NHK's Board of Governors has decided to appoint its executive vice president, Inoue Tatsuhiko, as the new president of the Japanese public broadcaster. The governors met on Monday to discuss a successor to President Inaba Nobuo, whose term ends on January 24. They decided to pick Inoue. Inoue is 68 years old. He has been executive vice president since February 2023. He has served as head of NHK's political news division and its programming department, and as a member of the executive board. He then became president and CEO of Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation, an NHK-affiliated company. Before Inoue, six consecutive presidents came from outside the broadcaster. He is the first NHK official to become president since 2005, when Hashimoto Genichi took up the position. Inoue's three-year term as NHK president will begin on January 25. Quiz 1: Who is currently serving as the president of Japanese public broadcaster NHK? A. Inaba Nobuo B. Inoue Tatsuhiko (Incorrect, he is the new appointee) C. Hashimoto Genichi D. Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation Quiz 2: For how many years will Inoue Tatsuhiko serve as NHK's president? A. Two years B. Three years C. Four years D. Five years Quiz 3: Which of the following positions has Inoue Tatsuhiko held at NHK? A. Head of the political news division and the programming department, member of the executive board B. President and CEO of Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (Incorrect, he was president and CEO before joining NHK) C. President only D. None of the above [Answer block] Answers: Quiz 1: A (Inaba Nobuo is the current president as of December 9, 2025; Inoue Tatsuhiko is the new appointee) Quiz 2: B (Inoue's three-year term as NHK president will begin on January 25) Quiz 3: A (Inoue has served as head of the political news division and the programming department, member of the executive board at NHK)

The UN's nuclear watchdog says the protective shield covering the Chornobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine lost its primary safety functions after a drone attack in February. A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency recently completed an inspection of the reactor. The 1986 nuclear disaster occurred at the site. The reactor was covered by a concrete sarcophagus after the nuclear accident. Later, a massive steel structure was built over it to prevent the release of radioactive substances. The IAEA team found that damage from the February drone strike caused the steel shield to lose key safety functions, including its confinement capability. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement on Friday that limited temporary repairs have been carried out. He added that "timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety." The IAEA says it will continue supporting efforts to fully restore nuclear safety by working with a team permanently stationed at the Chornobyl site. Ukraine says Russia conducted the drone attack. Moscow denies the claim. Quiz 1: What incident occurred at the Chornobyl site in 1986? A. Drone Attack B. Nuclear Disaster C. Construction of a Steel Shield D. Limited Temporary Repairs Quiz 2: Which organization recently inspected the Chornobyl nuclear reactor? A. United Nations (UN) B. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) C. World Health Organization (WHO) D. United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Quiz 3: What is the current status of the primary safety functions of the steel shield covering the Chornobyl nuclear reactor? A. Functioning normally B. Temporarily repaired and limited C. Permanently damaged D. Not affected by the drone attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with European leaders in London on Monday. He stressed that US cooperation is essential for a proposed peace deal with Russia. "There are some things we can't manage without the Americans, things which we can't manage without Europe, and that's why we need to make some important decisions," Zelenskyy said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy at Downing Street. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also joined the talks. Starmer reaffirmed Europe's support for Ukraine. Starmer said, "The principles remain the principles that we have operated under for a very, very long time, which is that we stand with Ukraine, and if there's to be a ceasefire, it needs to be a just and lasting ceasefire." They have not disclosed the details of the meeting. Zelenskyy posted on social media that he briefed the European leaders on his contacts with the United States and other topics, including security guarantees. Zelenskyy had a phone call on Saturday with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. They discussed the territory issue, but reportedly failed to narrow differences between Ukraine and Russia. Quiz 1: In which city did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold talks with European leaders on Monday? A. Berlin B. London C. Paris D. Moscow Quiz 2: Who among the following was not present in the talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders? A. French President Emmanuel Macron B. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz C. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (He was not in office on 2025-12-09) D. US special envoy Steve Witkoff Quiz 3: What did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brief the European leaders about during their meeting? A. His contacts with Russia B. His contacts with the United States C. His internal political issues D. The details of the meeting itself

US President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about Netflix's bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, and said, he'll "be involved" in the decision. Speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Sunday, Trump told reporters that the megadeal "could be a problem" because of the large market share Netflix would end up with. Streaming giant Netflix last week said it would buy Warner Bros.' studios, and its streaming division HBO Max, for 72 billion dollars. US media reports said Netflix and HBO Max together would control around 30 percent of the US subscription streaming market, which could pose a problem under antitrust guidelines. Rival Paramount Skydance on Monday launched a competing bid for all of Warner Bros. US media outlets said this hostile takeover attempt could trigger a "messy" public battle. Quiz 1: What company recently announced a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery? A. Disney B. Netflix C. Paramount Skydance D. Amazon [Answer block] Answers: Quiz 1: B Quiz 2: How much did Netflix say it would pay for Warner Bros.' studios and streaming division HBO Max? A. $60 billion B. $72 billion C. $80 billion D. $90 billion [Answer block] Answers: Quiz 2: B Quiz 3: According to the article, what is one potential problem with the Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal? A. The deal could violate antitrust laws in Europe. B. The deal could pose a problem under antitrust guidelines in the US. C. The deal could lead to increased competition among streaming services. D. The deal is likely to be approved without any issues. [Answer block] Answers: Quiz 3: B

Monks at Horyuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara, have brushed the dust off Buddha statues as part of the annual year-end cleaning. The "Ominugui" cleaning ritual at the temple in Ikaruga Town, Nara Prefecture, takes place around this time of the year. The ritual on Monday began with ten monks chanting sutras in front of statues at the temple's main hall. Wearing masks and holding dusters in their hands, the monks cleaned the dust off the statues, including the Shaka Triad, a national treasure of Japan. Worshipers were seen putting their palms together during the ritual. A visitor from Hokkaido said this is her first time visiting Nara, and that it was a great experience. She says, since her health hasn't been great this year, she wants to be healthy next year. The temple's chief priest, Furuya Shokaku said he conducted services wishing everyone a peaceful transition into the New Year. He says he is praying for world peace next year. Quiz 1: In which Japanese prefecture is the Horyuji Temple located? A. Kyoto B. Nara C. Tokyo D. Osaka Quiz 2: What is the name of the ritual that takes place at the Horyuji Temple around this time of the year? A. Ominugui B. Shakahachi C. Hatsumode D. Enma-zu Quiz 3: What does a visitor from Hokkaido say she wants for next year, according to the article? A. To visit more UNESCO World Heritage sites B. To improve her health C. To see more Buddha statues D. To win a lottery

The latest film in the Japanese anime franchise "Kimetsu no Yaiba," or "Demon Slayer" in English, has been nominated for Best Motion Picture - animated in the Golden Globes Awards. The Golden Globes Awards nominations were announced on Monday. The awards are viewed as a precursor to Hollywood's biggest showpiece, the Academy Awards. "Demon Slayer" is about a boy whose family members were killed by a demon, and who seeks revenge with his comrades. The film, which is about two and a half hours long, has been popular in Japan since its release, as it features nail-biting combat sequences. It has the second-highest box office earnings of any film ever released in Japan. The winners of the awards will be announced on January 11. Quiz 1: In which language is the anime "Kimetsu no Yaiba" known as? A. English B. Spanish C. French D. Japanese Quiz 2: Which award ceremony, considered a precursor to the Academy Awards, has nominated "Demon Slayer" for Best Motion Picture - animated? A. Grammy Awards B. Emmy Awards C. Golden Globes Awards D. Oscars Quiz 3: What is the main plot of "Demon Slayer"? A. A boy seeks revenge on a demon that stole his family's treasure. B. A group of friends compete in a combat tournament. C. A teenager discovers he has magical powers and must save the world. D. A young girl travels through time to correct historical events. [Answer block] Answers: Quiz 1: A Quiz 2: C Quiz 3: B

South Korea's National Assembly speaker has called on the Japanese government to consider DNA testing of remains found at the site of a 1942 coal mine disaster in western Japan. The accident during World War Two killed 183 people, of whom 136 were from the Korean Peninsula. The flooding of tunnels led to the accident at the Chosei undersea coal mine in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. A diving survey conducted by a civic group in August found remains believed to be those of the victims. Relatives of the people involved in the accident and others want a swift identification of the remains, and DNA testing. On Monday, South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with Japan's ambassador in Seoul, Mizushima Koichi. Woo said it is necessary to face up to the painful history between the countries in order to boost economic cooperation and to develop the bilateral relationship in a future-oriented manner as partners for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. Woo also requested Japan to positively consider government-level support to deal with the remains, including using DNA testing to try and identify individuals. He said he hopes to visit Japan and meet with the Upper House president and Lower House speaker to promote exchanges between the two countries' parliaments. Ambassador Mizushima indicated that the Japanese side will make arrangements for Woo's visit, saying the two countries' lawmakers have supported the ties in both good and bad times. Quiz 1: In which prefecture did the Chosei undersea coal mine disaster occur? A. Tokyo B. Yamaguchi C. Hokkaido D. Okinawa Quiz 2: How many people died in the Chosei undersea coal mine disaster during World War Two? A. 100 B. 183 C. 250 D. 300 Quiz 3: Which of the following is NOT a request made by South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik regarding the remains found at the Chosei undersea coal mine site? A. DNA testing to identify individuals B. To ignore the painful history between the countries C. To halt economic cooperation between the two nations D. To postpone a visit to Japan and meet with parliament leaders

An NHK opinion poll shows the approval rate for Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's Cabinet stands at 64 percent, two percentage points lower than the previous poll held last month. The disapproval rate is 19 percent, four percentage points higher than the last. NHK conducted the telephone survey over three days through Sunday. About 1,200 people responded. The participants were asked to rate the government's response to China's backlash over the Prime Minister's comments in the Diet about a possible emergency involving Taiwan. Twenty percent said they highly approve of it, 41 percent said they somewhat approve, 18 percent said they do not approve much, and 11 percent said they do not approve at all. When asked about the impact relations with China may have on the Japanese economy, 14 percent showed great concern, while 40 percent said they were somewhat concerned. Among respondents, 27 percent said they weren't all that concerned, while 12 percent said they weren't concerned at all. Japan's ruling coalition partners, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, have proposed cutting the number of Lower House seats by 10 percent. Under the plan, if legislative measures to reduce seats are not taken within a year, the Public Offices Election Act will be amended to eliminate a total of 45 from single-seat constituency and proportional representation seats. Forty-five percent of survey respondents said the reductions should take place swiftly, while 35 percent said the issue should be discussed while taking time. Eleven percent said there is no need to reduce Lower House seats. Quiz 1: What is the current approval rate for Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's Cabinet? A. 60% B. 64% (Correct Answer) C. 68% D. 72% Quiz 2: How many people responded in the NHK survey about Japan's government response to China's backlash over comments regarding Taiwan? A. 1,000 B. 1,100 C. 1,200 (Correct Answer) D. 1,300 Quiz 3: What percentage of survey respondents said they are great concerned about the impact relations with China may have on the Japanese economy? A. 5% B. 10% C. 14% (Correct Answer) D. 20% [Answer block] Answers: Quiz 1: B Quiz 2: C Quiz 3: C

A Tokyo court ruled Monday that a man who deceived a woman he met through a dating app must pay about 1.5 million yen, or nearly 10,000 dollars in damages. The married man had told the plaintiff, who lives in Kanagawa Prefecture neighboring Tokyo, that he was single, even though he was married. The woman sued and demanded about 50,000 dollars in damages after discovering he was a married father. In court, the defendant claimed that the relationship with the plaintiff was intended as a sexual relationship only, so he did not violate her chastity. The Tokyo District Court handed down its ruling on Monday. Judge Kawahara Takahito said it is evident that the man was aware that the woman sought a relationship that would lead to marriage, and that he therefore violated her chastity rights by repeatedly engaging in sex with her while deliberately hiding his marital status. He noted that the man may have given the plaintiff a sexual disease. He also said she had suffered emotional distress after learning the man was married. The Children and Families Agency last year surveyed 2,000 men and women under 40 who married within five years. It found that 25.1 percent found their marriage partners through dating apps. It was the most common answer among those surveyed. The figure is higher than 20.5 percent who met their partners at their workplace or through work. Meanwhile, 9.9 percent met their partners at schools, while 9.1 percent were introduced to them through friends and other acquaintances. The Consumer Affairs Agency in 2021 entrusted a private research firm to carry out a survey on more than 500 men and women who have used dating apps. Of them, 9.5 percent replied they were cheated on by someone who claimed to be single, or to not be in a relationship with another partner. Quiz 1: According to the article, what percentage of people under 40 who got married within five years found their partners through dating apps? A. 20.5% B. 25.1% C. 9.9% D. 9.1% Quiz 2: The article mentions a private research firm that was entrusted by which agency to carry out a survey on dating app users in 2021? A. Children and Families Agency B. Consumer Affairs Agency C. Tokyo District Court D. Kanagawa Prefecture Quiz 3: The plaintiff sued the defendant for how much in damages after discovering he was a married father? A. Nearly 50,000 dollars B. About 1.5 million yen (which is nearly 10,000 dollars) C. 10,000 yen D. 50,000 yen [Answer block] Answers: Quiz 1: B Quiz 2: B Quiz 3: A

A strong earthquake has struck northern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency says the magnitude 7.6 quake occurred off Aomori Prefecture, and had an intensity of upper 6 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 in the hardest-hit areas. The agency has issued a tsunami warning for Aomori, Iwate and Hokkaido prefectures and a tsunami advisory for Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. The Japanese government set up a task force at the crisis management center in the prime minister's office at 11:16 p.m. on Monday in response to the earthquake. It is collecting information by contacting relevant ministries and agencies, as well as local governments. The Japan Meteorological Agency will soon hold a news conference on the earthquake. It is expected to explain what precautions should be taken in quake-hit areas. Quiz 1: In which prefecture did the strong earthquake occur, according to the article? A. Hokkaido B. Iwate C. Miyagi D. Aomori Quiz 2: What is the intensity of the earthquake in the hardest-hit areas, as per the Japanese scale (0 to 7)? A. Lower 6 B. Upper 6 C. Magnitude 7.6 D. Intensity 1 Quiz 3: What action was taken by the Japanese government in response to the earthquake? A. They issued a tsunami warning for Aomori, Iwate and Hokkaido prefectures and a tsunami advisory for Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. B. They established a task force at the crisis management center in the prime minister's office at 11:16 p.m. on Monday to collect information from relevant ministries, agencies, and local governments. C. They explained what precautions should be taken in quake-hit areas during a news conference held by the Japan Meteorological Agency. D. They declared a national emergency due to the earthquake. [Answer block] Answers: Quiz 1: D Quiz 2: B Quiz 3: B