February 20, Thursday, 2020 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Ms. Yuka Matsumoto

  1. Two passengers from the Diamond Princess have died after being infected with the new coronavirus.
  2. Health authorities in China reported 114 more deaths from the new coronavirus on Wednesday mainly in the Province of Hubei, bringing the total number of fatalities in the mainland to 2,118.
  3. French prosecutors say they have opened a judicial inquiry into the alleged misuse of corporate funds at automaker Renault, while Carlos Ghosn was in charge of its alliance with Japan’s Nissan Motor.

February 19, Wednesday, 2020 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Eriko Kojima and Ms. Fumiko Konoe

  1. Passengers who served out of a 14-day quarantine aboard the Diamond Princess have begun disembarking, with Japanese officials expecting 500 people to do so by the end of Wednesday.
  2. Health authorities in China say 136 more people infected with the new coronavirus died on Tuesday mainly in Hubei Province, bringing the number of fatalities in the country to 2004.
  3. The global economic slowdown has pushed Japan’s trade deficit to its highest level in a year.