(LinkAsia: May 18, 2012)
Sydnie Kohara:
Okinawa has been at the heart of Japan-US relations for decades. It was under US administration after the end of World War Two until it was handed back to Japan on May 15, 1972. But even now, American military bases still take up large parts of the main island. Residents and leaders recently came together to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the handover.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: May 15, 2012

Reporter:
About 1,200 people attended the ceremony at the Okinawa Convention Center. Among them, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, US Ambassador to Japan John Roos, and local representatives. Noda used his speech to stress his government's efforts to strengthen Okinawa's economy and said he's committed to change.

Yoshihiko Noda, Japanese Prime Minister:
I'm fully aware of the heavy burden US military facilities are imposing on people in Okinawa. I reiterate my determination to reduce the burden on the prefecture quickly, visibly, and specifically, while maintaining the deterrence.

Reporter:
The remarks by US Ambassador to Japan John Roos touched on the impact the American military presence has had on Okinawa.

John Roos, US Ambassador to Japan:
As it has been in the past, our alliance continues to be indispensable to our future, and we, as Americans, recognize the sacrifices the people of Okinawa have made to keep this critical alliance strong.

Reporter:
For many islanders, the return of Okinawa offered the promise of stability and basic human rights under the Japanese constitution. However, some also say it marked the beginning of another age of hardship.

(LinkAsia: May 18, 2012)
Sydnie Kohara:
In the 1990s, former Okinawa Governor Masahide Ohta led a protest movement to get American military bases out of the prefecture. NHK interviewed Ohta to get his take on life in Okinawa since the 1972 handover.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: May 15, 2012

Reporter:
Now 86 years old, Ohta served as the Okinawan governor from 1990 to 1998. After surviving the war, he devoted himself to studies at universities in Okinawa, Tokyo and the United States to try and understand why his island had to make such a great sacrifice.

During his tenure as governor, the Okinawan peoples' anti-US sentiment exploded after the rape of a teenage girl by three US marine soldiers.

In 1996, after a series of negotiations with the Pentagon and Tokyo, Ohta won a concession. The US agreed to withdraw some bases from Okinawa, including the notorious Futenma Marine Air Station.

However, after the governor retired from politics, the base issue became deadlocked over where to relocate it.

Masahide Ohta, Former Okinawa Governor:
People believe so strongly that Okinawan military bases should be cut down and similar to the amount on mainland Japan, but this was not done. So nowadays, there's great disappointment and anger towards the central government. Local people feel that they are betrayed by their current central government after 40 years of reversion.

Reporter:
Anything have changed about the issue of the bases?

Masahide Ohta, Former Okinawa Governor:
Nothing has changed at all. It is even worse.

Reporter:
Ohta survived the Battle of Okinawa as a child soldier. He says the sacrifice of a third of the islanders made him determined to eliminate military bases from his homeland.

Masahide Ohta, Former Okinawa Governor:
I'm afraid unless the people understand the terrible experiences of local people during the Battle of Okinawa, they could not understand why local people are strongly opposed to the US military bases. We believe that local people be protected by the Japanese defense forces, but we were wrong, because Japanese defense forces soldiers killed the local people. They ordered mothers to kill their child simply to keep quiet so that they wouldn't be found out by the enemy forces. So we saw at the front lines such terrible things, which we never dreamed of. So we are very much disappointed in the way that the military does not protect the civilians when the war occurs.

Reporter:
Ohta is frustrated by the indifference of the majority of Japanese towards the US military presence, which could lead to the permanent establishment of bases in Okinawa.

Masahide Ohta, Former Okinawa Governor:
Japanese central government always says that the US-Japan security treaty is so important. It's national interest of Japan. And in order to maintain the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific region, US military bases on Okinawa are indispensable. However, even though they insist that the US-Japan security treaty is so important and it's national interest, the rest of mainland Japan does not want to bring in the military bases to their own backyard.

Reporter:
What do you think about that?

Masahide Ohta, Former Okinawa Governor:
This is nonsense for us, because if it's national interest, they should share the burden, and also obligation, under the name of democracy. In democracy, majority rules, you know? So that the Okinawans lose, Okinawa province will not be served unless those majority pay attention or take Okinawan province as their own province.

Reporter:
Ohta says an increase in the number of young islanders who can clearly say no to what they see as an unfair burden could achieve an Okinawa without bases.

Masahide Ohta, Former Okinawa Governor:
We watch the current situation among the local youngsters. Voices of Okinawa should be independent if the central government tries Okinawan people as they used to. We do not bear any longer. The central government has to listen to the minority groups, people like Okinawan people. I have the hope that they will change.

 

Israel seals off West Bank and Jerusalem to celebrate Passover

Dubai TV - Tight security measures and restrictions characterize every Friday in the occupied territories, rendering the Palestinians' attempt to enter al-Aqsa mosque a difficult mission. But, this week, these measures were doubled under the pretext of celebrating Jewish holidays, but no consideration was taken for the Palestinian Christians' observance of Good Friday. Israel imposed a full security cordon on the West Bank, and raised the state of alert in occupied Jerusalem in an arbitrary measure that will extend until Sunday night.

Thousands rally behind dying 'godfather of human rights' in Bahrain

Al-Alam - Massive demonstrations were held in the areas of A'li and Jadhafs west of the Bahraini capital, al-Manama, in solidarity with human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. The demonstrators said they would hold the regime responsible for his death. The peaceful demonstrations were led by scholars, community leaders, and political figures. The participants called on the international community, notably the US, Britain, and countries that offer political support for al-Manama's regime, to take responsible action in Bahrain.

Mali's Tuareg rebels declare independence in the north

Al Jazeera - The independence of Azawad starting on April 6th, 2012. The declaration was followed by a movement leader's affirmation in Paris that the movement will not work with al-Qaeda and is not affiliated with any Islamist movement. Dozens demonstrated in the capital Bamako in protest of Azawad leaders' declaration of independence in northern Mali and the proclamation of the Azawad State. Protesters of northern descent chanted slogans calling for the country's unity, saying they would fight against those they referred to as separatists.

Egyptian Brotherhood presidential candidate says implementing sharia is 'main goal'

Dubai TV - Competition flared among prominent presidential candidates in Egypt as the closing date for the candidate nominations approaches this coming Sunday. Omar Suleiman, Hosni Mubarak's former deputy, pulled out of the competition and announced in a statement that he did not plan to run for the nomination due to what he described as "administrative and financial obstacles". In turn, the Islamist Freedom and Justice Party candidate, Khairat Al-Shater, filed his nomination papers with the High Election Committee. Al-Shater confirmed that implementing Islamic Sharia law will remain his principal agenda.The ruling Military Council in Egypt pushed forward the process to transfer authority to a president-elect and to set a date for the handover in late June, regardless of whether the country's new constitution is ready or not.

Libya announces truce to end deadly tribal clashes

Al Jazeera - A ceasefire is now in effect in western Libya after intervention from the Supreme Council for the Revolutionaries, the National Army, and the High Reconciliation Committee. The National Transitional Council announced a state of emergency in the cities of Zuwarah, al-Jamil, and Rigdaleen, and declared these cities to be a military zone under the control of the Libyan army's chief-of-staff.

 

Image: Arab Christian worshippers hold a cross as they enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during a procession on Good Friday in Jerusalem's Old City April 6, 2012. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

(LinkAsia: March 23, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
In Japan, the defense minister says he would consider destroying the rocket to protect the country's territory. Japanese broadcaster NHK tells us more.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: March 23, 2012

Naoki Tanaka, Japanese Defense Minister:
As we face the North Korean issue, now is an important time to demonstrate the Japan-US alliance.
 
John Roos, US Ambassador to Japan:
Totally agree with that.
 
Reporter:
Tanaka said the international community should unite in pressing North Korea to abandon its launch plan. Ambassador Roos said the North's action is a threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Tanaka said he will order the Self-Defense Forces to prepare to intercept any falling debris from the rocket. He added that the defense ministry is considering deploying destroyers equipped with the Aegis Air Defense System off southern islands, such as Ishigaki. He said Patriot PAC-3 surface-to-air missiles could also be deployed.

(LinkAsia: February 17, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Meanwhile, Japan’s NHK said Xi got a 'rough ride' in his meeting with Obama. It said the US president ‘lectured’ the Chinese leader on trade and human rights.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: February 15, 2012

Reporter:
President Obama has certainly heard Xi Jinping's name, but his opinions remain somewhat of a mystery, so the two took time in the Oval Office to get to know each other a little better.

Xi Jinping, Chinese Vice President:
I look forward to my in-depth discussion with you, President Obama.

Reporter:
Obama got right to it, pressing Xi on some of the same issues he has stressed with other Chinese leaders.

Barack Obama, US President:
We want to work with China to make sure that everybody is working by the same rules of the road when it comes to the world economic system, and that includes ensuring that there is a balanced trade flow.

Reporter:
US diplomats rarely fail to raise human rights when they meet with their Chinese counterparts. Obama, too, had some advice.

Barack Obama:
Expanding power and prosperity also comes with increased responsibilities.

Reporter:
Xi said China and the US should build a partnership based on mutual respect and interests. Still, he suggested the two need to acknowledge their differences. The Obama administration is extending an unprecedented level of hospitality to Xi. Vice President Joe Biden is accompanying him to most destinations. That's not going over well with Republicans. They've argued for some time that Obama is too soft on China.

Yul Kwon:
Analysts say that Obama raised contentious issues to fend off Republican criticism that the administration hasn’t been tough enough on China, particularly on issues related to China’s currency.

"Ever since the Arab Spring, many people here have been pining for an American Autumn," says Charles Blow in the New York Times. "The closest we've gotten so far is Occupy Wall Street." For almost four weeks, Occupy Wall Street activists have gathered in Manhattan's financial district to protest corporate greed, corruption, and social and economic inequality, among other things. The movement's website states, "We Are the 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends." 

 

Many disagree. Blow describes the protests as "a festival of frustrations, a collective venting session with little edge or urgency, highlighting just how far away downtown Manhattan is from Damascus." James Joyner at Outside the Beltway states, "What these movements have in common: frustrated youth loosely organized using social media …It's simply insulting to compare the two."

 

What can the American protestors learn from the more experienced "Arab Spring" protestors? In a Foreign Policy Magazine article entitled "From Tahrir Square to Wall Street," veteran Egyptian protestor Mosa'ab Elshamy offers his advice to the Occupy Wall Street activists on what makes a successful protest movement. Most importantly, Elshamy says, is that protestors have a unified platform. They must first agree on a set of simple and broad demands in order to attract a wide base of support, which is exactly what Occupy Wall Street lacks, according to most critics.  

 

Almost one month after the start of protests in New York City, the Occupy Wall Street movement has shown surprising staying power. The movement has spread to over 70 US cities and has been endorsed by several labor unions, celebrities, and politicians. But will it succeed in bringing accountability and equity to the US financial system, or will it fizzle as protestors are dispersed by a cold New York winter? 

 

(Photo: Occupy Wall Street protestor marches up Broadway in New York.  Mike Segar / Reuters)