Japan's Ishiba calls for debate on pros and cons of sales tax cut
Cutting the sales tax could increase household income temporarily, but would raise questions on how to pay for Japan's ballooning social welfare and pension costs, Ishiba told a news conference.
"There needs to be a common understanding over the facts" on the pros and cons of a sales tax cut, Ishiba said. "Just looking at one side of the debate won't do," he added.
Ishiba spoke after vowing to remain in office despite his ruling coalition's defeat in upper house elections, which analysts blame in part on voters' frustration over rising living costs.
The premier has repeatedly brushed aside calls from opposition parties to cut Japan's sales tax rate, currently set at 10 per cent except for an eight per cent levy on food products.
In the news conference, Ishiba urged other parties to join discussions on how to cushion the blow from rising inflation, while being mindful of the responsibility to keep Japan's fiscal house in order.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hype Malaysia
11 hours ago
- Hype Malaysia
vivo Launch, Furla Preview, Tokyo Street Anniversary & More: Dope Events We Hit Up This Week!
Another week, another whirlwind of totally EXTRA events! We were here, there and everywhere! We were on the scene and vibing like a boss! Just check out our social diary for this past week (don't be jelly!): vivo's First Foldable Arrives In Malaysia The vivo X Fold5 officially landed in Malaysia as the brand's first foldable phone here, and we were front and centre at the launch event. The phone is light, at just 217g and both screens are super bright at 4500 nits, so you can see clearly, even under the sun. It's also built tough with protection against water, dust and cold. The cameras are made with ZEISS and include a 50MP telephoto lens with 100x zoom, a wide-angle lens and a main Sony sensor. The X Fold5 isn't just stylish. It's built for work. You can run up to five apps at once with Origin Workbench, edit PDFs and convert files using DocMaster, and get AI help for content creation, meeting notes and translations. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip with 16GB RAM, a 6000 mAh battery, and fast charging at 80W wired and 40W wireless. This phone is made to power through your busiest days. Pre-orders start at RM6999 with exclusive promos at vivo Concept Stores. Check out what went down at the launch: Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: Furla Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Sneak Peek Italian luxury brand Furla will soon launch their new collection for the 2025 Fall/Winter season, but before it hits the shelves, we had the opportunity to check out the collection for ourselves. The brand's FW2025 collection embodies the essence of Furla's identity with a refined blend of colour, feminine shapes, and impeccable craftsmanship. While at the media preview event, we were also treated to some yummy smoothie popsicles and got to try our hands at making a floral candle, perfectly matching the collection. The FW2025 collection will be available in stores from 15th August onwards. Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: Tokyo Street Pavilion KL Celebrates 14th Anniversary To celebrate 14 years of bringing a taste of Japan to Malaysia, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur's Tokyo Street is hosting a month-long Tokyo Street Matsuri, running until 29th August 2025. Since its debut in 2011, Tokyo Street has become a cultural landmark, offering Malaysians a unique blend of Japanese shopping, dining, and tradition. This year's matsuri—Japanese for 'festival'—honours that journey with a festive atmosphere full of culture, community, and curated experiences. Visitors can look forward to highlights like Southeast Asia's first 'Alien Stage' pop-up, Quby photo installations by MetaPark, hands-on cultural workshops, and exclusive shopping and dining deals. Whether you're exploring anime, enjoying traditional sweets, or collecting stamps for rewards, Tokyo Street Matsuri offers something for everyone to enjoy. Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: The Ordinary Debuts First-Ever Pop-Up In Malaysia Skincare brand The Ordinary has officially launched its first-ever pop-up experience in Malaysia. The pop-up at APW Bangsar is designed as an immersive and educational experience, bringing the brand's science-led, ingredient-first philosophy to the public. The launch follows the opening of The Ordinary's first two standalone stores in Malaysia at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Mid Valley Megamall. At the media preview, we got to experience what is available at the pop-up, including product discovery, personalised consultations and expert-led panel discussions. Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: Inaugural Malaysia Bridal Fashion Week 2025 Where bridal elegance met high fashion – the inaugural Malaysia Bridal Fashion Week (MBFW) made a striking debut in the local wedding scene with a dynamic three-day event celebrating bridal style and creativity. Organised by local luxury bridal brand The Gown Atelier, the event ran from 25th to 27th July 2025 at Astana Hall, Bamboo Hills. It featured 23 bridal designer labels from around the world, and drew over 2,000 attendees, including media representatives, celebrities, industry insiders, and future brides. MBFW may well signal a transformative chapter for Malaysia's bridal industry. Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: Pavilion Bukit Jalil JAGAM Matsuri Pavilion Bukit Jalil recently launched its highly-anticipated JAGAM Matsuri, running from 30th July till 3rd August 2025. Inspired by the lively spirit of Bon Odori and organised in collaboration with the Japan Graduates' Association of Malaysia (JAGAM), this celebration transforms the mall into a vibrant cultural hub featuring Japanese traditional and contemporary performances, authentic street food, artisanal merchandise, and immersive cultural showcases. Take a peek at what we experienced at the launch: Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: XPDC's METALKESTRA Concert To Bring 'Rock Kapak' Into New Era XPDC is making a major comeback this 8th November with METALKESTRA, a special concert at Zepp Kuala Lumpur that fuses their signature heavy metal sound with a full orchestra. After over 40 years in the scene, rock kapak icons Izo, Eddie, Arif, Lola, and Mamu will perform fan favourites like 'Hidup Bersama,' 'Hijau Bumi Tuhan,' and 'Cinta Kenangan Silam' in a fresh new way – while also paying tribute to their late founder J S Kevin. Tickets start at RM138 and go up to RM5,008 for a Royal Box package with meet and greet passes and exclusive goodies for ten people. Fans who show up in their best samurai outfits also stand a chance to win a Jackson Izo Signature guitar. Get your tickets now at ilassotickets before they're gone. Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: LaLaport BBCC's Newly-Opened Stores & Mitsui Outlet Park BBCC Preview LaLaport BBCC provided a glimpse of the upcoming Mitsui Outlet Park BBCC – Malaysia's first city-centre outlet concept store. This urban outlet experience will feature over 30 premium brands, including international sports and athleisure labels, comfortable everyday wear, chic accessories, and versatile lifestyle essentials. In conjunction with the opening of Mitsui Outlet Park BBCC, the shopping centre will also welcome five Japanese brands: REGAL, known for its premium leather footwear; GLOBAL WORK, offering Japanese lifestyle fashion; earth music&ecology, recognised for its natural and feminine aesthetic; Over Print, a streetwear label featuring limited-edition graphic art designs; and 3COINS, a popular lifestyle and homeware brand. Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: Bouquet Garni Debuts In Malaysia With Guardian South Korea's popular lifestyle and body care brand, Bouquet Garni, has officially launched in Malaysia, debuting its flagship body wash collection in over 290 Guardian stores nationwide. Renowned for its moisturising botanicals and French-inspired scents, the brand now offers Malaysian customers bestsellers like White Musk, Cherry Blossom, Ylang Ylang, and Baby Powder. Exclusively distributed through Guardian Malaysia, Bouquet Garni plans to expand its range to include lotions, mists, scrubs, shampoos, and hair treatments. The Bouquet Garni body wash line is now available exclusively in all Guardian stores nationwide. Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: REDLINE Fitness Games by Nissan @ MIECC The games may be done, but the road to fitness never ends! We were at the REDLINE Fitness Games at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre, where fitness freaks go all-out for the gold! The special event, hosted by Nissan, saw athletes from all over the world battle it out in an intense multi-course race that showcased what peak physical performance looks like! Check them out here: Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel: Secret Recipe x Bichi Mao – A Crossover We Never Thought We Needed If things can't get sweeter, then why not go a little cuter? This was the question we asked ourselves at the recent Secret Recipe x Bichi Mao collab event. In celebration of National Day, Malaysia Day, and the 28th anniversary of Secret Recipe, Malaysia's most cherished cake café chain announced its largest joint venture of the year. In order to reward their new and devoted customers, both brands will be launching a limited-edition Secret Recipe x Bichi Mao merchandise line in collaboration with their in-house character IP, Bichi Mao. Selected Secret Recipe locations across the country will also undergo makeovers with a Bichi Mao theme from 15th August to 15th November, 2025. During this time, customers will be able to create their own 'sweet mao-moments' with loved ones and receive exclusive surprises and collectibles. Watch Hype's Exclusive Reel:
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Japan ambassador urges Thailand and Cambodia to uphold ceasefire agreement seriously.
BANGKOK: The Japanese Embassy in Thailand issued a statement via social media following a visit to Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces on Friday (Aug 1), 2025, by Masato Otaka (pic right), Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, and Colonel Eiji Umetani, Assistant Military Attache. The delegation joined other diplomatic representatives to observe areas affected by the Thai-Cambodian border conflict and to receive updates on the situation, as arranged by the Thai government. In its statement, the embassy expressed its deepest condolences for the losses caused by the recent military clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, extending heartfelt concern to the injured, displaced persons, and those whose lives have been disrupted. During the field visit, the Japanese delegation had the opportunity to engage directly with those affected by the conflict, including evacuees, to listen to their experiences and concerns. The embassy voiced strong support for the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement reached by both Thailand and Cambodia, expressing hope that the truce will be respected and sustained, allowing for the restoration of peaceful relations between the two countries. The Japanese government further emphasised the importance of de-escalation, stating that full adherence to the ceasefire agreement is essential for regional stability, and affirmed its willingness to provide support and cooperation to ensure peace is restored as soon as possible. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
This robot uses Japanese tradition and AI for sashimi that lasts longer and is more humane
A Los Angeles-area startup is using artificial intelligence and robotics in an unlikely way: making sashimi and other fish dishes taste better, last longer and more humane. El Segundo, California-based Shinkei Systems wants to bring a traditional Japanese method of handling fish to fine dining in America, using technology to replace the labour-intensive process historically handled by practitioners on board ships. Investors have just bet millions that it will succeed. The company's AI-driven robot – called Poseidon – has been designed to do a traditional form of fish handling called ikejime in Japanese. It is a method of killing fish that enthusiasts say enhances flavour, texture and shelf life. Although fish processed in this way is found in some of the best restaurants in Japan, it hasn't been promoted in the US because it is generally too expensive. Automating the process will make it more readily available to Americans, said Saif Khawaja, the company's chief executive. "My end goal is that you're walking into your local grocery store and can buy fish that lasts three times as long, tastes better and is handled humanely," he said. The company raised US$22mil (RM 94.10mil) in a funding round last month, co-led by Founders Fund and Interlagos, bringing total funding to US$30mil (RM 128.32mil) since its inception. It has four Poseidons working on ships in the Pacific and Atlantic and hopes to have 10 more working in the coming year. The ikejime process involves taking live fish that has just been caught and quickly putting them out of their misery by killing them with a spike through the brain and cutting their gills. This stops the stress hormone and lactic acid buildup that can hurt flavor and texture when fish are left to asphyxiate. Although traditional practitioners sometimes add a step in which the spinal cord is destroyed, Poseidon just does the first steps of the ikejime technique. The method has remained largely artisanal even in Japan, where only some fishermen will make the effort to process batches of fish in this way to sell to specific sushi chefs who are obsessed with having the highest-quality ingredients. Even in Japan, the method "is still too labour-intensive to replicate at a high speed without damaging the fish," Khawaja said, adding that, "It's impractical and unsustainable for fishermen to adopt methods that require significant hands-on work," in the US. Shinkei says it also has a higher calling than just better-tasting fish. Khawaja said one of the motivations for developing the technology was to try to find a kinder, gentler way to kill fish than letting them die gasping for air. During childhood fishing trips with his father in the Red Sea, he remembers it being "very hard to watch" fish suffocating after they were caught. Poseidon is roughly refrigerator-sized and sits on fishing boat decks. — Courtesy Shinkei Systems/TNS While he was in graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, Khawaja was moved by an essay that argued that fish suffer inhumane deaths because they cannot vocalise pain. He even once considered developing sensors to make fish's pain audible. Shinkei provides Poseidon machines to fishermen, who then sell fish processed through the machines back to Shinkei at a premium. Shinkei in turn sells the fish to restaurants and other retailers under its fish company Seremoni. Poseidon is roughly refrigerator-sized and sits on fishing boat decks. It processes fish within seconds of being caught. The fish is fed through an opening in the machine and into a small vinyl cavity. The machine then uses AI to identify what kind of fish it is and where exactly its brain and gills are. Fish emerge with a hole in the head and incisions near the gills before being placed in an ice slurry for blood drainage. Quickly killing the fish, bleeding it and chilling it without freezing leads to fish that is noticeably better, Khawaja said. "There's going to be a flavour profile difference and there's going to be texture profile difference," he said. The company chose Los Angeles for its headquarters and production because it has the right mix of potential employees as well as customers. It has the mechanical engineering talent as well as a major fishing fleet and lots of high-end restaurants. "The best mechanical engineering talent in the world, in my opinion, is in Southern California," said Seremoni co-founder Reed Ginsberg. The city is also a major health and consumer products hub as well as a trend setter for cutting-edge food fads. Chef Michael Cimarusti, co-owner of the Michelin starred Providence restaurant in Los Angeles, says he tries to buy local ikejime fish when he can because it preserves the quality and color. The fish preserved using ikejime look as if they "were just pulled from the water minutes ago," he said in an interview posted on YouTube by the American Fishing Tackle Co. Shinkei currently processes thousands of pounds weekly across operations in Washington, Central California and Massachusetts, with expansion to Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico planned this year. After feedback from fishermen that the bots took up too much deck space, the company developed "Block 2" robots that have roughly half the footprint while processing fish twice as fast. Currently, black cod and black sea bass processed through Poseidon are sold under Shinkei's brand Seremoni at retailers such as Happier Grocery and served at upscale restaurants including Atomix and Sushi Zo. This summer, the company plans to add salmon and red snapper to its offerings. – Los Angeles Times/Tribune News Service
