logo
Japan's Ishiba vows to stay on after election defeat – DW – 07/20/2025

Japan's Ishiba vows to stay on after election defeat – DW – 07/20/2025

DW6 days ago
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has promised to stay in office as US trade talks loom. An openly xenophobic far-right party was poised to make major gains in the country's upper house election.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalitionwas poised for defeat in Sunday's election for the upper house of parliament.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), already in a minority in the lower house since last October's snap election, has faced mounting public discontent over inflation, political scandals, and a surge in anti-immigration sentiment.
With only 50 of the 125 contested seats needed to retain control, the LDP and its junior partner Komeito looked certain to fall short, according to exit polls.
In recent years, such an electoral defeat has usually led to a prime minister's resigniation. Ishibda, however, has vowed to stay on in order to lead Japan through the difficult terrain of striking a trade deal with the US in the face of looming tariffs.
"We are engaged in extremely critical tariff negotiations with the United States...we must never ruin these negotiations," he told a press conferenece after vowing to stay on as party leader through the trade talks.
This election will also decide the political future of Ishiba.
A major defeat, like last year's, could force his resignation and pave way for a power struggle within the LDP.
Small, opposition parties with anti-establishment messages are likely to erode support from the ruling power.
If the coalition loses both houses, Japan would enter uncharted political territory as the LDP has been in power perpetually since its foundation in 1955, barring a few years in the middle.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The surge of the right-wing populist Sanseito party is complicating the race.
Once a fringe movement, spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and global elites during the COVID-19 pandemic on YouTube, the party is now gaining momentum with its "Japanese First" rhetoric and criticism of immigration, globalism, and foreign capital.
Analysts say Sanseito could win over 10 seats, appealing especially to young male voters.
Its leader, Sohei Kamiya, has drawn comparisons to Trump and Germany's AfD for his anti-establishment stance and social media reach.
On Sunday, a Sanseito candidate's interview by Russia's Sputnik news agency courted controversy and prompt denials of ties to Russia by Kamiya, according to AFP news agency.
The European Union has banned Sputnik along with other Russian state media for "disinformation and information manipulation."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ghislaine Maxwell questioned on Epstein case – DW – 07/26/2025
Ghislaine Maxwell questioned on Epstein case – DW – 07/26/2025

DW

time4 hours ago

  • DW

Ghislaine Maxwell questioned on Epstein case – DW – 07/26/2025

Ghislaine Maxwell, former girlfriend and accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, answered every question posed by the Justice Department, her lawyer said. Meanwhile, US President Trump faces questions from his MAGA supporters. The US Justice Department's deputy chief, Todd Blanche, finished questioning Ghislaine Maxwell at a courthouse in Florida on Friday. The former girlfriend and accomplice of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was jailed in 2022 for grooming underage girls between 1994 and 2004. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following a conviction for child sex trafficking. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He had previously been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor. His death was ruled a suicide. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Maxwell was questioned for one and a half days, though Blanche did not give specific details about the conversations. Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, told reporters discussions addressed "every possible thing you could imagine" and that Maxwell answered questions "about 100 different people." "She answered those questions honestly, truthfully, to the best of her ability," Markus said, adding that the Justice Department made no offers of clemency for Maxwell's cooperation. Maxwell is the only former associate of Epstein to be charged. According to Markus, she still plans to appeal her conviction to the Supreme Court, describing her as a "scapegoat." Blanche, a former personal attorney for US President Donald Trump, stated on social media that he will share more information "at the appropriate time." Trump's past friendship with Epstein has been attracting a lot of attention over the past week. On Wednesday, the(WSJ) reported that Trump contributed to a letter for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003. The US newspaper also reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi had made Trump aware that his name appeared multiple times in Epstein's files. Trump denies knowledge of this and is now suing the WSJ for defamation. He also said Bondi never informed him that his name was in the files. "No, I was never — never briefed, no," Trump said. "I have nothing to do with the guy," Trump told reporters before going to Scotland on Friday. Trump said journalists should instead "focus" on other people who he claimed were "really close friends" with Epstein. There are, however, several photos showing Trump and Epstein together at social gatherings. "You're making a very big thing over something that's not a big thing," Trump told reporters. When asked about pardoning Maxwell, Trump said that while he's allowed to do it, it's something he "hasn't thought about." Epstein, a multi-millionaire, was accused of procuring underage girls for sex. His death in custody fueled conspiracy theories that he was murdered to prevent him from testifying against prominent accomplices. Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it would not be releasing more files related to the Epstein case, despite earlier promises by Bondi and Trump himself. He's asked his followers to "forget" about the files. The DOJ and the FBI said there was no proof that a list of Epstein's clients exists and reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Tunisians call for the fall of 'authoritarian regime' – DW – 07/26/2025
Tunisians call for the fall of 'authoritarian regime' – DW – 07/26/2025

DW

time4 hours ago

  • DW

Tunisians call for the fall of 'authoritarian regime' – DW – 07/26/2025

Tunisians flooded the streets to protest President Kais Saied's increasingly authoritarian rule, four years after his power grab. Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the capital on Friday to denounce President Kais Saied's increasingly authoritarian rule, as they chanted "The people want the fall of the regime." Marking four years since his controversial power grab, the protesters criticized the "authoritarian regime" for turning the country into an "open-air prison." The demonstrators said Tunisia has slid into authoritarian rule under Saied, marked by mass arrests and politically driven trials aimed at crushing dissent. Rallying under the banner "The Republic is a large prison," the protesters, led by women, chanted slogans demanding the release of jailed opposition leaders, journalists and activists. Four years ago, on July 25, 2021, Saied dissolved the parliament, removed the prime minister and began ruling by decree. Critics branded the move as a coup. Since then, Saied has dissolved key judicial bodies, dismissed judges and overseen the jailing of numerous opponents. Most of Saied's prominent political opponents, including Rached Ghannouchi and Abir Moussi, are all behind bars. "Tunisia has become an open-air prison," said Saib Souab, whose father, lawyer and Saied critic Ahmed Souab, is behind bars. Even those not imprisoned live in fear of arrest, Souab said. A 2024 report by rights group Amnesty International said that Tunisian authorities are using vague legal charges to arrest of critics of the government. Monia Ibrahim, wife of jailed politician Abdelhamid Jelassi, told Reuters news agency that the aim of Friday's protest was to restore democracy and free political detainees. July 25, once celebrated as Republic Day in Tunisia, has come to be associated with Saied's anti-political class "July 25 Movement." Samir Dilou, a former government minister said the day's meaning has changed to mark the "dismantling" of Tunisia. "Absolute power is absolute corruption," Dilou said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Taiwan votes in high-stakes recall election – DW – 07/26/2025
Taiwan votes in high-stakes recall election – DW – 07/26/2025

DW

time5 hours ago

  • DW

Taiwan votes in high-stakes recall election – DW – 07/26/2025

Taiwan has started voting on whether to recall around one-fifth of its parliament, all from the major opposition party. Voters in Taiwan are casting their ballots on whether to recall 24 lawmakers from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party and hold by-elections for their seats. The high-stakes referendum could give President Lai Ching-te's DPP party control of the parliament after it lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections despite Lai winning the presidential race. This is the first mass recall in Taiwan's history, with another seven KMT lawmakers facing a second recall election in August. KMT, which has a total of 52 parliamentary seats, advocates for closer economic ties with China. Its critics accuse the KMT lawmakers of being pro-Communist and beholden to China. The KMT, which controls parliament with the help of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), has slammed the unprecedented recall effort as a power grab. The KMT, together with the TPP has obstructed Lai's agenda wherever possible. This includes slashing Taiwan's defense budget and freezing other defense funds at a time when the threat from China is growing. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video They have also pushed controversial reforms to expand parliament's powers. These led to brawls in the legislature and massive street protests — and spurred civic groups to launch the recall campaign. Under Taiwan's election laws, signatures from 10% of a district's registered voters are required to hold a recall vote. For a KMT lawmaker to lose their seat, the number of votes in favor of recalling them must exceed those against and turnout must exceed 25% of registered voters. The DPP needs recalls of at least 12 KMT lawmakers to gain temporary control of the parliament. China has loomed large over the recall vote. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council warned earlier in the week of "visible evidence" China was trying to interfere in the election process. China claims that Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. Polls close at 4 p.m. Taiwan time (0800 UTC/GMT), and results should become clear later in the evening.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store