(LinkAsia: December 21, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
A huge supporter of stronger US-Japan ties was US Senator of Hawaii, Daniel Inouye. He was a decorated war veteran and had served in the US Congress since 1959, when Hawaii was granted statehood. He was the highest ranking Asian-American politician in US history. Here's NHK with a tribute.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: December 18, 2012

Reporter:
Inouye was elected to the senate in 1962 and served for half a century. He was chairman of the senate appropriations committee. He worked to promote exchanges between US and Japanese politicians. He helped support reconstruction efforts in Northeastern Japan and visited areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Inouye sat down in October for an interview with NHK. He called on Japanese and US officials to strengthen their alliance.

Daniel Inouye:
If there's turmoil and disasters in Asia-Pacific area, we would be affected. So it's in our best interest also

Reporter:
Inouye served during the Second World War in an Army unit made up of soldiers of Japanese ancestry. He lost his right arm in a battle in Italy. President Obama said the country has lost a true American hero. Daniel Inouye was 88 years old.

(LinkAsia: August 17, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
World War Two ended 67 years ago this week. The conclusion of the war was marked by Japan's unconditional surrender. But the country's neighbors, especially South Korea and China, still feel that Tokyo hasn't shown enough remorse over the Japanese army’s brutality throughout the conflict. As a result, the anniversary has become a time of protest against Japan.

This week, there was a new development in a long-simmering dispute over the islands that Japan calls Senkaku. Japan controls the islands, but they’re also claimed by China and Taiwan. Japanese authorities arrested a group of Hong Kong activists for illegally entering the islands. Here's the story from Japanese broadcaster NHK.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: August 15, 2012

Reporter:
Coast Guard spokespersons say seven activists on a fishing boat landed Wednesday on the Senkakus in the East China Sea. Japan considers the islands part of its southernmost prefecture Okinawa.

Police say the activists jumped off the boat and swam to Uotsuri Island. Two of them went back to the vessel soon after landing. Officers arrested the five activists who remained on the island on charges of illegal entry into Japanese territory.

The fishing boat left Hong Kong Sunday. It entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkakus despite repeated warnings from coast guard patrol vessels.

In 2004, a group of seven Chinese activists landed on Uotsuri Island. Japanese authorities arrested them on charges of illegal entry and deported them. In 2010, a Chinese trawler collided with two Japanese patrol boats off the Senkakus. Research ships, fisheries, patrol boats and other vessels from China have frequently entered Japanese territorial waters since then.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced in July that his government is planning to purchase some of the islands from private owners and nationalize them.

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Yul Kwon:
News reports from Tokyo say that Japan has deported 14 Chinese. The government didn't want relations with Beijing to deteriorate further.

(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.