Asia News May 18th

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JAPAN:
Last Tuesday Okinawa celebrated the 40th anniversary of its return to Japanese control by the U.S. government. The U.S. took control of the island at the end of WWII and held it for 27 years after the war was over. In those years Okinawa became the primary base for much of American military presence in Japan. Even now, 70% of U.S. military installations in Japan are on Okinawa. What is more, almost 20% of Okinawa’s mainland is occupied by U.S. military forces.
The heavy military presence on Okinawa has remained a touchy issue in Japan and particularly with the local citizens of Okinawa. The U.S. and Japan have had much discussion and negotiations on this foreign military presence, but change has been slow in coming. Most Japanese feel the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty is in their best interest, but they have shifted most of the burden to Okinawa.

INDIA:
Also on Tuesday, Suzuki Motor Corporation announced its intention to make India a major export hub for its motorcycle business. India is already exporting Suzuki motorcycles to Columbia and Nepal. Suzuki Motorcycle India is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation. Suzuki is currently launching its 1st motorcycle for the masses, the Hayate, in India.
The company launched its operations in India in 2006 and has 2 125cc scooters there- Swish and Access. The “mass” portion of the Indian market is 62%, so it is major focus for Suzuki.

THE PHILIPPINES:

Last Friday, dozens of people in Manila staged a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy. They were angry over the standoff between China and the Philippines over a disputed lagoon in the South China Sea. China has shown increasing signs that is losing patience with its smaller Asian nations in disputes over contested territories. The area in it has in dispute with the Philippines is known as the Scarborough Shoal.
China calls the tiny island area Huangyan Island and it is known as Panatag Shoal in the Philippines. The Chinese military newspaper, the PLA Daily, has stated their country’s military wouldn’t allow anyone to challenge its sovereignty over the area. China’s state media says that all Chinese travel agencies have temporarily stopped all tours to the Philippines.

INDONESIA:
On Tuesday, the National Police spokesman in Indonesia, Saud Usman Nasution, predicted that Lady Gaga’s sold out June 3rd show in Jakarta would not be given a permit. “Yes, it is for sure, the promoter will not get a permit to hold the concert,” he said. There has been a loud outcry amongst Islamists and conservative Muslims about the prospect of Lady Gaga’s flamboyant and sensual performing style being staged in the largely Muslim country.
They believe that Lady Gaga’s sexy persona would aim to destroy the country’s morality.

Over 25,000 tickets were sold in the 1st 2 hours they went on sale. The police feel the promoter shouldn’t have sold tickets before the permit was obtained. Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” tour has faced protests in other cities it has gone to such as Seoul, where Christian groups protested it as obscene and promoting homosexuality.