Briefly

JAPAN

Ishiba lists priorities in first policy speech

New Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba opened his first policy speech in office on Friday by expressing deep regrets over the governing party's slush funds scandal that dogged his predecessor. He set five policy pillars to uphold, including security, economy and disaster resilience. In his speech, he said he will promote a "strategic, mutually beneficial relationship" with China and increase communication at all levels to build "stable and constructive" ties.

DPRK

Pyongyang to 'use all forces' if attacked

The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK, said the country would use all offensive forces, including nuclear weapons, if enemies attempt to use armed forces to encroach upon the DPRK's sovereignty, the official Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, reported on Friday. Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, made the remarks while inspecting a training base of the special operation units earlier this week. Kim said the enemies' threatening rhetoric, action, trick and attempt will not take away DPRK's nuclear weapons.

Xinhua - Agencies