日: 2023年12月8日

1. Japan reported a current account surplus for the ninth straight month in October, mainly due to a decline in energy prices. The current account is a measure of Japan’s trade and investment with the rest of the world.
2. Sources say Japan’s chief cabinet secretary’s office may have received more than 10 million yen, or 69,000 dollars, in kickbacks from selling tickets for political fundraising parties. Matsuno Hirokazu’s office allegedly failed to report the income over the five years to 2022 in its political funds report.
3. US President Joe Biden has stressed the necessity to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden expressed his deep concern for the hostages that remain in Gaza. The two leaders agreed to stay engaged to free the remaining hostages.

1. The US military has grounded all types of Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft deployed around the world following a fatal crash last week off Japan.
2. Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is calling decisive action to deal with a deepening money sandal in the main ruling party and he is setting the tone by quitting his own faction. 3. NHK has learned a lawmaker of the main ruling Liberal Democratic party has likely received about 50 million yen, or about 350,000 dollars, in kickbacks with regard to selling tickets for fund-raising parties.