1. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has vowed in her New Year’s message to carry out necessary reforms and bring strength, prosperity and hope to Japan. The prime minister mentions that this year marks 100 years since the start of the Showa era, which spans from 1926 to 1989. Takaichi says Showa was “a time when Japan experienced changes at an unprecedented scale, including the war, the end of the war, reconstruction, and rapid economic growth.” She adds that both Japan and the world are going through significant changes in the current Reiwa era, which began in 2019.
2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that he will only sign a peace deal when it guarantees Ukraine’s security after the end of fighting with Russia.
3. A record low number of New Year’s greeting cards were delivered in Japan on Thursday as 2026 began, the fewest since data became available in 2008.