(LinkAsia: November 23, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
President Obama has just concluded a whirlwind visit to Southeast Asia. His trip included stops in Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. It was billed as a campaign to win over so-called "swing states" - countries that both the US and China are trying to bring into their respective spheres of influence. Perhaps the most important part of the trip was the six hours that Obama spent in Myanmar. Until recently, the country was seen as a client of China, mostly because China was one of the few nations that did business with the former Burmese military regime. But now, after a year of reform, western countries are crowding in with investments and aid. Here's how Japanese public broadcaster NHK covered Obama's visit.

--

NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: November 19, 2012

Reporter:
Obama met with President Thein Sein. He referred to the nation for the first time in public as Myanmar, the name made official by the military. The US government usually calls it Burma.

Barack Obama:
I shared with President Thein Sein, our belief, the process of reform he has taken is one that will move this country forward.

Reporter:
Local people lined the streets waving US flags to welcome the American president. Obama then met with long-time democracy activist, Aung San Suu Kyi, at her home.

Barack Obama:
I'm proud to be the first American president to visit this spectacular country. We've seen some very encouraging progress.

Aung San Suu Kyi:
We are working to a genuine success for our people and for the friendship of our two countries.

Reporter:
Some human rights activists called the visit premature. But Obama said they should take the opportunity to encourage what he called "the better impulses in the country."  

(LinkAsia: October 19, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
In Myanmar, the former military regime has ushered in tremendous reforms over the past year. Less media censorship, along with the release of more than 700 political prisoners, have led the US to ease economic sanctions against the country. It seems the pro-democracy movement, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, is succeeding. But some are still skeptical. Here's NHK with more.

--

NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: October 16, 2012

Reporter:
This is where Aung San Suu Kyi used to live while under house arrest. Back then, walking along this street was prohibited, but now it's become a bit of a tourist attraction.

Tourist:
A Nobel Prize winner lives here, which is interesting. You can also see that people are extremely positive about changes, and that is a really good thing.

Reporter:
Images of Aung San Suu Kyi used to be banned, but her face is everywhere at this souvenir shop at the headquarters of her National League for Democracy Party. From coffee cups to umbrellas, these items earn the party about 500 US Dollars a day, that's about half the amount most ordinary people in Myanmar make in a year. Visitors from overseas seem happy that Myanmar is opening up. But what about Democracy activists inside the country? I visited Min Ko Naing, he was a key member of the '88 Generation, the group that led the anti-military movement of 1988. He spent more than 15 years prison.

Min Ko Naing:
Whether or not people say these changes are real. We must be active and force them to become real. Actions are more important than words. Aung San Suu Kyi chose to enter parliament and is moving forward, and that encourages me too to do what I can in my own way, because I want everyone in Myanmar to join this movement for Democracy. That's my motivation.

(LinkAsia: June 1, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Over the past few decades, Myanmar has been closed to foreign businesses, except those from China and some Southeast Asian nations. It's also been under sanctions from western countries. But those sanctions are fading fast as Myanmar takes steps toward democracy and freer markets. Many countries see Myanmar as the last frontier in Asia. It has plenty of natural resources, a cheap labor force, and pent-up demand for everything from roads to consumer goods. And NHK tells us that Japanese companies are getting excited.

--

NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: May 30, 2012

Reporter:
Tokyo's stock exchange has signed an agreement with Myanmar's central bank. Moves are underway to set up the first stock market in the country. The aim is to deepen bilateral ties and gain a strong base to promote investment in local farms.

Than Nyein, Governor, Central Bank of Myanmar:
He arrived here for a long time and working together for a long time. And I think we believe that he is a very true and very capable partner for us.

Reporter:
Shigeto Inami is a Japanese business person who helped to win the deal. He's the president of a local college in Myanmar. It was created by Japan's diverse security group, together with the local bank. The plan is to expand the college to set up the new exchange.

Inami has lived in Myanmar for 14 years. He stayed behind even when many western firms left the country due to US and European sanctions. He has built a wide network of personal connections with government officials and other key figures. He wears ethnic clothing to work to fit in with the local society. While working on the project, Inami ran into strong competition from South Korea. But in the end, the deep trust he had earned over the years from local officials made all the difference.

Shigeto Inami, Managing Director, Myanmar Securities Exchange Center:
Japanese people take time and nurture relationships, and it's not all about money. I think that our culture struck a chord with the people in Myanmar.

Reporter:
A major Japanese bank is also making inroads in Myanmar ahead of its competitors from other countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation had joined hands with Myanmar's leading commercial bank. Sumitomo Mitsui is aiming to tap the partner's network to offer loans and other financial services to Japanese firms when the local market opens its doors to foreign banks. In Myanmar, most payments are made with cash since automatic teller machines are not so common there yet. This branch handles as many as five million banknotes a day.

Yoshiyuki Morii, Chief Representative, SMBC Yangon Office:
This is Myanmar's leading bank, so its methods are actually the most advanced for this country.

Reporter:
Sumitomo Mitsui plans to recommend to the local partner that it introduces teller machines and other systems. This will help to boost operational efficiency and improve its services. Japanese firms aim to play a leading role in setting up a financial market in Myanmar to boost the local economy and gain the fruits of growth. The trial has just begun.