no commitment. no commitment. the japanese government stops short of giving a target to phase out nuclear power. welcome to nhk world "newsline." japanese politicians promised to rework the country's energy policy following last year's accident at fukushima daiichi. prime minister yoshihiko noda announced details of that policy last week. he said his government would steer the country toward a

nuclear-free future, but a final decision by his cabinet has turned a clear commitment into more of a vague idea. nhk world explains. >> reporter: members of prime minister noda's cabinet are playing defense. critics say they backed away from a plan to rid japan of nuclear power. but ministers stress their new energy policy hasn't changed. >> translator: the new policy sets a clear direction, while keeping a degree of flexibility to account for changing circumstances. the government remains faithful to the proposal worked out last week. >> reporter: that proposal says japan would stop building new nuclear power plants, and take other measures. in order to phase out atomic energy by 2030.

however the cabinet didn't sign off on the idea. instead, ministers say they'll be taking the document into consideration as they call for continued efforts to reduce japan's dependence on nuclear energy. industry groups have been criticizing at nuclear phaseout plan as problematic. they've been pressuring the government to back away from the idea. >> translator: maintaining a stable energy supply will be difficult, and utility bills will shoot up. companies may be forced out of japan. and national strength will decline. >> reporter: the government's failure to adopt a decisive energy policy has angered people who have been calling for a nuclear-free society. >> translator: they say they'll aim for zero nuclear dependency, but now we cannot help but suspect that's a token gesture.

>> reporter: prime minister yoshihiko noda says the government needs retain flexibility while aiming to phase out nuclear power. but wednesday's decision only paints a more uncertain picture of the future of japan's energy policy. nhk world, tokyo. prime minister noda has appointed shunichi tanaka as the chairman of japan's new nuclear regulation authority. the authority replaces the defunct nuclear agency which dealt with the fukushima daiichi accident. >> translator: the new authority was in many ways born out of the fukushima incident. i would like to improve nuclear regulatory governance from now on. >> tanaka was deputy head of the atomic energy commission. noda has also appointed the four other members of the authority, including a nuclear reactor expert, and a seismologist.

japanese nuclear crisis minister goshi hosono said he believes the authority will do its best. >> translator: the safe regulation of nuclear power has been shattered to pieces. but i believe the authority will carry out its mission to rebuild trust and safety. >> hosono also stressed that transparency with the public is needed. policymakers at the bank of japan are taking further action to try to give the economy a jolt. they've approved additional steps toward monetary easing. they'll be buying up more bonds and other assets. board members reached the agreement during two days of talks. they decided unanimously to expand their asset-buying program by about $127 billion to more than $1 trillion. board members decided to extend the term of purchase for government bonds and other assets by six months to december

next year. they flagged a high degree of economic uncertainty abroad, they're concerned about european debt, the slowdown in the chinese economy, and the bumpy u.s. recovery. boj board members downgraded their assessment of the japanese economy. they say weaker domestic production and exports have put a pause on the pickup in activity. at a news conference that followed the meeting, bank of japan governor masaaki shirakawa stated that immediate action was needed to keep the economy going. >> translator: we judged today that further monetary easing was necessary now. that is to ensure the japanese economy does not derail from a sustainable growth track with price stability. shares.japan airlines have made their highly anticipated return to the tokyo stock exchange. the relisting capped one of the fastest corporate turnarounds

ever by a japanese company. the stock price rose modestly in the first day of trading. that gave the carrier a market value of about $8.6 billion. this is said to be the world's second largest listing this year after facebook. nhk world has more. >> reporter: share trading in japan airlines kicked off when the tokyo markets opened this morning. it was the first time for -- the stock traded since the firm went bankrupt more than 2 1/2 years ago. >> translator: today's relisting is only the beginning for us. as a private sector firm, to start all over again. >> reporter: japan's then flagship carrier filed for protection from its creditors in january, 2010. the company's liabilities topped

$29 billion. it's the biggest corporate failure ever in japan by a nonfinancial firm. the airline received nearly $4.5 billion in public funds from the state bank. enterprise corporation of japan the bailout gave japan airlines room to push ahead with its tough restructuring measures. the firm withdrew from -- they also eliminated less fuel efficient jumbo jets. also cut 16,000 jobs. the carrier posted operating profit of $2.5 billion last fiscal year. the stock price ended at first session at 3,830 yen.

this is about the official public offering price. as companies try to keep up following the rise of local carriers the airline decided to compete by focusing on international flights. japan airlines executives are positioning the firm as a full-service provider in the age of growing budget travel. they've upgraded the seating in economy class and they aim to attract more business travelers. the airline is adding more routes and expanding routes in europe and the u.s. all told the carrier is aiming for an increase in passengers on international flights over a five-year period. the program is japan airlines

main rival is interpreting a similar business plan. slug all nippon airways last month $2.1 billion in raised capital. the fund will help finance new international routes. geared to business travelers. but experts say both japan and the old nippon airways could run into turbulence ahead. >> translator: both carriers need to go on the offensive, or they won't be able to differentiate themselves. until now, airlines tried to find ways to scale down their businesses. but now, they must actively cultivate new routes, or they could wind up competing for the same customers. >> reporter: japan airlines has returned from bankruptcy. but it now faces a difficult task. it needs to add new improved

services while following its new business motto that cuts all unnecessary costs. nhk world, tokyo. here are the latest market figures. a popular and successful entrepreneur is trying to shake up politics in south korea.

ahn cheol-soo put an end to speculation by confirming he will run as an independent in december's presidential election. ahn is the third major candidate to officially join the race. nhk world's soichi sukimoto reports from seoul. >> reporter: it's the moment people in south korea have been -- especially the media, have been waiting for. ahn cheol-soo walked into his news conference in seoul, and the nation paused to listen. >> translator: i hereby announce my candidacy for the 18th presidential election. >> reporter: ahn is considered the bill gates of south korea. the 50-year-old is a former software entrepreneur well-known for his development of anti-virus software. he has never been a politician

and has no tie official ties with either of the country's two main political parties. >> translator: let's walk along together. we can change our lives only when politics changes. >> reporter: analysts say that could help him attract many young voters. he can do a great job because everyone's so disappointed with our present politicians. i want a politics that creates a fair society. >> translator: he will bring a fresh wind into politics. it could be a chance for the middle class to have a better life. >> reporter: ahn's candidacy has turned the presidential election into a three-way race. he's up against a front-runner in the pillows.

park geun-hye. she is the ruling party's nominee and the daughter of a late president. moon jae-in is the other main candidate. he represents the opposition democratic united party. he was once an aide to late former president. ahn is trying to set himself apart from his opponents, by emphasizing his political independence. >> translator: with this election, i'd like to unify the national spirit that's calling for change. new change will begin when the people make their choice. >> reporter: ahn is a late entry to this presidential race. his candidacy is expected to give the campaign a jolt. south koreans will decide which direction they want to go in when they vote on december 19th. nhk world, from seoul.

earlier, i spoke with nhk world's reporter who is covering the south korean presidential election. what prompted ahn to get into politics? >> yeah. ahn started holding dialogue meetings in the middle of last year, with people across the country. he's been listening to young people's complaints about employment and other problems. he published a book in july expressing his sympathy for youth and sending messages to them. he wrote things such as everyone should be given an equal opportunity to try things under the same conditions. many young south koreans are disillusioned at the state of politics and share a belief that .society is unfair. ahn is particularly

inexperienced. that's the very reason voters are hoping he can bring about political change. >> how is the presidential election expected to play out? >> yes. stays suggest he is trailing just behind the front-runner. park guen-hye but ahn's support base overlaps with what of the government moon jae-in. neither ahn nor moon would benefit if they keep on fighting for the same votes. ahn and moon might have to cooperate if they want to beat park. but that could end up costing ahn support given he's casting himself -- given he's casting himself as an independent. someone who is outside the establishment. >> nhk world's ken go okamota. opponents have suffered a setback. japanese leaders have declared the mv 22 of osprey safe. the american military wants to deploy the transporter in

okinawa. residents say it's too dangerous to be flown in the skies above their homes. >> translator: the government has accepted the osprey on the premise that utmost consideration will be given to the safety of the japanese people. >> a number of crashes overseas is raised questions about the osprey's safety. that caused opposition to the deployment of the aircraft to grow. japanese officials say human error, not mechanical problems, is to blame for the crashes, and that the u.s. military is already using the lessons learned in its drills. they say they've agreed u.s. troops also fly the aircraft at 150 meters above ground and avoid densely populated areas. they point out pilots will aim to change the direction of the rotors quickly to ensure the

tilting doesn't throw the aircraft off balance. u.s. troops are expected to start test flying the ospreys this week at the air station in western japan. then they'll move the aircraft to the futenma air station in okinawa. commander general james amos says they wroent fly the osprey in the southern region till japan's prime minister gives the green light. okinawa governor has criticized the central government for saying the osprey is safe. >> the kerns that local residents have about the aircraft will continue if the government doesn't make a sin series effort to address them. i don't feel any sincerity coming from the government regarding this decision. they have to answer our questions and kerns. he added the noda administration should only allow aircraft within a proven safety record to fly in japan. residents near the base also

expressed their concern. >> the government should really listen to what we, the people of okinawa, have to say. >> translator: we're protesting against the deployment, but the government won't hear us. i'm worried about what the situation in the city will be like after the helicopters at the military base are replaced by ospreys. a dozen osprey aircraft are being held at the air station ahead of the deployment to okinawa. now that the paralympics in london are over, many competitors are preparing for the next games. some athletes lost limbs in the civil war in sudan. but they have found a new passion and it comes from wheelchair basketball. nhk world has their story. >> the capital of south sudan, these athletes belong to the

nation's only wheelchair basketball team. it was formed last year when south sudan became independent. this captain of the 30-member team once fought in the civil war. now he works for a government agency. he lives with 13 family members. during the fighting, he was shot in the right foot. he was left in the battlefield for two days and the wound festered. now, he works on an artificial leg. >> i think it was a totally different feeling i had at that time. one of them, one was to think about myself that i'm not going to work nim, not going to function anymore. sudan's civil war dragged on for over 20 years.

ing in south sudan, the government offers no financial support to wounded soldiers. many feel society has abandoned them. some have even taken their lives. he admits he almost lost the will to live, but thanks to a lucky break, he's thriving and it's all because he came across wheelchair athletes playing basketball. >> i have a future, so i got to think of something different that i can do and this is where the decision came where we were able to form wheelchair basketball after realizing disability is not inability. [ speaking foreign language ] >> reporter: once a week, the team practices on the public court. there is barely enough money to

operate the team as the country's economy is in poor shape. support groups donated the wheelchairs and uniforms. the team gets by with only four basketballs. the players take turns using them. even though they operate in such trying conditions, they think basketball will reconnect them to society. >> the disability is very difficult but when you are involved in the sport, you know how the world is going. you must go to school. you must run for a sport. >> it is a unifying factor. without it, we won't have come together. therefore, would have stayed at home idle. >> reporter: the players' enthusiasm is catching.

it attracted many locals who enjoy watching the team practice. >> i'm very happy of course, now we have got a new team for our country. >> i think they have great event in future. they'll be good team even. >> if a wheelchair basketball is strongly supported, strongly encouraged, it will change much attitude in the republic of south sudan. >> reporter: men players have suffered because of the long civil war but in the next paralympic games they hope to compete as a celebration of peace. .nhk world. amazing strength. for an update on the weather forecast, here's mai. >> the peek of the heavy rain in

the con to you region has ended. but we still want to be aware of the scattered showers which could be a sudden burst of showers about 30 millimeters in an hour span for the overnight hours. for the toe ho ca region a report of 44 millimeters that fell in an hour in akita. and this is likely to continue and persist throughout the day on our thursday. we also have flood warnings and advisories posted in ho ki dole due to the heavy rain that targeted much of the northern portions there especially for the low lying areas. do watch out for flooding conditions. finally these are going to be tapering out except for the tohoku region. across much of western japan, things are clearing out and in the korean peninsula as well as for the eastern china and mon goia, we'll be looking at clear skies for your thursday except here in the south western areas of china. a small disturbance is moving in towards hunan provinces. you may see heavy downpours for

the next 24 hours. in the indochina peninsula as well as the philippines, still things are very wet and unstable. this could accompany with some embedded thunderstorms and rumble of thunder could target some areas, but really want to watch out for heavy rain already impacted southern thailand for about the past 24 hours. we have seen 100 millimeters and that is going to be an ongoing situation. so that could just exacerbate flooding situation down in the interchina peninsula including cambodia, as well. here in thetropics we still see 30s. in tokyo yet again, another 30s. 33 degrees for our thursday. keeping its warmth up in the north at 21 degrees, as well. moving over to the americas now, things are looking pretty fine. you don't see a cloud over here in the satellite picture. so we do want to watch out for this system that's moving over the canadian maritimes that could be bringing some heavy

rainfall. total accumulation could be as much as 18 millimeters. and here in the great lakes region, we have a system moving through the region and this cold front is actually going to just drop those temperatures and bring some wet weather for you across the region. so the in behind that system, dry air is also filtering in. dakotas, minnesota, you'll have those red flag advisories which is going to be the combination of dry air and the as well as the strong winds which could be 60 kilometers hours gust wooirz. all of that combined brings you critical fire weather. across much of the great lakes regions, here in toronto, 16, winnipeg at 12, chicago at 22, but that's going to be down to about mid teens on your wednesday, thursday, as well. and the lows are actually in your single digits. i can't say much the same here in houston, 30 degrees, oklahoma city and los angeles also in the same digits. okay, let's talk about tropical

storm nadine over "the atlantic ocean. and this is affecting the a doors islands. it looks like it will be maintaining strength as a tropical storms so swells, rip currentses are things we want to be aware of, especially if you're on the coastal regions. notice european continent, things will be pretty wet across norway. this could actually turn to snow precipitation. across the british isles, you may see gusty and wet conditions. and across much of the east, due to the cold front sweeping across the regions you may see thunderstorms. but things are really chilling down in the central portions here in europe. here's our extended forecast.

>> it's a problem that has el e eluded soldiers and politicians alike. perhaps sports teams will have a better chance. afghanistan has launched a national football league it hopes will bring the country together. it's called the afghan premiere league made up of eight regional teams. more than 3,000 people filled a stadium in kabul to watch the first game on tuesday. the event was broadcast live nationwide. football is already popular in the country. but until now, there was nos competition on the national leve level. >> translator: the football league is a symbol of peace. i hope the sport will help bring peace and unity to our country. >> reporter: afghanistan is the

165th in the latest fifa world ranksings. premiere league hope that situation will improve once the professional competition finds its stride. we'll be back with more updates in 30 minutes. i'm gene otani in tokyo.