Japan

Asahi Shimbun - E | English | News | Jan. 9, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

China has banned two Taiwanese ministers, Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang and Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao, along with their relatives, from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau due to alleged separatist activities supporting Taiwan independence. Beijing labeled them as "die-hard Taiwan independence secessionists," escalating tensions between China and Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council condemned the ban, stating it severely damages cross-strait relations and amounts to coercion aimed at deterring Taiwanese people from maintaining the status quo and democratic freedoms. The council accused China of illegitimately claiming jurisdiction over Taiwan and warned that Taiwan would not yield to threats or intimidation.

This development adds to a growing list of 14 Taiwanese individuals that China labels as secessionists, including high-ranking officials such as Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, National Security Council head Joseph Wu, and Defence Minister Wellington Koo. In addition, Chen Shu-Yi, a Taiwanese prosecutor, was accused of complicity in separatist activities and warned of lifelong accountability by China.

China’s spokesperson, Chen Binhua, asserted these measures aim to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity and are not targeted at Taiwanese citizens broadly. Meanwhile, Taiwan rejected Beijing's claims, emphasizing that Chinese laws do not apply in Taiwan’s judicial system. The ban follows China’s recent large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, involving missile launches and naval deployments that disrupted domestic flights and stirred concern among regional and Western allies.

NHK | English | News | Jan. 9, 2026 | Climate Change

Recent severe disasters in South and Southeast Asia, including record downpours in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia that caused over 2,000 deaths, highlight climate-related calamities as a significant security threat to the region. Professor Joseph Liow of the National University of Singapore emphasizes the urgent need for governments to address climate change to safeguard public well-being.

Liow notes that most countries in the region are not meeting their decarbonization commitments, partly due to rapid adoption of AI technologies that require energy-intensive data centers. He warns that energy consumption will grow exponentially and urges governments to develop sustainable energy sources and better manage consumption to ensure the security of their populations.

姫路で鳥インフル陽性 農場の１５万羽殺処分

Tokyo Shimbun | Local Language | News | Jan. 9, 2026 | Epidemics and Pandemics

Hyogo Prefecture confirmed a second case of highly pathogenic avian influenza this season at an egg-laying hen farm in Himeji City. Genetic testing verified the positive status, prompting the culling of approximately 155,000 birds on the affected farm.

This case marks the 14th nationwide this season. On January 7th, an increase in dead birds was reported, leading to an investigation by the prefecture. Authorities have imposed restrictions on the movement of birds and eggs from poultry farms within a 10-kilometer radius of the site.

In December 2025, another egg-laying hen farm in Himeji City tested positive for the virus, resulting in the culling of about 240,000 birds, indicating ongoing challenges in controlling the spread of avian influenza in the region.