(LinkAsia: November 30, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Activists fighting for safe working conditions in Asia are pleading with P. Diddy, the rapper and entertainment mogul, to improve factory conditions in Bangladesh. This follows a horrific fire in a garment factory in the capital, Dhaka last weekend. P. Diddy's clothing company was one of several international brands that purchased from the factory. Meanwhile, police have arrested three managers of the Tarzeen Fashion factory and may charge them with negligence. Here's NHK with a report.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: November 28, 2012

Reporter:
The worst garment factory blaze in the history of Bangladesh erupted on Saturday. At least 112 people died and more than 150 were injured. Survivors apparently told police that factory managers prevented them from leaving the multistory building when a fire alarm went off.

Bangladesh has about 4,500 garment factories. It is the world's second biggest exporter of clothing after China. Manufacturers have been moving operations to the country in recent years looking for lower costs.

On Wednesday, thousands of workers took to the streets in a suburb of Dhaka. Reuters says at least 20 protesters were injured in clashes with police. Working conditions in Bangladesh are notoriously bad and safety laws are weak. Global brands that rely on cheap labor are under renewed pressure following the tragedy.

(LinkAsia: November 9, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
In the wake of Romney's defeat and Obama's victory, Japan's prime minister congratulated the president and stressed the importance of the Japan-US alliance for East Asian security and economic recovery. Here's Japanese public broadcaster NHK with more.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: November 7, 2012

Reporter:
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has congratulated the US President and promised his co-operation. The foreign ministry will also welcome Obama's second term. Senior officials expect the US will maintain its international policies, including its focus on Asia. But problems remain in Japan-US ties. There is the stalled plan to relocate the Marine Corps' Futenma Station in Okinawa. The deployment of the US transport aircraft, the Osprey, is another sticking point. Defense officials have yet to convince local populations to accept training flights over their neighborhoods. In Okinawa, people are calling for stronger controls on US troops after the recent sexual assault of a woman by US servicemen.

On the economy, Japanese officials will be preparing a response should the US press Japan into joining free trade talks for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. There may be friction if the US insists Japan drop its tariffs.

But overall, Obama's win should be good for Japan. There's the chance of stronger US ties. With China relations gone sour over the Senkaku conflict, that's sure to be re-assuring.

Jun Oikawa. NHK World, Tokyo.

(LinkAsia: September 28, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
You would think that when the Chinese uses phrases like the "anti-fascist war" and accuse a "defeated country" of not recognizing the territorial rights of "a victorious nation", this would pretty much signal that relations between China and Japan are going into a deep freeze. But NHK talked to one Japanese expert who doesn't think that's the case.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: September 27, 2012

Akio Takahara:
Japan and China have never been closer before. We have thousands of years of a relationship, but now is the best in a way in the sense that economic exchange, cultural exchange, people to people exchange- the level of these things is higher than ever. So, we have to - don't just focus on the negative aspects of things, we have this great resilience in the relationship.

Reporter:
He said internal changes in China have helped inflame tensions.

Akio Takahara:
China is rising. And there's been an increase in the budgets of these law enforcement agencies, particularly in the sea. The people in China would expect them to be more assertive, particularly regarding issues of sovereignty.

Reporter:
Takahara says people on both sides have to understand the complexity of their ties.

Akio Takahara:
Everyone should pay more attention to this situation, and try to strengthen the resilience in the relationship. And try the weaken the fragility in the relationship. I think the forty year protest has taught us this.

(LinkAsia: September 14, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Japan is likely to face a general election toward the end of the year. The unpopular Noda government can't afford to be seen as weak. Its tough stance on the island dispute may be helping it in the polls. Here's more from Japan's public broadcaster, NHK.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: September 10, 2012

Reporter:
The approval rating for Noda's cabinet is 31 percent. That's three percentage points higher than August. It's the first time in five months that that approval rating has gone above 30 percent. The disapproval rating is 53 percent, three percentage points lower than last month. Our poll also asked voters about a local group that's expected to become Japan's newest political party. Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto will lead Nippon Ishin-no-kai. He wants to challenge the established parties- the DPJ and LDP in the next general election. The poll suggests 54 percent of voters have some or high expectations for Hashimoto's party. And, of those with expectations, 40 percent say it's because Nippon Ishin-no-kai seems better than other parties.

(LinkAsia: August 3, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Over in Japan, the government has released its annual Defense White Paper. Normally, this is just a policy guide to help politicians in making decisions. But this year’s paper has gotten Japan’s neighbors all worked up. That’s because it discusses China’s growing military and the continuing threat of North Korea’s nuclear program. Here's NHK with more details on the report.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: July 31, 2012

Reporter:
Defense officials presented the report Tuesday to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his cabinet. Its main focus is military activity in the region, as it has been in previous years.

The report notes China’s defense budget has increased about 30-fold over the past 24 years. It says the country will likely expand its maritime activities. The report backs up the case by noting the dispatch of Chinese naval vessels in the Pacific Ocean and an increase in what it calls monitoring activities in waters near Japan.

The paper cites North Korea as a continuing threat. It says authorities in the North may be developing nuclear arms with highly rich uranium. And it says they are likely to continue missile tests following a failed rocket launch in April.

The defense report also addresses American foreign policy. Its authors note the shift in US emphasis toward the Asia-Pacific. They say Japan will seek to deepen and develop defense ties in a way that fits the new security environment. The paper also acknowledges the issue of US military facilities in Japan. It says the bases should maintain their deterrent role while reducing the burden on host communities.