Day: January 23, 2023

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday that Japan faces the severest security environment in the region since the end of World War II and pledged to push a military buildup under a newly adopted security strategy over the next five years and beyond as well as tackle rapidly declining births so the country can sustain national strength.

Kishida’s government in December adopted key security and defense reforms, including a counterstrike capability that makes a break from the country’s exclusively self-defense-only postwar principle. Japan says the current deployment of missile interceptors is insufficient to defend it from rapid weapons advancement in China and North Korea.

In his policy speech opening this year’s parliamentary session, Kishida said active diplomacy should be prioritized, but it requires “defense power to back it up.” He said Japan’s new security strategy is based on a realistic simulation “as we face the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II and a question if we can protect the people’s lives in an emergency.”

The strategy seeks to keep in check China’s increasingly assertive territorial ambitions, but it’s also a sensitive issue for many countries in Asia that were victims of Japanese wartime aggression. Kishida said it’s a “drastic turnaround” of Japan’s security policy, but still remains within the limitations of its pacifist constitution and international law.

“I make it clear that there will not be even a slightest change from Japan’s non-nuclear and self-defense-only principles and our footsteps as a peace-loving country,” Kishida said.

This month, Kishida took a five-nation tour, including Washington, to explain Japan’s new defense plan and further develop defense ties with its ally the United States.

Japan plans to nearly double its defense budget within five years to 43 trillion yen ($332 billion) and improve cyberspace and intelligence capabilities. While three-quarters of an annual defense budget increase can be squeezed out through spending and fiscal reforms, the remainder needs to come from a possible tax increase, and Kishida has already faced growing criticism from opposition lawmakers and even from his governing party.

Kishida also faces a critical question of population growth.

“We cannot waste any time on the policies for children and childrearing support,” he said. “We must establish a children-first economic society and turn around the birthrate.”

Japan’s population of more than 125 million has been declining for 14 years and is projected to fall to 86.7 million by 2060. A shrinking and aging population has huge implications for the economy and national security.

Kishida pledged to bolster financial support for families with children, including more scholarships, and said he would compile a plan by June.

Japan is the world’s third biggest economy but living costs are high and wage increases have been slow. The conservative government has lagged behind on making society more inclusive for children, women and minorities.

So far, efforts to encourage people to have more babies have had limited impact despite payments of subsidies for pregnancy, childbirth and childcare. Some experts say government subsidies still tend to target parents who already have children rather than removing difficulties that are discouraging young people from having families.

Source: Voice of America

The United States is in talks with the Thai government, a close ally, about allowing Myanmar refugees stuck in Thailand to leave for the U.S.

In an interview Thursday with VOA, State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said, “Thailand for many years has been a very close partner of ours on refugee issues. It’s something we are constantly talking with them about. During my visits to Thailand over the last year, it’s been top of mind.”

During his trip to Thailand and the border region last year, he added, “It’s a constant conversation we’re having … and I can say they’re very close and critical partners in this.”

According to several non-governmental organizations involved in the case, nearly 500 refugees are approved and waiting to resettle in the U.S., but are stuck in Mae Sot, a town in the Thai-Myanmar border area. The Thai government has not issued exit permits, which would allow them to leave Thailand, for more than a year. Another 600 refugees in other areas have been approved for resettlement to third countries, but also haven’t been allowed to leave Thailand.

“Thailand has needlessly obstructed the departure of so many Burmese-Myanmar refugees for far too long,” Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division, said in an email to VOA. He added, “It’s time for this blockade to end.”

In addition, he asked for more pressure on the Thai government. “The U.S. government should redouble pressure on Bangkok to start issuing exit permits for recognized refugees from Myanmar because Thailand is not keen to do so and will continue to play for time if permitted to do so.”

The Thai foreign ministry has not responded to queries filed by VOA by email about the delays in issuing permits.

According to the NGOs assisting the refugees, more than 20,000 people have fled to Thailand amid fear of political persecution since a coup in Myanmar in February 2021 led to the ouster of the democratically elected government. About half of them, 11,000, have contacted the UNHCR.

Initially, Myanmar refugees who fled to Thailand were allowed to leave Thai airports to settle in third countries that had accepted them for resettlement; but after a few months, the Thai government stopped such departures.

“This whole problem started soon after the Myanmar military started raising objections with the Thai army, which since then has shamefully bent over backward to do the bidding of the murderous Myanmar junta,” said Robertson.

He added, “The truth of the matter is these refugees need protection, and Thailand should recognize the urgent humanitarian impetus and let them proceed to the U.S. and other third countries willing to resettle them.”

The U.S. has welcomed hundreds of Myanmar refugees since the military coup in 2021. After the coup, large protests broke out across the country. The military cracked down on pro-democracy protesters by raiding homes and making thousands of arrests. Thousands of people fled to neighboring countries to escape the violence.

Meanwhile, for the Myanmar refugees who have been stuck in Thailand, may finally have some hope of a resolution after a trip by U.S. Assistant Secretary Julieta Valls Noyes to Thailand in December.

According to the State Department, Noyes made trips to Thailand and Bangladesh in early December to discuss refugee protection and humanitarian assistance in those countries.

During her visit to Thailand and subsequent discussions on Myanmar refugees with senior Thai officials, she pressed the issue of the departure process, according to a diplomatic source in Thailand.

The Thai foreign ministry also issued a statement on the bilateral meeting with Noyes which said, “The Thai side reaffirmed its readiness to assist and cooperate with the United States in accordance with Thailand’s national policies and laws, international humanitarian principles, and humanitarian tradition.”

As of this report, there has been no change for those Myanmar refugees waiting in limbo in Thailand. According to the refugees themselves, despite receiving assistance from various NGOs, their living conditions feel like prisons as they continue to wait for a departure date and an end to the uncertainty surrounding their future.

Source: Voice of America

Human rights activists are welcoming the United States’ appointment of an envoy for North Korean human rights, a position that had been vacant for six years.

The White House late Monday announced it would appoint Julie Turner, a veteran State Department foreign affairs officer, who has long focused on North Korea human rights issues.

Turner, who must be confirmed by the Senate, is currently the director of the East Asia and Pacific office of the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

She has worked in the office for 16 years, during which she has “primarily focused on initiatives related to promoting human rights in North Korea,” according to a White House press release.

Under a law initially passed by Congress in 2004, the U.S. president must appoint a special envoy for North Korean human rights. However, no one has served in the position since 2017, when U.S. President Barack Obama’s special envoy stepped down.

Former President Donald Trump, who prioritized his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, never appointed a North Korean human rights envoy. Trump’s first secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, at one point proposed eliminating the position.

It’s unclear why it took President Joe Biden two years to name an appointee, especially since Biden has said he will prioritize human rights issues. Nonetheless, activists praised the move, calling Turner an ideal fit.

Turner is “terrific, with full awareness and understanding about the North Korean human rights situation,” according to Lee Shin-wha, South Korea’s human rights envoy for North Korea.

“I am so pleased to get the news and look forward to closely cooperating with this highly capable lady,” Lee told VOA.

Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director for the Washington D.C.-based Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, said Turner is “a truly great scholar and champion of North Korean human rights.”

Once confirmed, Scarlatoiu said he hopes the new envoy will adopt a “human rights up front approach” to North Korea.

North Korea is a totalitarian state that tightly restricts nearly every aspect of its citizens’ civil and political liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly, association, religion and movement. It consistently ranks at or near the bottom of global human rights rankings.

Activists say the situation has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been used as a pretext to sever the country’s already fragile links to the outside world.

“It’s the darkest period in the history of human rights in North Korea, believe it or not,” Scarlatoiu said.

During Turner’s time at the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, the office has been involved with several projects that aim to promote the free flow of information into and out of North Korea and raise awareness of North Korea’s rights violations.

North Korea has not reacted to Turner’s nomination. It often becomes enraged when other countries or international bodies mention its rights violations.

However, at various points, North Korea has interacted with the U.S. human rights envoy — including in 2011, when Ambassador Robert King led a mission to assess North Korea’s food situation.

It’s unclear whether any similar humanitarian initiatives can succeed now. In recent years, North Korea has ignored U.S. offers of pandemic assistance, shunning virtually all contact with U.S. officials.

While placing human rights at the forefront of engagement with North Korea is not easy, Turner is “precisely the sort of savvy and strategic representative to get difficult things like this done,” said Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.

“Turner has excelled on promoting and protecting human rights across her portfolio,” Robertson said, “And she is precisely the kind of dogged advocate that rights issues in the DPRK require for any sort of change to occur.”

Activist groups have long complained that human rights were not discussed during the Trump-Kim talks, which instead focused on eliminating North Korea’s nuclear weapons and improving Pyongyang’s relations with Washington and Seoul.

The talks broke down in 2019. North Korea has since resumed major weapons tests and says it will not resume talks until the United States drops what it calls its “hostile policy.” Specifically, North Korea objects to U.S.-led sanctions that have battered its economy and the heavy U.S. military presence in the region.

Source: Voice of America

On 19 January 2023, shortly after his arrival in Abu Dhabi, Philippine Ambassador- Designate to the United Arab Emirates Alfonso Ver immediately met with Team Philippines UAE (Embassy, Consulate, PH attached agencies) to chart the way forward as the Philippines continues to cultivate deep and meaningful engagement with the UAE, with a view towards protecting the interests of Filipinos who have made the country their second home.

“Our robust relations with the UAE, evidenced by the recent expansion in the areas of cooperation between our two countries, is hinged on the enormous goodwill generated by the Filipino people in this country. Therefore, our twin priorities of promoting the welfare of Filipinos in this country and further deepening Philippine ties with the UAE, go hand in hand, as one opens the door to the other.”

On his compatriots in the UAE, he said, “The Filipinos in the UAE are significant not only in number, as the country’s third largest expatriate population, but also in terms of impact. They are known for their professionalism, talent and skill, combined with innate friendliness, which is why they are respected and embraced by the UAE. This impact of Filipinos residing in the UAE opened doors and allowed the Embassy to engage meaningfully with the host government. The Philippines engaged UAE in agriculture, space technology, consular cooperation, investment promotion and combating human trafficking, and the Philippines and the UAE will be signing MOUs on culture, defense, advanced technology, and hopefully the CEPA in the next few months. Thus, each Filipino is an integral part of Team Philippines UAE.”

Setting the Embassy’s mandate and directions during his term, Amb. Ver met with his officers at Team Philippines UAE led by Deputy Head of Mission/Minister and Consul General Marford M. Angeles of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Consul General Renato Dueñas of the Philippine Consulate General in Dhabi, MWO Attaché Atty. Manuel Dimaano of the Department of Migrant Workers Office in Abu Dhabi (DMWO- Abu Dhabi), MWO Attaché John Rios of DMWO-Dubai, Defense Attaché Cesar Fernandez of the Philippine Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché (OPHILDAFA), Trade Attaché Charmaine Yalong of the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre in Dubai (PTIC-Dubai), and Agriculture Attaché Nolet Fulgencio of the Office of the Agriculture Attaché in Dubai (OAA-Dubai).

Amb. Ver cited the outstanding tour of duty of Amb. Hjayceelyn “Joy” Quintana and expressed his commitment to build on the gains and follow through initiatives made by his predecessor.

The Embassy is making arrangements for the Presentation of Credentials of Amb. Ver which would complete the official and formal requisites for the assumption of his duties as Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. Likewise, he will meet with the Filipino community and media soon

Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal Private Limited (NSFTPL) signed a $131 million loan to upgrade the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal located in Navi Mumbai Maharashtra to enhance international trade in India through efficient, transparent, and state-of-the-art logistics infrastructure.

The financing package comprises $61.4 million from ADB’s ordinary capital resources and $69.6 million from Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund (LEAP) administered by ADB. The funds will be used to upgrade existing berths and yards and install additional energy efficient equipment such as electric quay cranes. These upgrades will expand the terminal’s container handling capacity and attract vessels operating on important international shipping lanes.

NSFTPL is a special purpose vehicle jointly owned by J M Baxi Ports and Logistics Limited (JMBPL) and CMA Terminals.

“Global trade and supply chains are vulnerable to shocks, and enhancing countries’ capacity for trade is critical to the region’s recovery from COVID-19 and its ongoing prosperity, “ said ADB Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public–Private Partnerships Ashok Lavasa. “Long-term financial support from ADB can boost economic competitiveness in India by developing world-class mega ports and boosting the efficiency of containerized cargo terminal operations.”

“We are absolutely delighted to sign the Financing Agreement with ADB, which is the largest loan agreement signed by us so far, and we appreciate ADB’s commitment and agility in bringing this deal to a smooth closure in record time,” said NSFTPL Board member and JMBPL Managing Director Dhruv Kotak. “Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal is a key terminal for the country and this deal underscores India’s potential in becoming a $10 trillion economy by 2035. We are proud to have ADB support us in our endeavor to make international trade seamless, and this partnership is a testimony of our shared value system of the highest level of governance, transparency, and compliance” he added.

JMBPL is a part of J M Baxi Group, a 106-year-old marine services, ports, logistics and technology conglomerate offering the entire range of logistics services including port facilities such as container and multi-cargo port terminals, container freight stations and inland container depots, niche logistics services for project and bulk cargo, offshore installations and ship agency services. CMA Terminals was established in 2012 and is engaged in the development, construction, acquisition, and operations of container terminals. It is wholly owned by CMA Terminals Holding, a subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions.

LEAP is an ADB-managed fund capitalized with a $1.5 billion commitment by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Established in 2016, LEAP focuses on delivering high-quality and sustainable private sector infrastructure projects that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and offer accessible and affordable health care, education, and communication services to ADB’s developing members.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: Asian Development Bank

Egypt received the first Chinese tourist group on Friday, since the outbreak of COVID-19, three years ago.

During a welcoming ceremony for the Chinese tourist group at Cairo International Airport, Egyptian Vice Minister for Tourism and Antiquities, Ghada Shalaby, welcomed the Chinese tourists, expressing aspiration to see more Chinese tourist groups.

Highlighting the attention Egypt pays to the health and safety of tourists, Shalaby said, all workers in all Egyptian hotels and tourist facilities have been vaccinated and trained on the highest health and safety standards.

Chinese tourists will find many Chinese products in Egypt that will make them feel at home, she added.

Yehia Zakaria, chairman of the EgyptAir Holding Company, also welcomed the arrival of the Chinese tourists, noting both Egypt and China boast of ancient civilisations steeped in history.

According to Zakaria, the number of weekly flights between Egypt and China will be increased to 13 starting March: seven to the southern city of Guangzhou, three to the eastern city of Hangzhou, and three to Beijing.–

Source: NAM News Network