Reporter im at one of the popular shopping arcades in kumamoto city. Theres shops on both sides but as we can see, like this shop here, many were damaged but last nights powerful earthquake. Because of the damage the shops and Large Department store are closed temporarily. This arcade is usually crowded with many shoppers, but that is not the case today. Thank you. Well be back momentarily with another update on whats happening in kumamoto city. Nine people are dead and more than 1,000 were injured in the quake. The sma the magnitude 6. 5 earthquake recorded the highest on the seismic scale. Many buildings were destroyed or damaged by the quake and numerous after shocks that followed. Transportation has been disrupted. The quake delayed the bullet train. Highways cracked and crumbled in many areas causing authorities to close some sections. Flights have been affect at kumamoto airport. The quake struck the region where japans only Nuclear Plant currently online is located. There are no irregularist and the two are operating normally. The most damage was done in the town of mashiki which is near a fault line and the ground is soft. Most of the collapsed building theres were old wooden houses. We return now to our reporter who is in one of the hardest hit areas. What are people telling you . Reporter people are telling me they are worried about after shocks. Others say it may take a long time for thing to get back to normal. After the quake many people headed to shelters in public facilities. There they received food, water and other basic necessities. Water has been cut off. Among the damage to many buildings is a famous symbol of this town but the quake brought down large sections of its walls. Translator the damage was more than expected. Im so sad. Reporter they are worried things can get worse. Officials are predicting rain in the area starting saturday that could further damage buildings and add hardships people are already facing. Emergency Response Teams have been working nonstop to put out fires and rescue people trapped under the debris. About six hours after the quake a baby girl was rescued from the collapsed house. They say shes unharmed. Translator things have begun to unfold at sunrise. We can see some flattened houses. Roofs have been torn apart. This video posted on twitter shows a condominium. A large crack is running through multiple floors of the building. There are cracks in a corridor. In the town of mashiki a man and his family were trapped. They waited for two hours before being rescued. Translator i was lucky i could get to an opening free of debris when the house collapsed. Im glad all my family members got out safely. For many Foreign Residents living in japan earthquakes are not necessarily something they have experienced before. Nhk world spoke by phone with marlow who is the leader of a muslim community. I was traveling in a car on my way back home. I thought something was wrong. After i stopped my car i feel like my car is bumping. So this is an experience for me because i had no experience like this for me in my life. Just a few minutes ago we had after shocks. Not big but a little bit bigger. Some of my friends told me they cant sleep until now because they are worried the. The city of kumamoto has a sizable muslim population. Many of them first came to study at Kumamoto University three years ago. Marlow and his friends established a mosque. They also organized Cultural Exchange programs with japanese residents. Since the quake struck they have been helping people who are forced to evacuate their homes. Last night we in front of the Islamic Center provided futons for people who took shelter. We gave them free food and lunch. If they are afraid to stay tonight in their house they can take shelter again in our place. That was the director of the kumamoto Islamic Center. It is nighttime now in japan and rescue efforts continue. Well keep bringing you the latest from kumamoto. In other news, it looks like north koreas latest attempt at sabrerattling didnt go as planned. Seoul and washington say pyongyang tried to launch a missile on friday but failed. South Koreas YonhapNews Agency Says it was a new mediumrange ballistic missile. The agency said the missile disappeared from radar several seconds after it was fired. South koreas joint chiefs of staff confirmed the launch. They issued a statement saying north korea tried to launch a missile early friday from the countrys east coast toward the sea of japan. They did not specific the type. U. S. Government officials told nhk the missile exploded immediately after launch. South koreas yunification ministry had this to say about the launch. Translator north korean officials are preparing for the Ruling Workers Party congress. They tried to make the Missile Launch another achievement of their leader kim jongun. North korean state media have been quiet respect to the failed launch. Chinas Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the launch. Translator we want all countries to abide by u. N. Resolutions. He urged the north to restrain from further provocative acts. The launch was timed to coincide with the birthday of the late founder. Officials gathered in pyongyang on thursday for a speech. President of the presidium of the Supreme Peoples Assembly said people should rk their lives to protect leader kim jongun. The countrys leaders are preparing to hold a congress of the Workers Party next month. It will be the first in 36 years. Staterun media says kim jongun habeen elected to lead it. Its seen as a chance for him to solidify his grip on power. Chinas Defense Ministry has criticized the u. S. And philippines for their joint patrols in the disputed South China Sea. U. S. Defense secretary ash carter announced on thursday the two allies have started patrols. He also said the u. S. Will temporarily deploy nearly 300 troops and five war planes to the country. Defense officials in beijing reacted hours later by issuing a statement. They say the patrols promote the militarization of the area. It promote as cold war mentality thats harmful to peace and stability. China claims almost all of the resource rich South China Sea and has built airports on submerged reeves. Neighboring countries have conflicting claims in the area. Leaders in tokyo share the concerns. On friday cabinet ministers received an annual diplomatic blue book. The document stresses the importance of International Coordination to counter chinas maritime activities. China has released the nations growth figures for the First Quarter. Gene otani has the details along with todays other top business news. Chinese government officials have released the countrys First Quarter growth figures. The gdp of the worlds second largest economy grew year on year by 6. 7 . Officials in beijing have set a target for annual growth in 2016 of between 6. 5 and 7 , down from their target last year which was around 7 . Analysts say stagnant investment in real estate is behind the slower growth. Nhk worlds senior commentator Akihiro Mikoda joins us in the studio. I asked him on his thoughts about the latest gdp figure. The slowest pace in seven years. Thats certainly not a good result, but its not terrible either. And chinese leaders agree. Translator due to the effects of several government policies, the Economic Situation in the First Quarter was good. You can see from the statistics that there were positive changes. Actually, we can see some evidence in some data to back up that claim. Take car sales, which have been improving steadily since the latter half of last year. In october, the government lowered taxes on vehicles with smaller engines. And they saw instant results. Across china, production is up. So manufacturers and factories are seeming more upbeat. The manufacturing purchasing Managers Index rose 1. 2 points in march from the previous month. That put the index above the allimportant level of 50 for the first time in more than half a year. Surveys have found that people at mostly small and Medium Enterprises are also feeling better. Does that mean government efforts to support the economy is actually working . To some extent, yes. Leaders in beijing have directed the government to invest heavily in rail, road, and other projects. Theyre also pursuing a bold course of monetary easing. They may not be able to hold the economic slowdown, but theyre doing everything they can to avoid a hard landing. Translator if the economy sinks below this years growth target, it would pose a major risk. If that happens, well take comprehensive measures to prevent a slowdown. Hinese lders knothat to mainin powerthey neeto ensurerdinary ople feea sensof job surity. What are concerns for china in the months ahead . Well, officials have been ramping up structural reform in a bid to cut fat from firms and make them more competitive. Specifically they have been streamlining staterun enterprises that suffer from excess production capacity. But they know that as they go down that path, they are going to cause a lot of pain. So they have set aside nearly 16 billion for 2016 and 17 to help people who lose their jobs. Even so, that may not be enough. By one estimate, 1. 8 Million People in the coal industry alone will face the axe. A survey by the peoples bank of china, the central bank, shows many people are worried their earnings will take a hit. That kind of sentiment is bound to affect consumer spending. While the chinese economy is growing at a slower pace, it will continue to see these two opposing forces at work. Negative effects of structure reforms and positive effects of stimulus measures. Chinas gdp figures were in line with many analysts expectations. The effect on stock markets was limited. The shanghai composite edged lower to 3,078. Investors took profits after prices rose to a threemonth high on thursday. The week ended in the positive. Other benchmarks in the region shows mixed reaction to the gdp figures. Lets look at hong kang hang seng indirection. Dropping by. 10 . Sidney outperformed the region extending gains to a fourth day. In tokyo nikkei average ending lower. For details we go to our Business Reporter at the tokyo stock exchange. The nikkei snapped its three day winning streak. Investors took profit taking after the recent rally. The benchmark lost more than. 3 finishing at 16,848. The broader topix fell. 7 . For the week the nikkei gained. 6 . After the earthquake in southwest japan weighed on companies that had plans in the region. Shares of Renesas Electronics were down 2. 7 . Honda and bridgestone suspended work on their factories in the area. Kyushu shares fell. 17 . Inpex and japanex fell. Analysts are not apartmentistic about an agreement. To recap the nikkei was down for the day but positively strong for the week. Investors are seeing signs the slow down in china are stabilizing. Chinas economy may be slipping but theres one industry that sees room to grow or even fly. Executives with the private Aviation Industry have high hopes for expanding their business. Reporter shanghai airports are among the busiest in china. One of them is hosting a Business Aviation event that brings together about 160 companies from asia, europe and the united states. What has caught peoples eye is the fast growth of the chinese Aviation Industry. Many chinese makers are taking advantage of that and are displaying newly developed jets here. This plane is the product of a joint venture with a swiss manufacturer. The aircraft can operate on small airfields with short runway, whether they are paved or not. This other plane has just hit the market. Its chinese manufacturer is mainly targeting corporate clients. Chinas market is still relatively small with only about 300 registered private jets. But industry players are convinced the potential is great. Wealthy people in china, people who have done very well that can afford luxury cars, helicopters, planes, things like that, the economy will not affect them. In term of the emerging market and asian market certainly one of the Fastest Growing in the world. Reporter the Chinese Government is keen to support the industry. It plans to open an additional 50 airports to business flights. Entrepreneurs like this are banking their future on the future. He used to operate a Small Airline servicing regional destinations until he noticed a growing number of affluent people preferred to fly their own planes. Three years ago he cofounded a Maintenance Company for private jets. Over the past three or four years, the increase of private jets in china every year. Even, you know, the economy is coming down, increase still by nearly 25 . Reporter the Maintenance Hangar is located in the outskirts of shanghai. He says its easy to fly there from other parts of china. He hopes the strategic location will allow him to cash in on the growing fleet of corporate and private jets. But he has some concerns. Many companies that could afford a plane are reluctant to go ahead with the purchase. He says regulations are hampering the growth of the industry. In a count where most of the air space is controlled by the military. We are working with the government. Okay, there is a problem there. And this problem, you know, make it difficult for trade abroad. So you should do something. You can do something. Reporter entrepreneurs are now waiting for the government to act to ensure their industrys future doesnt remain up in the air. Thats it for business news. Ill leave you with the markets. Police in japan are preparing to crack down on a crime group that split from the countrys largest yakuza syndicate. They say theyll try to prevent the kobe ichigumi from running protection rackets. The National Police agency instructed Law Enforcement officials across the country on friday to deal strictly with the group. This comes after Public Safety officials announced they were designating the gang as an organized crime group. Police will order the groups members to stop demanding protection money from shops and restaurants and theyll try to stop the group clashing with the syndicate it split from. The National Police agency has described the two groups as in a state of conflict. The agency says there have been 74 incidents between the groups since last years split. Here on nhk newsline our top story, nine people are dead and more than 1,000 were injured in thursdays quake in kumamoto. The magnitude 6. 5 earthquake registered the highest level of intensity on the japanese seismic scale. Many buildings have been destroyed or damaged by the jolt and the numerous after shocks that follow. Transport systems in the area have been disrupted. The quake derailed the bullet trains but there were no passengers on board and no one was hurt. Highways cracked and crumbled in many areas causing authorities to close some sections. Flights have also been affect at kumamoto airport. The quake struck the region where japans only Nuclear Plant currently online is located. Officials say there are no irregularist and the two reactors at the sendai plants are operating normally. The damage was most severe in the town of mashiki just outside of kumamoto city. Experts say the area is near an active fault line and the ground is relatively soft. Most of the collapsed buildings there were old wooden houses. As rescue efforts continue, officials will contend with heavy rainfall this weekend possibly leading to landslides. Jonathan oh joins us with how the earthquake made the area susceptible to mudslides. Hello, well the biggest concern is the fact that when we had this particular earthquake, when you have these two areas, the faults are in place. When the earthquake continues to shake and we see the slipping of the land, that is when the ground starts to break up, when you have weak ground and then you have moisture approaching the area, thats when we have the concern with landslides coming forward. We were at least thankful that we had the dry weather for the day friday. But as we go into late saturday into sunday, thats when we have a system developing and thats going to bring the possibility of some rainfall and heavy rainfall as we go throughout the weekend period. Whats taking place, down here, a stationary frontal boundary. Were talking about the rainy season boundary down toward areas like southeastern china. As we go forward in time, it will move to the northeast. A low pressure system will develop, it will pick up all of the moisture as it continues to develop. The main focal point of the rain will be into the korean peninsula. But as the warm sector of this particular system moves to the north and east, kyushu, you will be dealing with the rainfall late saturday into sunday. So not only are we seeing heavy rain, we are seeing strong winds and thunderstorms and floods along with the landslides. All of these come together in this particular scenario. You can see the intensity of the rain thats going to fall. The purple indicates the higher rate of rainfall and because of the ground and how it is loose, the Japan Meteorological Agency has altered the criteria of heavy rain advisories and warnings in preparation for the potential of these landslides. Notice the numbers have dropped significantly. The minimal boundary now is at 42 millimeters of rainfall per hour when it comes to heavy rain warning. 28 millimeters per hour or greater when it comes to heavy rain advisory. When it comes to the dynamics of these mudslides and landslides, already the heavy rain is going to be coming as we go into the weekend. The ground is already weak. As the rain falls, it creates a flow because theres no resistance. Thats when the ground gives way. And the gravitys going to drive the flow and continue to move it along the ground. With a lot of people not only seeking shelter indoors and also outdoors, its going to complicate the situation. This is going to be something officials will have to try to manage as we go through the weekend. Late saturday into sunday, this is when the key time of the rainfall will be taking place and we go in to monday, that system should continue to move to the north and east and hopefully leave behind some drier conditions as we go throughout the weekend. As you go toward the middle east, were talking about some rainfall as well. Heavy ones in iran. Let me show you video coming out of this particular area. This took place on thursday, where torrential rains hit western and southwestern portions of the country. Over in this particular dam, spillways were open to try to get those floodwaters to rush through because flash flooding took place and that led to roads being blocked and Railway Services being shut down in the region. We are n receivi any repts of casualties though. The rain is expected to move to the north and east, but still bringing showers for the northern portions of iran as we go throughout the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, into europe, we are seeing the Iberian Peninsula greeted with some rain as the low pressure system moves through. So for those of you in paris and lisbon, youre going to see a chance for rain on friday. Another area of moisture will bring rain into warsaw and moscow as we go through the day on friday. As we wrap things up with a look at north america, a quick look at a low pressure system moving through the upper midwest, this is going to bring some instability and the possibility of strong storms as we go throughout the day into friday. And possibly extending eastward into saturday. Be on the lookout for this. Denver looking at thunderstorms with a high of 17 degrees. Hope you have a good day wherever you are. Heres your extended outlook. As we near 28 minutes past the hour that concludes this hours nhk newsline. Newsroom tokyo will bring you more coverage on kumamoto at 8uq molly welcome to the france 24 newsroom. Rescuers search for survivors as a quick hit southwest japan. Damage of the tremors amid ongoing aftershocks. Tens of thousands of people in escalating violence in aleppo province. Rebels areforces and fighting for control in the region