月: 2025年12月

1. The death toll from torrential rain, floods and mudslides has risen to 1,379 in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Evacuees living in shelters say they will not be able to return home anytime soon and they are worried about their children’s health.
2. Japan has signed a deal to give Ukraine an aid package worth about 26 million dollars to help the country clear away landmines. In October, the Japanese government hosted an international conference in Tokyo to discuss support for landmine removal efforts in Ukraine. The government decided to provide the nation with the financial aid package during that meeting. The money will be used to acquire mine clearing equipment and for other purposes.
3. Russian President Vladimir Putin has hosted US special envoy Steve Witkoff for talks on ending the fighting in Ukraine. They likely discussed a peace plan backed by the US and issues related to territory. However, Russia and Ukraine remain divided in their positions, and it is unclear if a breakthrough was reached.

1. The head of Japan’s technology and investment conglomerate SoftBank Group says artificial intelligence is set to make huge contributions to the global economy. Chairman and CEO Son Masayoshi dismissed concerns about overinvestment in the technology and said he is confident the company will recoup its massive spending on AI in a short period.
2. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Moscow to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The visit comes soon after US-Ukraine talks in Florida over the weekend. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Witkoff and Putin are expected to meet on Tuesday. Ahead of the talks in Moscow, Zelenskyy met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday. He stressed that the “territorial issue” is the most difficult.
3. The head of the International Criminal Court has urged members to stay unified in the face of pressure from the United States and Russia, saying “coercive measures” are clearly aimed at undermining the existence and reputation of the court. ICC President Akane Tomoko stressed: “The response of the Court has been absolutely unambiguous. Our independence and impartiality are our polar stars and remain unaffected. The ICC’s mandate is to try individuals charged with genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.

1. Japan’s Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, has visited her grandparents, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, on the occasion of her 24th birthday.
2. Japan’s Tohoku University says it will raise master’s and undergraduate degree tuition for overseas students.
3. Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s vow to “work, work, work, work, work” and “female prime minister” have together won the award for Japan’s buzzword of the year for 2025.