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

The Top Headline

—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bemoans Japan’s “defense only” strategy, mandated by the Constitution. “We effectively have to tolerate a first attack and possibly see our land turn into a battlefield.” Abe would clearly prefer a Japan that could again attack other nations first.

Politics

—Still being held cut off from most of the world, Osaka court begins procedures for a compulsory auction of Yasunori Kagoike’s personal residence in Toyonaka City, Osaka. The former Moritomo Gakuen chief is being stripped of his assets along with his freedom (while others skate).

International

—In Diet debate, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe again denounces idea that South Korean President Moon Jae-In might visit Pyongyang. Yes, he said it once again, his mantra: “Talks for the sake of talks are meaningless.”

Economy

—Positive news for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the latest figures confirm that the national economy has been growing for two years straight at a modest but respectable rate. Much of this success, however, has been achieved on the back of massive and unsustainable public spending.

Society

—Ministry of Education draws up guidelines for school drills preparing for a possible North Korean missile attack.

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