December 27, Wednesday, 2023

1. A US firm researching the logistics industry says the operations of many commercial vessels in the Red Sea have been affected as Yemen’s anti-government Houthi group continues to attack ships in the area.
2. Tokyo prosecutors have begun searching the office of a Lower House lawmaker in connection with a fundraising scandal involving factions of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. On Wednesday, investigators from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office raided Ikeda Yoshitaka’ office, which is located at the Diet members’ office building. 3. Suspended prison sentences have been finalized in Japan for three male former Ground Self-Defense Force members who were found guilty on charges of indecent assault of a female subordinate. The defendants did not file an appeal by the two-week deadline on Tuesday.