(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: August 10, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Heavy rains continued in Shanghai through much of the week as Haikui moved inland. Now, typhoon season is also hitting the Philippines hard. The main island of Luzon has felt at least two major storms in the past two weeks, and half the country's capital of Manila is underwater. We have this report from our Japanese broadcast partner NHK.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: August 8, 2012

Kathleen Ocampo, NHK World:
The Philippines is facing the worst seasonal deluge to hit the capital since 2009. A large area of Manila and its suburbs are paralyzed, with buildings and roads underwater.

There may have been fewer rains, but the houses behind me are still submerged in floods.

Typhoon Saola swept into the Philippines late last month, bringing heavy rainfall. Monsoon rains continue to pound Manila in other parts of the country. Philippine weather officials say the capital had more than 30 millimeters of rain per hour since Monday.

The Marikina River in the northeastern part of the city overflowed, flooding homes and businesses. Disaster management officials say at least 64 people died in landslides or by falling into the swollen rivers. They say nearly 800,000 people have evacuated to schools and other facilities, but many are still stranded. The government mobilized the military, coast guard, and police for around-the-clock search-and-rescue missions.

Evacuee:
I hope the water goes away soon, so we can get our lives back to normal.

Evacuee:
The flood swept away my money and all my things. I have a small child. We won't be able to eat, even if we return home.

Reporter:
The rain has eased for now, but government officials are calling on citizens to stay on the alert for heavy rains. They say heavy rains are expected to continue throughout the day.

(LinkAsia: August 10, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
The global economic slowdown is having a negative impact on Japan's export-driven economy. The country is feeling the pinch of fewer auto sales abroad. Here's NHK with the story.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: August 6, 2012

Reporter:
The cabinet office said on Monday that the coincident index that tracks the current state of the economy fell 2 points from May to 93.8 (points). The index reflects economic activities, like industrial production and employment. Production of cars for export and auto parts for the domestic market declined in June.

The cabinet office downgraded its assessment of the economy from improving to weakening. It's the first downgrade in 15 months.

Officials say they will continue to monitor developments in domestic auto sales that have been supported by government subsidies for eco-car buyers. They added that they will also keep a close watch on overseas economies, including the United States and China.

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Yul Kwon:
That eco-friendly car rebate, which is the equivalent of the American Cash for Clunkers program, was reintroduced this year.