March 12, Tuesday, 2019 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Ms. Fumiko Konoe

  1. Japan’s Emperor Akihito has begun a series of rituals leading to his abdication on April 30th. The first ceremonies were held on Tuesday.
  2. The top executives of Nissan Motor, Mitsubishi Motors and Renault are expected to announce a new leadership body that will decide the future of the alliance between the three automakers.
  3. British Prime Minister Theresa May says she has reached an agreement with the European Union on the eve of a critical vote in the British Parliament on her revised Brexit deal.