January 17, Thursday, 2019 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradhan and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

Thursday marks 24 years since the Great Hanshin Earthquake devastated western Japan.
The French minister of the economy and finance says France’s government would like Renault to hold a board meeting within days and decide on new management.
The defense chiefs of Japan and the United States have reaffirmed close cooperation in dealing with China’s growing maritime presence and other regional matters.