-- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com welcome to "newsline." i'm michio kijima with the news at this hour. an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 shook the tokyo area tonight. it registered 5-minus on the japanese scale of 0 to 7 in the city o omouka in tochigi prefecture. the preliminary magnitude 5.5 but later revised it to 5.4. it also changed it from 60 to 63

kilometers underground in northeast tokyo. there were no immediate reports of damage or none were issued. japan's government gathered information on the quake at the crisis management center at the prime minister's office in tokyo. ja japan's nuclear agent say says it's drawn uf methods. the announced plan does not announce a timetable for checking facilities that are already idle for routine inspections. the nuclear and industrial safety agency says it will apply two stages of tests involving computer simulations to gauge a reactor's resustain to dangerous situations caused by earthquakes, tsunami, loss of power, and loss of cool kag passty. the first stage test will apply only to reactors halted for regular checkups. the second test will be applied to all reactors and will involve all simulations that include the varying combinations of four types of trouble like earthquake and tsunami. the agency says it will ask to report the results of the secondary test by the end of

this year but does not mention a deadline for the primary test. this leaves the schedule for resuming halted reactors unclear. a nuclear agency official says the agency's only role will be to check whether the tests are are conducted properly. the minister in charge of the nuclear crisis hosono says politicians should not meddle in the work of the agency, the nuclear safety commission. hosono said the government will decide on dates to restart the reactors when results of the primary tests are available. water tower at a historic power plant in northeastern japan will lose its designation as an important cultural property after being badly damaged by the march 11th earthquake. the advisory panel for the agency of cultural affairs conveyed the decision to the cultural minister on friday. the ishioka daiichi power plant is an important hydro election

trow power station built in 1911 using reinforced concrete. ten sections of the plant were added to the national list of important cultural properties in 2008 for their historical value, but the march 11th quake severely damaged the plant, toppling its concrete water tank, one of its designated properties. it was concluded that the plant will be difficult to repair and that it would be impossible to restore. more than 700 nationally designated cultural assets were damaged in the march disaster. the ishioka water tank is the first to have its designation revoked, although the nine others remain on the property cultural list. one of the most active volcanos in indonesia has erupted forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. on thursday evening, mt. lokon spewed a plume of ash and smoke 1,500 meters into the air. that was followed by at least two more major eruptions.

fire spread after lava set trees and grass ablaze, but they have now reportedly been brought under control. about 6,000 residents are taking refuge in schools and other temporary shelters. there are no reports of injuries. but local disaster authorities warn of another possible eruption and have called on around 27,000 residents to evacuate. the u.s. defense department has announced a new strategy to protect military computer networks from cyber attacks. deputy defense secretary william land unveiled the plan on thursday in a speech at the national defense university in washington. >> the department is treating cyberspace as an operational domain like land, sea, air, and spas. >> lynn says that his department will promote research and development of a new technology to boost u.s. military capabilities in cyberspace. he also promised to train more

personnel to defend computer networks from hackers. he said close links with the military including defense contractors and power utilities will also be protected. lynn recalled one intrusion in march when some 24,000 files were chosen from the network of a defense company. he blamed the foreign government but did not elaborate. south korean officials say the succession in north korea is creating dialogue. government officials in the south say the north power struggle is intense fig as leader kim jong-il transfers authority to his son and heir apparent, kim jong eun. they say he is pointing aides. south korean newspaper reported on friday that the north had

purged 30 officials who took part in or supervised the inter-korean talks. the south fears that north could conduct another nuclear test and provocative acts and it will remain unstable for a while. next our series, "the road ahead." today we focus on the fisheries. japan's east coast used to have one of the country's largest fisheries. its marine products account for 24% of the nation's production. but the earthquake and tsunami changed everything. the fisheries suffered over $15 billion damage, and the amount is still rising. a port once had the largest shark haul in japan and was also famous for producing shark fins. and the tsunami destroyed every

fishery plant in the region. many may never reopen. we now report on a plant manager salvaging his business. >> reporter: the man behind the sanitary mask is hisash hisashi ishiwata, the executive director of a plant that prepares shark fins for eating. the factory and offices once located near a river were completely swallowed up by the tsunami. >> translator: when i saw the wreckage, my mind went blank. it got to the point where i couldn't look at the rubble without becoming completely paralyzed. it was impossible for me to think about rebuilding. >> reporter: the company's proud of the technique it perfected. they ensure that the fins keep their shape despite being cooked. it also preserves the collagen and jelly-like texture. this was ishiwata's plant before the disaster. the technique requires highly experienced workers who bone the fins by hand, but after the

tsunami, all 30 employees had to be laid off. ishiwata thought rebuilding would be impossible, and he gave up hope, but then loyal customers from all over japan began sending letters and e-mails of encouragement. >> translator: let me help if i can. i'll be waiting for the day i can enjoy your delicious shark fin soup again. don't disappoint me. >> translator: i was especially touched by an e-mail that read you might find the next year impossible, so as you rebuild, take it slow and steady. i'll be waiting in 2013. we're receiving an incredible show of support, so i have to get busy. >> reporter: ishiwata

strengthened his resolve to start over again. he got a new loan and decided to set up production at a temporary location. he found a spot with running water. it's on higher ground safe from another tsunami. he's recruiting former competitors to help set up a website. he also makes t-shirts to spread the word about his business. >> translator: the design illustrates young people raising their fists to show their determination to fight on. before the earthquake we were fighting each other, but now we realize that unless we combine our efforts, there will be no future to save our livelihood. we have to put ourselves on the line and find a way to keep the traditional shark fin industry alive.

>> reporter: the new plant is up and running. the skilled workers who had left the area for other parts of japan started returning. >> translator: i'm living in temporary housing now, but i was thinking i wouldn't mind commuting if i could work here again. so i'm happy. the shark fins are our main industry here. >> reporter: and yet it's too soon to go shark fishing in local waters. the fins have to be brought in from other places. for now they only have equipment to do basic processing for restaurants, but ishiwata sees this as the first step to a full recovery. ishiwata's eventual goal is to ship his unique shark fins to

people all over the country, just like he did before. >> translator: it takes more time to prepare than our other products, so it might be the last item we'll tackle. we will do our best to bring it back to dinner tables, but it will take time. one day we'll definitely ship our shark fins to our customers again. we hope they will wait patiently and not forget us. >> the plant's production has reached a little over 3% of its predisaster levels. ishiwata hopes to resume full-scale operations by next april. murray johnson is up next with sumo. >> following the excitement of kaio breaking chiyonofugi's record on day five, attention switched back to those leading the tourney. by the way, kaio lost on day six. so we'll check out the main players in our action replays today.

hakuho was dominated goeido in ten previous bouts winning them all. goeido was expecting a big performance of the basho but only one win after five days. a game of tactics and quick thinking as each time goei 'do o tries an attack, yokozuna switches grips. hakuho counters. the bout offers it all. hakuho rises to the occasion. forces out the komusubi. undefeated aalways is hakuho. after six bouts. just maybe the old and better harumafuji is back after he shares the lead in five days. who is only one of two of the last 11 against the ozeki. the veteran resists momentarily the ozeki hits again. harumafuji delivering quality sumo this time.

aside from hakuho's quest for eight tournament victories in a row, kotoshogiku is out for at least 12 wins to consider the ranking for ozeki. we'll look at that soon. first barato's attempt to bounce back from yesterday's untimely loss. baruto look more than annoyed after losing on day five. toy toyonoshima can be a giant killer if he gets a double grip inside. toyonoshima is inside, but baruto blocks the hand squeezes the little man. writing on the wall, baruto redeems himself with a solid force out win. baruto is back on track. he usually struggles in the heat of nagoya, but looks in charge this time. aminishiki looks out of form

buts that the tools to win. dives in with the double inside grip, quick thinking and twist of his hips has him in a position to pull an arm lock throw. the promotion stays alive. the crowd numbers are down, but the sumo is quality in nagoya as we head into a holiday weekend let's hope the fans turn out in number. more action on day seven. >> thanks. sumo is not the only sport making headlines this week in japan. the japanese women's squad has advanced to the final of the fifa women's world cup in germany. the team beat sweden on wednesday and has won a ticket to the final for the first time in six attempts. >> reporter: japan has defeated cup favorite germany and a well regarded swedish team to advance to the final. the team is regarded as the strongest women's squad that japan has ever put together.

>> reporter: despite the historical feat back in 2000 for sydney olympics, women's national soccer team didn't even qualify. so what's behind their fantastic performance this time around? we asked japan football association special director the secret behind japan's strength. she is the former national team captain. >> translator: so japan's squad has for the first time advanced to the finals, so what are your thoughts? >> translator: i'm simply happy. as the front-runner in this area, we started out small and week, but kbrgradually built ourselves up improving our skills and now the younger generation has taken over, and now they are about to bloom. >> translator: as special director of the association, how have you tried to strengthen the

team? >> translator: we have a saying, if you are aiming to become number one in the world, you have to have experience abroad. but even if you would find a team abroad that would accept the player, it's difficult to earn a living as you play and train. so that's where the association provided economic assistance, especially players in europe, so they can learn there as part of strengthening japan's squad. but also the players brought back what they've learned and spread it along to other players. >> reporter: players sent to train abroad by the association have built up skills to compete with the foreign powerhouses. they did so by training to face off against bigger players with longer reach. >> translator: for example, one playing in germany, can clash one on one but will not be hurled aside. and also sawa who played in the

united states, they all seem very confident about what they do. i think that's the great change we see now. of course, the u.s. or european players are much taller. they have more power. may be scary going up against them, but they are not intimidated. they're just focusing on playing as they do best. they know how to keep their distance when they go in. and when they clash one on one, they don't recklessly go head on. they know how to do it. >> reporter: the chief editor of a weekly soccer magazine has been covering japanese women's soccer for nearly 20 years. he says what the current team lacks in size, it makes up in technique. >> translator: well, the individual players' skills have improved, but also as a whole team, they've become better. they pass the ball around as they attack, and also when they try to get the ball from the opponents, if they can't go one on one, they go two or three together to take the ball away. that's the kind of soccer the team plays, and it's working really well. they can keep and possess the

ball because they have technique. and where they lack in size or height or speed or power, they can cover that with their skills and technique. >> translator: now who's the central player in the team? >> translator: that would be homare sawa. this is her fifth world cup, and she has a lot of experience playing big matches. she used to be a striker. now she is the playmaker. she is the central part of the team. she has this good sense of looking at offensive and defensive plays. she knows how the flow is going. she knows when to attack, she knows when to defend, she knows when it's a chance to score. and when she makes that judgment, she runs straight for it so she has a feel for the game, and that's what's extraordinary about her. sh is what has made japan the team it is today. >> reporter: japan will face the united states, the world's number one ranked squad in the final. the u.s. has made it to the semifinals in all five women's world cup tourneys and has won the championship twice.

japan and the u.s. have played each other 25 times in the past with 22 u.s. wins and three draws. in other words, japan has never won. what about this time? >> translator: well, the u.s. squad is not going to easily present an opportunity to attack overall, how to build up the offensive. however you build up the offensive, it's going to be difficult to break through and shake them up. japan will have to play as they always do. possess -- maintain possession of the ball, make the opponent run, depriesh them of their stamina, and take time and get them tired. and when that happens in the latter half, there may be an opportunity to score. >> reporter: she's been watching the women's national soccer team since its debut 30 years ago. she hopes the current squad will play all out at the finals and fulfill their potential.

>> translator: the u.s. is a wonderful team. you can learn a lot from them. and we have been trying to catch up with them. this is going to be a really tough match where there will be a clash of pride. for the japanese players, i would like to say this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of big match. i hope they seek to win, but i also want them to enjoy the play at the game. >> reporter: one more win and japan is on the top of the world. the final match kicks off in frankfurt on sunday. time to check on some of the stories we've gathered from broadcasters around asia. we begin with this story from india. indian prime minister has vowed to bring to justice the perpetrators of wednesday's

terrorist attacks in mumbai. the triple bomb attacks left at least 18 people dead and more than 130 others injured. on thursday he visited the injured and bereaved in hospitals in the city. afterward he condemned the attack as barbaric. no group has admitted planting the bombs. the attack is the most deadly since pakistan-based militants struck the city in 2008, killing more than 160 people. buddhists across thailand observed the day which commemorates the buddhists' first sermon in india about 5,200 years ago. thousands visited and chanted sutras. in the province they joined a colorful parade depicting scenes from buddha's life. buddhist novices performed a special ceremony receiving alms from an elephant's back.

cctv introduced a rare species of black-necked crane found in the autonomous region. the bird is mostly gray with a black head and neck. there is a small patch of white feathers below its eyes. its bare crown is red and tail is black. they nest in marshland and by lakes and shores on a plateau 5,000 meters above sea level. they live on roots and plants and insects. about 75% of the entire population of the rare cranes link in the tibetan autonomous region, and the government has declared it a protected species. hi, there, and welcome back. let's talk anti footnobout typh of all. well, we actually have two systems in the pacific. let's start off with this one. this is tropical storm tokage. this is a very slow-movi system. it's almost stationary east of philippines it's located right now. it will decrease its intensity

and become a tropical depression by saturday. now, it will be merging with this typhoon. this is a very strong typhoon. it's called ma-on. it's moving in a westerly direction. it has -- well, the speed is now 50 kilometers per hour, so it slowed down a little bit, but the wind gust is still up there at 200 kilometers or more per hour. it is just south of the islands and it is picking up those high waves up to about six meters high. it will not decrease its intensity. it will continue to maintain its strength all the way into your weekend where it will make its track toward the southwest islands. it may decrease its intensity just a little slightly when it veers itself, but, still, it's a very strong typhoon. now, it's a dangerous system,

and we're going do be looking at severe thunderstorms and very heavy rain. as you can see, this bulk of rain is tracking itself into central japan. so into next week we'll be seeing these kinds of situations. also this is going to be enhancing the seasonal event where we've had torrential rain in east china, also the korean peninsula, and northern japan. korean peninsula is going to be seeing lots of that rain again. land is already very saturated and froen prone to flooding. it will only up the risk for flooding. more heavy rain to come to you in south china and also a southwest monsoon will be enhancing heavy rain. so laos and vietnam and northwestern indo-china peninsula will be looking at heavy rain. looking pretty dry on into northern china and central china. the temperatures are very light in ulan bator. averaging at 31. tokyo, looking at 33. another hot and very humid day for your saturday high.

heading over to north america, well, we have a low pressure system just sort of stationed in the northern plains. well, this is going to be bringing severe storms, thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds, and even tornadic activity will be seen in montana, dakotas, all the way down into northern colorado for your friday. we do want to watch out for that. and also scattered thunderstorms and showers will be seen, especially in the gulf states in the southeast. well, a bit north is this area where a heat wave is just reaching all the way up to sentra canada now, and this may be bringing all that humidity and heat. both combined it's a very dangerous situation. the heat index readings are going to be above 48 degrees high. and into your weekend and well into your next week, the temperatures, as for now, is

just 38, but will be rising even more. so we do want to watch out for that too. be sure to take precautions if you are outdoors. the temperatures are dropping a little bit there as the pacific northwest system comes in and bringing you showers at 19 degrees in vancouver. okay. well here's your extended forecast.

japan's women's soccer team has the whole nation above with excitement. and we have more as they're bound for the world cup. four okaying ta pie have picked japan to win the world soccer cup. very interesting indeed. that ease our broadcast this hour on "newsline." we'll be back in half an hour. i'm michio kijima. thank you for watching. bye-bye.