we're coming to you live from our studios here in tokyo. i'm james tengan. the political move that's threatening to force south korea's president from office is closer to being realized. opposition parties have agreed to prepare for the impeachment of park guen-hye. party leaders decided to impose

the impeachment motion so it can be put to a v vote next week. they n need to gather signature from half of all lawmakers. they will then hand it to the assembly. those lawmakers noted that park is noted to step down before her term expires in 201818. the notion will pass with the approval of two-thirds of the lawmakers in the national assembly and they need at least 28 saenuri members to pass the motion. if it passes, park will be immediately suspended from office and the prime minister will take over her duties. park could become the first south korean president to be impeachme impeached since 2004. president park's popularity can't fall much further. she left seoul on official business for the first time in a month and visited her hometown, her bedrock of support. looks how people there are reacting.

>> reporter: maybe south korea's third largest city, but historically the number one supporter of park geun-hye and her family. the region is a conservative stronghold. at least it was until a seemingly never ending and tanked her popularity. no matter how unpopular she becomes, there are still some die-hard supporters. this woman is one of them. she says she's willing to devote her life to park geun-hye. >> translator: we come here to protect our president by ourselves. >> reporter: seoul worships the

park family. the connection runs back years. on her wall resteds a photo of park geun-hye's father who ruled south korea until his assassination in 1979. next to him park's mother, the former first lady. when she was a young woman her husband lost her job. things got so desperate that she wrote a letter to the first lady. a little while later came a note of encouragement along with some much-needed cash. >> translator: if it weren't for the late first lady, our family wouldn't be here today. it is all thanks to president park's family that we are still alive and well. >> reporter: seoul says the reason for her support is more than just gratitude. she believes a conservative government is necessary to protect south korea from the north's nuclear threats.

>> translator: under the sunshine policy led by former president kim. that made people's lives here even harder and gave the north the ability to develop nuclear weapons. >> reporter: when park was elected in 2012, her approval rate was more than 80%. park's support has hemorrhaged away and now, even below the national average. these days it's against park that dominate the streets. a sign of change. and in terms of popular popularity, you could say for park the writing is on the wall. >> translator: president park

and her family were like gods to us, but their myth has been broken into pieces for the pe people. >> reporter: given the current outlook, it is not looking like park geun-hye will put the pieces back together. the u.n. security council has already slapped tough new sanctions on north korea over its most recent nuclear tests. japan will follow suit with its own round of penalties. >> translator: we have decided to take our own measures as we aim to resolve issues such as abduction of our citizens and north korea's nuclear and missile programs. we're working closely with the united states and south korea. >> members of the national security council drew up the details. they say they'll expand the list of north korea officials living

in japan who will be banned from reentry if they leave. they'll do the same for nuclear or missile experts living in japan who travel to the north. the reentry to ships that dock in north korea, even if they visit for humanitarian purposes. tokyo says it will freeze more assets belonging to people and organizations with links to the north's nuclear and missile programs. the measure will affect a chinese firm and individuals who became subjects of u.s. sanctions in september. japan imposed its last round of sank sanctions against the north back in february. that's after what pyongyang launched a long-range ballistic missile. seoull is also enforcicing toug penalties. government officials have nearly doubled the number of people and organizations that south korean are not allowed to do business with. the list includes vice chairman of the ruling workers party.

another high-profile name hwang pyong so. both are close aides of kim jung-un. targeting export company that exports coal and sends workers overseas. seoul will extend its reentry ban from six months to a year. the u.s. is also set to unveil new sanctions. education officials in northern japan have apologized after an elementary schoolteacher addressed a student in what they say was an insensitive matter. the boy evacuated from fukushima after the nuclear accident. the teacher a addressed him usi a word that could mean n germ. >> translator: the inapprproprie word that thehe home room teach used madee it difficult for the student to attend classes. we take the incident seriously. and deeply apologize to the

student and to his parents. >> the officials say the teacher claims he was using a meaningless s syllable he sometimes adds to students names. he told the officials he wasn't using the word for germ. but the boy said he had told the teacher he was being bullied by classmates who called him a germ. the boy has been absent from school since the incident more than a week ago. in a similar case a boy who moved said his classmates added the word germ to his name. and he considered committing suicide. now, on to business news. tokyo markets ended lower after strong gains the previous day on opec's decision to cut oil output. our business team has more on that and other stories. >> the nikkei average fell on friday, the day after closing at this year's high.

many investors booked profits from the rally on the opec deal. more from the tokyo stock exchange. >> profit taking prevailed in the market and traders played it safe ahead of the u.s. job's report. a retreat in the dollar offered export related shares. let's look at the closing levels. the nikkei 225 fell 0.5% 18,426. topix lost 0.3%. after rising more than 8% during the past three weeks since donald trump's election. some of the major exporters were lower as the yen strengthened a touch. semi conductor companies like tokyo electron and alps electric were both down. the financial sector charged ahead. banks like mitsubishi, sumitomo and nomura holdings. investors will watch italy's

referendum on constitutional reform on sunday. both stock and currencies could move on the outcome. i'm giang nguyen reporting from the toque joe stock exchange. dominated by profit taking. sydney down 1%. hong kong slipping by 1.4% finishing at 22,564. shares of casino operators were heavily sold on media reports authority plan to regulate the amount of cash visitors bring into the territory. indonesia up almost 1%. 5,245 the closing number there. energy shares remain bullish after the opec deal boosted prices. japanese cosmetic firm 24,000 customers may have been hacked byy a shopping website rn by its subsidiary.

shiseido named it and found that persrsonal information of registered customers and those that paid online may have been compromised. the information could include names, occupations, home and e-mail addresses. the company says the leak may have included 56,000 credit card numbers. ipsa has already informed the customers and halted sales on its website. officials have apologized and vow to offer support to all customers inuvl vad in the leak. japan's the following the fatal bus accident in january that left 15 people dead. most of them university students. the operator involved in that accident had violated safety regulations prompting a nationwide audit. three-quarters were in breach of the law. critics say the government should do more. he has just 366 inspectors to cover about 120,000 bus and

transport firms across japan. the upper house on friday unanimously passed a bill to provide a law transportation law. operators will have to renew their license evevery five year. a new system will tap private organizations to help the government by visiting to give guidance. the maximum fine for companies that fail safety measures has been hiked 100 times to about $870,000. central bank officials say japan's monetary base has renewed a record high for the 12th straight month. the monetary base is the sum of currency in circulation and commercial bank deposits held by the bank of japan. the officials say 4$419 trillion yen, about $3.7 trillion was circulating at the end of the november. the boj is buying government bonds and other assets in large quantities as it tries to hit a 2% inflation target.

the latest announcement was being closely watched by economists. the central bank adopted a new tool in september to control long-term interest rates at about 0%. electronics maker sharp says it might close a factory in western japan. the firm is trying to restructure and return to profitability under its new owner. officials say the plant could be closed next year. the factory makes l.e.d. and other parts for tvs and other lighting equipment. operations are planned to be moved to another plant in the same prefecture. the roughly 300 people there would be transferred. sharp is also set to discuss a capital boost for its affiliate which makes liquid crystal display panels. doctors are turning to obotts tahelp out their patients. the devices are effective for dealing with the after effects of injuries or strokes. in our next report, nhk world

finds out about how robots are training patients to lead normal lives again. >> reporter: this university hospital has been running robot assisted rehabilitation sessions for over a year. staff are using nine different robots developed in japan and abroad. the devices help rehabilitate patients with paralyzed arms and legs. the hospital rather than the patient is shouldering the cost of the program. this is a learning opportunity for the e staff members. >> translator: robots can repeat the same movemements over and or without t making mistakes or getting tired. we think they are the best training equipment. >> reporter: this man developed a brain hemorrhage one and a half years ago. the left side of his body was paralyzed. he has been receiving treatment at this hospital.

a robot is strapped to his leg. first, technicians attach sensors. when we walk, the brain sends electrical signals to leg muscles. but the signals have a hard time getting through to the muscles that are paralyzed. so the sensors work as electrical receivers. the brain can learn how to move legs when this process is repeated over and over. researchers believe patients can eventually move their legs with the same ease as before. a harness prevents patients from falling down. physical therapists lend a hand. this patient's left foot turns inward. they are correcting that position. he can now walk four times as fast as he did in january when he began coming to this hospital. >> translator: i canan concentre on rehabilitation, which is a good thing.

>> reporter: this robot is equipped with a motor. it assists the movements of the hip joints and the knees. patients can see their walking posture on a monitor right in front of them. when doing walking exercises patients tend to look at their feet. but thanks to the screen they can maintain a good posture without looking down. and when their stepping movements are properly balanced, they hear this -- [ ding ] patients can check their walking form by looking and listening. this robot helps restore mobility in the hands. it gives electric shocks to help the hands relearn grasping and releasing movements. these rehabilitation robots are giving hope to patients. >> translator: i can easily raise my leg, which i could only drag before.

i'm very curious, so i'm always willing to try something that looks interesting. >> reporter: this man suffered a cerebral infarction. he rarely left his house afterwards. but now -- >> translator: we are going out together more often now. >> translator: he's more upbeat and goes shopping a lot like before. >> reporter: researchers are continuing to come up with robots that push the bounds of technology. the devices are now found in hospitals where they are working hard to improve the lives of patients. nhk world. >> you can catch our report again online together with a full transcript. look for nhk world and business wrap. that's a look at business news. i'm going to leave you with the markets.

many religions throughout history have been persecuted. it was no different in feudal japan when christianity was banned and believers were forced to go underground. over the years practices of these so-called hidden christians transformed into a faith and a community. but as nhk world reports, the 400-year-oldld religious minori is gradually disappearing. >> reporter: every year, people attend a mass held in the woods of this district in the western city of nagasaki. many of the gatherers are the descendants of hidden christians.

until about four centuries ago, christianity was strictly prohibited. the equality under one god were unacceptable to the feudal government. violators faced torture and even death. even after p persecution ended, some lived in fear of possible retaliation and ultimately did not return to the catholic church. this is home to 4,000 people. there are around 60 hidden christians in this area. this 67-year-old can trace his faith back seven generations. he is the leader of the biggest group of hidden christians in the district. he begins each day by offering prayers. >> translator: this is how buddhists do it. but hidden christians cross

themselves like this. if you cover your r chest this way, no one can tell. >> reporter: the graveyards were also disguised. his ancestors would arrange stones into a cross while praying and then scatter them so the grave will not be recognized as christian. followers had toto register asa buddhist to conceal their faith. and they prayed to this female figure. to hidden christians, she represented the virgin mary. >> translator: for two and a half centuries during feudal times, the hidden christians endured and survived s such strt persecutions. we have a lot to learn from their pure hearted dedication to their faith. >> reporter: this site is a reminder why his faith is so strong. seven generations of his clan are buried here, including his father.

when his father died ten years ago, he found himself unable to recite the prayers correctly. >> translator: i was so frustrated with myself at that time. i came here every day for three years and memorized all thth prayers. i've changed. i'i'm glad to have chosen to be hidden christian. >> reporter: today he fears that hidden christians could disappear. he is calling on all the group leaders to join forces to protect their beliefs and strengthen the community. >> reporter: he makes every effort to document his faith.

he has been recording his sacred prayers and rituals. he hopes to pass them on to his successor. but he has not found one yet. the annual mass begins at a sacred location. the attendees are christian, catholic, and buddhist, and all have come to help. >> translator: everybody here was a hidden christian back then. >> translator: we have been working together to maintain the tradition.n. >> reporter: the ancient prayers commence. this is the momement the locals reflect on a time when their ancestors were united as hidden christians. >> translator: our faith dididn end underground. it's surviving, even today.

we still e exist. that's why i must carry on. that is my mission. >> if you want to watch that feature story, again. go to our website and you'll find it in our feature videos. i'll start off with mori who starts off with the blizzard conditions. >> one of the snowiest places in the world and currently blizzard warnings are in place across the three prefectures of the country. from the tip of hokkaido we have video. a storm is causing scattered snowfall and high waves. there is a mid-winter like mass and trains, ferries and buses have been disrupted. authorities are warning people to watch out for more snow and avalanches into tonight.

northern japan had the coldest autumn in 14 years and some areas have already seen lots of snowfall. the snowfall depth is as much as 93 centimeters in parts of hokkaido which is twice the amount we normally see and very strong winds in many areas of the north. now, we're seeing quite a lot of strong winds. there is a low pressure system which is a very potent, which intensified quite rapidly since yeyesterday. ththe pressssure gradients extremely titight. powerful winds are still blowing. wi gususts could reach as much as 126 kilometers into youour saturday. and snowfall of nearly 40 centimeters expected for the next 24 hours. but good news as we go into saturday. all the precipitation should be gone and sunny weather will come back in many places. temperatures are expected to rise in sapporo up to 7 on saturday and up to the double digits as we go into sunday. sunny weather and beautiful sunny weather on sunday and temperatures are going to be

warmer than normal into next week. 18 degrees. that's nearly 5 degrees higher than normal on monday. now, let's go to hawaii. winter has arrived in hawaii. that means heavy rain is falling across the coast and also heavy snow is falling up in the mountains and the big island. we have winter warnings in place across the two mountains in hawaii and that will be in place into friday afternoon. coming out on thursday, heavy snow is already fallingng and 3 centimetss ofnonow could fall into your friday afternonoon lol time. thenen across the coaoastal are we have flash flood warnings in place and watcheses in place fo all hawaiian islands and that will be in place into saturday afternrnoon local timeme. in fact, hilo had nearly 110 millimeters of rainfall in a space of only 24 hours. heavy rainfall will likely continue. now, temperatures are as follows. 22 in honolulu and as we go into sunday, same temperatures. but hilo and also honolulu rainy

weather persisting into the weekekend and mauna kea and temperatures will rise gradually into the weekend. across europe mostly dry across the west and affecting southeastern areas of europe and heavy snowfall. we have very strong winds will likely continue in places like hungary and also ukraine for the next 24 hours or so. and heavy snow will accompany the strong winds, as well. now, temperatures are going to be minus one in kiev and minus 4 in moscow and right at the freezing point with sunny weather on your friday and out towards the west in double digits in madrid as well as lisbon. here is the extended forecast.

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p.m. in the french capital. the headlines. he ce's president announces won't seek a second term in office. francois hollande is the only president of the republic not to run for re-election. donald trump starts his so-called thank you tour with a cabinet announcement. mattis as defense secretary.