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Page 2 n THE ASIAN REPORTER ASIA / PACIFIC September 5, 2022 Japan considering development of new nuclear reactors TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has instructed his government to consider developing safer, smaller nuclear reactors, signalling a renewed emphasis on nuclear energy years after many of the country’s plants were shut down. Kishida made the comment at a “green transformation” confer- ence on bolstering the country’s efforts to curb emissions of greenhouse gasses. Japan has pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Anti-nuclear sentiment and safety concerns rose sharply in Japan after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear plant disaster, but the government has been pushing for a return to nuclear energy amid worries of power shortages following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a global push to reduce greenhouse gasses. The government, however, pre- viously insisted it was not considering building new plants or replacing aged reactors, apparently to avoid stoking criticism from a wary public. Kishida’s comment represents a sharp change from that stance. He said the panel presented proposals for the development and construction of “new innovative reactors designed with new safety mechanisms.” He called on the government to speed up its examination of “every possible measure” and reach a decision by the end of the year. MLB players to make postseason tour to South Korea SEOUL (AP) — Major League Baseball (MLB) plans to send players to South Korea for a postseason tour, MLB’s first trip to Korea since 1922. The games between an MLB team and players from the South Korean league will be held at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium November 11 and 12 and Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome November 14 and 15, the commissioner’s office said. Tampa Bay first baseman Ji-Man Choi, injured Toronto pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu, and San Diego infielder Ha-seong Kim are South Koreans currently in the major leagues. MLB players appeared in Japan, Korea, and China as part of a 1922 tour. Urawa Reds reach Asian Champions League final SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Urawa Reds of Japan moved into the final of the Asian Champions League with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory over South Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors in late August. The semifinal soccer match went to a shootout after finishing 2-2 at Saitama Stadium. Urawa’s Ataru Esaka scored the winning penalty after Kim Bo-kyung, Lee Seung-ki, and Kim Jin-su missed for Jeonbuk. Urawa’s Yusuke Matsuo opened the scoring only 11 minutes into the first half of play and Jeonbuk drew even early in the second half when Paik Seung-ho scored from the penalty spot after Ayumu Ohata brought down Song Min-kyu in the penalty area. Urawa then had most of the chances but could not find a way past Lee Bum-soo in the Jeonbuk goal as Kasper Junker hit the post in the final seconds of regular time. Jeonbuk looked to have booked a fourth final appearance in extra time when Han Kyo-won scored in the 116th minute, but the celebration was cut short when Junker scored from close range with time ticking off the clock. Two-time champion Urawa will have to wait until 2023 to discover its opponent in the final. The tournament is split into two geographic halves and the western zone will complete its knockout stage in February. China charges 28, probes corruption after attack BEIJING (AP) — Chinese authorities say 28 people have been charged and 15 officials including police are being investigated for corruption two months after a brutal attack on several women in the northern city of Tangshan that sparked outrage and safety concerns. The investigation has gone beyond the actual attack to encompass broader allegations of criminal activity and police cor- ruption in the area. In June, a group of men attacked four women in a barbecue restaurant, after one of the men had his advances rebuffed. In graphic video footage circulated online, the men threw a chair at the women, and later dragged one of them out before hitting and kicking her and the others who tried to help her, authorities said. The assault and the public outcry renewed a conversation about misogyny and mistreatment of women in China. The attackers were suspected to be part of a gang, and local media reported at the time of the attack that the police response had been slow, prompting concerns that corruption was involved. In August, authorities from the Hebei Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection said they were investigating 15 officials over corruption that involved “evil organizations,” including those associated with the attackers. LG, Honda to set up U.S. joint venture to make EV batteries TOKYO (AP) — Major South Korean battery maker LG and Japanese auto- maker Honda are investing $4.4 billion in a joint venture in the United States to produce batteries for Honda electric vehicles in the North American market, the two companies said. The plant’s site is still undecided, but construction will begin in early 2023, with mass production of advanced lithium-ion battery cells to start by the end of 2025, they said. It’s likely to be near Marysville, Ohio, or Greensburg, Indiana, where Honda has huge factories that make its most popular models such as the Accord, CR-V, and Civic. The joint venture is to be set up this year, with the closing of the deal subject to regulatory approval. “Our joint venture with Honda, which has significant brand reputation, is yet another milestone in our mid- to long-term strategy of promoting electrification in the fast-growing North American market,” said LG Energy Solution chief executive Youngsoo Kwon. The plant will produce batteries exclusively for Honda vehicles assembled in North America, including the company’s Acura luxury brand, according to a joint statement. Honda’s joint venture plant is part of a larger trend of automakers announcing U.S. battery factories as they try to establish a domestic supply chain for the next generation of vehicle propulsion. BROTHERLY BURDEN. Volunteer Tosapol Prayoonsuk takes care of a baby dolphin nicknamed Paradon at the Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Center in Rayong province in eastern Thailand, on August 26, 2022. The Irrawaddy dolphin calf — sick and too weak to swim — was drowning in a tidal pool on Thailand’s shore when fishermen found him. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Sick dolphin calf improves with tube-fed milk, helping hands By Tassanee Vejpongsa The Associated Press AYONG, Thailand — The Irrawaddy dolphin calf — sick and too weak to swim — was drowning in a tidal pool on Thailand’s shore when fishermen found him. The fishermen quickly alerted marine conservationists, who advised them how to provide emergency care until a rescue team could transport the baby to Thailand’s Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Center for veterinary attention. The baby was nicknamed Paradon, roughly translated as “brotherly burden,” because those involved knew from day one that saving his life would be no easy task. Irrawaddy dolphins, considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, are found in the shallow coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia and in three rivers in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Their survival is threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and fishing, when dolphins are caught unintentionally with other species. Officials from the marine research center believe around 400 Irrawaddy dolphins remain along the country’s eastern coast, bordering Cambodia. Since Paradon was found by the fishermen July 22, dozens of veterinarians and volunteers have helped care for him at the center in Rayong on the Gulf of Thailand. “We said among ourselves that the chance of him surviving was quite low, judging from his R condition,” Thanaphan Chomchuen, a veterinarian at the center, said in late August. “Normally, dolphins found stranded on the shore are usually in such a terrible condition. The chances that these dolphins would survive are normally very, very slim. But we gave him our best try on that day.” Workers placed him in a seawater pool, treated the lung infection that made him so sick and weak, and enlisted volunteers to watch him round the clock. They have to hold him up in his tank to prevent him from drowning and feed him milk, initially done by tube, and later by bottle when he had recovered a bit of strength. A staff veterinarian and one or two volunteers stay for each eight-hour shift, and other workers during the day handle the water pump and filter and make milk for the calf. After more than a month, Paradon’s condition is improving. The calf believed to be between 4 and 6 months old can swim now and has no signs of infection. But the dolphin that was 138 centimeters long (4.5 feet) and about 27 kilograms (59 pounds) on July 22 is still weak and doesn’t take enough milk despite the team’s efforts to feed him every 20 minutes or so. Thippunyar Thipjuntar, a 32-year-old financial adviser, is one of the many volunteers who come for a babysitting shift with Paradon. Thippunyar said with Paradon’s round baby face and curved mouth that looks like a smile, she couldn’t help but grow attached to him and be concerned about his development. Continued on page 10 U-PICK BLUEBERRIES Thank you to everyone who contacted us and picked berries from our vines! We hope to see you again next season! (503) 663-0885 nappefarms.com Nappe Blueberry Farm 10280 S.E. Orient Drive, Boring, OR 97009 The Asian Reporter is published on the first Monday each month. News page advertising deadlines for our next two issues are: October 3, 2022 edition: Space reservations due: Wed., September 28 at 1:00pm Artwork due: Thu., September 29 at 1:00pm November 7, 2022 edition: Space reservations due: Wed., November 2 at 1:00pm Artwork due: Thu., November 3 at 1:00pm Asian Currency Exchange Rates Units per U.S. dollar as of 9/02 Bangladesh Taka· · Cambodian Riel · · China Renminbi · · Fijian Dollar · · · · Hong Kong Dollar · Indian Rupee · · · · Indonesian Rupiah · Iranian Rial · · · · Japanese Yen · · · Laos New Kip · · · Malaysian Ringgit · Nepal Rupee · · · · Pakistani Rupee · · Papua N.G. Kina · · Philippine Peso· · · Russian Ruble · · · Saudi Riyal· · · · · Singapore Dollar · · South Korean Won · Sri Lankan Rupee · Taiwan Dollar · · · Thai Baht · · · · · Vietnam Dong · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 94.82 4113.9 6.8991 2.2036 7.8495 79.678 14883 42200 140.08 15566 4.482 127.63 217.7 3.52 56.778 60.25 3.7585 1.3986 1356.8 360.84 30.564 36.6 23456