Japan

日米の保守派が論戦「CPAC JAPAN」今年も盛大に 片山財務相ら多彩な顔触れ

The Sankei News | Local Language | News | Dec. 8, 2025 | UndeterminedPolitics and Elections

CPAC JAPAN 2025 was held on December 6-7 at Hollywood University Hall in Tokyo, featuring prominent conservative figures from Japan and the United States. The main theme was "Japan’s independence," with discussions covering topics such as Trump tariffs, economic policies, tax cuts, and constitutional revision. This was the ninth installment of CPAC JAPAN since its inception in 2017.

Speakers included Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, who emphasized the formation of a conservative coalition government under Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and the need to strengthen Japan’s intelligence and defense policies. Haruo Kitamura, a House of Councillors member from the Japan Conservative Party, advocated for constitutional revision, criticizing Article 9 for its negative impact on Self-Defense Forces personnel and praising former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s pragmatic approach to security policies.

A separate session on immigration featured conservative views opposing increased immigration and multicultural coexistence, arguing that Japan should only accept immigrants beneficial to the country. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama received strong applause for announcing a supplementary budget of 21.3 trillion yen, noting falling gasoline and diesel prices and highlighting her commitment to government progress under the Takaichi cabinet. She referenced a book co-authored by Abe to express optimism about Japan’s future role globally.

Debates continued on December 7 with scheduled discussions on food security, expanding the scope of conservative policy topics at the event.

NHK | English | News | Dec. 8, 2025 | Accidents

Hong Kong security authorities have intensified scrutiny of foreign media coverage related to a fatal high-rise apartment fire that occurred last month. The Office for Safeguarding National Security summoned executives and journalists from foreign news organizations in Hong Kong for discussions, citing the National Security Law as the basis for the action.

The office accused some foreign media of disregarding facts, spreading falsehoods, and attempting to incite social division. It declared its intent to closely monitor ongoing media reports. Established by the mainland government, the security office oversees Hong Kong's administration under the National Security Law, which has been in effect for five years.

Such public summoning of foreign media is rare and suggests heightened sensitivity among authorities toward critical reporting, especially as public calls grow for accountability over the fire. This development also occurred shortly before Hong Kong’s Legislative Council election scheduled for Sunday.

瀬戸内海での養殖カキ大量死は「自然災害」か…激甚災害指定求める声も 宮城では未確認

The Sankei News | Local Language | News | Dec. 8, 2025 | Natural Disasters

The Seto Inland Sea is experiencing a significant mass die-off of farmed oysters, with mortality rates reaching as high as 80% in some areas. The Fisheries Agency's survey found that Hiroshima Prefecture saw 60–90% oyster deaths, Hyogo around 80%, and Kagawa between 50–90%. The primary suspected cause is high seawater temperatures, with additional factors including high salinity and oxygen deficits. This phenomenon has been attributed by industry stakeholders to natural disasters and some are calling for the event to be designated a "severe disaster."

Outside the Seto Inland Sea, including major production areas like Miyagi Prefecture, no such mass die-offs have been confirmed, though concerns persist due to elevated seawater temperatures. The full cause of the die-offs remains unclear, with experts suggesting a combination of factors such as increased spawning due to warmer waters and reduced nutrient inflow from rivers affected by low rainfall. It may take 3–5 years to fully understand the causes and develop appropriate countermeasures.

The economic impact is severe, threatening producers’ viability and prompting cancellations of major oyster-related events such as the Otake Oyster Marine Festival and the Miyajima Oyster Festival in Hiroshima Prefecture. In response, Hiroshima has initiated financial support measures, including interest coverage on loans for aquaculture operators. Meanwhile, political efforts are underway, with an LDP parliamentary group appealing for the situation to be recognized as a severe disaster to facilitate support for affected producers.