 He is also a contributing columnist for the "Rafu Shimpo", and debates publicly on Asian American issues.During the 1980s, Aoki was part of the production staff for the "American Top 40" radio program.In July 2001, Aoki became embroiled in a public controversy stemming from his objection to a joke told by comedian Sarah Silverman, which involved her use of the ethnic slur "chink", in an interview on the July 11, 2001 episode of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien".