Foreigners have been taken hostage. Police say some officers were wounded. Police and Security Forces sealed off the area. The violence comes during the muslim holy month of ramadan. The British Ambassador to japan says hes ready to seek the opinions of japanese leaders when the time comes for his country to negotiate its exit from the european union. What you want as the number two investor in britain and around europe as a whole after the United States is really important to us. And you need to tell us what matters to you and what matters less to you so that we have what i would call is the best results. The ambassador also spoke about the race to determine who will be the next leader of britains governing conservative party. The winner of the contest will almost certainly become the new Prime Minister and will conduct the exit talks with the eu. Five legislators are vying for the partys top job. They include justice secretary michael gove, a supporter of the effort to leave, and home secretary theresa may, who supported the remain side. Hitchens suggested that in british politics the winner will be the person who can heal divisions and achieve a consensus. A taiwanese naval vessel has fired an antiship missile that hit a fishing boat. One person was killed and three others injured. The Defense Ministry says it was an accident. The Ministry Says the vessel was at a naval base in the Southern City of kaohsiung. On friday morning, personnel were inspecting the ship for an upcoming drill. The domestically developed supersonic missile fell into waters off the Remote Island of penghu in the taiwan strait. The ministry initially reported no injuries, but later in the day they held a News Conference to announce the missile hit a taiwanese fishing boat killing the captain and injuring three others. Ministry officials suspect the naval personnel failed to follow proper inspection procedures. Hong kongs top leader has called for stronger ties with mainland china. He spoke at a ceremony marking the 19th anniversary of the handover from britain while prodemocracy groups held antibeijing demonstrations. Representatives of the Chinese Government attended the ceremony. Translator a new generation of people in hong kong has new opportunities overseas provided by chinas onebelt, oneroad Economic Initiative that connects asia and europe. Prodemocracy groups are skeptical of beijings onecountry, twosystems policy. A demonstration in the afternoon drew tens of thousands of people. They demanded leungs resignation and universal suffrage in hong kong and china. They also called for the Chinese Government to release all Political Prisoners in the country. Translator many years have passed since the return of the territory, but our freedom has been reduced. Translator as a citizen, i fear the Hong Kong Government cant protect our basic security. A bookseller who was due to lead the protest march dropped out saying he feared for his personal safety. Chinese president xi jinping has stressed the need to protect what he calls the countrys core interests. He was speaking at a ceremony marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist party. The president said china will play an active role in building what he called a fair and reasonable world order. He suggested beijing wont compromise on its activities in the east and south china seas. Translator no foreign country should count on us trading away our core interests and suffering the consequences of damaging national sovereignty, security and development. Xi also made remarks apparently aimed at the United States. Washington has been carrying out freedom of navigation operations in the south china sea. Beijing has built artificial islands there. Translator muscle flexing does not reflect the countrys strength and cannot be used to threaten others. The president also said china will never tolerate any activities aimed at an independent taiwan. In other news, tax officials in japan say the countrys average land price has risen for the first time in eight years. Analysts attribute the increase to brisk spending by foreign visitors in both major cities and provincial areas. Th its list of land price assessments as of january 1st. The prices are used to calculate inheritance and gift taxes. The list shows the National Average was up 0. 2 from a year earlier. Thats the first uptick since the 2008 Global Financial crisis. 14 of the nations 47 prefectures logged yearonyear rises. Tokyos ginza shopping district maintained its record for japans most expensive land plot for the 31st consecutive year. The price per square meter shot up nearly 19 to about 310,000. A spot in central osaka in the countrys west was priced at almost 100,000, up more than 20 . In just over a week people in japan will go to the polls to elect new members of the upper house. In the leadup, our series japan decides is looking at some of the key issues. Prime minister shinzo abe is presenting the referendum on his economic policies dubbed abenomics. The package includes increased fis ccal spending, aggressive monetary easing and a Growth Strategy that promotes structural reforms. Some opposition parties counter that abes policies have failed and theyre expanding the gap between the rich and the poor. Japanese businesses have their own view. Nhk world gives us a look. Reporter managers of this auto parts maker have been enjoying higher sales for three consecutive years. The Company Sells parts and brake pedals to the United States, china and other countries. And orders grew in tandem with a strong car market. Sales jumped by 25 in the year after abe took office in late 2012. The managers say tax relief is also a big help. The government has been giving a tax cut for new Capital Spending. The administration also lowered the Corporate Tax rate for Major Companies by more than 7 Percentage Points and plans to cut it further. So executives decided to install more automation. They say extremely low Interest Rates helped spur the investment. The companys share price climbed sharply as the nikkei rose and its Stock Holdings in other companies in related industries have risen as well boosting the firms asset prices. Translator i think abenomics had a Huge Positive impact on our business. During the prolonged deflation era, we havent been confident enough to go ahead with Capital Spending or wage hikes. But abenomics ease such worries. Reporter some Company Managers say abes economic approach is paying off, but some others are disappointed. This fish cake maker in northern japan has been in business for nearly a hundred years. Managers say they were hoping abenomics would help boost the local economy, but last december the company went into the red for the first time in two decades. Executives say abes policy has failed to lift conservative sentiment and that has dampened sales. Increased material costs and higher wages are also dealing a blow. Monetary easing endorsed by abes administration initially led to a weaker yen. One result has been higher prices for imported materials. The price of alaskan pollock, an ingredient in fish cakes, has risen by about 30 . Managers also say the local economy remains lackluster. They say they had to give raises to employees to stop them from seeking work in big cities. The companys president says he had to raise the price of his leading product by 5 , but he stresses that the hikes still fall short of his rising costs. Translator were facing many disadvantages. Abe says he will revive local economies, and i lay hopes on that. But i must say he is not spelling out effective steps in our region yet. Reporter now, sentiment among managers seems to be getting gloomier. They face uncertainty that has spread throughout the global economy. Abe says his policies are working and hes calling on voters for their support to follow through with his agenda. The election should uncover some clues as to whether the public is willing to go along with the plan. Kyoko fujita, nhk world, tokyo. The economy, new National Security laws, the countrys constitution. Campaigning for the upper house election is on, and japanese voters will have a chance to weigh in on these issues and more. For the first time in history, 18 and 19yearolds will get a say by casting their ballot. Dont miss our special coverage, 2016 election, japan decides. Sunday, july 10th, on nhk world. Japanese scientists want to probe the deepest parts of the ocean. A Government Panel has proposed developing an unmanned submersible that can reach a depth of more than 7,000 meters. Japan built a manned submersible 27 years ago that can descend 6,500 meters. This submersible is used to study deep sea ecosystems and changes to the sea floor caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity. The Panel Discussed its future plans on friday to replace the 6500. It decided japan will build another unmanned submersible that can reach a depth of more than 7,000 meters. It will conduct research on ecosystems and the mechanism of quakes. The scientists also concluded japan should aim to produce a manned submersible that can reach the same depth and break the current records set by china. They also advise that new technology should be developed to efficiently explore resources and conduct environmentally friendly mining at locations up to 3,000 meters deep. The latest statistics show that onequarter of japans population is now aged 65 or older. And the society has seen a surge in cases of people killing elderly parents or spouses in their care. An nhk study revealed that such caregivers need both logistical and emotional help at an early stage. The elderly couple in this photograph struck their neighbors as being lovebirds, but three years ago something went very wrong. The wife killed her 85yearold husband. He suffered a stroke and she had to take care of him at home. After about two years, she was overcome by stress and had a nervous breakdown. Her son urged her to place him in a nursing home, but she insisted she could handle things on her own. It was only three months before the murder when she sought out a specialist for herself. Nhk looked into Court Documents from cases of murder, attempted murder and murder suicide. They were all believed to have been triggered by stress from care giving. Between 2009 and 2015 there were at least 138 cases or about one every two weeks. Yumiko arai is an expert in nursing care. She says many of the people in such cases suddenly find themselves in the position of caregiver. Translator their lives suddenly changed, and they may not have been able to cope with the situation. Arai says its important to fully understand the burden on people providing care. Also from japan, researchers have made what they say is a Significant Development in genetic science. It relates to genomes, the genetic material of an organism. Genomes consist of dna, but some people are warning the technique the researchers used could have ethical repercussions. Nhk worlds keiko shirayama explains. Reporter these researchers gathered before reporters to share their historic results. Translator we have succeeded in creating animals with compromised immune systems for the first time through genome editing. Reporter the researchers are from the Central Institute for experimental animals as well as kaio university. They use a technique known as genome editing on the embryo of a marmoset or a small monkey. The animals immune cells are down to onefifth of whats normal. The researchers say it allows them to do further experiments they hope will advance medical treatments. Translator if we can transplant human stem cells to a marmoset with an immune deficiency, well be able to see whether the method is safe and effective over a prolonged period. It will also help advance the development of this therapy. Reporter scientists have traditionally used genetic modification to alter genes. That method requires trial and error. Often thousands of attempts to locate the right sequence of dna. But genome editing is more efficient. It allows researchers to pinpoint the target and cut away genes by using certain enzymes. They can then implant a new gene easily and accurately. In the United States, genome editing is used to help patients with hiv. The technique has been used for economic reasons, like growing cattle with twice as much meat or creating algae that contains so much oil it can be burned for heat. But the technology is raising ethical concerns. A Chinese Research team published a paper last year saying they manipulated the genes in a fertilized human egg. They say it was part of their research into broad disease. The work in marmoset is not directly connected to genome editing in humans. Still, this expert warns with todays development, its necessary to think about the ethics of the science. Translator if humans are modified artificially with genome editing, the changes would be passed on to any future generations. We need to come up with regulations to ensure that the method wont have any negative impacts on genomes. Further Research Needs to be conducted. I think its a trend not only in japan but around the world, too. Reporter a group of japanese scientists have called for a ban on genome editing on human embryos. Theres currently no law on it in the country, so debate over the risks and benefits continues. Keiko shirayama, nhk world, tokyo. Millions of people in beijing use electric bikes to get around and to make a living. The high numbers have caused traffic problems and safety concerns. But steps to rein them in are causing headaches for small businesses. Nhk worlds Daisuke Azuma reports. Reporter going through the capitals heavy traffic, scooters and bikes, almost all of them powered by electricity. Some 4 million residents have turned to the easy to get licensefree ebikes. Translator i always use an ebike. I can avoid traffic jams so its quick. Reporter but authorities banned ebikes from certain streets, mainly passed the avenue. Thats because electric bikes were involved in nearly 40 of total traffic injuries last year. The ban succeeded in eliminating ebikes from some areas but the problem shifted to nearby streets. People have not stopped using electric bikes. To avoid restrictions, they are using this road instead. Its just several blocks away from the main road. Now, it has become a danger zone. Walkers say ebikes have populated here since the ban and there have been bad accidents. Translator theres lots more bikes now. People are riding here to avoid banned roads. Translator the riders are pushy. Theyre a menace. Reporter the ban affects the citys delivery businesses. This Courier Company relies on a local army of a hundredbike edelivery staff. The drivers get orders and send them to stores. The service is highly popular. But the company is facing trouble. After the ban, this local supervisor tried rerouting his drivers but it didnt really work. His current solution is to shrink the service area. T hes not breathing any easier as he expects the ban to grow. Translator if there are further restrictions on ebikes, well need to deal with the impact by cutting more of the delivery areas and streamlining staff. Reporter Companies Using ebikes have been thriving. In the absence of regulations. Amid the tough, new rules, they are looking for other ways to keep the wheels of business turning. Earlier, mitsiko spoke with daisuke in beijing. Do you think electric bikes are risky to ride in the city . Actually, i use ebike to commute. It makes my commute convenient, but yeah, there is a risk. Mine goes 10 Kilometers Per Hour but others can go twice as fast. So im constantly aware of the danger of being hit by another ebike. And when i walk, i also feel at risk. Ebikes are quiet. You cant hear them coming. The main road behind me is now electric bike free. So there is no danger of accidents involving ebikes. So as far as this area goes, the strategy is working. Are there any environmental concerns, daisuke . People are not switching to gasoline powered vehicles. So far riders are coping by using different routes. Officials did not expect the ban to make the citys notorious air problems any worse. I hear other big chinese cities have the same problem. How are they dealing with the issue . They began tighten regulations in march. Guangzhou is considering a law that would ban electric bikes city wide. Fines of about 7,000 may be enforced for violations but there are economic concerns. Chinas slowing economy might be affected by uncertainties in the global market. A big crackdown on electric bikes may dampen the mass consumption. Delivery companies and couriers rely on them more and more. One expert says authorities need to find a way to minimize the economic impact. Translator the current stopgap measures wont solve the problems long term. Private and commercial bikes need to be regulated separately. Delivery ebikes should be licensed. He points out that many people tend to ignore the traffic rules. He says manufacturers need to develop a simple bike. With speed limiters, for example. He says that would be good for road safety and economic growth. And that was Daisuke Azuma in beijing. In other stories, researchers say the hole in the ozone layer over antarctica has shrunk in the last 15 ye