December 21, Thursday, 2017 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradhan and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

1. The families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have made a plea for their early return before lawmakers in Japan’s Diet.
2. The Bank of Japan has kept its massive easing program unchanged, in a bid to hit a 2-percent inflation target.
3. U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to cut aid for U.N. member states that support a resolution criticizing his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.