at 18:30 (JST), October 07

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/20211007183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar 1,100 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_21/

Myanmar's envoy to the United Nations has vowed to stay on the job and continue seeking international support for democratizing his home country.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun was appointed by Myanmar's former democratically elected government.

Myanmar's military, which seized power in a coup in February, reportedly appointed its own envoy. But Kyaw Moe Tun is still seen as representing Myanmar because the UN Credentials Committee has yet to decide on the country's representation.

Security around the ambassador has been stepped up since a plot to assassinate him was uncovered in August. US law enforcement officials are investigating the case.
Kyaw Moe Tun spoke with NHK at Myanmar's UN mission in New York.

He said that if he retains his post, his team can use the platform to convey people's voices and the situation on the ground to the international community. He said he believes this arrangement is a good option for the people and the country of Myanmar.

The ambassador said they will do their best to make numerous demands and appeals to save the lives of innocent civilians, end the military coup and restore democracy in Myanmar.

He made clear that this will all be reflected in statements he will make to relevant committees and the UN General Assembly.

The ambassador defended calls by pro-democracy forces in Myanmar to revolt against military rule.
He noted that more than 1,100 people have already been killed by the military, and appealed to the international community to understand that the people are fighting for their own defense.

Key words : north ship
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_16/

NHK has learned that in late June a North Korean ship armed with a man-portable surface-to-air missile was sighted in Japanese fishing grounds in the Sea of Japan.

Sources told NHK that the Japan Coast Guard confirmed the presence of the North Korean official ship in the Yamatotai area off Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The sources say the missile was the same type as the SA-16, which was developed by the former Soviet Union. It reportedly has a range of 4.5 kilometers.

They say it was the first time that a North Korean ship armed with a missile has been confirmed in the Yamatotai area.

In 2001, a North Korean spy ship armed with the missile, sank after exchanging gunfire with a Japan Coast Guard patrol ship off Amami-Oshima Island in the East China Sea.

The Yamatotai area is located in Japan's exclusive economic zone and is one of the nation's major fishing grounds.

Japanese fishing boats have long operated in the area, catching squid and other marine products. But illegal fishing by foreign vessels, including some from North Korea and China, has become a problem in recent years.

The Japan Coast Guard has raised its alert level to ensure the safety of Japanese fishing boats operating in the area. It constantly deploys patrol vessels to deal with suspicious ships and analyzes North Korea's latest intentions.

Key words : malaysia protest
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_29/

Malaysia has summoned China's ambassador to Kuala Lumpur to protest Beijing's maritime activities in its waters in the South China Sea.

Malaysian Foreign Ministry officials say the protest was against the presence of Chinese vessels in its exclusive economic zone near Borneo.

They say Malaysia's position is based on international law. Chinese survey ships were seen late last month in Malaysia's exclusive economic zone. But the officials didn't say if the protest was related to that case.

Malaysia also summoned the Chinese ambassador in June after 16 Chinese military planes were detected over its maritime zone. The incident prompted Malaysia to scramble fighter jets.
Beijing claims jurisdiction over most of the South China Sea. Its increasing presence has become a source of contention and vigilance with other countries that have competing claims in the disputed waters.

Key words : philippine
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_25/

The son of former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos says he will run in next year's presidential election.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a 64-year-old former senator, registered his candidacy on Wednesday.

After the registration, he called on people to unite to address the coronavirus pandemic and avoided criticizing the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The election is scheduled for next May, and registration for candidacy ends on Friday.

Duterte's eldest daughter, Sara Duterte, is seen as a possible candidate.
On Saturday, Duterte announced that he intends to retire from politics and not run for vice president in the election.

Duterte is said to have friendly relations with the Marcos family as his father served as a member of the Marcos administration.

Duterte allowed the burial of the body of former president Marcos at a cemetery for national heroes in the capital Manila. Previous governments did not permit his burial there.

Marcos was ousted in a 1986 people power uprising and fled to Hawaii after about two decades of dictatorial rule.

Key words : chief executive
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_24/

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has expressed her intention to implement a security legislation which has long met strong public opposition.

Lam outlined policies for the next one year in her address at the Legislative Council, Hong Kong's legislature, on Wednesday.

Hong Kong's Basic Law calls for the territory to enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason.

The Hong Kong government submitted the bill to the Legislative Council in 2003, but it was withdrawn after a protest rally that drew half a million participants.

Anti-government protests have since been restricted and election systems have been changed, making it difficult for pro-democracy candidates to run in elections.

Pro-Beijing forces are now almost certain to secure a majority in the Legislative Council election scheduled for December.

The Hong Kong government is believed to be aiming at having the legislation enacted by next June, when Lam's current term expires.

The legislation is expected to include articles that prohibit sedition, theft of state secrets and other acts.

If enacted, it could lead to a harsher crackdown of anti-government movements. It would be in force along with the Hong Kong National Security Law implemented by the Chinse government last year.

Key words : payment 200 million
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211007_02/

As the financial woes of Chinese real estate firm Evergrande Group continue, another Chinese property developer has failed to repay debts.

Trading in shares of the debt-laden Evergrande Group has been suspended at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since Monday.

Local media report that Evergrande is expected to sell a property management unit to improve its liquidity. Evergrande says trading of its stock was suspended because the group will soon announce a "major transaction," but it has yet to make an announcement on any such a deal.

It remains unclear whether the group will be able to fulfill a number of interest payments on its corporate bonds.

Meanwhile, Fantasia Holdings Group, which is also listed on the Hong Kong market, said it failed to repay a bond of more than 200 million dollars due on Monday. A major credit-rating firm said on Tuesday that it was a payment default on a debt.

The financial problems afflicting Chinese property developers come as the government is stepping up restrictions to try to cool the overheated market. Concerns are rising about possible impacts on financial markets across the world.

Key words : kawasaki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_28/

Japanese motorbike maker Kawasaki Heavy Industries says it's shifting its product lineup to more environmentally friendly, electric powered models.
The company says most of its bikes for developed markets will be electrified by 2035.

In the meantime, the firm plans to release at least 10 battery-powered models, including gasoline-electric hybrids, by 2025.

The firm is also working on new engines fueled by hydrogen.

Kawasaki president Hashimoto Yasuhiko said one challenge for electric-powered motorcycles is the importance of traditional engine sounds and vibrations to many riders. He says Kawasaki wants to keep offering such pleasures, while meeting the requirements of a carbon neutral society.

at 18:30 (JST), October 06

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/20211006183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : manabe before moving energy
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_80/

The winners of this year's Nobel Prize in physics include Japan-born scientist Syukuro Manabe.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized three laureates whose scientific breakthroughs laid the foundation for a better understanding of climate and how humanity influences it.

The academy announced that one half of the prize jointly goes to Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann for the physical modeling of Earth's climate, quantifying variability and reliably predicting global warming.

The other half goes to Giorgio Parisi for the discovery of the interplay of disorder and fluctuations in physical systems from atomic to planetary scales.

Manabe and Hasselmann both studied the Earth's changing climate. It's the first time the Nobel in Physics has recognized work in this area.

Manabe, who is 90-years old, said winning the honor was a "big surprise."

He completed his doctorate at the University of Tokyo, before moving to the United States. He is currently a senior meteorologist at Princeton University in New Jersey.

He worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In the 1960s, he succeeded in demonstrating how carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributes to an increase in temperatures at the Earth's surface.

Hasselmann built on that work. His modeling showed the link between weather and climate, and he also developed methods to identify the imprint of human activities in the climate. This allowed scientists to prove that human-created emissions can increase temperatures.

Together, their discoveries allowed for more reliable predictions of global warming.

Another scientist, Giorgio Parisi, had a more abstract impact on physics. He identified hidden patterns in complex systems. This has helped scientists from various disciplines better understand seemingly random phenomena.

At the announcement, Parisi said climate change must be tackled at a faster pace and urged immediate action.

Following the announcement, Manabe spoke to a crowd at Princeton University about the award and his career.

He said that, when he started his research, he could not imagine the consequences.

The scientist said climate change has become interwoven with problems related to energy, agriculture, and water, adding that trying to understand it is not easy.

Manabe also said arguments over global warming are "bewildering."

Key words : taliban met
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211006_03/

Taliban leaders have met with the British envoy in Afghanistan. The move is widely seen as the group's attempt to seek recognition from the international community.

The Taliban's acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with UK envoy for Afghanistan Simon Gass on Tuesday in Kabul.

The Taliban said in a statement that Muttaqi told Gass that Britain should cooperate to promote their relations to a new stage.

The Taliban statement said the meeting was held with an eye on starting diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, Britain did not mention the establishment of relations with the Taliban.

The UK foreign office said they discussed how the UK could help Afghanistan address the importance of preventing the country from becoming an incubator for terrorism, and the continued need for safe passage for those who want to leave the country.

Key words : mazda
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211005_27/

Japanese automaker Mazda plans to cut production at two of its domestic factories this month because it can't get enough parts as the coronavirus pandemic disrupts semiconductor supplies.

Mazda says it will halt the night shift at two plants in western Japan for a total of 10 weekdays over two weeks, starting on Monday. One of the plants is located at the firm's headquarters in Hiroshima.

Company officials say they're having trouble getting parts from Malaysia, where a supplier has cut output.

It's the third time for Mazda to suspend operations at domestic factories due to the chip shortage. It did so in July and August as well.

The company predicts it will miss its global output forecast for the business year through March by 100,000 vehicles.

Key words : afghanistan education Rie Koarai
#N/A

at 18:30 (JST), October 05

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/20211005183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : new prime phone 20 minutes
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211005_13/

New Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says he told US President Joe Biden on Tuesday that his government will continue to regard the bilateral alliance as the cornerstone of Japan's foreign and security policies. He added that the two leaders agreed to arrange an in-person summit soon.

Kishida, who spoke with Biden for about 20 minutes by phone, said the two leaders agreed to strengthen the bilateral alliance and to cooperate to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

They also reaffirmed a commitment to step up the bilateral alliance's deterrence and emergency response capabilities.

The prime minister said Biden underlined the US's commitment to apply Article five of the Japan-US security treaty to the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The article obligates the United States to defend Japan.

Japan controls the Senkaku Islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved.

Kishida said the two leaders also agreed to work closely on issues involving China and North Korea. Biden affirmed that the US will support Japan's efforts to secure the return of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.

The two leaders also agreed to cooperate closely on issues including the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, and to work together to realize a world free of nuclear weapons.

The meeting was Kishida's first with a foreign leader since taking office on Monday. Kishida told reporters he believes it served as an important first step in enhancing the bilateral alliance.

Key words : air defense four days
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211005_01/

The number of entries by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone has topped 140 in just four days.

Taiwan's defense ministry says 56 Chinese fighters, bombers and other aircraft entered the zone, which is over waters southwest of Taiwan, on Monday.

The figure marked the highest number of Chinese aircraft tracked in the zone in a single day since the ministry began releasing such numbers in September of last year.

The number of such incidents has spiked since October 1, when China observes its national foundation day. The cumulative figure for the first four days of October has reached 149.

During the first two days of October and on Monday, many of China's mainstay fighters flew into the zone not just during the daytime, but also during night.

Chieh Chung at Taiwan's National Policy Foundation says these moves suggest China has more mainstay fighters in its fleet and has improved its capability of multi-unit operations and pilots' ability to fly at night.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council issued a statement demanding that China immediately stop what the council called non-peaceful and "irresponsible provocations".

The council added that the actions significantly hurt peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and heighten regional tensions.

On Monday, China reacted to a statement from US State Department spokesperson Ned Price urging Beijing to stop its military pressure on Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, "Taiwan belongs to China and the US is in no position to make irresponsible remarks."

Hua said the US has been making "negative moves," including planned arms sales to Taiwan and frequent sailing of US warships through the Taiwan Strait.

Hua said, "these provocative moves undermine China-US relations and regional peace and stability. China is firmly opposed to them and has taken necessary countermeasures."

Key words : honda online market
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211004_36/

Honda Motor is bringing car sales from showroom floors to smartphone screens. The company has launched a website that allows customers to lease a car online amid growing demand during the pandemic.

Honda's new service went live on Monday, making it the first Japanese automaker to enter the online market.

Customers can choose from among four popular models.
They then go in to dealerships to collect the vehicles.

The service is currently limited to leases, but the company will eventually allow customers to make cash and loan-based purchases.

Honda hopes that online sales will also appeal to young people who do much of their shopping on smartphones.

Online sales will initially be available to people who live in Tokyo. Honda plans to gradually roll out the service to other areas.

Key words : southeast disappointed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211005_10/

ASEAN foreign ministers say they are disappointed by the Myanmar military's reluctance to accept the association's special envoy.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations held an online foreign ministerial meeting on Monday to discuss a proposed visit to Myanmar by Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof.

ASEAN picked him in August to mediate a dialogue between Myanmar's military and the nation's pro-democracy camp.

At a post-meeting news conference, Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi said she told her ASEAN counterparts that the special envoy was having trouble visiting Myanmar to meet with all parties, including pro-democracy leaders.

She said Myanmar's military has not reacted positively to the special envoy's activity. She said most ASEAN members expressed disappointment in the military.

The Indonesian minister said she hopes ASEAN leaders will discuss the issue to find a breakthrough when they meet later this month.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah tweeted that the members are disappointed that the Myanmar authority have " not cooperated with the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar."

More than five months have passed since ASEAN decided to send a special envoy to Myanmar following a coup in February. More than 1,100 people have been killed in the Myanmar military's crackdown on citizens.

It remains uncertain what role the ASEAN can play and how it can change the military's posture.

Key words : eight people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211004_23/

In India, eight people were killed after violence broke out during a farmers protest in the north of the country.

Local media say Sunday's clashes in Uttar Pradesh erupted after a car linked to a federal minister hit and killed two demonstrators. The farmers were taking part in a rally against federal farm laws.
The situation escalated after farmers set vehicles on fire.

Farm unions have vowed to step up their protests in the coming days.

Hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers have taken part in protests for over 10 months on the borders of the capital, New Delhi.

They are calling for the repeal of three farm laws the federal government passed in September last year.

They say the laws only benefit major private companies in the agri sector and will shrink subsidies.

The government says the laws will help farmers sell their produce anywhere in the country at better prices.

Key words : abducted by north mother spoke to
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211005_02/

Yokota Megumi would have celebrated her 57th birthday in Japan if she were not abducted by North Korean agents more than four decades ago.

Her mother, Sakie, spoke to reporters ahead of her daughter's birthday on Tuesday.

In November 1977, Megumi was abducted on her way home from junior high school.

Sakie said she becomes sad recalling the birthday parties the family used to have for her daughter. She said it's cruel that the family is unable to hold a party with her.

Sakie said she is looking forward to eating birthday cake with Megumi again sometime in the future.
Sakie called on Japan's new prime minister, Kishida Fumio, to tackle the abduction issue first and foremost.

Megumi's brother, Takuya, said that Megumi must have been spending year after year wondering why she is unable to return home.

Takuya said the Japanese government should arrange a summit with North Korea, with the determination to bring all abductees back home.

Takuya said he wants the government to send a message directly to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that resolving the abduction issue would also be beneficial for Pyongyang.

Key words : nec fiber
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211004_15/

Major Japanese electronics maker NEC says it has found a way to squeeze vastly more data into undersea cables. The company has developed a line that can transfer four times as much information without being any thicker.

NEC says it has managed to fit four optic transmission lines into a thin glass fiber that is a fraction of a millimeter thick. Cables currently have only one line in a fiber.

There are about 1.2 million kilometers of undersea cables installed worldwide, an amount long enough to go around the earth 30 times.

NEC hopes the new technology will capitalize on an increasing need for global data transmission. Demand is expected to keep growing 30 to 40 percent a year.

US IT giants like Facebook and Google are making huge investments in undersea cables to secure their own communication networks.

Chinese firms are also boosting their presence in the market.

NEC is a major player in the installation of submarine cables.

The company plans to commercialize its new technology within a few years.

at 18:30 (JST), October 04

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/20211004183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : new prime declining
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211004_03/

Monday is an important day in Japanese politics.
Lawmakers will elect a new prime minister -- charged with leading the country out of the pandemic. Kishida Fumio is almost certain to win.

He took the helm of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party last week. The LDP-led coalition controls both houses of the Diet.

Suga Yoshihide did not run for a second term as party leader. He said he wanted to concentrate on fighting the coronavirus.

Coronavirus cases surged while Tokyo hosted the Olympics and his Cabinet approval ratings were declining.

Kishida is vowing more support for the medical system and economy. He is also looking beyond borders.
The LDP president says he will raise Japan's global presence, while protecting its interests.

Kishida served as foreign minister for more than four years. He oversaw talks with Seoul to resolve sensitive historical issues.

Kishida also has experience with the White House. He arranged for Barack Obama to become the first sitting president to visit Hiroshima.

NHK has learned who will take on key posts in his Cabinet.

Motegi Toshimitsu is to remain as foreign minister.

Kishi Nobuo is also to remain as defense minister.

Suzuki Shunichi will be named finance minister.

Hagiuda Koichi will be named economy, trade and industry minister.

Matsuno Hirokazu will be named chief Cabinet secretary, who serves as the top government spokesperson.

The Emperor will ceremonially endorse the new prime minister and Cabinet at the Imperial Palace later on Monday afternoon.

Key words : communication line
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211004_09/

North Korea's state-run media reports that the country will reactivate all of its communication lines with South Korea from 9 a.m. on Monday.

The Korean Central News Agency says Pyongyang urges South Korea to make positive efforts to put inter-Korean ties back on track and settle important issues for bright prospects in the future.

The cross-border communication lines have been cut since August, when the United States and South Korea held joint military drills.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un indicated last week that he was willing to reopen communication channels with Seoul as early as October, in a bid to create peace on the Peninsula.

The North launched missiles in September and observers say it remains unclear whether the restoration of hotlines will help improve relations with the South.

Key words : nissan
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_12/

Japan's Nissan Motor says it is in talks with China's Great Wall Motors to sell its factory in Spain as part of its structural reforms, and aims to reach a final agreement this month.

Nissan plans to close its Barcelona plant before the end of the year, but said it would negotiate a possible sale to the Chinese carmaker.

Nissan had initially planned to close the factory last year. But it put off the closure for a year after the plan met with strong opposition from the Spanish government and workers.

Nissan reversed ousted chairman Carlos Ghosn's expansion policy and is working to reduce its overall production capacity while focusing on markets in three countries -- Japan, China and the United States.

The sale of the Spanish factory will be a major step towards achieving this goal.

Key words : afghanistan explosion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211004_05/

A deadly explosion occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Afghan capital Kabul. Media outlets say that at least five civilians are confirmed dead.

The blast occurred near the entrance of a mosque in a central area of Kabul.

Local media outlets say a prayer was being held for the deceased mother of Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.

Members of the Taliban and many locals had reportedly gathered to attend the event.

It was the first major attack in the capital since the US completed its troop withdrawal from the country at the end of August. No one has claimed responsibility so far.

A source related to the Taliban told NHK that the ministry of the interior has opened an investigation.

Islamic State militants have escalated their attacks against the Taliban following their takeover of power in Afghanistan.

More than 100 people were killed by a suicide bombing on August 26th near the Kabul airport. A local Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for that attack.

Key words : afghan wemen rights
#N/A


Key words : philippine retire daughter
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211002_14/

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he will not run for vice president in the country's upcoming presidential election and retire from politics.

Duterte had earlier said he would seek to become vice president, as the country's constitution bans presidents from running for reelection after the end of their term.

However, on Saturday he went back on the decision, saying the overwhelming sentiment of the public is that he is not qualified, and that standing for the vice-presidency would be a violation of the spirit of the constitution.

The country started registering candidates for May's election on Friday.

Newly retired boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has filed his candidacy.

The president's eldest daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is seen as a possible candidate.

His earlier announcement to run for vice president led to criticism that he and Sara would monopolize power if she were elected.

Some experts and local media outlets say Duterte reversed his decision to run in order to support Sara's candidacy.

Key words : taiwan says 39
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_05/

Taiwan says 39 Chinese military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone on Saturday, setting another record daily entry by Chinese forces.

Taiwan's defense ministry says the aircraft entered the zone in two waves.

The first batch contained 18 fighter jets and two anti-submarine planes. It flew into the zone over waters southwest of Taiwan during the daytime.

The second group entered the same zone at night. It was made up of 18 fighter jets and an early warning plane.

The entry of 39 Chinese military planes is the largest in a single day since Taiwan's defense ministry started releasing data in its current format in September of last year. The number also marked a record high for the second day in a row. Thirty-eight Chinese aircraft entered the zone on Friday.

In a report released in late August, Taiwan's defense ministry said Beijing is trying to narrow the air area for Taiwan's military activity and burden its air defense by having the Chinese military drill off the coast of southwestern Taiwan.

Taiwan media quoted an expert as saying the Chinese military may be conducting drills on deploying multiple units in waves in the event of an armed conflict.

Key words : taiwan US issue
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211004_04/

The United States has urged China to stop its military pressure on Taiwan, apparently in response to a recent spate of entries by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price issued a statement on Sunday.

Price said the US is "very concerned" by China's "provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilizing, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability." He urged "Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan."

Price pledged that the US "will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability."

He added, "The US commitment to Taiwan is rock solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region."

Taiwan's defense ministry said 39 Chinese military planes entered its air defense identification zone on Saturday. That marked a record high for the second consecutive day.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has been deepening ties with Taiwan. The statement is Washington's apparent attempt to keep Beijing in check.

Key words : chinese journalist
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_17/

A Chinese citizen journalist who reported the medical collapse in the city of Wuhan in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic and went missing has reappeared after 20 months.

In a video posted on social media on Thursday, Chen Qiushi said when he was able to go out again, his health was so poor that he got tired after walking for one or two kilometers.

The remark suggests that he had been forced to live a restricted life. But Chen said the past is gone and good times have come back.

The former lawyer went to Wuhan in Hubei Province in January last year before the city was placed under a lockdown due to a coronavirus outbreak.

He uploaded videos on social media that showed overwhelmed medical services.

Chen went missing and was believed to have been under surveillance by the Chinese authorities.

Also on Thursday, a Twitter account believed to belong to him carried a message that said he has been through a lot of things in the past year and 8 months, some of which he can talk about and some he cannot.

An account of a video-sharing app was also disclosed but it was deleted shortly afterwards.

It is believed that Chen is still under surveillance by the authorities.

at 14:00 (JST), October 03

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20211003200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : new president suzuki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_16/

The new president of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party Kishida Fumio is preparing to appoint his cabinet members.

Kishida will keep Kishi Nobuo as Defense Minister. Kishi is the younger brother of the former prime minister Abe Shinzo. Their grandfather Kishi Nobusuke was?also a former prime minister.

Suzuki Shunichi will be tapped as Finance Minister. He has served as LDP's General Council Chairperson.

Key words : sensoji
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_11/

Families and groups of tourists flocked to Tokyo's historic Asakusa area on the first Sunday since the end of a coronavirus state of emergency covering much of Japan.

Visitors took photos, rode in rickshaws, and walked along the Nakamise shopping street leading to the Tokyo neighborhood's iconic Sensoji Temple.

Shop owners around the temple's Kaminarimon Gate say more tourists came on Saturday than on that day a week ago. Some shops had cut prices of souvenirs.

A woman in her 30's from Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, came with her child. She said it was a good change of pace for her child, who had not taken a train for a while.

A couple from Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast said they were visiting Tokyo to attend a friend's wedding. They said they were enjoying their first trip to Tokyo in a year.

Key words : 161 new
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_13/

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 161 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Sunday.

The figure is down 138 from a week ago, and has remained below 300 for the 8th consecutive day.

Tokyo officials say 88 patients are in serious condition, unchanged from Saturday.

Key words : atami
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_09/

People have mourned victims of mudslides in the city of Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, to mark three months since the deadly disaster.

Massive mudslides struck the Izusan district of the city on July 3, killing 26 people. One woman remains missing. Officials say the disaster damaged 132 homes, including 53 that were destroyed and 11 that were heavily damaged.

About 30 members of a group of bereaved families and affected people gathered around the site on Sunday to observe a moment of silence.

A man who heads the group and who lost his mother in the disaster says he feels the past three months have passed so quickly, as various things happened.

He said it was very hard on him until his mother was found, and that he hopes the missing woman will be uncovered as soon as possible.

Around 580 people were evacuated to hotels arranged by the city. Officials say most of them have already returned home or moved to temporary housing.

However, a number of people remain away from areas where they have lived for many years. There are challenges in how to rebuild that lives and how to prevent elderly people from becoming isolated.

Key words : owner lawsuit
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Key words : china watchdog
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_10/

China's anti-corruption watchdog says it is investigating a former justice minister for suspected grave violations of discipline and law.

The Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced on Saturday that it is investigating 66-year-old Fu Zhenghua. It has not revealed details of the suspected violations.

The commission also said on Thursday that Sun Lijun, former deputy head of the Ministry of Public Security, had been expelled from the Communist Party. It said he had accepted large amounts of money and property and led a "decadent lifestyle."

There was once the persistent view that a former member of the Chinese leadership, Zhou Yongkang, had been conspiring with a department that controls police and justice to overthrow President Xi Jinping's leadership.

Zhou once had considerable clout in the department, but was later disgraced.

Observers say Xi's leadership is trying to tighten its grip on power by cracking down on the department ahead of the Communist Party National Congress in the fall of next year. Xi is apparently seeking an unprecedented third term as the party's general secretary.

Key words : taiwan says 39 thirty-eight
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_05/

Taiwan says 39 Chinese military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone on Saturday, setting another record daily entry by Chinese forces.

Taiwan's defense ministry says the aircraft entered the zone in two waves.

The first batch contained 18 fighter jets and two anti-submarine planes. It flew into the zone over waters southwest of Taiwan during the daytime.

The second group entered the same zone at night. It was made up of 18 fighter jets and an early warning plane.

The entry of 39 Chinese military planes is the largest in a single day since Taiwan's defense ministry started releasing data in its current format in September of last year. The number also marked a record high for the second day in a row. Thirty-eight Chinese aircraft entered the zone on Friday.

In a report released in late August, Taiwan's defense ministry said Beijing is trying to narrow the air area for Taiwan's military activity and burden its air defense by having the Chinese military drill off the coast of southwestern Taiwan.

Taiwan media quoted an expert as saying the Chinese military may be conducting drills on deploying multiple units in waves in the event of an armed conflict.

Key words : texas
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_06/

Protesters around the United States have raised their voices against a highly-restrictive abortion law that went into effect in the state of Texas in September.

The law bans abortion after cardiac activity is detected in the embryo, which is usually around the sixth week of pregnancy.

Organizers of the protests say that rallies took place in about 650 cities in all 50 states on Saturday.

In Dallas, Texas, about 2,500 people gathered at a downtown park. They marched together holding placards, one of which said "Keep abortion legal." They chanted "My body, my choice."

Anti-abortion protesters also showed up, shouting that abortion is murder.

Opposing groups yelled at each other and at one point police moved in to keep them separated.

Michelle Anderson, from an organizing group that supports women who want to have abortion, said the new law "tells women that we won't be able to have rights to make our own decision about our body," adding, "that should never happen."

One of the participants living in Texas said that the law is sickening and that the protest is just a beginning. She said that she hopes to see their actions lead to change.

Key words : britain gasoline
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_08/

Long lines are becoming the norm at gas stations across Britain as a significant shortage of truck drivers disrupts gasoline deliveries.

Chronic shortages of workers including lorry drivers have been felt in various economic sectors in the country in the wake of its departure from the European Union. Workers from within the EU need visas to work in Britain and with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of them left.

Gas stations felt the pinch and some were forced to close. Consumers went on panic buying sprees and vehicles lined up at gas stations in places like London.

Military drivers will be deployed beginning Monday to help deliver gasoline. The government now says that temporary visas would be issued for foreign lorry drivers.

But a transportation organization estimates that roughly 100,000 drivers are needed.

Driver shortages and delivery disruptions are also being felt at grocery stores in some parts of the country as shelves are going empty.

Key words : climate finance
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_04/

Delegates from around the world have agreed that more must be done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep the 1.5-degrees Celsius target within reach.

The agreement came at the preparatory meeting for the COP26 UN climate conference that ended in the northern Italian city of Milan on Saturday. US climate envoy John Kerry was among the participants.

The 2015 Paris Agreement set a target of limiting the rise in global average temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels.

After the preparatory talks, COP26 President Alok Sharma from Britain told reporters that there was a consensus that countries need to do more in terms of keeping the 1.5 degrees within reach.

He also urged the governments and private sectors of developed nations to honor their commitment to providing 100 billion dollars a year to finance climate action.

Countries still differ over the pace of reductions and funds to be provided to developing nations.

Attention is focused on whether they can reach an agreement on concrete action to address climate change at COP26, which opens in Britain on October 31.

Key words : shibusawa
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211003_07/

An asteroid found between Mars and Jupiter in 1996 has been named after Shibusawa Eiichi, an industrialist known as the father of Japanese capitalism.

The asteroid was discovered by Japanese astronomer Watanabe Kazuo, who lives in Sapporo in the Japanese northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, and others.

The International Astronomical Union officially decided to name the asteroid "Shibusawaeiichi" on September 2, after Watanabe submitted an application in April, 2020.

Shibusawa, a famed industrialist, was born in 1840 in what is now Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture. Japan's new 10,000-yen banknote, which is scheduled to enter circulation in the first half of fiscal 2024, will feature Shibusawa.

Fukaya officials had been working to promote their city by naming the asteroid after their favorite son, Shibusawa.

Watanabe was eligible to propose a name for the asteroid as a discoverer. City officials suggested the name of Shibusawa Eiichi to him so the accomplishments of the local hero will be handed down to future generations.

at 20:00 (JST), October 02

 

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20211002200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : taiwan says
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211002_09/

Taiwan says 38 Chinese military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone on Friday, the largest incursion by Chinese forces in a single day.

Taiwan's defense ministry said 25 of the aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers, flew into the zone over waters southwest of Taiwan during the day. It says 13 more aircraft flew into the zone at night.

Twelve of them passed through the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines, reaching waters on the Pacific side of Taiwan, before heading back along the same route.

The entry of 38 Chinese military planes into the zone in a single day is the largest action of its kind since Taiwan's defense ministry started releasing data in the current format in September of last year.

Expert analysis published online by Taiwan newspaper the China Times said Beijing was showing off its military strength to coincide with National Day.

It said the incursion demonstrates that China is capable of nighttime attacks on naval and air forces beyond what China calls the first island chain.

The US Navy tweeted that a US aircraft carrier was navigating waters near the Philippines around the same time. It is not known whether there is any correlation between the voyage and the incursion by the Chinese military.

Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang said China's military "aggression" was damaging regional peace.

Key words : missile launch china and russia
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211002_05/

A meeting by the United Nations Security Council to discuss the North Korean missile launch has failed to issue a statement after opposition from China and Russia.

North Korea fired a missile on Tuesday from its northern region toward the east. An announcement by Pyongyang the next day said it was the first test-launch of its newly developed hypersonic missile, the Hwasong-8.

The UN council held a closed-door emergency meeting on Friday at the request of the United States, Britain and France.

Kenya's UN Ambassador Martin Kimani, the current council president, told reporters there would be no statement. He explained that envoys expressed their views at the meeting.

UN sources say US and European members called for a statement expressing concern, saying the launch employed ballistic missile technology in violation of Security Council resolutions.

But China and Russia reportedly opposed the move.

The meeting was initially scheduled for Thursday, but the sources say it was postponed after China expressed reluctance over the session.

The council previously failed to agree on a united response to Pyongyang's ballistic missile launches at an emergency meeting on September 15.

Key words : johns hopkins
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211002_10/

The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic in the United States has topped 700,000.

Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University show the country reached the milestone on Friday.

The number of new cases in the US surged again during the summer as the highly contagious Delta variant swept across the country.

The average daily tally had topped 150,000. Average daily deaths were about 1,500 per day as of Thursday.

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rochelle Walensky, told reporters on Friday that the US is "beginning to see cases and hospitalizations decrease from their peaks".

But she warned that the rates of hospitalization and deaths remain higher in states with lower vaccine coverage.

The CDC chief strongly urges unvaccinated people to get a shot.

People who were fully vaccinated accounted for 55.7 percent of the US population as of Friday. The pace of inoculations has been slowing.

Businesses and schools in the US have begun to mandate coronavirus vaccines for their employees.

But some Americans, mostly conservatives, are still reluctant to get vaccinated.

Key words : california
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211002_08/

The western US state of California plans to mandate coronavirus vaccines for schoolchildren to attend classes in-person.

Governor Gavin Newsom said on Friday the vaccine requirement would be imposed in stages following full approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children by the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA has fully approved the vaccines for people over 16 and has authorized inoculations for those aged 12 to 15 on an emergency basis. The vaccines for children under 12 are still in testing stage.

The vaccine mandate is expected to take effect in July for students aged 12 and older and at a later date for students under 12.

California already requires teachers and staff to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.

US President Joe Biden is strongly urging people to get their jabs as the pace of inoculations has been slowing. California's move is expected to affect the decisions of other states.

Key words : drugmaker
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211002_N01/

US pharmaceutical company Merck says it has developed a coronavirus drug that can be taken orally. It says the drug may cut the risk of serious illness or death in some patients by as much as 50 percent.

The drug is called molnupiravir. Merck officials say it is for people who are already infected and showing symptoms. They say it is effective against all variants, including the Delta mutation.

Researchers tested the drug on nearly 760 patients with mild to moderate symptoms. All of them had at least one risk factor that made them more susceptible to serious illness.

Researchers found that just 7 percent of those who took the pill required hospitalization, and all of them survived.
But 14 percent of patients who took a placebo were hospitalized or died.

Merck CEO Rob Davis said molnupiravir is important because it is the first oral antiviral that will be available to combat COVID-19. He said if you're someone who is unfortunate enough to get the news that you've contracted COVID-19, this is a pill you can take at home.

Company officials say they will ask regulators to authorize the drug for emergency use in the US as soon as possible. Rival drugmakers Pfizer and Roche Holding are racing to develop their own oral treatments.

Key words : health ministry medical
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211002_04/

Japan's health ministry has instructed local governments to review their medical systems ahead of a possible resurgence of the coronavirus.

The ministry on Friday asked prefectural governments to conduct the reviews by the end of November. Local authorities are being told to assume a spread of infections as severe as the peak of the fifth wave.

Confirmed cases during the fifth wave exceeded three times the anticipated number. This was mainly due to the Delta variant.

Hospital beds fell into short supply, at one time forcing more than 130,000 people to isolate at home.

In the latest notification, the ministry urged prefectures to ensure adequate beds and to ask hospitals to clarify the conditions under which patients may be rejected. Some hospitals have been slow to admit patients even when beds are available.

Officials asked prefectures to set up temporary treatment centers, including those for patients waiting to be hospitalized. They also requested part-time nurses to be recruited and dispatched to medical institutions.

Regarding people who are self-isolating, the ministry asked prefectures to ensure close monitoring and to respond faster to any sudden changes in condition. They also called for systems to be set up to administer virus-neutralizing antibody drugs at patients' homes.

Key words : protester
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211002_07/

Protesters rallied in Washington on Friday calling for more pressure by the United States and other countries on China against what they call the "genocide" being perpetrated on the Uyghur people.

A Uyghur human rights group based in the US capital and others organized the event. About 200 people attended, including Congress members and those from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

One woman said she was detained at a facility in the Xinjiang region for about 10 months. She said women there were forced to undergo sterilization. She called for more international pressure on China.

Another woman said she came to protest what she called the ongoing genocide and urge US and other governments to take action.

The Biden administration has sanctioned officials in the Xinjiang region. The US Congress is deliberating legislation aimed at preventing the distribution of goods in the US made through forced labor in Xinjiang.

Key words : taliban girl
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211002_03/

Armed Taliban fighters have forcibly dispersed a group of women who were demanding that girls in Afghanistan be allowed to return to secondary school.

The protest took place on Thursday in the capital Kabul. About 10 Taliban fighters rushed to the scene and threatened the women to leave, including by firing shots into the air.

Girls have been unable to attend secondary school since the Taliban took control of the country in August.

In September, the group said boys and girls in secondary school cannot study in the same buildings or classrooms under their interpretation of Islamic teaching.

The uncertainty over the reopening of secondary school for girls is raising concerns about further restrictions on women's rights under Taliban rule.

at 18:30 (JST), October 01

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/20211001183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : first time emergency
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211001_04/

Japan's coronavirus state of emergency and quasi-emergency measures have expired. But the government plans to ease anti-virus rules for bars and restaurants in stages while improving the medical system and pushing vaccine rollouts.

The state of emergency for 19 prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, and quasi-emergency measures for eight other prefectures ended on Thursday.

This is the first time in about six months that neither emergency nor quasi-emergency measures are in place in any part of the country.

But the government plans to loosen in phases its anti-infection rules for dining establishments, events and other daily activities.

The government will call on unvaccinated people to get tested for the virus when traveling to other prefectures.

It will continue to offer free PCR tests to passengers of flights between the southwestern prefecture of Okinawa and main domestic airports, including Tokyo's Haneda. Okinawa, a major tourist destination, saw a surge in infections in the latest wave of cases.

The government will also continue to promote vaccinations and enhance the healthcare system so that patients can receive medical care as necessary in future possible waves of infections.

The government hopes these arrangements will help people resume normal life while observing steps to guard against infection.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu told a news conference that the government wants people, including those who are inoculated, to keep taking basic anti-virus measures, such as washing hands and wearing masks. He also called on people to avoid crowds and other high-risk situations.

Key words : china national bureau
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210930_24/

The key gauge for China's manufacturing sector shows that factory activity shrank in September.

The Purchasing Managers' Index for manufacturers was down mainly due to surging prices of raw materials and a power crunch.

The National Bureau of Statistics says the manufacturing PMI stood at 49.6 for September. That is down 0.5 points from the previous month and logged the sixth-straight month of decline.

The 50-point mark separates growth from contraction.
The index has slipped below the level for the first time since February last year, when the economy was hit hard by the spread of the coronavirus.

Bureau officials attribute September's contraction to surging prices of coal and crude oil, as well as power rationing at factories in various parts of the country.
Business sentiment is worsening, notably among smaller enterprises. Officials say production and market demand are weakening.

The non-manufacturing sector PMI was 53.2, recovering from the previous month, when it showed a contraction.

Key words : kim sister profile
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210930_12/

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has been elected as a member of the country's highest governing body. The move is likely to further raise her profile.

The ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Thursday that she was elected to the State Affairs Commission at the Supreme People's Assembly the previous day.

The commission has a little over ten members, with Kim Jong Un as its head.

Other people who were elected to the commission include Jo Yong Won, a close aide to Kim. Pak Jong Chon, who was reported to have been present at Tuesday's test-launch of a hypersonic missile, was also chosen.

Kim's sister has frequently released statements regarding the country's relations with the United States and South Korea.

On September 15, she issued a statement criticizing South Korea's test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile. In a statement on September 25, she suggested the possibility of an inter-Korean summit under certain conditions.

Kim Yo Jong is said to have the deep trust of her brother. She is likely to further rise in prominence with her appointment to the commission.

Key words : honda
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211001_01/

Honda Motor has revealed that it has been developing a flying car. It plans to make the vehicle capable of relatively long-range flights using technologies it has amassed in its business jet project.

Honda says it has been developing electric vertical take-off and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft with the goal of launching it in 2030 or later. Flying cars are drawing attention as a next-generation mode of transport.

The Japanese firm says many similar vehicles now being developed by other domestic and foreign companies have a flight range of some 100 kilometers.

But Honda says its eVTOL will boast a range of 400 kilometers and allow transportation between cities.

Honda says it will develop the vehicle by leveraging expertise it has gained in its project to create a compact business plane known as the HondaJet. It says the knowhow will include electrification technologies for a gas turbine hybrid power unit.

Honda plans to conduct test flights of its eVTOL in the United States as early as 2023.

The company also says it will develop avatar robots with which their users can perform tasks and experience things remotely.

It says it is also developing small rockets with a goal to use them as launch vehicles for low-earth orbit satellites. It says it is aiming to make the rockets reusable by enabling at least some of their components to land back on Earth after their launches.

Honda R&D President and Representative Director Ohtsu Kenji told a news conference that the company is hoping to expand into new areas by creating technologies and products based on existing core technologies it owns.

Key words : kishida wallstreet Peter Rudegeair
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