world's second largest economy has enabled china to pursue maritime expansion and this may lead to cop fronation with theist who wants to maintain its influence in the asia pacific region. all eyes are now on how the two countries can prevent their relationship from deteriorating and settle the issue peacefully. nhk world. >>> people who live near a military base in western japan celebrate a partial victory in a long fought battle. they've been awarded the equivalent of more than $4 million in noise poltion damages, but the court dismissed the demand for suspension of flights by japanese self-defense forces and the u.s. military. the branch of the district court handed down the ruling, and more than 650 residents filed in 2009 against the government. they said the noise caused health problems, and they wanted compensation and a ban on night flights. p the presiding judge recognized that the plaintiffs had suffered. the ruling awarded the plaintiffs more than $4.6 million, but limited the scope of compensation to past damage and turned down plaintiffs' demand to pose a ban on nighttime flights ar