1. Japan’s Defense Minister Kihara Minoru says a total of 6,300 Self-Defense Force personnel are now involved in efforts to hep areas affected by the powerful earthquake tat struck central Japan on New Year’s Day. Kihara told reporters on Tuesday that the number of personnel was increased by 200 from the previous day.
2. Taiwan’s ruling party presidential candidate says his election win would prompt China to review its Taiwan policy, even though Beijing currently does not see is party as a dialogue partner. Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party is running in Saturday’s presidential election against Hou Yu-ih of the largest opposition Kuomintang party and Ko Wen-je of the second-largest opposition Taiwan People’s Party.
3. Schools in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture that were relatively unaffected by the powerful earthquake on New Year’s Day have reopened for their new terms.
日: 2024年1月9日
January 8, Monday, 2024
1. NHK has learned from informed sources that data storage devices related to Japanese Lower House member Ikeda Yoshitaka were destroyed before Tokyo prosecutors searched his office and other places last month. He was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of violating the political funds control law.
2. Three candidates in Taiwan’s presidential election appealed for support during large rallies on the last Sunday before the January 13 vote. Key points of contention include ties with China.
3. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fifth term in office in a controversial general election on Sunday. The voting took place in a tense atmosphere with the military and police heavily guarding each polling station.