November 14, Wednesday, 2018 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Michael Reese and Ms. Mariko Kojima

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed his resolve to advance negotiations for a peace treaty with Russia ahead of his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have reportedly confirmed that the 10-nation bloc will take the lead in the region’s development while seeking benefits from international initiatives.
Japan’s economy contracted for the first time in two quarters. Government officials say a string of natural disasters in the period dented exports and consumer spending.