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On December 12, the Japanese government announced the passage of a historic bill, officially legalizing medical marijuana. This marks a significant shift in Japan's cannabis policy and provides patients with a new treatment option. Under the new law, medical marijuana will be available only to patients who have undergone strict screening, must be prescribed by certified doctors, and used in controlled medical facilities.

The passage of this bill followed years of debate and discussion, particularly over issues like social acceptance of cannabis and its health impacts. The Japanese government stated that medical marijuana would be used to treat conditions that are difficult to manage, such as cancer, chronic pain, and epilepsy, and that its use will be strictly limited to prevent any adverse effects on society.

The amendments to Japan's Cannabis Control Law and Narcotics Control Law officially took effect on December 12, legalizing the use of marijuana-based medicinal products. However, to prevent misuse following the legalization, penalties for possession or use of marijuana as a drug have been increased under the "Drug Use Offense" law. The maximum sentence for illegal possession is now raised from a maximum of 5 years in prison to 7 years.

Experts note that the implementation of this policy will have a profound impact on Japanese society, as it may help alleviate pain for some patients but could also spark legal and ethical discussions. With the new law in effect, the medical marijuana market is expected to gradually develop, but balancing therapeutic use with preventing abuse remains a crucial challenge for the Japanese government.

On December 10, Malaysia's Parliament passed amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code in a third reading, classifying "doxing" (publicly sharing private information) as a criminal offense. The amendments aim to combat the growing problem of cyberbullying, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison for the most severe cases.

The newly amended laws stipulate that if a person uses language or communication methods to threaten, insult, or defame others with the intention of provoking or causing harm, they will face up to one year in prison, a fine, or both. If bullying behavior leads to the victim's suicide or suicide attempt, the sentence could be up to 10 years. In cases where private information is shared online to harass or intimidate others, "doxing" could lead to up to three years in prison or a fine.

Malaysia's Minister of Law, Azalina Othman Said, emphasized that current laws are ineffective in regulating cyberbullying on social media platforms. The country needs regulations that address actions that can harm others even without explicit intent. She clarified that these amendments are not aimed at limiting free speech, but are designed to protect society, especially women and children, from the harms of online bullying.

According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), between January and November 2024, there were 8,339 reported cases of cyberbullying, averaging 27 incidents per day.

On December 8th, President-elect Trump stated that he plans to terminate "birthright citizenship" on the first day of his second term. This means that babies born in the U.S. will no longer automatically acquire American citizenship. Trump said that he would take strict measures to curb the phenomenon of foreign pregnant women traveling to the U.S. to give birth in order to grant their newborns automatic U.S. citizenship. He emphasized, "U.S. citizenship should be based on genuine ties and contributions, not on the exploitation of loopholes in our laws." Trump argued that this practice not only burdens the U.S. healthcare system but also goes against the original intent of the nationality law, and thus requires immediate reform.

According to the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, babies born in the U.S., regardless of their parents' nationality or immigration status, automatically acquire U.S. citizenship. Trump had criticized this provision during his first term in office and called for legislative or executive changes. While relevant proposals were not implemented at that time, the issue remains a key part of his campaign for re-election.

Trump's statement quickly sparked responses from various groups. Supporters believe this policy could effectively protect U.S. resources and legal systems from abuse, while enhancing the value of American citizenship. However, critics have described it as a "racist policy," arguing that it could deepen racial and immigration divisions in the U.S. and challenge constitutional rights.

In his upcoming campaign, Trump is expected to continue using this issue to galvanize support from conservative voters, while pushing for more stringent immigration-related policies. His campaign team has stated that this is just one part of his broader reform agenda, aimed at restoring "America First" policies.

Currently, the Democratic Party and other opponents have criticized Trump's remarks, arguing that his proposals lack feasibility and may face constitutional challenges. The controversy surrounding "birth tourism" will likely remain a hot topic on the U.S. political stage in the future.

Fearing a spike in prices due to President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on imported goods, as many as one-third of Americans have begun stockpiling essential items like toilet paper and non-perishable foods. Concerns over the future, marked by fear and uncertainty, have led to this trend.

According to a survey conducted in late November by CreditCards.com, a website specializing in credit card and financial information, 30% of 2,000 American respondents said they planned to shop more than usual during this year’s holiday season. Among them, 39% cited concerns over potential price increases driven by tariffs as the primary reason for their early purchases.

Currently, the top stockpiled items among Americans include toilet paper (77%), non-perishable foods (76%), medical supplies (58%), over-the-counter medicines (54%), personal care and cosmetics (24%), household items and appliances (33%), firearms and ammunition (26%), and water filtration systems (25%). Most respondents indicated that they would complete part or all of their holiday shopping this December.

Trump has repeatedly stated that he plans to impose tariffs on foreign imports after taking office. His proposals include a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. Economists have warned that such tariffs could increase the cost of goods like gasoline and lumber, trigger inflation, and raise prices across a wide range of products domestically.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office in July, will make his first visit to the Persian Gulf region on the 9th, aiming to strengthen economic and defense cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

According to a Reuters report, a UK government statement on the 8th highlighted Starmer's objective to enhance investment and deepen defense and security partnerships. The statement described the two Middle Eastern nations as among "the most important partners for the UK today."

Starmer's Gulf tour is scheduled to begin today with his arrival in the UAE, where he will hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Later in the day, he will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The government statement also emphasized that "key issues" for the visit include Middle East stability, particularly the urgent need for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, the release of all hostages, and expedited humanitarian aid to Gaza. Starmer remarked that the Gulf region holds significant untapped potential. His goal is to attract investments from the wealthy Gulf nations to help rebuild the UK's aging infrastructure and advance its clean energy transition mission.

Starmer also stated his commitment to pushing forward the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, strengthening bilateral research and development collaborations, and exploring future partnership plans. The UK government views the UAE and Saudi Arabia as major investment sources, with trade between the UK and UAE valued at £23 billion (approximately NT$950 billion) and trade with Saudi Arabia estimated at £17 billion (approximately NT$702.1 billion), reflecting the considerable financial flows between these nations.

Amid escalating international tensions, French President Emmanuel Macron invited former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Paris for a historic trilateral meeting. The primary objectives of the summit were to advance solutions for the Ukraine-Russia conflict and discuss strategies for preserving global peace and economic stability.

During the discussions, Zelensky reiterated that any peace plan must be based on principles of "justice," emphasizing that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable. He called on the international community to increase military and economic support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Trump expressed his desire for a swift end to the war, proposing a negotiated resolution. He stressed that while the U.S. has a responsibility to promote peace on the global stage, it must avoid excessive involvement in armed conflicts.

Macron, acting as a pivotal mediator, advocated for Europe to take a more proactive role in addressing the war while coordinating closely with the U.S. He also highlighted the importance of stabilizing the global economy and energy supplies as key topics of the talks. Although no concrete agreements were reached, all parties acknowledged that establishing mechanisms for dialogue is a critical step toward peace. Macron pledged that France would continue working to facilitate broader multilateral discussions, including with Russia.

Observers remain cautiously optimistic, suggesting that the high-profile meeting could lay the groundwork for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred on the morning of December 5th, off the Pacific coast, 63 kilometers northwest of Petrolia, Northern California. The earthquake had a shallow depth of 0.6 kilometers, followed by multiple aftershocks. Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning for 4.7 million people within the earthquake's affected region, but the warning was later lifted. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to facilitate disaster response efforts.

The earthquake struck at 10:44 AM local time. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the initial magnitude was recorded as 6.6, but it was later revised to 7.0. The quake was strongly felt in many areas of Northern California, including San Francisco, and the National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for coastal regions of California and Oregon.

Seismologists noted that the earthquake occurred at the boundary of the North American, Pacific, and Gorda tectonic plates, releasing energy equivalent to 16 atomic bombs. The rupture area was approximately 900 square kilometers. Given the seismic activity in the region, experts suggest that stronger earthquakes may occur in the future. This year, there have already been nine earthquakes worldwide with magnitudes of 7.0 or higher, and the public is advised to stay vigilant.

According to media reports, on December 4th, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added Japan's traditional sake brewing technique to its list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." This marks Japan's 23rd successful application for intangible cultural heritage status, and the news has been warmly welcomed by sake breweries across Japan.

The report highlights that Japan's traditional brewing technique dates back over 500 years. It involves steaming Japanese rice or wheat, adding koji mold for saccharification, and then fermenting the mixture with yeast to produce alcohol. This unique method, which involves multiple fermentation processes within the same vessel, is quite rare. Sake, authentic shochu, awamori, and mirin are some of the alcoholic beverages made using this technique.

Following the announcement, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his happiness, emphasizing the importance of protecting Japan's traditional techniques passed down through generations and ensuring their transmission to future generations. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also stated that he hopes people will take renewed interest in Japan’s sake brewing techniques and work to promote them globally.

In mid-November, an undersea communication cable connecting Finland and Germany across the Baltic Sea was reportedly damaged. Recently (on December 3), it was revealed that two breaks had occurred in the land-based fiber optic cable between Sweden and Finland, causing severe network outages in Finland. This marks the second cable-cutting incident within 20 days, prompting investigations by Finland's Ministry of Transport and Communications and the police.

The undersea cable damage in mid-November has heightened vigilance among Baltic Sea nations regarding cable disruptions. Swedish authorities suspect that the damage may have been intentional. Telecom operators suggest that one of the break points might have been caused by regular construction digging. While Sweden was not directly affected by the cable damage, Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin stated that the Swedish government takes this event seriously and will continue to monitor its developments.

On November 17 and 18, two undersea fiber optic communication cables connecting Sweden with Lithuania and Finland with Germany were reportedly severed by the Chinese cargo ship "Yipeng No. 3." According to local digital infrastructure and data communication provider "GlobalConnect," on December 2, the land-based data cable linking Sweden and Finland was also damaged at two different locations in southern Finland, affecting up to 6,000 individual users and 100 business users. The Finnish government has expressed that it is taking the matter "seriously," though it has not yet moved towards a criminal investigation.

In response to the November mid-month undersea cable damage, with support from the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (EUROJUST), Finnish authorities are working alongside Sweden, Germany, and Lithuania to investigate. Germany has indicated that the damage seems to have been caused by "sabotage," although no evidence has been found yet. Last week, Sweden formally requested China’s cooperation in clarifying the situation.

The Baltic Sea is one of the most important shipping routes for global merchant vessels, accounting for 15% of the world's shipping traffic. The countries along the Baltic coast include Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany, with the exception of Russia. All eight countries are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). To strengthen protection of their internal infrastructure, a 12-day military exercise called "Cold Wind" was launched on November 18, involving 30 NATO warships and 4,000 military personnel. The scale of the exercise was exceptionally large.

Experts from the UK and the US have pointed out that due to the high density of ship traffic in the Baltic Sea, its shallow sea telecommunication cables, power lines, and natural gas pipelines are particularly vulnerable to damage. Cable disruptions are not uncommon. However, if these disruptions are confirmed to be state-sponsored sabotage, it could be a return to tactics last seen during World War I or the 1898 Spanish-American War.

In response to growing domestic social discontent and waves of protests, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol unexpectedly announced the imposition of martial law on the evening of December 3. However, the martial law was lifted within hours after a majority vote in the National Assembly, making it the shortest in South Korean history. This decision quickly sparked strong reactions across society, becoming a hot topic nationwide and leading to intense debates. It also created a severe political crisis for the Yoon administration, which now faces the prospect of impeachment proceedings.

In April this year, during the National Assembly elections, the progressive Democratic Party (DP) easily secured a majority, while Yoon’s conservative People Power Party suffered a crushing defeat, leading to a "small ruling party, large opposition" situation. By November, Yoon’s approval rating had fallen below 20%, far below the over 50% it had been when he first took office.

Last week, the National Assembly voted to cut Yoon’s 2025 budget by $3 billion, aiming to curb the president’s power. The budget cuts directly targeted the Blue House, the National Prosecutor’s Office, and the police. In response, on the evening of December 3, Yoon suddenly declared a state of emergency, claiming it was to "protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces" and to eliminate the pro-North Korea factions willing to use any means necessary.

However, this decision triggered significant backlash. Many citizens and political analysts considered Yoon’s move a severe challenge to the democratic system, accusing him of abusing his power and sidelining national security and citizens’ basic rights. South Korea’s opposition parties and human rights organizations quickly issued statements condemning the action, demanding the immediate reversal of the martial law order.

Ultimately, with all 190 members present in the National Assembly voting in favor, Yoon decided to rescind the martial law order that evening and issued an apology to the nation. Due to the widespread skepticism and dissatisfaction caused by the incident, the opposition parties immediately initiated impeachment proceedings against Yoon, accusing him of abusing presidential powers in an emergency situation and endangering the country’s democratic system and civil liberties.