Japan fits the requirements as the only nation to have experienced atomic bomb igs. The g7 Foreign Ministers saw reminders of the 1945 bombing in hiroshimas Peace Memorial park monday. They include the u. S. , britain and france who possess nuclear weapons. They issued a declaration that focuses on Nuclear Disarmament and nonproliferation. Many nonnuclear weapons states are calling for a ban on nuclear arms. But Nuclear Powers oppose the idea. The plan to move a u. S. Marine base in japans okinawa prefecture would set in motion exactly 20 years ago. But the question of where it should be relocated is still fiercely debated by the prefecture and the Central Government in tokyo. On april 12th, 1996, the governments of japan and the United States announced the futenma u. S. Marine corps air station would be returned to japans administration within five to seven years. One condition was that its functions would be moved to a new location within the prefecture. The city of nago was agreed on by both countries. The Central Government has been attempting to proceed with the relocation. It says that the move is the only way to settle the issue, and to address safety issues. The okinawa prefectural government under the Current Governor opposes the plan. It wants a new deal that would end operations at the base within five years, but without the condition of relocating to hanaco. The governments cooperation in the relocation plan they say is necessary if operations at the Current Location are to cease. Further talks are scheduled for later this week, but both sides are maintaining their positions, leaving little prospect of the stalemate ending. Many Major Japanese Companies are looking to hire a large number of graduates next year despite uncertainties in the global economy. Among them is struggling manufacturer sharp. Ai uchida joins us from the business desk now. Whats behind this move . Right, catherine. Company executives made this decision after signing a deal, after signing a deal to be acquired by taiwans hon hay precision industry, known as foxon. That happened earlier this month. Sharp will nearly double its intake of new graduates starting march 2017. The executives say they need young talent to develop new products. Sharp managers hired about 150 new graduates from colleges and graduate schools for the Business Year that started this month. They say theyre looking to increase the quota to 290 for fiscal 2017. Their aim is to secure talented workers to help turn around the companys operations. Honhei has agreed to pain 3. 6 billion for the acquisition. This will allow sharp to invest in businesses. The governments of japan and germany are expected to exchange memorandums on a Cutting Edge Technology that will improve factory productivity. Known as the internet of things, or iot, it uses sensors and the internet to connect everything from factory equipment to consumer goods. It will also assist in collecting big data to improve production and develop new products. Nhk has learned that the two countries will work toward establishing joint standards for iot. Some say the technology will bring about the fourth industrial revolution. The memorandums will cover sharing of technologies that are being developed by companies and universities as much as possible. Theyll also include the joint development of new Communications Technologies and software that will be necessary in the future. The United States and germany are leading efforts to develop iot related technologies. Japan hopes to catch up by joining hands with germany. And now, lets check on markets. U. S. Stock prices ended lower on a cautious tone ahead of a stream of earnings for the First Quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial average ending down just over. 10 , with losses on the nasdaq, too, down just about 1 3 of a percent. Ramin mellegard joins us from the Tokyo Stock Exchange to tell us about what he is seeing here in tokyo. Ramin, what can you tell us . As you said, the equities on a bit of a cautious tone here. Were seeing that for japanese stocks as well. Lets not forget a persistently strong yen is really holding back some major moves as well. Lets have a look at how the nikkei and theopix kickiof tues. And actually, they were both trading a little bit in the negative, which is seeing a turnaround here for both the nikkei and topix. Well see how that progresses. Now, the stronger yen meant further losses for exporters. Down about 17 so far this year. Japanese companies also getting ready to start reporting their earnings this ploeth. Just a reminder in the u. S. , alcoa actually came out and reported a 92 drop in First Quarter net profits, citing slower demand. Also as its trying to restrek tur its own business selling off some of its units into a Different Company actually. Now, later this week, some of the major banks, jpmorgan chase, citibank and bank of america will also be reporting earnings. Big focus for investors this week. Ai . Dollar yen, huge focus. Exactly, that pair has really come into focus after that really the rally that weve seen for the yen. Now its 108. 07. Lets not forget it was hitting 17month lows yesterday at the 107 yen levels. And we havent seen those levels since october 2014. And that was just before the bank of japan boosted its asset buying program. Now, the trend of the strong yen is lingering despite the bojs monitoring easing, together with lets not forget negative interest rates. Now, benchmark crude oil futures were higher overnight. The wti futures regained 40 a barrel, and brent crude also jumping. Thats on hopes that Oil Producers may cap output. There was a bit of a reprieve for financial markets. Brent hit a new high for the year, up over 2 . And more than 50 higher than the low that we hit in january. Commodity traders were encouraged by that, and they see some buying ahead of a meeting of Oil Producers in do ha next sunday. Lets get a quick picture of some of the indexes open across the asiapacific. Seouls kospi is trading higher. A touch better on tuesday for china shares as well. After data showed inflation was holding steady, suggesting peoples bank of china may be a little less aggressive on its policies. We shall see when the markets there hope in an hour and a half. Thats all from me. Back to you. Ramin, thanks a lot for always keeping you up to date. Ramin mellegard from the Tokyo Stock Exchange. When western sanctions against iran took effect a decade ago, Global Companies started leaving and eventually most left. Now that sanctions have been lifted theyre rushing to go back. And one is a Japanese Firm hoping years of waiting will finally pay off. This is the president of a japanese paint maker who is ready to make a move. Hes told his executives to prepare for a return to iran. They earned 60 of its sales in foreign markets. Car coating is the pillar of its revenues. More than 1 million vehicles are built and sold in iran every year. Making it one of the largest auto markets in the world. Foreign paint is seen as high quality, and demand is expected to take off. This company used to operate a factory in iran. It cost 4. 4 million to set up. When the sanctions were imposed, it sold the plant to a local firm. They asked the new operator to continue using the brand name paint. He also offered Material Support right up until the sanctions took effect. Shall hes hoping his efforts to maintain ties since then have paid off. Hes visiting irans number two automaker. Straight away he sees hes got work to do. Translator the makers names are printed on the lower parts of the tanks. He sees the name of a rival german company. He also spots the logos of south korean and chinese paint makers. Translator sanctions are over. So the competition has already begun. Its a setback. But ishino presses on. But theres a condition. They want to buy something from us from the outside. We want to buy the materials from iran. Irans government is keen to create jobs. Foreign investors are being asked to build plants in the country. Ishino is unfazed. He said his company is ready to buy back its old factory from iran and boost productions. We have plenty of plans to expand. Now that the sanctions are lifted, we will provide more support. The iranian side seems to appreciate the quick, positive response. Again, thank you for your helping and cooperation during the sanctions. And i hope that we have good cooperation in the near future. Thank you so much. Hes won a deal to supply car paint. Translator i am so happy that our prolonged efforts were finally recognized by the iranian company. Company is indeed very tough. But we are fully committed to the market here and to eventually succeeding. Iran presents many challenges. Ishino has a longterm vision. Thats the latest in business for this hour. Ill leave you with a check on markets. Now time for eye on asia. Officials in taipei have lodged a protest against beijing over what they call an infringement of human rights. They say eight colonies were deported from ken na to china and demanded they be sent home. Officials with the Foreign Affairs office said the group is among 77 chinese and taiwanese acquitted of fraud. They say kenya sent them to china rather than taiwan at the demand of beijing. Taiwanese media say cho has vowed to get them back. The extradition came as the leader of Taiwans Democratic Progressive Party prepares to take the presidency next month. She is replacing ma who promoted warmer relations with china. North korean officials on monday celebrated the fourth anniversary of kim jonguns taking the top post of the ruling party. They said the nuclear test done by the nation in january was kims great achievement. The staterun Korean Central Television aired footage of the ruling korean rulers Party Meeting in pyongyang. It did not report on kims attendance. The chief of the Political Bureau of the peoples Political Army said kim has turned north korea into a Nuclear Power with a hydrogen bomb. Wong called for solidarity under kims rule to achieve unprecedented results for the First Party Congress in 36 years scheduled for next month. Neighboring countries are becoming increasingly watchful as the norths state media reported last month that kim ordered preparations to test a Nuclear Warhead and ballistic missiles. South korea has confirmed that senior level officials from pyongyang defected to the south last year. A Unification Ministry spokesperson noted that the defections could be seen as a symptom of cracks in the norths leadership. One of the defectors was formerly a senior officer with the general reconnaissance bureau. The other was a diplomat who had been stationed in africa. They separately sought asylum in the south. Translator it can be seen as an example of unusual movements among the norths elite. Meanwhile, south koreas news agency quotes a source as saying that the former spy Agency Officer is the highest ranking military official ever to defect from the north. The source also reportedly said the defector had probably divulged details of the bureaus operations against south korea to the authorities in seoul. The United States and Philippine Forces put on a joint show monday, opening a military drill to the media. Theyre demonstrating their alliance to counter chinas assertiveness in the south china sea. U. S. Defense secretary ash carter will arrive this week to watch the exercise, underscoring its significance at a time of heightened tension. Troops practiced a Beach Landing on an island with the Philippine Military taking command. The name of the annual drill means shouldertoshoulder. The two countries agreed last month to jointly use five philippine bases, including one near the disputed Spratly Island in the south china sea. China has reclaimed land in the region, and constructed airfields and port facilities. It claims almost all of the south china sea. But several asean countries, including the philippines and vietnam, also have claims in the area. And that wraps up eye on asia. Many people in northeastern japan are still not able to go home five years after the earthquake, tsunami and Nuclear Accident forced them to evacuate. One of them is a filmmaker from where part of the crippled Nuclear Plant is located. Our next story shows how hes struggling to find the best way to represent his hometown. Reporter akida has been filming here since 2012. He doesnt want former residents to forget about their hometown. Five years after the power plant accident, residents to the area are still restricted. A Government Survey shows over half of the residents do not intend to return. Hes one of those hoping to return. Through filming residents, he wants to tell why he feels differently from many of them. Onada follows a man using the house he used to live in. The house is in ruins. It hasnt been cleaned up since the disaster. The man has built a new house in the town he evacuated to. He shared with onada his conflicted feelings. Translator if i could, i would move back home right now. You can never totally leave your hometown. Reporter while editing 550 hours of video footage into a 19minute film, onada reached an impasse. He sought advice from a friend who has been working on local reconstruction efforts. Translator is it wrong for me to declare my love for my hometown . Or talk about how i want to rebuild it and go back . Translator say exactly what you think. Your project is significant because youve been directly affected by this situation. Reporter the first screening was held at onodas university. 170 people gathered, including evacuees from the area. First, onada showed that its still there, and that the seasons continue to flow from one to the next. He also showed how former residents continue to hold their traditional local events in the places they have evacuated to. And he spotlighted people who have been working tirelessly to maintain community ties. He wants to convey a sense of hope in the face of the harsh reality of their situation. Translator we dont have to force ourselves to forget. The film made me realize its important to cherish my feelings about futaba. Translator i renewed my conviction that id like us to be able to bring our Community Back together one day in futaba. Reporter onoda will continue to film futaba as he sees it, his beloved and precious hometown. A group of militants has attempted to attack a Police Station in southern russia. Officers shot and killed two while a third blew himself up. Authorities suspect they have links to the Islamic State group. Police say the attack occurred in the region on monday. They say the explosion damaged part of the building and nearby vehicles, but no officers or citizens were hurt. Security authorities are stepping up patrols in the area to keep hospitals and schools safe. A Group SupportingIslamic State militants assaulted a convoy of Police Vehicles late last month in neighboring dagasstan. One Police Officer was killed in the attack. Authorities are on high alert as the Islamic State group has promised retaliation for russian air strikes in syria. U. S. Naval forces are leading more than 30 nations in a Maritime Exercise in the middle east. The drills include maneuvers to protect important shipping routes against terrorists and other threats. On sunday, personnel trained in the persian gulf. They simulated a scenario in which militants in highspeed boats had planted mines. U. S. Troops practiced using an unmanned vehicle to check suspected mines underwater. Drills like this are aimed at protecting sea lanes from al qaeda, Islamic State, and other terrorist groups. The threat from nonstate actors to International Commerce is real. And by doing this exercise, we can help mitigate it. 6,500 people are taking part in the exercise, including members of japans maritime selfdefense force. It will continue until april 26. Its time now for a check of the weather. People in tokyo are experiencing cool weather conditions this morning. Meteorologist robert speta joins us with the latest. Yes, across most of japan, in fact, we have these strong northwesterly winds coming in. That really has dropped down the temperature. I know the past weekend it was into the 20s in the tokyo area. But the thing is, when we go through the spring season, you get a lot of these ups and downs. That cold air competing with the warm air coming in from the south. In fact, well be looking at temperatures starting to rebound. But before that happens, we still have to get through this cold. Some areas minus 11 degrees there in your overnight hours. Even including the tokyo area, around 4 to 5 degrees in the morning. Most of japan looking at frost advisories this morning. Back to the north we have heavy snowfall in a few locations. One area there in northern hokkaido, 33 centimeters came down. Look at the video showing you what the snow looks like out here. This is out of yamagata refecture where the snow fell on top of Cherry Blossoms which blomed this last weekend. Not very springlike at all. They bloomed about nine days earlier than normal. That is because we had warm temperatures in the past week. Sapporo, mondays high was 5 degrees. On saturday, up to 13. A significant drop out there. A lot of pictures of flowers with snow on top of them. The thing is, if we look ahead into wednesday, thursday and friday, we have another low developing back towards the west. Thats going to be bringing precipitation later this week. But ahead of it, it does usher in those southerly winds along the west side of this high. Sunny skies, temperatures start to rebound. Back down to the south, the showers across the Southern Japanese islands. Another area of low pressure developing there in southeastern china. Especially south of the basin, youll be looking at the heaviest rainfall, 100 to 120 millimeters in some localized areas. The threeday forecast, northeastern china, from 5 all the way up to 14 on your thursday. Sapporo, a little bit of a rebound at 13. If we look into tokyo, a little chilly on tuesday. A high of only 15. You might want to have your jackets with you. But it starts to rebound by the Time Thursday comes around. Unfortunately you do have the rainfall. It will be working its way into the picture. Already dominating most of southeastern china. In the south, if you want to go somewhere warm, how about down to thailand. Bangkok with a high of 37 there on your tuesday. Lets now move over here towards the americas. Severe Weather Threat out here. One location, 35 across northern texas, all the way through mississippi. 35 reports of hail. And at one location, tennis ballsized hail out there. Causing significant damage. You still have the threat through the rest of your monday, into tuesday morning. Mainly here across the Lower Mississippi river valley where you have the highest threat of cold air coming in. That moist, warm air out of the gulf of mexico. Just setting up a battle line there. As far as the severe weathers concerned, thats still going to be a problem. North of that, i mentioned the cold air. Frost advisories in place through the ohio river valley, because of the chilly temperatures. Chicago with a high of 4. Sunny skies out there for you. If we look at Eastern Europe heading into the middle east, i do want to mention across parts of turkey, widespread rainfall. That is going to continue to drift to the east. Even an attached front moving across syria there through most of iraq where youll be looking at the showers over the next several days. Ankara, rain showers, thunderstorms on your wednesday. But it will taper off by thursday. Baghdad, though, showers will be moving into your region. Ill leave you now with your extended outlook. We have one more story to share before we go. The testing of a drone Parcel Delivery service has begun in chiba city near tokyo. The Central Government has designated the city as special Economic Zone and considering introducing a drone delivery service. In the test, a drone successfully carried a bottle of wine to a designated spot. Another drone delivered medicine to the rooftop of a 10story condominium. The small aircraft quickly flew to the top of the building and landed at the correct spot. City officials said they hope drones will make delivering goods quicker and easier. Translator im interested in drone deliveries. Translator i have concerns about privacy. And worries that the neighbors may feel uneasy. Testing for operational safety and Delivery Routes will continue. The officials are aiming to start the service in three years. They plan to ask a highrise condominium Construction Company in the city to consider adding drone takeoff and landing spaces on balconies. Thats all for this edition of newsline. Im Catherine Kobayashi in tokyo. Thanks for joining us. Xxxx oxooox announcer euromaxx highlights. Here is your host. Welcome to the program from our studios here by the brandenburg gate. Thanks for tuning in. Lets get this show on the road with a look at our topics. Detailed designs. The creations of British Fashion label teatum jones. Painful play. A berlin exhibition shows videogames with a twist. And musical meeting. Italian pianist Marino Formenti and his experimental performances. The International Woolmark prize is of great significance to Young Designers around the world world. Back in the 50s when the award was first established, it went