Beijing Shuts Schools as Fears Grow Over Shanghai-Style Lockdown

Authorities in Beijing closed down schools in a sign that suggests tougher curbs could be on the cards as it tries to stamp out its latest COVID-19 outbreak.

The Chinese capital is desperate to avoid a Shanghai-style lockdown - in place now for about a month - and are scrambling to impose restrictions while case numbers remain low.

Patrick Fok reports from Beijing.

IN: Across Beijing

OUT: signoff
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Scholz Visit to Strengthen German-Japanese Alliance

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting Japan for the first time as leader of Germany.
The diplomatic relationship between the two countries is growing in importance over their shared concerns about Russia and China.

Nora Weinek reports from Tokyo.

IN: "Scholz arrived Thursday"
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CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/220428-Scholz-visits-Japan-NBW.mp3

Chinese navy ship enters Japan waters

A Chinese navy vessel entered Japan's territorial waters - the first confirmed intrusion of its kind since last November.
Japan has lodged a protest with China through diplomatic channels in response.

Nora Weinek reports from Tokyo. 

IN: "The ship was spotted."
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CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/220427ch-enters-j-waters-NBW.mp3

Chinese navy ship enters Japan waters

A Chinese navy vessel entered Japan's territorial waters - the first confirmed intrusion of its kind since last November.

Japan has lodged a protest with China through diplomatic channels in response.

Nora Weinek reports from Tokyo.

IN: The ship was 

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DUR: 43 secs

CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/220427ch-enters-j-waters-NBW.mp3

Japanese stocks fall on China lockdown fears

Japanese stocks fell sharply in morning trading Wednesday on concerns that Covid-19 lockdowns in China will hit global trade.

The situation is adding to a gloomy outlook for Japan's economy.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo. 

IN: Japan's Nikkei index...

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CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0427-japan-stocks-fall-on-china-covid-concern.mp3

S. Korea and U.S. team up for space policy research

South Korea and the United States are teaming up to conduct space policy research.

The two countries have signed their first bilateral agreement in the sector, in a bid to counter security threats amidst rising tensions with North Korea.

Nora Weinek reports from Tokyo.

IN: "The interstellar"
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Japanese yen hits fresh 20-year low as government warns of economy risk

The Japanese yen hit a fresh twenty-year low against the US dollar on Wednesday morning, as the government stepped up its warnings of damage to the economy.

Traders are ditching the currency on concerns over a widening interest rate gap between the two countries.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

IN: The yen...

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CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420-japan-yen-hits-fresh-20-year-low.mp3

Solomon Islands PM: Security Pact with China Won't Undermine Regional Peace

The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Mannaseg Sogavare says the decision to sign a security pact with China will not undermine peace in the region.

Sogavare confirmed a deal had been inked a day after China's foreign ministry announced the signing in Beijing.

Patrick Fok reports.

IN: The reassurances
OUT: signoff
DUR: 0:34
LINK: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420_solislands_pfok.mp3

Qin Gang Defends Sino-Russia Ties

China's ambassador to the US has defended Beijing's close ties to Russia and hit out again at western sanctions on Moscow.

In an opinion piece for the conservative outlet The National Interest Qin Gang added that US-China-Russia relations were not a zero-sum game.

Patrick Fok reports.

IN: In his piece
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S. Korea lifts social distancing rules

South Korea is lifting all its COVID-19 social distancing rules.

People will still be required to wear face-masks, but from next week all other restrictions will be lifted, for the first time since the pandemic began.

Nora Weinek reports.

IN: "South Korean Prime Minister"
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CLIP: https://fsnradionews.com/feeds/220415_SK_lifts_restrictions_NBW.mp3

China's Death Rate Data Faces Scrutiny

As the lockdown in Shanghai rages on, China's Covid death rate has come under increasing scrutiny.

In the first six weeks of the country's latest outbreak it's reported close to 400,000 cases.

And yet officially, there've only been two related deaths.

Patrick Fok reports.

IN: It's a striking number
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LINK: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0415_covidata_pfok.mp3

Japanese automaker Honda to spend $64 billion to speed EV development

Honda has announced it will spend $64 billion on research and development of electric vehicles over the next decade, and plans to roll out several new models globally.

The strategy marks a push into the EV market amid concerns that Japanese carmakers are lagging behind European and US rivals.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

IN: Honda say it plans...

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CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0412-honda-to-spend-on-evs.mp3

North Korea marks 10 years since Kim Jong Un took party post

North Korea is marking 10 years since its leader Kim Jong Un took the top post in the ruling Workers' Party.

Analysts warn that the country may conduct further missile or nuclear tests this week ahead of another key national anniversary.

Phoebe Amoroso reports.

IN: North Korean state media

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CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0411-nk-marks-10-years-kim-jong-un.mp3

South Korea wants U.S. nuclear bombers presence

South Korea has been in talks with Washington about the return of a stronger U.S. military presence on the peninsula.

That - following a recent spate of missile tests by North Korea, threatening regional security.

Nora Weinek reports from Tokyo.

IN: "A delegation sent"
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LINK: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/220407SK-wants-USpresence-NBW.mp3

Shanghai Adds 20,000 News Cases of COVID-19 Infections

Shanghai added close to 20,000 COVID-19 cases, marking the sixth day in a row the city's set a record for infections.

Reports say the outbreak has become so serious that the Communist Party has sent an open letter to rally front-line health workers for support.

Patrick Fok reports.

IN: In the latest sign
OUT: signoff
DUR: 00:40
LINK: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0407_shngdown.mp3

Japan calls killing of civilians a war crime, steps up Ukraine support

Japan has branded the killing of Ukrainian civilians a war crime, and has pledged to step up humanitarian support.

The country has taken a tougher-than-expected stance on Russia, surprising many observers, and it has hinted it could impose strong sanctions yet.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo. 

IN: "Chief Cabinet Secretary..."

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N.Korea Warns of "Full-Blown War" Following "Reckless Remarks" by South

North Korea has warned of a "full-blown war" against the South following comments made by the country's defence minister.

Speaking last week, Suh Wook said Seoul is ready and able to launch pre-emptive strikes against its neighbour if it determined the North was planning to launch an attack.

Nora Weinek reports from Japan.

IN: "North Korea has warned"
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LINK: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0405-NK-warns-SK-NBW.mp3

 

Shanghai Staying Under Lockdown With No Sign of Easing Curbs

Shanghai is staying under lockdown as the city reviews the results of city-wide testing for COVID-19.

Authorities have given no indication on when the curbs might be lifted.

Patrick Fok reports.

IN: Shanghai began
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Major Revamp for Tokyo Stock Market

Stocks in Tokyo opened moderately higher following a shakeup of Japanese markets.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange has overhauled its grouping of shares and imposed stricter listing standards to try and attract more foreign investment.
Nora Weinek reports from Japan.

IN: "The reorganization is"
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LINK: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/220404-tokyo-stock-market-revamp-NBW.mp3