glad you could join us for nhk "newsline." i'm ross mihara. the u.s. has released the latest data on gdp. the rate of growth was higher than market expectations. officials released the preliminary figure on friday. they say the country's economy grew at rate of 2.9%.

posting second quarterly growth. exports rose 10%. housing construction shrank by 6.2%, the second straight quarter of contraction. the latest figures supports the federal reserve's view that the u.s. economy grew more rapidly in the third quarter than the first half of the year. many analysts expect that fed officials will not raise interest rates next month amid uncertainty of economic policies before the presidential election. they predict that a rate hike will come in december. u.n. member states have overwhelmingly adopted a historic resolution at a general assembly committee. it calls for negotiations on a legally binding treaty to ban nuclear weapons. japan voted against the resolution and it drew criticism from proponents of the ban, including atomic bomb survivors. nhk world has more. >> adopted. >> reporter: the resolution was

submitted by over 50 nonnuclear states. the disarmament on international security committee approves it on thursday. >> many governments put in a lot of work. >> i really think it's a big moment. this is a historic moment for the u.n. >> reporter: the next step, a general assembly vote in december. the aim is to negotiate a legally binding treaty that prohibits nuclear weapons, but the eventual goal is total elimination. there was already a framework in place for nuclear disarmament called the nuclear nonproliferation treaty but talks stalled because nuclear powers wanted a step by step approach while nonnuclear states called for quick elimination of the weapons. sponsors wanted to make things legally binding to speed up the process. japan's foreign minister

explained why his country voted against the resolution. >> translator: the resolution would further widen the gap between nuclear weapon states and nonnuclear weapon states. >> reporter: he said the two sides must work together to achieve results step by step, but he added japan will take part in negotiations for a treaty begin next year. the united states had urged other nato members to vote no. it says the resolution denies the idea of nuclear deterrence which ensures security of the u.s. and its allies. japan is calling for a world without nuclear weapons while also depend on the so-called u.s. nuclear umbrella. atomic bomb survivors are angry at the government's decision. >> translator: japan should never have voted against. >> translator: 123 countries supported the resolution. japan is being left behind the times.

>> translator: i feel betrayed by the government. this country has experienced atomic bombings. has the memory faded in 71 years? >> reporter: knife nagasaki groups have sent a letter of protest to prime minister shinzo abe. abe shares the commitment to pursuing the elimination of nuclear weapons. >> translator: it was not an easy decision to make. we concluded that as the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, japan should take practical measures to push the world towards one free of nuclear weapons. >> reporter: but some analysts wonder why japan chose to vote against the u.n. resolution instead of abstaining. it had abstained on various u.n. resolutions calling for a legal ban on nuclear weapons. analysts say the decision could raise a question about whether japan can take further initiatives in the field of global nuclear disarmament. nhk world, tokyo.

the world anti-doping agency has noted serious failings in the drug testing program at the 2016 rio olympics and is calling for improvement. in its report released on thursday, the agency said that of 11,303 athletes who participated in the games, only about 28% of them took blood or urine tests. nearly 100 samples were not matched to an athlete due to data entry errors. it added that one sample went missing and was found only after the end of the games. the report was compiled by wada's independent observer team. the report said that on some days up to 50% of planned target tests were canceled because many athletes targeted for testing simply could not be located. the document said sufficient blood testing was not conducted in weightlifting and some other sports. it also noted that there was no out of competition testing conducted in football. wada called on the international olympic committee to implement stricter anti-doping measures ahead of the 2020 tokyo olympic games.

it wants to increase the number of testing personnel and improve anti-doping educational programs. the governor of tokyo is trying to curb the ballooning cost of the 2020 olympics and paralympics. yuriko koike is thinking about alternative sites for events like rowing and canoeing, but sources tell nhk the metropolitan government sees problems with all the options for those sports. a task force appointed by koike has proposed an alternative site for rowing and canoeing. the existing plan calls for the event to be held at a permanent facility that would be built on tokyo's waterfront. the task force is suggesting either a temporary facility be built there or holding rowing and canoeing events at an existing course in miyagi prefecture in northeastern japan. the region was devastated in 2011 by the earthquake and tsunami. metropolitan government officials say building a permanent facility in tokyo would result in an annual loss of $2 million after the

olympics. they also point to problems in the plan for a temporary venue in the capital. they're saying it would be difficult to keep water levels stable. but they say work to upgrade the course in miyagi couldn't be finished before the summer games. they say buying additional land and carrying out an environmental assessment would take time. >> translator: we will take all aspects into consideration such as construction and maintenance costs. we also need to look at the legacy, whether rowing and canoeing events will continue at the site. >> koike's motto is athletes first. she met with some competitors to hear their views. one rower had no comment about which venue would be best.

>> translator: as an athlete, i think it's our responsibility to do our best no matter what the venue is. >> a cyclist says the plans should make economic sense so the facilities are sustainable. koike is due to make a decision on the issue next week. then she'll present it to concerned parties, including the international olympic committee. nissan motor president and ceo says the company is to continue production in britain after that country leaves the european union. it's the first japanese auto firm that decided to maintain operations in the uk after brexit. he said the uk government's support and assurances enabled the company to decide to new model will be produced at its plant. nissan produced about 500,000

units annually at the plant, accounting for two-thirds of all japanese cars produced in britain. earlier this month, he asked theresa may to make sure that britain's exit from the eu will not affect business. britain plans to begin negotiations to leave the eu before the end of march 2017. nissan's decision is likely to affect the course of action of more than 1,000 japanese companies doing business in the uk. mitsubishi posted its first mid term net loss in six years. they are still struggling to win back customers' trust after it was caught rigging mileage tests. sales from april to september dropped 19% from a year earlier. company officials admit the fuel data scandal hurt the company's brand image. net loss for the period was $2 billion.

that includes compensation for people who own models that are not as fuel efficient as the company claimed. mitsubishi executives expect another rough ride in the second half. they hope to rebuild the company under the umbrella of nissan motor. sony said on friday that embezzlement at one of its group companies caused losses of about $8.5 million. the company sony lsi design does semiconductor designs. sony says the employees issued fictitious orders and padded order values for over four years. executives with the japanese electronics giant say the employees have been dismissed and they may push for criminal charges or other measures after an in-house probe. the company apologized to everyone concerned and pledged to do its utmost to prevent a recurrence. japanese department store operator isetan mitsukoshi holdings has halved the group's

net profit forecast for the business year through march. a decline of sales to foreign tourists was a major factor. the group's operating profit for the year was previously forecast at $351 million, but isetan executives have downgraded that to $228 million. the earlier outlook for net profit was $247 million. the latest forecast is for $123 million. the decline is attributed to a large drop in the value of purchases by foreign visitors. tourists have switched from buying expensive products such as jewelry to less pricey items like cosmetics. the company was also hit by an extraordinary loss as it prepares to close unprofitable mitsukoshi stores next march. officials with the firm say they had failed to predict the steep sales decline. mitsukoshi is not the only department store operator struggling with the fall in tourist spending. j front retailing and h20 retails have also revised down

their business forecasts. philippine police have carried out a deadly operation as part of president rodrigo duterte's controversial war on drugs. officers gunned down a mayor and nine of his associates. patchari raksawong in bangkok has the story and more from the region. the mayor was on duterte's long wanted list of politicians he claims are involved in illegal drug dealing. what the police described as a gun battle occurred at a checkpoint in a northern province on the southern island of mindanao. they were killed when they opened fire from their cars on the officers. they were tipped off that the mayor's group was carrying a huge amount of drugs. more than 2,300 people have been killed in duterte's bloody war on drugs since he took office in june. friday's operation came as police shift focus to more high-profile targets.

duterte has surprised people with his newfound gentlemanly manners. the famously potty-mouthed president pledged on thursday never to swear again because god told him not to. flying home from a three-day visit to japan, duterte said he was gazing at the sky while everyone else was sound asleep. he claims he heard a voice that said, if you don't stop, i will bring this plane down now. he asked the voice who it was. >> of course, it's god. okay. so i promised god to not to express cuss words. so you guys hear me right always because promise to god this, a promise to the filipino people.

>> duterte has cussed out many people including the pope and barack obama. he recently told the u.s. president to go to hell in response to his criticism of duterte's bloody war on drugs. india has managed to maintain economic growth of over 7% for the past two years. the country now aims to use its digital economy to boost growth further. nhk world reports on the country's ideas for this project. >> reporter: going to the bank or shopping in india often involve standing in line for ages. in an attempt to speed things up, an electronic payment system called paytm was launched two years ago. the system allows users to pay their utility fees and even shop anytime, anywhere using their smartphones. more than 140 million people now use the system. >> translator: it saves time and it's very convenient.

>> reporter: the paytm founder touts the system's efficiency. >> one of the things we are trying is that can we bring financial inclusion, giving banking and other financial services to people who do not have access to banking today. >> reporter: the digital economy is expected to have the biggest impact in rural india where nearly 70% of the country's population lives. this portable atm is a new device making life a whole lot more convenient for people in the countryside. they can deposit and withdraw money and take out loans. >> that is how it is very helpful because it's a digitization service. it's a part of the program. so it helps in reaching across the people and that's number one on the technological innovation side and also we are able to reach to the deeper inside of the country. >> reporter: this man, who runs

a grocery shop, opened an account six months ago. now he can get loans from the bank and have a cash card. this has increased the number of purchases he makes. >> translator: it's very handy to not always have to keep cash in hand and to be able to withdraw money from an atm. >> reporter: he also uses an electronic payment system through his smartphone. he's now thinking about replacing his old system. more than 200 million new accounts have been opened in the past two years. india is attracting the world's attention for its strong economic growth. now it is using digital economy to include people from rural areas in this growth. nhk world, new delhi. that wraps up our bulletin. i'm patchari raksawong in bangkok.

mitsubishi motors have china is graying. japan sees that as an opportunity to sell its services. nhk world reports. >> reporter: more than 300 companies took part in a recent trade affair for the nursing care sector. the products showcased by japanese firms caught the eyes of many buyers. from a reclining wheelchair to equipment that enables users to shower while remaining in wheelchairs, japanese manufacturers make ten times the variety of products than chinese

makers. >> translator: japan is accumulated a lot of know how on senior products. it is 30 years ahead of china. >> reporter: facilities are in short supply in china. the government expects more seniors to be cared for in their homes. in anticipation of the launch of the public insurance system, japanese companies are trying to cultivate a market with great potential. this care goods showroom opened a few months ago in beijing. most of the items on display are japanese. >> translator: this spoon is easy to use. >> translator: it's a little expensive. but i'm ready to pay, because our standard of living has been getting higher. >> reporter: the supplier of these services is launching a service that is rare.

it will rent out wheelchairs and beds. >> translator: when the nursing care insurance arrives, the middle class will be able to afford things that until now were only available to the rich. >> reporter: japan's largest nursing care provider has teamed up to offer a comprehensive elderly care. in large cities such as beijing, house keepers often end up having to also provide nursing care. >> translator: this exercise will help people raise their legs and go up and down stairs with greater ease. >> reporter: instructors from

japan are teaching care providers not only how to look after the elderly but also how to help them maintain their physical skills. >> translator: the basic aim is to help seniors remain as self-reliant as possible. so it's different from most nursing care in china. i want to learn how to provide this kind of service. >> translator: when the insurance is introduced, the market for home care services will boom. the challenge we face is to match human resources in a short period of time. we plan to develop a caregivers training system first. >> reporter: the firm has joined hands with housekeeping services in 20 cities as demand for in-home care continues to grow. many other companies are expected to follow the trend. japan's imperial family has

bid farewell to prince mikasa. he died of heart failure on thursday at the age of 100. the prince is the emperor's uncle. emperor akihito and empress michiko visited the prince's residence in tokyo to say their good-byes. the prince's wife, princess yuriko, served as the lead mourner in the ceremony to lay his body in a coffin. other imperial family members also took part. more than 1,000 people visited his residence to sign a book of condolences. prince mikasa's funeral will be held at a cemetery in tokyo on november 4th. in accordance with imperial tradition, the emperor and empress will not attend the funeral, but they will visit the prince's residence two more times to pay their last respects. the okinawa prefectural assembly in southern japan has adopted a resolution protesting an incident last week. a police officer from another prefecture insulted anti-base demonstrators by hurling a slur at them.

the resolution was adopted by a majority vote on friday. it condemns the officer's remarks for deeply offending the people of okinawa. it demands the incident never be repeated again. the word dojin can be translated as uncivilized native and is considered a racial slur. at the time the officer was warning the protesters not to climb over a fence at a u.s. military training site. the group was demonstrating against the helipads under construction there. civic group members and local residents protest daily at the site. the helipads are being built as a precondition to return parts of the training area to the japanese side. the assembly plans to submit the protest resolution to the prefectural police and public safety commission.

world-renowned russian conductor valery gergiev was in tokyo this month for a series of concerts. while in town the maestro took time to sit down with nhk world. he talked about his long-time interest in japan and the importance of cultural ties with his home country. ♪ >> reporter: he is considered to be one of the greatest conductors in the world today. a couple weeks ago he held a concert at nhk hall in tokyo, but he's no stranger to japan. he's visited here more than 100 times. he spoke with us before rehearsal. >> i'm very, very used to performing in japan.

from 1984 when i was really young conductor, totally unknown here, so it's a big part of my musical life. >> reporter: he even held a special concert for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. ♪ >> i love japanese culture. i love the spirit, the in many ways quietness, but also concentration and focus, discipline, and then japan also can be very near fairytale

devotion spirit to music. >> reporter: he's passionate about bringing together musicians in the asia-pacific region. in july the maestro organized the first international music festival in vladivostok. >> we saw fantastic potential in vladivostok for cooperation with the asia-pacific region and the countries where i go so many times, especially japan, but also china, south korea, taiwan. it was clear that we can make enormous progress and strengthen cultural ties with those countries. >> reporter: gergiev also doesn't shy away from commenting on russia's international affairs. president vladimir putin is scheduled to visit japan for a summit.

he says he's optimistic about the future of relations between the two countries. >> we have strong relationship with japan. it's obvious i have strong relationship in russia. the experience is strong. their vision of the world allows them to find very best solutions for global cooperation and for country-to-country cooperation. ♪ >> reporter: when it comes to deepening bilateral relations, he says it's important for diplomatic and political efforts to be supported by cultural exchanges. nhk world, tokyo.

here is the weekend weather forecast. that's all we have for now on nhk "newsline." i'm ross mihara in tokyo. thank you for watching and have a good day. y

>> today on global 3000 we head to chile to check out affordable living options for people on low incomes. in rwanda, environmentalists are trying to prevent a wetland from drying up. but first we go to afghanistan, where there is still a complete lack of security. what does this mean for its people? should they leave or should they stay at co -- stay? the number of civilian casualities in afghanistan has reached a record-high. 5,166 people were killed or injured in the first six months of this year alone. almost a third of them children - victims of almost constant suicide attacks, bombs and