Overview
- At the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s year-end session, the Nikkei closed in the 50,000 range, the highest year-end level after breaking above 50,000 for the first time this year.
- China’s Foreign Ministry, through deputy spokesperson Lin Jian, offered condolences on the death of former Japanese Communist Party leader Fuwa Tetsuzo at a Dec. 30 briefing.
- LDP lawmaker Muneo Suzuki said after a visit to Russia that lifting economic sanctions would be necessary to resume former islanders’ grave visits and safe fishing operations around the four disputed islands.
- MLB.com announced on Dec. 29 that Dodgers outfielder Louise will be traded to the Marlins, with a minor league right-hander going to Los Angeles.
- Hokkaido’s Kitami police received a report from a man in his 30s who was allegedly defrauded of about ¥1.52 million in cryptocurrency through an SNS investment solicitation, and the case is under investigation.