Asia This Week

Asia This Weekö is a new program that reports on Asia from Asia for the global audience. The first broadcast concentrates on the volatile situation on the Korean Peninsula. Under leader Kim Jong–un, North Korea has ratcheted up its rhetoric, including a recent declaration that it has entered a "state of war" with South Korea. The posturing has caused Park Guen–hye, South Korea's new president, to change course. Previously, she had spoken of encouraging dialogue with the North, a more accommodating approach than that of her predecessor. However, faced with North Korea's statements, she said her country's military would respond strongly to any provocation without political consideration. The program includes accounts from the North–South military border along the 38th parallel as well as interviews with experts and ordinary people in South Korea.

A project in Tokyo's Ota–ward aims at grabbing a share of Olympic glory. The area is filled with small factories that manufacture parts for machines, for everything from cars to satellites. One of them is developing a bobsled for Japan's Olympic team to be used in the 2013 Winter Games in Sochi,áRussia. Big western corporations such as Ferrari and BWM have long led bobsled production, and no Japan–made bobsled has ever been used in the Olympics. The company that seeks to change that has only about 30 employees. Other small factories in Ota as well as a company in western Japan and even a university have joined the bid for global recognition. Their bobsled took part in an international competition last month, the first Japan–made sled to do so.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi made her first visit to Japan in 27 years. Her agenda included meeting with the Prime Minister to ask for economic assistance for her country. Since being released from house arrest 3 years ago, she has been active in promoting democratization. Western countries have started lifting sanctions imposed on Myanmar and have begun supporting development. But the path is not free of obstacles, including conflicts among religions and issues of ethnic minorities. Refugees living in Japan told our reporter of their feelings toward their faraway home. GUEST: Professor Kei Nemoto, Sophia University

China has been the world's largest auto market for 4 years running. Last year, more than 19 million new cars were sold in the country. All those vehicles on the road come at a cost to the environment, contributing to a serious air pollution problem. Chinese manufacturers have been developing cars that create less of an exhaust burden, including electric models. High prices, however, have worked against their gaining popularity. To try to build some enthusiasm, the government has started a program of free test–drives of eco–cars and free license plates. The plates for conventional cars are allocated by auction. The program profiles new vehicles displayed at the Shanghai Motor Show and investigates whether they're making inroads in the marke

May 15 was the 41st anniversary of the reversion of Japan's southern islands of Okinawa from postwar US rule. For Misako Koja, a renowned singer of Okinawan folk songs, it was a day that brought mixedáemotions. Koja was born and raised in Okinawa, near the Kadena US air force base. Her father died in a car accident on base when she was 3 years old. Her mother then raised her alone, working at a guesthouse for US servicemen. Koja, now 59 years, still lives nearby. Her favorite pastime is playing with her seven grandchildren at a nearby beach. Okinawa has an abundance of beautiful beaches. But it also has a multitude of US military facilities. Such bases have been a part of Koja's entire life, but she hopes they will be gone by the time her grandchildren reach adulthood. SOUTH KOREAN WOMEN LOOK TOWARD CHANGE, STARTING AT THE TOP

ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is one of the growth engines of the global economy. It includes countries such as Indonesia and Thailand. The population of the 10 members exceeds 600 million, and the region's influence is growing as both a market and a place ofáproduction. ASEAN is seeking to build upon its strengths to create a regional economic bloc in 2015. However it faces political challenges in the South China Sea and decisions about how to relate to other countries to achieve further progress. The report features an interview with former ASEAN SecretaryáGeneral, Surin Pitsuwan.

China expects the number of people age 60 and over to exceed 200 million by the end of this year and to reach 400 million in 2050. The world has never seen an advanced–age society of that scale. The demographics create additional responsibilities for the country's one–child generation. Because of the government's policy to curb population growth, fewer family members will be available to care for larger numbers of senior citizens. Our report examines the present situation and looks to Shanghai for examples of how the country may cope with age disparities.

Chinese born in the 1990's under the one–child policy are remaking the country in their own image. Primarily urban and affluent, they have grown up amidst the benefits of their country's economic development. The Internet–savvy generation is accustomed to getting what it wants, when it wants. As such, it's been criticized as self–centered. The other side of self–centered, however, can be self–confident. The program profiles several "Jiu Ling Ho," including some who post works of literature to an online site and one who founded a video production company while still in college. For their generation, "conventionaláwisdom" is often little more than a history lesson.

Thailand is trying to become a principal hub of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by improving its accessibility to neighboring countries and strengthening its ties to them. Geography works in its favor. It is located at the crossing of two major logistic routes, one stretching east to west and the other north to south. Delays in completing flood prevention measures have been a major obstacle to growth. But, international development projects are moving forward rapidly. Moreover, transport systems connecting Thailand with the region are improving, as construction of a cross–border highway proceeds. Foreign investment has been strong, even as the nation faces complications caused by both labor shortages and rising salaries. Despite the challenges, Thailand continues to show its potential as a center of growth for ASEAN.

This week's program includes the 2nd part of a series on the opportunities and challenges of economic integration in Southeast Asia. Coercive prostitution and human trafficking have been intractable problems for many years. Thailand's role as the ASEAN hub has also made it a relay point for the forced movement of people. The human trafficking route tracks that for the distribution of goods. As interaction increases and the gap widens between the affluent and the impoverished, human trafficking also is prone to expansion. Immigrants, women and children from poor families are the principal victims. At least in the short run, further integration with Cambodia and Myanmar may make the problem in Thailand even worse. Our report examines measures taken by Thai police to apprehend perpetrators and strategies used by NGOs to discourage human trafficking in the first place. RAISING THE PROFILE OF MT. FUJI

ASYLUM SEEKERS STRUGGLE FOR RECOGNITION Japan offers refugee status to far fewer people than do other industrialized countries. Of 2,545 people who applied for the designation in Japan last year, only 18 succeeded. One of those whose application was turned down is a woman who escaped from Myanmar. After holding down part–time jobs in a number of restaurants, she started working as a manicurist about a year ago. The nail salon where she practices her trade was founded to support people like her. She aspires to improve her skills in order to have a stable life in Japan, but anxiety about her status is a fact of life. Our report documents how she spends her days and examines the struggles of similarly situated people. + EXPORTING JAPAN'S POP–IDOL STYLE

UNESCO has placed the 6 World Heritage sites in Syria on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Ancient City of Aleppo is considered to be at particular risk. As the country's internal conflict intensifies, many of cultural locales and objects are caught in the crossfire. A Syrian museum director who is currently in Japan is appealing for protection of these irreplaceable resources. LIVING LONG, AND WELL

The US–China Strategic and Economic Dialogue brought high–ranking officials from both sides of the Pacific Ocean together in Washington DC. Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew led the U.S. contingent. Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, in charge of the economy, and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, handling foreign policy, headed China'sádelegation. Among the issues discussed were North Korea, cyber attacks, trade imbalance and investment. Our coverage includes analysis of how the meeting, and its results, will affect the rest of Asia.

MALALA'S MOVEMENT FOR GIRLS' EDUCATION Islamic extremists shot Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai last Oct., to stop her from advocating education for girls. They failed. After recovering from serious injuries, she delivered a speech at the United Nations headquarters on the occasion of her 16th birthday. Religious objections aren't the only obstacle to schooling. Some people in Pakistan adhere to a longstanding view that girls do not need education. Many others simply can't afford it. A non–governmental organization based in Pakistan has awarded "Malala scholarships" to 40 girls in Malala's hometown. They can go to school, but many others are not so fortunate. JAPAN SEEKS IMPORTS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA: SOCCER PLAYERS Japan's professional soccer teams see Southeast Asian players as a way of expanding their appeal. Among them is FC Ryukyu, based in Okinawa. It has acquired the services of 2 athletes who played for the Malaysian national team. Many reporters came from Malaysia to cover their Japanese debut. Some Malaysian broadcasters have gone so far as to negotiate for the rights to show the games in their country. A used car dealer operating in Southeast Asian nations is one of the sponsors of FC Ryukyu, and is pleased with all the attention. The sport is a game but also a business.