welcome to nhk world "newsline," i'm gene otani in tokyo. here's a look at some of the stories we're following this hour. russia tightens restrictions for air travelers, ahead of the winter olympics, as authorities investigate a gruesome crime a few hundred kilometers from sochi. prime minister shinzo abe's working to build stronger economic ties with african nations as he becomes the first japanese leader to tour the continent in eight years.

and sumo wrestlers in japan are limbering up for their new year tournament. we'll meet a young challenger who's heading to the highest division. the russian resort town of sochi is just four weeks away from welcoming the world. but more concerns about security are playing out in the lead-up to the winter olympics. investigators in the southern region say they found five people shot dead in abandoned cars. they found the vehicles in different locations. they say a homemade explosive device was near one of the cars. reuters says security forces are now on high alert. the region is about 300 kilometers from sochi. russian authorities are also taking action to keep the skies safe. they've banned travelers from boarding planes with liquids on both domestic and international flights. passengers have been allowed to

take liquids in containers of up to 100 millimeters. regulators say they could make exceptions for medicine and milk for infants. prime minister dmitry medvedev told officials at a train station in moscow to tighten security. the station offers service to sochi. he's responding, in part, to last month's suicide bombings on the transportation system in the city of volgograd. the explosions killed 34 people. the attacks have led some to question the security preparations for the thousands of athletes and tourists expected at the games. we earlier spoke with an international policy analyst at the rand corporation, olga oliker. we asked her how the russian authorities are handling security and what's at stake for president vladimir putin. >> they have thousands of police and security forces in sochi. you can't get in to the region, much less the city, unless you live there, or unless you're directly involved with the olympics. i mean this is a very secure

environment. they're reading people's mail. so they're doing everything they possibly can. they have moved a lot of security forces to sochi for the olympics. on the other hand, they very much don't want the olympics disrupted by attacks elsewhere. so i think this is a balancing act that the russian government and security forces will be carefully calibrating, and again, doing their level best putting all the resources they possibly can in to keeping things safe through the olympics period. we know very little because no one has taken responsibility. we do know that the head of the caucasus emirate, the umbrella organization for a range of jihadist groups in southern russia has called for attacks leading up to and on the olympics. and we have heard some evidence that suggests that the bomber may have been a convert to islam or at least one of the bombers. russia's human rights record, which is not the best human rights record imaginable, is one

issue, and it certainly, the olympics are a good time to draw attention to it, and to raise critiques. the amnesty -- state prisoners without changing the laws that put them in prison or without giving them pardons doesn't really respond particularly well to the human rights question. it does grant freedom to those individuals but it's not -- it's not a broader solution. but putin has a lot at stake at these olympics because it's very important to him to put on a good show, to demonstrate that russia is capable, modern nation, and that sochi, a city that is not moscow or st. petersburg, is a place that can put on a world-class event. and that, you know, that shows that russia really has arrived. that it's a completely, fully modern country, ready to welcome people from around the world. >> that was olga oliker, a senior analyst at the rand corporation.

japanese prime minister shinzo abe is set to arrive in cote d'ivoire after leaving omen. he's the first japanese prime minister to visit the west african country. abe will tell president alassane ouattara that japan is ready to help cote d'ivoire, or ivory coast, rebuild itself after its civil war in 2011. abe is also meeting leaders of other west african nations while he is in cote d'ivoire. he will offer japan's help in dealing with refugee issues. abe says he will tell leaders japan is willing to help train people to achieve stability, and economic growth in the region. abe's making the first visit to africa by a japanese prime minister in eight years. to talk about what he's trying to do there, joining me now is nhk world's kaori nago. why did abe choose the destination for his first overseas tour this year? >> abe considers africa a

promising economic frontier that projected annual growth this year of 6%. and he's visiting cote d'ivoire, mozambique, ethiopia this time. and business executives following him on this trip know they're falling behind their rifles in west africa. they're imagining the possibilities in cote d'ivoire, for example, of trade and distribution hub. and last year japanese officials chose mozambique to sign their first investment deal with an african country. business dealings have already jumped in several agriculture authorities. >> so executives are looking there for fuel? >> the examples, just talked about, suggest that they have been keen on natural resources. operators of japanese nuclear power plants shut them down one by one after the disaster in fukushima. and japanese officials have been

increased crude oil and natural gas to drive power stations. they're looking to africa to secure more supplies. but like everyone else, they lag behind the chinese. china's start-up investment in africa is more than three times that of japan. chinese foreign minister is also visiting africa this week. chinese officials make frequent visits to ensure they nurture their relationships there. >> how has all this interest in the region changed the market for commodities? >> china's appetite for oil, for gas, for copper, for example, they have test driven rapid economic expansion of resource rich countries, and with the slowdown in china, prices have started to decline. production of shale gas in the united states has provided by another alternative, and put more downward pressure on prices.

so african leaders are looking to -- looking forward for more partners. >> african countries say we need tourism investment, so i think this african side is also expected from our prime minister to the more increasing investment. >> african leaders also recognize they need to change their dependence on natural resources. so they are calling for more foreign investment in manufacturing, and agriculture. they want partners who can help. >> kaori, thanks, as always. china's trade numbers are at

a record, except for its one country. ron madison is here with the details on that. >> yeah, certainly looking pretty good. that's despite yet another month of shrinking trade with japan. it seems the political tensions between the two economic giants really hampering trade between the two, gene. let's go through the numbers now. global trade, topped $4 trillion for the first time last year, climbing 7.6% from 2012. but trade with japan did shrink for the second straight year. chinese customs authorities say overall exports rose 7.9% to $2,210 billion. imports time to $1.95 trillion. that was up 7.3%. exports and imports together totalled 4 trillion 160 billion dollars. the world's second biggest economy had a trade surplus of it 259.8 billion dollars in 2013 growing 12.4% from the prior year. officials say the recovery of

the global economy pushed up exports. imports also recorded a sizable gain due to the country's stable economic growth. meanwhile, china's exports to japan dipped 0.9% to $150.3 billion, while imports were down 8.7%, at $162.3 billion. two-way trade amounted to $312.6 billion, a 5.1% drop. a senior chinese customs official indicated that the strained relations between the two countries led to the decline in bilateral trade. japan's prime minister shinzo abe plans to attend this year's meeting of the world economic forum in davos switzerland. chief cabinet secretary suga said abe will deliver a keynote address at the opening session on january 22nd. this will be the first time for a japanese prime minister to make such a speech at the forum.

>> translator: it will be an excellent opportunity for japan to explain its economic, and diplomatic, policies to the world. >> during his three-day stay in davos, abe is expected to exchange views with the forum's executive chairman clause schwab as well as other officials. a key index with japan's economy rose in november for the third straight month. government officials say demand grew for a wide range of products ahead of a consumption tax hike in april. officials at the cabinet office say the coincident index edged up 0.1 of a point from october to 110.5. this index reflects the current state of the economy. officials note that car production, and shipments, were strong during the month. the job market also shows an improvement. the ratio of job openings to job seekers reached the highest level in more than six years. the leading index, meantime, which forecasts the economy a few months down the road, gained one point to 110.8. it also marked the third

straight month of increase. officials attribute the rise in part to a declining inventory in the steel industry. this is due to an increase in housing starts. they say the business outlook for small and medium-sized firms also improved. on to the markets now. investors across the globe keeping a close eye on the latest u.s. monthly employment report. it is due out in just a couple of hours. ahead of this, though, the dollar is trading in a narrow range against the yen. right now at 104.97. the british pound, also slid, following a series of weaker than expected data out of the uk. they included industrial output numbers. there you see the figure there. let's move on to equities now. european stocks are showing modest gains at this hour. london is up by almost 0.9% in fact. frankfurt's dax gaining 0.8%. the cac 40 in paris seeing gains of just over 0.6%. france's upbeat industrial

production numbers are supporting overall sentiment. here in asia, shares closed mixed. tokyo's nikkei rose 0.2%. that did trim losses for the week to 2.3%. shanghai's -- china's shanghai composite sank to a five-month low while hong kong's hang seng index eked out a weekly advance. u.s. lawmakers have introduced a bill with far-reaching implications for american trade. negotiates are trying to finalize a couple of trade deals. the transpacific partnership, and another with the european union. congressional leaders wans to give president barack obama greater powers in getting those agreements passed. lawmakers from both parties admitted the trade authority bill, it would grant the president what's known as fast track authority. the bill would allow negotiators to reach agreements that congress could approve or reject without making changes. >> that's right, madam president, the trade authority clearly we're going to get transpacific partnership agreement and clearly without

the trade promotional authority we won't. >> fast track authority is considered essential for negotiators trying to reach last-minute compromises for a tpp deal. the bill would also impose requirements on government officials. they would have to take steps to ensure other tpp nations are not manipulating the value of their currency to benefit exports. transeconomic revitalization minister has welcomed the bill. amari says it's a good sign for the tpp. >> translator: this shows a strong intention by the u.s. to conclude the transpacific partnership agreement. >> amari also commented on the weak yen. he said japan's monetary policy is not designed to control foreign exchange rates. and that is going to wrap it up for biz tonight. let's close things out with the markets.

every morning investors turn their attention to asia. the tokyo market leads the way. and markets around the world follow. >> from the decisions that could change the course of an economy. >> to the latest business trends. >> up to the minute market reports. >> and analysis by specialists from around the world. >> get all the latest business news and insight every day. here on "newsline." delegates from more than 30

countries have met in washington to discuss ways to cooperate in exploring space. analysts say the u.s. is hoping to solidify its position as the key player in the exploration of our solar system and beyond. the u.s. government hosted the international space exploration forum. the delegates discussed how countries could work together on space projects such as the international space station and a possible exploration of mars. the u.s. deputy secretary of state announced that the obama administration has extended the operation of the iss by four years until 2024. william burns called on other nations to join the project. >> we should encourage more countries to participate in the activities of the international space station. the station remains the leading space platform for global research and development. >> japan will host the next forum. japan's science minister shim

moor ra told the delegates that a new plan is needed for space exploration after the iss closes. last month china successfully landed an unmanned probe on the moon. it became one of only three countries after the former soviet union and the u.s. to achieve that feat. sumo wrestlers will take to the ring in tokyo this sunday for their new year tournament. one young challenger will make his debut in the top division. he's the first rikishi to make it there from the stable run by one of 9 all-time great yokozunas, the highest ranking man in the sport. hiro morita introduces us to takeo noiba. >> reporter: takeo noiba is 23 years old. he's 181 centimeters tall and weighs 146 kilograms 73 this is

his final match in the kyushu tournament held last november. takanoire won the match. that got him promoted. his master was on hand to see his victory. >> translator: i was happy at first. but now i feel a stronger need to train harder. in order to become a better wrestler. all the rikishis are tough. >> reporter: takanoiwa is skilled at grasping his opponent's belt. now he's working on his weak point, the pushing technique. >> translator: until now he wasn't pushing as hard as he could because he didn't have the physical or mental strength. >> reporter: takanoiwa was born in mongolia.

he loved sumo from an early age. takanahano was his a dool. he came to japan to study sumo when he was in high school. he joined the stable five years ago. he has lost both his parents. he sees takanahanos amore than a respected mentor. >> translator: all of us in the stable feel that our master and his wife truly consider us their sons. my master is like a father to me. >> reporter: tack know hannah was once called the prince of the sumo world. people from all walks of life and all ages were his fans. he won 22 championships.

he's one of the greatest yokozuna grand champions ever. in this legendary match, takanohana fought hard against his rival, despite having an injury. takanohana's victory made a strong impression on takanoiwa, his future pupil. >> translator: i think it's proof of mental strength that he won the championship, despite having an injured knee. >> reporter: last january, takanoiwa won the second junior division. people expected him to advance soon after that but it took him five more tournaments to finally break through. >> translator: he couldn't advanced sooner, because he wasn't ready for it. physically or mentally.

so, i said, don't advance too soon. struggle and suffer more. the more you lose, the better you become. >> reporter: takanohana says being promoted to the makanochi division gives takanoiwa a chance to show he has what it takes to be a tough rikishi. >> this will be a trance for him to display the strength he's building up. in some ways this tournament will be the highlight of his sumo career so far. the true test begins now. >> translator: i'm going to push forward without holding back. if i take it too easy, i'll probably be beaten. so i like to stay extra focused. >> reporter: the tournament starts this sunday. takaniowa is training hard so he can keep advancing toward the top. hiro morita, nhk world.

it's not only people who are bundling up against the cold, a farmer in northern japan has covered his newborn calves with insulated material to ward off the freezing temperatures. a dairy farmer in the tokachi region has put cotton padded blankets over his newborn calves. he says he's careful about keeping the animals warm because they could easily get sick in the cold. he has also installed heaters, and enclosed their stalls with plastic to keep the wind from blowing. >> translator: it will get even colder as days go by. so i'm going to do everything i can to help the calves stay healthy. >> temperatures in the region dipped to as low as minus 23 degrees celsius on friday.

and temperatures are dropping throughout japan. our meteorologist robert speta has been following the situation. robert? >> yeah, gene. many people out here, you want to have a jacket ready, some gloves and a hat once you start heading out this evening, because things are going to remain chilly, especially along the pacific coast of japan. things are remaining cold but the good news here is it's remaining rather dry. the reason is, we have our sea effect snow machine coming through. that's going to pick up the moisture out of the sea of japan. what's been happening is hitting the coastline here. by the time it makes it over to tokyo we've been seeing some sunny skies out here throughout most of the day. over here though on the sea of japan coast, you still could expect some 40 to 50 centimeters in the next 24 hours. that's on top of what's already fallen. some areas have seen up to about 55 centimeters thursday going into friday. take a look at a video coming out of kanazawa where very frigid temperatures, indeed, some heavy knowfall hit this

area, as well. temperature actually, the mercury dropped down to about 7 degrees below zero in one of the cities where you're seeing this video come out of here on friday morning. some cars sliding on the roads, very slick surfaces. person had to walk their bike just trying to stay off the ice, rather dangerous. so definitely you want to be careful when you're out and about in these slick conditions. do want to stay warm. now, the sea effect snow machine is going to be staying in place here. the good news, by the end of the week, should start to shut off. high pressure will start to come in from the west. much of china, you're feeling that right now. drier conditions off here towards the north. very chilly temperatures in your forecast. look towards the philippines, you have that area in pink and purple moving there in to mindanao. what that means, is heavy rainfall. the reason is, low pressure area expecting this to intensify to a tropical depression move across mindanao, and remember these are the areas still recovering from

haiyan. so as that moisture comes onshore you're going to be seeing some regions, 250 to 300 millimeters of rain. this could cause flooding, even landslides out of this. really serious threat. want to keep an eye on it. also winds extending north to south very well could be up to about 50 kilometers per hour, or even higher than that. so you want to watch out for that. let's continue on the topic, down south in the southern hemisphere. cyclone season here. we have cyclone ian towards the southeast, moving over tonga as well. there's going to be some islands here that you very well could see a significant storm surge and some damaging winds. take a look at the winds right now. 167 kilometers per tour. category 4. that's on the fiji scale. if this was on the stafford simpson scale, more familiar to you, would be a category 2. the good news, it is weakening but it is still making for some high waves up to about five

meters high around that center of circulation. that is cascading away from the center then talking about the heavy rainfall coming out of this. really serious threat for some of these islands here. you want to continue to watch it as it does push overhead throughout the week and before it heads south. let's see what's going on in europe really quick, and really messy out here. actually one storm system moving across the northeast, moving there towards the baltic states. this is going to be bringing gusty winds over towards germany, 80, 85 kilometer winds reported. heavy rainfall. 9 next system bringing showers across northern portions of the british isles. you can see about 20 to 30 millimeters come out of this. serious risk of flooding because the ground is already saturated here. another shot of rain is not needed. high pressure dominates the mediterranean, though. temperatures reflect it. 17 in rome. and athens. that's a look at your world weather. here's the extended forecast.

that's "newsline" for this hour. i'm gene otani in tokyo. from all of us here at nhk world. thanks for joining us. have a great day wherever you are. mw

>> it is 1:00 in the french capital. here are the headlines. the central african republic's interim leaders resigned amid mounting pressure to end sectarian fighting in the country. fighting between syrian rebels leaves hundreds dead. growinges against asaad in recent days. the controversy over the french comedian continues. his show on friday his banned. by the french government.