thank you for joining us. from our studio in tokyo, this is nhk "newsline." we start with an update on the anti-government protests roiling thailand. the country's prime minister says he's ready to lift the emergency debris in bangkok if there's no violence. >> translator: the only way to a lasting solution for all sides is to discuss and resolve these

differences through the parliamentary process. >> he indicated in an extraordinary session of parliament will be held monday and tuesday to discuss the demonstrations. protestors scuffled with royalist groups on wednesday. their demands include the prime minister's resignation and reform of the monarchy. protestors have flooded the streets in and around the capital for eight straight days, despite the decree announced on october 15th. it bans gatherings of five or more people. the demonstrators say the government is using the decree to detain their leaders. an international ngo says the number of signatories ratifying a u.n. treaty to ban nuclear weapons may reach the required 50 mark on friday. kawasaki akida, the international campaign to abolish nuclear weapons, or ican

raised that prospect wednesday during an online news conference. >> translator: if the treaty is enforced, it is expected that the use, production, export and import of those weapons will actually be significantly reduced, and we'll be as close to zero as ossible. >> the u.n. treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons adopted three years ago would take effect 90 days after ratifications hit 50. so far 47 countries have endorsed it. japan has indicated it will not join the treaty. kawasaki said after the treaty is enforced, the focus will be on changing the attitude of countries under the nuclear umbrella, including japan. he said he wants to step up efforts from civil society to sway their governments. security forces have opened

fire on thousands of nigerians protesting against police brutality in the capital. [ gunfire ] human rights group amnesty international says at least 12 peaceful protestors were killed on tuesday night at two large gatherings in the city. protests have swept across nigeria since a video allegedly showing police fatally shooting a young man went viraler why this month. the president has vowed to reform the police unit accused of involvement in the incident. however, protestors have continued to fill the streets. legos and several states are currently under curfew. while many protests have been peaceful, there are reports of violence. protestors storm at prison in a southern town on monday, freeing about 200 inmates.

turning to the latest on the coronavirus. as the number of cases surges across western europe, the northern italian region of lombardi is introducing a curfew. the government says starting thursday people will be banned from going out between 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. people who break curfew face a fine of at least $470. residents in the city of milan have mixed feelings about the situation. >> translator: it's natural to take preventtive measures to avoid a total lockdown. i can put up with it for a short period of time. >> translator: i think the health system is better prepared now than in march and april. i'm more concerned about the impact on society and the

economy. >> italy has been one of the hardest h countries western europe, with around 450,000 confirmed cases, and nearly 37,000 deaths. the rate of infections have dropped during the summer. but the number spined this month. wednesday, daily confirmed cases hit a record, top 1ping 15,000. there are concerns fresh restriction also deal a blow to the economy. the prime minister has said he wants to avoid another nationwide lockdown. japan's health ministry says the number of pregnancies reported across the country fell sharply in may and july. the ministry believes many women may have avoided pregnancy due to the coronavirus. the health authorities say the amount of pregnancies reported in japan from january to july dropped nearly 28,000. that's down 5.1% from the same period last year.

the ministry notes the month of may saw the sharpest decline, 17.1% from a year earlier. the downturn for june was 5.4% and 10.9% for july. it's typical for women to report their pregnancies to local municipalities within two months of conception. the ministry says the number of women who became pregnant appears to be especially low during march and may when the virus was spreading quickly across the nation. the authorities plan to strengthen necessary support measures including online health guidance to encourage new pregnancies. organizers of the tokyo olympics and paralympics next year have tested innovative ways to ensure a safe and secure games amid the pandemic. about a thousand people took part in the test.

officials assessed devices to quickly measure body temperatures of spectators. in addition to noncontact thermometers and thermographs, officials tried temperature-measuring stickers. they're worn on the wrist and change color in response to body heat. this can save time as temperatures are checked while spectators wait for security screenings. >> translator: we were able to try various methods and collect data on how much time each method takes and how much burden it causes. we'll discuss the matter with the tokyo metropolitan government and municipalities to find out which method is the best. >> tokyo officials on wednesday reported 150 new coronavirus cases. that brings the total number in the capital to more than 29,300. nationwide, more than 95,000 people have tested positive with 1,700 deaths.

in japan, private companies are legally bound to employ a certain ratio of workers with disabilities. currently the figure is 2.2%. yet less than half the companies are meet thing requirement. now a global coffee shop chain is blazing a trail in japan. and our next story shows how it's creating a place where people with disabilities play the starring role. >> reporter: at this coffee shop that opened in june in tokyo, employees communicate using sign language, as about 80% of them are deaf or hard of hearing. for otsuka eri, who helped set up the branch, this full-fledged signing store was a long-time dream.

otsuka, who lost her hearing as a baby, enjoys working with people. so five years ago she joined this company, which offers service industry careers to the deaf. the work was rewarding but communication could be difficult. she became frustrated that her condition was barring her from taking on a role with more responsibility. so she pitched an idea to her company. a store staffed by the deaf. and she landed the chance to do a popup, where everyone would work in sign language. it was a run away success. at that point the company had no promotion protocol for employees with disabilities. but from this experience, they became mindful of something very important. >> translator: until now, we had the tendency to open place employees with disabilities in safe positions. but now we are aware that this hindered their growth and

chances to advance. >> reporter: after months of preparation, the store opened. yet challenges surfaced. one of them was the milk for cappuccinos. according to the company manual, baristas must listen to the sound of the nozzle as it foams the milk. otsuka teaches a method she developed based on sight and vibration. customers have various ordering

options, including writing on a tablet or pointing to the menus. kindling new connections, inspiring new ways of communication. celebrating diversity. otsuka and her team are creating a space of interaction with infinite possibilities. now for world weather, let's check in with our meteorologist tsietsi monare. we're still monitoring the tropical storm moving towards vietnam. what can people do to prepare for the approaching storm? >> hi there. most importantly, people need to know their evacuation point. it's very important, where you need to go to as multiple storms

have been coming in towards the peninsula. and we are expecting another one to bring heavy rainfall, that would lead to more flooding and more delays when it comes to traffic and people getting to safer areas. in fact, let's take a look at this video as authorities are working very hard at evacuating residents from flood-hit areas ahead of another tropical storm approaching on wednesday. soldiers have been rescuing and searching for missing people since the beginning of this month of october. the storm is expected to hit vietnam on saturday. so far, at least 111 people have died and 22 are still missing since the beginning of this month as people have been dealing with these storms. like i said, this one is approaching towards the northern part of vietnam. it is expected to make landfall and bring heavy rainfall. you can see from the track here, it is now situated in the south china sea and gaining momentum. we are expecting it to make landfall at full strength.

pressure still dropping and we are seeing wind gusts of over 140 kilometers per hour. moving towards japan, a bit of a low pressure system is developing along the south islands, causing unstable weather conditions over okinawa. expect landslides, swollen rivers, more flooding to come your way. you could be seeing lightning in certain parts for thursday and friday. things better over the weekend, welcoming clear skies and calm weather by saturday. tokyo at 21 degrees for thursday with rainy weather expected starting into your evening. very cold weather is coming up towards the northern parts of the united states and the southern part of canada. we will be seeing snow accumulations in certain places as bitter cold approaches montana and as well as over parts of south and north dakota. seeing up to 30 centimeters of show accumulation expected in certain places, so please be

prepared for cold weather. that's all your weather. take care. before we go, i have to make

an apology. we are very sorry that we referred to legos as the capital of nigeria in a story broadcast at 9:00 a.m. that wraps up this edition of nhk "newsline." thank you very much for being with us. ♪ welcome to "newsline in depth." i'm shibuya aki. today, we jump right into the current situation in the world of sports. nothing beats being in a stadium in person. the rush of excitement and energy of you and the entire crowd cheering on the athletes. i have to admit, i really miss

it. but the pandemic means fans have been unable to see the thrill. and athletes have been forced to play closed off from this. what's worse, they're often deprived of competing or even practicing. now japan is hitting on strategies to hold live sports competitions safely, which means fans are slowly making their way back into the stadiums and arenas. let's look at karate, which is to debut at the tokyo olympics. the famous shout with the release of energy when performing an attacking move. it's fundamental for karate. yet, it was a concern of spreading droplets. so the japan karate federation introduced guidelines. since the mandated mask and face

shields cut droplets by 98%, a tournament was allowed to go ahead in early october. and recently, another key competition took place with spectators. the national track and field championships, organized by the japan association of athletic federations. it's seen as a litmus test for next year's postponed games. over three days, 700 athletes participated in 30 events. but the federation allowed in only 2,000 fans and used apps to check the health of workers as well as athletes. and naturally, at the entrance, an automatic temperature testing system was installed. the federation plans to share its learning with other sports organizations. in another positive development, the japanese government is

reviewing conditions to allow foreign athletes to enter japan to compete in next year's games. this includes measures that would allow athletes to train or compete within 14 days of their arrival. the current two-week quarantine. japan is gearing to host the olympics next year, and what is encouraging are these words from ioc president thomas bach. >> we have to make these olympic games fit for the post corona world. i'm sure that we will make it, and we will make these olympic games, which will be historic. >> resilience is a word synonymous with the tight knit sports community. and it's become a rallying chris in this covid-19 crisis.

let's focus on two competitors who prove the saying, fall down several times, stand up eight. the pandemic has been taxing and devastating for many. but it's not the only obstacle. some things are simply out of our hands. we start with a japanese competitive swimmer, who is giving it his all to turn a major setback into a comeback. >> reporter: a competition in tokyo was a big day for one of the swimmers. the 50 meter backstroke race marked koga's comeback. >> translator: i didn't think i would ever be able to compete against other people like this. i've really been able to start racing again. >> reporter: he won gold at the world swimming championships in 2009, and placed first in the national championships for nine

years running. at the rio olympics in 2016, hi helped japan make it to the finals of the men's 400 meter relay for the first time in 48 years. but in 2018, he tested positive for banned substances in a surprise doping inspection. koga was handed a four-year ban from competitive sport. the culprit -- a health care p supplement he had been taking. the list of ingredients did not show any banned substances, though. >> reporter: he was placed under suspicion without a chance to give his side of the story. gripped by worries about his future, he lost eight kilograms in just two weeks. a text message exchange with his coach captures his feelings at

the time. i'm so sorry. you didn't do anything wrong. it was bad for me to test positive. you didn't do it on purpose. >> translator: i tried to stay in close touch with him. not just in terms of our relationship as coach and athlete, but as a friend. >> translator: the more time i had to myself, the more i worried about the future and it began to consume me. i was a mess. i thought, well, this is the end. everything i had worked so hard to achieve had just collapsed.

>> reporter: suspended athletes respect just banned from competition. even training in the pool is forbidden. but despite it all, koga didn't consider retiring. durng his suspension, he developed his own training equipment to prepare for his return. the pride koga had shown throughout his swimming career meant that giving up was never an option. >> translator: the only way to clear my name as a competitive swimmer is to continue. it might be difficult to prove that i was 100% clean, but i still have to try to be completely open without concealing anything. i had to show how committed i am, how much i love swimming,

and what kind of life i have been leading until now. these are the kinds of things i want people to see. >> reporter: last summer, the court of arbitration for sport partially accepted koga's appeal and reduced his suspension to two years, allowing him to return to competition. back in the water, he spent six months training intensively. his official comeback race was in august. and he took first place in a time not far off his personal best.

>> translator: i felt for sure that i will keep trying to improve myself and keep on swimming, to show how much i love the sport. >> reporter: koga's memories of his time away from the pool are now driving him to do even better. >> koga's suspension had once sunk his hopes on a ticket to the tokyo olympics. but their postponement has given him a renewed chance. it looks like his unwavering devotion to swimming may be lining up the cards in his favor. it should be mesmerizing to watch him as he rises to the challenge. next, the story of another athlete who proved mental toughness is essential in moving ahead, and leaving an unforgettable impression. taking advantage of the year delay in the games, this contender from the polynesian

nation of tonga has sent himself a goal no modern olympian has ever achieved. >> reporter: peter is staying on his toes. having already qualified for the tokyo olympics in his specialty of tae kwan do. he's striving after a bigger challenge as he trains at his home base in australia. in a world racked by uncertainty due to the coronavirus, he says it's vital to keep the olympic spirit alive. >> it's about every country coming together. there is no human issue that's more important than that. >> the 36-year-old first represented tonga in his childhood sport at the rio olympics in 2016. two years later, he switched to cross country skying. next year's tokyo olympics will mark his third games. >> we qualified for three in a row, which isn't easy.

but we sacrificed a lot. >> reporter: now, he's taking on a second sport to compete in tokyo, one which he says is closer to his polynesian heritage -- kayaking. he began training in march last year, with no full-time coach and not even a proper kayak. he learned the basics on a recreational boat. his debut appeance i ungary lastear most eed befo i had even begun. failed stedy his bo at the starting line before the starting gun went off, with the other competitors taking off without him. more than a year on since then, he's back in the race to tokyo. the postponement of the olympics has given him extra time to work on his form. he's focused on building his

core strength, and he built a kayak from an old bed frame. he said he's been able to shave more than ten seconds off his time. he knows he needs to shave a few more to qualify for tokyo. >> if i have to paddle to tokyo, it's just the other side of the pacific, you know, i will find a way. >> reporter: with kayaking, he hopes to become the first athlete to compete at three different olympics in three unrelated events. >> what a charismatic person. and you know he's also a unicef pacific good will ambassador and homeless children's advocate. hats off to pita. keep on making a splash. the spirit of sports, most of it comes down to camaraderie and

resilience. anything of true significance in life will involve strugle and perseverance. you could say this is a good message to cheer us on during the pandemic. thank you for watching and see you soon.

>> several people were killed when security forces opened fire on demonstrators. ♪ this is al jazeera live from london. also coming up, accused of putting profits over people. he was drugmaker purdue pharma to plead guilty to criminal charges over its marketing of the painkiller oxycontin. drumming home and antigovernment message, indigenous people join thousands of protesters in the colombn