We're not far from the New Year and in Japan, it's one of the country's most important annual holidays. But this year it's taking on extra significance. Next year the Emperor will abdicate the throne, heralding a new age in Japan.

Covering a court case in China couldn't be any more different than Australia. Journalists are unlikely to get into the court building, let alone the hearing room. Then there are the spooks and the fake news crews.

On this week’s program: Why covering the courts in China is so unique with China correspondent Bill Birtles; New Year brings a new Emperor in Japan with Jake Sturmer; And the ABC’s Middle East bureau farewells camera operator Aaron Hollett.

On this week’s program: The rescue of the soccer team from a Thai cave was for many the story of the year. ABC’s Liam Cochrane has explored the inside story in a new book; Spending Christmas in Port Moresby; And retracing the steps of one of John Le Carre's spies in London.

Before taking up his post as the ABC's Europe correspondent, Linton Besser's first experiences of London where within the pages of a John Le Carre spy thriller. Here's his first story filed for the program this year.

This Christmas many of the ABC's foreign correspondents will be spending the day far from Australia and their families. Papua New Guinea correspondent Natalie Whiting is already finding a lot to love about Christmas in the capital Port Moresby.

The rescue of the soccer team from a cave in Thailand, was for many the story of the year. Now the ABC's Southeast Asia correspondent, Liam Cochrane, has explored the inside story in a new book.

On this week’s program: Middle East correspondent Eric Tlozek covered a brief but deadly flare-up in the conflict between Israel and militant groups in Gaza; A NASA spacecraft finally reached an asteroid called Bennu. Correspondents Report asks astrophysicist Katie Mack what we could learn from this 'potentially hazardous near-Earth object'; And bikes and bureaucrats, getting the shot in Beijing with China correspondent Bill Birtles.

As summer approaches, we take a look back at Foreign Correspondent's feature on China's home-grown rubbish crisis. It opened with some startling images of our China correspondent Bill Birtles just outside Beijing, walking between thousands of dumped bicycles.

This month, a NASA spacecraft finally reached an asteroid called Bennu. Correspondents Report asks astrophysicist Katie Mack what we could learn from this 'potentially hazardous near-Earth object'.