welcome to nhk world "newsline." two americans have won this year's nobel prize in economic sciences. the royal swedish academy announced the winners on monday. the academy recognized alvin roth from harvard university and lloyd shapley from the university of california, los angeles. professor shapley developed a theory on so-called matching methods. professor alvin used shapley's theory to clarify market functions. the academy says the two economists have achieved

outstanding economic engineering. a former syrian opposition leader says the u.n. and arab league envoy may take a new approach to ending the civil war. burhan ghalioun says lakhdar brahimi wants to send in thousands of peacekeepers. government and opposition forces have been fighting for a year and a half. ghalioun said brahimi hopes to deploy at least 3,000 armed peacekeepers. 300 unarmed u.n. monitors were forced to leave the country in august. government and opposition forces are fighting for control of the northern city of aleppo and the central city of homs. human rights activists say more than 30,000 people have been killed in syria since the uprising began in march of last year. they say more than 300,000 have fled to neighboring countries. brahimi plans to visit damascus this week to present his proposal to president bashar al assad.

brahimi visited a longtime ally of syria to look for help in ending the crisis. he met with foreign minister of iran ali akbar salehi. salehi said the syrians should deal with the crisis themselves. he proposed an election be held to resolve the conflict. brahimi said the supply of arms to syria should be stopped before the situation gets worse. international activists are accusing syrian government forces of using cluster bombs against rebels. they say government forces have also dropped those weapons on civilians. spokespersons for human rights watch say government planes dropped the bombs over residential areas including suburbs of the capital damascus. cluster bombs scatter hundreds of smaller bombs across a wide area. they can kill people long after conflicts end. more than 100 governments have signed a treaty banning their use. syrian leaders have not signed on. the human rights activists say they have amateur video and

eyewitness accounts of government planes dropping cluster bombs. japan's foreign minister has made his case to a key ally regarding his country's stance on disputed territory in the east china sea. koichiro gemba told a senior u.s. official there is no issue regarding who owns the senkaku islands. japan controls the islands, but china and taiwan claim them. gemba met in tokyo with deputy secretary of state william burns. burns is in japan ahead of visits to china and south korea. during the discussions gemba reiterated that the senkaku islands are an inherent part of japanese territory. he added this is based on historical fact and international law. gemba explained japan is trying to facilitate dialogue with china while asking its neighbor to act calmly. the diplomats also touched on the subject of north korea. they agreed to continue to work with south korea to address the north's nuclear program. they also decided to keep looking into the issue of

japanese nationals who were abducted by north korean agents in the 1970s and '80s. government officials from japan, china, and south korea have emphasized the importance of cooperation to overcome confrontations. representatives of the three nations met monday in seoul to mark the first anniversary of an organization to promote peace and prosperity in the area. the top issues on the delegates' agenda were the territorial disputes pitting japan against its neighbors. besides the senkakus, the takeshima are claim ee eed contd by south korea and claimed by japan. >> translator: i believe that cooperation based on friendship and mutual understanding will play an important role in resolving bilateral disputes among our three nations. >> a south korean expert explained the leaders of china and south korea are unable to show initiative because of the leadership transitions expected

later this year. a japanese participant said politicians should refrain from inciting nationalism. he also proposed to set up a joint panel of experts to advise top officials in all three countries. japanese self-defense force officials say they're hoping they can use dialogue to work out any problems with their neighbors. the sdf is hosting a security meeting of naval officers from countries in the asia pacific region, including china and south korea. the annual exchange opened monday at the maritime self-defense force staff college in tokyo. 20 officers are taking part from 19 nations including the united states, canada and australia. three are from china and south korea. japan is involved in territorial disputes with both nations. the college's vice principal toshihiro yamamoto says oceans are public property and should be accessible to any nation. >> i strongly believe that

face-to-face meeting like this program will promote mutual understanding and confidence-building of individuals. >> participants at the ten-day meeting plan to discuss disaster rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, and working together for maritime safety. more japanese companies affected by the march 11th disaster of last year are taking part in one of the biggest trade shows in china. they're pinning their hopes on the chinese market despite soured relations between japan and its neighbors over disputed islands group. nhk world's shunishi reports. >> reporter: the latest installment of the china import and export fair opened in the southern province of guangdong on monday. it's held every spring and autumn. about 25,000 domestic and foreign firms are participating in the event, which runs until november 4th.

representatives from japanese companies are showing off their products. some are from areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. 17 equipment and parts makers from japan have set up exhibition booths. this is almost double the number that took part last autumn. representatives from japan explained how their products work and exchanged business cards with potential chinese buyers. >> translator: there are many problems in relations between japan and china at present. but we want to continue selling our products in china. i hope these issues will be resolved soon. >> reporter: about 6,000 japanese attended the fair last autumn, looking to buy chinese goods.

the event organizer warned that the number may be lower this time around. shun ishibe, nhk world, guangzhou. myanmar's transition towards democracy is one of this year's most remarkable developments. "newsline" has a two-day special broadcast from the country known as "asia's final frontier." myanmar is opening its door, and foreign companies are lining up to enter. it's easy to understand why. the country has a strategic location between southeast asia, india, and china. a large labor force, and abundant natural resources. western countries are easing sanctions to encourage further reform. but after so many years of strict military control, the transition faces huge challenges. nhk world's patchari raksawong has more from yangon. >> reporter: hello from yangon. the bustling commercial capital of myanmar.

behind me here is a symbol of the city, the pagoda, otherwise known as the golden pagoda, and we're broadcasting from yangon for two days, examining whether the government's highly publicized reforms are affecting the real lives of people in myanmar. tomorrow we'll look at political freedoms, but today we focus on the economy. this country was cut off from the world for decades under military rule. things began to change when president thein sein took office last year and set out on the road of reform. nobel peace prize laureate aung san suu kyi spent a total of 15 years under house arrest, but in april she was elected to parliament. her rock-star status has won recognition from world leaders as well as most people here inside myanmar. reforms have spread to the economy of myanmar. its population of 60 million and rich natural resources make it hugely attractive to foreign investors. yangon's main airport is heaving with foreign businessmen.

direct flights from japan resumed on monday for the first time in 12 years. yangon now has direct connections with regional economic hubs including singapore, bangkok, and seoul, as well as tokyo. but what does reform mean beyond the headlines for ordinary people and businesses in the country? well, i've been out into yangon to find out. local people enjoy a cool evening at one of the city's newest hot spots. globalization has finally arrived in this once-closed economy, and with it comes consumerism. this shopping mall opened up just this year. there are many foreign products on sale, and locals can't get enough of them. modern fashions, including denim and short skirts, are becoming popular. people in yangon are starting to

experience shopping as pleasure. it even has three movie screens, one of the first multiplex cinemas in myanmar. at the shops, cosmetics from south korea are especially popular with fashionable females. >> translator: i like korean cosmetics because they're easy to use and look natural. also they're quite affordable. myanmar is opening up, and there are lots of business opportunities. life is getting better. >> reporter: in the bustling city center, old-fashioned lifestyles are on the way out. the conversation is starting to change. this here is a stand where people would come to make their phone calls. but not anymore.

as like most other countries, cell phones like these are the latest must-have items of people today. the price of a sim card has fallen from about 3,000 to just 250 u.s. dollars. ordinary consumers are eager to buy, and the most popular handsets are chinese. >> translator: i always use a chinese model. no other phone will do. >> reporter: 20-year-old nie is buying a new mobile phone. the price tag of $120 u.s. dollars is equivalent to 1 1/2 months' salary. but retailers say consumers are willing to pay. icons of western consumerism such as coca-cola and pepsi are officially on sale again. foreign businesses are returning

to one of the most exciting new places for business on the planet. but the outlook isn't always bright here in yangon. the unstable power supply means blackouts are frequent. across the country, 75% of the population lacks access to electricity. poor infrastructure is a big concern for investors. this japanese sewing factory is located at an industrial park. but even there, it struggles with severe power shortages. the factory relies more and more on backup generators. at one point, its electricity bill tripled. >> translator: now we have no choice but to use backup generators. how our business can grow depends on the supply of electricity from the government.

>> unreliable electricity is just one of many hurdles this emerging economy faces. myanmar remains one of the poorest countries in the region. the asian development bank reopened its office in yangon two months ago, and we asked the head of the bank's extended mission here for his outlook on the reforms and challenges ahead. >> i think the government of myanmar has undertaken some very bold and far-reaching reforms. all the leadership have demonstrated a commitment to reforms, and the democratic reforms that have happened are really incredible. and they will continue, i think. it will be difficult to turn back. and a great deal of investment will be needed to support the reforms and to allow the country to achieve its potential.

there are huge deficits in infrastructure, for example, and it will take some time to improve the regulatory environment, to improve the infrastructure, improve capacity of the people. most of the sanctions are very nearly gone, but you cannot change things overnight. you know, unless all the people start realizing some tangible benefits from the reforms. then that will lead to some instability. so it's very important to provide support and bring in foreign investment to accelerate economic growth in order to reduce poverty, ultimately, so that everyone can share in the

benefits of the country's reforms. >> myanmar faces many challenges, as we've just heard, but the enormous potential is also clear. i've seen that with my own eyes here in yangon. the country is changing, and the people are ready for that. and amid these unstoppable developments the government faces an urgent task to make sure wealth flowing into myanmar reaches the general public quickly and fairly. please join me again tomorrow. we'll focus on political reforms and see how people are testing the boundaries of their new freedoms. and for now, that's going to wrap up our special coverage from myanmar. i'm patchari raksawong reporting from yangon. major jach nies mobile phone company softbank has announced it will buy the u.s. third largest carrier sprint nextel.

>> translator: we have to start from scratch, going into new and big markets with different cultures, utility lzing all we nurtured to date. this is a challenge. but it would pose a greater risk not to rise up to the challenge. >> of all of the alternatives that sprint has, this also provides the best path to grow shareholder value, but perhaps more importantly, it provides an opportunity for them to participate in a much stronger, better sprint. >> softbank chairman and ceo masayoshi song and the sprint nextel ceo dan hesse held a joint news conference in tokyo on monday. the top softbank official says his company will aut $20 llion to buy a a a a a a a a a

sprint shares. telecommunications giant with more than 96 million subscribers. sprint has 56 million subscribers in the united states, trailing at&t and verizon. softbank aims to sharply expand its business by breaking into the u.s. market. the yen's strength also works in softbank's in favor of taking advantage of the deal. the global cell phone market has been expanding rapidly due to the growing use of smartphones. softbank and sprint both provide services for apple's iphone, and they're also working to improve their services for a high-speed lte wireless network. china's government says consumer inflation remains stable, hovering at around 2% in september. the index has been at that level for four straight months. officials at the national bureau of statistics said on monday that the consumer price index grew by 1.9% year-on-year. the cost of food, a major

component of the index, grew at a moderate 2.5%. fruits and vegetables prices rose, but pork prices plunged. the bureau said the index for producer prices dropped 3.6% year-on-year. that's the seventh consecutive month of decline. government officials have pledged to boost the slowing economy through public spending and monetary easing. they're also closely watching prices as well as july to september gdp figures due out thursday before deciding what action to take. here are the latest market figures.

over 2 million foreigners live in japan, but when they have problems getting legal help, it isn't easy. now a law firm has opened in tokyo that provides services in many languages. the city's foreign population has high hopes the new office can help them. nhk world's hiroko date has more. >> reporter: this law firm just opened in tokyo. it specializes in special consultation services for foreign residents in japan. six lawyers are on hand to provide legal advice in english, korean, and spanish. interpreters from the tokyo university of foreign studies assist speakers of other languages.

a peruvian married couple turned up the moment the office opened. they came here for help in dealing with a landlord. >> translator: we face many difficulties in japan. this service should be valuable. >> reporter: the tokyo bar association helped open the office. about 400,000 foreigners live in tokyo. the office deals exclusively with cases involving foreign nationals. demand for help in solving work or family problems is on the rise. >> if we set up and make it possible to provide legal services through interpretation, i think not only at this office but also other lawyers throughout japan make themselves available for the foreign klines. we are kind of ambitious to

establish and develop this system. >> reporter: it's a small but important new step for japan's foreign population. hiroko date, nhk world, tokyo. > . >> the office is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on workdays. for more information, check the their website at the bottom of your screen. two big storms are heading for japan. for more on the weather forecast, here's mai shoji. mai? that's right, gene. we've got two storms heading our way. this is the typhoon prapiroon. you can see that clear eye. and another clear storm, this is maria, which is a severe tropical storm, both heading towards the southern islands. and let me first talk about this prap ran, which is almost stationary. you can see the erratic movement it is still making. looks like it is mainly towards mainland okinawa in the next few days. if it does, it's going to be the

fourth one to cross the island. you can see from this one that all these storms actually went across the island of okinawa, the main one, just this year already. so we really don't want another one to go into the same direction. but looks like it may not make landfall, this prapiroon, but will still be intensifying the rain and the wind as it approaches near the area, which is going to be overnight wednesday. we have another one that is already affecting impact, gene, with great winds and heavy rain to the islands. looks like it might be veering towards the eastern islands of japan, but doesn't look like it's going to be making landfall either. it will be veering towards the northeastern direction. but this one already has a very strong steering flow, so really moving at the speed of 30 kilometers per hour, and looks like it's not going to be heavily impacting japan, which is good news. we've been talking about a lot of typhoons. it is the typhoon season, so talking about a lot of bad weather. but, in fact, it can create very

majestic sights. let me show you video from mia prefecture, warm moist ware flowing from the pacific today hit these mountains 247 meters above sea level. this caused the air to cool and condense as it rose, but once it got to the top of the mountain, that cold, dense air began flowing downhill. really a beautiful sight. people really enjoyed this view. all right. moving bax, i can tell you that the high-pressure system will be bringing sunny and mild conditions for japan. however, wet and unstable conditions will be moving towards the east from northeastern china, including beijing, bringing some isolated thunderstorms along the way, especially to pop up in the evening hours. taking a look at your temperatures, they are shaping up like this. tokyo at 22 degrees. not bad at all. but take a look at ulaanbaatar up in the north. that's a high of freezing point. the low is actually about minus 11 degrees for your tuesday, already very winter-like there. but staying in the 30s here in

the tropics. all right. moving over to the americas, we've got two storms to talk about here, as well. this is rafael, and the other one paul that we first saw. this is a hurricane now, moving at the speed of 11 kilometers per hour in a northerly direction heading towards the baja peninsula. now, as it does so, it looks like it will be intensifying over warmer water as a hurricane status making the closest approach as a hurricane status or even downgrading into a tropical storm system. but that's going to be bringing very significant amounts of rainfall as well as gusts, already packing up to 148 kilometers per hour. so do watch out for those rip currents and storm surges. this one also you should be worried -- be aware of with the hurricane status as it moves forwards bermuda in the next few days, possibly moving in the closest area about tuesday evening. doesn't look like it's going to be making landfall, but do watch

out for those conditions, as well. temperature-wise, houston at 30 degrees. los angeles, 31. here toronto just 12 for your high. here's your extended forecast. "endeavour" has finished its final voyage. the retired space shuttle was

built to travel at supersonic speeds, but it went at a snail's pace on its way to a science museum in los angeles. "endeavour's" 20-kilometer journey began last friday. the shuttle took three days to inch through the streets of l.a. workers had cut down more than 400 road-side trees to provide elbow room. they also reinforced the road to withstand the weight of the 80-ton craft, and officials helped keep traffic at bay. thousands of people gathered along the route to watch the shuttle's land journey, its shortest ever. >> i want to be an astronaut, so i'll do -- try hard and be my best so i can be a an astronaut. >> once in a lifetime you see a giant spaceship in your neighborhood just driving by, down the street. >> "endeavour" will be on public display at the california science center from late october.

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