. >>> and cinema fans in china are hailing the late japanese actor ken takakura for inspiring them through some difficult times of their own. >>> japan's coast guard officials say a crackdown on suspected chinese coral poachers appears to be working. for two months, they've been monitoring and warning crews off islands south of tokyo. now they say the boats have all gone. nhk world's keiko yamamoto reports. >> reporter: coast guard officials stepped up night time patrols over the ogasawara islands, 1,000 kilometers south of tokyo. they were keeping track of chinese crews taking advantage of the darkness to enter japanese waters. the officials first noticed the boats in the middle of september. then they saw a dramatic increase late last month of more than 200. >> translator: poachers clear out the coral completely leaving nothing behind. i don't know when we'll be able to harvest coral like we used to. >> reporter: the chinese crews are believed to be targeting coral varieties known as precious coral. jewelry made from it fetches high prices in china. fishermen there cannot harvest it beca

. >>> japanese actor ken takakura spent his career portraying tough men facing difficult situations. he died earlier this month. now people in china are remembering a man whose characters reflected their hardships during decades of upheaval. >> reporter: when ken takakura died at the age of 83, he has been on chinese screens since the '70s. his performances were a favorite with fans. his first film shown in china was adopted by a production company in shanghai. the company's building houses a movie museum. at one attraction, visitors can try dubbing parts of a takakura film. >> translator: we recently heard about his death, so we came here today. >> translator: i'm 80, and my wife is 78. i remember we were working hard back then, and takakura's movie impressed us greatly. >> reporter: after his death, state-run tv aired a 25-minute takakura special. a famous newscaster praised the actor. takakura's death was even mentioned at the government's regular press conference. its rare for the reporters briefing to cover anyone other than a politician or other figure of power. >> translator:

there is only one ken takakura. >> reporter: memorial events to honor the actor are being held across japan. takakura's hometown, a bookstore there set up a special book selling books takakura wrote and those related to him. many titles were sold out within a day. the yellow handkerchief was one of the most famous movies takakura starred in. it was shot in yubaru city, hokkaido. takakura played a shy and awkward ex-convict. at the end of the movie, he learns his wife has been waiting patiently for the day of his return. the scene touched the hearts of movie fans. a local museum displays voters of takakura taken during the shooting of the film. the museum held a special program to honor the actor. >> translator: i've watched many of takakura's films. i will mourn his death deeply. >> translator: he's a man's man. i really want to tell him thank you. >> reporter: takakura's 83 years of colorful life have come to an end. but as someone who devoted his life to his art, he will live forever in movie fans' hearts. takafumi terui, nhk world, tokyo. >>> the coldest air of the season and signi

. >>> japanese actor ken -- [ inaudible ] takakura plan his career in 18976 -- 1976.s 83 years old. >>> the lawsuit against wal- mart is headed to court today. last summer a wal-mart truck slammed into the back after n c several -- tracy morgan and several friends after a show in delaware. morgan is suing wal-mart for punitive and compensatory damages. wal-mart claims the victim's injuries were partly due to them not wearing seat belts. >>> the latest hunger games movie had its latest premier yesterday outside the l.a. live theater. series. one more movie in the it's mocking jay part 2. >>> weather wise, nothing is going to hit the runway today, uns will heavily dressed. tomorrow 37. a little less wind. 40's thursday and friday. 50 on saturday and look at the warm sunny into monday but that comes with an increasing threat of showers. >> reporter: beltway accident prince george's county impacting both loops of the beltway at andrews. the crash is just before route 4 blocking a right lane. slow from ritchie parm borrow. here's the delay -- marlboro. here's the delay on