hello and thank you for joining us on this edition of nhk "newsline". i'm raja pradhan with the news from tokyo. rescue crews in southwestern japan are searching around the clock for two people still missing following a series of earthquakes. the first struck on thursday of last week. the quakes have killed 48 people. crews from police, fire departments and the self-defense forces are looking through giant mounds of dirt caused by landslides. one of the missing is a college student, yamato. he was driving near a bridge when it was hit by a wall of dirt. rescuers cannot get close to the area because of the landslide risk. his parents want officials to use a drone to continue searching.

>> translator: i can't stay home and do nothing. i can't abandon hope that my son will come home. it's hard. >> 80,000 people are still unable to return to their homes. they're staying in shelters or sleeping in cars. authorities say some deaths could be linked to the stress and strain of life in a disaster zone. they say 11 people have died, mostly elderly. this includes a woman in her 70s who died after falling ill while taking shelter in her car. goto and his family are among those staying in their vehicles. >> translator: there is no room to move when i sleep and my back hurts. >> goto is from the hardest hit town of mashiki. he and relatives crawled out of their collapsed house after a strong quake hit the town. evacuees are afraid of earthquakes as hundreds of jolts have shaken the region over the past week.

a disaster prevention expert has been trying to determine why a landslide triggered by the quake had so much force. kamai studied the ground in kumamoto and said a saturated layer of volcanic ash was to blame. he says the hillside slid more than half a kilometer even though the slope was gentle, because there was a ten meter thick layer of ash above a layer of clay. he thinks rain made the ash wet and then the earthquake caused it to collapse. he believes the speed of the collapse gave the ash the momentum to travel so far and do so much damage. and he warned it's something that could happen again. >> translator: japan is a country with many volcanos, so a disaster like this could happen anywhere where ash is mixed with pumice. >> huge cracks have formed in roads in kumamoto and hillsides have collapsed in other

locations. kamai says clusters of homes could slide down hillsides if there is more rain or another major quake. since the series of strong quakes started on april 14th, more than 800 jolts have occurred. nhk world looks as how things have developed. >> translator: the first major quake of magnitude 6.5 hit kumamoto prefecture on april 14th. officials at the meteorological agency warned people to be aware of aftershocks. >> translator: there's a high possibility of more strong aftershocks within the next three days. >> reporter: what was to come was not an aftershock, but an even more powerful quake, rocked

the region again two days later. the magnitude was 7.3. >> translator: the ground shook so hard, i couldn't stay there any longer. the house wasn't tilting like that after the first quake. >> translator: this castle is one of japan's most famous in kumamoto city. it's designated as a special historic site. all of its 13 buildings incurred serious damage. nearly all of the tower's roof tiles fell off and a 50-meter section of the defensive wall collapsed. >> translator: the scale of the destruction left me speechless. i'm worried that any more

tremors will make it even worse. >> reporter: in the village of minami aso, a large landslide occurred. this was a bridge before the slide. here's what it looked like later. authorities used a drone to assess damage in the region. it shows how tons of earth slid down towards the bridge. nhk filmed a long fissure. scientists believe the scattering of cracks traces the line of the fault that caused the tremor. they say large horizon shifts along a major fault in kumamoto caused last weekend's quake. tens of thousands of people remain in shelters. >> translator: i couldn't sleep last night because it rocked a lot. i live alone and i am afraid. >> reporter: many continue to stay and sleep in their cars. their homes are too damaged to

return to and too afraid of the constant jolts. self-defense force personnel have been preparing food for evacuees. >> translator: i haven't had anything to eat, so it's worth getting in the long line. >> reporter: some 200 people showed up at the hard-hit town of mashiki to help out. they signed up at the makeshift frontier center that just opened on thursday. >> translator: i wanted to come here. i had to help out. >> reporter: the meteorological agency is urging people to remain on the alert for poobl strong quakes in the region, as well as landslides at two sites that have been loosened. moshe kumata, nhk world. people around japan are using the quakes as a reminder to be prepared. nhk world has more on what some people are doing.

>> reporter: this person is a disaster prevention specialist. she's made sure her house is safe with quake-proofing measures. >> translator: these would be used for drinking water. so i change it once a week. >> reporter: like these two 20-liter tanks she keeps in case the water goes out. her interest was sparked by helping earthquake victims 12 years ago. in northweern japan. she showed us what she's done to keep herself safe. tall furniture is a problem that can injure or trap people. so takakara has anchored the cupboard s and other furniture to the walls to prevent them from falling. she has various solutions to the shortages of water that happen in disaster areas. >> translator: you don't need to throw away the bath water left in the tub. >> reporter: she says she can use it to flush the toilets and do the laundry. she makes sure to stock up on

foods that last a long time, such as noodles and canned goods. a portable gas stove is also a must to boil water in a blackout. but what worries her the most is an earthquake striking when she is in bed. she keeps a hand-made protective hood under her pillow. i need to protect my head. >> reporter: she is not the only one who is ready. the recent quakes in kumamoto as well as the giant 2011 quakes have raised people's awareness about the need to be prepared. this shop provides quake-proofing supplies, including food for survival kits. it also sells portable gas stoves, boots, and electric flashlights. >> translator: after the big earthquake on the 16th more orders and inquiries came in from all over japan.

>> reporter: it highlights what she has believed for years. >> translator: being well prepared means not having to worry. i hope everyone recognized the importance of storing goods and taking anti-disaster measures. we cannot control the timing, but it is possible to think about how we can survive. >> reporter: japan is a country prone to seismic activity, and last week's quakes have given people a jolt, instilling a fresh sense of awareness about how to protect themselves. nhk world. agricultural ministers from the group of seven nations will discuss ways to achieve sustainable farming and global food security. japan's agriculture minister chairs the two-day meeting saturday in the central japanese city of niigata.

the g-7 ministers will discuss the issues the countries are facing, the aging of producers and a lack of enough new entrants in the agriculture sector. the agenda also includes concern over future shortages of food supplies as the global population expands and food preferences change. the participants are also expected to discuss how to control fishery resources, such as tuna, to protect them from illegal fishing. u.s. officials say president barack obama will decide whether to visit hiroshima after returning from a tour next week. obama will visit japan next month to attend a g-7 summit. officials in washington told nhk that obama will consider travel plans for his time in japan after coming back from his current trip to saudi arabia, britain and germany. secretary of state john kerry visited hiroshima earlier this month for a meeting of g-7 foreign ministers. he said everyone should visit

the city and expressed hope that the u.s. president will be among them. the "new york times" ran an editorial on a possible visit by obama to the city. it said there is no reason he shouldn't visit. but added he should be prepared to offer a tangible new initiative to keep alive his vision for a nuclear free world. the "washington post" also ran an editorial supporting a visit. an opinion poll conducted last year suggests that many americans believe the use of atomic bombs on hiroshima and nagasaki was justified. some say the bombings brought an end to world war ii and saved the lives of many u.s. troops. analysts say a visit by an u.s. president to hiroshima could be perceived as an apology by some people. obama will likely examine the impact his visit would have in the u.s. and other countries before making a decision. no sitting u.s. president has

ever visited hiroshima or nagasaki. teenagers from the group of seven countries have gathered in central japan. they're holding a junior summit to address global issues. the week long event will center on the theme, the planet for the next generation, environment and sustainable society. each of the 28 representatives aged 15 to 18 was introduced at an opening ceremony. >> we will do our best to make the discussions and relating events fruitful and meaningful. thank you again for support. >> the youngsters will visit a museum on post war industrial pollution and tour spots in the prefecture. they also plan to meet local high school students. the outcome of the discussions is to be presented to japan's government ahead of the g-7 summit in late may. myanmar's de facto leader aung san suu kyi, has outlined the diplomatic course she's

plotting for her newly inaugurated civilian government. she pledged to aim for a wide ranging foreign policy. pachari raksawong at our bureau in bangkok has the details. >> aung san suu kyi called envoys from more than 70 countries at the capital to explain the fundamental plan of her foreign policy.k of her foreign policy. >> since we became independent, in 1948, we have adopted a policy of neutrality. and universal friendship. we were one of the first to the united nations charter and on united nations charter on human rights. which means that there was always placed emphasis on the need for international cooperation and on the need to respect human beings everywhere. >> the democratic icon called for more assistance and investment from the international community, highlighting myanmar's geo political importance. the nation sits between the

indian subcontinent and southeast asia bridging china and the indian ocean. >> in such a unique position, obviously, there are many challenges, which we hope to turn into opportunities for fostering peace, prosperity and friendship. not just throughout our region, but throughout the world. >> barred from becoming president by the military drafted kons institution the nobel laureat was sworn in as foreign minister last month and she has taken a firm grip on the government as state counselor, a newly created position akin to that of prime minister. china's foreign minister visited myanmar shortly after the new government took power. japan and other nations are seeking to cement ties with the emerging southeastern asian nation. rescue workers were

scrambling friday to locate several people feared buried under a massive landslide that hit a camp of construction workers in northeast india. at least 15 are known to have been killed. the accident occurred late thursday in the country's northeastern state. bordering china. the workers were asleep when the landslide struck their camp. they were reportedly engaged in hotel construction. heavy rains are frequently behind natural disasters in the himalayan state. landslides are common in the area, but usually during the monsoon season from june through september. turmoil in the commodity markets is creating hardship for people in southeast asia who depend on natural resources to make a living. lower crude oil prices have dragged down other commodities including natural rubber and now thailand's rubber farmers are struggling to make ends meet.

>> reporter: thailand is the world's largest producer of natural rubber and its biggest customer is china. low prices and falling chinese demand have dealt thailand's 1.6 million rubber farming households a double blow. this man's 4.8 hectare spot used to earn him up to $2,800 a month. his income fell so much, he had to sell half his trees for timber. >> translator: we rubber farmers are facing hard times. if prices remain low, there will be no way out. >> reporter: the government has set up emergency points where farmers can sell rubber latex at above market prices. the government will buy one kilogram of sap for about $1.20,

a 30% premium to the market. it plans to spend about $157 million buying up 100,000 tons of sap. >> translator: thanks to the government program, i could maintain my income. >> reporter: but the government is still working out what to do with all the stock. it invited more than 100 foreign firms to an event to try to boost overseas demand for thai rubber. various products from medical items to speed controls were on display. >> translator: i was glad i found a new potential client. if they accept our prices, we can start doing business.

>> reporter: china intends to boost exports of condoms, which are in high demand in developing countries to prevent infectious diseases. it's also planning rubber-paved cycle lanes, including a 180-kilometer path from northern bangkok passing through tourist spots to lure foreign travelers. despite these grand plans, an expert says solving the rubber problem won't be easy. >> translator: crude oil prices probably won't rise as much as before. many rubber farmers may have to stop growing the trees. >> reporter: with little prospect of crude prices rising anytime soon, thai rubber farmers may have no choice but to keep struggling. that wraps up our bulletin

i'm patchari raksawong in bangkok. japanese defense officials are one step closer to developing the country's first stealth fighter jet. they've completed a test flight of a prototype. the x-2 took off from an airport in central japan on friday. its frame and engines were developed in japan and designed to evade radar. engineers have also introduced technology to make the jet easier to maneuver. the project has cost more than $39 billion yen, about $360 million, since it began seven years ago. the prototype flew for 20 minutes, then landed at another location. it was the first test flight for a domestically produced fighter jet in about two decades, since the launch of the f-2 aircraft. china unveiled a prototype for a stealth fighter two years ago. observers said it could be

several years before the j-31 becomes operational. russia is also developing the technology. the u.s. military has deployed its f-22 stealth fighters in combat. "time" magazine has released its annual list of what it considers the 100 most influential people in the world and this year, japanese artist yayoi kusama made the cut. famous for her polka dot art work. >> fashion designer marc jacobs wrote a profile of her for the magazine. he said her work has been radical and revolutionary and has an eternal endurance. this year's list also features pope francis and myanmar's defacto leader, aung san suu kyi. and north korea's kim jong-un was included for a sixth straight year as a leader who asserts negative influence. an exhibition in the netherlands is showcasing a 400-year-old japanese

tradition -- porcelain from the town of arita. it opened on thursday at the national museum in amsterdam. arita ware was first introduced to europe in the 17th century by the dutch east india company. the show traces the history of the craft while shedding light on modern aspects. the kilns that produces the porcelain was founded in the 1600s. his works are on display alongside the 15th generation operator who inherited the founder's name. visitors can view a collection of modern tableware created by a european designer in collaboration with japanese ceramic makers. the designer visited kilns in arita for inspiration. the current director says the exhibition allows him to reflect on the rich tradition with an eye on the future. >> translator: the opportunity to show our collection to the

world is not only great for us, but also for arita. >> the exhibition will run through october 9th. authorities in beijing think they've come up with an answer to one of their city's most pressing problems -- air pollution. they've devised a way to clear the smog from their skies with the help of mother nature, but as nhk reports, not everyone is on board. >> reporter: the air in china's capital is so polluted that some people complain of headaches after being outside for just a few minutes. beijing's leaders have been looking for ways to address the problem. and their latest proposal is getting nationwide attention. they want to harness the natural wind to blow pollutants away from the city. the plan has been dubbed "the

ventilation corridor project." it calls for the creation of five wind routes, each 500 meters wide, running north to south, the length of the city. officials are planning to impose restrictions on the height of new buildings along the routes. and they want to demolish some residential buildings and commercial complexes. the government has not yet set a date for the plans, but the reaction was swift. residents are confused and angry over the idea, especially in areas like this where their homes are located directly along the designated wind route. city leaders want to launch the project in this suburb and have already slated several buildings for demolition. the district is populated mainly by migrants from rural areas who are working for wholesale businesses. those residents are not happy

about the decision. they say it would be difficult for them to find new jobs and homes elsewhere. >> translator: if the government decides, there is nothing we can do. but i don't want them to tear the buildings down. >> reporter: and the residents are not the only ones objecting. people in a city 50 kilometers away are living downwind of the corridor. if the project goes ahead their air is likely to get worse. >> translator: it's not fair that we have to sacrifice ourselves for the people in the big city. >> translator: this is such a beautiful town, so i don't understand why they want to send the pollutants here. our lives will be badly affected. >> reporter: an expert at a government-affiliated think tank says convincing people in places like this is crucial.

>> translator: it's important to show a detailed blueprint. without the help of cities and areas around beijing, the plan will not be successful. >> reporter: the ventilation corridors have the potential to change the quality of life for millions of people in beijing. the challenge for the authorities is how to win over the people who stand in its way. kazuaki hirama, nhk world, beijing. next, here's a three-day outlook for weather in selected cities around the globe.

is making a comeback from near extinction. two wild crested ibises have welcomed a chick on the island of sado in the sea of japan. the crested ibis is considered a symbol of japan and is a designated national treasure. a preservation group has been working to reintroduce the species to the island.

>> translator: my father has a dream of these birds flying over the island once again. now we're one step closer to that dream. >> the environment ministry says the chick may leave the nest in about a month. and its development will be closely monitored. declared extinct in japan. later, birds provided by china were bred in captivity and their offspring released into the wild in 2012, birds raised in captivity produced chicks in the wild. and then in 2014, one raised in the wild and one raised in captivity also produced a hatchling, the latest edition is the first from parents both raised in the wild. and that's all for now on this edition of nhk "newsline," i'm raja pradhan in tokyo. from all of us at nhk world, thanks for watching.

>> "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 frha