An american expert shows his insight into the situation in east asia and japans Foreign Policy. Japan coast guard authorities are increasing their presence near islands in the pacific. Theyve spotted as many as 100 chinese vessels in the area, and they suspect the crews are illegally hunting for coral. Jewelry made from red coral fetches high prices in china. Coast guard authorities have seen a dramatic rise in the number of chinese vessels off the ogasawara and izu islands. They suspect more than 200 crews have been illegally poaching coral since september. As a typhoon approached this week, they moved outside japans territorial waters. But many started sailing back after the storm passed. Coast guard officials now say theyre on a 24hour watch for more boats. Japanese coral gatherers are complaining about the damage caused by suspected chinese poachers. A representative of a fishery cooperative reported his findings to the tokyo metropolitan government. Yukimi sasaki has been gatherin
The tuna in the pacific are at risk of extinction. Prime minister shinzo abe is expected to announce on tuesday that he will dissolve the diets lower house. He wants support for his plan to postpone the consumption tax hike by calling a snap election. Abe and deputy Prime Minister taro aso met and agreed to delay the increase to april 17. It was scheduled for next october. Abe held talks with the leader of Junior Coalition partner komeito after returning from the g20 summit in australia. They spoke about the tax hike and dissolving the lower house. Abe said hed decide on the increase after gdp data for the july to september period came out. The numbers show that Gross Domestic Product shrank 1. 6 . Its the second straight quarterly decline. Translator the report on the july to september gdp is out. Unfortunately, the numbers are not good. Abe will meet executives of the Ruling Liberal Democratic Party on tuesday. And hell meet the leader of komeito again to get his approval for a snap
Governor bows to prevent the relocation of a u. S. Military base within the prefecture. We look into why voters lined up behind the base opponent. Japans latest gdp figures could spell trouble for Prime Minister shinzo abes program to revive the economy. The figures released by Cabinet Office officials this morning shows the economy is shrinking. The july to september decline is japans second straight quarterly fall. The preliminary data shows japans gdp fell 0. 4 in the three months to september, from the previous quarter. That translates into an annual downturn of 1. 6 and follows a 7. 3 plunge on an annualized basis in april to june. The figures were a shock for investors and politicians. And ron madison joins us now from our business desk. Ron, break down the number for us. Gene, a lot was really riding on this months data. The Prime Minister had stated that he would be using these gdp numbers to either postpone or go ahead and press ahead with another consumption tax hike. This ti
Some sweet measures to help disadvantaged children around the world. Members of a jap sneeze Government Panel are strongly urging ministries and agencies to Work Together on environmental issues. They say not enough is being done to coordinate overlapping Energy Saving policies, and they say more measures need to be taken to fight Global Warming effectively. The panel formed by the environment and industry ministries is meeting to discuss japans new target for reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions. Some members said on friday that relevant government officials must synchronize their programs and check their cost effectiveness. Others are calling for an asiawide policy to curb energy use. The debate came while representatives from around the world are discussing a new global framework to counter climate change. Theyve gathered in peru for a u. N. Conference known as cop 20. Its designed to involve all countries in the fight against the issue from 2020. It will replace the kyoto protocol tha
Nurses and police how to best respond to cases of Sexual Assault. Japans governing coalition is debating legislation that could change the way the country defends itself. At the center of the discussion is the future of the countrys selfdefense forces including how their role might be expanded. Nhk worlds ms. Hoe nishikawa reports wp reporter the debate over japans right to collective vefl defense is nearing what may be the final stage. The outcome could determine where and how the countrys selfdefense forces are deployed. The japanese constitution currently allows them to be dispatched only when the country is under threat. The coalition is discussing whether the sdf should be allowed to go to the aid of closely related countries, as well. Prime minister shinzo abe wants to change the current Security Policy to allow for such collective selfdefense. Translator well resolutely protect peoples lives and livelihoods. For that purpose, well proceed with security legislation that allows th