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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

 

November 13, Tuesday, 2018 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Ms. Fumiko Konoe

  1. 16 Asia-Pacific nations have given up on efforts to reach a deal, by the end of this year, on a free trade pact that would cover half of the world’s population.
  2. Tokyo stocks fell sharply on Tuesday, following an overnight plunge on Wall Street.
  3. Japan’s chief cabinet secretary has pledged that the government will do everything it can to help bring back all Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.