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NEWS STREAM
A Call To Protest - Israel Prepares To Vet Widespread Anger Against President Nicolas Maduro; Legislation Outcry, Hong Kong Demonstrators Push Back Against A Bill That Seeks To Make Insulting China's National Anthem A Crime; And Kawaii With An Edge - Why This Rogue Japanese Mascot Is Causing Quite The Ruckus; Search And Rescue Efforts Are Continuing In The English Channel For A Plane Carrying Argentine Football Player Emiliano Sala; The Presidents of Russia and Turkey are holding talks right now in Moscow to discuss what happens next in Syria. Aired: 8-9a ET
Aired January 23, 2019 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST, "NEWS STREAM": I'm Kristi Lu Stout in Hong Kong and welcome to "News Stream." A call to protest - Israel prepares to vet
widespread anger against President Nicolas Maduro. Legislation outcry, Hong Kong demonstrators push back against a bill that seeks to make
insulting China's national anthem a crime; and Kawaii with an edge. Why this rogue Japanese mascot is causing quite the ruckus.
And we begin in Venezuela where massive anti-government protests are expected across the country in the next hour. Now, the pressure is
mounting on President Nicolas Maduro to step down just weeks into his second term. On Monday, members of the Armed Forces attempted an uprising
against the government and the opposition controlled National Assembly says the President's leadership is illegitimate and has called for new
elections. Even the U.S. government is weighing in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nicolas Maduro is a dictator with no legitimate claim to power. He's never won the presidency
in a free and fair election and he's maintained his grip of power by imprisoning anyone who dares to oppose him.
The United States joins with all freedom-loving nations in recognizing the National Assembly as the last vestige of democracy in your country, for
it's the only body elected by you, the people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: Mike Pence there. Now, Mr. Maduro responded by calling for a total revision of Venezuela's diplomatic relation with the United States
and warned his government will take action to defend the country's democracy. Amid all the political turmoil, Venezuela is on the verge of
economic collapse and its citizens are suffering.
Let's take a look at the facts here. Now, last year, the country had the highest inflation rate in the world and now the IMF predicts that inflation
will hit 10 million percent in 2019. Now according to a survey in 2018 by Venezuelan University, nearly 90 percent of Venezuelans live in poverty.
The U.N. says around three million people have fled Venezuela since 2014. Journalist Stefano Pozzebon is live for us in Caracas and he joins us now.
Stefano, these massive anti-government protests are expected today. Also, a sensitive political anniversary. Describe the scene around you.
STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: Yes, exactly, Kristie. I am standing in what is the arrival place of the many marches that the Venezuelan
opposition has called for today.
You can see, it's still very early morning here in Caracas. The starting hour was called for 10:00 a.m. and now we're still one hour away from it.
But here at the arrival place, there is already tension rising. You can see people around me that are here to ascend their message loud and clear
that they think the Maduro government is illegitimate.
And as I said, Kristie, as you said, Kristie, today is an anniversary here in Venezuela. In 1958 on the 23rd of January, a civilian uprising led to
the dismantle of what was a dictatorship in 1958. Many of the people around me hope that today will be the beginning of yet another new
democratic way for Venezuela -- Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yes, we are expecting big protests this day against the government due to kick off shortly. Stefano Pozzebon, reporting live from
Caracas. Stefano, thank you. Now, protests are also to take place in the U.S. Today. Federal workers and unions are expected to demonstrate on
Capitol Hill, on now the 33rd day of the partial government shutdown.
The deadline to begin processing Friday's payroll pause - that passed several hours ago, meaning some 800,000 Federal workers across the U.S.
won't be receiving their second paycheck. Now, there is some movement to reopen the government. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on Thursday on
two competing plans, neither are expected to pass.
We have Lauren Fox standing by on Capitol Hill. Lauren, there is movement, but is this a possible path towards ending the shutdown?
[08:05:02]
LAUREN FOX, POLITICS CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER, CNN: Well, there's a lot of real pain out there, Kristie, for the reasons that you mentioned earlier -
another missed paycheck for Federal workers.
But tomorrow in the Senate, two procedural votes that we don't expect to move any further before that first vote. So first, the GOP plan, Majority
Leader Mitch McConnell will bring a bill to the floor that essentially would be the President's proposal. So it's a cloture vote on that proposal
and what it does basically is it gives the President $5.7 billion for the border wall, in exchange for three years of renewal for DACA status as well
as temporary protected status. But that bill isn't expected to get enough democratic support.
The Democrats will have a procedural vote on their bill that would essentially reopen the government through the beginning of February, but
doesn't include any money for the President's border wall or any other immigration provisions. Both expected not to get enough votes from the
other side of the aisle to go anywhere.
So what we have today is just more stalemate, the same thing we've had since the beginning of this government shutdown. It doesn't look like
there's any end in sight -- Kristie.
LU STOUT: More stalemate on what day 33 of the U.S. government shutdown, Lauren Fox reporting live for us from Capitol Hill. Lauren, thank you.
The U.S. government shutdown continues to cast uncertainty over President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech. Mr. Trump is scheduled to
deliver the annual address before a joint session of Congress next week, but, as you recall, the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked him to delay
it due to security concerns during the shutdown. Still, the White House says the President plans to give the speech as scheduled.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Nancy Pelosi invited the President. He accepted. She cited security concerns as a potential
reason to delay that. The United States Secret Service and DHS have addressed those concerns and we're moving forward until something changes
on that front.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: Speaker Pelosi appears to be playing hardball. The House has denied an administration request for a walk through of the Chamber to
prepare for the speech. Meanwhile, White House officials say alternative plans are under way for the address to be given at a different location.
"Sorry" seems to be the easiest word for Democrats touted as possible presidential candidates in 2020. The former Vice President Joe Biden and
California Senator Kamala Harris are among a handful of high profile Democrats who have expressed regret for earlier often less than liberal
positions on a rage of contentious issues.
Some of those apologizing have already declared that they are running for President. Others are expected to. Jeff Zeleny has more now from
Washington.
JEFF ZELENY, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, Kristie, some of the biggest Democratic hopefuls are starting with the biggest apologies, as
you were saying. There's Joe Biden, there's Bernie Sanders, there's Kirsten Gillibrand and more. What they're doing here, they're eager to
show their liberal evolution on some of their previous positions. If it's immigration, criminal justice reform or even healthcare. The question is
will voters accept these changes?
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
ZELENY (voice over): Joe Biden is the latest to join the apology tour, now saying he regrets that the 1994 crime bill led to an era of mass
incarceration through vastly tougher sentencing laws for those selling crack cocaine.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: It was a big mistake when it was made, but it's trapped an entire generation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY (voice over): But, 25 years ago, Biden not only voted for the bill, he was right here in the Rose Garden as President Clinton signed the new
law. And until recently, Biden has proudly taken ownership.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: I wrote the crime - the Biden crime bill. The thing that put 100,000 cops on the street.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY (voice over): Meanwhile, Kirsten Gillibrand has been trying to explain her dramatic political shift from a moderate Democratic
Congresswoman from Upstate New York to a liberal senator.
She once described herself as a firm opponent for giving amnesty to illegal aliens. She also said English should be the official language of the
United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GILLIBRAND: They certainly weren't empathetic and they were not kind. And I did not think about suffering in other people's lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY (voice over): While cleanups are common in presidential races --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm sorry for the consequences that were unintended and that have had a very unfortunate
impact on people's lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY (voice over): -- this year's string of confessionals is coming earlier than usual as candidates try to clarify their views before hitting
the campaign trail.
Hillary Clinton's often tortured apologies --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLINTON: I take responsibility. What I did was legally permitted - number one, first and foremost, okay?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY (voice over): -- offer a case study for 2020 and a lesson that an apology must be seen as authentic to be accepted.
Democrats do not have the luxury of holding firm, like President Trump, who famously almost never expresses regret.
[08:10:08]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I may stand before you in six months and say, "Hey, I was wrong." I don't know that I'll ever admit
that, but I'll find just - I'll find some kind of an excuse.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY: Before Bernie Sanders decides whether to run again, he is apologizing for sexual harassment of female staffers inside his 2016
campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANDERS: To the women in our campaign who were harassed or mistreated, I apologize.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY (voice over): And, Tulsi Gabbard is expressing regret for what she now calls offensive comments about same-sex marriage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TULSI GABBARD, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, HAWAII, DEMOCRAT: I sincerely repeat my apology today. I'm deeply sorry for having said them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY (voice over): While Kamala Harris is stopping well-short of apologizing, she's defending her record as a prosecutor that some activists
see as being pro-law enforcement at the expense of civil rights.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAMALA HARRIS, U.S. SENATOR, CALIFORNIA, DEMOCRAT: The buck stops with me and I take full responsibility for what my office did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY (voice over): But, it's Biden's new apologies that raise questions about how many more times he may have to say I'm sorry --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: Do you swear to tell the whole truth --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY (voice over): -- considering his long Senate record, including controversial moments like Anita Hill's testimony at the Clarence Thomas
confirmation hearings.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: I am so sorry that she had to go through what she went through.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
ZELENY: Now we're told the former Vice President is still deciding whether he will run, but if he does, his aides acknowledge he will have to show his
evolution over a career that spans nearly 40 years in the Senate and eight years in the White House. The question, though, with all these apologies
is whether voters accept them as authentic or do they seem politically expedient -- Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yes, that's the question. Also politically will they work for the Democrats heading into 2020 especially when we have a U.S. President
who likes to remind everyone that he is a winner and brags about never apologizing?
ZELENY: No question. I mean, that definitely works for President Trump's base by not apologizing. He looks strong. But the reason that so many
Democrats are trying to clean up their positions, if you will, and shift leftward with the party is that the base of their party has moved, as well.
Kristie, if you think about this, when Barack Obama came into the White House, only ten years ago, he and Joe Biden were opposed to same-sex
marriage. That was a standard view in the Democratic Party. Of course, all of that shifted while he was in office.
So the views have, some would say, modernized. Some of course are not in favor of this. But that is a sign here. So they're not just apologizing
to clean up things, they are trying to move with the times, if you will.
The question is, are they moving too far leftward or not. It's why campaigns are interesting and we don't know who will ultimately win --
Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yes, very interesting, especially the race for 2020 is kicking off in earnest with the Democrats. Jeff Zeleny, as always, thank you so
much. Take care. Now, you're watching "News Stream." Keep it here because up next, no more jeering, no more booing. Insult China's national
anthem and you could go to jail. More details about the controversial bill that could threaten free speech in Hong Kong. And it is day two at Davos.
Leaders from around the world have been addressing the forum. We're going to be live in the Swiss Alps, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:15:17]
LU STOUT: Welcome back. Now, the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says it is time to rebuild trust in the global trade system. He spoke earlier
at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which has been dominated by fears over trade disputes and a slowdown in global growth. German chancellor
Angela Merkel is due to speak soon. And shortly after, the Chinese Vice President, Wang Qishan will give a speech.
Now, he is China's fearsome former anti-corruption chief. Wang served as Vice Premier in charge of economic, energy and financial affairs under
former Chinese President Hu Jintao. He has a reputation as China's fire fighter for his track record of handling Beijing's most difficult tasks.
Wang was previously mayor of Beijing. He played a key role in organizing the 2008 Olympic Games. To discuss global trade fears and much more, we're
joined now by the former U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon from the Swiss Alps. And sir, thank you so much for joining us here on the program.
BAN KI-MOON, FORMER U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: Thank you for your opportunity. Thank you very much.
LU STOUT: Now, as you know, China is taking center stage today at Davos. We have Wang Qishan due to speak shortly. He will try to reassure
investors that the trade deal is manageable - the trade war is manageable, your thoughts on the trade war? How big a risk is it to global growth?
BAN: I'm concerned about this ongoing trade conflict between two largest economies in the world, United States and China. And at the same time, I'm
encouraged that President Trump and President Xi Jinping have agreed to resolve these issues through negotiation. Negotiation seems to be going
well.
Last year, at the time of opening of a board forum for Asia, I was attending as the Chairman of the board forum that President Xi Jinping made
the very historic statement that the Chinese government and Chinese people will engage in trade and commerce in accordance with the global procedures
and opening up their market as well as respect intellectual property rights.
That was very widely and favorably accepted by the international community. Now, it will be very important that those two countries engage in much more
serious negotiations so that we will be able to enjoy the overall economic growth globally, and this is a very important one. And I'm concerned that
basically global economy is now working - has now worked because of protectionism and some other political crisis happening around the world.
LU STOUT: Yes, a lot of concern about the trade war, about the global economic slowdown. Also about nuclear proliferation. We have heard that
there will be a second North Korea summit, a second summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, but I think you'll also agree, there hasn't been
much progress towards denuclearization since the Singapore Summit, so what would the second meeting achieve?
BAN: Never in the past, since the beginning of the North Korean nuclear crisis have we seen such kind of a very positive and exciting development
of situations, particularly during last year. Three summit meetings have taken place between the leaders of both the South and North Korea and
historical, first unprecedented meeting took place between President Trump and the Chairman, Kim Jong-un. I am encouraged by the news that the two
leaders may get together around the end of next month, February.
I sincerely hope that based on the lessons of the Singapore Summit meeting on June 12th last year, two leaders will come out with much more concrete
and detailed way to make sure that complete denuclearization should be realized in a complete verifiable and universal manner.
It's very important that North Korea should take a strategic decision to dismantle all the nuclear weapons, the materials, and facilities ...
[08:20:02]
BAN: ... show their trust and sincerity so that the financial community can be able to respond favorably by relaxing sanctions as well as by
providing economic and social support for people of North Korea.
LU STOUT: Absolutely. That sincerity has to be showcased for any sort of progress in denuclearization and Mr. Ban, as we continue our conversation,
I just want to bring up live video from there at the World Economic Forum where the German Chancellor Angela Merkel is speaking right now, no doubt
addressing issues that she has to contend with, populism, fallout from what's going to happen next with regard to Brexit, et cetera, the global
economic slowdown, maybe the ripple effects of the trade war affecting Germany, a major economy that does a lot of business with China.
Mr. Ban, we have been discussing how this is a world in a state of crisis. All of the issues you brought up just then, nuclear proliferation, as well.
And there is also the issue of climate change. Sir, how worried are you about climate change, about our warming planet?
BAN: According to the global risk report issued by World Economic Forum, Davos forum, then out of three global risks which happened last year was,
first of all, unprecedented extreme weather pattern and second was a lack of mitigation and adaptation efforts to address the climate change
phenomena.
After full three years and since the adoption of Paris Climate Change Agreement, the progress report is somewhat mixed, particularly by the
announcement of President Trump to withdraw from Paris Climate Change Agreement. United States has been a champion in addressing climate change
together with China, and I sincerely hope that the U.S. will show leadership for the humanity.
The climate change has been happening much, much faster than one may expect. And particularly the IPCC - Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate
Change announced last year, again, October last year, that unless we contain the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, then the
consequences will be serious, devastating, and, therefore, while we are working for 2 degrees Celsius, we need to do all our efforts to contain
global temperature rise under 1.5 degrees.
What really makes me concerned at this time as a former Secretary General, the international community is now much, much more divided in terms of
political and in other areas. Now, the international multilateralism is under attack and a lot of talks about the protectionism, extremism, and
directed wars among the people, these really, really hurt the unity of international community.
There are many global challenges which require global solutions. Not a single country or organization in this world, however powerful, however
resourceful one maybe, cannot address these global challenges alone. We have to work together. We are all in this together with the transformative
transformation of science and technology. We are living in a small planet Earth, that we have to do much more.
I am now working as a Chairman of the Global Commission on Adaptation. Something has been done by mitigating -- yes, we have to do much more
towards adaptation.
LU STOUT: Sir, thank you so much. I just wanted to wrap up the point you made that is a really powerful point. It is even though the world is so
divided, we have to come together now to combat climate change because this is something that affects all of us. Mr. Ban, thank you so much for
joining us, Ban Ki-Moon, the former U.N. Secretary General joining us live from Davos. Sir, take care and thank you for your message.
Now, back here in Hong Kong, demonstrators made their way to the city's government headquarters today in a brief protest as lawmakers began
debating a bill to criminalize insulting China's national anthem.
Football fans have booed the anthem at several football matches including these back in 2017 which anchored pro-government supporters. This bill is
a potential blow to freedom of speech in Hong Kong. Critics say it is political censorship while pro-government lawmakers argue it will protect
the country's dignity.
The controversial bill which is likely to be passed will set standards for playing and singing the Chinese anthem. It would also punish those who
insult the anthem with up to five years in prison.
[08:25:10]
LU STOUT: Claudia Mo joins me now. She is a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and a member of the Pan Democratic Camp. Thank you so
much for joining us here on the program. This bill is expected to pass and those who say that they want to pass it, it's about protecting China's
dignity. Claudia, how do you see it?
CLAUDIA MO, MEMBER, HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: Well, the problem is most people would assume that an anthem law must be quite harmless, right?
But except this time, they are trying to introduce so much more harm, unnecessary harm. They make it particularly ambiguous and they make it
particularly draconian at the same time.
And so they are not just trying to get back the booing soccer fans, they're trying to use it as a political weapon to shut down, to help shut down Hong
Kong's opposition.
LU STOUT: You call this a political weapon. Now, the bill is out there because people in Hong Kong have insulted China's national anthem. We've
seen it happen at football matches where Hong Kong fans boo China's anthem. Why do some people in Hong Kong do this?
MO: Well, you can imagine. I mean, they keep saying, the officials in charge, they keep saying the idea is to demand respect for the national
anthem. But the thing is, you cannot legislate respect. You have to earn it.
And the young in particular are very, very bitter about this because they've been forced, practically, to recognize the fact that they are not
just Hong Kongers as they think they are, they are Chinese. They want to instill this Chinese identity into our young. How dare you would boo the
national anthem? But then respect, I mean, they have - the young think - they have the right not to express respect.
LU STOUT: So, Claudia, in the event that this law comes into effect, will it deter Hong Kongers - people of Hong Kong from booing the national anthem
or could we see just the opposite? Could we end up seeing a number on of people in Hong Kong being sent to prison because of this?
MO: Now, the maximum penalty for expressing disrespect could be three years in jail, not five, actually. But the thing is, if you play it
correctly, the young, the - well, are not so obedient would play tricky, too. They could always cover up their faces or at least wear masks while
booing, right? So you can't enforce respect as such and they are trying very hard to take away our freedoms.
LU STOUT: Claudia Mo, who says you cannot legislate respect. Thank you so much for joining us. Take care.
MO: Thank you.
LU STOUT: Now, the fate of Syria, it lies largely in the hands of two men. And those men, the strongmen presence of Turkey and Russia, they are
discussing that feature right now in Moscow. We're going to go live to the Russian capital.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:30:35]
LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching "News Stream" and these are your world headlines. Federal workers are planning a
protest at the U.S. Capital in the coming hours. They are facing the prospect of a second straight missed paycheck on Friday as the partial
government shutdown reaches its 33rd day. The Senate is scheduled to vote on Thursday on two competing plans to reopen the government, but neither is
expected to pass.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing in the English Channel for a plane carrying Argentine football player Emiliano Sala. A light aircraft
carrying him from Nantes, in Northern France to Cardiff in Wales, disappeared from radar on Monday evening. Nantes fans, they gathered in
the city on Tuesday night to pay tribute to the player.
The Presidents of Russia and Turkey are holding talks right now in Moscow to discuss what happens next in Syria. On the agenda, a proposed plan for
a safe zone in the country's north as well as the U.S. decision to withdraw troops from Syria, a news conference is expected any moment now.
Fred Pleitgen joins us live from Moscow with more. And Fred, good to see you. These two leaders, due to talk very soon, they are on opposite sides
of this conflict in Syria. So as they prepare to hold these talks, realistically, what kind of compromise or common ground are they going to
reach?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, I think they can reach a great deal of common ground. I mean, you're absolutely
right, in as far as Syria is concerned, certainly, as far as the outside powers, Kristie, who are involved in Syria, they are by far the two
strongest. And you're absolutely right, they are on opposite sides nominally at least of the equation with the Turks backing a lot of
opposition groups against Bashar al Assad while the Russians are firmly on the side of the Syrian President, of Bashar al Assad and certainly, if and
when the United States decides to move out of Northern Syria, both the Russians and the Turks have said that the sides that they respectively
support, that they should be moving into that territory.
Now, the interesting thing about all this is that despite the fact that they're both on opposite sides of the equation. They have been able to
reach compromises on a wide range of issues and they do work together quite efficiently when it comes to Syria.
Now, there's really several scenarios in all of this. One of the things that President Erdogan of Turkey wants to push is what he called a "safe
zone." He essentially wants Turkish forces to move into the areas that now have an American presence there and then to establish a safe zone where
some of the folks who fled to Turkey from Syria could then go.
The big problem is that the forces that the U.S. has been supporting in those areas don't want that. A lot of them are largely Kurdish forces,
they are considered terrorists by the Turks. What those forces have done is they've asked the Russians and the Assad government for help. So they
would like the Syrian government to move back in, which is also the position of the Russians, as well.
So they seem to be fairly far apart. I think one of the things that could be a compromise in all of this, Kristie, if that's something that they're
working towards, could be that the Russians might potentially give the Turks assurances perhaps that Kurdish militias would not be in those border
areas that the Kurdish militias would be integrated into the Syrian security forces and if that is something the Turks are willing to accept,
then you could very well see the Syrian government backed by the Russians moving into areas where the Americans currently hold sway.
LU STOUT: Yes, and we will see soon what this meeting delivers. Fred Pleitgen there with the preview. Fred, thank you. The model from Belarus
who claimed to have proof that Russia meddled with the U.S. elections has been released from police custody in Moscow.
Anastacia Vashukevich remains under travel restrictions and fears for her life. That is according to her lawyer. She was detained on prostitution
charges after being deported from Thailand where she spent almost a year behind bars.
Vashukevich ran so-called sex training sessions there. She made headlines after her arrest for offering to swap secret recordings in return for
asylum in the U.S. Even though she's been released from jail, Vashukevich still faces charges relating to the prostitution case.
You're watching "News Stream" and still ahead, a baseball bat swinging, car flipping, pole dancing mascot is causing a Japanese City a lot of headache.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:35:10]
LU STOUT: Japan's shrinking population is a growing problem for military recruitment in the country and to fill the ranks, the nation's self-defense
forces are turning to an unlikely demographic, women.
Now, working with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis reporting, CNN gained rare access to a female Navy bootcamp and spoke to some of the women on the
front lines of defense. Alexandra Field reports.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEXANDRA FIELD, CORRESPONDENT, CNN (voice over): These are the faces of some of Japan's newest Naval recruits and Japan's military wants to see
many more of them - women.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOEKA YOSHINAKA, FORMER NURSE (Through a translator): My friends and family warned me that protecting the nation would be tough. They asked if
I was afraid of it. But I asked myself who will do the job if everyone is afraid?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FIELD (voice over): As part of the pacifist country's self-defense force, their job is to protect the country and respond to natural disasters. But
for now, these women are also part of Japan's response to a different kind of problem.
With the population in free fall, the pool for military recruits is shrinking. Japan wants more women to step up and serve.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MISAKO YAMADA, LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE (Through a translator): We do have more men in the force as opposed to women. So going forward, we would like
to put women more in the spotlight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FIELD (voice over): High profile women have helped to smash the image of a male dominated force. In 2018, Ryoko Azuma are became Japan's first female
Warship Squadron Commander and Misa Matsushima, a self-confessed "Top Gun" film fan became the first female fighter pilot. But women are still
overwhelmingly outnumbered. Female enlistment stands at 6 percent. The new goal is to make women 9 percent of military by 2030.
Japan has also extended the recruitment age limit from 26 to 32 to bolster numbers even more. The recruitment drive comes as Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe is expanding the defense forces' global role and upping defensive spending. Moves largely aimed at countering threats like China's growing
military might in the South China Sea.
At the Yokosuka Naval Base, recruits say they're eligible for nearly all the jobs open to men.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KOKORO ISOMURA, FORMER ACTRESS (Through a translator): Female staff cannot work on board submarines, but soon it will be possible. I would love to
get on one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FIELD (voice over); For now, it's about putting more women in the military. These recruits know they are also taking a step toward making
Japan a more equal society. Alexandra Field, CNN.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
LU STOUT: I love that report. And finally, Japanese mascots usually known for being cute and cuddly, but you might want to think twice before hugging
this guy. Meet Chiitan, an on sanction, unofficial mascot that is fast gaining popularity on social media thanks to his kind of edgy popularity.
Here he is flipping a car. That's what he does. Let's show you some additional video that we have of him pole dancing. Also, we have video of
him just swinging around a weed hacker as well.
Unfortunately, Chiitan's rogue behavior is causing some real damage. Local residents are confusing him with an official tourism Ambassador for the
City of Susaki, and inundated the city with complaints.
So the real mascot's contract was eventually suspended thanks to this guy. Wow. Now, joining us now from Tokyo to explore this crazy world of
Japanese mascots is Chris Carlier, the illustrator behind the website and Twitter feed, Mondo Mascots.
[08:40:10]
LU STOUT: Chris, a pleasure to have you on the program. Just to try to explain this to our audience, we know cities in Japan, they have these big,
fun, furry mascots. One got into trouble because it got confused with Chiitan. Who is Chiitan and why is he such a rebel?
CHRIS CARLIER, ILLUSTRATOR, MONDO MASCOTS: Well, Chiitan is actually inspired by a real otter. So there was a real otter with a huge online
following and they made a costumed mascot for it.
And then the costumed mascot started posting viral videos of pratfalls and stunts online and it was designed by the same designer who made Shinjokun
who is another mascot for Susaki City. And because he's an official mascot, he has to behave himself and a lot of people have been confusing
the two mascots and making complaints to Susaki City.
LU STOUT: So the official mascot ...
CARLIER: So Shinjokun has been getting in trouble --
LU STOUT: ... ended up getting suspended, getting in trouble which is just so sad. As you know, a number of our viewers know like, I'm very fond
of the mascot Funassyi, who is another unofficial mascot in another city and Funassyi, incredibly popular. Is there huge pressure for all mascots
to be kind of wild and crazy, you know, like Funassyi? Is this what's happening here?
CARLIER: Well, actually, the government approved ones are encouraged to behave themselves. But Funassyi is independent. He's not actually an
official city mascot, so he has his own heavy metal band. And he does a lot of crazy things. And he's actually more popular than the official
mascot of the city.
But I think, you know, there's a bit of one upmanship going on now, a lot of them making fun videos. So that's something a lot of people are
enjoying online recently.
LU STOUT: Yes, it just kind of seems that they are kind of like daring each other like who can be crazier? Who can just pull off the bigger
stunt? And you have met these mascots in person in Japan, do they have legion of fans? I mean, what are their fan bases like?
CARLIER: Funassyi has a huge following. He fills out stadiums when his band comes to town. But other ones have just a handful of followers, so it
really varies. Chiitan has got - has just got a million followers online just this year though, so Chiitan is one to look out for.
LU STOUT: Yes, absolutely. They're just fun to always look out for. I don't know - there's something about those mascots, they just get me every
time. Chris, we'll leave it at that. Thank you so much for joining us here on the program.
Wow, that is it for "News Stream."
CARLIER: Thanks for having me.
LU STOUT: I'm Kristi Lu Stout. Don't go anywhere though, we're going to go to "World Sport." Amanda Davies is standing by for that.
(SPORTS)
[09:00:00]
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