that was probably... >> ah you're not ganna finnish on that one... uhhhh. >> rip it! >> uhhh... >> that was awsome! . >> this is al jazeera america, live from new york city. i'm tony harris. magic number 41 - the white house has enough support on the iran nuclear deal to block a resolution against it baltimore reaches a deal with freddie gray's family free and fast - the pope's new rules for getting an

annulment. we begin with a debate over the nuclear deal with iran. congress can vote on a resolution rejecting the deal. democrats have support to uphold a veto, and may have the numbers to block a resolution reaching the president's desk. libby casey joins us from washington. what can we expect in the coming days? >> three more democrats have gotten on board with the iran nuclear deal, giving president obama the key number of 41 supporters, technically enough to block republicans moving ahead and disapproving of the deal. it doesn't mean the debate is anywhere near over welcome news at the white house. >> i can relate to you that we feel gratified today. >> reporter: three more democrats announced they'd support the deal to kerb iran's nuclear programme, reaching the magic number of 41, enough to

filibuster and prevent others voting. the democrat did not give full-throated support. senator ron whitton sits on the committee calling it reasonable, and released a statement saying: there's no promise that all 41 will support a filibuster, seen as a way to block the vote on other grounds. harry reid is pushing for an up or down vote with 50 needed to disapprove. >> this is the threshold, everyone knows that. it goes back long before, long before they starred the day on the floor republicans are in no move to give an easy votes.

>> does the senate disapprove with the deal with iran. it should not hide behind obfuscation to shield the president mitch mcconnell, majority leader, says every senator should show up to listen. >> i ask all senators to commens debit on this issue. despite the white house advantage, opponents are not shy denouncing the deal. >> the truth of the matter is such momentous issues of national security cannot be decided by a filibuster or veto. least of all by a president that justifies the actions by a false choice. the house is diving into the iran deal this week, to reach the president's deserving, a disapproval resolution must pass, guaranteeing heated debate on capitol hill in coming days.

>> a former senator calls it catastrophic, but does not speak for everyone in the bush administration, former secretary of state, powell calls it a good deal. democrat of washington state is on board. they have a bit of wiggle room as they push over the threshled. >> libby casey live from washington let's talk about how the nuclear deal is playing in iran. ali velshi is here with more. you spend two weeks in iran in the summer. what do you here about it or it's process there. >> just as president obama got enough votes to overcome a veto. i checked in in iran, and the word in is this the ayatollah khamenei decided that iran's parliament is going to be able

to have a say in this whole thing. that was not part of the deal. it was not the understanding. and, in fact, iran's president is not all that pleased with the idea that parliament now has a say. this is because in iran things are playing out similarly to how there are in the united states. there's a strong contingent against the deal - for many reasons. one is that they may not trust america, and think it gives away too much for iran. more importantly, conservatives are in charge of a lot of iranian institutions - the military, and they have a lot of sway in parliament. iran's law-makers have to approve a deal that was negotiated by president hassan rouhani's sent rift government, the foreign secretary, and hassan rouhani hoped entirely to bypass parliament to finalise the deal. i called up people in iran to get a sense of what was going on. they had a view that this was

just a move by the supreme leader ayatollah khamenei to strfe, you know cover himself a little bit, but the likelihood is that this deal would pass in iran when you were in country, right, what did you hear from iranians while you were there on the ground. >> almost universally. i spoke to people across the board. most were not concerned with the trade offs, they wanted sanctions gone, universally. they can't buy things, things are imported. they can't manufacture and export things, and the value of the currency goes down. it was almost all economic. so when you hear the arguments from higher levels, whether they be about religion or theocracy or national pride, that was not on display in most cases. people want the sanctions gone, and are prepared for the government to trade off a lot of things in order to get the sanctions released.

universally that is going on, it's interesting to know while we are carrying on about how iran is celebrating, how they pulled the wool over the west's eyes, it's not treated as a fully done deal in iran. >> got you, what else is on the big show. we looked behind the deal and what it means for the middle east. we are talking to former c.i.a. director, saying it's ter eble. and an expert on the chinese authority. the dow was up 400 points. this is all about what is going on in china. the guy i'm talking to says the fears of a meltdown in china are overblown. >> ali, good to see you. you can watch ali velshi "on target." 7:30 pacific on al jazeera america the city of baltimore reached is tentative settlement with freddie gray, the man that

died after suffering a spinal injury. the deal is expected to be approved tomorrow. lisa stark joins us from washington. strong reaction to the settlement today. >> from the police union - we'll get to that in a minute. this is a big deal. this is a 6.4 million wrongful death settlement proposed by the mayor, it is likely to be approved tomorrow by a panel that approves city spending like this. it would settle potential civil suits against the city. and against the police department. but, of course, there is still that criminal case ongoing against the six officers in the freddie gray case. >> mayor stephy rollings blake released a statement about the settlement, saying it should not be interpreted as a judgment on the guilt or innocence of the officers facing trial and added:

line you talked about strong reaction, that was from the police union. the head of baltimore's police union called the decision to settle at this time obscene. and said it was a ridiculous reaction on the part of the administration. he is urging that wanel to reject the deal. >> the settlement comes in record time. it was five months ago that gray was arrested. he died after suffering a spinal injury. the family has not filed against the city. it comes before a lawsuit was filed. >> former prosecutor, debbie hines, case the quick deal shows the strength of the civil case, and pointed out winning criminal cases against the officers - more difficult. >> there needs to be a higher level of accountability. we have the criminal cases.

there has been a battle getting the police officers convicted. but in terms of accountability, let's be clear. money and a civil case does not equate to justice. >> now, tony, this is not the largest settlement of its kind that the city of baltimore paid out. but it is still very, very rare yes, it really is a sizeable number. >> what is next for the officers charged in this case? >> well, there is another hearing in the case, a motion hearing again this week. they'll be back in court. the defense is arguing that the cases should be moved out of baltimore, they cannot get a fair trial. the judge decided all six officers will be tried separately, this week we'll find out if the judge agrees that the trials cannot take place in the city of baltimore. lisa stark for us in corey washington. michael brown's parents will have to wait more than a year.

a federal judge ordered a trial. michael brown senior and lesley mcfadden are suing the city, former police officer, and other officials. brown's death, as you recall, sparked protests in ferguson and other u.s. cities. kentucky county clerk kim davis is free from gaoled, jalted last week, after a refusal to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples because of they are christian beliefs. david shuster joins us with more. >> the scene in grace kentucky was part political rally and religious rerival mashed together. after six days behind bars, kim davis emerged on tuesday from kentucky's carter country detention center. after a pat on the back by lawyer and trailed by senator

mike huckabee. a short time later the trio and kim davis's husband, in a straw hat, took the stage. to the strain "eye of a tiger", they raise the hands and davis proclaimed history. >> i want to give god the glory, his people have rallied. you are a strong people. >> davis's release came when a federal judge freed her and ordered that she not interfere with the deputy clerks. throughout the summer leagualizing gay marriage, davis ordered her office to stop issuing marriage licences. last week, following court orders and defiance... >> why are you not issuing mainlying licences today in. >> -- marriage licences today. >> because i'm not the judge ordered daifrs gaoled for contempt. whilst incarcerated the deputies issued the licence, it satisfied

the judge. davis's lawyer insisted the licences should not be honoured. licences issued were issued without the authority of the clerk of rowan county. and they are not valid. >> amidst the legal debate, the status of kim davis emerged as a divisive political issue. the 2016 presidential candidate says davis should follow the law, including the democrats and republicans, including donald trump, jed bush, chris christie and lindsay graham. davis is a hero to eadvantagelico christians. and with those voters comprising half the electorate. mike huckabee pounced, pledging to take davis's place if she faces more trouble. >> let kim go. but if you have to put someone in gaol, i volunteer to go. let me go.

lock me up if you think that's how freedom is best served. >> texas senator ted cruz, another darling of christian conservatives appeared on tuesday at the kentucky gaol, although crews did not speak at the rally, a rally featuring one confederate flag. >> davis's lawyer refused to say whether she will defy the law again. as it stands, liberal groups, including american civil unity unions declared victory. the goal to stop kim gaves imposing religious beliefs. for now, whether you are straight or gay, you can get a marriage licence from davis's office in rowan county, kentucky. >> davis told friends she'd return to work. for her clerks, it will be a distraction. most of them have pledged to issue marriage licences, whether davis is there or not appreciate it. thank you now to the worsening refugee

crisis in europe, germany says it will continue to accept refugees, and an official says the country could take in half a million refugees for several years, even though hungary is urging an end to the open door policy. trains brought tens of thousands into germany. along the serbian-hungarian border. hundreds of frustrated refugees broke through the police lines. mohammed jamjoom reports. >> reporter: at europe's southern gate way the refugees are some of the thousands crossing from greece into macedonia on monday, marking a record in the humanitarian crisis, with no end in sight too the influx, the u.n. is sounding the alarm bells, calling on the e.u. to guaranteed relocation for 200,000 refugees. we proposed there be european union leg reception and

registration centers established in greece. we support that, established in italy and also in hungary. whereby the people arriving there could go to these centers, be received in decent humane conditions. they could apply for asylum seekers there. >> comments come on the heels of warnings from e.u. president who said the current situation in europe as part of an exodus from war-torn countries, adding that it could last years. >> hungary is a flashpoint of the crisis. on tuesday hundreds of refugees forced their way through police at a camp near the boarder of serbia, heading for the capital. >> at budapest's main station, thousands are seeking transit through, trying to make their way to austria, in austria volunteers and medics are still welcoming medics.

uncertainty added a lair of confusion to a chaotic situation. >> the refugees that arrived in vienna told me that they are gratified by the treatment received in austria, many are concerned about relatives that are still in serbia or hungary, they are worried they will not get here in the days to come. >> meanwhile from germany, the ultimate destination for refugees, comes a stark reality check. >> neither greece nor italy can accommodate the refugees arriving on their border. we have discussed the crisis and a change in policy. sweden and germany agree we need mandatory processes, and ensure that they are distributed fairly across the e.u. unfortunately we are far from that goal with criticism of the e.u. mounting and refugees arriving every day. the near impossible situation is

nowhere close to being over the first ship loads of refugees from lesbos arrived at the mainland. they extremed off a ship in the port. 20,000 were stranded on the island. the first stop on a long journey from syria. we have the latest. >> sanctions have eased up in the port. that simply is because the registration process has improved over the past 24 hours. most teams have arrived to the island, and the operation has been moved to a stadium. thousands of refugees were able to get the registration paper, allowing them to board the ferries, and to continue their journey. first stop is athens, and across balkans to western europe. between 8 to 10,000 have left this island. many more are still waiting

here, and living conditions are very poor. you can see there's garbage everywhere. kids are playing in the middle of garbage, many kids sleep on the pavement. those with money can by the tends at inflated prices. many come to ask where is the toilet. there are kids having showers here on the pavement with bottles of water. it's been difficult. put now there is some sort of a process, so the refugees do know at least what is going to happen to them in the coming days. these young men landed here last night. we had met them along the coast, when they first arrived. they walked 70km to reach this point. now, even though they have the registration paper, they'll have to join this long queue. this is the cue to get the

ticket to be able to board the ferry. it's been a long cue, and very slow moving. still tensions are not as much as before. even though there are scuffles that erupt between the refugees themselves, simply because they are exhausted, they are dehydrated and want to get their tickets and condition their trip. >> hoda abdel-hamid reporting from the greek island of lesbos. next, major changes in the catholic church, a policy on annulments. not everyone from the vatican is happy. later this hour - remembering a leader of the selma markets. the leg as aof amelia boynton robinson. the only way to get better is to challenge yourself,

and that's what we're doing at xfinity. we are challenging ourselves to improve every aspect of your experience. and this includes our commitment to being on time. every time. that's why if we're ever late for an appointment, we'll credit your account $20. it's our promise to you. we're doing everything we can to give you the best experience possible. because we should fit into your life. not the other way around.

pope francis is changing the process for annulments, at the moment they can cost hundreds of thousands. at the moment couples will have to pay a small administrative fee and take less time. they will no longer have to be reviewed by church officials before being approved. francis kissling is a former president of catholics for choice, a former nun. francis, good to see you again. >> great to be here. so, francis, look, let's gave into this. we are getting some new

proposal, some new reform - seemingly every week from the vatican. what is the significance to this change in annulment rules? >> well, i think that the significance of this is a dire on the part of the pope to bring more catholics back into the fold. >> okay. >> and also to be compassionate. also to prevent a discussion at a vatican meeting on the family in october in rome. from blowing up. >> the senate. >> okay. >> yes. from blowing up around the question of whether catholics who are divorced should be allowed to receive communion. >> paint the scenario. what set of circumstances. what kinds of discussions might be had that would lead to the blow-up. >> well, this is the isn't

senate on the subject of the family. there was one last october. at that senate there was a battle between conservative punish ops and cardnaps and liberal -- bishops and cardinals. the liberal britishes saying we have to -- bishops saying we have to open the church to the people. it was a knock down drag out fight similar to those between conservatives and congress and progressives and congress. and no decision was made. >> right. but you have seen the article in the washington post suggesting that some conservatives in the church, right, are reminding everyone who will listen, really, and some of this information is being leaked out, that the pope has limited authority. >> yes, the pope does have limited authority, and we are going to find that in terms of

these new rules around annulment that individual bishops in different countries and different parts of the united states, some will be strict and others open and willing to help catholics. no papal rule needs with grapes by everyone, what we will see is that significant numbers of priests and bishops and are disturbed by the pain and see couples experiencing - they are not going to make it easier. >> how far is this pope willing to go, in your estimation, in his statements to liberalize the church? >> i think he is prepared to go a very, very long way in terms of making decisions that are based on compassion for people. people are first for the pope.

he will be cautious, and leave the door wide open for individual priests, and individual bishops to make decisions based on the personal circumstances of each person. he's already said this around contraessential, saying we are -- contraception, saying we are not going to change the rules, it will stay the same, contraception is a bad thing. we'll be mindful of the difficulties of people's lives, and will allow people to make decisions that preserve their life, theirle health and family. >> -- their health and family. >> francis is the president for the center of health, ethics and social policy. thank you thank you next on the programme. the iran nuclear deal. former vice president dick cheney calls it shameful and madness. but is it a good deal. we ask an expert. plus, syria's war, and russia, fears moscow is stepping up support for the bashar al-assad

regime. what the pentagon is saying about it.

>> we're here to fully get into the nuances of everything that's going on, not just in this country, but around the world. getting the news from the people who are affected. >> people need to demand reform... >> ali velshi on target weeknights 10:30p et congress could vote on a resolution to reject the iran nuclear deal. but it looks like president obama has the votes to keep it

from reaching his desk. 42 senate democrats said that they will support the agreement enough to filibuster the resolution. critics are pouncing on the deal. among them former vice president dick cheney. >> arming and funding iran and simultaneously providing them a pathway to a nuclear arsenal is not an act of peace, and not the only alternative to war. it is madness. >> dick cheney says that the deal gives iran the means to launch a nuclear attack on the united states and its allies, and says a better deal. jim walsh is a research associate with the m.i.t. studies programme and joins us from watertown massachusetts. the former vice president calls the deal shameful and madness. former c.i.a. director james woolsey on this programme was clear that he hates the deal. what is your considered opinion of the deal forged and tested

under the hot lights of public debates? >> i love that phrasing. i don't want to be shy. i spent and my focus of professional life is how to stop countries that start down the path of nuclear weapons, how do you stop them and reverse course. when i testified against the foreign relations committee i said use two standards of assessment. how does it compare to other agreements - is it better or worse. in general it's been effective. second, how does it compare to the alternatives. the agreement comes out very good. it has unprecedented features, it's the most intrusive set of verification rules negotiated in a nonproliferation agreement. >> so now that democrats, right, and the senate rallied around the agreement, i want to be fair. what are the next hurdles. this is the question i should

arriving, what are the next -- ask, what are the next hurdles to say the deal faced before congress. what i really want to say to you is isn't this a done deal? >> yes, i would say it is, but here i would divide questions between politics and substance. there's a lot of substantive issues to address going forward. will iran meet its deadlines, is the international energy agency up to the job of implementing agreement. that is substance. on the politics, in congress this week, it seems like it's done, but it's sort of like the character from the halloween scary movies. the folks that oppose the deal will try to kill it in other ways. it may be a thing that never goes away. they try to repeal it. they may try the equivalent in this case. >> if it passes through

congress, you have the iran parliament debating the the deal. with iranian lawmakers prove an obstacle here? >> i don't think so. i think this is a little gymic that the iranians are using. they use it almost at every stage. every time congress threaten to scuttle the thing, you have members of the parliament say if you do that, we'll do this. sort of tit for tat. my own guess is if you watch the statements of the supreme leader through this lengthy time, through the summer, support has been solid. i expect iran's parliament and the government in general - they have signed the agreement at the u.n., back in july, or whatever it was, they went to the u.n. and inked it. i expect they'll follow through. if they don't, if they don't follow through, they'll be the ones holding the bags and getting the blame. if the u.s. is the one that scuttles it, we'll get the blame. >> you and i are looking at

verifying and the implementation of the deal. is the i.a.e.a. up to the job of verifying the deal, of enforcing it? >> i think they are. it's a question that deserves investigation. no one asked that question and honed in on it. that's what is being asked. they have a good track record. they have done a great job in the past. this is a new level of responsibility for them. it will require that they do things they have never done, it will require new funds, the application of new technologies. something we'll have to discuss jim walsh from bordertown, massachusetts germany is it rejecting a call from hungary to close its doors to refugees. 20,000 arrived through hungary this weekend. germany is prepared to take in

half a million each year for several years. it appears to be spreading to the german people. >> rob reynolds reports from munich. >> this morning, like every other morning, bridget is busy, handing out steaming cups of tea and coffee at the refugee housing center, serving people that fled war and oppression. >> i feel responsible for showing a friendly face. >> the refugees seem to appreciate that. sometimes a kind word and a smile is as important in its own way as a new identity card, says syrian refugee ayman. >> they show the humanity that they have inside them. even old people help. in other countries you don't see that. germany is special. >> the hot drinks are free. so is time and effort.

the retired school teacher is a volunteer, and is doing the work because she feels it's important. >> if makes me happy because i think this is something that makes sense. >> this cafe is one of a multitude of efforts under way cross the country as germans volunteer time and energy to help the refugees. >> in berlin, jonas and marica opened their hearts to a refugee from mali. >> i was a little bit confused. it was a surprise, nice surprise for me. >> the experience led the couple to set up what has been called a kind of air b&b for refugees, refugees-welcome.net. it matches germans willing to provide rooms with refugees in

need of homes. hundreds signed up to help. >> our website offers possibility to live together with germansers or people who live in -- germans, or people who live in germany, enabling a better start in germany. >> volunteer efforts like these are essential says german chancellor angela merkel. >> we have an unbelievable amount of involvement from the german people. the large majority of whom understand you cannot disregard people who have gone through so much. >> they hope more germans will pitch in. it makes sense to show some individuals that they - that we are open to them, that we hope they can find their way in our country. >> solutions to europe's refugee crisis - one cup of coffee at a

time. >> we should tell you that many of the refugees are flooding europe right now, are escaping the war in syria. you knew that. today france confirmed its first civilians flights over syria in preparation for possible air strikes on i.s.i.l. targets. coming a day after french president francis hollande confirmed a change in strategy. saying france was rod to conduct air strikes. russia is responding to a warning from the united states not to provide aid to the syrian government. the kremlin says it has been consistent with its policy towards syria and will provide military equipment to the bashar al-assad regime. let's go to the national security correspondent jamie mcintyre recollects -- jamie mcintyre, at the pentagon for us. >> the united states has been watching as russian forces are building up military presence in

syria, specifically at an airfield in latakia, on the north-western coast of syria, an area that is a strong hold for syrian president bashar al-assad, and also the heartland of his alawite sect. specifically the united states reports on social media and open news reporting indicating that large shipments ever hardware have been coming into the port, including a modular housing for russian troops as welling a milt -- as well as a military team with the potential to increase syria's air came abilities. frankly the united states admits it does not know what russia is up to.

united states is concerned by reports that aircraft from russia may have been deployed to syria. it's difficult to know their intentions. that said, is that steps detected and reported could further escalate the conflict. >> moscow issued a statement saying "no surprise, we have been supporting the government of bashar al-assad all along", and by the way we are supporting him fighting the same terrorist, i.s.i.l. forces that the united states said is its enemy in syria. the u.s. is convinced it's more about propping up the regime of bashar al-assad. >> i have been watching the reports, and this feels a bit

different. is it a big problem and what is the u.s. doing about it. >> it was enough to prompt the cretery of state to call his russian counterpart, sergey lavrov, and issue the warning that expansion of russian military principle be destabilizing and counter productive. but he didn't seem to get a satisfactory answer from the russians, here is what the state department said about it today. the most constructive thing they can do, if they are serious about getting after the syrian networks is to stop aiding bashar al-assad, the same ban, by his own brutality and violence on his own people, allowed i.s.i.l. to grow and spread in his own country. >> that is the state department's main point na bashar al-assad is not really confronting i.s.i.l., he's the one that helped to cause the problem in the first place.

>> jamie mcintyre for us at the pentagon. >> turkey is blaming kurdish rebels for an explosion on a mini bus leaving 14 police officers dead. no group claimed responsibility for the attack, following turkish air strikes on p.k.k. targets. we have more from bagram. >> the police officers were in a bus targeted by a roadside bomb, as they were taken to a customs checkpoint on turkey's eastern corner border with armenia. this is the second serious large-scale attack on the security forces in the last few days. on the weekend 16 soldiers were skilled in another roadside bomb attack. the kurdistan workers party, the separatist p.k.k. claim responsibility for that. in response, the turkish military launches a series of air strikes on the positions.

20 targets hit, 35 p.k.k. fighters killed, according to the turkish military, and it was after that attack the turkish prime minister promised to wipe out the p.k.k. the security situation has been deteriorating in the eastern provinces, since the elections, national elections in june. in the run up. there has been violence from the p.k.k. targetting turkish security forces. after the elections, turkey at the same time it launched new assaults, it launched air assaults on p.k.k. positions. as that happened, the p.k.k. stepped up a number of forces. many hundreds of p.k.k. fighters killed at the statement.

and always the deteriorating situation comes as turkey prepares for a second national election on 1 november after the elections in june failed to return a majority government and after the ruling a.k. party was unable to form a coalition next on the programme - back to selma, a new march to honour a leader of a civil rights movement. be look at the lasting legacy of amelia poynton robinson, and changing perceptions in japan. how a beauty queen is tackling tough questions about race and acceptance.

in selma alabama civil rights activist amelia boynton robinson cross the ared the edmondson edmund pettus bridge one more time. her family carried her ashes along that famous path. randall pinkston has more. >> i do remember from beginning to the end 50 years ago amelia boynton robinson was an organiser of a nonviolent protest. their destination was the state capital in montgomery. they'd get there eventually, but not on that day in 1965, which

was known as bloody sunday. state troopers were under orders from alabama governor george wallis to prevent the march. they waited for the protesters to cross the bridge. then they attacked. with clubs and tear gas. this year mrs. robinson recalled the brutal details in an interview with al jazeera. >> he hit me in the back of my neck. the back of my shoulder. then the second hit felled me. and i fill to the ground. >> once the smoke cleared, cameras captured mrs. robinson's unconscious bodily injured body on the ground. police looked on. fellow marchers carried her away. >> somebody came and said to the

state trooper. sob is dead. he said somebody is dead. anybody's dead. >> the images of the crack down bought shame to the nation, and spurred the passage of the voting rights act later that year. she was among the civil rights leaders president johnson invited to the white house, to celebrate the achievement. 50 years later, after the election of the nation's first black president. another honour, when that commander in chief travelled to selma to prize mrs. robinson and her fellow marchers. >> because of men and women like john lewis, joseph lowry, jose williams, amelia boynton, the idea of a just america, and a fair america, an inclusive america, and a generous america.

that idea triumphs. >> the bridge where amelia boynton robinson and others were attacked is named for a ku klux klan leader. that bridge will also be linked to mrs. robinson's army, which had no weapons, except a determined desire for freedom john seigenthaler is here at the top of the hour. >> hi there, coming up at eight. kentucky country clerk, kim davis, you saw her walk out of gaol to huge roars. she still says god's authority gave her the right to refusal same-sex marriage licence. will she go back to work? patients running out for the refugees trying to get into europe. what they are doing trying to get around the law. many believe changing their name and religion could help multi-million settlement. the family of a man that died

after being in police custody accepts a deal from the city of baltimore. what happens next and what the family of freddie gray says tonight also a new era in late night tv. steven colbert takes over the late show. familiar to this country, but how he makes the audience laugh will be brand new. what led to this moment and why a lack of diversity exists in late night tv. all that and more coming up in about 8 minutes thank you. around 127 million live in japan, it's one of the most homogenous countries live in the world. when a bi-racial woman became miz japan, it reignited a discussion about what it meant to be japanese. roxana spoke to her. >> she is half japanese and half african american. he is what many call an hafoo. and is using her position to

discuss beauty ideas in japan. >> reporter: in her native land most see her as a foreigner. >> my appearance is not asian, but i'm very much japanese on the inside. >> she was born to a japanese mother and african american sailor who left japan when she was a child. she's called an hafoo or half japanese. >> i don't think the equivalent word exists. in japan you need it to explain who you are. >> reporter: in pictures from childhood, with a friend, on the volleyball team and middle school, she looks happy. she said she was constantly bullied and called karumbo, the japanese equivalent of the "n" word. >> i didn't tell my parents or friend. i kept it inside me. >> after two years of getting to know her dad in arkansas, she returned to japan and dropped

out of high school. one day a close friend, also mixed race, killed himself. inspiring her to find a way to speak out on behalf of other-afoos in japan. >> at 20, the first half black japanese woman was named miz japan. many cheered, but some complain that she didn't deserve the title. she said: >> reporter: what does it feel like when you hear from people you are not japanese enough? >> i ran from japan, expecting criticism. it was not a surprise. those comments don't make me feel good. i try my best to turn it into positiveness. >> reporter: how much does japan

embrace diversity. >> how somehow i put this - i think we have a long way to go. >> in japan, fitting in is sticking out. >> we, as a nation have a lot of virtues and social cohesion because of whom judgenaty. over the last 20 years, there has been a doubling of the percentage. >> japan's government says over 3% of children born here have a foreign parent or parent in this crowded country. the minority is standing out. >> hafoos are showing up on tv. and in ads. we are in the busiest train station in tokyo. when we look up, this is what we see, a japanese-italian model advertising for a japanese department store. the face of a campaign, and she's only half japanese.

ian is an hafoo whose father is american. teased as a kid. he turned to wrap music. now 16, he's just signed on with sony music in japan. >> it's fine to be different as longs you have your pride and no one can stop you. girls love it. there's nothing wrong with that. he says it's cool that ms japan is an hafoo too. she shows japan can appreciate diversity. >> we are the same people growing up in japan. why not be called japanese. >> they may be making the biggest moves for black hafoo challenging the view that lighter skin is more beautiful. >> translation: i don't think much has changed in the future i hope to see japan more like america, where mixed race is commonly accepted. >> do you have advice from other people that feel they are not

accepted because of mixed race background. >> i want them to thick it's coke to bee who they are. there's not another you out there. it's not fun when everyone is the same. i'd like for them to believe in themselves. and don't care too much about what others say. >> the largest number of intermarriages are between japanese men, women from other countries, including china, philippines and south korea. >> you are an hafoo - what was it like for you to report the story? >> i enjoyed it. i am half iran and half japanese, raised in the united states. i felt welcome in japan. after speaking to mia moto, i wondered if i might have had a different experience if i were a darker skinned hafoo like her, i could have faced challenges like her as a child. she also has a lot of support as miz japan, there were criticism, but some say we accept her, she

represents the country, who cares if she's hafoo journey to japan, a half hour special. that's all we have time for in this newshour. i'm tony harris in new york. thank you for watching. john seigenthaler is back in just a couple of minutes.

>> hi everyone, this is al jazeera america. i'm john seigenthaler. free with a warning. >> keepen pressing. don't let down. because he is here. >> a judge releases the county clerk who refuses to give marriage licenses to same-sex couples. what she can and can't do. the settlement, baltimore