. hello there. welcome to "newsline." i'm catherine kobayashi in tokyo. first a look at the headlines. officials in tokyo are expressing regret over the indictment of a japanese journalist in south korea. some fear the move may harm ties between the two countries. officials in hong kong have called off talks with pro-democracy student leaders, dealing a blow to moves to resolve a political standoff. and people are checking out

the latest technology on wearable devices. the gadgets are getting smaller, lighter, and thinner. officials in tokyo fear the indictment of a japanese journalist in south korea could harm relations between the two countries. prosecutors in seoul indicted the journalist on charges of defaming the country's president. japan's chief cabinet secretary calls the action extremely regrettable. tatye okato wrote an article questioning the whereabouts of president park geun-hye on the day of a deadly ferry accident. wrote about rumors in the local media that park had been with a man. more than 300 people died in the accident. japanese government officials say the indictment reflects the intention of the park administration. they say the move may stall attempts to improve relations between the two countries. foreign ministry officials in tokyo summoned a minister from

the south korean embassy. they told kim mon jin the indictment is extremely regrettable in terms of freedom of the press and bilateral relations. kim said he would convey japan's concern to officials in seoul. tokyo plans to continue discussions with south korea to try to improve relations. officials hope to arrange talks between prime minister shinzo abe and president park in the coming weeks. the japanese newspaper publishers and editors association has also protested the indictment. it says the move threatens freedom of the media and expression in south korea. which is a fundamental principle of a democratic society. chong government officials have dealt a heavy blow to attempts to defuse a political standoff. they've canceled the talks scheduled for friday with pro-democracy student leaders. they stay protesters' remarks damaged the trust needed for the talks. >> i truly regret that we will

not be able to have a meeting tomorrow, which will produce any constructive outcome. >> the city's number two official says student leaders have been shifting their demands. carrie lam says the students are now calling for beijing to reverse the decision to vet candidates for a 2017 election. she says they called on supporters to continue occupying roads if the government didn't answer their questions during the talks. the protesters' main demand has been a public nomination of candidates for hong kong's top post. in august beijing said applicants must first be approved by a pro-beijing nominating panel. that decision virtually rules out participation by pro-democracy candidates. the protesters have been occupying the streets near government offices since late last month. they've been demanding a democratic vote and the resignation of the city's current chief executive. kurdish forces say militants

are seizing more and more territory in northern syria. they have been battling islamic state over the control of ayn al arab for weeks. a senior officer told nhk up to 1/3 of the town bordering turkey has fallen to the militants. kurdish forces are being supported by u.s.-led air strikes targeting the militants' armored vehicles and bases around the city. but the officer says they're struggling. the kurdish forces are appealing for more international military support. they say if they lose control of the city civilians will be slaughtered. two suicide bombings rocked yemen on thursday. more than 60 people have been killed. no one has claimed responsibility for either strike. but local media report the

attacks resemble the work extremist group linked to al qaeda. the country's state-run media report the man detonated his explosives-laden belt in the capital sanaa. he killed at least 47 people, including children. the attack happened at a checkpoint controlled by anti-government forces. al jazeera and other media report that the bombing likely targeted people gathering to stage an anti-government rally. on the same day a suicide car bombing hit a military base in eastern yemen. 19 soldiers died. the u.n. brokered a cease-fire between the government and rebel forces in yemen last month. both sides have been working to form a national unity government. a powerful typhoon is approaching japan. residents in the southern islands are preparing for the storm. mai shoji joins us from our weather desk with more. >> the most powerful storm of

the year so far vongfong is making its way toward okinawa but you can see the eye wall is not so defined anymore. but no mat its intensity it's bringing -- we have some pictures coming out from here. the residents are being prepared for this system, bracing for it and boarding up windows, anchoring boats. we have report of 94 kilometers per hour here in minny daito island but already 86 kilometers per hour in okinawa. so as we show you the track, it is heading toward the shores of okinawa island and by the time it reaches it will be sunday morning hours and then by monday will be reaching kyushu. because of the high pressure system it's going to be making veering toward the east possibly engulfing much of the archipelago of japan. the gusts are reaching 250 kilometers per hour at the center of this system, possibly still as a typhoon status making its way toward kyushu. but no matter what it's likely to crash into the islands with high waves up to about 11 meters in okinawa and also the gusts are already going to be reaping

about 162 kilometers per hour. throughout the day and into tomorrow, certainly enough to topple trees and even damage? structures. and on top of this the rainfall accumulation could be quite some staggering amounts. about 250 millimeters or even more will be making its way toward the areas where the land is very prone to flooding due to the previous storm system, phanfone that slammed into the central locations of japan. we'll keep a very close eye on this and i'll come back to you with more details on world weather in the latter half of the program. >> thanks very much, mai. policy makers, finance ministers and other top officials are gathering in washington. they're worried about the world economy. ai uchida joins us now from the business desk with more. ai. >> catherine, some big names converging on the u.s. capital. they include finance ministers and central bankers from the g20 and in addition officials from the world bank and the international monetary fund are holding meetings. everyone is figuring out ways of boosting global growth.

the meetings come after the imf released its latest growth forecast for 2014. the report revised upward the report for the u.s. economy, citing continuing improvement in the labor market. the imf was less impressed with japan and the euro zone and downgraded their growth forecasts. the report pointed to clear differences in the speed of economic recovery among different countries and also growing uncertainty about the global economy. the g20 officials are expected to discuss increasing infrastructure investment in emerging economies. japan's finance minister taro as e! and bank of japan governor kuroda are at the g20 meeting. they're expected to sluggishnes japan's economy is temporary and due to a hike in the consumption tax. the japanese officials are likely to say their economy will continue its moderate recovery. well, the head of the imf spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the meetings. they said growth in the global

economy is slower than expected. >> in the face of what we have called the risk of a new mediocre where growth is low and uneven, we certainly believe that there has to be a new momentum. >> lagarde called on leaders to implement fiscal policies that focus on growth. she urged the euro zone and japan to shore up their economies with monetary easing. well, investors, they're also worried by the slowing growth rate, and they're pulling their money out of stocks. in tokyo investors are selling shares across all sectors, checking a day of heavy losses on wall street. the nikkei currently down just about 1%. investors are also selling stocks across asia. hong kong's hang seng is lower. that is down 1.3% almost. in sydney energy stocks are leading the declines. australian shares are trading lower by more than 1 1/2%.

oil prices, they are continuing to fall. people who track the markets say traders are concerned about slowing economic growth and a stronger dollar. wti futures are currently trading in the mid $84 range. and currency traders are pulling the dollar back from multiyear highs. analysts say people in the markets are starting to worry the dollar's recent rally risks putting another break on modest growth. at the moment dollar changing hands in the upper 107 yen range. euro/dollar quoted at just over 1.27. people are flocking to a convention center outside tokyo to experience the latest itn digital technologies. there's always plenty to take in at the event known as seatec japan. and this year people are paying attention to wearable devices, especially ones focused on health care.

>> reporter: some are glasses. other devices are watches. crowds rush to see wearable devices in the exhibit hall. they are fast becoming a part of our daily lives. children too can enjoy them. a fencer built into the wrist band measures the changing speed and angle of one's swing, and the matching sound effect is played by the smartphone. [ tennis sounds ] this bandage-type sensor is one of many devices for the health care market that's under development. when applied to the skin, it measures body surface temperature. such small devices are made possible by miniaturizing the communication model. the one boff is usual size and

the one below is a minuiaturize version. they were separated and laid out on two levels of thin substrate to achieve such a small size. >> translator: the company's parts are quite similar. so the key factor will be how small they can make their produc products. >> reporter: this shirt can measure the heartbeat and display the data. special fibers are attached to the inside of the shirt. the fiber is coated with a type of plastic that conducts electricity. the fiber can detect the heart's subtle electrical impulses. this is sent through the transmitter, and the heart rate and cardiograms are displayed on the mobile device.

>> translator: for the heart rate function we're targeting people who are sports enthusiasts. the electric o'cardiogram being developed is a medical application. >> reporter: smaller, lighter. the competition rages on among companies to develop wearable devices that will make people develop they're even wearing one. japan is stepping up its efforts to attract more foreign tourists. one group it wants to woo is muslims. the tourism agency is planning to publish a manual to give advice to hospitality businesses in japan. restaurants will be advised to prepare food in line with islamic teachings. the number of malaysian and indonesian tourists headed for japan has been on the rise ever since tokyo relaxed its visa rules. tourism agency officials say their manual will include instructions on correct food preparation for muslims. it will advise restaurant

operators to indicate dishes not containing pork. another piece of advice is that paper plates are useful because some muslims don't use tablewear that has previously touched pork. the manual will also recommend that businesses prepare prayer mats for muslim customers. the agency officials plan to survey muslim tourists to find out what kind of inconveniences they experienced during their japan travels. i'll have more for you in business next hour. here's a check on markets. ♪ ♪

prime minister shinzo abe has promised to ease regulations on many businesses to help revitalize japan's economy. government officials have proposed the establishment of special economic zones to attract new businesses and encourage others to expand. now an advisory panel is proposing several new provisions to a bill promoting private sector investment within the zones. the proposals include allowing more foreign household workers into the country. they would also permit private entities to manage public schools. panel members are also proposing that people other than qualified physicians be allowed to serve as administrative directors of medical corporations. the group will make its final decision on friday. and the cabinet will officially approve the bill by the end of this month. a japanese entrepreneur is crafting a plan to keep the skills of traditional artisans

alive. she says they're facing an uncertain future as they struggle to sell their products. so she's helping them create a new market that's eyeing future consumers. >> reporter: this baby is wearing an indigo garment made in a traditional method. the color becomes richer the longer it's worn. the fabric protects the baby's skin thanks to indigo's anti-bacterial and moisturizing properties. each garment is dyed individually by an artisan to welcome a new birth. the garments are the brainchild of rika yajima. she collaborates with artisans across japan to produce everyday goods for children up to the age of 6. yajima started to take an interest in traditional industries while a teenager. in university she approached a magazine, proposing a series of articles about artisans. she then witnessed how they were struggling to sell their

products as well as finding apprentices. >> translator: if people are introduced at a young age to products made in the traditional way, they might go on to buy the goods when they become adults. this might be a way of preserving our traditions in the real sense of the word. >> reporter: yajima is visiting arita in saga prefecture. about 100 kilometers southwest of tokyo. the town is where porcelain was first made in japan 400 years ago. shingama is one of the kilns in the region. 20 potters work here to preserve the skills handed down through eight generations of craftsmen. yajima has been working with them since may on the so-called first rice bowl project. the idea is to develop a product that can fit into the hands of young children. yajima discusses with the craftsmen the best size, shape,

and weight for the bowls. >> translator: there's a proper way of holding a rice bowl. first you lift it with both hands and then hold it with one hand. but most children these days don't know about such traditional manners. the purpose of the project is to help them learn about the beauty of this gesture and appreciate the craftsmanship. >> reporter: in a world bound by tradition, yajima with her common sense approach stands out. here she's paying particular attention to the pattern on the bottom of the bowl. she believes an uneven surface will make it easier to hold. >> translator: to replicate this design more accurately and make sure it's easy to produce the craftsman made a mold based on a computer-aided design system. >> translator: i was very surprised by the design, because i had never seen anything like that on aritaware. working with people within our community may be the only

chance. otherwise, the arita brand might disappear. >> reporter: the result combines the artisans' traditional know-how and advanced technology and fully meets yajima's expectations. >> reporter: the hidden pattern on the bottom of the bowl satisfies two cardinal aspects of design. it's both functional and pleasing to the eye. the next step for any prototype is testing. yajima visits a couple with a 4-year-old son. >> translator: look, just put your fingertips on the bumpy part.

>> translator: i'm glad, as a parent, to see him holding a rice bowl in the right way. >> reporter: yajima's goal is twofold. to develop traditional, yet innovative products and bring together as many artisans as possible with future consumers. smokers in south korea are about to pay more for cigarettes. and find fewer places to light up. they're being targeted by health officials who want them to quit. a series of anti-tobacco measures is being introduced, taking aim at the country's high smoking right. nhk world's kim chan jao reports from seoul. >> reporter: three months ago, the health and welfare ministry launched a tv commercial. it showed graphic images of the damage caused by smoking.

more and more public spaces have been declared nonsmoking areas, and an anti-smoking media campaign was unveiled. the percentage of smokers in south korea is among the highest in the world. last month the government announced a plan to increase the price of cigarettes by 80%, beginning in january. the measure is intended to help reduce the number of smokers. according to the government's latest survey, about 42% of males over the age of 19 smoke, whereas the percentage of female smokers is only about 6%. the big difference between the sexes is peculiar to south korea. one reason for the country's high rate could be the price of cigarettes. they're very cheap.

one common xwroochbtsd 2,500 won, or $2.30 a pack, the lowest in any nation in the oecd. another reason is related to military service. it is believed that many people start smoking during their mandatory two years in the forces. >> translator: in the army, most people smoke during breaks because other people are smoking. if you don't participate, you don't feel like you belong. i remember cigarettes as part of the army culture in which you all conform. >> reporter: south korea's turning point took place two years ago. the world health organization held its framework convention on tobacco control in seoul. south korean officials used the occasion to introduce no-smoking policies. the health and welfare ministry will use the taxes from the 34r57bd pri

planned price hike to help smokers quit and prevent others from starting. these promises will also apply to soldiers. >> translator: next year, we're going to broaden the scope of our plan and take the nonsmoking campaign along with medical treatment for smokers into the military. >> reporter: despite all these efforts, many longtime smokers demonstrate they have no intention of quitting. i love smoking is a nationwide pro-smoking organization. a survey of the members suggests that an increase of 2,000 won will not make them quit. >> translator: we intend to investigate whether the taxes raised are really used for smokers. >> reporter: lawmakers will debate the proposed increase during the current session of parliament. if it passes, the hike will take effect in january.

many are waiting to see if this will encourage smokers to butt out. kim chan ju, nhk world, seoul. a severe cyclone over the bay of bengal is heading to the east coast of india. mai shoji joins us again with the details. >> we have a spinning cyclonic system over the bay of bengal already affecting the nikoba islands but making its way toward rishakapatnam. this is an area where last year there was devastation and killed a little less than 100 people. it is making the similar path, making its way toward the city directly, and by the time it hits the it looks like it will be packing gusts of 155 kilometers per hour and the rainfall amounts will certainly be staggering. it will probably produce about 250 millimeters or even more in and around the key port city of sh. kapatanam. we keep a very close eye on this

system throughout the weekend. on toward eastern continental asia we have that typhoon vongfong. the high pressure system is making it move very slowly. the high pressure system also responsible for the clear skies across the korean peninsula and much of japan is calm before the storm. and much of china except for beijing we're looking at very low visibility due to the air pollution being in a hazardous level today in and around the capital of this country. looks like this -- conditions will be much better due to another windy and wet weather moving in. that's going to be dispersing the situation. but if you're out there today, make sure you wear a mask, especially for people, those with respiratory problems. the high pressure system is also responsible for cooling weather up in the north. 12 degrees. but the low is only about 2 degrees. ulan bator is already seeing precipitation with 8 degrees for your high. tokyo at 26. and down toward the south due to the typhoon feeding all that

moisture, carrying on conditions, manila will see unstable weather throughout your weekend and into early next week perhaps. here across europe we're looking at a very long strefg frontal line that is bringing very unsettled conditions across southern france, especially likely to see more even tornadic activities. large hail size of three centimeters hail and severe gusts of 100 kilometers per hour persisting on your friday. meanwhile, warsaw's very warm 22 degrees. a very quick look here in the americas. the midsection of the u.s. is being pounded by staggering amounts of rainfall. about 100 millimeters of additional rainfall could target the area, and thunderstorms could well be possible in oklahoma city as well as houston. i'll leave you now for an extended forecast. ♪

♪ that's all for this edition of "newsline."

i'm catherine kobayashi in tokyo. we'll be back at the top of the hour with more updates.

good evening from los angeles. i'm tavis smiley. tonight, a conversation with journalist and immigration activist jose antonio vargas. he's written about his own struggles as an undocumented immigrant. he was in texas to call the attention of plight of tens of thousands of migrant children.+x his documentary living in this country without papers is titled "docume "documented." and then a conversation with singer, drummer and per accusationist sheila e., she's collaborated with prince, lionel richie and others to name a few. we're glad you've joined us. those conversations coming up right now.