i'm yoshi ogasawara in tokyo. japanese officials have withdrawn a warning for people to take shelter in the country's north. it alert came after north korea fired what appeared to be at least one ballistic missile towards the sea of japan. about 30 minutes later officials canceled the warning. the defense ministry says north korea fired a suspected icbm class missile at 7:26 a.m. on thursday. it says it did not likely fall or fly through japan's exclusive economic zone. south korea's military says it was launched from near pyeongyang. it says it was an intermediate or longer range ballistic missile and flew about 1,000 kilometers. it's the 12th time this year that the north has conducted a launch. the launch triggered what's called an alert warning across the country for the first time since last fall, but there are concerns about its accuracy after it sent out false alarms last october and november. japan's chief cabinet secretary defended thursday's warning saying it was not a mistake because officials believed

i'm yoshi ogasawara. we start in japan. the government officially announced thursday it'll downgrade covid-19 to its lowest legal classification level. it will soon consider the illness to be on par with seasonal influenza. >> translator: the expert panel finally confirmed there will be no special circumstances that would change the scientific premise. our ministry has decided to reclassify covid-19 to category five starting may 8th. >> the illness is currently in category two. that allows the government to put strict measures in effect. the health ministry says the downgrade will improve health care access for patients with covid-19. it aims for 64,000 facilities nationwide to offer outpatient care for people with the illness and calls for test results and outpatient care after a positive diagnosis will fall on the patient. the ministry will continue to recommend people with covid-19 stay home for five days starting the day after symptoms appear. >>> officials initially intended to lift covid-19 border restrictions to coin

i'm yoshi ogasawara. we begin in tokyo where a big change to japan's immigration law has cleared a major hurdle. the lower house is set to pass a bill that could end long detentions for asylum seekers stuck in limbo, but critics say it could cause other problematic practices. the main ruling democratic party, its coalition partner kometo, and two opposition parties voted to support the bill at a panel meeting on friday. if passed into law people who have applied for refugee status three or more times and who can't provide sufficient reason to stay could be deported. currently japan suspends deportation orders for people whose applications are still being processed, but it sometimes leads to lengthy stays in immigration detention centers for some asylum seekers. immigrant right supporters say the new bill isn't the answer. hundreds staged a rally outside the diet friday to voice their opposition. >> translator: i thought we could scrap the bill, so i'm extremely disappointed. >> protesters argue it may lea

i'm yoshi ogasawara in tokyo. thanks for watching and do stay with us for more. >>> this is "newsline biz." i'm gene otani. a high rise commercial complec has opened in tokyo's district. the area is known for its vibrant nightlife and there are hopes the new building will attract foreign tourists. the 225-meter tokyo tower has 48 floors above ground and five under ground levels. none of the floor space is used by corporate offices, which is different from most mix used buildings. instead there is a movie theater, music venues, and many shops. the second floor is home to drinking and dining establishments, which will stay open late to promote what has been called the district's nighttime economy. >> very beautiful. >> it's very beautiful. we like the atmosphere, the music, and the food's very good so far. >> translator: by offering the safest nighttime entertainment facility in japan we will make this an area a place people can enjoy until morning. >> two hotels are scheduled to open next month. one of them is offe