Key words : putin stressed legitimacy
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230930_08/
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed the legitimacy of his country's annexation of four Ukrainian regions exactly one year after the unilateral move.
In September last year, Russia orchestrated what it called "referendums" in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Putin declared the annexation of the four regions on September 30.
The Kremlin released a video address by Putin on Saturday to mark one year since the annexation.
Putin argued that the referendums were held in full compliance with international standards. He said a defining, truly historic and fateful event took place one year ago, with millions of residents making their own choice to be with their fatherland.
Putin expressed his gratitude for residents of the four regions, saying their firmness and determination have made Russia stronger. He said Russians and residents of the regions are one people and will overcome any challenges together.
Observers say Putin's address reflects his administration's intention to defend the four regions and tighten its control over the regions as part of Russia, while Ukraine steps up its counteroffensive to retake Russian-held regions.
Key words : stepping up counteroffensive
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230930_03/
Saturday marks one year since Russia unilaterally declared its annexation of four Ukrainian regions. While Ukraine steps up its counteroffensive to retake its territory, Russia is trying to legitimize the annexation.
Last September, Russia orchestrated what it called "referendums" in the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the annexation of the regions on September 30.
Russia has designated the date by law as a day to celebrate the annexation. A concert and other events took place in Moscow's Red Square on Friday, ahead of the anniversary.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Putin will address the nation with a video message.
Moscow has been improving infrastructure and promoting Russian-style education in the occupied areas in the four regions. It switched the currency to the ruble and issued passports for residents, asserting their Russian citizenship. It also staged what it claimed to be elections earlier this month to coincide with Russia's nationwide local elections.
Putin held an online meeting with newly elected governors, including those from the four Ukrainian regions, on Thursday. He said the elections there were held in accordance with Russian law. He also said it was an important step toward fully integrating the regions into Russia.
Putin is apparently trying to justify Russia's invasion by claiming it to be a war to defend its territory as Ukraine is stepping up its counteroffensive to take back the four regions, as well as Crimea. The southern peninsula was unilaterally annexed by Russia in 2014.
Key words : paralympic committee
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230930_04/
The International Paralympic Committee has decided to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Paris Paralympics next year in an individual and neutral capacity.
The IPC made the decision at its General Assembly in Bahrain on Friday.
IPC officials voted against maintaining a full ban of the two countries, imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
They then voted in favor of partially suspending the membership of the countries for two years.
As a result, Russian and Belarusian athletes will be eligible to compete as neutrals, without using national flags, emblems or anthems.
IPC President Andrew Parsons expressed his hope that, leading up to the 2024 Paralympic Games, the focus "can now be very much on sport and the performances of Para athletes."
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak criticized the IPC's decision. He said it would prolong the war and increase the level of Russia's mass violence in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee has yet to decide whether to let Russian and Belarusian athletes participate in the Paris Olympics.
Key words : icj
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230930_07/
Armenia has asked the International Court of Justice to make sure that Azerbaijan does not persecute ethnic Armenians in a disputed region between the two nations.
Azerbaijan took military action on September 19 over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia lost in the conflict, and many ethnic Armenians have fled their homes, fearing oppression by the government of Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, there is concern over whether the rights and lives of the remaining ethnic Armenians in the region will be protected.
The ICJ announced on Thursday that Armenia asked the world court to indicate provisional measures for Azerbaijan to preserve and protect their rights.
Specifically, Armenia requests that Azerbaijan refrain from taking any measures that could violate the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Armenia also demands that Azerbaijan refrain from any action to displace ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijan's foreign ministry revealed on Friday that it has invited relevant UN agencies to visit Nagorno-Karabakh.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed in a regular news conference on the same day that the Azerbaijan government and the United Nations have agreed that a UN mission on humanitarian assistance will take place over the weekend.
He said the UN team will seek to identify the humanitarian needs of both people remaining in the region and those leaving it.
Key words : religious group final arrangement
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230930_01/
Japanese government officials are making final arrangements to seek a court order to dissolve a controversial religious group formerly known as the Unification Church.
The culture ministry's advisory panel could discuss the issue as early as October 12.
Ministry officials have been looking into the group's alleged dubious marketing practices and solicitation of large donations from its followers. They formally asked it questions and interviewed former followers.
As a result, they appear to have concluded that the group's practices meet the requirement for a dissolution order.
The law stipulates that the court may order the dissolution of a religious corporation when it commits an act, in violation of laws and regulations, which is clearly found to significantly harm public welfare.
Government sources say there is enough objective evidence that the group's practices were systematic, malicious and incessant.
If the government requests a court order, it will be the third case for an administrative agency to seek the dissolution of a religious group for violating the law. The previous cases included the Aum Shinrikyo cult, which launched a deadly sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1995.
If the court issues the order, the group will lose its status as a religious corporation and no longer be entitled to tax benefits, such as the exemption of real estate tax. But it will be able to conduct religious activities.
The former Unification Church argues that its activities are not systematic, malicious or incessant, and do not meet the requirement for a dissolution order.
The spotlight fell on the group after the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year. The suspect told investigators he believed Abe had close ties to the group. His mother made huge donations to it and he claimed this ruined his family financially.
Key words : prosecutor nagoya
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230929_34/
Prosecutors in Nagoya, central Japan, have once again declined to indict immigration officials over the death of a Sri Lankan woman at a detention facility.
The prosecutors made the decision on Friday following a fresh investigation into the case of Wishma Sandamali.
The 33-year-old Sri Lankan was being held for overstaying her visa. She died in March 2021 after complaining of ill health.
Her family filed a criminal complaint against 13 officials, accusing them of homicide. Prosecutors concluded in June 2022 there was no basis to bring charges against them.
The family requested that an inquest panel made up of randomly chosen citizens review the decision.
The panel determined in December that the prosecutors' decision was unjust. The panel said although the officials cannot be charged for homicide, their actions could have constituted professional negligence resulting in death.
On Friday, the prosecutors said the officials cannot be charged with professional negligence resulting in death because they were unable to foresee and avoid Wishma's death.
The immigration bureau in Nagoya says it is not in a position to comment on the judgment or decisions of investigators.
The lawyer representing Wishma's family, Ibusuki Shoichi, says the decision to drop the case is unacceptable.
He says it's as if the prosecutors have effectively declared that they do not hold immigration authorities criminally responsible even if a detainee is overlooked and abandoned to die.
He says the family will not tolerate the unjust decision and will keep fighting to hold those responsible to account.
Key words : redevelop early next year
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230929_32/
A real estate firm involved in the planned redevelopment of the Meiji Jingu Gaien district of central Tokyo says it will postpone its plans to cut down and transplant trees at the site until at least early next year.
The project led by Mitsui Fudosan calls for the felling of 743 trees, all more than three meters tall. The developers previously said they planned to start in September by cutting down some 50 trees and transplanting about 90.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which has approved the project, has instructed the developers to conserve the trees as much as possible. It requested them on September 12 to submit a concrete review of their preservation policy before commencing the tree removal.
On Friday, Mitsui Fudosan officials visited the Tokyo government office.
They later told reporters that project operators will comply with the city's request. They said they will submit a review of their plans at the year-end or early next year. The decision will postpone the start of tree-felling and transplanting until at least the beginning of next year.
The officials also indicated they may reduce the number of trees to be cut down by altering the design of a new rugby stadium planned for the site.
The Mitsui Fudosan officials also referred to a heritage alert issued in early September by the UNESCO advisory panel, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, or ICOMOS.
The alert says the project will seriously impact the sustainability of the avenue of trees known as Gingko promenade, and calls for an immediate halt to the plan.
The officials acknowledged the panel's view and the need for a review of the tree preservation policy, but complained that ICOMOS had unilaterally issued its alert based on its own understanding.
