welcome to "wsline," i'm michio kijima in tokyo with the news at this hour. the japanese government tonight is telling some of the people who fled their home s because of the accident at the fukushima daiichi, that it is safe to return. it litted te evavaatioioadvisory affecting five municipalities outside the 20 kilometer no-entry zone around the damaged nuclear facility. the municipalities are all in fukushima prefecture located between 20 and 30 kilometers from the plant. the government nuclear accident task force made the decision to lift the evacuation advisory on friday. all cabinet ministers attended the meeting. the task force noted the situation at fukushima daiichi has improved. it also pointed out five municipalities have drawn up plans to remove radioactive substances from local schools and hospitals and restore key infrastructure. >> translator: the government

will do everything that it can in order to dispel concerns among residents who want to return home. >> this is the first time since the crisis began at fukushima daiichi that the central government has lifted an evacuation-related designation. the government designated three types of evacuation zones after the accident at fukushima daiichi. the zone whose advisory was lifted on friday colored here in yellow covers five municipalities located between 20 and 30 kilometers from the nuclear plant. residents were advised to evacuate voluntary or remain in doors in the event of another emergency. as a result, about half of the population, around 28,500 people decided to leave. two other areas remain out of bounds because of high level s of radiation. the no-entry zone that covers a 20 kilometer radius around the plant and five municipalities

outside the 20-kilometer perimeter color ed here in blue where cumulative radiation is expected to top 20 millisieverts per year. the government has not determined when people in these two areas will be able to return home. japan's upper house has approved a bill to set up an independent panel of experts to investigate the accident at the fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant. the upper house voted unanimously on friday to pass the bill. the ten-member panel of experts

will operate independently from the government and carry out a one-year investigation to clarify the details surrounding the accident. the panel will have the authority to summon witnesses and demand submission of documents. the experts will submit an interim report to the diet in about six months. the panel members will be selected by a joint council of lawmakers from the two chambers. the joint council will also assist the panel by exercising the diet's right to investigate state affairs. japan's national police force is tightening measures to safeguard the country's nuclear power plants. it's introducing radiation-proof vehicles that will allow officers to counter any attacks by terrorists. the national police agency decided on the move in the belief that the fukushima accident has increased the likelihood that nuclear facilities could be targeted. the agency said it will deploy the new vehicles at nine police headquarters around the country. they will be shielded with lead.

which blocks radiation. the vehicles will protect officers from radiation when confronting terrorists or rescuing the injured following an attack or an accident at a nuclear power plant. armed japanese police have been deployed around the country's nuclear plants and related facilities around the clock since the 9/11 attacks in the united states in 2001. a panel investigating attempts by kyushu power company to manipulate public opinion has slammed the utility and the local governor for having dubious relations. the panel submitted its final report to kyushu electric on friday. >> translator: there has been a lack of transparency with kyushu electric. the company's suspicious actions are the essence of the current problems. >> an independent panel of lawyers and other experts was set up in july, to investigate the ongoing relationship between local politicians and the power company. utility management apparently instructed workers to support the restarting of the gankai nuclear power plant by sending

emails during a public hearing held in june. the governor told kyushu electric executives before the meeting the support for restarting the power reactor was necessary. the panel found that the governor's instruction had a decisive influence. >> translator: i have never asked people to send in emails in favor of one side. it is regrettable that what i told the investigation has not been reflected in the final report. >> the panel also looked into a public debate hosted by saga prefecture back in 2005. discussion focused on a plan to use plutonium/uranium-mixed chemicals at the reactor. kyushu had some of its employees attend the event and have opinions favorable to the project.

as a preventive measure, the panel has advised the power company to refrain from making political donations and contacting governors or mayors of areas hosting nuclear plants. >> translator: this is the moment of truth for us. we will study the report and consider the issue carefully and make our utmost efforts to prevent a recurrence. now tonight's "the road ahead." this is where people in the disaster-hit area get away from it all. for a few hours they can sit back and enjoy the entertainment offered by this pop-up theater. we have a report from miyagi prefecture. >> reporter: after two hours of pumping air, this inflatable building comes to life. japan's first pop-up movie

theater rises in the town of matsushima. over four days, the pop-up cinemas showed locals 15 movies. the theater cost over $1 million to make. it seats 120 people comfortably. the seating is arranged so everyone in the audience has a clear view of the screen, no matter where they sit. thick fabric stops light from getting into the cinema. the audience can view the movie in almost complete darkness. the idea for the theater came from a famous movie producer. he says he worried whether moviegoers would find it authentic. during his career, lee has produced many cinematic hits. one of his most famous films is "hula girl."

a group of girls take up hula dancing to save their small mining village in, of all places, fukushima. last year, the recession forced lee to stop making films. but after the march 11th disaster, he felt he had to return to the industry. he heard from people in the disaster area where he had produced a movie. >> translator: i was so grateful for comments like, i was inspired by your film. they gave me a deeper understanding of why i made films. i felt my role in life is to make movies. >> reporter: so now he's bringing movies to people in the disaster area. lee's career in the film industry is reborn.

he wanted lots of people to come to his pop-up theater. lee walked around the town, passing out brochures for his film festival. >> reporter: a 74-year-old restaurant owner shows interest. portraits of james dean decorate the blinds. sakurai is a true movie buff. when in his 20s, sakurai spent much of his monthly one day off at the movies. >> translator: i saw three movies a day, they helped during the tough times, because you can get fully immersed in the film. it was the only time i could forget my troubles.

>> reporter: he moved to matsushima and opened a restaurant. but the town has no movie theater. it had been eight years since he had gone to a movie. when sakurai saw the festival line-up, one film really excited him. it was the 1946 american film "it's a wonderful life." he had wanted to see this classic for years. the main character loans money to the local townsfolk, even if they're poor. bad luck hounds him. eventually, he tries to take his life. >> you got your wish, you've never been born. >> reporter: but an angel appears and shows him how valuable life is. >> strange, isn't it? each man's life touches so many other lives.

>> reporter: the night the film is screened. our movie buff is there with his wife. >> translator: i'm very excited. it's been a while. ever since i heard it was playing, i've been looking forward to it. >> reporter: at the film's climax -- >> get me back to my wife and kids! help me, terrence, please! kids! let me touch you, are you real? oh! >> george, george! >> reporter: the film's main character sees how wonderful life is and he and his family break into song. >> translator: my heart is beating. it's important to keep moving forward.

and i'm going to give it my best shot. the people of our town have to stay strong, and carry on. i was moved to tears. >> reporter: the audience laughed and cried throughout the movie. now lee is convinced the disaster area should have a movie theater. >> translator: i was reminded just how important films can be. they give us strength and hope for a better tomorrow. i do this because i want to hear people say, your film gave me courage. for that reason alone, i'll keep going. >> the pop-up movie theater will travel around the tohoku region until mid november. "newsline" is the place to turn to for the latest on japan post march 11th. we have two segments offering

two unique perspectives on the fallout from the earthquake and tsunami. "nuclear watch" brings you insight and information on the impact of the fukushima daiichi crisis. and "the road ahead" examines japan's efforts to recover and rebuild. don't miss them on "newsline." next we go to our bureau in bangkok. patchari raksawong joins us. with the late et on what's going on in the region. myanmar's president has released a highly unusual statement about plans to build dams along a river. it's the sign of possible political change in myanmar coming after pro democracy forces criticized the project as the threat to the environment. and according to a statement released by the president to the lower house of parliament on friday, the dam project should be shelved. the government with chinese support has been pushing for its construction in northern myanmar. the statement says that

parliament should act according to the desire of the people. the plan for the hydroelectric power plant has been a cause of conflict between the government and the militia of local ethnic groups. opponents accuse the government of forcing more than 10,000 residents to relocate without adequate compensation. pro-democracy leader aung sang suu kyi disagreed saying it puts the environment in danger. on friday she welcomed the government's change of policy. >> translator: it is the right thing to do for any government to listen to the people and to soverignestly the problems of the people. >> the president's statement is viewed as the latest step in myanmar's recent efforts to reconcile with pro-democracy forces. pakistani prime minister yusuf raza gilani has rejected a

u.s. demand to launch operations against taliban insurgents based in pakistan. hideki yui in slislamabad has details. >> translator: pakistan will not yield to u.s. pressure. our national interests must be respected. >> reporter: the rare conference was held in islamabad on thursday. denouncing that pakistan considers recent developments with the united states as a national emergency. the security forces are deteriorating relations with the united states were discussed. the conference unanimously adopted a statement that denies a u.s. allegation that pakistan is supporting insurgents. calling it groundless. it also said there has to be a new direction and policy with the focus on peace and

reskillation. the u.s. government has openly criticized pakistan and its intelligence agency for providing support for the haqqani network insurgent group. pakistanis latest move appears to be aimed at showing solidarity on the matter. but relations may become even more strained as the u.s. becomes increasingly frustrated with pakistan's reluctance to undertake military operations against insurgents. hideki yui, nhk world, islamabad. meanwhile, the u.s. government has added five individuals to its list of terrorists subject to sanctions including those in the taliban and the commander of the haqqani group in pakistan. sanctions block any asset they have in the u.s. and ban s americans from doing business with them. when bad luck strikes people often search for solutions to turn things around, and here in thailand, an unusual

ceremony is attracting more people looking to improve their lives. our reporter, satomi aso, has this report out of the box. >> reporter: these nine vacant coffins need to be filled. but not with dead bodies. they are waiting to carry these monks. this is a ceremony held at the buddhist temple. >> translator: let's ask the holy spirit to rid us of bad luck. >> reporter: during the ceremony, living bodies get inside the coffin. they are people who believe their lives have taken a turn for the worse, and want a fresh start. when the unlucky participants

lie inside the coffins, monks do a chant that's normally part of a traditional buddhist ceremony. after the white material is lifted, another chant welcomes them back. they offer prayers to buddha and their new life begins. >> translator: i feel alive and ready to live my life. my body and my mind are refreshed. >> translator: i tried but the so-called rebirth, what it is really like. after one minute inside the coffin, my new life supposedly starts now. whether or not that's true, lying inside the coffin is not something i will forget. the temple started mock funerals

ten years ago, using just one coffin and only twice a year. but as demand grew, they hold ceremonies every day, even twice a day. more than 200 people take part every day. >> translator: when people come seeking peace of mind, our role is to help make them feel better. demand is so high, we can't take any time off. >> reporter: 65-year-old motorcycle taxi driver participates in the ceremony. >> translator: i hope the funeral will work so i can avoid traffic accidents in the future. >> reporter: he has worked as a bike taxi driver in bangkok's central slums for more than 40

years. even though he works hard from dawn until dusk, he earns only $12 a day. the decreasing number of passengers makes life a daily struggle. he also had several near-miss accidents recently. so he decided to join the mock funeral. during the ceremony he prays for peace of mind and a better life. >> translator: i feel really that my life will improve. i'll get more passengers than the other taxi drivers. >> reporter: as many thais continue to struggle in the hope of having a better life, the popularity of the ceremonial rebirth is sure to remain high for some time to

come. satomi aso, nhk world, northeast of bangkok. i suppose it works, if you believe in it. and that's going to wrap up our bulletin. i'm patchari raksawong reporting in bangkok. >> thanks, patchari. a major business conference was held on friday in seoul for south korean companies aiming to enter the japanese market. the conference was organized by business organizations of the two countries and the south korean government. about 120 companies participated. they included south korean parts makers, as well as japanese firms thinking about buying components from south korea. south korean makers pitched their products, saying the yen's strength and the weak yuanill make it easier for japanese companies to buy them. >> translator: many south korean firms are thinking about exporting to japan. to take advantage of the weak

yuan. >> translator: it would be good to do business with south korean makers. because their country is so close to japan. >> due to the impact of the yen's appreciation and the march disaster, japanese manufacturers are stepping up efforts to buy parts and materials from south korea. general motors announced on thursday it will introduce a air bag, the first in the entry, front-center air bag. the new air bag will inflate when a car is hit from the side. it will search as a cushion between the driver and the front-seat passenger when there is a collision and it will provide protection in rollover crashes. the center air bag is being developed jointly with the japanese parts supplier, takata. the u.s. automaker will install the feature in three of its models for 2013.

hi there, time to get you updated on the weather as we head on into the weekend. it doesn't look good, unfortunately, in the tropics here. we do have a couple of storms still to deal with. the first one i want to mention is tropical storm nesat. you'll remember this was the one that blew through the northern philippines, making a second landfall in hainan yesterday and is now just moving inland through northern parts of vietnam. now it's really slowed down, moving west-northwest slowly. the winds have come down, gusts still at 90 kilometers per hour. but they're not going to be the biggest problem. the biggest issue is going to be the ongoing rain as the system just inches further along. in the next 48 hours, some places picking up in excess of 150 millimeters of rain. certainly parts of southern china as well as indochina will be suffering. hainan island still getting a lot of the rain, too, as parts of hainan island saw 250 millimeters in the last 24 hours. so when we add on to that, it could be a problem with flooding and landslides.

then we have the northern philippines, once again getting absolutely drenched this time by typhoon nalgae which has intensified. it's set to make landfall tomorrow in eastern luzon, in the afternoon. and then just to move right across and following almost exactly the same path as the last storm did. maybe making landfall here in hainan. maybe in central vietnam. early on the beginning of next week. currently the wind gusts are 234 kilometers per hour. so this is a very intense system. damaging winds and also a lot of rain that's going to be falling on already-saturated, already-flooded land. so it doesn't look good, unfortunately. we'll really be keeping an eye on this through the weekend. japan seeing a bit of a wet and windy day today. that's going to be clearing up on saturday. maybe precipitation up towards the north. it's getting cooler here, so that could be falling as snow. you see the green starting to inch through northern parts of hokkaido. and parts of northern tohoku as

well. 11 degrees in ulan bator. tokyo looking at 24. in the tropics, we'll be staying in the 30s. as we head into north america, we have ophelia, another storm here this one a hurricane to deal with, a category 2 storm, which looks just set to move to the east of bermuda. there is a tropical storm watch in effect right now. it's moving 15 kilometers per hour at towards the north here. and actually it is going to be moving right up in towards newfoundland by the end of the, beginning of next week. probably will have run out of steam by then, but definitely another storm to keep an eye on here. there's plenty of wet weather moving through eastern canada. through the northeastern united states as well. we have a trio of low pressure systems there. storms all the way along this front down in towards texas. not enough moisture, really to dent the fire danger. we have red flag warning for parts of eastern texas here. it's going to be very dry, low humidity, and quite windy as well. we'll see the strong winds coming in towards the northeast and cooler temperatures here, too, after the massive rain moves away. we'll see the temperatures come down by eight to ten degrees, in towards the northeast.

so that will be you in new york city. already at 15 in chicago. winnipeg and vancouver as well. not so in europe. 15 degrees, no. here we're getting the summer we didn't get through the summer. almost october, but temperatures across much of europe are in the 20s, even the upper 20s here. we'll see wet weather moving up through ireland and scotland and then over the ridge of high pressure through in towards western russia that is. but have a look at the temperatures, 29 in london. 28 in paris. can't argue with that. even 25 for you in berlin. 16 in stockholm, so cooling down here. just 11 in moscow. unfortunately you're not getting any of the warmth. but if you are getting it, please do enjoy it i'm sure that autumn is just around the corner. i'll leave you now with your extended forecast.

that's our broadcast for this hour on "newsline," we'll be back with more news in half an hour. i'm michio kijima in tokyo. thank you for watching. bye-bye.

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