Authorities policing the panama canal discovered the weapons last week hidden amidst sacks of sugar. The Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that the ship was carrying weapons bound for north korea. The spokesperson says the soviet era missile parts needed to be repaired. They said the shipment was not a breach of u. N. Security council sanctions. The crew of the freighter was trying to return home from cuba through the canal. The 35 crew members resisted efforts to redirect the ship into port. Investigators detained them. Spokesperson for north koreas Foreign Ministry says the ship was transporting the weapons for return to cuba as part of a legitimate contract. Ministry officials are demanding that authorities in panama release the ship and its crew. Earlier gene otani spoke with an expert about the discovery. Neil ashdon is an analyst covering the asiapacific for ihs country risk, a think tank based in london. Neil, you identify the cargo as a surface to air radar missile system. Are there anything more you can tell us about the cargo . Yes, we made the identification of that system based on the photos that were tweeted by the president of panama. Since we made that identification, the cuban authorities have come out with a statement in which they list what they say was contained in the rest of the cargo, including a number of aircraft, missile parts, the Missile Systems that would be associated with the radar we identified and the number of spare parts for these systems. We are not able to make those identifications ourselves and only been able to identify the thing that was shown in the photo. How was the vessel being watched and what do you know about its movements . So we know that the vessel was taken into port for inspection by the panamanian authorities. They said they received a tipoff there were drugs on board and thats when this shipment was discovered. In terms of its movements before that, based on information we have through the communication system, we know it passed through the panama canal into the atlantic on the 1st of june. The system was then switched off and we dont know where its movements were precisely until it is then picked up again in the panama ports on the 11th of july. The cuban government subsequently have said that the ship did indeed travel to cuba but were waiting on confirmation based on satellite imagery. Do you know if this vessel was on an International Watch list . We know as a north korean flagged vessel it will be being watched by various authorities. We know it had also had runins in the past with the authorities i think for instance in the ukraine. It is likely it is being watched but i dont know if it has been specifically tagged as a vessel of interest. In may 2012 a north korean vessel was intercepted in pusan on suspicion of attempting to illegally trying to export weapons to syria. How is the incident linked to that episode . They both likely represent parts of north koreas broader proliferation activities. We know north korea proliferates technology to Nuclear Programs to a variety of states around the world and this is driven primarily by profit seeking. We think the north korean government is strapped for cash particularly foreign reserves and so these activities represent parts of the attempts bolster its finances. The two sides agreed to transfer operational power in december 2015. Spokesperson for the south Korean DefenseMinistry Says they proposed a postponement because of tensions on the korean peninsula. Translator the security situation including north Koreas Nuclear program has worsened. Weve proposed to the u. S. That our two countries consider the transfer plan. South Korean DefenseMinistry Officials say they still want to proceed with the transfer, just not under the current security conditions. The people who run chinas state run Oil Companies believe they may find something valuable beneath the east china sea. Theyre hoping to develop new gas fields but they could siphon off gas from the seabed under the waters claimed by japan. Reuters news agency quotes industry officials with direct knowledge of the projects. The Officials SayChina National offshore Oil Corporation is among several firms planning to develop seven gas fields in the area. Managers reportedly plan to apply for government approval soon. They want to start production in 2015. Two of the sites are near the median line that separates chinas exclusive Economic Zone from japans. Earlier this month japanese government officials said the crew of a chinese ship was building what appeared to be a drilling facility. They were working on the chinese side, about 25 kilometers from the median line. Japanese officials launched a protest with their chinese counterparts. They said Unilateral Development was not acceptable. An american fugitives time in limbo may be nearing an end. A russian lawyer for Edward Snowden says he could leave an airport in moscow within a week. The former intelligence contractor has filed an application for temporary asylum. Translator russian authorities are still screening snowdens asylum application, but within a week they are expected to clear him to enter russia. Snowden worked as a contractor for the National Security agency. Earlier this year, he exposed secret government surveillance programs to the media. U. S. Authorities have charged him with espionage. Snowden traveled to hong kong, then on to moscow, after making the revelations. He stayed in an airport there since late last month. The National Security agency is facing some legal heat because of the revelations snowden made about how it gathers intelligence. A coalition of u. S. Advocacy groups is suing the nsa. It includes Human Rights Watch and groups representing muslims, environmental activists and others. Representatives of the coalition filed the suit with the Federal District court in california. Theyre demanding the nsa halt its collection of phone communications and destroy any information it has stored. It argued the nsa is spying on ordinary u. S. Citizens and they say thats a violation of the Constitutional Rights of free speech and association. A u. S. Civil Rights Organization filed a similar suit against the nsa last month in new york. The agency has defended the intelligence gathering programs saying they have prevented terrorist attacks. People who work at the u. S. Central bank have been busy. The chairman gave a testimony to congress and others on the board have been collecting feedback on the economy. Ai uchida joins us now from the business desk. So tell us what did they have to say . Catherine the report on the economy was not bad but bernanke, the chairman, was clear that the economy does still need the feds help. The chairman of the u. S. Federal reserve says its policymakers will maintain its money boosting measures for the time being. Ben bernanke spoke at the House Financial Services committee. With unemployment still high and declining only gradually and with inflation running below the committees longer run objective a highly accommodated Monetary Policy will remain appropriate for the foreseeable future. Bernanke said the fed may scale back its monetary easing program by the end of this year, and end them by mid 2014, but, he said the feds asset purchases depend on economic and financial developments and theyre not on a preset course so the current pace of asset buying could be kept in place for longer under search and conditions. We are relying on zero short term Interest Rates with Forward Guidance that rates will be exceptionally low, this is our second tool to help maintain a high degree of monetary accommodation for an extended period after asset purchases end. Bernanke says its important the central bank communicates its plans and thoughts. He insisted the markets are beginning to understand the feds message and volatility has clearly moderated. And the u. S. Central bank says the economy maintained a modest to to moderate growth in recent weeks. Its assessment of the economy was unchanged from its june report. The Federal Reserve released its latest beige book based on surveys in the 12 bank contracts. Housing sales expanded in most of the districts, Consumer Spending recovered moderately. Auto sales were strong during the reporting period in some of the districts. This led to an increase in order shipments and production in housing and auto related manufacturing. Hiring held steady or increased at a measured pace in most districts. U. S. Stock markets ended higher as investors digested comments made by bernanke. The Dow Jones Industrial average added 0. 1 to 15,470. All right lets see how all that is affecting stocks here, were going to go to Ramin Mellegard, hes at the tokyo stock exchange. Ramin, the markets appear to be assured by bernanke but earnings still painting a mixed picture. Yes, definitely some activity there from earnings but lets have a look at the opening levels for today, thursday, july 18th here in tokyo, both indexes starting in the positive and we hope that continues. Trading in the u. S. Seemed to lack a little bit of direction but what bernanke said definitely didnt disappoint markets, thats for sure and as you nexted earnings and Economic Data out of the u. S. May have a direct impact on trade here in japan. Now a couple of main tech stocks really that gave some direction was intel, its earnings fell 29 in the Second Quarter due to a slump in semiconductors for personal computers, thats a decline for sixth straight quarter. It cut its forecast and shares fell 3 in afterhours trading. Switching to the second major stock ibm also showed a 17 decline in earnings. However it did raise its full year outlook and that was important because its shares actually rose in afterhours trading. So that may affect techrelated and semiconductorrelated shares here in japan. Ill definitely be looking out for those. Ai . Ramin, we did see the dollar inch higher after bernankes speech. Where do we stand now during tokyo hours . Some activity in the dollar yen and the euro dollar as well. Lets look at some of the pairs. The dollar actually rose a touch following the fed chiefs words, currently 99. 5156 and the euro yen right now at 130. 5868, having fallen a touch against the dollar, but holding relatively steady there against the yen. Now, more earnings are going to be coming out from the u. S. With tech giants google and microsoft among some of the bigger names and also from the financial side, we got Morgan Stanley and thats going to be a big focus of course after bank of america came out and showed strong earnings highlighting a little bit of a turnaround in the Banking Sector in the u. S. So its going to be interesting how related sectors here perform today as well. But both the topix and the nikkei trading in the positive. Back to you, ai. Ramin thanks for that update, Ramin Mellegard from the tokyo stock exchange. Tokyos not the only market open this hour. Ill leave with you a check on the kospi and some others. Protesters have hit the streets of a town in eastern india, demanding answers for a tragedy. 22 children died after being poisoned by a tainted school lunch. Dozens more needed treatment in hospital. Town of chhapra started falling ill after eating lunch on tuesday. Translator when my boy came home from school, he started vomiting, so we rushed him to the hospital. Medical teams treating the children suspect the food had been contaminated with insecticide. Authorities have promised to investigate. Translator the states chief minister has ordered an immediate probe into the incident and the committee has been set up for that. A team of doctors has been arranged to provide treatment to the children. The school cook had prepared the lunch of rice, soy beans and lentils. The Indian Government provides free meals at Public Schools to encourage children from poor families to attend. Voters in japan face a choice this weekend, theyre deciding who should represent them in the upper house of their diet. When they cast ballots sunday theyll also be considering whether or not to give Prime Minister shinzo abe and his liberal Democratic Party more power. The ldp controls the lower house, but opposition parties hold the majority of seats in the upper chamber. And thats created a divided diet where passing legislation can be tricky. In the leadup to when japan decides, weve been looking at some of the key Campaign Issues and hearing from voters about what matters to them. Candidates from these nine parties are running in the election. The groups qualified for Political Party status. Others that failed to meet the standards are still fielding candidates. In all, 433 candidates including independents are running in this election. One of the more emotionally charged issues some of those candidates are discussing involves japans constitution. Prime minister abe wants to revise it for the First Time Since it took effect in 1947. On tuesday, we talked about the political process hed need to go through to do that. Now were going to look at one proposed amendment in particular. Abe wants to change article 9, the constitutions pacifist core. Nhk worlds takafumi teui shows us whats at stake. Reporter japans selfdefense forces look like a military. They have more than 200,000 personnel. Men and women who are armed with 740 tanks and 355 fighter jets. They also have 48 destroyers, nearly twice as many as france. The sdf has an annual budget of almost 60 billion. The fifth largest in the world for an armed force. The sdf can take military operations only in the case of emergency. They cannot take any kind of military actions in peacetime. On the other hand, the sdf is treated as military force in International Society even in peacetime. Reporter but people in japan dont use the words military to describe the sdf. Article 9 of their constitution prohibits them from having military forces. Land, sea and air forces as well as other war potential will never be maintained. Reporter for decades, japanese leaders stressed the selfdefense forces are for just that selfdefense. And theyve limited their activities. During the gulf war, the sdf didnt join coalition forces. Japan offered 30 billion in support instead. It was criticized for not putting boots on the ground. It did send sdf units to iraq in 2003 to help with infrastructure reconstruction and medical assistance after the fall of saddam hussein. Prime minister shinzo abe argues the sdf should not face so many restrictions. He and his liberal democrats want to amend article 9. Translator we face a problem of what role japan should play in International Society. Is it okay to just give money . Japan should take responsibility in the future. Reporter shin tikaoka is political scientist and member of a Government Panel on japans Security Policy says that lawmakers should revive the constitution to reflect the times in which we live. There were a couple of important things in modern history. Still, there was no change of constitution. That is strange. So many people ask me why japan is now trying to change the constitution. But the right question should be why has japan never changed the constitution until now . Reporter however, a fair number of citizens are opposed. They believe article 9 defines order in japan. Yoshiet tsunoda meets on the 9th of every month with members of a group thats calling for the constitution to stay as it is. They also hand out information about their cause. Translator if we amend the constitution, we will be allowed to go to war. There is a fear that the country may go back to its prewar period. We think we are at the most crucial turning point. Reporter some Political Parties say the constitution has kept japan from working alongside other nations, but others argue it is necessary to prevent the country from being sucked into conflict. This debate has been on a low boil for months. After the election it will likely heat up. Takafumi terui, nhk world, tokyo. Our coverage leading up to sundays vote will continue for the rest of the week. Later in the day well look at the issue many voters consider most important the economy. Prime minister abe has focused on trying to end decades of deflation. Well explore the impact of his policies also known as abenomics. Nhk Worlds Special coverage of japans upper house election is just a click or tap away. Were adding a host of features to our web and mobile sites. Youll find backgrounders and analysis plus indepth reports on issues that could define the campaign, from the economy to the constitutional debate. Www. Nhk. Or. Jp nhkworld election. Get online and get informed. Time for weather, meteorologist sayaki mori tells us more in weather. Yes, catherine. Tropical storm cimaron can hit guangdong by early tomorrow morning. The western pacific is very active this year. Is imran could hit guangdong or Fujian Province by tomorrow morning as a Tropical Storm and after that it should weaken to a tropical depression. Winds wont be too strong but the main threat will be heavy rain upwards of 100 millimeters. Winds wont be too strong but the main threat will be heavy rain upwards of 100 millimetetr. Winds wont be too strong but the main threat will be heavy rain upwards of 100 millimeters likely for the southeast coast of Mainland China in the southern tip of taiwan. And these are the areas that typhoon soulik dumped heavy rain, so the ground is already saturated. A rainmaker can be found north and west of Sichuan Province may get as much as 100 mill meters of rain. The ground is already very well soaked. Additional rain will trigger further flooding and landslides. Rain is also stretching up towards northeastern china. As for japan then, we have an incoming low pressure system and cold air in the upper atmosphere, and that is creating very unstable weather for the central and northern parts of the country. Thunderstorms, gusty winds and even isolated tornadoes are possible. Tokyo may see some afternoon thundershowers, mostly dry, and temperatures will be soaring to the mid30s once again today. Seoul cooling down to 27 degrees. Rain could develop today as well and thundershowers for beijing with a high of 29 degrees. In north america the main storys going to be the heat across the eastern u. S. And parts of eastern canada. This is the High Pressure system responsible for creating the oppressive hot conditions. And this one is actually getting bigger and bigger as we go into thursday. And on the ridge of the High Pressure dome, we have a risk of Severe Weather across the u. S. canada border, isolated tornadoes are likely but rain is on the decreasing side across new mexico and western parts of texas. Mainly dry across the west coast, 30 degrees for los angeles. And of course much hotter than that across the east. Mid30s in washington, d. C. , 35 degree in new york city and 35 for you in boston on thursday, and similarly hot across the western and central parts of europe. We have the video coming up from the uk. Officials in england have issued a heat wave health warning. Temperatures have soared above 30 degrees celsius for five consecutive days making it the most intense heat wave in seven years. Hospitals around the country are on alert for increased in heatrelated incidents and illnesses. But here you can see the expected highs as we go into the next three days. London, you may see some slight development improvement, 24 degrees on saturday. But the rest of central and western europe very hot for this time of year, 30 degrees, over 30 degrees in bordeaux on thursday and friday and 32 degrees on saturday. Dangerous heat will be continuing into the weekend. Precipitationwise, rain may develop over the pyrenees and the alpine region in the afternoon hours. All right, thats it from me now and here is your extended forecast. Theres one more story to share with you before we go. A rice paddy might not be the most obvious place to make art, but visitors are still flocking to a field in northeastern japan to see a very unusual show. The 140meterlong paddy in inakadate prefeck, aomori prefecture, is home to an exhibition of portraits made from rice plants. It began the exhibition to attract tourists. Portraits made. It began the exhibition to attract tourists. This years exhibits are a traditional chinese courtesan and movie star marilyn monroe. They are made from nine kinds of rice plants in seven colors. Visitors view the paddy from an Observation Deck on the sixth floor of a building in the village. The portraits are so detailed, they can see the patterns on the courtesans kimono. Translator im very moved. I cannot find words to express my feelings. The exhibition continues until midaugust. That is all for this edition of newsline. Im Catherine Kobayashi in tokyo. Thanks very much for watching. Captioning sponsored by Macneil Lehrer productions brown lawmakers clashed with National Security officials today and threatened to curtail surveillance programs revealed by former defense contractor Edward Snowden. Good evening, im jeffrey brown. Ifill and im gwen ifill. On the newshour tonight, we bring you the latest on the snowden saga and a debate about whether his actions were justified between daniel ellsberg, who leaked the pentagon papers, and former attorney general michael mukasey. Brown then, we examine some good news about dementia, as two studies in europe show plummeting rates of disease,