Representatives of the Nuclear Watchdog say they will ask Kansai Electric to shut down the plant if inspectors conclude an active fault runs underneath it. Government guidelines ban the construction of key Nuclear Facilities on active faults. Kansai electric executives insist land slips and not a fault caused the fissures below ohi. After fridays inspection, the shik zach shimazaki said they will look for answers. Translator well carefully analyze what we saw today. It wont be an easy task determining what it is. The team of experts will be back at the plant on saturday. Then they will meet early next year to produce an assessment based on the results of their inspection. Nra experts are checking the ground beneath a number of power plants in this earthquakeprone country. Their reports on some of them could keep the facilities off line for the future or forever. Nra teams say they found one active fault under tsuruga nuclear compound. The fault runs along side reactors one and two. And another fracture intersects with it under reactor two. Nra investigators also released their final assessment of the higashidori plant. Any confirm two faults under the kpoupd are most likely active. The possibility of active faults under Nuclear Plants and the accident in fukushima last year have prompted many japanese to question the use of atomic energy. The former government said it would aim to take all reactors off line within a couple of decades but now a new government is in power and promising a different approach. Reporter Prime Minister abe is putting everything on the table when it comes to japans Energy Policy. He and others in the committee have said they will explore possibilities including restarting Nuclear Reactors. Translator we need to decide our Energy Policy based on technical assessments. We will not start with the conclusion of halting Nuclear Power generation by the 2030s. Reporter the Previous Administration led by former Prime MinisterYoshihko Noda drafted an Energy Policy that stated the government would aim to shut down all Nuclear Plants by the 2030s. Before last years accident in fukushima, Nuclear Power accounted for 26 of the total Energy Supply in japan. Currently only two out of 50 reactors in the country are online adding a mere 3 to the supply. Fossil fuels are taking up the slack. Utilities are paying more to import lng or liquefied natural gas to fire thermal plants. Many are planning to raise electricity rates to make up for losses. Japanese arent happy about that. And theyre also anxious to hear about their new governments energy plans. Translator we have 50 Nuclear Reactors in japan. We should start decommissioning the ones we can over the next three years. Translator im from fukushima so although i want to decommission the Nuclear Power plants i know its hard for the community to live without them. Translator i dont care how long it takes, i want to hear a safe and long lasting Energy Policy. Reporter the Abe Administration needs to define the legal role of the Nuclear Regulation authority created by the former government. The nra oversees Nuclear Safety but the full extent of its power and independence is unclear. Translator well check whether Nuclear Plants satisfy safety standards. But its up to the utilities and the government to decide whether or not to restart facilities. Reporter Prime Minister abes energy pledges currently lack detail. He says hell decide within three years whether to restart reactors but he doesnt explain why he needs that much time. Nor does he explain who will bear the cost of decommissioning Nuclear Plants if that happens. He also hasnt outlined a time frame and budget to expand the Renewable Energy market. Translator most important issue is to restore governance on Nuclear Safety. It is a chance for japan to rebuild trust. The new administration should swiftly present a clear direction. They need to quickly state the Energy Portfolio and decide on the use of Nuclear Energy in the first half of next year. Reporter people in japan are frustrated because they dont know where their countrys Energy Policy is headed and what the future holds for Nuclear Power. They want clarity. Prime minister abes decision on this issue will face plenty of scrutiny and will be among the first of many tests for his administration. Nhk world, tokyo. China is building up its military presence in the asia pacific region. The question is how Southeast Asian countries will need with the neighbors growing clout. We have details on different positions two countries are taking on china. Nhk has obtained information that sheds light on the stances they are taking on china and we start with the philippines which is stationing marines on the spratly islands. Nhk world reports. Reporter the philippines and china and malaysia and brunei claim sovereignty over all or some of the spratlys, high ranking military officers say their country has started to deploy marines in nine islands and shoals since september. The country had already stationed naval officers there. The military says personal numbers have almost doubled on some of the islands. Before the deployment, the marines underwent training on protecting the islands and been equipped with upgraded weapons. Philippines began expanding its military facility on the island to accommodate equipment and personnel for drills and other operations. The country is developing oil and natural gas in nearby waters. China is also increasing military presence in the South China Sea to boost its claim to ma maritime interest in the area. It is intended to solidify its defense on the islands and shoals. Nhk world, manila. Some asean nations are taking a hard stance but sources have revealed that myanmar canceled what would have been the first port call by the selfdefense force vessels. Myanmar wanted to prevent a strong reaction from china. Informed sources say two Japanese Mine sweepers were due to stop at myanmars largest city but it was called off at myanmars request. Relations between japan and china remain tense. Japan owns the islands, both china and taiwan claim them. Myanmar has made other moves out of the consideration for china despite the criticism from the west in november. Police in the country cracked down on demonstrations against a copper mine operated by a chinese firm and a firm linked to the military. Over 70 protesters were injured and forged close relations with china during the military rule when western countries imposed economic sanctions on the country in the past two decades, investment from china has totalled 14 billion. As china increases its economic and military clout, asean countries are pressed to come up with policies that combine hard and soft approaches to the neighbor. Geothermal power is attracting global attention. The philippines is taking advantage of the sustained Energy Source and the usage rate is the second highest in the world and strengthening its industry by teaming up with counterparts around the world. Nhk world has more. Reporter columns of steam rise from this facility and the air smells faintly of rotten eggs. A twohour drive from manila, it is the second largest Geothermal Power plant in the philippines. The philippines scrapped its Nuclear Power program in the 1980s in order to pursue Renewable Energy. Geothermal accounts for 22 of the countrys energy. That is the second highest rate in the world. The National Economy is on the rise and as is the demand for power. To meet that growth, the government thats the ambitious goal of increasing output by 75 by the year 2030. There are many challenges to achieving that target. An average sized geothermal plant cost 13 million to build. Further Development Also requires new technology fosh trailing and surveying. But the country is taking steps to bring its goals into reach. Earlier this month, manila hosted an International Meeting for countries that use Geothermal Power. Its an exchange of experiences, knowledge and realistic knowledge transfer. Reporter the organizers also hosted the tour of Geothermal Power stations in the philippines. The delegation from kenya visited this facility. The visitors found that Japanese Technology is widely used in the philippines, a Japanese Firm constructed this plant. 33 years later it is still operating at full capacity. We are very impressed because of the standard the availability rate is over 95 , which means that it is available most of the time. We feel that this is an example we ought to em ulate. A japanese Government Official also joined the tour. Like the philippines, japan has a high level of volcanic activity. It is the Third LargestGeothermal Energy reserves in the world. But geothermal makes up less than 0. 3 of its energy mix. The accident at the Fukushima Nuclear plant in 2011 is prompting the country to review its policy on Nuclear Power. It is considering ways to promote Geothermal Power through deregulation incentives and international cooperation. Translator we hope to contribute to other nations in terms of drilling and sur vafing. High initial costs are a common challenge. We want to corporaoperate with countries to ease the burden through measures such as setting up a funding framework. Reporter geothermal Power Generation will play a key role in tackling Global Warming in countries working towards energy independence. Cooperation between measured players will help achieve these goals. Nhk world. And that wraps up our bulletin in bangkok. A people tested by politics and history, innovators Whose Technology spread around the world. Artists who capture the imaginations of audiences everywhere, these are faces of south korea. Nhk world updates you on whats happening across the peninsula, wednesday and thursday here on newsline. South korea says its military has retrieved from under the sea what appears to be debris from the engine of the north korean rocket launched two weeks ago. North korean leaders claim the rocket was carrying a satellite. But many countries believe it was a test of longrange missile technology. The object was retrieved from a depth of 88 meters in the yellow sea. The Defense Ministry official says if its confirmed to be part of the rockets firststage engine, it will help understand its capabilities. South koreas military has already retrieved a fuel tank and containers oxidizer used for combustion. Ministry officials suspect that north korea is trying to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile. A japanese media report is casting doubt on chinese claims to the Senkaku Islands in the east china sea. Jiji press says the Chinese Government recognized the islands as part of japan in a document more than 60 years ago. The wire service obtained a copy of the draft outline on the territorial issues with a peace treaty for japan. The Government Produced the draft in 1950. Jiji press says the document refers to the islands by their japanese name san kak cue. The article says the document contains descriptions recognizing them part of what we now call okinawa. Chinese leader says they have consistently referred to the islands by the chinese name. Translator were not aware of the details of the report. I want to emphasize that the islands have long been chinese territory. We have sufficient historical grounds that china has sovereignty over them. Japans chief cabinet secretary says japanese leaders will pay close attention to the matter. On a territorial dispute with another of its neighbors, this time south korea, japan is taking the initiative. Japanese Officials Say the takeshima islands belong to japan but the South Koreans control them. Members of the new administration say they wont let the issue undermine relations. Fumio kishida has conveyed the message to his south korean counterpart, kim sunghwan by telephone. Translator various disputes could occur over specific issues in our relationship as neighbors. But we hope we can overcome these challenges and strengthen our ties. Prime minister abe is sending former finance minister Fukushiro Nukaga to seoul next week as a special envoy. Nukaga is expected to meet with south korean president elect park geunhye and deliver a letter to her from abe. Relations between the neighbors have been strained since Lee Myung Bak visited the islands in august. Its been more than a month since israel and hamas agreed to a cease fire in the gaza strip. Six israelis died in the fighting. The vit lens violence left many traumatized particularly children. Heres the report from gaza. Reporter one month into the cease fire resentment against israel runs deep in the gaza strip. Militants are showing off the wreckage of a car in which a hamas commander was killed during an air strike and displaying pictures of women and children who were killed or injured in the violence. Translator this exhibition is meant to show the barbaric actions of israel against women and children. Reporter hamas leaded have viewed as a recession against israel. Translator the Armed Struggle against israel is our path to freedom. Reporter a new perfume also hit the stands selling more than 2,000 bottles. Its named after the rockets fired against militants in israeli cities. Translator im proud our rockets can target israel in naming a perfume after them was a great idea. Reporter the violence left deep in the minds of children. Nearly 50 received counseling at this facility. They are encouraged to write down or draw pictures of their anxieties. Then the children put their messages into what counselors call a stress box. Translator what stands out the most are pictures of air strikes or tanks that illustrate the childrens fears. Reporter 12 years old, he survived an israeli air strike that destroyed his home. His twin brother died before his very eyes. He lives in a rented apartment with his mother and sister. Translator my son has become defiant and refuses to study and spends all of his time wandering outside. Reporter counselors invited the children to blow all of their fears into a balloon to get rid of them. Osama was the fastest. But his fears dont sub side. Translator im scared. Thats all i can tell you. Reporter instead of healing, his grief is turning to hatred. Translator i wanted to be a teacher but not anymore. I want to take revenge on israel for bombing my house and killing my father and brother. Reporter on both sides of the border, each cycle of violence renews animosity and with it, dimer prospects for negotiated peace. Nhk world, gaza strip. Another winter storm is hitting the southern u. S. Meteorologist robert speta has more. We are now watching another storm, actually we had this one move off here across new england yesterday and now moving towards quebec, you do not need more snow at all. Now were watching this one starting to develop. Its expected to start to move to the northeast. Already seeing snowfall already the ohio river valley and then as that pulls off here into these areas that were already hit by widespread snowfall, many people are still without electricity here and unfortun e unfortunately it looks like another system running overhead going for friday and eventually into saturday. On sunday its going to run off the east coast. But before it does so, expect heavy accumulations and gusty winds, even some thunderstorm activity further down south. The savior with this one, it is going to be moving rather fast, unplik the last storm that pushed through all week and that was a slow mover. You had persistent conditions overhead. Behind it, improving weather across much of the plains here. Denver minus 1 for the high. Its going to be chilly, winnipeg at minus 10. And lets look over towards europe in the british isles, cloud cover towards western europe. That is a very strong and deep low pressure system and the threat with this one as it pushes in, wont just bring heavy rain showers but strong High Pressure down towards the south keeping things dry in the Iberian Peninsula and interacting creating lines close together, a tight pressure gradient, up to 120 Kilometers Per Hour especially along the west coast of the u. K. And towards ireland, thats continuing to pu