. thank you for joining on this edition of "newsline." i'm raja p rchl adahan with the news from tokyo. ukrainian authorities and pro-russian separatists accuse each other of shooting down malaysia airline plane. flight mh-17 with 298 onboard went down in eastern ukraine on thursday. officials in kiev say the plane was hit with a surface missile launched by separatists, but the separatists say it was ukraine's fault. nhk world's kurando tago reports. >> reporter: the charred wreckage of the boeing 777 is scattered over a large area. search and rescue crews are combing through the site, but no

survivor has been found so far. malaysia airlines officials say the plane was carrying 283 passengers and 15 crew members. the passengers were from at least ten countries, including the netherlands, malaysia, and australia. flight mh-17 left amsterdam on thursday headed for kuala lumpur. in the eastern ukraine region of donetsk where the jet went down, government forces and pro-russian separatists have been fighting since april. on july 14th, ukrainian officials accused russian forces of shooting down a military cargo plane. they said the aircraft was downed by a missile. ukrainian president petro poroshenko says pro-russian separatists are responsible for the jetliner crash.

>> translator: this plane was brought down. it's not an accident. not a catastrophe, but a terrorist act. >> reporter: ukraine state security chief said intercepted telephone conversations between russian military officers and pro-russian militants prove their involvement. >> reporter: but the leader of the self-proclaimed people's republic of donetsk denied the accusations saying they do have weapons capable of shooting down planes at an altitude of 10,000 meters. >> translator: a passenger aircraft has been shot down, shot down by the ukrainian air force. to tell the truth is a provocation on purpose. >> reporter: ukrainian

government leaders say they will investigate with the international civil aviation organization. pro-russian militant groups say they will cooperate, but interfax says pro-russian militants have already taken away the plane's black box which contain flight data and cockpit voice recordings. analysts now question whether an international investigation to help uncover the truth can proceed smoothly. kurando tago, nhk world. u.s. president barack obama says it's likely the jet was shot down by pro-russian separatists. >> evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile that was launched from an area controlled by russian-backed separatists inside of ukraine. we also know that this is not the first time a plane has been shot down in eastern ukraine. over the last several weeks, russian-backed separatists have shot down a ukrainian transport

plane and a ukrainian helicopter. >> obama suggested that russia help the rebels get the ability to bring down an airliner. >> we know that these separatists have received a steady flow of support from russia. this includes arms and training. >> obama said the russian-backed separatists and ukraine should adhere to a cease-fire to allow an international investigation. and a japanese security analyst says it's likely pro-russian militants fired what's called a buk surface-to-air missile at the plane. it has target tracking capabilities and was developed by the former soviet union during the cold war. interior minister posted a

message on facebook claiming the item is a buk and that it brought down the jet. russia's defense ministry denied the ukrainian allegation. they say no such weapons have crossed into the territory. a japanese security analyst says it's possible that pro-russian separatists fired the buk. it has target tracking capabilities and was developed by the former soviet union during the cold war. >> translator: the buk missile has a range of 30 kilometers and can hit an object 22 kilometers in the air. aircraft flying at 10,000 meters are easily within range. i don't see any merit of government forces in either russia or ukraine attacking a civilian jet. i think it was a misfire. government forces can distinguish civilian jets. i think the culprit fired the missile without proper

information and just relied on radar to track it. that makes me believe that the attack was not conducted by government forces. people around the world are expressing shock and sadness over flight mh-17. the loved ones of victims and global leaders are demanding a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. more than 40 malaysian passengers and crew members did not reach their destination. their families and friends rushed to kuala lumpur international airport. one woman says five of her relatives were on board the flight. >> of course, i'm shocked. i got the news. i wanted to come and check. [ crying ] >> prime minister najib razak says he will make every effort to find out what happened. >> if it transpires that the plane was indeed shot down, we

insist that the perpetrators must swiftly be brought to justice. >> transport minister says he will send two experts to join an investigation team led by the ukrainian government. he said he'll also send a disaster assistance and rescue team. about 190 dutch citizens got on board the flight at skipal airport. newspapers there describe the incident as one of the worst airplane accidents in the country's history. travelers expressed sympathy. >> i hope for the victims' family that they're going to give them answers but that's sad. >> about 30 australians were also on the passenger list. >> this is a grim day for our country and it's a grim our world. >> lawmakers observed a moment of silence.

japan's prime minister, shinzo abe, offered condolences to the families of all the victims. >> translator: if there is anything japan can do, we are ready to work with the international community. >> leaders from france and germany have also called for a prompt investigation. >> meanwhile, an expert on russian affairs says the shooting down of the plane may have been accidental and was the result of the intensifying conflict in eastern ukraine. yu hasumi teaches at a university in tokyo. he says ukrainian president petro poroshenko has failed hold talks with pro- militants in eastern ukraine. >> translator: the pro-russians haven't agreed to take part in talks with the ukrainian government. that's not what russia had in

mind. the situation in the region has become bogged down and security is critical. >> hasumi says the incident could further harm ukraine's fragile economy and lead to a more severe situation. >> translator: the ukrainian economy has been affected by prolonged confusion. especially negotiations over gas prices with russia. the talks have fallen apart, and gas supplies from russia to ukraine have practically stopped. the ukrainian government has to make a deal to be able to buy gas at a reasonable price and rebuild the country's businesses this summer. if they fail, the country could face chaos by the autumn. unfortunately, the airline incident could mean that the confusion lasts for a long time. israeli troops are

intensifying their ground offensive in the gaza strip. 23 palestinians, including children, and 1 israeli soldier have been killed. officials say the death toll could rise. officials in israel say the operation is targeting underground tunnels. they say members of the islamist group hamas use them to enter israel to carry out attacks. the troops appear to be concentrated in an area of 500 meters from their border with gaza. they say they've destroyed 20 rocket launchers and 9 t. >> translator: our major objective in the operation is to restore peace and security in israel. >> our reporter in gaza says israeli troops are attacking other areas by air and she from vessels off the coast. electricity has been knocked out in many areas.

hamas remains defiant, saying occupiers will pay a heavy price. the palestinian death toll since israel began air strikes last week has passav wounded. israel last launched a ground assault against the palestinian enclave five years ago. that operation and preceding air strikes killed more than 1,300 people. former thai prime minister yingluck shinawatra has denied a rumor that she may flee the country. she made the remark on friday at her first news conference since the coup in may. patchari raksawong in bangkok is following the story. >> thailand's military government has accepted an application that allows yingluck to leave the country. the news sparked rumors she would use the permission to flee thailand. yingluck is scheduled to leave for europe later this month. at the news conference, she

stressed she was merely taking a trip and has no plans of leaving thailand permanently. >> translator: i ins not abandon the thai people. i'm ready to return to thailand. >> yingluck is expected to meet her brother and former thai prime minister thaksin shinawatra while overseas. thaksin was expelled from the country in a military coup in 2006. in 2008, he was handed a two-year prison term in absentia on corruption charges, prompting him to go into self-imposed exile. now, thailand's national anti-corruption commission on thursday decided to send papers in a case against yingluck for alleged negligence of duty over a rice subsidy program. yingluck introduced the program

while prime minister. the government purchased rice from farmers at prices abo market value. yingluck's opponents cri the program for causing large financial losses to the state. during her news conference on friday, yingluck criticized the actions of the national anti-corruption commission. >> translator: in my view, t first issue is whether the judicial system follows universal standards of the rule of law because i think the deliberations were hasty and rushed. >> the former prime minister has kept a low profile sin coup, but according to observers, yingluck decided to hold the news conference in a bid to maintain her political influence. the asian development bank on friday has cut its growth forecast for southeast asia. the region is seen as a main engine of global economic growth. the adb cites indonesia's export ban on minerals and the coup in thailand as reasons. the adb says the region is expected to grow 4.7% this year.

the figure is down 0.3 of a percentage point from the april forecast. the numbers appear in the adb's 2014 outlook supplement on asia's developing economies. the report mentions indonesia's ban on exports of unrefined nickel, copper, and other minerals. the move came into force in january this year. indonesia has southeast asia's largest gdp. the region's number two economy is thailand. the coup erupted in may following prolonged political clashes. the turmoil has dragged down domestic demand and tourism. the adb also touched on the physical damage foreign companies and factories suffered in vietnam after some anti-china demonstrators turned violent. relations between vietnam and china were aggravated after china installed an oil rig in disputed waters in the south china sea. as for india, the adb left its

2014 growth figure unchanged at 5.5% but it revised upward its outlook for 2015 to 6.3% and that's up by 0.3 of a percentage point from the earlier india saw the inauguration of a new government in may. prime minister narendra modi of the bharatia party enjoyed a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections after pledging reforms. indonesians are awaiting the outcome of their closely fought presidential election between jakarta governor joko widodo and former military general prabowo subianto. but voters aren't the only ones taking a keen interest in the official release of election results next tuesday. foreign companies want to know how the next president policies will affect the country's economy, which is showing healthy growth. nhk world's takatoshi shiozaki reports. >> reporter: joko's

down-to-earth personality has gained widespread popularity. prabowa portrays himself as a strong leader. around the end of the campaign, probowa managed to narrow joko's lead. meanwhile, companies overseas with ambitions of investing in indonesia have been following the election with particular interest. indonesia has a population of 250 million with an economy that's growing around 6% a year. in 2014, the country is expected to overtake japan in gross domestic product. the major concern of business people is whether the next president will improve the country's business environment. topping their wish list is better infrastructure. limited boat capability keeps many investors offshore. road congestion is another

problem. bottlenecks slow the pace of importing and exporting. >> translator: our top priority is infrastructure, particularly ports, roads, and electricity. next is human resource development. we hope various measures will be implemented on that front. >> reporter: the gap between rich and poor is also a serious problem. 40% of indonesian households own refrigerators. only about 20% have washing machines japanese home appliancemakers have built new plants just outside jakarta. the hope is that significant numbers of indonesians in lower income brackets will join the middle class in the coming years. major manufacturer sharp sent its employees to homes without washing machines. the goal is to learn what kind

of functions these households want for their washing macnes and what kind productthey can afford. cotal tysuislaa so she washes hry by hand iniver water. her monthly income is $200 to $400. >> translator: i would like to buy a washing machine, but they are expensive. so is electricity. >> translator: the household we visited today is keen about getting a washing machine in about a year or two and a refrigerator in three years. we believe the demand for home appliances will soar among such families in the next year or two. >> reporter: appliance manufacturers aren't the only foreign business with high hopes for indonesia's market. this buildinll soon be home to elderly tenants. the annual fees will range from $160,000 to $220,000 per unit depending on the service level. the operator is hoping the income shift toward middle class will extend further to the

wealthy class. >> translator: the wealthy high income earners are seeking japanese style services, hospitality and high quality services in elderly care and also in medical services. >> reporter: so, who will steer the country? joko pledges support for the poor. while former general probowa stresses his leadership abilities. foreign firms are focusing their attention on whether the next president will tackle the daunting task of indonesia's economy. the largest amonh the member companies of the association of southeast asian nations. takatoshi shiozaki, nhk world, jakarta. >> that wraps up our bulletin. i'm patchari raksawong in bangkok. emerging economic powers still struggling with poverty.

emboldened citizens still demanding democracy. the threat of violence, the push for peace, the shadow of conflict. get news and insight on south and southeast asia every weekday live from bangkok only on nhk world "newsline." japanese scientists have shared more of their findings of what happened with the fukushima daiichi plant. they said that one of the meltdown of the reactors was caused by the tsunami. they released an interim report saying reactor one lost its emergency power because of waves that hit the plant. members of a commission suggested in 2012, the cause had been the earlier earthquake. data that showed up later indicated the arrival of the tsunami coincided with the loss of power. the scientists rejected the

suggestion that the earthquake caused the meltdown of the reactor's pipes. they will continue their investigation and interview former commissioners and then release their final report. the u.n. security council has called on north korea to comply with its resolutions no to fire any more ballistic missiles. it has condemned the country for carrying out three rounds of missile tests between late june and early july. the council members held an informal meeting on thursday. south korean officials had requested it. in a statement the council president criticized the north. >> the members of the security council condemn these launches as violations of security council resolutions and urged the dprk to fully comply with the relevant security council resolution. >> the council issued a similar statement in march after north korea conducted other ba missile launches.

meanwhile, north korea is scheduled to join a sports tournament in south korea later this year. but pyongyang officials appear to be having second thoughts. officials of the two countries met on thursday at the border village of panmunjom to discuss the asian games scheduled for september in inchon. the north korean delegates said they would send 700 athletes and cheerleaders. that would have made it the largest delegation from the country ever to join an international tournament. but the talks broke down when the north's delegates walked out in protest. north korea's official korean central news agency reports that south's delegates made comments about the cost of hosting the visiting athletes. the agency says the south argued over the planned size of the north's delegation. it reports that north korean delegates announce they may reconsider its participation. sources say pyongyang may be bargaining for better conditions for its athletes.

japanese electronics maker fijitsu is streamlining its semiconductor business. it is in talks with taiwan and the united states on selling two of its factories. sources say executives at fujitsu will jointly set up a company that will acquire the plant. they are also considering selling a factory in fukushima prefecture to the u.s. firm on semi conductor. they are aiming to keep the 1500 employees now working at the two plants. japanese electronics' companies have been scaling back their chip-making business because of intense competition. a subsidiary of a u.s. firm and

another electronics company is planning to sell or close down some of its plants. heavy seasonal rains appear to have dampened shopping appetites for shopping in june. sales of 241 stores nationwide came to $4.8 billion last month. that's down 4.6% year on year. sales slid for three-straight months since april when the consumption tax went up. the drop in june was bigger than the 4.2% fall in may. sales of furniture and luxury items like jewelry remains sluggish ahead of the tax hike. bad weather also contributed to the decline. but association officials recognize that many received bonuses that were bigger than last year. if demand for summer clothes picks up, that could bring overall sales in july to just

about the year earlier level. every morning, investors turn their attention to asia, the tokyo market leads the way and markets around the world follow. >> from the decision that could change the course of an economy. >> to the companies at the forefront of change. >> up to the minute market reports. >> and analysis from specialists from around the world. >> get all of the latest business and insight here every day on "newsline." first, here's a three-day outlook on the world's weather.

and here's one more story to share with you before we go. people in a japanese city known for its scorching summer heat are giving thanks for a cool gift. residents of kumagaya were sweltering in some of japan's

highest temperatures when they received a ton of snow. >> translator: it's wonderfully cold. it's making me feel great. it's so hot here in kumagaya. we are really grateful for this snow. >> members of a hot spring inn association in nagano prefecture collected the snow from ski slopes last winter. the head of the association said she's glad that people in kumagaya are enjoying it. she said she hopes they'll visit nagano because summer th cooler and more comfortable. and that's all for now on this edition of "newsline." i'm raja pradhan in tokyo. and from all of us at nhk world, thanks for watching and have a good day wherever you are.

this week on "moyers & company," learning from "lawrence of arabia," and the truth about lies. >> government and companies lie, frequently, actually. if we don't know the truth, then this idea of democracy is a -- it's ludicrous. it doesn't work if you don't have information. >> announcer: funding is provided by -- anne gumowitz, encouraging the renewal of democracy. carnegie corporation of new york, supporting innovations in education, democratic engagement and the advancement of international peace and security at carnegie.org. the ford foundation, working with visionaries on the front lines of social change worldwide. the herb alpert foundation, supporting organizations whose mission is to promote compassion and creativity in our society.