officials attribute the increase in sales to new product and storen novations. they say closing on profitable outlets also helped. >>> the value of loans hit a record high. financial authorities say banks provided roughly $110 billion in new mortgages. that's up 15% from 2015. the increase is partly because the bank of japan's negative interest rate policy demanded cash. they're borrowing more to invest in condominiums and office buildings. bank of gentleman parnn officias say they're watchching out for signs of overheating in the market. >>> and you can catch our report again online together with a full transcript look for nhk world and business wrap. that's a look at businesses. i'm going to leave you with the markets. >>> japan is making moves to show it is willing to tackle the syrian refugee crisis. they're accepting young syrians under a privately funded college plan. we report the first group is set to arrive this spring. >> reporter: of the more than 200 applicants screened in turkey, six have been chosen to study japanese. tuition will be provided but t