logo
Ishiba's art of survival in Japan's fractured politics

Ishiba's art of survival in Japan's fractured politics

Nikkei Asia3 days ago

Tobias Harris is the founder of Japan Foresight. He is the author of "The Iconoclast: Shinzo Abe and the New Japan."
By all accounts, Shigeru Ishiba should be bracing for the end of his premiership sometime in the next two months.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Reuse of Fukushima Soil to Begin at PM Office This Summer

time13 hours ago

Reuse of Fukushima Soil to Begin at PM Office This Summer

News from Japan Politics Jun 4, 2025 20:53 (JST) Tokyo, June 4 (Jiji Press)--The reuse of soil removed during radiation decontamination efforts following the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture will begin at the grounds of the prime minister's office in Tokyo this summer, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Wednesday. "Unless we properly demonstrate that the soil can be used, we couldn't gain the people's understanding," Ishiba said during a meeting with Jun Yoshida, mayor of the Fukushima town of Okuma. "We'll start with the prime minister's office," he added. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Yoshida emphasized, "It's important to first gain understanding of the safety (of the soil) from many people." Yoshida, also head of the group of mayors in the Futaba region, submitted a written request to the government for securing funds for reconstruction following the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, which triggered the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press

Experts Seek Minister, Command Role for New Disaster Agency

time16 hours ago

Experts Seek Minister, Command Role for New Disaster Agency

News from Japan Society Jun 4, 2025 18:31 (JST) Tokyo, June 4 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese government expert panel proposed Wednesday that a new agency for disaster response should have a dedicated minister and be given the right to issue recommendations to other government ministries and agencies. The proposals are aimed at enabling the new agency to serve as command center for the country's disaster prevention and response efforts. They were included in a report submitted the same day to Ryosei Akazawa, minister in charge of preparations for the new agency, which the government hopes to launch in fiscal 2026. The government is set to submit related legislation to an ordinary session of parliament in 2026. Setting up a disaster management agency is one of the signature policies of the administration of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The report called for the agency to be set up under the cabinet and for it to have the necessary funding and expert personnel. The expert report also mentioned a need to boost support for disaster response systems that take account of regional circumstances. Ishiba has expressed willingness to set up regional bureaus for the new agency, while regional governments are seen launching full-fledged efforts to attract such bureaus. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press

Japan Wary of S. Korea's New President Changing Diplomatic Course; Lee Has Shown Uncompromising Stance Toward Japan on Historical Issues
Japan Wary of S. Korea's New President Changing Diplomatic Course; Lee Has Shown Uncompromising Stance Toward Japan on Historical Issues

Yomiuri Shimbun

time17 hours ago

  • Yomiuri Shimbun

Japan Wary of S. Korea's New President Changing Diplomatic Course; Lee Has Shown Uncompromising Stance Toward Japan on Historical Issues

The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday. The Japanese government is paying close attention to the foreign and security policies of newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. While bilateral ties dramatically improved under the administration of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japan is now wary of the possibility that the new left-leaning administration could shift South Korea's diplomatic course. 'South Korea is an important neighbor and a partner we should work with,' said Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya at a press conference on Tuesday. 'Considering the current security environment, the importance of Japan-South Korea ties and Japan-U.S.-South Korea cooperation will not change at all.' Iwaya indicated that Japan intends to strengthen relations with the new administration as well. Lee, the former leader of the left-leaning Democratic Party, the largest opposition party, has shown an uncompromising stance toward Japan on historical and territorial issues. Many think that the same kind of relationship Japan had with South Korea during the Yoon administration cannot be expected, a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said. With Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Russia and North Korea becoming closer, and the introduction of tariffs by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the security environment has drastically changed since South Korea's last left-leaning administration, which was led by Moon Jae-in. In this respect, the importance of Japan-South Korea relations will only increase under the next administration. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, and exchange programs are being held. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hopes to establish a relationship with Lee based on mutual trust by speaking with him at various meetings, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit, which Japan and South Korea are invited and Ishiba is considering attending later this month. Strengthening exchanges Ishiba said Wednesday he hopes to promote exchanges between Japan and South Korea. 'This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, and we would like to further strengthen exchanges between the two countries,' Ishiba told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office. 'A meeting should be held as soon as possible,' he added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store