Japan welcomes Reiwa 'New Year' with hopes for peace, prosperity

13 Sept 08:10 Key points summarised by AI

Japan officially welcomed the Reiwa imperial era and new Emperor Naruhito, following his father Akihito's historic abdication.
Citizens express widespread hopes for peace and prosperity in the new era, aiming to continue the Heisei era's non-warring tradition and foster economic improvement.
The transition is marked by a celebratory mood and an unprecedented 10-day national holiday, expected to provide a short-term boost to the economy.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.