at 18:30 (JST), December 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/20211207183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar prison sentence
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211207_03/

The prison sentence for Myanmar's ousted de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been reduced from four years to two years.
The chief of the military-appointed government issued a partial pardon.

Reuters news agency cited a report from Myanmar's state-run television late on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, the court delivered its first verdict since Aung San Suu Kyi was taken into custody during a military coup on February 1st.

She is charged with at least 12 crimes and is being tried in a special court set up in the capital, Naypyidaw.

Sources say the court convicted her of inciting public unrest through statements released by her National League for Democracy party after the coup.
The reason her sentence was reduced is not yet known.

Key words : japan provide three years
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211207_08/

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is expected to announce at the Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 that Japan will provide about 2.8 billion dollars to other countries and regions for the next three years.

The two-day international conference for improving nutrition opens in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Kishida, Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and other officials will discuss with world leaders online how to promote global efforts to improve nutrition.

Kishida is also expected to pledge to offer at least 10 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to African nations through the international framework to ensure fair distribution of vaccines amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

Kishida apparently wants to show the world Japan's resolve to contribute to the vaccine rollout in Africa which has low inoculation rates.

Key words : eruption death toll 22
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211207_07/

Indonesian authorities say 22 people have been confirmed dead in a volcanic eruption on the island of Java.

The 3,600-meter Mount Semeru in East Java Province erupted on Saturday. The eruption sent a mixture of hot ash and lava gushing into residential areas at the foot of the volcano.

Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency says that the death toll has risen to 22, and 56 people were injured. The agency also says 22 others are still missing.

The eruption has caused damage to about 3,000 houses near the mountain.

Video footage shows houses buried to their rooftops.

The National Search and Rescue Agency says the number of casualties may increase.

But its rescue operations have been hampered by bad weather, as workers try to dig up mud manually.

Professor Iguchi Masato of Kyoto University says that Mount Semeru is one of the most active volcanos in Indonesia.

He says that an eruption in 1994 also caused deaths, but the latest has caused even more extensive damage.

Key words : india face-to-face space
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211207_06/

The leaders of Russia and India have agreed to step up bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields, including military, science and technology. India also for the first time revealed that the delivery of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to the country began this month.

The first face-to-face meeting in two years between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took place in India on Monday.

A joint statement released after the talks says Russia and India agreed to renew their military and technical cooperation pact through 2031.

The countries will work together on peaceful space development, including manned space missions and planetary exploration. They also agree to set up a framework to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla referred to the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems India signed a contract to purchase in 2018.

Shringla said, "supplies have begun this month and will continue to happen."

The United States fears that India's acquisition of the missile systems -- which have high radar and tracking capabilities -- will lead to intelligence leaks to Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the deal to supply S-400 systems to India is being implemented, despite Washington's efforts to undermine Russian-Indian cooperation and make India buy US weapons.

Prior to the leaders' meeting, the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries held their first ever "two-plus-two" dialogue. They signed a deal to manufacture more than 600,000 Russian-designed assault rifles in India.

Key words : kirin
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211206_29/

Japanese beer maker Kirin Holdings has filed for arbitration to settle a dispute over terminating its joint venture with a military-linked conglomerate in Myanmar.

Kirin says its Singapore subsidiary filed with a commercial arbitration body in the city state on Monday. The brewer says the aim is to ensure the process to end the joint venture with Myanma Economic Holdings is "fair and just."

The joint venture was created in 2015 when Kirin's Singapore unit bought shares in Myanmar Brewery.

Myanma Economic Holdings manages a welfare fund for the military. Kirin decided to dissolve the venture following the military coup in February.

The conglomerate rejected Kirin's proposals, however.
It unilaterally filed for the joint venture's liquidation with a Myanmar court last month.

Kirin says it won a provisional injunction from Singapore's High Court last week to suspend the liquidation process. The Japanese brewer also plans to ask the Myanmar court to dismiss its partner's application.

Kirin says there is no change to its plan to continue its beer business in Myanmar.

Key words : china central bank releasing
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211207_02/

China's central bank says it will cut the amount of cash banks must hold in reserve, releasing 1.2 trillion yuan, or 188 billion dollars, in liquidity.

The People's Bank of China announced on Monday it will reduce the reserve requirement ratio for most financial institutions by 0.5 percentage points on December 15.

This is the second such move this year, following the cut in July. Lowering the ratio gives banks more cash on hand and can encourage them to lend out more.

China's economy is slowing down against the backdrop of soaring raw-material prices and decreasing sales and investments in the real estate industry.

The central bank says the cut is aimed at helping financial institutions increase its stable financial resources to support the real economy and bolstering support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

It says it will maintain the overall direction of its monetary policy and avoid a "flood-like" stimulus.

Key words : manabe carbon challenging
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211207_N02/

Nobel Prize laureates who live in the US are being honored close to home. Syukuro Manabe, who was born in Japan, received his medal for the physics prize on Monday at a ceremony in Washington.

The pandemic has complicated overseas travel, making it difficult for many winners to make it to the awards ceremony in Sweden. Manabe has been on the faculty of Princeton University in New Jersey since 1968.

Manabe helped lay the foundations for research into climate change. He showed how carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to global warming.

Manabe said climate change has become one of the most challenging issues confronting mankind. He said people need to do all they can to control emissions.

Key words : manabe 90
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211207_28/

Friends and acquaintances are offering congratulations to this year's Nobel Physics Prize laureate Syukuro Manabe, who received his medal in Washington on Monday.

The Japanese-born scientist has been a member of the faculty of Princeton University in the United States since 1968. The 90-year-old helped lay the foundations for research on climate change.

Hokkaido University Professor Yamanaka Yasuhiro used to work under Manabe. They've been acquainted for more than 30 years.

Yamanaka said on Tuesday that Manabe looked nervous when he received his medal, but his distinct walk was the same as 30 years ago.

He said Manabe is the source of all current studies on climate change, and he himself has based his research on Manabe's ideas.

University of Tokyo Emeritus Professor Yamagata Toshio has done research at Princeton and has known Manabe for about 40 years.

Yamagata said despite Manabe's age, his eyes conveyed a strong message about global warming.

He said they have a good time when they drink together, so it's like having his older brother win the Nobel Prize.

He said Manabe's win gives hope to other scientists in the same field of study.

In Manabe's hometown in western Japan's Ehime Prefecture, schoolchildren enjoyed an eco-friendly lunch to honor the laureate's studies on climate change.

Meals made of locally grown food were served at 25 elementary and junior high schools in Shikokuchuo City.

Such ingredients have a smaller carbon footprint as there is no need to carry them long-distance by truck or ship.

A boy in the fifth grade said he ate the special meal with a feeling of gratitude toward Manabe.

at 18:30 (JST), December 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/20211206183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar five people fire
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_15/

Media in Myanmar reported that five people have died in the country's largest city of Yangon after the military rammed a vehicle into protesters and security forces opened fire.

Media outlets quoted witnesses as saying that more than 20 young people were holding a rally on Sunday to protest against the February coup when a military vehicle hit them from behind.

The witnesses say four people died after they were hit by the vehicle, and another person was shot dead by security forces.

At least 15 people, including rally participants, were detained.

An amateur video shows a vehicle crashing into the rally at high speed, as some of the protesters notice the approaching vehicle and start to run away. The footage also shows several people hit by the vehicle while others scream and try to flee.

The military has forcefully suppressed large protests against the coup, but young people have been staging "flash mob" rallies to show their defiance.

The military does not tolerate even small protests, but it is unusual for a crackdown to result in many deaths and detentions.

A local human rights group says more than 1,300 civilians have died under the military suppression since the coup.

Key words : japan updated
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_03/

As countries around the world scramble to contain the spread of the Omicron variant, Japan has updated its own quarantine measures.

The government had been asking returning Japanese nationals and foreigners with resident status to quarantine in designated facilities after arrival.

But there are concerns about a possible shortage of such facilities. Now, the government is calling on fully vaccinated people returning from Omicron-free places to self-isolate for 14 days.

All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines began accepting reservations on Saturday for Japanese nationals and other permitted arrivals.

This comes after the transport ministry earlier this week canceled its request that all airlines stop taking new bookings to Japan.

The government has capped the number of arrivals at about 3,500 per day. Airlines are now allowed to accept bookings up to that limit.

Key words : south three cases omicron
#N/A


Key words : taiwan vaccine
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211206_01/

Taiwan has decided that certain people in its workforce should receive coronavirus vaccinations in response to the global spread of the Omicron variant.

Officials announced on Sunday that a vaccine mandate will cover 24 kinds of workplaces. They include educational institutions from kindergarten to high school, welfare facilities including daycare centers, and leisure sites such as gaming arcades and karaoke parlors.

Starting on January 1, the officials will ask the employers at these facilities not to accept workers unless 14 days have passed since they were fully vaccinated.

Workers with medical exemptions will need to show weekly negative test results.

Sunday marked the 30th consecutive day without a single domestic case of coronavirus infection in Taiwan, including the Omicron variant.

With about 60 percent of Taiwan's population fully vaccinated, officials are trying to boost the rate as they expect more people will enter Taiwan during the holiday season.

Key words : aiko
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_12/

Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, attended coming-of-age celebratory events on Sunday.

The princess, who turned 20 on Wednesday, visited Imperial Sanctuaries dedicated to her ancestors in the morning, and received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown from the Emperor.

After reporting her attainment of adulthood to her parents shortly after noon, she then appeared in front of reporters waiting at the west carriage porch of the palace.

The princess, wearing a robe and a tiara, bowed to reporters and thanked them as they congratulated her for coming of age.

She then visited Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko at their temporary residence in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

She opened her car window, smiled and waved to the people who had gathered in front of the residence.

The princess met her grandparents for the first time in about one year and nine months due to the pandemic.

She is scheduled to return to the palace and receive congratulatory greetings from members of the Imperial family, including Crown Prince Akishino.

Key words : tsmc kumamoto new plant
#N/A

at 14:00 (JST), December 05

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20211205200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : myanmar 5 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_15/

Media in Myanmar reported that five people have died in the country's largest city of Yangon after the military rammed a vehicle into protesters and security forces opened fire.

Media outlets quoted witnesses as saying that more than 20 young people were holding a rally on Sunday to protest against the February coup when a military vehicle hit them from behind.

The witnesses say four people died after they were hit by the vehicle, and another person was shot dead by security forces.

At least 15 people, including rally participants, were detained.

An amateur video shows a vehicle crashing into the rally at high speed, as some of the protesters notice the approaching vehicle and start to run away. The footage also shows several people hit by the vehicle while others scream and try to flee.

The military has forcefully suppressed large protests against the coup, but young people have been staging "flash mob" rallies to show their defiance.

The military does not tolerate even small protests, but it is unusual for a crackdown to result in many deaths and detentions.

A local human rights group says more than 1,300 civilians have died under the military suppression since the coup.

Key words : java erupted 13 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_11/

A volcano on the Indonesian island of Java has erupted, killing at least 13 people and injuring nearly 100 others. Some people are trapped around the mountain.

Indonesian authorities say Mount Semeru in East Java Province erupted on Saturday. It is located 130 kilometers south of Indonesia's second largest city, Surabaya.

The authorities say the volcano spewed smoke as high as 12,000 meters and lava flows reached more than 500 meters from the crater.

Video footage shared by local officials shows people running away in panic from billowing smoke.

Officials say more than 900 residents have been evacuated but there are reportedly still a number of people left behind.

The 3,600-meter volcano last erupted in January. The latest eruption occurred as officials were warning that volcanic activities had increased.

Key words : china game of
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_14/

China's foreign ministry has released a report critical of the United States as that country prepares to host its Summit for Democracy next week.

The report, "The State of Democracy in the United States," said democracy there has degenerated into "a game of money politics" and "rule of the minority elite." It emphasized deep-rooted racial discrimination that continues to exist, and a widening divide between the rich and the poor.

The report also pointed out that the United States has interfered in other countries' affairs and engaged in wars in the name of democracy. These include the 20-year military campaign in Afghanistan that killed and impoverished its people, which China says created a humanitarian tragedy.

The US administration led by President Joe Biden has invited about 110 countries and territories to the two-day online summit starting on Thursday. The US has stepped up criticism of China, which it considers an autocracy.

The Chinese government, on the other hand, released separate white paper on Saturday, in which it says China "practices a rich and extensive form of democracy."

Key words : Biden video talk
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_07/

The White House has announced President Joe Biden will hold video talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss Ukraine and other issues.

Press Secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement on Saturday saying the leaders will discuss a range of topics including strategic stability, cyber, and regional issues.

She also said President Biden will underscore US concerns with Russian military activities on the border with Ukraine and reaffirm American support for the sovereignty of Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the plans for the summit to Russia's state news agency.

The two leaders last held talks by phone in July.

Washington is increasingly concerned about Russia massing troops in the areas near the border with Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought to ease tension when he met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday. But the two sides remain apart.

The Washington Post reported Friday that unclassified US intelligence document and satellite photos, it had obtained, show Russian forces are massing in four locations.

It also said that the Kremlin is planning an offensive against Ukraine as soon as early next year involving up to 175,000 troops.

Biden told reporters on Friday that he is putting together the most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it difficult for Putin to take action.

Key words : US confirmed 12 US
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_06/

Infections of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been confirmed in 12 US states, prompting health authorities to call for vaccination.

The strain has been detected in New York, California, Nebraska, Louisiana, and 8 other states.

White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said in a television interview that there is community spread.

Local health authorities are urging residents to get vaccinated or receive booster shots.

A vaccination center in central California is fully booked. A local doctor says people are probably concerned about the Omicron variant.

A vaccination center in New York City is also busy. A man who received a booster shot said Omicron should not be a major problem as long as protocols are carefully observed.

And efforts to stop the variant from entering the country are in place. Los Angeles International Airport started providing free antigen tests to international arrivals on Saturday.

A tally by NHK shows that the variant has been confirmed in more than 40 countries.

Key words : foreigner help
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_13/

About 100 people took part in a rally in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Sunday to consider ways to support foreigners who are being affected by the pandemic.

The participants reported that those granted asylum have established communities to help refugees and technical trainees who have just arrived in Japan, and that some trainees who are suffering financially are unable to buy food.

They called for support and consultations, as refugees who cannot communicate well in Japanese are having problems obtaining information from public organizations.

Fujiwara Masahiro heads the Foundation for the Welfare and Education of the Asian People, which organized the event.

He says distressed foreigners and trainees are seeking help from their compatriots who are already settled in Japan. He says his organization aims to spread support through the communities that have already been established.

Key words : aiko attend
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_12/

Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, attended coming-of-age celebratory events on Sunday.

The princess, who turned 20 on Wednesday, visited Imperial Sanctuaries dedicated to her ancestors in the morning, and received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown from the Emperor.

After reporting her attainment of adulthood to her parents shortly after noon, she then appeared in front of reporters waiting at the west carriage porch of the palace.

The princess, wearing a robe and a tiara, bowed to reporters and thanked them as they congratulated her for coming of age.

She then visited Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko at their temporary residence in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

She opened her car window, smiled and waved to the people who had gathered in front of the residence.

The princess met her grandparents for the first time in about one year and nine months due to the pandemic.

She is scheduled to return to the palace and receive congratulatory greetings from members of the Imperial family, including Crown Prince Akishino, as well as the heads of the three branches of government, including Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Key words : lebanese
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_08/

Lebanon's information minister George Kordahi has resigned to help end a diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia triggered by his remarks.

The remarks in question were made before Kordahi, a former television host, joined the new administration in September.

He told a televised interview that the war in Yemen was futile and called it an aggression by the Saudi-led coalition. The diplomatic row began after it was aired in late October.

Saudi Arabia responded by expelling the Lebanese ambassador to the kingdom as well as banning all Lebanese imports.

Other Gulf states including Kuwait and Bahrain followed suite, boycotting Lebanon.

The move was a devastating blow to Lebanon's economy which was already facing huge difficulties.

Upon his resignation on Friday, Kordahi said that the interests of his country are above his personal interests.

It's not likely that Saudi Arabia will soon ease the sanctions against Lebanon as Hezbollah militants backed by regional rival Iran are increasing their influence in the country.

Key words : CNN fire
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211205_09/

US news network CNN says it has fired anchor Chris Cuomo after additional information suggesting he had helped his brother, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, to deal with sexual harassment accusations.

Chris Cuomo had been suspended since Tuesday pending further evaluation of the case.

CNN said on Saturday that it terminated him after the new information came to light suggesting his involvement with his brother's defense.

The news network did not elaborate on the content of the additional information. But there are allegations that the anchor may have used his own news sources to find out information on the case and the accusers.

Chris Cuomo admitted in May that he had broken some of the company rules in advising his brother how to handle the allegations.

Chris Cuomo said, "This is not how I want my time at CNN to end." He added, "I could not be more proud of the team at Cuomo Prime Time and the work we did."

The older Cuomo was forced to step down as governor in August after an investigation found he had sexually harassed women, including government workers.

at 20:00 (JST), December 04

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20211204200000_english_1.mp3


Key words : norway
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211204_08/

At least 13 people in Norway have been confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus after attending a corporate Christmas party in the capital Oslo.

Norwegian health authorities said on Thursday that more than 50 attendees tested positive for the virus, and one of them had the new variant. Officials found 12 more cases of the variant on Friday.

Reuters and other media outlets say everyone at the party was fully vaccinated, and none had tested positive before the event.

The 13 people infected with the variant are reportedly showing mild symptoms and not seriously ill.

The health authorities suspect there was an outbreak of the variant at the party. The number of infections is expected to rise as officials check the other attendees.

Key words : south africa topping
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211204_07/

South Africa is battling a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the new Omicron variant, with the daily case count topping 10,000 for the first time in three months.

Health authorities in the country were the first to sound the warning about the variant after detecting it in samples in November. On Thursday, they reported 11,535 new cases of COVID-19, a dramatic rise from just over 300 cases 10 days earlier.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla told reporters on Friday that South Africa is being hit by a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, and that the Omicron variant is responsible.

Genetic analysis by health authorities in November of 249 samples taken from people who tested positive showed that 22 percent were infected with the Delta variant while 74 percent had the Omicron variant.

Only about 30 percent of people in South Africa have been vaccinated. Phaahla said research findings show the Omicron variant is highly transmissible. He urged people to get fully vaccinated and take thorough antivirus measures. He said vaccination is the best way to prevent people from becoming seriously ill.

Key words : shionogi
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211204_02/

Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi has started clinical trials in which a coronavirus vaccine it is developing will be used as a booster.

There are 200 participants in the trials, which began Friday. All have received two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago.

Half will receive Shionogi's vaccine as a booster, and the other half will receive Pfizer's. The Osaka-based company will then compare efficacy and safety.

Shionogi aims to put the first Japanese-made coronavirus vaccine to practical use by next March.

Japan started rolling out booster shots this month. A company official says a domestic vaccine will ensure a steady supply.

Key words : Biden white paper
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211204_11/

The Chinese government has released a white paper on the country's democracy, saying that "China practices a rich and extensive form of democracy."

The move comes before the administration of US President Joe Biden is set to host the Summit for Democracy next week.

The Chinese government unveiled the white paper titled "China: Democracy That Works" at a news conference on Saturday.

The paper says that China did not duplicate Western models of democracy in its modernization drive, but created its own.

It says, "Democracy is rich in form, and there are many ways to achieve it. Countries with different histories, cultures and national conditions may choose different forms of democracy."

The paper also says, "Whether a country is democratic should be judged by its people, not dictated by a handful of outsiders."

Minister of the State Council Information Office, Xu Lin, said at the news conference that democracy "is the right of the people of all countries, not the patent of a few countries."

He criticized the US, saying the country considers itself the leader of democracy, but in reality has suppressed other countries with different social systems and development models under the name of democracy.

The Biden administration is scheduled to hold the two-day online Summit for Democracy" starting Thursday, and has invited leaders from about 110 countries and regions.

.

Key words : chinese government macao
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211204_09/

The Chinese government has decided to create new posts in Macao to oversee national security affairs.

The state-run Xinhua news agency reported the decision on Friday.

It said four officials from Beijing's liaison office in Macao, including its director, will take up the new posts on Macao's Committee for Safeguarding National Security.

The report also said the national security affairs adviser will supervise and guide the Macao government in safeguarding national security.

A similar post was established in Hong Kong when the national security law for the territory was enacted in June 2020.

Like Hong Kong, Macao comes under the "one country, two systems" framework.

Pro-democracy members of Macao's Legislative Assembly lost their seats in an election in September after they were barred from running for being "disloyal."

The influence of democracy advocates is already limited in Macao, but the latest move is seen as Beijing's attempt to tighten its control on dissidents further, just as it has done in Hong Kong.

Key words : us defense arrangement
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211204_05/

US and Chinese defense officials have held working-level talks apparently aimed at ensuring bilateral tensions do not boil over.

In a statement, the US Defense Department said the two sides discussed the Pentagon's annual report on the Chinese military during an online meeting on Tuesday.

The report, released last month, warns of China's rapid military buildup, including possession of nuclear warheads.

The US statement said they "held a constructive discussion to build understanding and maintain open channels of communication between the Department of Defense and the People's Liberation Army."

US government sources say arrangements are being made for phone talks between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart.

The talks are apparently aimed at avoiding accidental clashes amid rising tensions over China's activities in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

Key words : struggling evergrande
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211204_06/

China's struggling Evergrande Group says it will negotiate a workable restructuring plan with offshore creditors after revealing it may not have enough funds to fully meet its debt obligations.

The real estate developer said on Friday that it had received a demand from creditors to pay about 260 million dollars.

Evergrande said in a statement there is "no guarantee that the group will have sufficient funds to continue to perform its financial obligations." It said it plans to "engage with offshore creditors to formulate a viable restructuring plan."

The announcement prompted a swift response from Guangdong Province, where the company is based. The provincial government summoned Evergrande Chairman Hui Ka Yan for an explanation. It said it will send a working group to the company to oversee risk management, tighten controls, and get operations back to normal.

Chinese financial authorities are trying to stop the impact of Evergrande's financial woes from spreading to the broader property sector.

The central bank, the People's Bank of China, said in a statement that Evergrande's problem was mainly caused by its own mismanagement and reckless expansion, and that risks to the general financial market can be contained.

Key words : nakamura kill
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211204_04/

Saturday marks exactly two years since widely revered Japanese doctor and aid worker Nakamura Tetsu was gunned down in Afghanistan.

Nakamura was fatally shot in the eastern province of Nangarhar on December 4, 2019, while working on a humanitarian project. He was 73 years old.

He devoted his career to improving the lives of Afghans as the local head of Japanese NGO Peshawar-kai.

Authorities including Afghan intelligence agencies are yet to identify any suspects for the killing.

Investigations have virtually gone back to square one since the Taliban regained power in August. Many government officials are hiding or have fled the country.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told NHK in September that the gunmen were probably paid to shoot Nakamura. He also said the Taliban will eventually track down the perpetrators and hold them to account.

The investigation is growing more difficult, because the murder took place in a stronghold of the Islamic State militant group, which is a rival of the Taliban.

Key words : kanazawa
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211204_10/

Workers in the Japanese city of Kanazawa have begun a seasonal ritual to preserve earthen walls around former samurai residences.

They are covering them with straw mats called "komo" to insulate them against the snow and keep them from peeling and cracking.

About 30 workers, including some who are studying gardening, gathered on Saturday in the historical Nagamachi district where samurai once resided.

With help from veteran gardeners, the workers suspended the komo mats over the walls using ropes. A typical komo measures one-meter tall by 3.5-meters wide.

Tourists took photos of the event.

A woman in her 50s from Osaka said that she was impressed to see the workers brave the cold hail to protect the cultural assets. She said she wants to come back in the middle of winter.

The work to protect the walls will continue on Sunday. The komo will stay on the walls until mid-March.

at 18:30 (JST), December 03

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/20211203183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : new booking
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211203_02/

Japan is rolling back a travel ban that it put in place to stop the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. The restriction would have left some citizens stranded abroad.

The ban was on new bookings for flights into Japan for the rest of the year. The transport ministry had asked airlines to cooperate.

Existing reservations would not have been canceled. But new bookings would have been virtually impossible, even for Japanese citizens.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio admitted Thursday the halt on new bookings had caused confusion. He said, "I instructed the transport ministry to fully consider the demand from Japanese people for a way to return home."

The government did not mention foreign residents.

But the situation is taking its toll on major events. The International Skating Union says it's canceling the Grand Prix Final international figure skating competition next week in the western prefecture of Osaka.

On the vaccine front, Japan started giving booster shots to medical workers on Wednesday. In principle, people have to wait at least eight months after their second dose.

But the government's chief spokesperson says that's not set in stone. Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said, "The government will further consider which people do not have to wait eight months. Factors include the supply of doses, any changes in the infection situation, and the preparedness of local governments."

Japan has the pandemic under relative control. New cases remain low. Authorities reported 127 across the country on Thursday. Tokyo confirmed 11. The current number of confirmed Omicron cases in Japan is two.

Research institutes around the world are analyzing Omicron symptoms and the effectiveness of vaccines.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said all 44 people it confirmed as having Omicron in the EU on Tuesday had mild or no symptoms.

A senior health official in Botswana told Reuters news agency 16 out of 19 people with Omicron had very mild or no symptoms.

A Japanese expert says there's still no clear data on the new variant's characteristics.

Kitasato University Professor Nakayama Tetsuo said, "The number of serious cases increases once infections spread to a certain extent, so we must not drop our guard. We must keep collecting data, make sure we understand the situation, and make decisions based on the results of experiments."

Key words : russia deployed
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211203_01/

Russia's Defense Ministry says it has deployed a surface-to-ship missile system on an uninhabited island northeast of the four islands that the country controls but Japan claims.

The ministry said on Thursday that the crews of its Bastion coastal missile system were also deployed and entered duty on the island of Matua to monitor the adjacent water area and straits around the clock.

It added that a naval facility for year-round service was set up on the island.

The island used to host an airstrip for the now-defunct Japanese Imperial military when it was under Japan's control.

Russia's military regards the area around the island as strategically important as it is between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean.

Russia has been building military infrastructure on and near the island. In 2016, it deployed surface-to-ship missile systems on the islands of Etorofu and Kunashiri, which are part of the four islands Japan calls the Northern Territories.

Russia controls the four islands. Japan claims them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.

Key words : border control strict sakai masahiko
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at 18:30 (JST), December 02

Asian View

"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to "Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20211202183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : government second case 114 people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211202_04/

The Japanese government has confirmed the country's second case of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Since being identified in South Africa, the strain has been confirmed in at least 25 countries and regions around the world.

A man in his 20s who had been in Peru was confirmed to be infected with the variant after arriving at Narita Airport near Tokyo on Saturday.

He tested positive for the coronavirus at the airport.
He has been in quarantine since his sample was sent for further analysis.

Health ministry officials say he received a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in October. The man traveled to Japan via Doha in Qatar.

Officials are checking the condition of all 114 people who were on the same plane.

Japan is tightening its border controls in response to the global spread of Omicron.

The transport ministry is asking airlines to stop accepting reservations for all international flights to Japan until the end of December.

Reservations already made will not be canceled, but even Japanese nationals currently overseas will not be able to book new flights to Japan.

The ministry says it may review its request depending on the coronavirus situation.

Key words : south record omicron
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211201_19/

South Korea has seen the daily count of new coronavirus infections top 5,000 for the first time since the pandemic began.

The South Korean government says the daily tally of new cases hit a record 5,123 on Tuesday.

The number of patients with severe symptoms stood at 723, the highest ever.

In the capital Seoul, where infections are concentrated, the medical system is being tested with the occupancy rates of beds for critically ill patients exceeding 90 percent.

Around 80 percent of the country's population have been fully vaccinated. In November, the government started to ease restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.

Amid an increase in public activity, infections seem to be on the rise among the elderly who were inoculated at an early stage and children who are still largely unvaccinated.

In view of the situation, the government is working to secure more than 1,300 hospital beds by mid-December, and also to bolster support for people receiving treatment at home.

Meanwhile, a close examination is currently underway after a couple who visited Nigeria was found last month to be possibly infected with the new Omicron variant.

The government has launched a taskforce made up of personnel from various government entities to respond to the situation. The team is considering imposing tighter entry restrictions to the country and beefing up the domestic coronavirus monitoring system.

Key words : tennis association
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211202_11/

The Women's Tennis Association announced it will immediately suspend all tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, due to concerns over Chinese professional player Peng Shuai. She reportedly went missing after making a sexual assault allegation against former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.

WTA Chairman & CEO Steve Simon announced the decision Wednesday in a statement on the association's website.

Peng reportedly disappeared after posting a message on social media alleging she had been sexually assaulted by Zhang.

The WTA has called on the Chinese government to conduct a full and transparent investigation into the matter.

In the statement, Simon said, "Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way." He also said, "While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation."

Simon said, "Unless China takes the steps we have asked for, we cannot put our players and staff at risk by holding events in China."

He added, "I hope leaders around the world will continue to speak out so justice can be done for Peng, and all women, no matter the financial ramifications."

Key words : shinzo warned
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Key words : myanmar charge
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211201_34/

Myanmar's military filed a new corruption charge on Tuesday against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

Aung San Suu Kyi is already facing trial on more than ten charges. She has been detained since the February coup. She has rejected all the charges to date.

State TV reported on Tuesday night that the new charge is related to the purchase and leasing of government helicopters. The anti-corruption law carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence.

The report of the new charge came after the court was to deliver the first verdict of Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday.
But the verdict on charges of incitement of public unrest and violating coronavirus restrictions was postponed to December 6.

Key words : hamburger
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211202_17/

Customers at a Tokyo hamburger chain will soon show their faces, rather than cash or credit cards, to pay for their orders.

First Kitchen is introducing an automatic payment system using facial-recognition technology.

The system will become available from December 15th at three outlets in Tokyo.

Customers first upload photos of their faces to First Kitchen's online site and register their credit-card information. The procedures are done by smartphone.

When they go to one of the outlets, they place orders on a device at an unmanned checkout counter.
A camera reads the customer's facial information. If the system makes a match, their credit card will be charged automatically.

The system's operator says its advantages include shorter wait times and a reduced chance of transmitting the coronavirus.

The hamburger chain says the system will be a first for the fast-food industry.

First Kitchen will consider expanding it to more stores after studying the results at the three outlets.

Key words : buzzword
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211201_26/

The award for Japan's buzzword of the year has gone to a phrase linked to Major League Baseball two-way star Ohtani Shohei.

The annual contest chooses a word or phrase that best represents the trends of that year.

The top 10 were announced in Tokyo on Wednesday from among 30 nominees.

The first prize went to "real two-way Shotime," referring to this season's sensational performance by the Los Angeles Angels pitcher-batter.

at 18:30 (JST), December 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/20211201183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : first case omicron designated
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211130_21/

Japan has confirmed its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

The government says the infected person recently arrived from the southern African country of Namibia.

The man in his 30s tested positive for the coronavirus, on Sunday, at Narita Airport near Tokyo.
He has been quarantined at a designated facility since his sample was sent for analysis.

Key words : all 70
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211130_35/

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has instructed ministers to step up anti-coronavirus measures, following the confirmation of Japan's first case of infection with the Omicron variant.

The government confirmed that a man in his 30s, who arrived from the southern African nation of Namibia on Sunday, had been infected with the Omicron variant.

Kishida on Tuesday evening held an emergency meeting with relevant ministers, and instructed them to do their utmost to prevent the virus from entering the country and to take preventive measures.

In particular, Kishida told the ministers to conduct health checks and impose quarantine for passengers who were on the same plane as the infected man and on those who were in close contact with him.

He stressed the need to carry out swift genome analysis if other cases are detected.

The prime minister also told the ministers to set up a taskforce headed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu to foster discussion and cooperation on anti-infection measures.

After the meeting, health minister Goto Shigeyuki told reporters that the infected man is a diplomat from Namibia, and that he had been vaccinated twice.

Goto said that although all 70 passengers on the plane tested negative for the virus, they will be designated as having been in close contact with the man and their activities will be monitored by means of a smartphone application.

Goto added that he urges citizens to continue taking anti-infection measures such as social distancing, wearing masks and hand-washing.

Key words : ban 10 african
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211201_16/

The Japanese government has decided to suspend the reentry of all foreigners from 10 African countries, including those with residential status, as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads around the world.

The 10 countries include South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The ban takes effect on Thursday.

The move comes following Japan's ban on new entries, in principle, on non-resident foreigners globally from Tuesday.

Separately, Sweden, Spain, Nigeria and Portugal have been added to the list of areas from where Japanese nationals and others must quarantine in designated locations for three days after arrival.

The list now includes 48 countries and regions.

Key words : japan stop accepting
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211130_13/

Japan stopped accepting new foreign arrivals on Tuesday due to concerns about the global spread of the Omicron variant.

The first international flight to arrive at Narita Airport near Tokyo before noon Tuesday was from the Philippines capital Manila. No new foreign arrivals were seen disembarking.

Japan had reopened its borders to foreign students, business people and technical trainees under certain conditions from November 8. But after only three weeks the measure has been suspended.

Quarantine rules for Japanese and others re-entering the country will also be tightened again from Wednesday.

Instead of a minimum of three days, they will be told to isolate at home or other facilities for 14 days.

Key words : japan population shrink
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211201_05/

Japan's national census shows that the country's population continues shrinking, registering a fall of 0.7 percent in the five-year period through 2020.

The internal affairs ministry released the findings of the 2020 census on Tuesday.

The results show the country's population stood at 126,146,099 as of October 1 last year. The figure is down by 948,646 from the 2015 survey, which recorded the first decrease since the census began in 1920.

The census also shows Japan had 61,349,581 men, while it had 64,796,518 women.

Of the total population, the number of Japanese nationals was down 1.4 percent from the previous survey, while the number of foreign residents hit a record high, increasing 43.6 percent in the five-year period.

The number of people aged 65 or older stood at 36,026,632. They account for 28.6 percent of the country's total population. The percentage is the highest-ever.

Key words : india GDP
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211201_15/

India's economy expanded in the July-to-September period for the fourth consecutive quarter of growth.
Asia's third largest economy is nearly back to the level seen before the coronavirus pandemic.

India's government says the Gross Domestic Product surged 8.4 percent, compared with the same quarter last year.

There has been recovery in consumer spending, which accounts for half of India's GDP.

A wide range of sectors remain on the recovery path from the pandemic slump, including manufacturing and construction, as well as tourism and other services.

In May, India was reporting more than 400,000 coronavirus cases a day. But the number has been on the decline, dropping below 10,000 on some days.

The Indian central bank predicts 9.5 percent GDP expansion for the current fiscal year that ends in March, citing a continued upbeat outlook for manufacturers and service providers.

Key words : myanmar japanese musician
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20211108104807367/

Every aspect of daily life in Myanmar has been impacted since a military coup swept the country in February including arts and cultural events. Here one Japanese musician describes his efforts to help the people of Myanmar - through the power of music.