On December 15, 2025, Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai was found guilty in court of two counts of conspiring with foreign forces and one count of conspiring to publish seditious materials under the Hong Kong National Security Law.

The trial was heard by three designated judges, beginning in December 2023 and lasting approximately 156 days, with all closing arguments concluded by August 2025.

The case involved Lai and three related companies of Apple Daily, charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to print seditious publications. Lai was first arrested in August 2020 for allegedly violating the National Security Law, with multiple court appearances and detention since then, totaling over five years in custody. The trial commenced in December 2023 and spanned around 156 days of evidence presentation and closing arguments. The prosecution submitted 161 articles, social media content, and communications with foreign individuals as evidence. Lai testified extensively, denying all charges and claiming his actions were protected under freedom of speech.

The prosecution argued that Lai was the mastermind, colluding with US officials and other foreign parties to request sanctions and reach agreements, while using programs and articles to spread seditious messages and encourage protest. The defense emphasized that Apple Daily, as a media organization, was exercising journalistic oversight, publicly expressing political viewpoints and supporting freedom of speech, which should not constitute conspiracy. They also argued that Lai’s appeals to foreign entities did not explicitly request sanctions, and the allegedly seditious content represented a very small portion of the overall publications, making it difficult to prove incitement.

Other former Apple Daily executives, journalists, and assistants involved in the case have pleaded guilty or are awaiting trial for related charges. Lai’s health significantly deteriorated during long-term detention, prompting his legal team to raise concerns with the court. Although Lai was found guilty, sentencing is scheduled for a later hearing, expected around January 2026, and the specific sentence has not yet been announced.

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan late Monday night local time, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami warning for parts of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate prefectures and order approximately 90,000 residents to evacuate. The quake occurred at 11:15 p.m., with its epicenter about 80 kilometers offshore of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 54 kilometers.

The JMA initially predicted a tsunami height of up to three meters, while multiple ports recorded waves between 20 and 70 centimeters. By early Tuesday morning, the warning was downgraded to an advisory, indicating reduced wave heights and lower flooding risk. In Hachinohe City, Aomori, the quake registered a “strong 6” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale—strong enough to make standing or walking impossible, requiring residents to crawl to move.

As of 2 a.m., Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported no major structural damage, with only several people in Hachinohe hospitalized for injuries. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed at least seven people had been injured. Multiple nuclear power plants, including Tomari (Hokkaido), Higashidori (Aomori), Onagawa (Miyagi), and Fukushima Daiichi, reported no abnormalities.

Japan, located along the “Ring of Fire,” is among the world’s most seismically active countries, with roughly 20% of magnitude-6 or higher quakes occurring there. The Tohoku region previously experienced one of modern history’s deadliest disasters in March 2011, when a 9.0-magnitude quake and resulting tsunami killed nearly 20,000 people.

Commentary:

Japan’s frequent exposure to earthquakes has led to a highly developed disaster-prevention system, considered a global model. In this latest quake, the rapid tsunami warnings, immediate evacuations, and quick nuclear safety inspections reflect Japan’s preparedness in systems, infrastructure, and public awareness.

Other countries can learn from Japan’s three key disaster-prevention practices: first, a rapid and precise alert system that uses TV, mobile phones, and radio to issue warnings before shaking reaches the area; second, institutionalized evacuation procedures, with schools, businesses, and communities conducting regular drills to ensure residents know escape routes and evacuate promptly; third, reinforced buildings and infrastructure, including earthquake-resistant structures and automatic shutdown systems at nuclear plants. While disasters cannot be prevented, thorough preparation can significantly reduce harm.