i'm yoshi ogasawara in tokyo. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> this is "newsline" biz.ut the possibility of issuing a digital yen. central banks in the states, china, and europe are already exploring the viability of digital currencies. they can be used in the same way as bank notes and coins. the ministry's panel is expected to discuss how to create a framework for a central bank digital currency. they will use findings from a technical study the bank of japan conducted the past two years. the launch of the panel coincides with the start of a digital yen pilot program involving the doj financial institutions, and other private- sector participants. doj officials said they have no concrete plans to issue currency. it is expected to take time to hammer out the legal and framework issues. the ministry plans to take into account the opinions of the panel and prepare for the possible introduction of a digital yen. >>> japan has come up with a plan to strengthen its power grid by significantly expanding the use of renewable energy. it envisions total investments of around $5

i'm yoshi ogasawara in tokyo.oreign ministers from the group of 20 are meeting for a second day in new delhi. the war in ukraine is expected to take center stage. >> let us remind ourselves that this grouping bears an exceptional responsibility. we first came together in the midst of global crisis. >> the gathering opened on dnesdawith the plenary session underway on the following day. the participants include u.s. secretary of state antony blinken, russian foreign minister sergei lavrov and china's minister. aside from the war, the top diplomats are expected to cover global surge in energy and food prices. bilateral meetings are scheduled on the sidelines. blinken says he has no plans to meet his chinese counterpart. washington recently warned beijing not to send arms to russia. lavrov met his indian and turkish counterparts on wednesday. apparently mindful that western countries are expected to harshly criticize moscow over the war in ukraine. turkey has served as a mediator between russia and ukraine. >>> risin

i'm yoshi ogasawara in tokyo. we begin in eastern ukraine. russian forces claim they're on the verge of capturing the key city of bakhmut. fighters with the wagner gro private military company have been spearheading the assault. cnn and reuters news agency, they were able to confirm a video released by wagnerppears to show its mercenaries just 2 kilometersrom the city center. ukrainian field hospitals nearby have been inundated with soldiers wounded in the fight to hold bakhmut. u.s. institute for the study of war say troops appear to be focusing the offensive in one part of the city to force the ukrainians to retreat. earlier this week, ukraine official told cnn a strategic withdraw is on the table. many civilians living in the area are fleeing for safety as fighting heats up. >> translator: i had a home in bakhmut, but it's gone now. i worked all my life to pay for it. >> translator: we stayed as long as we could, but we have no choice. our neighbor's apartment was destroyed. it's time to go. >> meanwhile, the u