live from our studios in tokyo. i'm james tengan. the emperor of japan has addressed the public in a public message. emperor akihito alluded to his wish to abdicate. we'll play the whole message for you now.

nhk world's news director is joining us with insight. what did you take away from the

empb remember's address? >> well, the emperor is implying he wishes to hand down the throne. he said when he considers that his physical condition is gradually declining, he worries that it may become difficult to carry out his duties as the symbol of the state. and that his honest wish is that the duty can continue steadily without a break. he also commented on the possibility of the remaining in his position by reducing his duties or asking other people to stand in for him. but he indicated that isn't something he wants. >> so what stood out for you the most? >> well, i think it's clear the emperor highly values his duties as the symbol of the state. he said he's carried them out with his whole being, and i got the impression he strongly believes the duties should

always be carried out that way. he implied if he becomes unable to carry them out sufficiently, he should hand the duties as well as the throne down to the younger generation. >> so why is the emperor expressing his feelings to the public now? >> more than anything it's his age. the emperor said at the beginning of his message being over 80, there are times he feels various constraints. sources say the emperor signaled his intention to abdicate about five years ago, and late last year he again conveyed that wish the imperial household agency has been discussing the issue as the emperor gets older and continues to take part in many public engagements. he likely believes that the issue cannot be put off for long.

>> so the emperor has been signaling his close aides and family, but today he did not use the word abdication. why? >> because the emperor could risk infringing on the constitution. the emperor said that he must refrain from making any specific comments on the existing imperial system. for him to abdicate, the diet would have to approve new legal measures. that's because there are no provisions for abdication under the current laws. so if the emperor had only said he wanted to abdicate, it could have been seen as interfering in politics, something the constitution doesn't allow him to do. >> you will join us again later. emperor akihito is 82 years old and has been carrying out his official duties as a symbol of the state for decades. here's a look. >> reporter: at age 55 akihito

succeeded his father whose given name was hire hito. emror akihito became the first to take the throne as a symbol of the state under japan's post-war constitution. [ speaking foreign language ] >> reporter: since then, the emperor has attended a much higher number of public engagements than his father. he's said to believe that taking part in them is what's required of an emperor. aside from performing acts and matters of state as stipulated by the constitution. the emperor and empress have visited disaster-stricken regions to console people. they include the 1995 earthquake that devastated western japan as well as the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the country's northeast. the emperor and empress have

also shown compassion for the socially vulnerable. every year they visit homes for people with disabilities and senior citizens. and they visited world war ii battlefields to pay tribute to victims of the war. each year they attend the government sponsored memorial ceremony. [ speaking foreign language ]

>> reporter: in 2003 the emperor underwent surgery for prostate cancer. he also had a heart bypass operation in 2012. ahead of his birthday last december, the emperor revealed he was feeling his age more often. he acknowledged having made mistakes during ceremonies, adding that he would try not to make any more. sources say the emperor appears to be stressed and anxious. at the thought that some day soon he may not be able to perform at the level he desires. in may this year imperial agency household officials announced they were canceling some of the emperor's and empress's official activities. they said it was because of the of the couple's age. sources say the emperor had

reservations about drastic cuts the officials initially proposed. so the changes ended up being limited. the emperor has consistently said that the title should be held by one who can fulfill the duties. >> japanese prime minister shinzo abe responded to the address shortly after it was broadcast. he said the emperor's comments would be carefully considered. >> translator: i have taken the emperor's comments very seriously. as for matters of state, thinking about his anxiety and taking into account his age and the burden of his current dut s duties, it is necessary to thoroughly consider what we should do.

>> a top official of the imperial household agency also commented. he said that the emperor appears to have considered this an appropriate time to share his thoughts as he is in his 80s and 70 years have passed since world war ii ended. he also mentioned recent visits paid to the philippines and earthquake-hit area in southwestern japan. the emperor paid tribute to the war dead in the philippines and consoled people affected by disaster in kyushu. the emperor appears to have engaged in deep reflection to those trips. people around the world have given their reaction to the emperor's message.

>> translator: the emperor has reached an advanced age, so i think it's good to hand over the throne to a successor while he's still healthy. >> translator: i've been listening to the emperor since he was the crown prince. i believe he genuinely cares about the people. >> translator: i think the emperor thought deeply about his health and his role. i hope things happen the way he desires. >> people who met the emperor has been expressing support. a former serviceman who fought in world war ii. he spoke with the couple last year when they visited the island to pay tribute to the war dead. >> translator: i totally agree with the emperor's message.

i think his duties are really heavy, visiting many different places. i think he works too hard. >> abe met the emperor when he toured japan to speak to the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami. >> translator: we were encouraged by the emperor. now our role is to encourage the emperor by showing our efforts to rebuild the area. >> the former director of the hiroshima peace memorial museum. he guided the emperor around the facility in 1995, the 15th anniversary of the bombing. he says the emperor listened carefully he talked about his experience as a survivor of the attack. >> translator: i think every japanese national, including

government officials, should keep a close eye on how things proceed, keeping the emperor's message in their mind. >> media around the world also reported the emperor's message. the bbc broadcast the whole address as breaking news. its reporter in tokyo said the emperor has sent a strong messagto the japese governnt. chins stateunentral televion forect ts is a historicevent for japanes people and vernment. soh korea'sews agency als repoed the ne. we connue saking with our wsdictor. at's eected to hpen aer today's dress? well, ourources say the emperowould le tobdicate

inhe cing years. someovernment ficialsnd politicis say ty should respd quickivenhe emror's e. t others pnt out t entir ocess abdicatiowould no be srt. e governme is planng to k expertfrom vario field on the view bere takinany eps. and scussionprobably w't begin for a while. that's because if the government does respond right away, his message could be construed as a constitutional violation. >> and if the emperor does abdicate, what will actually happen? >> as you know, in japan we have eras, one for each emperor. the japanese people use them to measure the years in addition to the western calendar. we are currently in the heisei era. if the emperor is allowed to abdicate and the crown prince takes over, we'll literally enter a new era with a new name, and the counting of the years

would reset to one. >> thank you very much for your insight. and to recap, the emperor of japan has addressed the public in a video message. emperor akihito alluded to his wish to abdicate. he spoke for around ten minutes while noting he must refrain from making any specific comments on the existing imperial system. he said he wanted to talk about what he's been thinking of as an individual. he said being in the midst of a rapidly aging society, he would like to talk about the desirable role of an emperor. he noted, considering the gradual decline in his physical condition, he's worried that it may become difficult for him to carry out his duties as a symbol of the state. the emperor also expressed a view that it's not possible to continue reducing the emperor's duties. he said he's concerned that like in the past when an emperor is

ill and his condition becomes serious, society comes to a standstill and people's lives are affected. he says he earnestly wishes that the duties of the emperor as the symbol of the state can continue steadily without any breaks. and he ended by saying he sincerely hopes for the people's understanding. you're watching nhk "newsline" coming to you live electric our studios in tokyo. we now turn to some financial news. checking the markets, tokyo shares rallied after friday's gains on wall street following strong u.s. jobs data. our business reporter phoebe amoroso has more from the stock exchange. >> investors gained after

appetite for risks from the non-u.s. risk payrolls. we saw the dollar rise against the yen lifting export-related shares. the nikkei ended 2.4% higher closing at 16,650. that's the highest close since july 27th. the broader topix also rose 2%. so we have a strong start for this week. last week marks the worst weekly decline in a month for the benchmark. the positive u.s. data for the financial sector leading the gains, mitsubishi and sumitomo mitsui both rose by 5%. daiichi life insurance gained 6.5%. tokyo electron was up 5%. toyota and honda up more than 3%. and the dowa holdings were up 16%. it reported an operating drop april to june but still better than expectations. this week investors will be focusing on key data from china. inflation numbers will be released on tuesday. and industrial output is due out

on friday. phoebe amaroso reporting from the tokyo stock exchange. >> phoebe, thanks. up next, the extended world weather forecast. ♪ ♪

for updates and special reports, be sure to watch úd

>> thank you for joining us. here are the top stories. ban on all of its athletes in the month's paralympics is tantamount to human rights abuse. accusationss after of doping. the emperor of japan gives the clearance sign he is ready to abdicate. he hinted at the possibility and a rare speech today.

been killedle have in a blast in pakistan. wasexplosion at a hospital a suicide attack. the head of the russian paralympic committee has slammed the decision to ban its at its from the paralympics. the ban is called a grave human rights abuse. after authorities said russia's sports ministry had manipulated at leeds urine samples, including some related to para sports. >> the paralympic committee is suspending the entire russian team from the paralympic games

in september. report that a stated russia's sports ministry manipulated urine samples, including some related to para sports. paralympicnt of the committee had harsh words for russian authorities. >> they have failed their para athletes. mentalityr morals discuss me. it is contrary to the rules and strikes at the heart of the spirit of paralympic sports. it will appeal at the court of arbitration for sports, the highest athletic court. angry onlookers accused the committee of playing politics. >> i understand if one had been caught. he should be banned. ban him for life.

team? you ban an entire it is not about doping. it is politics and politics is a scary thing. >> some hoped decision-makers would change their minds. >> we have time. i hope the committee will refer situation and let the russian athletes compete. loanter avoiding a blanket concerning the ongoing olympic games, the ioc announced a 278 of the 387 athletes will be taking part in the competition. more about the doping scandal and the olympics, i am joined by igor moore din of its -- igor. do you think more of the russian athletes competing now should have been banned? >> this was a stronger stance compared toe ipc

the ioc. at the end of the day, it is important to take into account the fate of some of these sportsmen who have not been proven to be doped. it is political. we need to be wary with these decisions. on the athletics. some incredible swimming last night in rio. a 19thael phelps with olympic medal. more than anyone in history. catherine, a very impressive performance, beating every expectation. what is interesting, sometimes it is the people you least expect to pull through. i am thinking about tennis, where there were big names

eliminated. >> novak djokovic was expected to win the medal, and lost to juan martin del potro. a lot of surprises and open ended outcome to be expected. gettingilliams sisters eliminated. was a disappointment. i guess it will be not in four years time, they are getting a to old, it was impressive see them competing together. >> what are the biggest sports to keep our eyes on? >> we hope to see more and basketball. we hope france will capitalize on its potential in swimming and

judo, with big names coming in. there will be a lot of surprises expected in the sports. finally, we hope to see more in tennis with the individual french players. 12 metalss stand at thethe u.s., france down in 20th position with just one medal. will they get it back together and pull through? >> they will have to. the biggest talents have not been performing it. it will get better as the days go by. >> thank you for coming in to talk with us about deal and fix. -- talking with us about the olympics. of japan isor worried his age will make it difficult for him to perform his duties. that is the clearest sign he may want to step down.

>> taking to the airwaves, the japanese emperor made a televised address to the nation. when i consider my age, as well as my deteriorating physical condition, despite , ing healthy at this moment have concerns about not being able to fulfill my duties as emperor, as i have done over the past 20 years. he is not allowed to step down. his fate lies in the hands of japanese mps. the prime minister says he will take remarks seriously, but the idea has faced stiff opposition

within his conservative base. many fear the debate could stir the debate for females to ascend to the throne. one of the last public appearances was in 2011 after the fukushima nuclear disaster. of thedown with families victims, something previous emperors would not have done. he used masks munication to address the nation. his father was the first to do so in 1945 after the u.s. dropped atomic bombs on hiroshima and nagasaki. he was succeeded in 1989. that emperor has been described as the people's emperor and

bringing the royal family into the 21st century. >> over 50 people killed at a bomb blast at a hospital in pakistan. dozens more were hurt. the bomb exploded as mourners gathered to observe the body of a lawyer shot and killed hours before. >> a bomb explodes, devastating this hospital, killing scores of people. the survivors do all they can to save the wounded. the bomby they suspect was detonated by a suicide attacker. has claimedroup responsibility. when i reached the gay, there was a blast. i left my bike there. there was blood all over and injured people covered in blood. the army was deployed to

secure the area and hospitals. the explosion happened when people were gathered to papers next to the lawyer. he was killed early on monday by an unknown insurgency. he was on his way to work when he was attacked. there have been a number of targets of killings. it is the capital of --. link to a separatist insurgency, as well as crime. killed in recent weeks have included several lawyers. the attacks were condemned. the city borders iran and ascap iran anduntry borders afghanistan. the city has also seen rising violence linked to tensions and rising crime.

fighters in syria have launched an offensive to take back aleppo. after they broke through a government siege that had gone on for the past three weeks. here is brian quinn. airstrikes around aleppo as the syrian regime attempts to beat back a rebel offensive. forces broket through on saturday, ending a three-week siege that cut off eastern city districts and trapped hundreds of thousands of residents. rebels surged through the territory. fighters from a coalition of islamist groups have announced a new phase of the battle to liberate the city. with god's help, today or tomorrow will be done. our battle will move. tomorrow or after an tomorrow, they will be free.

street celebrations broke out, welcoming the rebel advance. the turnabout compelled forces to turnabout on sunday. and the area around it have been divided for most of the war. the advance threatened a major highway. it leaves an estimated population of 1.2 million at risk of losing their supply line. breakthrough, the fighting meanspassage has been means passageting has not been established. highgust is usually a point of france's tourist season. with the state of emergency,

security is on everyone jake they mind. sunscreen, bucket and spade, and machine guns. french authorities are taking note chances with tourist season in full swing. reinforcements are patrolling regularly. >> it is reassuring and frightening. when you see the police, you think something could happen. after being prolonged, the state of emergency is expected to last until january. traditional activities are seeing the consequences. those still on the agenda have seen security measures ramped up like never before. including putting the french military out on patrol. withcedonia has been hit

massive flooding. they have declared a state of emergency. flash flooding hit the capital away aekend, sweeping section of the ring road surrounding the city. landslides have left close to 40 dead. buried in their homes. new warnings have been issued for a new storm heading to the country's coast. hundreds of residents have been caught in heavy rains leading to landslides. authorities say dozens of people, including children, have been killed. the states have been the worst hit. there are fears of the death toll rising with entire towns

submerged and many left without basic services. it started by 7:00 in the morning. it started to boom. membersell and family figured the rumble was falling on top of the house. as they rushed out, everything collapsed. >> by the time it struck mexico, it had been downgraded to a storm. holmes caved in due to the heavy downpours. people are still being evacuated with nowhere to go. monthegions have seen a of rainfall fall in a day. the heavy rains and high wind are set to continue. let's take a look at the

headlines. russia says a ban on its athletes is tantamount to human rights abuse. a third of russian athletes hoping to compete in the a -- in the olympics were banned as well. the emperor of japan gives the clearest sign yet he is ready to abdicate. he hinted at the possibility and a rare speech today. killed people have been at a bomb blast in pakistan. it is time for business. we start with the announcement of a major fraud investigation. it has confirmed it is launching a criminal investigation into the passenger jet unit of airbus.

that is the part of the business that uses third-party consultants to estimate sales. an internal inquiry reported discrepancies. >> the allegations weighing after britain launched a criminal investigation. discovered in an internal review. the use of third-party consultants during sales negotiations. third parties have been the the regulations for years. the airbus group released a statement saying it was cooperating with investigators, no doubt in a bid to reinsurer their investors.

aerospace experts have warned the france-based business will have to reconsider its operations in the u.k.. bad news for airbus can only mean one thing, a boost for boeing. the rivals will look to exploit their share of the market. tell us how the markets are faring. >> europe i am markets are trading higher. tradingean markets are higher, boosted by better-than-expected employment figures released in the u.s. on friday, raising the chances the federal reserve will increase interest rates before the year is up. new figures show germany's industrial production rebounded. there are fresh concerns about

china's economy. fellexports and imports more than expected in july. the export figures suggest global demand remains weak while have failedeasures to create momentum. air france says a week long strike cost at least 90 million gross. the airline has been struggling to cut costs. france partner delta airlines is also facing difficulties. the airline said it was

investigating what it has called a global systemwide problem. beghts in progress will not affected. delta passengers have been advised to check the status of their flights. japanese competition authorities have searched amazon in total io. they suggest -- a suspected them of forcing retailers to lower prices on their site rather than rival services. >> some baseball news. a surprise retirement announcement has sent ticket prices through the roof. >> he announced this friday would be his final game. rose as much as 500% in the hours following the announcement. hitaverage listed price

over $456 according to the amount before he announced his retirement. his record was tarnished when he admitted to having used steroids. no matter what you feel about him, it will be a bittersweet farewell. thank you. the press review. we look at what the papers say today. waves,ry making a lot of the upcoming paralympics. banned from competing

in the paralympics. backdrop where 389 athletes were supposed to compete in the olympics. recent weeks and months have revealed a state-sponsored doping program. the guardian quotes him as saying the government has failed its athletes. >> there is an article arguing it is not just rusher who should be ashamed, but also the ioc itself. author does not pack any punches.

he continues the ruling and the attack on drug cheating served only to highlight the olympic's lack of conviction. >> the controversy around doping does not just stop there. >> the headline says it all. doping irresponsible allegations begin. the author quotes as saying something smells. speechlesset saying and powerless. the next to a picture of leader bird. it is wrong to make suggestions

that certain athletes have been doping. athletes are lauded for their .ins according to this foreign athletes are guilty until proven innocent. >> there is a cartoon in the times today that sums it up well. we see christ as a redeemer, looking on in despair at an olympic city comprised of a a thief stadium and park. millions stand for democracy. it is worth saying non-turkish media outlets had significantly

lower. the plotters,g many gather for a rally. a similar story in the daily.ernment the rally is described as the most inclusive, with parties representing polar opposites united. rally wouldope the be covered positively on the front pages. >> how was the rally covered by the rest of the world? >> the new york times was not as gushing. the article reminds us since the

15th of july, nearly 18,000 people have been detained or arrested. tens of thousands of people have , an dismissed from jobs sweeping crackdown that has a lot of european countries and rights groups. >> let's come back to france. they are leaving with a wonderful photo here. it is a typical french beach scene. the heavily armed police officers patrolling the seaside. the paper goes on to question -- with vigilance. has boosted the economy.

the article reminds us france c

i'm john cleese. have you ever thought about where your consciousness goes at night when you sleep and what we're being told through our dreams and what part of ourselves is telling us? of course, different cultures have different concepts of dreaming, just as they do about being awake. in this program, we will present some provocative recent discoveries from an american dream specialist along with the native wisdom of an aboriginal elder, an authority on the dreamtime. so settle back, take a slow, deep breath, as we once again go to join our trusted guide and host phil cousineau on this unique, dream-filled episode of global spirthe first "internal travel" series.