October 10, Thursday, 2024

1. South Korean author Han Kang has been named the winner of this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature. It’s the first time that an Asian woman has been awarded one of the literary world’s top accolades. Kang was born in 1970 and comes from a literary background as her father is also a reputed novelist. The Swedish Academy highlights works such as her international breakthrough “The Vegetarian.” Published in 2007, it tells the story of a woman who faces violent consequences for refusing to eat meat.
2. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has held talks with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He expressed his intention to step up security cooperation between Japan and the ASEAN nations for the peace and stability of the region. 3. Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru spoke to reporters after the dissolution of the Lower House was announced. He said he would use the election as an opportunity to gain the public’s confidence and promote efforts at regional revitalization.