February 21, Thursday, 2019 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Ms. Yuka Matsumoto

  1. Japanese government officials say U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to visit Japan as a state guest in late May.
  2. Trump has stressed that North Korea must take meaningful steps toward denuclearization in order to have sanctions on the country lifted.
  3. Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown willingness to strengthen ties with Japan and other Asian nations.

February 20, Wednesday, 2019 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Fumiko Konoe and Ms. Mariko Kojima

  1. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has proposed that the United States should use inter-Korean economic projects as a “concession” to urge North Korea to denuclearize.
  2. Tens of thousands of people rallied across France on Tuesday to protest an increase in anti-Semitic acts.
  3. Honda Motor says it will cut its annual global automobile output to 5.1 million units from the current 5.4 million.

February 19, Tuesday, 2019 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Fumiko Konoe and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

  1. A senior aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues making preparations in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi for next week’s summit.
  2. China’s government has unveiled a development plan aimed at further integrating Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macau.
  3. Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido is calling for a million volunteers to help bring in much-needed humanitarian aid.