What You Need To Know Today

Draft of Emperor Akihito's abdication speech shown to PM's office in fall 2015

The former Imperial Household Agency grand steward officially told the prime minister's office in the fall of 2015 about Emperor Akihito's desire to abdicate, it has been learned.

Then agency Grand Steward Noriyuki Kazaoka presented Emperor Akihito's draft speech to the prime minister's office and suggested that the Emperor announce his wish at a news conference on the occasion of his birthday on Dec. 23 that year. However, the Emperor did not deliver the speech that had been prepared, as arrangements with the prime minister's office were not made beforehand.

No sex please, we're Japanese: love hotels clean up their act amid falling demand

The rise of young people living alone and the need to find rooms for growing numbers of tourists means the seedier attractions are starting to change

Justin McCurry in Tokyo

While Japanese families enjoy the Christmas Eve ritual of tucking into fried chicken and sponge cake, millions of love-struck, or simply lustful, couples will discreetly observe another festive tradition with a visit to a love hotel.

They will enter a dimly lit lobby and, after a brief discussion, select a room with the push of a button. Then, for just a few thousand yen ($25-30) – handed to an unseen receptionist – they will be free to make the most of their fleeting moment of privacy. As soon as they leave, a team of cleaners will prepare the room for the next occupants.

Far-right leaders criticise European open borders policy after Berlin attacker travels across continent

Populist politicians say Schengen zone rules must be reviewed

• Ben Kentish 
• @BenKentish 

Far-right politicians across Europe have blamed the continent’s open borders policy for enabling the Berlin market attacker to evade capture for four days. 

Anis Amri, 24, is suspected of driving a lorry into a crowded Christmas market in the German capital on Monday evening. 

He was shot dead by armed police in a suburb of Milan, Italy, on Friday morning, having travelled from Germany through France and then into Italy.

Export-driven Taiwan's new import: a five-day workweek

On Saturdays, Aries Chen takes her two children to the park in central Taipei. A normal enough weekend treat, one might think, for a 40-year-old marine shipping industry worker and her kids. But until now, Taiwanese have never been able to take their weekends for granted.

“When I go back to work Monday, I’m not happy about it, but at least I’m not tired,” says Ms. Chen.