hello and thank you for joining us on this edition of nhk "newsline." i'm raja pradhan in tokyo. malaysia's police chief made a major announcement into the investigation of the killing of kim jong-nam. he says one of the most toxic nerve agents was used to kill the half brother of the north korean leader. people in malaysia are shocked by the news that the vx agent was used at a busy airport. >> translator: i want to confirm it is the xv nerve agent which is a chemical weapon. >> he said on friday swab taken from kim's eyes and face tested positive tore the substance. vx is banned under an

international treaty. the police chief said investigators are trying to determine how the substance was people are voicing concerns over airport security. >> i think it's very big concern for security if somebody can carry poison that's very scary. >> wow. big strong effort, yeah, security. >> kim died last week after being assaulted as he prepared to board a flight to macau. the police have delay people in in custody. the chief said one of them was made ill by the toxin. >> i don't want to explain much. >> the third suspect is a north korean man. the police raided his home near kuala lumpur. chemicals were seized from the condo along with other evidence. they demand that north korea handled over four other men. they want to question more north

koreans who are still in malaysia. they include an embassy official and employee of the state-owned airlines. the agent used was probably brought to malaysia from north korea. the chemical weapons specialist said the perpetrators likely chose vx because of its high toxicity and ability to penetrate the skin. >> translator: vx would be a likely choice due to its accessibility. it allows you to target someone selectively, if you can get it

into the eyes the effect is high. it increases the likelihood that the target will be killed. >> he says the nations that have ratified the chemical weapons convention are strictly prohibited from manufacturing vx. north korea is one of the few countries that has been signed the treaty. manufacturing vx is quite complicated requiring special knowledge and equipment. he says that makes it likely the chemical was brought from north korea. >> translator: the north korean military can manufacture military weapons and has stockpiles of them. so the vx was likely brought over from the north. there would be many ways to bring it into malaysia. the diplomatic ties between the two countries would mean it could be brought in a diplomatic package into the country.

>> malaysian police have south corporation from the embassy. they want to question two more men. now, japan was also the site of vx attacks over 20 years ago. a cult group carried out the attacks. in the 1990s the leader said to produce vx. the cult then used the substance to attack people deemed critical of their movement. in 1994 they killed one man and injured another. the next year, they injured one more. the survivor says still has numbness in his right hand and others. he spoke to nhk about the attack. >> translator: just after the attack my eyesight started to fail. i was later diagnosed with excessive constriction of the

pupils which i didn't really understand. i told my wife it's dark in here, and she said, but the lights are on. i was burning up. i started taking off some clothes and was sweating. i came to a few days later in a hospital and i said, what happened? where am i? when i heard about the killing in malaysia, the first thing i thought was that the symptoms were similar to mine. later on, i was sure about it. i have no doubt. the vx agent is really the only thing in the world that can cause some symptoms. i think this toxic agent shouldn't exist in the world, but it does.

a medical university president in western japan is being asked to step down. he's alleged to have ties with a gang boss affiliated with japan's largest crime syndicate. the university of medicine submitted the written request on friday to the president's lawyer. they said the man shoulders a heavy moral responsibility. they say if he refuses to resign, they'll call the university's presidential committee to dismiss him. the university has been investigating doctors. the man has admitted to meeting with the gang leader by chance at a couple of occasions at restaurants but he denies having a close relationship. he says he has no intentions of resigning at this time. japanese game maker nintendo is using a go cart company

on copyright infringement. they rent costumes similar to the mario games. they filed on friday seeking damages. they claim they use images of costume clad characters for publicity. maricart says it started doing this after consulting lawyers and it does not infringe the copyright. they're baffled by the lawsuit as a nintendo spokesperson expressed understanding. the japanese government wants companies to leave work early on the last friday of each month, an initiative called premium friday. the hope is that workers will use their free time to spend money and help spurt consumer spending. here is our reporter on how people are taking to the idea.

>> reporter: it's 3:00 in the afternoon, and these economy of ministry officials are leaving the office. they usually work until late at night. but the government wants them and all japanese workers to enjoy the afternoon. hanging out with friends while the sun is still up, heading out of town for the weekend, or spending a few hours at luxurious bar. >> i would like to go out drinking or traveling would be nice too. >> reporter: the government calls it premium friday and earmarked almost $2 million for the campaign. they're not just doing it to be nice. officials believe getting people to spend more is the key to revitalizing the sluggish economy. so they're trying to make small changes to a culture where working long hours is deeply rooted and where many use more of their time making money than

spending it. retailers and restaurants have been quick to respond, some offering more early bird specials. travel agencies are also creating trips that leave in the afternoon, and a super market chain is offering hands-on courses like yoga classes. but not every office worker is excited. >> translator: i'm not hearing anything about premium friday. it doesn't feel like it's actually going on. >> translator: i believe in the end someone will suffer because the total amount of work isn't going to decrease. >> reporter: while some big businesses are taking part, others say serving customers remains their top priority. now, one leading construction company is trying to change the employees' work file using premium friday as a spring board.

they will let 19,000 workers leaving at noon one friday every other month. it's three hours earlier than the government has deemed. even its model homes and construction sites will be closed. >> translator: if people don't work and play hard or if this efficient way of working doesn't spread throughout japan, i'm worried we're going to be less competitive in the global market. >> reporter: managers have been tackling work-life balance for years. they hope they can attract the best workers at a time when they're in short supply. so will the campaign make a difference? one economist says we need to wait and see. >> translator: if managers

really start to think about work efficiency and change their work environment or if people start talking about how they enjoy the premium friday afternoons, then it will take root and have a positive effect on the economy. >> reporter: on top of sparking the economy, the government hopes it will solve the problem of work-life balance. the campaign will continue next month. an economist will be crunching the numbers to see if it actually paid off. nhk world. leaders in some asian countries are looking beyond the decision by the united states to pull out of the tpp free trade deal. they're turning their focus to another free trade framework, the regional comprehensive trade dead. officials are in tokyo.. officials are in tokyl.

officials are in toky. officials are in tokyo. >> translator: the push toward protectionism is growing throughout the world so given the expectations in asia, it's important that members agree on trade rules that are open and fair. >> the trade deal would take in 16 nations, including japan, china and asian member. the likely state of the tpp their deal has taken on significance. the 16 countries began talks years ago but they failed to find ground on the goods that should be reduced or tariffs. china has appointed three new ministers in an anticorruption campaign. the effort is seen as the president is seen to hold power. the standing committee of the national people's congress announced the cabinet shake-up on friday. the three are believed to have close ties with xi.

hail has been tapped to lead the national reform commission. he's the vice chairperson. this one is being promoted to head of the commerce ministry. jong jun has been named the new justice minister. last month's close aides of xi were selected to be mayors of beijing and shanghai. japan's prime minister shinzo abe said his wife has resigned as an honorary principal in a school. they bought state owned land in osaka for a fraction of its appraised value prompting questions from opposition lawmakers.

>> translator: my wife has decided it to be detrimental to both the students of the school and the parents if she remained as honorary principal. so she has informed them of her resignation. >> abe also said he objected to the school operator using his name in fund-raising activities. he denied that he, his wife or office had any involvement in the acquisition of the land. the operator bought the land last year. it paid just 14% of the appraised value. the government maintains the price reflected the cost of clearing the site. the school operator claims it found old construction debris and household garbage buried ten meters underground. the prime minister said he considered the sale to be legal and he'll monitor an inspection by the board of audit. now, the operator is also under scrutiny for the way it's running another school in osaka.

education officials will investigate what some parents are describing as extreme discipline in a kindergarten. the education ministry called for the investigation in response to complaints from parents. they say children are not allowed to go to the bathroom when they want and even 2-year-olds are barred from wearing diapers. the ministry says if the complaints are true the rules may constitute corporal punishment. technology developed for civilian use often makes its way into military applications across the globe. that creates a dilemma for scientists especially in japan with its war renouncing constitution. nhk world has more on the battle among researchers.

>> reporter: 300 participants made their position known held by the science council of japan. scientists should be closer in conducting research for military technology. the history of world war ii looms large. japanese scientists cooperated with the military regarding the devastation across asia and the pacific. in 1950 the council issued a statement that scientists were strictly refrained from research for war. in 2016 the government developed different program guidelines calling for utilizing civilians to use technology in defense. the defense ministry started a program two years ago to provide funds for basic studies by

universities and research institutes. the ministry said the project has received more than 150 applications so far and accepted 19 of them. the budget for such activity is increasing. >> translator: some university researchers are conducting outstanding work. looking ahead to possible bio situations in the next 20 years we want to make use of their findings for future defense systems. >> reporter: this man is among those who received defense ministry funding. he has been studying some electric batteries using eco-friendly materials. the batteries change heat into electricity.

in cars they combust the heat into power, thus, increasing efficiency. >> translator: it can reduce fuel consumption and cut co-2 emissions. >> reporter: a number of countries are studying how to use the technology in other military equipment as it functions in extreme conditions. ida applied for support because the program covers basic research and allows him to disclose his findings. he will receive nearly $800,000 over three years. >> translator: i can't rule out the possibility that my research will be used in defense equipment. but peaceful civilian use is the main objective. >> reporter: the personal view of the science council head said taking part in self-defense projects ought to be okay. >> translator: considering what the general public and scholars think about defense i believe it's fine for scientists to participate in the program under

certain conditions. >> reporter: a bonus say japanese scientists should not be involved in any work that may lead to an arms race especially since the country's constitution denounces war. >> translator: the world's weapons are becoming more sophisticated. if japanese technology is integrated into them our technology will be used in battlefields around the world. scientists should stay away. >> reporter: the united states has also been providing research money to japanese universities. the science council plans to present its conclusion at the meeting in april. that announcement, however, may not end the debate. nhk world, tokyo. the number of visitors to the hiroshima peace memorial museum in fiscal 2016 has broken the previous records 25 years

ago. museum officials say last year about 1.6 million people toured the facility that promotes peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons. vivid displays shows the extent of the damage caused by the u.s. atomic bombing. curators preserved 90,000 photos along with personal belongings of victims. >> translator: i've brought my grandchild here for the first time. i think war is a waste. >> seeing it also there and then looking out here, how hiroshima is looking now. i can't imagine. i can't imagine. in may last year barack in may last year barack obama was the first sitting u.s. president to visit the museum. he donated to the museum paper cranes he folded himself. his visit is helping to boost

the number of visitors. >> translator: we will facilitate an environment that's conducive to visitors to be able to fully take in the exhibits. visitors to take in the exhibits >> he hopes visitors can come to understand what happened in august 6, 1945. players and fans of japan's professional soccer league are preparing for the new season. one of its most famous players is also the oldest. he's known as kazu. here's how he looks at how he feels in his decades long career. >> reporter: this goal last season was one of more than 160 the japanese legend has scored

in his time in japan's pro leagues. what made it record break was his age, 49. needless to say, he's had a long career. he made his professional debut in brazil. his profile rose on the back of some eye catching performances. after returning to japan he was named the j league's first-ever mvp. and he brought a new sense of style to the sport. when he runs on to the pitch this season he'll be the first at his age in the league. >> translator: i know that everyone is watching me as a 50-year-old player. and i'll keep that in mind as i take on this challenge and try to live up to their expectations. >> reporter: as he trains in

guam he follows the same work out plan as athletes two decades younger than him. >> translator: it's incredible that he can run so fast at his age. >> translator: it's hard. it's extremely hard during the training. but when it's finished i enjoy thinking that this will make a difference when the season starts. >> reporter: miura frequently checks to keep his heart rate optimal and avoid exhaustion. he's had to change the way he exercises. when he was younger he would test his limits. but now he focuses on three hours of basic training. strengthening his ankles and knees. >> translator: my muscle mass has dropped. and i feel my body has aged. my performance will decline much faster than young players unless i keep practicing diligently. so i'll keep on working.

>> reporter: over the years he has had to accept some defeats like being eclipsed by younger stars. and being cut from japan's first team to reach the world cup finals. but he says none of that changes his love of the game. >> translator: i think nothing has changed in me in the 32 years since i turned pro. frustration and not being able to play in games, enthusiasm for training. my desire to play in matches. my feelings towards all of that are the same as when i was 18. >> reporter: he says he's not focusing on the future but taking each day one at a time. >> translator: i know the day will definitely come when i have to retire. but i'm not thinking about when or how.

i'm thinking about how i should spend each day so i can keep playing. >> he kicks off his next season on sunday. that's also his 50th birthday. and now there's more to come here on nhk "newsline". but first a three day outlook on the world's weather.

here's one more story for you before we go. about a thousand russians braved

subzero temperatures on friday to take part in one of the largest ice fishing competitions. in southern sakhalin they tried to catch a local winter staple, saffron. they dropped lines down the holes drilled into the river's thick ice. teams with four members each competed to see which team could catch the most fish. the minus 10 degrees celsius froze the fish within a few minutes after being pulled from the water. some teams caught more than 30 fish in only an hour. >> translator: ill cook fish at home and offer some to my neighbors, too. >> the locals say saffron this is cod are enjoyed lightly breed with flour and fried in oil. and that's all for now on this edition of nhk "newsline". i'm raja pradhan in tokyo and from all of us at nhk world, thanks for watching.

♪ >> this week in global 3000 we head to the united states where we meet the ever-prepared preppers. in the guatemalan rainforest we learn what food and woodland conservation have in common but first we go to china, where divorce rates are rising and paving the way for new business ideas. the big day! around the world, weddings are pretty much always an excuse to celebrate in style. in 2015, more than 400,000 couples tied the knot in germany alone. but marriage is no longer necessarily the life-long bond