Nikkei wrote that the House of Representatives approved legislation on the U.S.-Japan agreements on goods and digital trade this afternoon, predicting that if the Upper House endorses the two bills by the end of the current Diet session on Dec. 9, they will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020. The daily added that the two governments are hoping to make the digital trade agreement, which protects against forced disclosure of encryption technology, a “prototype” for other countries to emulate in promoting cyber business.

NHK ran a similar story, quoting Foreign Minister Motegi as saying: “We will provide a detailed explanation in the course of Upper House debate to demonstrate that the agreements are ‘win-win’ arrangements for both parties so that the chamber can enact them as soon as possible.”