A Japanese expert warns that new variants of the coronavirus may prolong the current third wave of infections in Japan. 2. Japan’s main ruling party has approved a set of draft bills that would penalize businesses or individuals that refuse to comply with measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. 3. In a farewell message, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump has called for reconciliation among the increasingly divided American public. The outgoing first lady posted a video on her Twitter account on Monday, bidding farewell ahead of the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday.