welcome to nhk world "newsline." prime minister yoshihiko noda held intense discussions with three of his cabinet ministers about restarting two nuclear reactors in japan. currently only one of the country's 54 reactors is running. noda and his ministers approved a draft of new stricter safety standards for nuclear plants. meeting the standards would be a precondition for restarting reactors. >> translator: we'll be briefed by the industry minister regarding a draft of new stricter safety standards. then we'll have thorough

discussions. >> this is the second meeting noda and the three ministers have had on this issue. industry minister yukio edano briefed the group on draft standards. the rules include steps to include power sources in emergencies and make nuclear plans tsunami-proof. they want to restart two of the reactors at the ohi plant in fukui prefecture. he and the ministers will meet again on friday. chief secretary osamu fujimura says the new safety standards would also be applied to decide whether other reactors should resume operations. >> translator: the plant standards would not be temporary but new criteria. they would be a major index in deciding whether to restart a reactor. we might consider making them legislation eventually. the government is basing these new standards on guidelines drawn up by the nuclear and industrial safety

agency. nisa officials outlined 30 steps following last year's accident at fukushima daiichi. the measures are designed to address factors that caused the meltdown and massive radioactive leaks at the nuclear plant. some of the steps call for operators to secure multiple emergency power sources, protect facilities from tsunami and install electrical equipment in different locations. other measures include storing long-lasting emergency batteries on site and setting up headquarters that are quake resistant and shielded from radiation. nuclear power used to provide japan with a third of its electricity. by next month that fraction could dwindle to zero. before the fukushima accident, 37 of the country's 54 nuclear reactors were running. but since then none of the reactors that's gone offline for regular maintenance has restarted. the last working reactor will be shut down by early may. the unit is on the northern island of hokkaido.

nuclear authorities began to run the stress tests on reactors following the fukushima crisis. these safety tests forecast how reactors could withstand powerful earthquakes and towering tsunami. they are a prerequisite for restarting the units. the results came from the two reactors at the ohi plant. officials in fukui prefecture are demanding the central government come up with stricter safety standards before firing up the reactors again. they say the new standards should reflect the lessons learned from the fukushima situation. the japanese government is trying to reflect the lessons in the new energy policy. coming up, we'll tell you the various scenarios experts are debating, some include nuclear power and some don't. first, kim jong-un is expected to officially solidify his control over north korea next week. top members of the country's ruling workers party will meet to elect their new general secretary.

kim has been leading the north since last december, when his father, kim jong-il, died. the workers party's newspaper rodong sinmun says party members should do all they can to carry out kim jong-un's instructions. this underscores the country's military-first policy, which includes missile and nuclear development. the editorial also says having kim jong un at the top will further strengthen the party and bring about the triumph of a military-led revolution. the workers party announced monday it will convene a meeting of representatives in pyongyang on april 11th. it will be the first such gathering since september 2010. that's when kim jong un made his public debut. the north's leaders apparently want to firm up kim's power base within the party before april 15th. that's the 100th anniversary of the birth of his grandfather and the country's founder kim il-sung. north korea is expected to mark the occasion by launching what it calls a satellite between april 12th and 16th.

many countries believe it will actually be testing a long-range ballistic missile. japan is one nation that is getting ready for that scenario. its disaster preparedness teams tested an early warning system. the technology will be used to inform the public of any danger resulting from the launch. >> fire and disaster management agency workers tested the j-alert system in 26 municipalities in the southern most prefecture of okinawa. the rocket is expected to fly over the island chain. test data and audio information were relayed in two drills at 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. local time. the prefectural government relayed the information to the municipalities. the drills included an audio test broadcast to while the texts warned of a supposed

attack targeting okinawa. in the case of a real danger to citizens, local governments will relay the information by a public address system and other means. >> translator: the system is aimed at being prepared for eventualities. we'll give appropriate safety information to our citizens. >> it has been reported that the drills were not a complete success. the test broadcast failed to activate properly in okinawa's prefectural capital of naha. the alert was supposed to sound over 44 loudspeakers installed throughout the city. but the speakers remained silent during the drills. naha city is investigating the cause of the failure. pakistan's relationship with the united states remains fragile. u.s. deputy secretary of state thomas knight's visit to islamabad on wednesday to seek a breakthrough. the obama administration specifically wants pakistan to reopen supply routes to afghanistan. nhk world's hideki yui reports.

>> we appreciate your support and sacrifice. >> reporter: amiss wordening anti-american sentiment in pakistan, visiting u.s. deputy secretary of state thomas knight expressed gratitude for pakistan's cooperation in the fight against terrorism. the u.s./pakistan relationship was when nato-led forces killed dozens of pakistan civilians in an air raid. pakistan retaliated by closing over land routes supplying international forces in afghanistan. knight asked the pakistani prime minister to reopen the routes. he replied that the matter is under discussion by parliament and no decision has been made. the visit of such a high-level u.s. official indicates a strong

message washington wants to send to pakistani lawmakers. but the dominant view in parliament seems to be the route should remain closed until the u.s. stops attacks by unmanned aircraft over pakistani territory. parliament is backed by anti-american public opinion. on the other hand, the u.s. is making efforts to mend bilateral ties. the administration finds itself in increasingly difficult position. hideki yui, nhk world, islamabad. now to that debate on japan's energy policy. government leaders are expected to work out a new strategy by summer. the accident at fukushima daiichi raised countless concerns about atomic energy. experts are scheduled to submit a proposal in may. but they have yet to agree on what role if any nuclear energy will play.

chi yamagushi joins us in the studio. how is the government tackling this issue? >> the debate over this country's energy policy started soon after last year's disaster. in last october, the government set up the committee on energy policy. committee members focused their attention on the role nuclear power should play in japan's portfolio. they staked out different positions on the issue. an engineer used to work in the nuclear power industry. now he's an opponent of atomic energy. >> translator: nuclear plants generate radioactive waste, something we can't deal with. and it is impossible to reduce the risk of an accident to zero. i believe nuclear energy is unacceptable from an ethical point of view.

>> now listen to this professor. president of the atomic energy society of japan. >> translator: nuclear plants generate a stable supply of energy. and the costs of nuclear fuel and electricity are relatively low. they also pose few problems in terms of global warming and would allow japan to contribute to the world with its expertise in the nuclear field. >> so, definitely some divide d opinions there. how is that affecting the recommendation made bit members of the committee of energy policy? >> officials with the ministry of economy, trade and industry used the committee's deliberations to outline five scenarios for what japan's power generation ratio could look like in 2030. four of them envision nuclear power rarbos ranging from 0% to

35%. the fifth proposal is quite different. it says the government should not define japan's energy portfolio. instead, it says they should figure out a type of power to generate based on the choices of consumers. ministry officials drew up possible outcomes for each scenario, except the fifth one. they're getting experts to look at factors such as the price of electricity, japan's trade balance, employment, and co2 emissions. but several committee members are criticizing the way these scenarios are compiled. >> new energy policies should include not just a snap shot on 2030, but also 2040, 2050. we have to draw up some options which show the long-term vision of the energy policy.

we should make more qualitative options. for instance, what kind of policy do we have to change or what kind of technology we have to develop. >> other committee members say that the debate's current framework is warped. for example, two members could support a policy that sets nuclear energy at 20% in 2030. but after that, one of them might expect a gradual reduction to zero, while the other could push to maintain or even increase the proportion in the long-term. they say instead of focusing on simple figures, the committee should discuss broader issues that will shape the future of japanese society. one of them is electricity market degradetion. right now, the ten companies control the market. some committee members say these regional monopolies should be

broken up to allow consumers to choose who they buy their energy from. >> we have been talking about the committee members. many citizens also want to have a say in the debate on energy policy. where is this side of the story headed? >> prominent japanese figures including journalists, actors and writers are promoting the idea of a national referendum. their group is called let's decide together. members are collecting signatures for petition. >> translator: the debate over nuclear power is a crucial issue. each person should think about it and make a decision in a responsible way. >> debate about energy in japan are happening on different levels. the main challenge facing the government leaders is the need to reflect a wide variety of opinions in their final decision. >> all right, thanks. now here are the latest market figures.,.

now here are the latest market figures. . now here are the latest market figures.c. now here are the latest market figures.h. now here are the latest market figures.i. now here are the latest market figures.e. now here are the latest market figures. south koreans go to the polls on april 11th to choose members of the country's national assembly, but getting young south koreans to vote has been a challenge in recent years.

they just haven't shown much interest in politics. but as nhk world anna jung reports, this election might be different. >> reporter: the campaign is heating up in its final days. on city streets, candidates make their pitch. amid all the hoopla, this group is encouraging young people to vote. >> reporter: the organization is called the 20s party because most members are in their 20s. their goal is to give young people a voice. this university student represents a group. he says the young people will be a driving force in changing society. >> translator: the election is a special opportunity. if political policies reflect

our opinions, it will be easier to change society. that's why i have created this group. >> reporter: the group uses twitter and facebook to get people in their age group interested in politics. they have gathered complaints and opinions on politics from a thousand or so online members. the opinions have been announced at an event before election day. >> translator: the average hourly wage for part timers is $9 in britain, $8 in canada and $6 in new zealand, but less than $4 in korea. we must utilize our right to vote and create a better environment. >> reporter: only 28% of people in their 20s voted in the last general election. kim hand his group aim to chang this. one other reason behind young people's interest in politics is their desire to influence issues that affect their lives.

one of them is unemployment. young people like to gather in this area of seoul. the majority of the students here are university graduates. but they haven't found a job yet. they're looking for work while studying for exams. >> translator: i'm taking the exam to become a police officer. i failed three times. finding a job is difficult, so i'm trying to become a public servant. >> reporter: at lunch time, long lines of students queue up for meals. a cup of rice topped with sausage, ham and other simple ingredients. this fast food costs about $1.70. for many, this is what they eat every day. unable to land full-time jobs, they find temporary work.

they' they earn around $780 each month. >> reporter: some young are trying to improve conditions. they're getting involved in politics. last month he set up a political party called the young people's party. all its members are in their 20s and 30s. >> translator: i used to be one of those young people who had no interest in politics. but i realized if my generation was stuck in this lifestyle, they would find it very difficult to chiachieve their potential. >> reporter: he worked at a convenience store and held other jobs. he saw how difficult it is to

make a living. and he began to feel the issues affecting his generation needed immediate attention. seven candidates from around the country are running for the young people's party. he plans to visit 100 universities across south korea before election day. >> translator: i believe that the time has come for young people to be more proactive in finding solutions to their problems. i want to build a world in which everyone can fulfill their dreams through hard work. >> reporter: young people are speaking up. if the politicians are listening, south korea's youth may have a chance to forage a better future. anna jung, nhk world, seoul. executives at japan's big breweries are making the best out of a tough situation. beer sales have been in decline for years. so companies have been serving up alcohol-free varieties. nhk world's rina nakano tells us

why that decision has paid off. >> reporter: this may seem like your typical happy hour, the atmosphere, the smell, even the taste. but this man isn't drinking your typical brew. >> translator: to be honest, i'm lightweight. >> reporter: narita likes beer but doesn't like getting drunk. so he's turned to a nonalcoholic variety. it is made with the same basic beer ingredients, but it is not fermented so it is alcohol-free. >> translator: all of them taste so good. japanese beverage companies have been courting customers like narita for a number of years. a slump in beer sales that started in the 1990s prompted them to provide alternatives. now, nonalcoholic beer sales are on the rise.

all four major japanese beer companies kiran, sappora and asahi, have their own version of 0% alcohol beer. >> translator: the younger generation isn't drinking beer as much as they used to. it was a shrinking market. but since we came out with this in 2009, the nonalcoholic beverage market took off. we're very optimistic it will continue to grow. >> reporter: many credit the initial spike in sales to stricter drunk driving laws. but what started as a product aimed at a niche audience became a hit. >> translator: most of our alcohol-free beer customers are men and women in their 30s and 40s. they say they've made the switch from regular beer to be more health conscious. >> reporter: experts say some people are also turning to nonalcoholic beer for cultural reasons. >> translator: japanese people like to fit in with the crowd

instead of getting asked, why aren't you drinking beer like the rest of us? we might as well be drinking something that can pass as beer. >> translator: i attend a lot of work parties. even if i can't drink, i still want to enjoy the atmosphere. that's why i always end up getting alcohol-free beer. >> reporter: this popularity has inspired companies to experiment. consumers can expect darker ales, beers with more hops, and roasty-flavored varieties to hit shelves by the end of the year. >> that was nhk world's rina nakano reporting in tokyo. talking about enjoying the atmosphere, it was a perfect day for that alcohol-free beer under the cherry blossoms in full bloom in some cities in japan. mai shoji has the weather here and elsewhere. mai? >> certainly today was a beautiful day here in central tokyo. for central japan, i think this weekend will be the best for the

viewing of the cherry blossoms, but up in northern japan, things are still very snowy. tohoku and hoch rico region in the sea of japan side could see some snow accumulate as much as 20 centimeters, so very wintry still up there. but remaining devoid from precipitation is the southern japan, southwestern islands and the pacific side of central japan. talking about the korean peninsula, northeastern china, as well as mongolia, high pressure will be dominating, cresting overhead. and calm and mild weather will be there for the next couple of days. but isolated thunderstorms and heavy showers will be just hugging this coastal line in southeastern china as well as hong kong. and this is going to be likely to continue. we already have reports of 55 mi millimeters in guangzhou province. that is going to fuactually

unfortunately continue on, as much as 50 to 100 millimeters. inland china will see snow make an appearance. in the indochina peninsula, summer thunderstorms are passing through. the humid air is really enhanced over here. especially northern thailand already has seen 129 millimeters in the past 24 hours. this is likely to continue for the next several days. bangkok, 32 degrees temperaturewise. we're looking at shanghai, 22. taipei, 22. as well as in hong kong. ulan batur, 16 degrees, that's actually going to be warmer than what we see here in tokyo at 15 degrees on our friday. all right, let's head over to the americas. all eyes on georgia. we have the 2012 masters tournament at augusta. looks like on thursday this is round one day, we already have reports of par 3 competition

that has been canceled on wednesday. but on thursday, very -- we'll see what happens here, but it is going to be stormy weather. very unfavorable for this tournament. on friday, things will be clearing up and we will see some sunshine. and saturday and sunday will be looking very favorable for this tournament. but as for thursday, still severe activity may be seen. and augusta is in this severe zone as well. chances of damaging winds, large hail could be baseball-sized again. and tornadic activity still not completely out of the question. this system will be moving away from the landmasses by friday morning. but up towards the west, snow activity here in northern rockies region, snow could accumulate in significant amounts. ahead of that system, very gusty and warm conditions that could create some fire weather across much of the four corners region. denver, 21 degrees, very warm out there.

los angeles at 22 with lots of sunny spells. oklahoma city as well, 22. and new york, looking at 14 degrees. you'll see a lot of sunshine as well. i'll leave you now with your extended forecast.

we'll be back with more news in 30 minutes. i'm gene otani in tokyo.