i'm yuko aotani in tokyo. currency traders in tokyo and shanghai are doing something they've never done before. they've started direct trading between the japanese and chinese currencies. the yen/yuan deal has raised expectations of increased financial transactions between asia's two largest economies. brokers made their first trades at the start of the day on the trading floors of japanese banks. the initial exchange rate was set at 12.33 yen to the yuan. japanese and chinese officials agreed to the deal last december. the arrangement removes the interim step of converting to and from the u.s. dollar. direct trading will reduce transaction fees and lower the risks involved in settling trades. investors see a lot of threats out there. they are worried about the health of spanish banks, the effect that will have on european debt and the pace of u.s. growth. so they are heading for the exits. the euro fell to its lowest point against the japanese yen in 11 1/2 years. the fears about the health of spain's financi

i'm yuko aotani in tokyo. japanese police say they are closing in on the last suspect from aum shinrikyo still on the run. they've released security video of a man they say is katsuy katsuya takahashi. police released three photos. two were taken on monday. they show takahashi withdrawing money. they say the account was registered under a false name. and the third photo is one takahashi submitted for a company identification card. investigators showed the photos to another cult member they arrested on sunday. she confirmed that the man in the pictures is takahashi. he's the last of a list of suspects wanted for the sarin gas attacks in 1995 on the tokyo subway system. the national police agency has asked offices across the country to search for the fugitive. they say he could have left the kawasaki area with the money he withdrew. >>> nokuchi was one of the most wanted fugitives. she was caught sunday and has been cooperating with police. they are learning more about how she spent her life on the run. she was

i'm yuko aotani in tokyo. thank you very much for watching.

i'm yuko aotani in tokyo. we'll be back with more news at the top of the hour so, do join us then. thank you very much for watching.

earlier yuko aotani spoke with someone in our studio. >> what were the problems after so many converged on that sendai high rise. >> yeah, first of all there was not enough food or medical equipment for the evacuees. high rise buildings like this usually stock enough water, food and virginia supplies for the staff and tenants, but not for people from outside. it's unfeasible for them to stockpile provisions for large numbers of evacuees. another problem is the tower not was officially considered a public shelter. >> translator: our building wasn't designated as an official shelter so that means we didn't receive emergency supplies or other forms of aid from the authorities. >> another issue was ensuring people's safety. the management of the building was unwilling to shelter the evacuees due to worries about its legal standing if any injuries were sustained on the premises. >> translator: as the building management, we bear the responsibility. the question of whether we might be exempted from this responsibility in the event of an emergency is something that needs to be addressed. >> so

i'm aotani yuko. thank you fo