this edition of newsline. it is wednesday, march 2nd. i'm catherine kobayashi in tokyo. un security council has delayed a vote. the alleys are pushing to expand embargoes to punish pyongyang over a rocket launch. the last minute haggling on details, parts of the draft have also been revised. the u.s. says russia asked for more time to review it. the u.s. submitted a draft resolution last week and what it describes as the toughest sanctions yet.

pyongyang is called a satellite launch, ballistic technology s north korea, but nhk has learned the provision would have an exception. the draft a says the ban shall not apply to the sale and supply of aviation fuel to civilian passenger aircraft. the draft also dropped one person from the list of individuals subject to sanctions. it's an official in charge of mineral resources trade between north korea and russia. the united states and china spent a month behind closed doors negotiating the original draft. syrian president bashar assad said it will do its part to make sure the cease-fire is maintained. proposed by the u.s. and russia took effect saturday, and it's largely holding. assad's interview with a broadcaster appeared on tuesday. he said the terrorists have

breached the deal from the first day. the government is refraining from retaliating in order to sustain it. he warned everything has a limit and all depends on the other side. but opposition groups say government forces are the ones violating the agreement. russian foreign minister called for measures to prevent supplies reaching islamic states and other teschrirrorists groups. >> a across the border, they're being brought in with convoys. >> keep foreign militants from joining the groups. >> the un refugee agency says more than 13 thousand thousand reached europe from the middle east and elsewhere in the first two months of this year. officials at the office of the un high commissioner for

refugees in jgeneva said the sae for last year. needing accommodation in greece has sourred to about 24,000. >> greece cannot handle it alone. europe agreed to last year are prioritized and implemented. it should concern everyone. >> many of the refugees and migrants crossing the med t mediterranean anya mediterranean are tightening border patrols. they lack supplies. on monday, they tried to force their way into macedonia and battled with police. some injuries were reported. a hong kong book seller in

mainland china has appeared on chinese television says he wants to renounce his british citizenship. lee is one of five book sellers who went missing last october. they were later found detained or being questioned in mainland china. he he is a dual citizen of britain and hong kong. management of a publishing house that produced titles critical of the chinese government. lee appeared on television and said people have been using his british nationality to sensationalize. people believe it's highly unlikely he made such a statement voluntarily. they say chinese authorities may have forced him to make the remarks to try to prevent the matter developing into a serious diplomatic problem with britain. a spokesperson for foreign

ministry denies that's the case they have and his wife given many explanations. we should respect the comments they have made. >> a british government spokesperson said they've been trying to speak to lee, but chinese authorities haven't granted access. . the world of major forces looking to expand their reach. many focused in europe. joining us now from the business desk. so what's the attraction on europe? >> here's the thing, catherine. we've heard two major european forces already discussing a merger. that would create one of the world's biggest exchanges and others may want to prevent something like that from happening. well, executives at the company that own the new york stock exchange are thinking about making a bid for the london stock exchange. the u.s. inter continental exchange came a week avalon done

stock market exchange said they were in merger negotiations with deutsch. the emergent of a huge market. another exchange is also considering a bid for the london force. that would be the chicago based cme group, which is known for futures and options trading. well, tokyo's share prices opened sharply higher, following a rebound on wall street. higher oil prices and weaker yen are prompting investors to buy risker assets like stock. the nikkei average juping 3.23% at 16,603. highest level in three weeks. cars rising, strong sales. crude oil above $34 a barrel. two month high. that's on news that the russian

energy minister said more than 15 countries are ready to agree to freeze oil production. let's see what is happening with currencies. strong manufacturing and construction from the u.s. drove the dollar to a two week high. topping 114 yen. currently at 114.3. one month high against the euro, strong data revived may raise its key interest rate. let's see what is happening on other markets in the asia pacific region. solid startles where too. you can see where australia, both up, more than 1.5%. well, all but one of japan's major department stores are reporting higher sales, a splurge by foreign tourists helped boost last month. the five stores have released

sales. 4% sales increase, they were more up than 1% and hankyu up 0.7%. saw slow clothing merchandise, but duty free for foreigners continued to fly off the shelves. the leap year also helped. a department store official says high priced items such as jewelry and famous brand goods are selling well. but he adds middle income earners are being cautious. toyota motors said a double digit drop from a year earlier. they blame an explosion at the group's steel maker in central japan. toyota sales totaled 120,000 vehicles, the same amount from 2015. shut down domestic assembly lines for six days in february.

it also delayed new car shipments. they'll bring supply back on track by having employees work over time and on weekends and holidays. tourism owe officials are on trying to get people to tourist routes to lesser known parts of the country. railways are vital partners. the next report shows, they're using discounts to get visitors off the beaten track. >> the japan rail pass has been available to foreign visitors for three decades, but these days, sales are so brisk, that users sometimes have to wait up to three hours to pick one up. the past allows holder to ride any jr line in the country, including bullet trains, for up to three weeks. the seven day pass costs about $250. >> it's a very nice ticket. i hope it's as ease ease and

good to use as it is to look at. >> jr sold more than 1.4 million of the passes in fiscal 2014. nearly 60% more than the year before. about one in every ten foreign visitors used it. . the city in the preif he can tar in western japan is about 20 minutes by local train. but the number of overseas tourists rose 40% in 2014 to about 130,000. that's roughly the same as the city's population. many of those tourists are head today islands in the inland sea. they can rent bicycles and pedal their way around. these travelers used the jr pass to get here. >> cheaper in the, we can go everywhere. we come from hokata.

>> the past helps us to contribute to areas across the country. i think we can increase the number of people who use it by making those places more attractive. >> airlines are also getting into the act. competition with train operators is intensifying, as new lines open. airlines are struggling to increase the number of passengers on domestic routes. they planned on selling discount tickets to foreign travelers three years ago. one way flights any where within japan costs less than $100. that's less than 83% less than the regular fare. ana officials are trying to find out where people were overseas like to go.

they're trying to gain insight. >> translator: i think foreign visitors might be interested in seeing different things than regular customers. our mission is to identify what those things are. >> the company is collecting data on visitor behavior from blanch offices across japan and trying new ways far-flung attractions it launched a foreign website unusual destinations throughout the country that oversees tourists tend to visit. among them is a rugged shoreline known for its godzilla shaped rock. designated as one of japan's natural -- >> the airline also creating videos, introducing each of japan's 47 prefectures. they can be viewed in flight and on television in 80 countries. >> translator: we want people around the world to learn about the jobs of japan.

>> even with hefty discounts and improved information, visitors might still find some areas a bit tough to get to. but they can be assured of a warm welcome. once they arrive. >> that's the latest in business news for this hour. i'll leave you now with a check on markets. vote counting has begun in some u.s. states on super tuesday. the day is a milestone in the race for the republican and democratic nominations for the country's president. the democratic party is holding

primaries and caulks -- caucuses. abc news projects former secretary of state will win georgia and virginia primaries. >> if you will stand with me, i actually believe america's best years are still ahead of us. >> abc news also projects that senator bernie sanders will win the vermont primary. attention is on whether clinton can widen her lead over sanders after winning in three states in the run-up to super tuesday. >> we are going to make america great again greater than ever before. i love you. go out and vote. i love you all. thank you, georgia. thank you. >> the republican party is also holding primaries and caucuses in 11 states. abc news projects front runner donald trump will win the georgia primary. he has won in three of the four

states so far. the focus on whether trump can extend his winning streak or marco rubio or ted cruz will bounce back. he is the favorite in most states and clinton is the preferred candidate for the democrats. japan's supreme court issued a landmark ruling that could affect how people take care of family members with dementia. a man with dementia hit by a train and died should not have to pay compensation for train delays. the case goes back to 2007 in central japan. a 91-year-old man was hit and killed by a train after he wandered on to a track. japan railway company say they suffered losses due to a two-hour service disruption. they demanded his family pay about $60,000 in compensation.

supreme court justices overruled lower court rulings on tuesday. they said relatives of dementia patients should not bear an unconditional obligation to super advise them. th -- supervise them. how involved they are in the care and other factors. they ruled from this particular case, it was impossible for the man's family to supervise him, because his wife was also elderly and the son was not living with them. the man's family said in the trial that they did all that they could. they said they wrote his name and contact information on his clothing and shoes. they said they also installed a censor in his house that sets off an alarm when he leaves through his front door. the man is thought to have left the house undetected through another door while his wife was taking a nap. >> translator: we welcome the landmark ruling, which fully acknowledges our argument. >> the man's son told nhk he hopes the ruling is a relief for

people who are struggling to care for dementia patients. the railway company says it respects the ruling of the highest court. a legal expect notes he is concerned about possible repercussions. >> translator: the decision means the deeper family members involved in caring for a dementia patient, the greater risk that person has to face. i'm afraid the ruling could make some people reluctant to take care of their relatives. >> he point out that hospitals and care homes may also face risks, he says it's time to consider how society as a whole should deal with incidents involving people with dementia. its been five years since a earthquake and tsunami. the street view on wednesday, 360 view of coastal areas in 82

municipalities. >> translator: we hope the photos will give people all over the world the opportunity to compare the past and present imagines of the affected areas, and think about the region's recovery. >> viewers now can see imagines of the areas taken just after the disaster as well as those taken during the reconstruction proses. images by the nuclear power plant left as they are. town is now a no entry zone after the nuclear in this segment, we feature women in japan who are bringing change to society. as the country prepares to remember the devastating earthquake and tsunami five years ago, we look at the efforts of aotel owner in one

of the hardest hit towns. she has become an inspiration, offering a beacon of hope by reviving the local tourism industry. nhk world has more. >> on the coast of the fishing town, stands this hotel. the town's only hotel. she has been running it for almost 30 years. she is the okami, the title given to women proprietors at japanese inns. she's responsible for training staff. and since the disaster, abe has taken on another role. she has been serving as a

liasoin. >> biggest crisis for our hometown. it happens once a millennium, and given us a thousand years worth of education. >> on march 11, 2011, 16 meter high waves destroyed almost all of the key infrastructure. more than 800 people died or went missing. abe's hotel was also damaged. the water and electricity were knocked out. she immediately mobilized her staff to bring food to her guests and keep them warm in the freezing cold. abe also provided shelter to over 600 local residents who have lost their home. >> i told my staff our guests and neighbors come first and foremost. we must pwho have come to rely n

us. >> five years have passed and reconstructs efforts underway. but since the disaster, the number of visitors to the town has dropped by 30%. that's dealt a severe blow to businesses throughout the community including abe's. many are heavily burdened by the cost of rebuilding. so abe started a project with shop owner whose have moved their business to makeshift facilities. she created a map showing the new locations of shops to make them easier fvisitors to find. >> no end to our problems. yes, we just keep hitting walls. we don'tave much power working on our own. but we can attract more attention by working together. >> abe has also launched a new service. a bus tour of the disaster area.

staff members from her hotel serve as guides, sharing first hand accounts of their experiences. many have lost friends and family. >> it's not easy to leave your family members behind. many people tried looking for their loved ones. but ended up dying together. >> translator: i'm shocked that after five years, this is still what the area looks like. this visit has taught me how bad the situation really is. >> the passage of time is causing memories of the disaster to fade. so abe believes these personal accounts are becoming increasingly valuable. >> translator: trying to do things alone doesn't work. it's important to get everyone on board and cooperate with others in the community, to make this place more attractive.

>> despite all the town has lost, abe says she and her community must focus on what they still have to offer. and she believes that creating memorable experiences for visitors will help put her devastated town back on the path to recovery. nhk world. certainly an inspiration there. it's time for the check of the weather. people in tokyo hanging on to their heavy coats. it's feely chilli out there. meteorologist robert speta joins us with more. >> yes, what we have been seeing over the last several days is the storm system actually moving through northern areas of japan. so you are getting out there in the morning hours, into tokyo, it is rather cold despite the clear skies, which are really dominating it because of those northwesterly winds wrapping in behind the storm system. which by the way, the winds quite strong. that's why temperatures really dip down here.

the north, destructive. this is blustery. 148 kilometer wind gusts in southeastern areas, over towards -- trains running partial suspension. it looks like things are starting to improve though as we go ahead through wednesday and definitely into thursday. a little bit of a low pressure area is going to push through northern japan by wednesday night. it is going to bring snowfall, isolated area, as much as 30 centimeters. west, high pressure, sunny skies dominate. most of japan, we're going to be looking at spring like weather. you see tokyo here getting up to 16 here on thursday. back towards the south into the 20s by friday into saturday. by the way, into tokyo on sunday, looking at temperatures back up around 19, 20 degrees. so something to look forward to

by the end of the week. one thing i do want to know. we saw an incredible amount of snowfall the last 48 hours. some locations against sell xen tral hours saw about 60 to 70 centimeters. the big thing is once you have all this fresh snow, we're going to get the top layer to melt and that could cascade down because this is over on top of another layer. already avalanche advisories across the mountains. something to keep in mind when you get the heavy snow and warming trends right in behind it. also, things are staying warm towards the west already. eastern areas of china, temperatures pushing into the low 20s. high of 24, hong kong, 21 there on your wednesday. let's take a look on what is going on into europe. actually western europe, we have a large storm system moving through. this is already been bringing heavy snow fall across northern ireland, scotland. gusty winds with this.

in fact, you could be seeing winds 135 kilometers according to the local warnings here, because of the tight pressure. not so much storm pressure coming through, but just the constant wind pushing on shore. all will move a to the least. you're going to be looking at foul weather. paris, a high of 10. forecast through wednesday, let's wrap things up into the americas. we have this storm system pulling across the great lakes. that's really been the topic out here. as we go ahead through your tuesday night into wednesday morning, though, it does look like as far as the threat of tornados, that was earlier today, that's going to wayne ne, but you will see it drift towards the northeast. cooling off. one area that west virginia, 21 reported for the high on tuesday. dropping down to just 2, nearly a 20 degree drop there in 24 hours. all right, leave you now with the extended outlook.

that wraps up this edition of newsline. i'm catherine kobayashi in tokyo. we'll be back at the top of the hour. we'll see you then.

>> "global 3000" goes to china. the country needs more children to help care for an aging population. and we travel along the mekong in cambodia in search of the last river dolphins. but first, what happens when baby-making becomes a business? the history of in vitro fertilization began just 37 years ago. the first baby conceived through in vitro fertilization. in july 1978, the birth of louise joy brown made headlines around the world. baby-making still requires an egg and a sperm cell. but apart from that, there's now a dizzying array of methods fo