Ioto, which is located in the Pacific, for soldiers who died there during World War Two. The island is also known as Iwo Jima.

It was the site of fierce battles during the closing days of the war. About 21,900 Japanese troops and approximately 6,800 US servicemen lost their lives in the fighting.

About 200 bereaved families and government officials from Japan and the United States attended this year's ceremony on Saturday. American families had been unable to attend for the past three years, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Teramoto Tetsuro heads a group of families of soldiers who died on the island. He made a speech during the ceremony.

Teramoto said people should remember that the peace and prosperity they enjoy today is founded on the honorable sacrifices made by brave soldiers who loved their homelands and families, and the unflagging efforts of the two countries.

In a speech, Norman Smith, who represented the Iwo Jima Association of America, said, "The reconciliation we witness today is the enduring foundation of historic friendship between the United States and Japan."

The participants then laid flowers and observed a moment of silence for the dead.

They also visited the underground dugout, where the Japanese army had set up its command center, and the hill known as Suribachiyama, where a fierce battle was fought.

Key words : sanction north expire
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_16/

The Japanese government is planning to extend its own sanctions against North Korea for two years, as Pyongyang pursues its nuclear and missile programs.

Japan's own sanctions have been in place since 2006. Two of the measures, a ban on port calls by North Korean-registered ships and a total trade embargo, are set to expire on April 13.

Officials plan to extend the measures, saying the North has been launching ballistic missiles with unprecedented frequency and methods.

They also cite the lack of progress on the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 80s.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu says Japan will work closely with other nations for a comprehensive solution to various pending issues, including the abductions and Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

Officials want the extension to be approved by the Cabinet early next month.

The Japanese government says North Korean agents abducted at least 17 citizens. Twelve of them remain unaccounted for.

Key words : research group mask
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230327_01/

A survey by a Japanese research group shows that about 50 percent of respondents said they decide whether to wear face masks depending on infection situations in their neighborhood. It also shows 30 percent said their decision is based on whether many people around them are wearing masks.

A group led by Associate Professor Nakata Taisuke at the University of Tokyo and Associate Professor Takaku Reo of Hitotsubashi University has conducted a weekly online survey since last August.

They published data that had been obtained as of the first week of this month.

The Japanese government eased its coronavirus mask-wearing guidelines on March 13, leaving it up to individuals to decide whether to put on face coverings.

The survey results show that 66.5 percent of respondents said they always or usually wear masks when walking along low-traffic streets, and 82.6 percent said they always or usually do so when shopping quietly at department stores and other places. The figures have remained almost unchanged since last year.

The results also show that 67.3 percent of respondents agreed strongly or slightly with the idea that it is okay to remove masks when walking on unfrequented streets, and 30.8 percent said they can stop wearing masks when shopping quietly at department stores and other places. The group says the figures have been trending upwards since the beginning of this year.

On the other hand, 44.6 percent of respondents said they think it is okay to remove masks but actually wear them when walking along quiet streets.
And 26.4 percent think the same but actually wear masks when shopping quietly at department stores and other places.

When the survey asked people to give multiple answers about the reason for their wearing masks, 50.8 percent of respondents cited the infection situations in their neighborhood.

The results show that 35.2 percent said they check whether or not many people around them are wearing masks, 26.7 percent cited how seriously medical institutions are overwhelmed in their regions, 26 percent said they wear masks for health reasons that are not related to the coronavirus, and 25.4 percent said they just habitually wear masks.

Key words : document french novelist
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_15/

Documents sent by the late French novelist Maurice Leblanc to a Japanese translator pertaining to his story about the fictional thief and detective Arsene Lupin have been uncovered in Japan.

At least 17 letters and documents were recently found. They had been mailed to the late translator Hoshino Tatsuo sometime around the 1930s.

The documents, which were kept by Hoshino's family, were examined by Nishogakusha University Professor Yamaguchi Tadayoshi and others.

One of them is the original copy of what appears to be a message written by Leblanc to Japanese readers.

Posing as a friend of the fictional character, Leblanc said it was "his greatest pleasure to be understood and loved by cultured Japanese people".

Another of the documents, a draft of his novel "The Outrageous Life of Balthazar" is typed and has some handwritten revisions in the margins likely by Leblanc himself.

There are also letters exchanged between Leblanc and Hoshino about the translation of his works.

Professor Yamaguchi says not many handwritten documents by Leblanc are said to exist in his home country France. He says the newly-discovered documents will shed light on how the Lupin story gained popularity around the world.

Yamaguchi says Leblanc's strong handwriting appears to indicate his sincere character, and that he assumes Leblanc was happy that his works were being read by people in Japan.

Key words : imperial palace viewing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_11/

A street within the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo has been opened to the public for cherry blossom viewing for the first time in four years.

About 100 cherry trees of numerous varieties line Inui Street, which stretches for about 600 meters. The trees are currently in full bloom.

Many people waited in the rain for a palace gate to open at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The annual spring event had not been held during the past three years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The umbrella-carrying visitors strolled along the street, some taking pictures of the blossoms with their smartphones.

A married couple in their 30s said they were there for the first time, and that they enjoyed getting a glimpse of the rarely seen buildings, the cherry blossoms and various other flowering plants inside the palace.

The area will be open to the public between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. until April 2.

at 18:00 (JST), March 26

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20230326180000_english_1.mp3


Key words : taiwan news conference aid
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_14/

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says Taiwan has severed diplomatic relations with the Central American nation of Honduras. This brings the number of countries having diplomatic relations with Taiwan to 13 -- the lowest ever.

Wu made the announcement at a news conference in Taipei on Sunday. He said negotiations are underway between Honduras and Beijing to establish diplomatic relations. He said Taiwan has decided to sever ties with Honduras to protect its sovereignty and dignity.

Wu accused Honduras of demanding billions of dollars in aid, comparing the amount with that of a Chinese aid plan and leaking what he described as false information on the contents of discussions between Taiwan and Honduras.

Beijing asserts there is only one China, and Taiwan is part of it.

It has been pressuring nations to cut ties with Taiwan under President Tsai Ing-wen, who refuses to accept the "one-China" policy.

The number of countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan has dropped by nine, including Honduras, since Tsai took office in 2016.

Tsai is scheduled to begin a tour of two Central American nations by way of the United States on Wednesday. Wu said he is highly suspicious that the negotiations between Beijing and Honduras were scheduled to coincide with Tsai's trip.

Key words : putin deploy tactical
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_05/

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has agreed with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

In an interview with Russian state media released on Saturday, Putin said Lukashenko had long raised the issue of stationing tactical nuclear weapons in his country.

Putin said that the United States has been deploying its tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of its allied NATO countries.

He noted that Russia and Belarus have agreed to do the same, insisting the deployment will not violate their international obligations on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.

Putin noted that Iskander tactical missile systems have been transferred to Belarus, and that Belarusian Air Force planes may be used to launch nuclear weapons.

He added that Russia plans to complete the construction of a storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus by July 1.

Putin also referred to Britain's plans to supply Ukraine with armor-piercing depleted uranium tank shells. He noted that they are dangerous weapons, but that Russia has the means to counter them.

Putin also stressed Russia's plans to increase the production of weapons, including tanks. He suggested that new tanks would bring the total number of tanks possessed by Russian forces to triple the number available to Ukrainian forces.
There have been opinions voiced that Russian assaults have been losing momentum in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian forces are poised to launch large-scale counter offensives in the region, using tanks and fighter jets, which are expected to be provided by Western countries.

Key words : white house officials
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_09/

White House officials say they are aware of Russia's announcement that it has agreed with Belarus to deploy tactical nuclear weapons there. They say they will continue to monitor the implications.

A spokesperson for the US National Security Council told NHK on Saturday that officials have not seen any indications Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon.

The spokesperson said Washington remains committed to the collective defense of the NATO alliance.

Key words : ukraine killed in the battle
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_06/

In Ukraine, the number of newly dug graves has been increasing to accommodate soldiers killed in the battles.

In the western city of Lviv, many graves have been constructed in a burial district newly set up for the war dead at the city's largest cemetery built in the late 18th century.

Many bereaved families and relatives were seen visiting those graves and tearfully laying flowers on Saturday. March 25 is designated the day of remembering deceased in Ukraine.

A 51-year-old man whose 25-year-old son was killed in the war told NHK that he often visits his son's grave. He said the man was his only son, and that the best of the country's young are dying.
A 65-year-old woman also lost her 39-year-old son in the war. She said he died exactly one year ago on Sunday.
She said that although people say time relieves pain, she finds that not to be true, as her pain has not subsided.

As the war continues, a new cemetery has been set aside since last April on land adjacent to the old cemetery to make up for a shortage of burial lots.

The remains of more than 300 soldiers have already been buried in the new cemetery.

Key words : russian official arrest warrant 120
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_11/

Russian officials are weighing in on the issuance of an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin by the International Criminal Court on suspicion of war crimes. The court says there are reasonable grounds to believe that Putin bears responsibility for the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.

Russian Lower House Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Saturday that amendments to legislation are needed to ban any activity of the ICC on Russian territory.

Security Council deputy chair Dmitry Medvedev says if the Russian leader was arrested in another country, for example in Germany, it would be a declaration of war on Russia, which is a nuclear state.

More than 120 states parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC are now obligated to detain Putin if he sets foot on their territory. That could inhibit Putin's diplomatic activities.

Five emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- are scheduled to hold a summit in August in South Africa, which is a state party to the ICC statute.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday it has not been decided whether Putin will attend the BRICS summit.

Key words : memorial ceremony ioto
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_03/

Groups of people from Japan and the United States have held a memorial ceremony on the Japanese island of Ioto, which is located in the Pacific, for soldiers who died there during World War Two. The island is also known as Iwo Jima.

It was the site of fierce battles during the closing days of the war. About 21,900 Japanese troops and approximately 6,800 US servicemen lost their lives in the fighting.

About 200 bereaved families and government officials from Japan and the United States attended this year's ceremony on Saturday. American families had been unable to attend for the past three years, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Teramoto Tetsuro heads a group of families of soldiers who died on the island. He made a speech during the ceremony.

Teramoto said people should remember that the peace and prosperity they enjoy today is founded on the honorable sacrifices made by brave soldiers who loved their homelands and families, and the unflagging efforts of the two countries.

In a speech, Norman Smith, the President of the Iwo Jima Association of America, said, "The reconciliation we witness today is the enduring foundation of historic friendship between the United States and Japan."

The participants then laid flowers and observed a moment of silence for the dead.

They also visited the underground dugout, where the Japanese army had set up its command center, and the hill known as Suribachiyama, where a fierce battle was fought.

Key words : tornado mississippi
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_07/

At least 23 people have been killed and dozens of others were injured after a tornado ripped through the southern US state of Mississippi.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says four people are missing in the aftermath of the twister that struck the area on Friday night.

Search and rescue operations are underway. State authorities say that the number of casualties could rise. The mayor of hard-hit Rolling Fork told CNN that his city is gone.

NOAA, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is still studying where the tornado actually touched down as it was also sighted in multiple places in neighboring Alabama.

A website that tracks US power outages showed about 70,000 households in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee were still without electricity on Saturday morning.

Key words : european union
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230326_02/

The European Union and Germany say they have agreed to conditionally allow new cars with combustion engines to be sold after 2035. The EU had been aiming to ban the sale of such vehicles by that year in order to reduce CO2 emissions.

The European Commission and the German government announced on Saturday that they had reached an agreement on the matter.

The EU and Germany have been at odds over the bloc's plan to phase out CO2-emitting cars by 2035. Vehicles with combustion engines, such as hybrid ones, are among the CO2-emitting cars.

But, Germany demanded that sales of combustion engine-powered vehicles, which run on climate-friendly synthetic fuels, be allowed to continue.
The country is the largest auto producer in the region.

EU officials stopped short of giving details about the agreement. Germany welcomed the deal. It said, "This clears the way for vehicles with internal combustion engines that run on CO2-neutral fuels only to be newly registered after 2035."

Synthetic fuels are made from carbon dioxide captured from the air and hydrogen produced using renewable electricity. When used in an engine, the fuels release CO2.

But, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted is roughly equal to the amount collected from the air to produce the fuel, which effectively means that the fuel is CO2 neutral overall.

Automakers in Europe have been accelerating their shift to electric vehicles ahead of the prospective ban on the sale of combustion engine-powered cars.
However, industry officials and some countries in the region have expressed concerns about the possible impact a ban could have on employment.

They are also concerned that electric vehicle producers may have to rely on China for raw materials and batteries.

The move indicates that the EU is shifting away from its earlier policy of promoting the production of electric vehicles. That could prompt automakers to readjust their strategies accordingly.

at 18:00 (JST), March 25

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20230325180000_english_1.mp3


Key words : death threat powder trump
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_09/

US media are reporting that a letter containing a death threat and a white powder was sent to a New York prosecutor investigating former President Donald Trump.

They say the letter was addressed to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

It was postmarked Tuesday and sent from Orlando, Florida.

The powder was determined by investigators to be non-hazardous.

The district attorney is probing into alleged hush money payments made by Trump to a woman who claims she had an affair with the former president.

Police are looking into the link between the letter and the investigation.

A decision by a New York grand jury on whether to indict the former president could come as early as next week.

Key words : russian troop weapon
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_N02/

Ukrainian leaders say civilians in the eastern Donbas region are bearing the brunt of a new round of shelling by Russian troops. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has framed the situation on the frontlines as a "decisive stage" in the struggle for peace and independence.

Authorities in Donbas said on Friday that Russian missile strikes hit wide areas. They said at least three people died in the city of Kostiantynivka.

One of the attacks targeted a facility that had been built to provide electricity, water and other necessities.

The Red Cross says thousands of civilians around the city of Bakhmut in Donbas are being "pushed to the very limit" of survival. Zelenskyy encouraged his forces to help them by "doing everything" in their power to speed along a victory.

Zelenskyy said, "I have no doubt that we will be able to protect our country and win long-term security, freedom and peace for the Ukrainian people."

Ukrainian troops have been training with their European allies on how to use advanced weapons systems. They are waiting for delivery of additional tanks, jets and missiles.

Leaders in Moscow said their troops are getting ready for whatever the Ukrainians throw at them. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia's Security Council, said on Thursday that military staff are assessing those plans and "preparing solutions."

Key words : supplied western
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230324_32/

Ukrainian troops are preparing for counteroffensives against Russian forces, with additional weapons supplied by Western nations.

Slovakia said on Thursday that it had delivered four Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. Officials say nine more jets will be handed over in the coming weeks. Slovakia is believed to be the first NATO member to provide fighter aircraft to Kyiv. Another Ukraine neighbor, Poland, has announced a plan to send fighter jets.

EU leaders approved a plan to send one million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine over the next 12 months.

The country's top ground forces commander wrote on social media that Russian military company Wagner is losing considerable strength in the battle over the eastern city of Bakhmut.

The commander also wrote that Ukrainian troops will take advantage of the opportunity as they did near Kyiv, Kharkiv and elsewhere.

The deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, held a meeting with military industry representatives on Thursday.

The former Russian president cited Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who during World War Two urged military equipment factories to boost output and warned of reprisals if they failed.

Medvedev said in an interview with Russian state-run media that the country is not fighting Ukraine but 3.6 million members of the NATO army.

Key words : liberation crimea end of war
#N/A


Key words : former russian president
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230324_32/

Ukrainian troops are preparing for counteroffensives against Russian forces, with additional weapons supplied by Western nations.

Slovakia said on Thursday that it had delivered four Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. Officials say nine more jets will be handed over in the coming weeks. Slovakia is believed to be the first NATO member to provide fighter aircraft to Kyiv. Another Ukraine neighbor, Poland, has announced a plan to send fighter jets.

EU leaders approved a plan to send one million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine over the next 12 months.

The country's top ground forces commander wrote on social media that Russian military company Wagner is losing considerable strength in the battle over the eastern city of Bakhmut.

The commander also wrote that Ukrainian troops will take advantage of the opportunity as they did near Kyiv, Kharkiv and elsewhere.

The deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, held a meeting with military industry representatives on Thursday.

The former Russian president cited Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who during World War Two urged military equipment factories to boost output and warned of reprisals if they failed.

Medvedev said in an interview with Russian state-run media that the country is not fighting Ukraine but 3.6 million members of the NATO army.

Key words : united nations human denounce
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_08/

A United Nations human rights monitoring group has denounced both Russia and Ukraine for having executed prisoners of war amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine released a report on Friday based on interviews with 432 people, including Russian and Ukrainian POWs and their relatives. The group also visited 50 related sites to collect information.

The mission says it documented summary executions of 15 POWs by the Russian side and those of up to 25 POWs and others by Ukrainian forces.

It says more than 84 percent of the 203 POWs detained by Russia said they were tortured or ill-treated, and that five of them died of injuries caused by torture.

The report says about half of the 229 POWs detained by Ukraine were tortured or ill-treated.

The mission also says it documented 621 cases of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions of civilians by Russian forces. Among them, 90 percent of the 127 people it interviewed said they had been subjected to torture or ill-treatment, including sexual violence.

The group documented 91 cases of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions of civilians by Ukrainian security forces. Among them, 53 percent of the 73 people it interviewed said they had been tortured or ill-treated.

Mission chief Matilda Bogner expressed concern about executions of POWs, saying that the large-scale impact on civilians will continue unless both parties of the conflict ensure full compliance with international humanitarian law.

Key words : us forces syria
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_07/

US forces have conducted airstrikes in Syria, targeting the facilities of groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The strikes were in response to a deadly drone attack on a coalition facility in Syria.

The US Defense Department says Thursday's strike by an Iranian-made drone on a coalition base in northeastern Syria killed an American contractor and wounded five US service members along with another contractor. The forces are in the country to deal with Islamic State militants.

Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder referred to the airstrikes in eastern Syria during a media briefing on Friday.

He said that no group will strike US troops with impunity. He stressed that if Americans are threatened, the US will respond appropriately and proportionately.

Ryder said that about 5 and a half hours after the US strikes, rockets targeted another coalition site in Syria.

He said Washington is not seeking conflict with Iran or escalation with the country.

Key words : fisheries conference to protect
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_04/

Delegates at a fisheries conference in Japan have agreed to a 25-percent cut in the total catch of Pacific saury.

The measure takes effect this year and runs through 2024.

Nine countries and regions including Japan, China and Taiwan wrapped up a three-day meeting of the North Pacific Fisheries Commission on Friday in Sapporo.

The delegates agreed to limit the catch for all members to 250,000 tons. That's down from the current 330,000 tons.

Fishing in some waters will be banned in June and July to protect young saury.

The delegates also agreed to either reduce the number of fishing boats by 10 percent from 2018 levels, or limit the fishing period to no more than 180 days.

Japan proposed lowering the catch limit to 170,000 tons, but agreed on 250,000 tons after taking into consideration the views of other members.

Fisheries Agency councilor Takase Miwako said none of the delegates objected to a cut in the catch.

Key words : tiktok ban europe
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_05/

The French government has banned Chinese video-sharing app TikTok on the work phones of public-sector employees.

Transformation and Public Administration Minister Stanislas Guerini made the announcement on Friday.

He said recreational applications do not have sufficient levels of cybersecurity and data protection, adding that the ban is effective immediately.

It follows similar moves in the United States, Britain and Europe.

There is widespread concern that data from TikTok could be leaked to China.

Key words : a pair of zoo
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230324_37/

A pair of native South African lizards evacuated from Ukraine are on display at a zoo in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan.

The armadillo girdled lizards had been kept at a private zoo in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

But frequent blackouts caused by Russia's invasion made it difficult for the facility to keep the lizards.

Last November, the Ukrainian zoo asked its counterpart "iZoo" in Kawazu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, to accept the reptiles.

The pair arrived in Japan last week, and have been on display since Tuesday.

The lizards, about 20 centimeters long, are covered with thick scales that resemble armor. They roll into a ball like an armadillo when frightened.

Visitors at the zoo said they hope the war in Ukraine will end soon so the lizards can return home.

A keeper says the zoo officials hope to breed the lizards at their facility.

Key words : imperial
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230325_11/

A street within the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo has been opened to the public for cherry blossom viewing for the first time in four years.

About 100 cherry trees of numerous varieties line Inui Street, which stretches for about 600 meters. The trees are currently in full bloom.

Many people waited in the rain for a palace gate to open at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The annual spring event had not been held during the past three years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The umbrella-carrying visitors strolled along the street, some taking pictures of the blossoms with their smartphones.

A married couple in their 30s said they were there for the first time, and that they enjoyed getting a glimpse of the rarely seen buildings, the cherry blossoms and various other flowering plants inside the palace.

The area will be open to the public between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. until April 2.

at 18:30 (JST), March 24

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/20230323183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : toshiba accepted fund
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230323_30/

Sources say struggling Japanese conglomerate Toshiba has accepted a buyout offer from an investment fund that aims to take the company private.

The proposal was made by Japan Industrial Partners and calls for a full takeover. This would be done through a combination of financing from a group of Japanese firms and loans from major banks.

Toshiba's management has been in turmoil since 2015 when it was rocked by an accounting scandal. The firm has had a series of company presidents resign.

It accepted investment from activist shareholders overseas in a bid to rebuild its finances. The effort to delist Toshiba is aimed at removing the influence of those investors.

Key words : taiwan recall
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230323_31/

Taiwan has decided to recall its ambassador to Honduras to express displeasure over the Central American nation's move to start diplomatic normalization talks with China. Honduras is one of 14 countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro said on social media on March 14 that she has instructed her foreign minister to start negotiations with China.

Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina was reported on Wednesday to have left for China.

In response, Taiwan's foreign ministry said on Thursday that it has decided to recall its ambassador immediately.

The ministry stated that Honduras is persisting in sending its foreign minister to China for normalization talks, in total disregard for years of assistance Taiwan has provided to help Honduras solve its problems.

China insists that Taiwan is a part of its territory. Beijing has been trying to put pressure on the administration of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen by persuading nations that have relations with Taiwan to sever those ties.

The Honduran foreign minister's visit to China is taking place days before the Taiwan president is scheduled to visit two Central American nations, Guatemala and Belize. The trip, due to start next Wednesday, will include transits in the United States.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told parliament that the timing does not appear coincidental, suggesting that China is trying to get Honduras to cut off ties with Taiwan on the occasion of Tsai's foreign trip.

Key words : young people north
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230324_02/

Students and others in North Korea staged a large protest rally as the United States and South Korea held a regular joint military exercise.

North Korea's ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported in its Thursday edition that the demonstration took place in the capital Pyongyang on Wednesday.

A representative of the party's youth organization gave a speech at the rally, saying the US and South Korea will learn how severe a price they must pay.

Pyongyang says resentment toward the US and South Korea is surging across the North. Its state-run Korean Central Television said that as of Sunday, more than 1.4 million young people had volunteered to join or rejoin the North Korean military.

The US and South Korea began their joint military drill on March 13 to prepare for possible emergencies on the Korean Peninsula.

The Freedom Shield exercise ended on Thursday, but the US and South Korea are scheduled to conduct large-scale landing training through April 3.

Key words : south relations improved
#N/A

at 18:30 (JST), March 23

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/20230323183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Kishida returned
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230323_12/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio returned to Tokyo on Thursday morning after visiting Ukraine and other countries. Kishida said his visit made him painfully aware that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is an outrage threatening the international order.

Kishida told reporters at the prime minister's office that he had been arranging the trip to Ukraine since he received an invitation in January.

He said seeing the places where people have suffered aggression with his own eyes, and listening to the personal accounts of their horrific experiences, made him keenly aware of the recklessness of Russia's actions.

Kishida added that through his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he reaffirmed the importance of supporting Ukraine and renewed his determination to uphold the international order based on the rule of law.

He vowed to keep this in mind as he prepares to host a summit of Group of Seven leaders in Hiroshima in May.

Key words : south exercise missile test
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230322_46/

The US and South Korean militaries have held a live-fire exercise as North Korea continues to carry out missile tests.

The exercise is part of an 11-day joint military drill on the Korean Peninsula called Freedom Shield. It marks the first major field training exercise in the spring in five years. The drill will continue through Thursday.

US Army Colonel Brandon Anderson said, "We have focused training. Anything, anything provocation that happens from the North really helps us focus trained and motivates us to train harder."

South Korean Army Lieutenant Colonel Kim Sun-gyu said, "Through this exercise, South Korean and US forces have enhanced our cooperation and joint operations capabilities."

The militaries are also holding a landing exercise. A US amphibious assault ship arrived at the southern city of Busan on Wednesday.

The drills come as North Korea pursues its missile development program. The South Korean military says Pyongyang launched multiple cruise missiles eastward towards the sea on Wednesday morning.

Key words : south in charge of
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230322_44/

South Korea's minister in charge of Seoul's relations with North Korea, Kwon Young-se, has started his four-day visit to Japan, making it the first trip in 18 years to the country by a South Korean Unification Minister.

The visit by a senior minister of the South Korean government comes as expectations are on the rise for more political exchanges, following last week's first summit talks for 12 years between the two countries.

Before leaving his country on Wednesday, Kwon said his trip will have significance amid the trend toward better bilateral relations. He expressed his willingness to discuss a wide range of issues including national security, as North Korea presses on with nuclear and missile programs.

The unification minister also touched on the issue of nationals of both countries abducted to the North.

Kwon said he is arranging a meeting with Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu, who is in charge of the abduction issue on the Japanese side.

Kwon cited that the matter involves human rights violations, and said that he wants to work with Japan to explore ways to solve the issue.

South Korea's Unification Ministry said Kwon is slated to meet Japanese Cabinet ministers who are collaborating on North Korean issues. He will also sit down with members from the supra-partisan Japan-South Korea parliamentarians' union and other senior officials in different parties.

Key words : fund sri lanka
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230322_14/

The International Monetary Fund is to lend nearly 3 billion dollars to Sri Lanka to support the recovery of the South Asian nation's devastated economy.

Sri Lanka is struggling with a weak national currency and high inflation. It plunged into an economic crisis partly due to its foreign-exchange reserves drying up.

The IMF said on Monday that its Board approved a four-year loan program through its Extended Fund Facility.

The approval followed commitments from major creditors like China, Japan and India to assist with Sri Lanka's debt restructuring, including modifying repayment terms.

That was the condition set by the IMF when the international lender reached a "staff-level agreement" on a bailout with Sri Lanka last September.
Sri Lanka's President, Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a statement welcoming the IMF's financial support.

He said the country would work to get the economy back on track for the long term through careful fiscal management and large-scale reform.

Key words : new school year request
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230322_43/

Afghanistan's new school year has begun, but women and girls will not be in the classroom. They have been deprived of educational opportunities since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, leaving many female students with a strong desire to get back to class.

School resumed in many parts of the country on Tuesday. The Taliban had initially allowed women to enroll in universities, but later reversed course. They have also banned girls from secondary schools. Sources say there are calls from within the Taliban to reopen schools to women and girls. But there is no sign of a policy change so far.

One 13-year-old girl in Kabul who worries about her future said: "I want to request the Taliban to reopen schools and courses for girls, and let us study like boys. I also want to ask the international community to help us get the schools opened to us."

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan estimates that over a million girls will be barred from classes in the new school year. It calls for an end to all discriminatory policies against women and girls.

Key words : fisheries conference conference
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230322_22/

An international fisheries conference on restoring stocks of the Pacific saury opened in northern Japan on Wednesday.

A major focus is whether a Japanese proposal for further cuts in quotas for an autumn favorite in the country will win the support of other participants.

Fisheries officials from nine countries and regions, including Japan, Russia, China and Taiwan, are meeting in the city of Sapporo for three days.

Saury catches in the North Pacific have plunged in recent years. Two years ago, a total quota of about 330,000 tons was set for 2021 and 2022, down 40 percent from 2020.

But the combined catches by members of the North Pacific Fisheries Commission reportedly only reached about 92,000 tons in 2021, far less than the agreed ceiling.

That prompted the Japanese delegation headed by the Fisheries Agency to suggest further quota reductions to promote the recovery of stocks.

It remains unclear whether the other members will agree, given the cautious stance of China and others over additional regulation of fisheries activity.

Key words : celebration mode
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230323_02/

After Japan snatched the World Baseball Classic title for the third time, people across the country are in celebration mode. The victory is expected to boost Japan's economy.

Samurai Japan clinched the 2023 WBC crown in Miami on Tuesday, local time, beating Team USA 3-2.

One store in Tokyo that sells WBC-related goods says visitors to the shop, including tourists from overseas, doubled from last year.

The store says the replica jerseys of each Japan team member have already sold out. The store has also run out of baseball bats modeled on the one used by Japan's youngest Triple Crown holder, Murakami Munetaka.

The store says it is considering selling new goods to celebrate Japan's victory.

Floor manager Okada Takuya says it is the first time he has seen replica shirts bearing the name of every single Japan player selling out.

Meanwhile, Miyamoto Katsuhiro, an economist and professor emeritus at Kansai University, estimates Japan's victory will boost the Japanese economy by almost 450 million dollars.

The sum includes spending by spectators during the games played in Tokyo and earnings at sports bars. It also factors in money spent by fans assuming a victory parade is held.

The estimated figure when Japan won the tournament in 2009 was over 380 million dollars.

Miyamoto said Japan's two-way star Ohtani Shohei made a big contribution, capturing the attention of people who don't normally watch baseball.

Key words : new york auction
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230322_18/

A woodblock print by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai has fetched 2.76 million dollars at an auction in the United States, setting a record high for a Hokusai print.

"Kanagawa oki nami ura," or "Under the well of the Great Wave off Kanagawa," was auctioned at Christie's in New York on Tuesday.

The work is part of one of Hokusai's masterpiece series "36 views of Mount Fuji," created during Japan's Edo period.

Christie's says the print fetched a much higher price than expected.

The auction house says it is an early print and popular among collectors. It says good preservation gave it added value.

Another print of the same image sold for 1.59 million dollars in 2021.

at 18:30 (JST), March 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/20230322183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : Kishida surprise visit chair
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230322_04/

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has said Tokyo will make 30 million dollars available through NATO trust funds to help Ukraine acquire non-lethal equipment.

Kishida made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Tuesday and announced this at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Kishida said he definitely wanted to visit Ukraine, meet Zelenskyy in person and deliver his country's unwavering solidarity before Japan hosts the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in May.

The prime minister denounced Russia's invasion of its neighbor as an outrageous act that undermines the foundation of international order.

He said his denunciation became stronger after he saw tragedy in Kyiv and the town of Bucha, where many civilians were found dead after Russian troops withdrew.

Kishida indicated that Japan will show its resolve to safeguard rules-based international order, and tackle global food issues at the G7 summit.

He promised that Japan will deliver assistance worth 7.1 billion dollars it has pledged, and announced new grant aid of 470 million dollars in energy and other fields.

Kishida said Japan will continue providing seamless support, adding that his country will stay with Ukraine until peace returns to its beautiful land.

Zelenskyy said he is deeply happy that Kishida visited Kyiv at a time when Japan serves as the G7 chair and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The president announced a plan to attend the G7 summit via video link.

Key words : south fully restore
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230321_19/

South Korea's foreign ministry says it has decided to fully restore a military information-sharing accord with Japan, following a summit between the leaders of the two countries last week.

The ministry said it informed the Japanese government on Tuesday of the decision to normalize the General Security of Military Information Agreement, or GSOMIA.

GSOMIA was signed in 2016. It is designed to protect bilateral exchanges of highly confidential military information, such as signs of ballistic missile launches.

The administration of previous South Korean president Moon Jae-in notified Japan in 2019 of its intention to terminate the accord. But that plan was later put on hold, leaving the agreement in an uncertain state.

The ministry said that normalizing the accord will help strengthen security cooperation between South Korea and Japan, as well as between the 2 countries and the United States, amid North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

Also on Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said at a Cabinet meeting that he will order the relevant ministers to move to put Japan back on the list of countries entitled to preferential export procedures.

The Moon administration took Japan off the list in 2019 after Tokyo tightened controls on exports of high-tech materials to South Korea.

Key words : world baseball third time in the final
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230322_20/

Japan has won the World Baseball Classic for the third time, beating the defending champion United States 3 to 2 in the final. It's their first title since 2009.

Japan trailed by one run in the second inning when Murakami Munetaka tied the score with a towering homerun. It was his first of the tournament. Japan tacked on another run in the inning to take the lead.

Okamoto Kazuma added some insurance in the fourth with a solo home run of his own. Japan's bullpen protected the lead, limiting the US to just one run through the 8th.

Japan's two-way star, Ohtani Shohei, took the mound in the 9th. He struck out his Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out.

Japan finished the tournament undefeated and Ohtani was named the Most Valuable Player.

Key words : a man in iwate key role community bonds
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20230306113204980/

Following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, many people were forced to leave their homes and rebuild their lives in new neighborhoods. We meet a man in Iwate Prefecture who has played a key role in creating new community bonds through movie screenings.