it is wednesday, september 14th. 8:00 a.m. in tokyo. japanese prime minister noesh ee nad oh gave his first speech. he said his top priorities are reconstructing areas hit by the march 11 disaster and balancing economic growth and fiscal

reforms. >>translator: some foreign media have ridiculed japan, labeling administrations that failed to exert leadership and they're always postponing things as turning japanese. the credibility that japan had been building is suffering critically. >> noda reiterated his policy priorities. >>translator: six months have passed since the march 11th disaster. the scars left behind, the scars that deprived many people of their lives and livelihoods in a peaceful hometown remain deep. the impact of the earthquake and tsunami, as well as the crisis at the fukushima daiichi plant continue to be felt not only in the effected areas but in the whole of japan, at a time when the economy and society are

facing prolonged challenges, the disaster added grave issues to be solved. the cabinet must give the highest priority to restoration and reconstruction in light of the basic policy for reconstruction, the cabinet must definitively and steadily execute all measures. for that we will swiftly compile a third supplementary budget and we must also create budgets and grants as well as special economic zones that will be beneficial to the municipality effected by the disaster. >> on containing the fukushima nuclear accident, noda had this to say. >>translator: dealing with the nuclear accident is the top challenge of the country. without rebuilding fukushima , there can be no recovery of trust in japan.

we will overcome technical challenges with the world's wisdom from a global point of view. we will identify the reasons for the nuclear accident and promote disclosure of information and better safety measures in order to prevent another nuclear accident. to those suffering under harsh living conditions, we will provide compensation and temporary payment quickly, fairly, and appropriately. >> he also stressed his resolve to balance economic growth and fiscal reforms. >>translator: financial recovery is not an issue that can be solved without difficulty. first, we must reign in government spending. next, we must achieve revenue growth through economic vitalization. along with the efforts, we must all shoulder the burden of improving public finances without leaving the problem unsolved for future generations. we have to achieve these three

difficult goals at the same time. economic growth and fiscal soundness must be prompted together, just like two wheels on a car. i will not only carry out the new growth strategy that was drawn up last year, but i'll improve upon it and device a new plan to move the country forward in light of the conditions following the march 11 disaster. >> earlier, he spoke to the scene yor world political commentator about the speech. >> what are the key points of his first policy speech. >> one of the biggest issues for his administration were to rebuild japan's devastated northeast. he also said that ending the nuclear crisis is also a top

priority. but there's no quick solution to decommissions fukushima daiichi. the power plant is still leaking radiation into the environment. he apologize for the recent resignation of the minister in charge of nuclear policy. it is a most important cabinet portfolio in japan right now. industry manager was forced to quit after he called the area around daiichi a town of death. his comment was viewed as insensitive to people who fled radiation contaminated areas. the minister's resignation cast doubts on noda's ability to lead the country. >> how about the prime minister's nuclear policy? >> noda said japan must reduce its dependence on nuclear power in the long run. he also said that this country should increase the amount of

energy it gets from sources such as solar and wind. but he didn't mention any concrete plans at this stage, renewable energy cannot replace nuclear power because of costs and technological problems. that's why noda also had to say the nuclear power plants that passed so-called stress tests should be restarted in order to supply enough energy for the third largest economy in the world. >> noda also said he wants to improve japan, u.s. relationship. how does he plan to do that? >> well, it won't be easy. japan, u.s. relations are not in the best shape these days. recent scheduled summit talks with president obama had to be cancelled because of japan's recent political uncertainty. the u.s. government did not want to spend time meeting outgoing prime minister kan. obama agreed to hold talks with

noda in september. the biggest issue facing the countries is relocation of the station in okinawa. it won't be solved easily. there's strong local opposition to relocating the base within the same okinawa prefecture. noda said in his speech he will do his best to deal with the issue, but i don't think he has any concrete plan to move it forward. >> the latest nhk poll says voters support prime minister node a but aren't compliment he can implement his policies. what does the future hold for his administration? >> the key to success for noda will be to unite japan's divided diet i think. the opposition controls the upper house. the government cannot pass bills without help from opposition parties.

noda said in his speeches willing to change his party's platform to incorporation from opposition, the child benefits package is one example. but the opposition insists if the democrats make big policy changes, it is breaking promises to the public. it wants the prime minister to call a general election to ask voters whether they accept the changes or not. noda and his people don't want to go to the polls, they want to stay in power. the opposition is taking tougher stands against noda for recent resignation of the minister in charge of nuclear policy as i said. if the prime minister cannot win incorporation by next april, he won't be able to pass next fiscal year's budget, and in that case, he will be force today resign or call a general

election. >> thanks. "newsline" is the place to go to for information on 9/11. nuclear watch brings insight on the fukushima crisis, and the road ahead examines japan's efforts to recover and rebuild. don't miss nuclear watch and the road ahead on "newsline." nine people, including three children, drifting in a small wooden boat were rescued off the coast of japan tuesday morning. the japan coast guard plans to interview the group, claiming to be north koreandefectors. they were picked up on the north central coast. they reportedly told the coast guard they left from a port in

north korea last thursday and intended to drift to south korea. the long journey would have been across the sea of japan, known for its rough waters, but all appeared to be in good health. the coast guard said they want to go to south korea. the japanese government is now considering whether or not to send them. in 2007, a small boat carrying four north korean defectors was spotted in waters in northern japan. they were later moved to south korea at their request. china has officially recognized libya's new leaders. both sides agreed to uphold all promises signed during libya's previous government under ousted leader moammar gadhafi. china's foreign minister said the libya council will abide by the existing treat east.

china and libya were working on infrastructure projects. china was negotiating with ntc to maintain its share of the projects. it was the last permanent member to recognize the transitional council as libya's ruling authority. next, we go to the bureau in bangkok. the latest on what's making headlines in the region. >> afghanistan's capitol was rocked by a series of attacks tuesday, one targeting the u.s. embassy. military facilities also came under fire and there was gunbattle in the streets of kabul. the taliban claimed responsibility. police said a rocket was launched at the u.s. embassy from a nearby construction site. a military base also came under attack. taliban militants armed with rifles, rockets and other weapons fought with international security forces in

central kabul. a taliban spokesman told nhk its members were responsible for at least three incidents against the embassy, nato facility and site belonging to afghan forces. cities previously considered to be relatively safe have recently come under tag ban attack as the security situation in afghanistan worsens. training the local police is a key component of the united states exit strategy from afghanistan after almost a decade of war. however, some police are accused of serious abuses in a report released monday by human rights watch. the 102 page report says members of the afghan local police or alp are responsible for crimes, including killings, rape, and arbitrary detention. human rights watch says the

report is based on more than 120 interviews, including with victims of abuse as well as security officials. it accuses afghanistan of failing to hold the alp to account. human rights watch asia director brad adams said the afghan government responded to the insurgency re-activating militia that threatened the lives of ordinary people. adams said both afghan and u.s. authorities should stop supporting what he called abusive and destabilizing militias, if afghanistan has any chance of stability. the alp was created in july of 2010 to supplement the afghan national army and police at the village level. human rights watch is urging the afghan government to investigate all allegations of abuse. it says reducing international troop levels should not come at the expense of the rights of the

afghan people. torrential rains continue to wreak havoc in many parts of south and southeast asia. countries, including thailand and india are struggling to get back on their feet. heavy rains and flooding in eastern indiana orissa state claimed 60 lives, displaced almost 100,000 people. the region has been hit by in ses and the rain for ten days. about 800 villages remain cut off. many people are waiting for government assistance such as food and relief supplies. meanwhile, weeks of heavy monsoon rains and a tropical storm have caused widespread flooding in tie land. at least 87 people were killed since late july, and a half million effected in 16 provinces. in the center of the country, four people were killed when an

apartment building collapsed. tie land's department warned of flash floods as more heavy rains are expected through the country. tourists from thailand and asia have been the first to return after the disaster that happened a little over six months ago. the turn around reflects proactive efforts by officials from tow huk u to convince asian tourists that the devastated region is on the mend. >> reporter: government officials and travel agents from around the world visit bangkok in august to take part of one of the largest ever travel events in southeast asia. after the disaster, travel to

japan plunged. by july, numbers had bounced back. at the show, several inform visitors about the region's attractions. >>translator: i'm trying to determine whether japan is really safe. i love japan because its people and food are so nice and its scenery is wonderful. >> reporter: in the mal agency capitol, officials from at that hog u were triefg to promote the region. this travel fair was especially important for hiroaki who works for the city. he was there on march 11. he returned home to help with the recovery, went back to mal asia for the fair.

he believes getting tourism is vital to support reconstruction. what most wanted to speak about was radiation. >> sendai is very near to fukushima. >> reporter: in a bid to dispel concerns, he spent more time explaining progress in rebuilding than on making a speech for tourist destinations. but then clients look on with admiration as they watch video

of rebuilding. >> this can help usury cover faster. thank you very much. [ applause ] >> very touching, and really give us inspirations to tell people that sendai is ready and ready to welcome international tourists. >> reporter: several companies express interest in bringing tourists to sendai. by openly talking about reconstruction, he wants to encourage tourists to return.

>> that wraps up our bell continue in bangkok. now let's look at the market figures.

now let's look at the latest with sumo. >> we know crowd numbers are down, but they need to show quality to bring the fans back to the arena. we have a mixed bag of what's needed and what's not. he has yet to beat his day three opponent in five previous bouts. baruto should win here. he gets in with a double inside. he tries a desperation head lock throw. the little man fights tough, grabs him and forces him over the edge. upset loss. he looks after his game, needs to look deep to open his september account.

homas homasho, he steps over the right is driven back. >> there has to be some good with the bad i guess. let's look at two top rankers who lived up to expectations. >> he lost yesterday, a grip in the quest for the promotion. he hasn't beaten him in eight previous bouts. he attacks low. takes him out in seconds. easy day on the clay. he started with two brilliant wins. he gets in quick. has him off balance. switches double inside grip. he uses a combination of head

and brings him to the middle of the clay. scary but effective. he may not be producing the quality we're hoping for, but makes for unpredictable results. join us tomorrow to see if the trend continues. welcome back to your weather update. we have a tropical storm system newly formed that joined us. this is moving northerly direction at the moment. looks like it will take a more westerly course in the next few days, ending towards the islands towards the weekend. this is going to be a system that will start effecting areas here in the next few days. first, you will feel the stronger waves, then winds and rain will likely pick up as well. it is expected to strengthen a

little more, and also will be picking up more speed. areas elsewhere, still rain lingering in the north. it is on its way out. should be clearing out by afternoon, looking dryer across the country. behind it, a rain band stretches through northeastern china towards central areas. still patches of heavy rain in this system, so you want to watch out for that. here is a look at highs for wednesday. 24. rather pleasant, beijing, getting cold. seoul up to 31, tokyo , 32 degrees. another hot day here. as for the americas, we have tropical storm maria, finally moving away from puerto rico, picking up a little more speed. as it does so, now looks like it will veer west of bermuda in the next few days. likely maintaining a lot of strength, not intensifying too much more at least. already watches have been issued

across bermuda. you will start seeing winds, high waves and rainfall in the next few days. it does, however, continue to be a slow moving system. maria still bringing remnant showers to the islands of the caribbean, puerto rico, too, will continue to see more rainfall today. for north america, we have these two lows in place. long frontal boundary extends from one end. that's all bringing in wet weather to areas northeast of the united states, far eastern canada. we will be looking at stormy activity tonight. behind it, showers start developing in the southeast here as well as back towards the inner mountain west. unsettled picture for the area. this patch of rain spreading across ontario tonight, temperatures are dropping into almost freezing level, so will include a few snow flurries. heading into wednesday, temperatures will be definitely on the low side.

win peg only 10. chicago, 18 degrees. oklahoma city, 30 degrees, still hot, but cooler than some of the temperatures the past few weeks. and finally a look at europe. remains messy towards the scandinavian peninsula, still bringing in strong winds and rainfall. heading into areas of the baltic states and northern end of germany and poland will be feeling some of that winds and rain as well. as for the temperatures, 19 degrees in berlin, down to 20 in warsaw. vienna, 24 degrees. definitely still on the mild side. rome hits 29. that's your weather conditions for now. here is the three day outlook.

if you haven't heard yet, nhk world was named broadcaster of the world for live streaming news reporting on the great east japan earthquake and tsunami march 11th. >> the winner is nhk world.

>> the connected world tv awards are given to broadcasters that have done the most to advance distribution of content on the internet. the awards were launched this year by a british magazine on media affairs. nhk world was presented with broadcaster of the year award at a ceremony held in amsterdam monday. >> in serving the global audience, nhk employed all the traditional broadcast elements of good journalism and excellent technology on a new media platform via the internet to serve an incredible thirst for information. >> after the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern japan march 11th, nhk world provided minute by minute disaster updates for two straight weeks, on both television and its website for live stream broadcasting. during that time, the nhk world website was visited by more than 5.4 million people from around

the world. thanks very much for your viewership. this concludes this edition of news line. thanks for joining us. /s

-- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com