SNA (Tokyo) — The following stories were reported today by the Shingetsu News Agency.

Politics

—Toru Hashimoto and Hodaka Maruyama have made peace with each other after their public dispute. This means that Representative Maruyama will remain within the Japan Innovation Party.

—In Aichi Prefectural Assembly, three Democratic Party assemblymen join the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. However, the Democratic Party and Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan will work together within a united caucus. This is a possible template for other regions.

—Proposal to create new regional party called “Aichi Democrats” aired as measure to reduce disruption caused by some Democratic Party members wanting to join the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Details remain unclear.

—Shigeru Ishiba says that a survey should be made of the opinions of Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers on questions of Constitution revision. He believes party leaders need to take this into account.

International

—Japan will reportedly build four radar stations in the Philippines on islands facing Indonesia. Ostensibly these are for the purpose of combatting piracy.

—Ground Self-Defense Forces considering Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures as likely locations to base Aegis Ashore anti-missile systems, once they have been obtained.

—North Korea Foreign Ministry: “Trump, during his visit, laid bare his true nature as destroyer of world peace and stability and begged for a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula.”

Economy

—Status of TPP 11 agreement remains somewhat ambiguous: “Ministers are pleased to announce that they have agreed on the core elements of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).”

—Canada’s position on Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership seems to be that “progress” has been made but there is “still more important work to be done.” The other ten countries seem to believe they have a bargain. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement with 20 items suspended until the United States rejoins.

Society

—Kawasaki Mayor Norihiko Fukuda: “Hate speech goes against the policy of the city, which aspires to guarantee respect for human rights and create an inclusive society.”

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