Hong Kong's health authorities are warning of a new COVID-19 transmission risk, after recording the city's first untraceable local case of a mutated virus strain. Hundreds of people living in the residential building where the case was discovered have been sent to government quarantine centres.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong government is trying to reassure the public that a new immigration law will not give authorities the power to bar residents from leaving the city. The government says the law will only apply to inbound travellers, and is targeted at illegitimate asylum seekers. But the vague wording of the legislation is facing criticism.
Richard Kimber reports.
The Japanese government said that it is planning to open a large-scale vaccination site in Tokyo in a bid to speed up Japan's vaccination program. The announcement comes amid concerns over the spread of new variants driving up infection rates.
Phoebe Amoroso reports in Tokyo.
The Hong Kong government says that for the second year running, it won't allow a mass vigil to commemorate the crackdown on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing.
The government says it can't approve the gathering due to COVID-19 health risks.
Democracy campaigners say the virus is being used as an excuse to suppress the event.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic party failed to win any of the three Diet seats in by-elections held on Sunday. The losses are considered an indicator of the forthcoming general election and a sign of Prime Minister Yoshide Suga's weak standing within his party.
Phoebe Amoroso reports in Tokyo.
IN: The by-elections on Sunday
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo.
DUR: 53 seconds
Beijing is calling on one of Hong Kong's biggest legal associations to replace its Chairman, accusing him of being an "anti-China politician." Bar Association Chairman Paul Harris is under fire over an interview he gave with a pro-democracy news website. He's dismissing the criticism, and inviting Beijing's top officials in Hong Kong to meet in person.
Richard Kimber reports.
The Hong Kong government is dismissing accusations that the city's controversial national security law is undermining the freedom of the press. The international press freedom watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, says the law poses a "grave threat" to journalism, and is being used to stifle political dissent.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
The Japanese government is set to declare a state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and two other prefectures, with a final decision expected on Friday. Japan is facing a fourth wave amid mounting questions over the safety of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics scheduled to begin at the end of July.
Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.
IN: The number of new coronavirus daily cases
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo.
DUR: 53 seconds
CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0422-new-emergency.mp3
A South Korean court has dismissed claims brought against the Japanese government by a group of Korean women over their treatment during World War II. The plaintiffs were seeking damages for being forced to work as "comfort women" in Japan's military brothels.
The court ruled that the Japanese government was immune under international law.
Phoebe Amoroso reports in Tokyo.
IN: The case has drawn much attention
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo.
DUR: 49 seconds
CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0421-comfort-women-ruling.mp3
Japan's exports have made the largest gain in over three years. The increase was largely driven by stronger demand from China, among signs that global trade is beginning to recover after the pandemic.
Phoebe Amoroso reports.
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IN: The value of overseas shipments
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso. Tokyo
DUR: 48 seconds
CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420Japan-exports.mp3
Japan is expected to acquire enough COVID-19 vaccines for all residents aged 16 or over by the end of September, after discussions with Pfizer's CEO over the weekend.
Japan lags far behind other major economies in the global vaccine rollout, but the country is currently facing a fourth wave of coronavirus infections.
Phoebe Amoroso reports in Tokyo.
IN: Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo.
DUR: 44 seconds
CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0419-japan-more-vaccines.mp3
Hong Kong is banning flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines for two weeks, due to concerns over a mutant strain of COVID-19.
Health officials say they've found multiple cases of travellers from those countries testing positive for the strain this month.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
The Japanese government is set to grant four more prefectures greater powers to take coronavirus countermeasures as daily infections continue to rise. The move would bring the total number of prefectures under a quasi-state of emergency to ten.
Phoebe Amoroso reports.
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso. Tokyo.
DUR: 44 secs
The Hong Kong government is holding a series of events to mark the city's first ever National Security Education Day. It says the activities are designed to improve children's sense of national identity. But critics say it's part of a propaganda campaign to curb dissent among young people.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
The Japanese government is facing continued backlash over its decision to approve the release of contaminated Fukushima water into the Pacific Ocean. The move has met strong domestic and international opposition.
Phoebe Amoroso reports.
IN: "Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant sustained..."
OUT: "Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo."
DUR: 57 secs
Hong Kong police are drawing up protocols for how to screen candidates for political office, as part of Beijing's overhaul of the local electoral system.
There are concerns the new police powers will eliminate political opposition in the city. But the Hong Kong's Security Secretary says an anti-government stance will not prevent people from being able to run.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Chinese tech giant Alibaba is playing down the impact of a record 2.8 billion dollar fine from China's antitrust regulator. Analysts say the fine marks a turning point in Beijing's approach to fast-growing Chinese tech companies. But Alibaba's bosses say they are unaware of any similar probes taking place into other companies.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Hideki Matsuyama claimed victory at the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, becoming the first player from Japan to win a men's major championship.
He started the day with a four-shot lead, finishing one stroke ahead with a final-round score of one-over 73.
Phoebe Amoroso reports.
IN: Ten years after Matsuyama
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo
DUR: 40 seconds
Doctors at Kyoto University Hospital performed the world's first living lung transplant. The patient, whose lungs were damaged after contracting COVID-19, received parts of healthy lungs from her husband and son.
There is now hope that this procedure could cut waiting times for other patients in need of transplants.
Phoebe Amoroso reports.
IN: Doctors at Kyoto University Hospital
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo
DUR: 34 seconds
The Hong Kong government says it may organise more flights from the UK, after seats on two planes to bring back the city's residents sold out within hours.
Many Hong Kongers have been stranded there since December, following a ban on UK arrivals to Hong Kong, due to worries about Covid-19 variants.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
Japan reported close to 3,500 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the highest level in more than two months. Experts warn the country is entering a fourth wave.
Phoebe Amoroso reports.
IN: The number of new coronavirus cases
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo
DUR: 45 secs
CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0408covid-2month-high.mp3
Toshiba has received an acquisition proposal from global fund CVC Capital Partners in a deal likely worth around $18 million.
The company has been under pressure from activist shareholders, who invested after its US nuclear business went bankrupt in 2017.
Phoebe Amoroso reports.
IN: Toshiba president confirmed
OUT: "Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo.
DUR: 46 secs
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
North Korea has said it will no longer participate in the Tokyo Olympics this summer, citing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
A local website reported the decision was taken to protect the country's athletes from the "global health crisis situation".
Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.
IN: Even before the global pandemic,
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo.
DUR: 55 secs
CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0406North-Korea-Olympics.mp3
The Japanese government has started distributing coronavirus vaccines to prefectures in preparation for its inoculation programme for the elderly.
From April 12, the country is set to begin vaccinations for around 36 million people aged 65 or over using the Pfizer vaccine.
Phoebe Amoroso reports.
IN: Japan's elderly are
OUT: Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo.
DUR: 42 secs
Officials say a section of the Tokyo Olympic torch relay scheduled to be held in the City of Osaka will be cancelled.
The announcement comes after the prefecture reported 616 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, surpassing Tokyo for a third day.
Phoebe Amoroso reports.
IN: "The Olympic torch relay..."
OUT: "...Phoebe Amoroso, Tokyo."
DUR: 48 secs
