♪ ♪ hello and welcome to nhk "newsline." i'm yoshi ogasawara. russian backed officials in the ukrainian region of kherson are telling residents to flee their homes for russia. it comes as ukrainian troops continue to advance on areas that moscow recently claimed to have annexed. the russian appointed governor said that ukrainian forces have taken five settlements in the

region. vladimir saldo has asked moscow for assistance and according to reuters news agency he told residents to leave with their children for their own safety. meanwhile west of kherson this western area in mykolaiv came under heavy attack. ukrainian authorities say a condominium was hit thursday killing two people and leaving five others missing. and in the region of dnipropetrovsk, north of kherson, a school was heavily damaged in other russian attacks. the associated press says there are no reported victims, but classrooms and a gymnasium were destroyed. ukrainian officials are urging schools across the country to shift to online classes. meanwhile, the cleanup continues in ukraine's capital after russia's deadly missile attacks earlier this week. one missile which slammed into a

park in central kyiv, left a crater roughly 2 meters deep. the blast shattered the glass of nearby windows, leaving residents to pick up the shards. >> translator: i feel depressed and sad. this is not a military facility. >> translator: i hope the war ends soon. >> this week, several western european countries pledged more air defense systems to ukraine to help protect against future missile attacks. north korea conducted yet another ballistic missile test early friday. the north says it's a response to what it calls a military provocation by south korea. the missile appears to have landed in the sea of japan outside japan's exclusive economic zone. north korean state-run media say

the south's forces carried out artillery exercises near the border for ten hours. pyongyang says it responded with strong military countermeasures. it's rare for the country to issue a military statement immediately after a ballistic missile launch. japanese defense minister hamada yasukazu says japan has lodged a protest with the north through its embassy in beijing. >> translator: north korea's series of launches is absolutely intolerable, and the significant improvement of its missile technology cannot be overlooked. we will continue to work closely with the u.s. and other countries to gather information and analyze and monitor north korea's military moves. >> pyongyang has now tested weapons 27 days this year. on wednesday it announced it fired two long-range crue missiles. the ruling party's newspaper

quoted lder kim jong-un as saying his country will continue to expand the operational sphere of its nuclear forces. south korea is denouncing the repeated launches and imposing new unilateral sanctions, its first against the north in nearly five years. the foreign ministry announced them on friday, noting the launches were apparently conducted under a scenario of using tactical nuclear weapons against the south. the sanctions target 15 individuals and 16 organizations believed to be involved in missile development. the ministry says the move will strengthen coordination with the united states and japan, countries that have imposed sanctions of their own against the north. south korean media report the response may have only a symbolic effect, as inter-korea business transactions are already impossible due to past sanctions. japanese authorities have

issued a rare warning about a cyber crime group in another country. they say north korean hackers are targeting crypto currency businesses in japan. >> translator: we have concluded that lazarus, which is a cyber crime group believed to be associated with the north korean authorities, carried out cyber attacks targeting crypto asset businesses. >> security officials say the hackers steal digital assets like bitcoin, using a technique known as social engineering. the method involves gaining the trust of targets to get confidential information. for instance, scammers might send e-mails to employees that appear to come interefrom compa executives. workers might also be contacted through fake social media accounts. the u.s. government went public about lazarus' tactics in an advisory issued in april. a u.n. panel of experts also

warned last week that the group is targeting crypto currency exchanges. china's ruling communist party will kick off its once in five year national congress this weekend. the country's leader xi jinping is widely expected to get an unprecedented third term in power. earlier kanako sancho spoke to our beijing correspondent about the atmosphere ahead of the congress. we heard about a very rare protest if beijing on thursday. what can you tell us about that? >> well, it happened in the city center and media showed images of it. they showed banners criticizing xi's tight control over people's lives. an nhk crew went to the site but the banners had been taken down.

this is a very unusual incident, especially just days from the national congress. the person who did this took a huge risk, and i think it's a reflection of the level of frustration some people feel. police are now tightening security to prevent any other protests over the next few days. >> most experts believe president xi will be elected for a historic third term. what attempts have you already seen to strengthen his authority? >> we've seen a few small, but symbolic examples of this. in the past few weeks. a major exhibition opened in beijing touting china's under xi. it promotes what it calls its many accomplishments of his leadership. we also saw members of the central committee issue a statement ahead of the congress. it included political slogans to cement xi's core positions in the party.

the party's constitution will be amended as a congress, and if the slogans are added, it will mean the party will demand absolute loyalty to xi. >> so what messages do you think xi will aim at the public when he speaks at the congress? >> we expect his message to try to convince people he should continue to serve a third term, and it will be hours long. economic growth in china is clearly slowing, and one of the main reasons is xi's rigid zero covid policy. that's caused growing frustration among average people. but he will call it a success by saying china was able to protect their lives. he's also expected to boast about china's relationship with the rest of the world, especially involving taiwan. he could say china has main taped its dignity, despite

western attempts to undermine what xi calls the reunification of taiwan. >> now, it would be a big reshuffling of china's top leadership what meaning will that have? >> many experts think we won't see anyone put forward as a future leader of the party who would replace xi someday. we will be watching to see who is selected for the top positions. if his closest subordinates are elected, that will mean his hold on power is firm. xi apparently wants to cement as much authority as china's founder, mao zedong. and that could pave the way for his first term or even longer. the japanese government has unveiled the price tag for

former prime minister abe shinzo's state funeral. the equivalent of about $8 million u.s. >> translator: we were able to hold a solemn and heartfelt state funeral by providing appropriate security and welcoming dignitaries. i believe the cost of 1.2 billion was necessary and sufficient to hold a state funeral. >> japan's chief cabinet secretary says last month's event cost about 400 million yen less than initial estimates. matsuno hirokazu said the expenses included funding for the venue, as well as to welcome over 700 foreign guests and deploy thousands of police officers. he said the government will consult experts to identify potential issues related to the funeral and release the results as soon as possible. public opinion in japan was divided over whether the government should hold the state funeral, which was entirely covered by taxpayers' money.

japan threw open its doors to foreigners this week after years with some of the strictest border controls in the world, but getting back to business will take time. nhk world's yamamoto saori looked at the effect of prolonged restrictions on academia, now and in the future. >> hello. >> reporter: even hidden behind masks, the smiles are obvious. well over 150 international students are starting their academic journey in japan after a long wait. >> i'm happy to finally, finally be able to greet you in person on campus after the very long pandemic closure. >> reporter: kwansei university halted its exchange program three years ago. now these foreign students can finally realize their dream of

studying in japan. >> translator: most of the restrictions have now been lifted, so i'm very excited. >> translator: i'd like in the future to work in japan as a graphic designer. >> reporter: japan accepted a record 310,000 overseas students in 2019. and then this happened. campuses emptied, and foreign students moved their studies online to wait things out. two years later, enrollment had dropped by 20%. many found their study plans felt more like fantasy. >> it looked like rainbows. >> reporter: mutiah fell in love with japan during a brief high school exchange from indonesia. she tried online classes, but when it came to it, the distance proved too much. mutiah is now delaying her

graduation and looking at other options. not sure about what we're 'm promised about our future and the students' future. that's why maybe i'll try to go to another country. >> reporter: in mah, japanese schools were once again able to sponsor student visas. but the rule change didn't help foreign researchers. sasaki found that frustrating. he teaches japanese studies at a u.s. university. >> it took decades for researchers and academics to build and growhe field o japanese studies, right? and i'm afraid that it's falling apart now. >> reporter: sasaki had a feeling the issue went well beyond his school, so he reached out to people on campuses across the world. his online survey suggested that 97% of academics felt japan's border controls we affecting

eir current or future research. here's how. fewer students, fewer scholars, and even fewer programs altogether. a professor at a prestigious university told sasaki they are now recommending students avoid focusing solely on japan. some said the border restrictions are putting their whole department in danger. sasaki can't see a quick fix. >> i don't think it's something, okay, now japan's borders are open so peop can come back. i don't think that, you know, this works so easily. >> reporter: japanese education officials recognize the frustration. they say getting things back to how they were will take five years. yamamoto saori, nhk world, tokyo. it's time now for a check on world weather with our

meteorologist sayaka mori. heavy rain and flooding are hitting the southeastern parts of australia. meteorologist sayaka mori has a look at the situation. >> it's been an exceptionally wet year for australia, especially over the southeastern portions of the country. sydney is experiencing the wettest year on record, and more heavy rain hit the southeast, dropping a lot of heavy rainfall. the system has gone, so it's going to be drier during the weekend. additional rain could lead to more flooding in places like melbourne. temperatures are going to be seasonal. meanwhile, across asia, we are looking at a couple of tropical systems. one here has become a tropical storm. this one is still a tropical depression. this one is named songka and it's expected to make landfall in central vietnam by saturday morning local time. it's a minimal tropical storm so it's a weak one. however, it doesn't mean the impact will be weak. in fact, it's going to drop nearly 800 millimeters of rain in some areas.

that is enough to cause flooding as well as landslides. also, this area was hit by typhoon last month, so people are still dealing with flooding. this one is a tropical depression. it will likely head towards luzon. luzon was battered by a tropical depression the other day, and then the system could also bring heavy rainfall to the eastern side of taiwan because of the counterclockwise circulation. more than 300 millimeters of rain is possible into next week. meanwhile, this is the forecast for japan. mountain snow is likely from tuesday to wednesday in hokkaido. nikko will see heavy rain on monday. same for tokyo. naha will see heavy rainfall because of an approaching tropical system that could continue into next weekend. before we go, i want to show you this beautiful seasonal video from hiroshima prefecture. a beautiful sea of fog thursday

morning. the city is surrounded by mountains and the cold air spilling in allowed the basin to be covered in clouds. as the sun was rising, a burst of orange spilled over the area. that's it for me. have a nice weekend. ♪ that's all for this edition of nhk "newsline."

i'm yoshi ogasawara in tokyo. thanks for watching, and do stay with us for more. ♪ this is "newsline biz." i'm gene ohtani. u.s. inflation data for september came in at 8.2%, signaling persistent higher prices. this has caused the yen to hit its lowest level in 32 years. our business reporter has this report from the tokyo stock exchange. >> well, it has to do with the u.s. federal reserve raising

rates aggressively to tame inflation. as assets in countries with higher rates tend to make better investments the dollar has been strengthening this year, making other currencies lose their value. looking at the dollar-yen, the greenback has climbed by more than 25% in 2022. at one point on thursday the dollar was trading in the upper 147 yen levels a high not seen since august of 1990. it came off that level during tokyo trading hours on friday, as investors thought the japanese government might intervene to prop up the yen. the government took similar steps in late september. the first such intervention in 24 years. now, the u.s. inflation data also had an impact on stock prices, which initially fell. worries about aggressive u.s. rate increases have tended to weigh on share prices this year. however, traders shifted their positions once they digested the data, as the figure wasn't so

strong it might change the pace of hikes. global stock markets rallied on friday with the nikkei average outperforming other major indices, and it ended the day up by 3.75%. fast retailing which operates uniqlo pushed up the nikkei after reporting strong earnings. all eyes are on china as it readies for its once in five years party congress this weekend. the country's economy has suffered due to its zero covid policy and some experts think president xi might elevate national security at the expense of economic growth at the congress. i'm yanaka marie reporting from the stock exchange. as marie mentioned the yen has fallen to its lowest level in 32 years. the focus is whether japan will intervene in the markets to support its currency as it did last month. finance minister suzuki shunichi has said the country stands

ready to take further action if needed. >> translator: volatility caused by speculation cannot be tolerated. we're watching currency moves with a strong sense of urgency. we'll take appropriate actions against excessive volatility. >> suzuki was in washington for a g-20 meeting. finance ministers discussed volatility and inflation. surging labor costs have contributed to the highest inflation in four decades in the united states. companies need to fund those pay increases by raising their prices. it's called a wage price spiral. right now, it's only getting bigger. nhk world tells us why. >> reporter: the coronavirus pandemic is fading from view, and restaurant owners like liz are glad to see seats filled. but there's a problem.

>> as we get a little busier and we need support staff, be it in the kitchen or in the front of the house, there's a real shortage of labor. >> reporter: the eatery is located in ho owe high who. she raised from $13 to $18. she's improved other benefits such as paid days off. so far, would-be workers aren't taking the bait. she's still about ten short. what's more, those rising labor costs have left her with no choice but to mark up most of her menu. customers now fork out 20% more for the signature ribeye stake. she is a board member of the ohio restaurant association and she knows these problems are not hers alone. >> this is not just small, independent restaurants. it's every restaurant across the country. >> reporter: at the same time, people are angry about rising prices. they say wage growth is not

keeping pace. many are striking, including these workers from a major lumber firm. they say management rejected the union's demand for a significant pay hike. >> we'd like a reasonable pay increase that reflects the cost of what it takes to take care of our families. >> reporter: this is the first strike in the union's 36-year history, and the company is starting to feel the impact. global shipping has ground to a halt. >> we really wanted to capture that and not lose money by having less wage increases that would cover costs and cost of living. the company fell very, very short. >> reporter: one survey shows strikes across the united states in the first half of the year were up three fold on the same period last year. president joe biden recently enacted a law aimed at bringing down prices, and the federal reserve is hiking interest rates on an unprecedented scale. but one expert says it's all too little, too late. >> this is like a turtle, you

know, approaching a distant wall. they need to take much more radical steps than they have takenodate. >> reporter: if prices don't cool, the fed will have little choice but to keep raising rates. many fear that could plunge the united states into a recession and trigger a global downturn. nhk world. friday marks 150 years since the opening of japan's first railway. now the country's network is at a crossroads in the face of demographic change and the shift to personal transport. nhk world reports. ♪ >> reporter: a special commem raytive train left tokyo's shimbashi station on friday. this is the same station from

which japan's first passenger train departed in 1872. the railway network was only 29 kilometers long back then. in the last century and a half, it's expanded to about 27,000 kilometers nationwide. railways played aajor role in japan's enomicvelopmt. t incasin ctsnd the cline i popation a ming lines less profitable. some of them have already been closed down. a government panel produced a proposal in july for what regional routes there should be in the future. the experts said new options should be considered for unprofitable lines that fall short of usage. the options include replacing trains with bus services. about 60 groups of the japan railway group are subject to review.

in addition to social change, the current pandemic has dealt another blow. railway companies predict that passenger numbers won't return to prepandemic levels because teleworking and other measures have become entrenched. even japan's largest railway operator east japan railway says it will focus more on other businesses rather than railways. the company, which runs services in the tokyo metropolitan area, says it expects 40% of its profits to come from nonrailway businesses in three years. it's been investing in hotel and retail businesses at locations near stations. it also says so-called big data on passenger flow that's collected when people use their ic cards will be another pillar. one expert says the pandemic has forced railway operators to review their business model.

>> translator: no matter how much profit they make or may not make, they have to consistently allocate funding to ensure safety,ut the pandemic has brought them to the brink of not being able to continue investing in what's neceary. theyeed to come up with sinesses tha go beyond stations. >> reporter: japan's railways are world famous for being safe, punctual and convenient, but passengers can take for granted that such services will continue. they'll have to be prepared for a change as the population shrinks. nhk world. okay. let's have a look at the markets.

from the "newsline biz" team in tokyo, i'm gene ohtani. thanks for being with us. ■ñ■ñ■ñ> r

condemned russia's move to have parts of ukraine. it reaffirms sovereignty. >> i