(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: October 26, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
So who won the debate?  Here's Japanese broadcaster, NHK, with one analyst's opinion.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: October 23, 2012

Fumiko Nishizaki:
I think foreign policy is usually the domain of the incumbent president, and I think President Obama used the opportunity quite well by explaining his specific foreign policy agenda and priorities and so on. Whereas, Governor Romney tended to be more general. He had this broad approach mapped out as his foreign policy agenda, but he was a little weak on specifics.

I guess they spent a whole lot of time on the Middle East, Middle Eastern policy and the Al Qaeda and Pakistan, Afghanistan-what impressed me was that President Obama was emphasizing a lot about his multilateral approach to many things, like in Libya or Iran. How the administration has dealt with in cooperation with the other countries. And in that sense I think Governor Romney tended to emphasize on leadership, on America's leadership. And he was attacking President Obama for not exerting strong American leadership.

Among the three debates I think the first debate made the strongest impression on the American public, because President Obama unexpectedly did not very well. He was not so focused and energetic and so on. The third debate, President Obama was clearly the winner I think. But it deals with foreign policy, first of all, and it's not something that the American public is most concerned about. They were worried about the economy and domestic policies. It is very difficult to say that either of these debates would have a definitive impact on the account of the election.

(LinkAsia: May 11, 2012)
Sydnie Kohara:
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is continuing her Asian tour with a stop in India, but she's not getting much cooperation there. The United States is asking India not to buy oil from Iran. The oil embargo is to force Iran to halt its nuclear program, but Iran is the biggest supplier of oil to India. And as NHK reports, they're not likely to stop doing business together any time soon.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: May 8, 2012

Reporter:
Hillary Clinton's visit to India comes less than two months before additional sanctions against Iran go into force. The United States has outlined new sanctions against Iran in response to Iran's nuclear program. But so far, India, which imports about 10 percent of its oil from Iran, has shown no intention of following Washington's lead. One factor at play is the importance of energy security seen by the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a crucial element of India's economic growth. Clinton emphasized that the US is ready to provide expert advice on how India can diversify its sources of oil. In line with its sanctions against Iran, Washington is hoping that India will agree to reduce imports from Iran.

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State:
We commend India for the steps its refineries are taking to reduce imports from Iran. There is no doubt that India and the United States are after the same goal.

Reporter:
While India is not prepared to join western sanctions, curbing oil imports from Iran would motivate the country to diversify its sources of oil leading to greater energy security.

S.M. Krishna, Indian Foreign Minister:
Given our growing demand, it is natural for us to try and diversify our sources of imports of oil and gas to meet the objective of energy security.

Reporter:
India is keen to avoid further economic slowdown caused by the European debt crisis. On the other hand, the United States wants to make sanctions against Iran as effective as possible. Clinton and Krishna are said to meet again in Washington in June. The search for a compromise over Iranian oil imports is likely to continue until just before the sanctions begin.

Sydnie Kohara:
Hillary Clinton held up Japan as the example for India to follow. Japan has successfully reduced its oil imports from Iran by about 20 percent.