most of all, they criticized the way noda managed the party. they blamed him for the departure of a number of party members. but in the end, the challengers failed to gain enough support. other possible contenders may have proven more popular, but they decided not to run. they may have considered it unwise to become the head of a party that may well lose in the next general election. mayuko ambe, nhl world, tokyo. >>> the noda administration faces complex challenges. they include territorial disputes with china and south korea, japan's new energy policy, and an extensive reform of the social security system. prime minister noda says he's ready to meet those challenges head on. >> translator: there are times when i have to make a decision despite divisions within my party or among public opinion. throughout the past year, i have been reminded how painful and difficult such decisions can be. i realize that this country continues to face difficult problems at home and abroad. i have to address each one of them in a decisive manner and am fully awa

noda once promised to do this soon, but he's seen his polling numbers. he may feel it's not a good timing for an election. that said, he needs cooperation from the ldp to keep government services funded. abe could cooperate in exchange for noda's promise to dissolve the lower house. if that happens, you and i will be discussing some of these issues again. >> maritime disputes between china and other asian countries made headlines in recent months. nhk received new footage of a stand-off in may between vessels from china and the philippines. china has a powerful navy to extend its presence at sea. its economic clout can be just as effective as the philippines's discovery. nhk world reports from manilla. >> reporter: a helicopter hovers at a distance that feels intimidating. this footage was taken in may by the philippines coast guard during a two-month stand-off with chinese vessels. the video shows a crew of a chinese fishing boat helping other chinese vessels to obstruct the philippines coast guard by lowering a rope into the water using that rope to tr

noda said countries should pay more attention to the function of the international court. >>> and noda says japanese officials will do their best to protect relations with their neighbors. our reporter watched the speech for us and said noda was careful about how he positioned himself. >> japanese officials were first reluctant to raise the problems with the south korea and china in the general assembly. the forum is for multi national challenges not bilateral issues. the japanese were concerned they might be criticized for not sincerely contributing to the development of international society but the theme of this year's general assembly is the rule of law. noda thought he could check recent moves by china and south korea without naming them as long as his remarks were in line with that theme. he assumed his comments would be understood as an attempt to solve these problems peacefully. the japanese government is developing alliances with the philippines, vietnam, and other countries. those countries are also concerned with china's expansion. noda's speech is seen as reinforcing that p

yoshihiko noda unveiled his long-awaited energy policy. it calls for the country to phase out nuclear power in the coming decades. the plan reflects the feelings of many japanese following last year's accident at the fukushima plant. but big business says the policy is problematic. nhk world's chia yamagishi has the details. >> reporter: government ministers have spent months talking to each other, to experts, and to the public to figure out the role nuclear power should play in japan. in the end, prime minister yoshihiko noda's administration has decided to work towards a nuclear-free society. >> translator: step by step we've come to face difficult challenges. but we can no longer afford to postpone a solution. >> reporter: the new energy policy calls for japan to be nuclear free as soon as possible. but it suggests 2030 as a target. it has three basic principles. first, limit the operation of nuclear reactors to 40 years. second, stop building nuclear plants. and third, only restart reactors regulatory authorities confirm are safe. japa

most of all, they criticized the way noda managed the party. they blamed him for the departure of a number of party members. but in the end, the challengers failed to gain enough support. other possible contenders may have proven more popular, but they decided not to run. they may have considered it unwise to become the head of a party that may well lose in the next general election. mayuko ambe, nhl world, tokyo. >>> the noda administration faces complex challenges. they include territorial disputes with china and south korea, japan's new energy policy, and an extensive reform of the social security system. prime minister noda says he's ready to meet those challenges head on. >> translator: there are times when i have to make a decision despite divisions within my party or among public opinion. throughout the past year, i have been reminded how painful and difficult such decisions can be. i realize that this country continues to face difficult problems at home and abroad. i have to address each one of them in a decisive manner and am fully awa

yoshihiko noda unveiled his long-awaited energy policy. it calls for the country to phase out nuclear power in the coming decades. the plan reflects the feelings of many japanese following last year's accident at the fukushima plant. but big business says the policy is problematic. nhk world's yam has the details. >> reporter: government ministers have spent months talking to each other, to experts, and to the public to figure out the role nuclear power should play in japan. prime minister noda has decided to work towards a nuclear-free society. >> translator: step by step we've come to face difficult challenges. but, we can no longer afford to postpone a solution. >> reporter: the new energy policy calls for japan to be nuclear free as soon as possible. but it suggests 2030 as a target. it has three basic principles. first, limit the operation of nuclear reactors to 40 years. second, stop building nuclear plants. and third, only restart reactors regulatory authorities confirm are safe. japanese leaders target the energy policy soon after

. >> noda said it's the responsibility of nations to protect their territory. he said that japan will fulfill that responsibility. but he stressed that his country will uphold the principles shared by the international community under all circumstances. he also criticized south korea to the international court of justice but their counter parts have rejected the criticisms. he said countries should pay more attention to the function of the international court. noda said japanese officials would respond calmly but his comments brought hill calm in some corners. >>> what were the major points that prime minister noda wanted to make in his speech? >> japanese officials were at first reluctant to raise the problems with south korea and china at the general assembly. the forum is for multinational challenges, not bilateral issues. the japanese were concerned they might be criticized for not sincerely contributing to the development of international society. but the theme of this year's general assembly is the rule of law. noda thought he could check recent moves by

prime minister yoshihiko noda announced details of that policy last week. he said his government would steer the country toward a nuclear-free future, but a final decision by his cabinet has turned a clear commitment into more of a vague idea. nhk world explains. >> reporter: members of prime minister noda's cabinet are playing defense. critics say they backed away from a plan to rid japan of nuclear power. but ministers stress their new energy policy hasn't changed. >> translator: the new policy sets a clear direction, while keeping a degree of flexibility to account for changing circumstances. the government remains faithful to the proposal worked out last week. >> reporter: that proposal says japan would stop building new nuclear power plants, and take other measures. in order to phase out atomic energy by 2030. however the cabinet didn't sign off on the idea. instead, ministers say they'll be taking the document into consideration as they call for continued efforts to reduce japan's dependence on nuclear energy. industry groups have been criticizing at

an nhk poll suggests noda and his cabinet are picking up support. the approval rating for noda's cabinet is 31%. that's three percentage points higher than august. it's the first time in five months the approval rating has gone above 30%. the disapproval rating is 53%, three percentage points lower than last month. our poll also asked voters about a local group that's expected to become japan's newest political party. osaka mayor will lead the new party. he wants to challenge the established parties, the dpj and ldp, in the next general election. the poll suggests 54% of voters have some or high expectations for hashimoto's party. and those with expectations, 40% say that's because the party seems better than other parties. earlier i spoke with nhk world's mayuka ambe to dig a little more about this new player on the political scene here in japan. so michael what would make voters choose hashimoto. >> many got to know todo hashimoto on tv. he gained fame by commenting on trials, legal issues and scandals on talk shows and news programs. he has a rem

prime minister yoshihiko noda's cabinet decided to inaugurate the watchdog on wednesday of next week. the new commission will replace the nuclear and industrial safety agency. that agency is controlled by the economy trade and industry ministry, which has promoted atomic energy. people criticized it after the fukushima accident for lacking independence. >> translator: i expect the commission to make every effort to win public understanding. so people will see that nuclear regulation has changed for the better. >> the commission will supervise a new nuclear regulatory agency employing some 500 people. noda will appoint the commission's five members when it's launched. >>> earlier, nhk world gave us a more in-depth view of this new commission. tell us what this new nuclear commission will do. >> yes, let me give you three points. first members will make emergency plans for utilities in the event of a nuclear accident. and second, they will also be in character of drawing up new nuclear safety measures for local municipalities. third, the commission will be tasked with deciding on restar

noda and putin are expected to discuss economic cooperation. and noda plans to raise the issue of russian-held islands claimed by japan. noda is also expected to promote cooperation in energy and other fields. he says he hopes this might lead to talks on the territorial dispute. >>> russian leaders are using the apec sumit to show their focus is now aimed at asia. one thing they can offer the region is substantial reserves of crude oil and natural gas. developing those reserves is helping russia develop its far east. nhk world's yusuke kitamura reports. >> reporter: the crude oil terminal was built three years ago on the outskirts of vladivostok. more than ten large oil tankers come through the port each month. last year, over 15 million tons of crude oil were exported from here to ten countries in the asia-pacific region, including japan, the united states and singapore. there are large oil deposits. most of the crude exported from the terminal originates in this area. during the soviet era, the oil fields of western siberia were the center of

noda once promised to do this soon, but he's seen his polling numbers. he may feel it's not a good timing for an election. that said, he needs cooperation from the ldp to keep government services funded. abe could cooperate in exchange for noda's promise to dissolve the lower house. if that happens, you and i will be discussing some of these issues again. >>> the foreign ministers of japan and china have held talks to discuss a bitter row between the two countries. their meeting follows japan's nationalization of the senkaku islands in the east china sea. china and taiwan claim the territory as their own. the talks took place tuesday in new york on the sidelines of the u.n. general assembly. koichiro gemba had a one-hour meeting with his chinese counterpart yang jiechi. gemba said both sides are responsible for the peace and stability of east asia. he stressed the importance of the two countries maintaining communication and keeping a broader perspective. gemba also referred to a series of anti-japanese protestors on japanese companies operating in china

one lawmaker i talked to told me that he will vote for noda because noda is the only one who can lead japan. he said he has no doubt in his choice. >>> thank you very much. updating us on the ruling democratic party leadership voting in the coming hours. chinese government crews seem determined to make their claims known to countries in the east chinese sea. chinese ships have been cruising in nearby waters since tuesday, as senior chinese official says the government crews will increase their presence in the area. >>> the news agency reported that the deputy director of the state oceanic administration made the remarks in beijing. he said that china has to be ready for the long and difficult fight to protect its sovereignty over the islands and safeguard its maritime interests. some of the ships belong to the state oceanic administration. >>> the assistant secretary of state, curt campbell reiterated the island in the east china sea are clearly covered by the japan u.s. security treaty. we do acknowledge, clearly through the process that you have set out, senator, that japan maintain

. >>> japanese prime minister yoshihiko noda has urged chinese leaders to take a broader perspective. he said a breakdown in relations between the world's second and third largest economies could harm the global economy. he made the comments in an interview with the "wall street journal." noda said the demonstrations against japan have made china less safe for japanese citizens and businesses. he said that's deeply regrettable. noda said he's concerned about reports that chinese customs officials are performing tougher economics on goods from japan. he said that could deter foreign investors. the rising tensions between japan and china over the senkaku islands are hurting bilateral private sector economic exchanges. a high-level japanese delegation has decided to put off a visit to beijing at the last minute. it was due to start the tour on tuesday. officials of the japan-china economic association say they decided to postpone the visit on monday. they explain that's because it has become uncertain whether the delegation can meet chinese leaders as planned. the annual visit has contin

noda announced his candidacy friday. he expressed his determination to lead japan as it faces a number of pressing problems. >> translator: there are tasks that have yet to be finished and cannot be left as they stand. i bear the responsibility of dealing with japan's many challenges. they include a comprehensive reform of the tax and social security systems, as well as leading the country to recovery. i want to continue carrying the respsibility of what this country needs to achieve now and in the future. >> noda has led efforts to double the consumption tax to 10% by 2015. he admitted there were some difficult times during the current session of the diet. but he says he has proven it is possible to work with opposition parties and vowed to bring about change with determination. >>> japan and china have been at odds for weeks over a territorial dispute involving islands in the east china sea. tokyo and beijing are celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations. china's ambassador to japan says both countries n

noda announced his candidacy friday. he expressed his determination to lead japan as it faces a number of pressing problems. >> translator: there are tasks that have yet to be finished and cannot be left as they stand. i bear the responsibility of dealing with japan's many challenges. they include a comprehensive reform of the tax and social security systems, as well as leading the country to recovery. i want to continue carrying the responsibility of what this country needs to achieve now and in the future. >> noda has led efforts to double the consumption tax to 10% by 2015. he admitted there was some difficult times during the current session of the diet. but he says he has proven it is possible to work with opposition parties and vowed to bring about change with determination. >>> people in japan's northeast are focused on overcoming the challenges of the 2011 disaster. but it won't be easy. they have to rebuild homes, businesses, entire communities. we'll show you their struggles and their successes on "the road ahe

prime minister noda's plan to appoint the chairperson and the other four positions has been prolonged because o resistance not only by the opposition and also by members of his ruling democratic. they said the experts in the list included people with strong connections with nuclear related businesses. noda gave up passing the personnel bill during the last session and decided to appoint the members by himself according to law. we won't find out until next week who will fill those positions. this delay in starting up the commission set the japanese government back by five months and it is still waiting to establish new nuclear safety guidelines a year-and-a-half after the accident at fukushima daiichi. >>> in other news the mayor of osaka is expected to announce the formation of his new political party later today. he plans to extend his local party to one that is nationwide in order to participate in the next lower house elections. his new national party is inspired by the great political reform of the 1868 majia restoration. seven members will leave other parties to join him. a forme

the members handed a list of the names to noda. former abductee says time is running out. she says she hopes the others can be reunited with their families soon. she is one of the five japanese who returned home shortly after the north admitted to the abductions. yokota says she will not die until she's reunited with her daughter megumi. she was abducted in 1977 at the age of 13. north korea admitted in september 2002 that some of its agents abducted japanese citizens decades ago. japan lists 17 people as abduction victims. >>> a bomb exploded on sunday in a military facility in central damascus. they declared they will continue attacking government nerve centers. the bomb exploded at a building area for soldiers guarding senior military officials. a spokesperson for the rebel group says that collaborators guided them inside the facility. >> state-run tv reports four people sustained light injuries. but the rebel group spokesperson says at least ten people were killed. government forces are maintaining heavy attacks on rebel forces with helicopters in various cities. human

the prime minister noda and the president santos will decide during talks in new york. the countries have been contukticontukt icontukt -- conducting working studies. if they sign the deal, clom -- colombia's tariff will be lowered. the agreement will lead off to they yae creation of jobs. and expected to build factors in the south american country. colombia aims to increase exports of beef and bananas to japan. >>> japanese businesses are scanning the map of southeast asia in the hunt for new production bases. they're asking leaders in vietnam to help more firms from japan get a foothold in the country. the chairman of atpan chamber of commerce and industry made the request at a meeting with vietnamese president. seeking the cooperation of the vietnamese government in improving the country's business environment. he says, japanese firms with high technologies can contribute to the economy. the president expressed his intention to provide maximum support stressing that vietnam is politically stable. officials at atpan chthe japan of commerce say firms in china may switc

prime minister yoshihiko noda is expected to speak at the general assembly wednesday. he's expected to call for a resolution of territorial issues based on international laws. japan is also engaged in a dispute over the islands in the sea of japan. taiwan also claims the senkaku islands. a fleet of taiwanese fishing boats is headed for the east china sea to back up that claim. more than 70 vessels from a fishing cooperative set sail monday afternoon. asserting taiwan's claim to the islands and demanding their fishing rights be protected. the cooperative is suggesting the -- it says the water surrounding the islands are a major taiwanese fishing ground. the fleet hopes to enter japanese territory waters on tuesday. more than ten taiwanese coast guard vessels will accompany the boats. >>> stories of tragedy and loss in the middle east touched the hearts of people around the world. one in the palestinian territory seven years ago touched a japanese doctor so much he wrote a book about it. nakata read an article about the death of a boy. then he sat down and wrote amed's r

prime minister yoshihiko noda discussed the issue with governor ishihara last month. ishihara said he would support the government's purchase with one condition -- he wants the government to build shelters on the islands for crews of fishing boats. he may raise a fuss if the government refuses. but government officials said they plan to build a lighthouse on the island and conserve the environment. >> they want to keep the peace. why would they refuse the request? >> they're weighing how this would play out for china. organizers in the communist party are preparing for a scheduled leadership change this fall. so it's a sensitive time. building a facility would aggravate the situation and government officials want to avoid that dynamic. they believe once they nationalize the islands they'll be able to establish effective control over them. so the government intends to proceed with the purchase with or without consent from tokyo. >>> new car sales in japan remain on a solid uptrend. they rose 12% from a year earlier. this marks the 11th straight month of gains. an indus

japan's prime minister noda deplored the violence but said tokyo was not backing down from its sovereignty claims while urging china to ensure the safety of the more than 100,000 japanese nationals living on mainland china. anti-japanese unrest could be refueled next week as china marks the anniversary of a japanese invasion 81 years ago. lucy craft, cbs news, tokyo. >> jeff: prince william and his wife catherine are continuing their tour of the south pacific today visiting the solomon islands. meanwhile in france lawyers for the royal cup el-- couple will go to court to block further publication of topless photos of the duchess. coming up, now you see it, now you don't. the growing epidemic of smartphone thefts. >> jeff: finally tonight many customers are locking forward to the official release this friday of apple's iphone 5. and so are many thieves. lee cowan explains why. >> reporter: they are often brazen daylight attacks like this. a woman talk on her cell phone one minute, the next it's gone. and she's left in utter disbelief. that crime took place in san francisco where these days

he referred to yoshihiko noda's statement that no territorial dispute exists over the senkaku islands. >> translator: the stance could be taken to mean that japan has no intention of settling the issue. the japanese government must adopt a more flexible attitude. >> you know, cure ra also said the longer the friction remains the less investment will flow from japan to china. he said continued tensions will only hurt economic ties. >>> japanese and chinese were to have spent this week celebrating the anniversary of the establ h established diplomatic relations in 1972. but organizers in beijing canceled the main ceremony. nhk world's michitaka yamaka has more. >> reporter: violent anti-china demonstrations this month. many support their government in the stance against japan. but some are calling for restraint from both parties. >> translator: the islands are definitely china's no matter what japan says. we chinese have a mission and responsibility to defend our territorial integrity. >> translator: i have high expectations for friendly china-japan ties because we're neighbors. while y

he referred to prime minister yoshihiko noda's statement that no territorial dispute exists over the senkaku islands. >> translator: the stance could be taken to mean that japan has no intention of settling the issue. the japanese government must adopt a more flexible attitude. >> yonekura also said the longer the friction remains the less investment will flow from japan to china. he said continued tensions will only hurt economic ties. >>> the president of myanmar has praised opposition leader aung san suu kyi during a speech to the united nations general assembly. here's patchari raksawong in bangkok with the details. >>> president thein sein's words of praise have special significance considering he served as prime minister during the harsh military regime. that same regime kept aung san suu kyi under house arrest for more than a decade. experts say his unprecedented remarks are another attempt to convince the international community that his government is committed to democratic reform. thein sein used his u.n. speech to congratulate aung san suu kyi for the award she received ea

. >> reporter: gemba is in new york with prime minister noda to attend the u.n. assembly. gemba delivered his speech at the-up on monday. >> there are so many causes of tensions related to national territories. we must strive to find ways to solve these issues peacefully based on the rule of law. >> reporter: gemba's comments come amid heightened tensions over the senkaku islands in the east china sea. japan is also involved in a territorial dispute with south korea over the takeshima islands in the sea of japan. in his speech, gemba made reference to the role of the international code of justice. his comment appeared to concern regional settlement over takeshima. >> i would like to reiterate today the importance of international courts as a means to settle international disputes peacefully in accordance with law. >> reporter: the foreign minister said japan recognizes the compulsory jurisdiction of the court. this means japan will appear before the court if another country files an appeal. other countries, including south korea, do not accept the code's binding authority.

noda did not name countries but he spoke at a time of heightene

japan's prime minister yoshihiko noda has won a party leadership vote against three challengers and will remain as prime minister. the leadership vote is a requirement that is held once many two years. the local media reports that he won the society vote with a convince majority. ing a sis they say are concerned about the shelter in south -- the red scross cross-says a shortage of clean water means people have to dink dirty water making children vulnerable to diseases. the camp are on the verge of a major outbreak of the disease. let's go back to our main story this hour. the pakistani government has earlier declared a day of love for the prophet. this is an attempt to urge people to protest peacefully against the anti-islamic film. let's get more. what can you tell us about the mood of the pakistani government? >> well, it is a careerly calculation they've tried to say have your day and they've say get it out of your system but i have to say i'm back outside the diplomatic enclave which is where we were yesterday where we saw thousands of protesters and once again, there are at least a

president lee and prime minister yoshihiko noda will be among members attending the summit in vladivostok, russia. >> translator: there's no meetimeet ing scheduled between the leaders of south korea and japan. neither side has proposed holding a meeting. >> he said ministers would not meet either. japanese foreign minister koichiro gemba and south korean foreign affairs and trade minister kim sung-hwan will attend the meeting later in the day. >>> north korea disclosed burial sites that may contain the remains of japanese who died around the end of world war ii. north korea has been showing the burial sites to a japanese group preparing to repatriate the remains. japanese media have been allowed to accompany the group. the group was led to a recently discovered site. they were also brought to nearby cities in the eastern part of the country on the sea of japan coast. about 1,500 japanese are said to have died in a town in the province of hamgyong-namdo. the japanese contingent offered incense and prayers. >> translator: when we go back to japan, we'd like to tell the bereaved families wh

so we'll see if it does broaden out into the region but right now japanese prime minister yoshihiko noda is in new york to attend the u.n. general assembly meeting and he will likely raise this dispute while he's there so that this is becoming a bit of an international issue that james very briefly i do want to delve a little more into taiwan do you think the conflict will trigger a surgeon separatist sentiment there. i suppose there is that possibility and in a strange way it almost unites it with with china in that they're both disputing japan's claims so i suppose it has the potential to go either way and i wouldn't pronounce on the on the time we need to vision on this but i think that certainly at this moment both sides see japan as the as the enemy more than they see each other as the enemy so i think there might be strategic alliances it's natural but in terms of really changing the balance of power in that relationship i don't think it will have a huge effect in and of itself all right and finally the protests in china could certainly cost japanese businesses billions of dollars

the assembly will hear a statement by his excellency, yoshihiko noda, prime minister of japan. i request protocol to escort his excellency. i have great pleasure in welcoming the prime minister of japan, his excellency, yoshihiko noda, and to invite him to address the assembly. >> mr. president, ladies and gentlemen, first, i would like to express my sincere appreciation for his dedication as president and his excellency. his assumption. i would also like to pay my deep respect to his excellency for his leadership. one year ago, i started my speech on this podium by conveying an outpouring of appreciation of the world. it has been one year and a half since the great japan earthquake in march of last year. the people are making strenuous efforts to revive their home town with a unyielding spirit. generous support from all over the world, we, the japanese, the vowed before the souls of the victims to hand down the lessons learned from the disaster. to succeeding generations beyond our national borders. japan will continue sharing this with the world in order to build a society no

. >> yes, prime minister noda is sticking to a hard line that japan will not compromise over its territorial dispute with china. in a speech to the urn and press conference yesterday, he stressed the islands are an integral part of japan and the issue should be settled under international law. but china reacted by saying china has broken international law. meanwhile the tensions continue to damage china related businesses. cancellations for flights to and from china have reached 40,000 seats. and production cuts are in china. >> stay there for one second. another story that we're following as relations between japan and china aren't going so well, japan may be getting companyier with myanmar. is that right? >> yes. the japanese government is teams up with myanmar's public and private sectors to set up a training center next spring. the aim is as to boost business skills to acceptable levels as more foreign companies set up shop in the country. the nikkei reported this morning that the world bank, imf and asian development bank are are considering spending loans worth up to $10 billion to sup

noda is hosting leon panetta at the time. >> it's in everybody's interests, it is in everybody's interests for japan and china to maintain good relations and to find a way to avoid further escalation. >> those good relations have been complicated by the sudden death of japan's new ambassador to china just over the weekend. how concerned should investors be about the latest flare up in tension between these two incredibly important asian regions? >> i think it's very concerning because we're seeing this on the back of tensions between china and the philippines and vietnam in the south china sea. now we're seeing diss put tws japan and china, as well. so it's creating political uncertainty and heightened risk of, you know, military arms race in the asia pacific over the decades ahead if action isn't taken to diffuse these tensions. economic cooperation between the e station countries is very crucial and would he have seen some efforts for increased cooperation throughout this and other initiative, but all of that is at risk if these kind of high level tensions continue to flare up. and if th

noda vowed to hit 1% inflation target within the year. meanwhile the democratic party president says he will not run for re-election as party chief in the upcoming ltp presidential election. back over to you. >> thanks very much.dtp presidential election. back over to you. >> thanks very much.p presidentl election. back over to you. >> thanks very much. >> let's bring in a senior economist for a bit more analysis on the figures. so martin, the japan sgchltgdp s don't look great. it highlights concerns for future growth, as well. how permanent or transient for that matter do you think this slowdown is? >> well, we're looking at these figures very, very slow closely. you heard the overall change in terms of the gdp estimates actually not that big, but the economy is clearly cooling. and the supportive factor is government spending. there is a political deadlock, so there is not much more coming, so the economy will have to do with what's there and what we're seeing is asia and japan are cooling. probably slipping towards recession already d

the leadership elections of the dgp and ljp, which takes place later this month, then prime minister noda will continue. what they're hoping is that it will be the end of the gridlock and progress. >> and it's going back to the currency if the euro is the new funding currency. that puts more pressure on the end. we'll get into more of that in a minute, derek. thanks. >>> this is the tone of sentiment as we count down to the ecb. you can see there's green right across this. only a little patch of red. the stocks are 600 looking fairly solid. a balance of .9%. many of the core markets have been tracking pretty firm as well. take a look at what's playing out in the u.k. the strongest gains we're seeing. the dax in germany, 1.4% on the boards. closely tracking behind the french market. the cac. the ibex in spain getting a run along. we have a balance of 1.8% early on in the session. in terms of what's playing out elsewhere, let's move on in terms of the financials. this stays in focus as it eyes what the ecb can be doing on the bond buying front. when looking for data from mario draghi as he'

japanese prime minister noda has told the united nations that japan is committed to resolving territorial issues peacefully, but in a speech, he said his country will defend its sovereignty ch he was clearly referring to the recent tensions with china and south korea. >> translator: the attempts to use unilateral threats to achieve selfish ends do not accord with the fundamental spirit of the united nations charter. that is unacceptable and goes resolving disputes based on international law. he also criticized south korea for rejecting a proposal to bring the dispute to the international court of justice. he said countries should pay more attention to the function of the international court. >>> hundreds of chinese have protested in front of the u.n. headquarters in new york against japan's nationalization of the senkaku islands. the protests were staged on tuesday ahead of prime minister noda's speech to the general assembly. >> we want to get -- to all the leaders in the united states, let them know is belonged to china. >> the demonstrators waved chinese flags and sign boards demanding

noda is expected to express japan's determination it take the initiative in compiling rules on regional trade and investment and to work towards promoting economic cooperation within the region. the japanese prime minister is also expected to express that japan will assist in building a solid supply chain system to impact the negative impact of natural disasters. last year's massive earthquake and tsunami in japan and flooding in thailand heavily destructed industrial activity. the aapec leader have to refrain from further protectionism until the end of 2015 and are expected to approve a deal at the ministerial meeting on thursday to lower tariffs on 54 eco-friendly items to 5% or less by the end of 2015. the result of the summit will be incorporate need a joint declaration to be released on sunday. u.s. president barack obama argued his second term at the conclusion of the democratic party's national convention in charlotte, north carolina. in his prime time speech, sepg the party nomination, he stated that voters will face the clearest choice of any time in a generation. nhk world rep