hello there, glad to have you on this edition of "newsline." it's tuesday, may 10th, 8:00 a.m. in tokyo. i'm catherine kobayashi. elevated radiation levels are again hampering the work to bring the troubled fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant under control. tokyo electric power company says it may need to slow down work at the number 1 reactor raising concerns that the overall plans to repair the plant will be reviewed. the company measured radiation levels at several spots in the reactor building on monday as part of its preparation to fill the containment vessel with water and restore a circulating cooling system.

the company's concerned that the reactor's pipes are leaking radioactive water contaminating the area. the test yielded a maximum of 700 millisieverts per hour which would only allow workers to stay in the vicinity for around 20 minutes. however, employees spent half an hour doing the tests and were exposed to as much as 10.56 millisieverts of radiation. tepco says the figures are higher than acceptable for worker safety. >> translator: we hope that radiation levels would go down to 1 millisievert per hour, but things didn't work out that way. we need to bring in some shielding system or clear t the highly contaminated rubble. >> on tuesday the firm will attempt measures to reduce radiation levels including laying down sheets containing lead to insulate the radioactive substances.

it will continue checking the levels but is worried it may need to change plans depending on the results. japan's nuclear safety commission says a new aerial map of radioactive fallout contamination confirmed the radiation levels around the p k fukushima daiichi plant. the japanese dins ministry and u.s. energy department conducted a joint aerial survey from april 6th to the 29th of the area within an 80 kilometer radius of the plant. the map shows the density of radioactive cesium in red or yellow, depending on the concentration in the soil. the high density area lies northwest of the plant, coin siding with data collected on the ground. the chairman told reporters on monday that it's about time to review ways to carry out daily surveys on the ground.

>> i think it will be possible to acquire more meticulous data by comparing results of aerial mappings. it will help to identify the areas that need to be more carefully monitored. the japanese government says the levels of radioactive strontium around the fukushima daiichi plant need to be closely monitored. tepco detected high concentrations of strontium 90 on sunday in samples taken on april 18th inside the plant's compound. the amount is about 130 times higher than before the accident at fukushima daiichi. the prime minister's nuclear adviser said on monday a detailed investigation is necessary to determine how the radioactive substance was scattered. that should include an analysis of past data. once inhaled, the radioactive

strontium accumulates in bones like calcium and could cause cancer. until now the government has not checked strontium levels regularly or in wide areas because it's not easy to distinguish from other radioactive materials and takes time to measure. the operator of the hamaoka nuclear power plant says it will set up a task force to find ways to address possible power shortages this summer. the chubu electric power company decided monday to comply with prime minister naoto kan's request to suspend operation of all the reactors in the plant. >> translator: we're taking the request from the prime minister very seriously. we need to prioritize safety. the very basis of nuclear power. >> translator: i am very relieved that they accepted the request. the government will support companies so that there is no

lack of electricity and will deal with any power shortage problems. >> the company says the decision will force it to stop supplying power to eastern japan which it started doing so when the tokyo electric power company couldn't meet the need because of the trouble at the fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant. the company estimates it will lose about 12% of its power supply after the hamaoka shutdown. the firm will ask its counterpart in western japan to supplement its er supplies during the period. tepco is also seeking supplies to fill a gap of 1 million kilowatts of water created by chubu electric's decision. earlier, we spoke with our political commentator on the topic. >> what is the reaction to the prime minister's request to halt the operations at the hamaoka nuclear plant?

>> many people say it's understandable considering what happened in fukushima. other people also say kan hasn't done enough to explain how hamaoka is different from other facilities. many of japan's nuclear plants are threatened by earthquakes and tsunami. kan referred to research results which cite the high possibility of a massive quake at hamaoka in the near future. however, the same research results indicated the possibility of a big earthquake and tsunami at fukushima daiichi was low. this proves research results are not always right and other nuclear plants might run in trouble before hamaoka. in that sense, critics say in light of what happened in fukushima, kan should suspend other nuclear power plants as well until necessary measures to prevent an emergency are completed. >> that brings us to the question of how are we going to deal with electricity shortage? especially in the summer? what is prime minister naoto kan

saying about that? >> he's mot not saying much about that actually. that's another reason why he's facing criticism. he seems to be leaving that up to one company. chubu electric said it can meet demand of 25,600 megawatts if hamaoka shuts. relying on plants to fill the power gap would push up costs by about $9 million a day. how those costs will be covered is not yet known. in addition, an unusually hot summer would raise the risk of chubu not having enough capacity to meet peak demand. which could cause problems for toyota motor corporation and other major manufacturers with factories in the region. that would be a big economic issue for the entire country. kan as prime minister should show his plan about a potential

shift in energy policy as soon as possible. >> some say the prime minister did not go through the proper legal procedures to request the suspension sp is that true? >> yeah, that's right. he did not ask the government experts such as the nuclear safety commission to make a scientific conclusion so the law could be changed. then the government could order chubu electric to shut hamaoka down. instead, kan made a decision to ask chubu electricity directly. it's hard to imagine private company saying no to the leader of the country. opposition lawmakers and even ruling party members have criticized kan for this, saying he wanted to put on the political performance. he has been unpopular because of major policies such as tax hike and so-called weak need

diplomacy toward china and russia. also criticized for tardy measures after the quake including radiation leaks. he's now under pressure to resi resign. lawmakers critical of kan insist he's only trying to regain public support by suspending operations at hamaoka. >> thanks. that was our political commentator. australia is preparing to submit documents to the international court of justice is support its case against japan's research whaling. the australian government issued a statement monday saying it would turn over material to the court in the hague. seeking suspension of japan's whaling operations in the

antarctic ocean. the submission remains confidential until next march. the australian government is likely to maintain the operations are a breach of international law and de facto commercial whaling. the japanese government maintains the whaling is legal and based on international conventions. japan suspended whaling operations in the antarctic ocean this winter after the anti-whaling group sea shepard obstructing its ships. it's the first stoppage since japan began sending whaling ships to the antarctic in 1987. a new poll suggests the daughter of former peruvian president fujimori is in the lead ahead of a presidential runoff scheduled june 5th. fujimori is running against leftist former army officer. the results of the national survey were released on sunday. it gave fujimori a 41% support rate and umala 39%.

previous polls put umala in front of fujimori. umala garnered 31% of the vote, fujimori in second. many people think umala may roll back the free market economic policies peru has pursued for two decades. fujimori is coming under criticism because of her father. the former president who's now serving a prison term after convicted of ordering killings of civilians and other crimes while in office. 12% of the respondents say they don't support either candidate. next we go to our bureau in bangkok. what's going on in the region. >> good evening, from the thai capital. we start with a deadly tropical storm which lashed the philippines on monday causing floods and landslides. nhk world reports by phone from manila.

>> reporter: heavy rains and strong winds from tropical storm eric, widespread damage, left at least ten people dead. according to national disaster office, in one tragic accident, a house, killing a family of three including an 8-month-old baby girl. around 7,000 people are taking refuge amid widespread flooding and the destruction of homes. heavy rains are forecast to continue until tuesday. the philippine government advised the citizens to watch out for landslides and flooding rivers. nhk world, manila. southeast asia enjoys robust economic growth, many japanese companies that are struggling in their home market are trying to

make inroads here instead. among them, more small and medium-sized enterprises are discovering they can be successful overseas. so how do they do it? nhk world takes a look. >> reporter: singapore's economy keeps growing at the fast pace. a growth rate last year. 35 japanese food makers met to talk business on this day. a session like this is held in singapore almost every week. >> translator: overseas markets are getting bigger and bigger. smaller companies like us may be able to find a path to survival there. >> reporter: inquiries from small japanese companies

interested in moving into singapore have tripled over the past year. japan external trade organization's office in singapore. the common problems are they don't know much about the local business climate, have no connection in the local business community and don't know how to recruit top talent. >> translator: the lack of information and experience worries them. they fear it would be hard to do business without knowing if their products really meet local demand or not. >> reporter: this japanese chemical maker has a bold business plan. the company has survived by venturing into asian and other overseas markets.

human resources were a big problem. >> translator: being a smaller company, we don't have extensive human resources. our objective is not simply to build a plant outside japan, but to sell our products in the local market. >> reporter: how did a company clear that hurdle? localization was the answer. local management who knew the ins and outs of the local market were entrusted to run the singapore business. all of the employees are singaporians. good job is rewarded with promotion. the singaporian system -- >> translator: the president trusts us so much.

people are surprised to know there are no japanese here. >> reporter: the chemical maker employed the same system. when it launched its business in other countries. that's how it expanded its overseas operations. >> translator: our company doesn't have what other companies call the head office. our company is like an international congregation of small businesses. >> reporter: whether a company can recruit excellent local talent and let them run local operations determines the venture. he's joining hands with his new colleagues to move forward. nhk world, singapore. the chemical maker now has offices and plants in eight countries abroad run by employees of 25 different nationalities.

next, cheers and excitement in the streets of manila. boxing fans braved heavy rain to watch manny pacio against shane moseley. after an intensive 12-round fight, pacio won an unanimous decision from the judges and retained his crown. >> translator: there's no doubt pacio did an excellent job as always. he never loses. he will usalways win, no matter who challenges him. >> pacio is a national hero. so many filipinos follow his every move on television. crime rates in manila are said to drop whenever he fights. that wraps up our bulletin. reporting from bangkok. >> all right. now, from the rings in las

vegas to the sumo ring. let's check out the latest in the sumo world with ross mihara. japan's traditional sport of sumo has taken the first steps in recovering from a crippling match rigging scandal. the tournament has started in place of the usual may tournament. seeking seventh straight top division title. that will tie him for the largest streak ever. his opponent is no pushover, though. top rank and file goaido. it's a one sided match. dominates from start to finish, cruising to a second victory in as many days. pulling underarm throw. here's a look at the other highlight bouts on day two.

sato got a black eye from practice before the tourney and seemed to zap his strength in day one. against kitataki, he has an eye on the win. he makes a quick recovery, takes this bout with ease by forceout. top homegrown at the moment. of the four, draws the toughest opponent on day two, mongolian kakuryu. kakuryu gets off to a solid start. he has to rely on his weight advantage to rally in the end. outmuscles. but it is hardly an impressive victory. will turn 29 years old in a couple months.

anyone is wondering if he has anything left. the rumbling grew louder on day one. he comes back strong here. the oldest shows he still has something left in the gas tank winning with an impressive forceout to even his record at 1-1. grand champion haku said he and the rest sempl simply want to concentrate on solid sumo. it remains to be seen if this will be enough to regain the support of fans. now let's take a look at the market figures.

hi there, welcome to your weather update. we're taking a look at weather in the philippines first of all. those satellite shots showing the clouds moving away from the northern philippines. that's our tropical storm system. looks like it's losing a little bit of steam breaking up a little bit more. it is on a weakening track. that's good news because it's already brought a lot of heavy rain and strong winds to northern end of the philippines. at least 13 deaths have been reported already. so it's been a deadly system. it's now moving away from the country, and likely heading into

a northest easterly track. hopefully it will become a tropical depression. it's weakening as it hits the cooler water in the north. now in terms of rain, a lot of that really heavy rain is moving away from the philippines and is out over sea. scattered showers again, today. you do want to continue to be on the watch for further flooding as well as potential landslides. taiwan will miss the bulk of the heavy rain as well. still scattered showers throughout the day. then we will keep close eye on okinawa islands, too, as you may see more rain in the next few days. meanwhile, we have this frontal boundary to the north of the tropical storm system. it's becoming really active today. a lot of warm, humid air coming in from the system. it's bringing in a lot of heavy rain. we're going to see that heavy rain impact central china, the korean peninsula then on in toward even japan today. more heavy rain for this large area. here, too, you want to watch out for flooding as well as

landslides risks. highs on tuesday, we'll see a lot of warmth moving into shanghai, 34 degrees in your forecast high today. hot conditions. 33 in taipei. getting up to 26 in beijing and 28 degrees expected in tokyo today. it's going to be a humid, sticky day. as for quake affected areas, today, looks like a few showers will impact miyako for the morning hours. then it should look drier here. that will continue on into wednesday. more sunshine for you to come. from sendai, into onihama, showers throughout, into about the midday hours. then after that, it should look a lot drier. for mito, the rain won't start up until the afternoon and you may see thunder showers along with that. that will continue into wednesday morning for you here. and getting a look at europe now. still looking at the system swirling just off in atlantic here. still bringing winds and rain to the british isles. also this frontal boundary just

over western europe will produce some scattered showers for areas like france and the low countries, parts of western germany as well. another unsettled area, the black sea region as well as the southern end of the balgen peninsula, southern italy, too, scattered showers. heavy downpours and thunderstorms are going to be possible in parts of italy. as for highs, warming up in berlin, 26 high on tuesday. looking warm in vienna as well. iberian peninsula, too. 26 in madrid. 26 in lisbon. hot here for this time of year. here is your three-day outlook.

our lead story this hour, elevated radiation levels are again hampering the work to bring the troubled fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant under control. tokyo electric power company says it may need to slow down work at the number 1 reactor raising concerns that the overall plans to repair the plant will be reviewed. the company measured radiation levels at several spots in the reactor building on monday as part of its preparation to fill the containment vessel with water and restore a circulating cooling system. the company's concerned that the reactor's pipes are leaking radioactive water contaminating the area. the test yielded a maximum of 700 millisieverts per hour which would only allow workers to stay in the vicinity for around 20 minutes. however, employees spent half an hour doing the tests and were exposed to as much as 10.56 millisieverts of radiation.

tepco says the figures are higher than acceptable for worker safety. >> translator: we hope that radiation levels would go down to 1 millisievert per hour, but things didn't work out that way. we need to bring in some shielding system or clear out the highly contaminated rubble. >> on tuesday the firm will attempt measures to reduce radiation levels including laying down sheets containing lead to insulate the radioactive substances. it will continue checking the levels but is worried it may need to change plans depending on the results. that wraps up this edition of "newsline." i'm catherine kobayashi in tokyo. do stay with us. we'll bring you more updates at the top of the next hour. hope to see you then. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com