Tunisian Officials SaySecurity Forces stormed the museum and killed the two shooters. They say the victims include 17 Foreign Tourists including four italians and one french. And they say two tunesians were also killed. Japans foreign minister Fumio Kishida updated reporters in tokyo. Translator i feel strong anger about the shooting. We confirmed that one Japanese National is dead and three others are wounded. And we also have information that there are other japanese involved in the incident. Prime minister essid visited a japanese woman in hospital who was shot. She told nhk about what she saw and heard during the attack. Translator people started running when they heard gunshots. I fell and was shot. Bullets hit my ear, arm, and neck. A unity government of secular and islamic parties was formed in tunisia last month. The nation is said to be the sole Success Story of the 2010 arab spring, but recently islamic extremists have become active throughout the country. More on this developing story as details come in to us. In other news police in tokyo are investigating a series of Death Threats against the u. S. Ambassador to japan. Officials at the American Embassy in tokyo received several telephone calls last month threatening to kill ambassador caroline kennedy. The u. S. State department has increased security around the ambassador. Caroline kennedy has been u. S. Ambassador to japan since 2013. During that time she has visited the cities of hiroshima and nagasaki and areas affected by the 2011 tsunami disaster. Similar threats have also been made against the u. S. Consul general in okinawa, alfred magleby. U. S. State Department Spokesperson jen psaki commented on the matter. We take any threats to u. S. Diplomats seriously. We take every step possible to protect our personnel. We are working with the japanese government to ensure that necessary security measures are in place. Earlier this month the u. S. Ambassador to south korea was seriously wounded in seoul after he was attacked by a man carrying a knife. Business people around the world pay close attention to what officials at the u. S. Central bank have to say. So of course they were all ears when the chair of the fed dropped a strong hint about its key interest rate. Ai uchida joins us now from our business desk with all the details. So what did janet yellen have to say . Well catherine, as you know policy makers at the federal reserve, theyve kept rates near zero since the Global Financial crisis in 2008. Well, the economy has improved significantly since. So Everyone Wants to know when rates will rise. Policy makers say theyre not going to raise them until they see more clear signs that the economy is improving. They say they wont likely announce a rate increase when they meet again in april, but theyve changed their stance about being patient when it comes to raising the rate. They say theyll do that when theyre confident prices will rise over the medium term and the labor market shows further improvement. Market plays expect the central bank could raise the rate as early as june but fed chair janet yellen says nothings been decided yet. In particular this change does not mean that an increase will necessarily occur in june. Although we cant rule that out. As we noted in our statement, the decision to raise the target range will depend on our assessment of realized and expected progress. The people at the fed have also revised downward their growth and price outlook for this year. They note that the stronger dollar is pushing down exports. Well u. S. Stock prices rallied after the fed indicated it was in no hurry to raise key rates. The Dow Jones Industrial average gained 1 1 4 percent, regaining the 18,000 mark. And the it canheavy nasdaq closed up. 9 above 4,900. The dollar, on the other hand tumbled on the feds statement. To see how thats affecting markets here Ramin Mellegard joins us from the tokyo stock exchange. Ramin hour, are markets here starting the day . Well ai just want to touch on that point there. You said the dollar tumbled. And thats having a little bit of a negative effect. Clearly Global Market players were waiting to hear from fed chair janet yellen about any wording and the u. S. Markets clearly took that as a positive but lets have a look at how the nikkei and the topix are kicking off and you can see exactly what im talking about. Little bit of a negative open, and thats because that dollar fell significantly. Against the euro and the yen. Ill come to that in a second. But lets not forget the nikkei climbed to yet again fresh 15year highs on wednesday, going right through the 19,500 levels. We backed off a little bit. Were still above the 500 levels. But expectations for pickup in Consumer Spending on wage hikes here coupled with some of the key movers in the Games Industry like nintendo i was covering yesterday has helped push up sentiment overall in the nikkei. Investors may also be cheered by the feds stance indicating of course that its in no major rush to raise rates despite dropping that keyword patient from their statement. Ai. And ramin, tell us about that dollar. It does look like its taken a bit of a hit on the feds announcement. Yeah, exactly. If we look at some of the levels here now, right now, the eurodollar, 1. 0838. Taking a little bit of a hit following the announcement including the lower estimates for u. S. Economic growth. The dollar also went lower after the fed statement tumbling. In fact, its biggest oneday decline against euro since early 2009. Against the yen we can see the dollars weakened again. Look at that. 120. 1015. Compare it to the mid 121yen range levels previously this week. Ai. And ramin, the fed did include that lower estimate for u. S. Economic growth. So how does this downgrade how will this downgrade for the u. S. Economy affect exporters here in japan . Interesting point. A lot of analysts weve been speaking to have raised that as well. But it doesnt look as if exporters will take any major hits. Thats really because figures actually showed this week that japans exports to the u. S. Jumped actually 14. 3 from a year earlier and thats the sixth straight month of gains. In fact, the auto sector very strong indeed. Total exports from japan to the u. S. Hitting 20. 5 , and thats up from 18. 3 a year earlier. So analysts are pretty confident that japanese exports to the u. S. Will maintain this level especially as the dollar still remains strong against the yen. Now, domestically were also going to have to watch out for movements in energyrelated shares. That was one of the biggest or best performers in u. S. Stocks overnight. The fall in the dollar actually pushed up wti crude for april by 2 1 2 . Brent crude for may jumped 4 1 2 . Also want to quickly keep an eye on the tech sector. Sony has announced its intent to move into the online tv sector. And of course nintendos announced its intent to put a lot of its games on mobile devices. So well check all of those. Ill be back in a few hours. Ai. Okay. Well talk to you then. Ramin, thanks a lot for that. Well, executives at Japanese Electronics manufacturer sharp are trying to revive its core tv business. Sharp expects to report yet another loss for the Business Year ending this month. And executives say they plan to cut about 10 of the companys domestic workforce. They may ask 3,000 employees to accept voluntary retirement. Theyre also looking at downsizing the overseas workforce. Sharp in 2012 cut about 3,000 jobs in japan. The companys also asking its main creditors, mizuho bank and bank of mitts beechi bfj to lend it more money. The two banks say sharp has to further streamline its business. Okay. Thats the latest for business in this hour. I will leave with you a check on markets. This just coming in to us. Its breaking news on our top story. The japanese government officials japanese government officials have confirmed japanese people are among the victims in a deadly shooting at a museum in tunisia. They now say three nationals have been killed and three others are wounded. Earlier we reported one national was killed. That number has been revised to three. Three nationals have been killed. Thats Japanese Nationals. And three other Japanese Nationals are wounded. Gunmen fired at tourists and took several people hostage in the capital tunis. The countrys Prime Minister habib essid says at least 19 are dead and about 40 others wounded. Well keep a close eye on this developing story and bring you all the details as they come in. In other news government leaders in vanuatu are scrambling to get aid to people five days after a powerful cyclone hit the South Pacific island nation. And the growing concern about a shortage of food and water. Teams of investigators are using planes and helicopters to assess the damage across the countrys 80 islands. But theyre having difficulty determining the situation precisely. Emergency crews are struggling to deliver supplies to remote islands. And theyre hoping to step up on thursday their delivery efforts. Japanese government officials sent an Investigative Team to vanuatu. The group visited a hospital on wednesday in the capital port vila. They spoke with local people about their needs and theyll be joined on thursday by a medical team from japan. Japanese leaders are mapping out a law that would give them power to send their selfdefense forces further afield. They say the new security legislation will ensure japan can make a greater contribution to international peace. Translator weve reached the consensus on what it would look like and members of the Coalition Share that view. Deputy leaders from the Ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its partner komeito have been finetuning the details. Theyve drafted an outline that spells out when japan can exercise the right to collective selfdefense. Theyve said the selfdefense forces would offer Logistical Support to foreign troops if it helps secure stability for japan. Lawmakers say the rules would remove geographical limits on overseas deployments. Currently selfdefense forces can only help foreign troops when there are emergencies close to home. The people working on the legislation have made a change requested by komeito lawmakers. They say the government will only be allowed to deploy forces when its justified under international law. Opposition Party Leaders are concerned. They say the outline is light on detail. Weve only seen a vague framework. We have no idea what the specifics are. They must be trying to put off the important decisions until after the next election. The new legislation will allow the government to send the selfforces overseas. To use arms anytime, anywhere in any war it chooses. Its extremely dangerous for our countrys future. But members of the Ruling Coalition want to press ahead. Officials drafting the law plan to submit a bill to the diet by mid may. Asean leaders are casting their eyes toward laos when they launch their Economic Community later this year. The country has only 6. 6 Million People but theyre seeing big potential in this small landlocked nation. More from nhk worlds toshiaiki watanuke. Reporter laos nestles on the indochina peninsula between china and vietnam. The country has grown as a transportation hub on the economic corridor between countries of the region. Per capita gdp is around 1,700 higher than that of cambodia or myanmar. Annual growth is over 8 . In march, the Japan External Trade Organization or jetro, made a tour of the country. The group comprised of 30 businessmen, many from small and mediumsized companies. One of their destinations was an Industrial Park about 30 minutes drive from the capital. The complex opened last august and covered some 110 hectares. It was built as a joint venture between the lao government and taiwanese firms. 35 companies have decided to set up production bases here. Translator this property is conveniently located and ideal for shipments to thailand. Im sure with the launch of Economic Community, crossborder trade will expand. Reporter the group also visited the main city in the countrys south. The city is in the prime location to serve asean. It is halfway along the corridor between myanmar to the west and vietnam to the east and a 10hour drive to bangkok. The businessmen visited a subsidiary of a Japanese Firm that makes bathtime goods for children. The staff number allows 350, but the payroll costs are low. One Great Attraction of laos is that the average wage is around 1 3 of that in thailand. Translator there used to be fewer firms here, the basic wage is around 80, but youll be able to earn more in the future. Reporter this factory produces custommade wigs. The woman instructing the worker was sent from the companys factory in thailand. Another benefit of launching a business in laos is that many people understand enough thai for practical purposes, experienced workers from thailand can teach and supervise Young Workers here. Overall, the visitors liked what they saw. Translator i feel it may be a good idea to set up a branch of our thai subsidiary in laos. Translator whether or not you can take advantage of what laos has to offer largely depends on logistics. If you can minimize the cost, time, and risks, the future could be bright. Reporter the lao government is soon expected to ease rules on outside investment. If this goes as planned, 40 firms may see their chance to expand throughout asean. Toshiaki watanuke nhk world, vientane. People living in southern japan are still dealing with the impact of whats being called the typhoon of steel. Nearly 70 years ago American Forces dropped thousands of bombs during the battle of okinawa, and some of those weapons are mow being found undetonated. More from nhk worlds shinichiro korinaka. Reporter 41 years ago an unexploded bomb went off at a kindergarten site. A stone monument was recently installed and a ceremony held for the victims. The bomb had been underground. It exploded during work on a water pipe. Four people died including a 3yearold girl, and 34 were injured. This incident has become a symbol of the tragedy of okinawa, where the threat of unexploded ordnance lingers. Translator i think that type of accident could happen anytime. 2,000 tons of unexploded ordnance from world war ii still buried in okinawa. The number of ordnance disposals comes to more than 700 every year. An average of two a day. Translator im from the city office. We have to clear the area. Reporter whenever unexploded ordnance is discovered, locals have to be evacuated. It happens almost every week somewhere in okinawa. Im in haebaru, okinawa where the bombdisposal process is taking place. Most ordnance is found at construction sites. Recently theres been a boom in the construction of homes and hotels, so bombs or shells are a major problem. Before ground at sites can be dug up it has to be magnetically surveyed. The National Government has been organizing regular seminars since 2010 to teach construction workers in okinawa how to carry out the search. Okinawa prefecture funds 90 of the surveys at nongovernmental construction projects. Translator as a rule please make sure the device operates no higher than 10 centimeters from the ground is kept horizontal and moved at a consistent speed. Reporter the trainees use metal detectors to look for mock bombs. They are very focused. If they miss a bomb at a construction site, there could be a serious accident. Translator i do feel some fear. I always concentrate when im working. Reporter even if a bomb is found and removed, the company suffers financially because it can take up to a month before work can be resumed. Reporter at the current pace, getting rid of all the unexploded devices is expected to take more than 70 years. Its been 70 years since the naval guns fell silent in okinawa, but ordnance still puts locals at risk of death or injury. Shinichi korinaka nhk world, okinawa. Its time now for a check of the weather. A strong storm is headed towards northeastern australia. Mai shoji joins us with the details. Were still seeing that spiral of clouds over the waters pulling into the northeastern coast of queensland in australia. Were now looking at some stormy conditions to start for you, starting tonight and into friday. About 200 Kilometers Per Hour gusts could be felt over there and suss tanging winds of 150 because its likely to intensify even further into a category 4 status. Thats the second highest level of the Tropical Storm systems in the southern hemisphere. The rainfall amounts will also be topping as much as 300 millimeters in some isolated areas just north of cooktown and this is an area where the remote communities could receive this flooding rain and also the very stormy conditions throughout your weekend. So well keep a very close eye on this for you. Now, to the north of this we have rainfall pounding central china. This is due to the heat coming in from the southerly area. Yangtze river valley is where were going to be finding thunderstorm advisories widely in place. Thunderstorm advisories are also widely in place here in western japan. Weve had a sudden burst of showers and lots of lightnings frequently. Thats likely to persist throughout the day here and central japan will also see some on and off showers to linger here into our evening hours. The korean peninsula, northern china were looking at some great conditions. Dry and calm up there. Beijing at 21 degrees. Down toward the south, though the heat wave is already starting. Its looking summerlike, even. Parts of thailand reaching up to the 40s. Laos also close to the 40s. And Southern China will see these figures throughout your weekend. At least into your saturday. Please watch out for heat stroke. Here across the u. S. Were looking at some icy conditions which have caused havoc in traveling. Especially in eastern canada. We have some pictures coming up from ontario today. A massive highway pileup involving over 50 vehicles occurred on wednesday at a highway in trenton, ontario. Most are large tractortrailers getting caught up in icy conditions during the overnight hours. Aerial images show these trucks piled up for miles, blocking the highway. Four people were injured but none were lifethreatening. Icy conditions this time of the year are often a result of flash freezing when water pools up on the highway in the day but freezes during the overnight hours. Looks like were looking at another snowstorm. So the navigation will be very difficult on highways again and even in parking lots. We have these lines very close to each other, meaning that the winds will be very strong. About 80 Kilometers Per Hour. And the snowfall amounts in the canadian maritimes, youll see about 70 centimeters along with that snowstorm as pulling out, which is good news. Back behind were looking at some heavy rainfall across the gulf of mexico and unstable conditions including thunderstorms will be capable of popping up. Down toward the further west denver, youre likely to see another round of wintry precipitation even after 45 centimeters in the Higher Elevations and some snowfall across the Pacific Northwest and the inland locations but some flooding rain coming into the extreme coast. Vancouver already seeing that precipitation. Los angeles keeping its 20s, 24. Oklahoma city in the double digits. But falling into just 4 degrees here in new york. Ill leave you now for an extended forecast. Recapping our top story this hour, government officials in tokyo say japanese people are among the victims of a deadly shooting at a museum in tunisia. They say three nationals are dead and three others have been wounded. Gunmen fired at tourists and took several people hostage in the capital tunis. The countrys Prime Minister habib essid says at least 19 are dead and about 40 others wounded. The attack happened in front of the National Bardo museum. Gunmen then entered the building and held people inside captive. Tunisian Officials SaySecurity OfficialsSecurity Forces stormed the museum and killed the two shooters. They say the victims include 17 Foreign Tourists including four italians and one french. And they say two tunesians were also killed. Prime minister essid visited a japanese woman in hospital who was shot. She told nhk about what she saw and heard during the attack. Translator people started running when they heard gunshots. I fell and was shot. Birds hit my ear, arm, and neck. A unity government of secular and islamic parties was formed in tunisia last month. The nation is said to be the sole Success Story of the 2010 arab spring. But recently islamic extremists have become active throughout the country. No confirmation yet on who the gunmen were. No one has claimed responsibility for the shooting. We will bring you more details at the top of the hour as details come in. And that is all for this edition of newsline. Im Catherine Kobayashi in tokyo. Thanks for joining us. X he attended a symposium of young japanese entrepreneurs and urged them to lend their support to the world bank. We are serious about ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity for the people who have been left out of the Global Economy for far too long. Reporter world ban