olive branch. the japanese and russian leaders have agreed to talks that have divided their countries over decades. they say the state of affairs between their countries is abboa abnormal. they do not have peace treaty decades after world war ii.

>> translator: we aim to draw up solutions that are acceptable for both sides. >> the islands in question are located off the main island of hokido. they were seized in 1945 just after the war. japanese leaders have tried to get them back ever since. there's no magic wand to solve the dispute. he said it depends on trust and determination. they will work on economic partnerships too in russia's far east and eastern siberia. >> translator: japan is an important partner for russia. we have been building our relationships based on trust. we hope to further our ties in many different fields, including the energy sector.

>> they grep agreed that foreign ministry should meet once a year. 10,000 u.s. servicemen and up to 200,000 south korean soldiers participated in exercises dubbed full eagle. u.s. military leaders say the exercises are designed to prove the troops readiness to defend south korea. security analysts said north korean forces were preparing to launch a ballistic missile. a statement was issued stating their previous assertions that the drills were training and not provocative. they remain on high alert. >> translator: we consider north korea's provocation imminent.

we will continue to monitor its moves. >> they dismissed reports that authorities have stopped preparing for military action. kim said signals could be turned on and off. he said north korean commanders could be acting deceptively ahead of launch. south korean officials say all but seven of their workers have left an industrial complex jointly run with north korea. they say some had to remain to settle a pay dispute. north korea effectively shut down the kaesong complex earlier this month after pulling out of its 53,000 workers. officials in seoul decided to withdraw their workers after north korea refused to talk about reopening the complex. the last of the workers were planning to return to south korea on monday, but north korean officials insisted that some stay behind. they say their workers are owed wages. officials from south korea's ministry say businesses at the complex are short of cash

because the north was restricting the flow of cash and people. the defense ministers from japan and the united states have been discussing northeast asian security sissues. they agree to oppose any action. chi china and taiwan claim them. >> translator: i explained that the islands are part of japan territory both in history and international law. we confirm that both countries

oppose any unilateral attempt to change the status quo. >> the united states does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands but we recognize they are under the administration of japan and fall under our security treaty obligations. any actions that could raise tensions or lead to miscalculations affect the stability of the entire region. >> the defense ministers agreed that japan and the u.s. will work closely to monitor actions. a long weekend during the week of golden week in japan. here is the latest in business. how does the jobless rate look this month? >> many world leaders envy japan's jobless rate because it's been around 4.2 to 4.3%

over the past six months. we're now hearing that japan's unemployment rate fell and were suggesting an improvement in the labor market. the internal affairs minister staid on tuesday that the nation's jobless rate fell to 4.1% in the month the that's down from 4.3% in february. the number of people without jobs fell 270,000 from a year ago to 2.8 million. this marks a decrease for a 34th straight month. the number of people with jobs rose over 62.4 million. the labor ministry says the ratio of job offers to job seekers climbed to .86 in march. that's from .85 in february. this means 86 positions were available for every 100 job seekers. u.s. markets closed higher on monday held by strong housing data.

the dow was up .7%. for more on how stocks in tokyo are trading let's go to ramin at the tokyo stock exchange. good morning there. monday was a public holiday here so we're playing catch up. we've had some key data this morning. >> yes, some key data you mentioned. a lot of data out this morning. let me touch on industrial production. that's the fourth straight month of gains for industrial production or output. we'll see how that plays into the market. let's have a look at the opening levels for this last trading day of the month, tuesday april 30th. a bit of a mixed opening. the topix up in the positive up

almost .5 of a percent. it was the best performing indexes in this region despite a bit of a pull back we saw in the dollar after investors had really been expecting that break above the key yen level. with earnings in full swing in japan and some economic data in the u.s. china and europe pointing to slowing growth, it has led to some investors just questioning global economic conditions for now. we're seeing some of those concerns reflected in the weaker dollar and the euro. >> where are we on currencies this tuesday morning? >> 92.92 to 85 for the dollar. we're hovering at the upper 97 yen levels showing weaker dollar. it touched 99.95 if you

remember. far from breaking above that 100 yen level. with recent data pointing to slower growth after consumer spending data proved disappointing in the u.s. 128.22 to 25. it did get a boost of the italian government was formed over the weekend. analysts say further gains may be held back a touch ahead of the european central bank which may decide to cut rates in the upcoming policy meeting. we'll have more economic data this week. in the u.s. close eye on the jobs numbers due out on friday. here in japan we're still in full swing for earnings season. after markets closed on tuesday we're going to have fuji film holdings and tokyo electron and soft bank. covering quite a lot of different sectors there. i'll have all of those numbers and reactions later in the day.

back to you. >> thanks, ramin. in other business news italy's new prime minister has expressed his intention to pursue more growth oriented policies to rebuild the country's finances. italy has gone through political turmoil after the february election. the new coalition government was finally launched on sunday. he delivered his first speech to parliament on monday. >> translator: up to ten years without growth. growth policies cannot wait any longer. >> he said he will halt the collection of a property tax due in june. the coalition has been demanding the abolition of the tax. the new prime minister also stressed the importance of european unity. he said it will keep the budget deficit. he said he will work on

reforming the country's current law. he elected he will resign if results are not apparent within 18 months. let's take a look at the global economic scene. first, the euro zone jobless rate for march will come out on tuesday. in february unemployment in the 17 nation. p in the united states the february will wrap up a two-day policy meeting on wednesday. the central bank will consider whether to consider with the current quantitative easing. the government council of the european central bank will meet on thursday. they may cut interest rates further or come up with stimulus measures at the meeting. finally, the latest u.s. jobs report is due out on friday. in march unemployment dipped .1

from the previous nont month to 7.6%. that's all for news in business. >> we apologize for the technical error prior to the business section. the head of the united nations has urged syrian leader does let weapons experts do their jobs. secretary-general said inspectors need to determine whether combatants in the syrian civil war have used chemical weapons. he made the comments alongside swedish scientist who is leading the mission. he headed a fact finding team at the request of the syrian government. they have accused opposition forces of using chemical weapons near aleppo. >> a credible and comprehensive inquiry requires full access to the site where a chemical

weapons are alleged to have been used. i again urge syrian authorities to allow the investigation to proceed without delay and without any conditions. >> he said he's taking a recent u.s. report about the use of chemical weapons seriously. but syrian authorities have refused to allow u.n. experts no the country. he said they're ready to enter the country within 48 hours, if they get access. syria's prime minister has survived an apparent assassination attempt. a bomb exploded as his convoy was passing. the explosion tore through a bus and other vehicles. it shattered windows in nearby buildings. certain people were killed and others were wounded. he condemned the bombing calling it a terrorist attack. the explosion was the latest in a series of attacks target being senior government officials.

last july an explosion during a meeting of cabinet ministers killed the defense minister and his deputy. these are a trademark of islamic extremists. many people hope to have some sort of control over how they spend their final days. a government survey from 2007 suggests more than half of japanese would prefer to die at home. but the vast majority ends up doing that in hospital. they include many who have no family to turn to. more than 5 million elderly japanese live alone. and as their ranks continue to grow, one doctor is doing what he can to fulfill their last wish. >> reporter: this woman lives alone.

she suffers from cancer and spends all day in bed. she hopes to remain at home in familiar surroundings until she passes away. >> reporter: the doctor visits the homes of elderly patients to live alone. so far, more than 20 have stayed at home right till the end. he says his priority is reducing pain and fear of pain. cancer patients in agony often get anxious. many often go to a hospital to manage their pain. two years ago her cancer had spread to her pelvis. the pain in her lower back became so crippling she had to

stay in bed. >> translator: it hurt a lot. i couldn't sleep. >> reporter: the doctor prescribes 20 types of medicine. he varies the combination, depending on the patient's condition. he saythe medications can eliminate most pain. >> translator: first, we'll get rid of the pain. that's the number one priority. >> reporter: the doctor has installed one touch videophones in patients' homes. now they can easily contact the help center if they're suffering. >> translator: it's reassuring, especially at night. >> reporter: he provides a support system for elderly patients who live alone. it takes the place of family members. doctors and nurses visit each patient as often as three times a week. he has created a support network like care managers and local volunteers. the home helpers visit the

elderly three times a day. they can use a tablet installed patient's current condion. the information goes straight to the doctors and nurses. if the patient develops a problem, it's dealt with right away. one day they learn from a home helper that her appetite had dropped. so a nurse came by to give the patient an iv drip. the doctor prepares himself as much as he can, but sometimes he faces obstacles. this man was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. he was determined to live out his days at home. but his relatives objected. >> translator: i didn't know what home care was. so i was really nervous about it.

>> reporter: the doctor gathered members of the patient's family. for two hours he explained how he handles emergencies and cares for the patients. the family relented. four years ago, the man died peacefully as he had wished, at home. he left behind this commemorative photo. >> translator: i believe that he passed in peace. that's why he was giving the peace sign, which he'd never done before. he was very happy being at home. >> translator: the most important thing is to give people what they want until they pass away. >> reporter: the doctor says it's important to listen to patients. then he can satisfy their wishes rather than those of relatives more concerned about their own convenience.

this tv commercial is widely popular in pakistan. it features this performer. it's mr. bean, but you would be wrong. it's the pakistani take on the british icon. the mr. bean character was created by comedian robert atkinson. he got his start on british television, he won enormous worldwide popularity in the 1990s.

the tv comedy takes him from the original british program and transplants him into pakistan. >> dead bodies. >> translator: my kids love him. they're always watching. >> we are bombarded every day with bad news. he helps us relax a bit. >> reporter: when he was very

young his father died and he was forted to quit school. after leaving junior high he found work in his hometown. around his life. one of his friends posted the footage online three years ago. it became a wide hit in the country. a local tv station started to take notice. he gave us his day job as a cotton trader and made the risky transition to show business. he had only one thought in his mind. >> translator: i decided to become an entertainer because terrorist attacks were rampant

in our country. i wanted to become a mr. bean look alike and bring smiles back to people's faces. >> reporter: he now knows about his counterpart on the other side of the world. the sponsor of the ad, a pakistani bank sent the footage. >> he saw the film. i think his reaction is he's a bit chubby and that's okay and he got up and left. that's an aapprovapproval. we were happy to know he was fine. >> translator: i feel truly honored to be recognized by the great mr. bean. i'm determined to do my utmost to entertain people. >> reporter: he uses humor to

dispel some of the thick clouds that hang over pakistani society. his show remains in high demand. residents of northern australia are getting ready for a big storm. a tropical cyclone is heading for queensland. good morning. really good to see you at this hour. we have a storm to talk about. it is a tropical cyclone. it is named zane. it is moving towards queensland in a westerly direction. it looks leak it's going to be maintaining its intensity as it moves toward the vicinity. it looks like it will be making landfall soon.

it has already brought 100 millimeters of rain in fiji. so you can imagine the drenching rainfall. and that's likely to raise the risk of flash floods and landslides. we'll definitely keep monitoring this system for you. now here across japan we had a three day weekend. and yesterday we had splendid weather. but it's going to be a different story now with japan, much of it is covered in this blue blob. and we have a cold front stretching down the way to. it's going to bring strong, damaging winds as well as hail and also quite an amount of rain. we already have definitely significant amounts of rain here in kyushu. we already have 70 to 80 mile gusts reported.

that's likely to move toward the east. as you progress through the day it looks leak we're going to see some sudden bursts of showers. so do watch out for that. drenching rain is around the southeaster areas of china. scattered showers and thunderstorms will be likely across northern vietnam. looking at 30s in the tropics, still, and 22 in tokyo. 17 in seoul. heading over to north america we've got some wintery picture across much of the north. and into ontario. we're going to see a late season winter storm coming your way. down below that, severe thunderstorms are likely. we're not going to be ruling out the chances of tornados. and that system will be sagging, a cold front, that's going to be

creating heavy snow across colorado again. denver at 17 degrees. a quick look here in europe, you have the iberian peninsula. spain's looking at some snow. but mainly precipitation across this continent is rain, mixed precipitation will scatter across the scandinavian peninsula. looking warm in london. paris at 16 degrees. here's your extended forecast.

and that's all for now on this edition of "newsline." i'm roger pradhan in tokyo. we'll be back at the top of the hour so do stay with us on nhk world.

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