How remote work is rewriting the migrant experience in Japan
An IT engineer from Delhi, Jain, 46, originally left India in 2002 to study and work in Finland, Spain and New Zealand. He freelanced through much of that time, enjoying a high degree of autonomy and flexibility.
'I was also drawn to Japan, but I worried about adjusting to the work culture — especially the long hours, the lengthy commutes and the language barrier.'
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NHK
12 hours ago
- NHK
Japan's top negotiator for US tariff talks leaves for Washington
Japan's top negotiator for trade talks with the United States has left for Washington as the US is poised to impose a 25-percent tariff on imports from Japan starting August 1. Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei departed from Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Monday morning. It is his eighth trip to the US capital for tariff negotiations. Speaking to reporters before his departure, Akazawa said that negotiations would not be easy as both Japan and the US need to protect their national interests. He said he wants to hold sincere and robust discussions to find common ground between the two sides. Arrangements are under way for a meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday or later, local time. Akazawa is also seeking meetings with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Japanese government officials say that Washington is now reviewing Tokyo's proposal to make massive investments and import more American goods to reduce the US trade deficit with Japan. Akazawa says he wants to confirm how the US side is proceeding with its review. Akazawa aims to reach an agreement that can benefit both countries as the August 1 deadline for what US President Donald Trump calls "reciprocal" tariffs approaches.
Japan Times
15 hours ago
- Japan Times
Ishiba clings to leadership after election setback
'Responsibility' has been the theme of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's 17 days on the campaign trail. Now, after an election where his ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito coalition lost its majority in the Upper House by a thin margin, it has become an ostensible reason for him to cling to his leadership — at least, for the moment. 'As the first party in parliament, we have to fulfill our responsibility with the public so as to prevent politics from stagnating or drifting away,' Ishiba told a news conference he held as LDP leader Monday afternoon. Citing ongoing negotiations with the United States over the 25% 'reciprocal' tariffs imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump and the complex economic and security outlook, Ishiba told reporters he has no intention of stepping down. However, in the wake of another setback after last October's debacle in the Lower House election, his political capital has plunged. In the Upper House election, the LDP failed to reverse the momentum of mounting headwinds anticipated by the poor showing in June's Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly poll. Throughout the campaign, the LDP tried to play the part of the 'responsible party,' portraying itself as the only force able to steer the country out of the troubled waters it finds itself in. Depicting the opposition as a cluster of irresponsible forces who can't be trusted with the helm of the country, the LDP attempted to appeal to the electorate with its alleged experience and sound judgment. The party's recipe for the future, though, failed to resonate with a public vexed by the soaring cost of living and tired of over a decade of LDP leadership. The insistence shown in protecting the country's coffers and defending the consumption tax 'to the end' — in the words of LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama — backfired at the polls, as did the promise of ¥20,000 cash handouts. As shown in the resounding victories achieved by the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito , especially in urban districts, the LDP faded in comparison to the expansionist menus presented by the opposition. The election debate largely stayed inward-oriented, with voters showing little interest in topics such as security and the ongoing tariff negotiations. Ishiba's attacks on the alleged 'irresponsibility' of a fragmented opposition largely fell on deaf ears. On the defining issue of the campaign — policies related to the foreign community — the LDP was forced to adapt to an agenda defined by opposition parties. All in all, the party couldn't escape the fate that often awaits incumbents in times of burgeoning dissatisfaction with the status quo. Ishiba's own track record ended up exacerbating that dissatisfaction. In his nine months in office, Ishiba — who seemed to have plenty of plans for the country when he reached the party leadership — proved unable to leave his own distinctive mark on the role. Perhaps surprisingly, the party showed its trademark pragmatism to successfully navigate an insidious session of parliament — clinching ad-hoc deals with the opposition in exchange for policy concessions. However, that laborious process left the party anemic, unable to reboot and rehabilitate its standing after last year's Lower House defeat. Handicapped from the start of his mandate and lacking a strong power base within the party, Ishiba could do little to change the course of the election. For a moment, the popular Shinjiro Koizumi's appointment as agricultural minister in late May seemed to have turned the tables and given Ishiba some breathing room. That too, however, proved short-lived. After voters signaled their frustration toward the current administration at the polls, the ball is now in the LDP's court. The next few weeks will be crucial to determine the future of the administration — and potentially of the composition of the coalition. The thin margin of the coalition's defeat — the coalition is only three seats short of the 125 needed for a majority — leaves potential room for maneuvering in the Upper Chamber. On top of that, the Aug. 1 deadline on tariff negotiations might grant the prime minister some breathing room, allowing him to stay on in the name of continuity and the need to avoid a political vacuum at a sensitive time for the nation. The weakened state of party factions means that, even if internal maneuvers to oust Ishiba were to occur, the old playbook may no longer apply. That being said, in one way or the other, Ishiba will be forced to take 'responsibility' for the party's underperformance in the poll. Although last year's Lower House defeat took place only weeks into his mandate, this time the prime minister has fewer excuses, particularly given the impasse on tariffs. Reports say the party will soon call a plenary meeting with members of both the Lower and Upper House. Lawmakers long critical of Ishiba will have a chance to vent their frustrations and potentially coalesce. While he denied any enlargement of the coalition at this stage, he voiced his intention to create a framework for policy cooperation with the opposition. 'We will hold sincere discussions with opposition parties on policy issues of particular urgency,' Ishiba said. He also added he hasn't made up his mind on a potential reshuffle of his government or the party leadership. So far, all the potential interlocutors — namely the DPP and Nippon Ishin no Kai — have ruled out the possibility. DPP leader Yuichiro Tamaki said his party will watch the coming developments within the LDP before making the next move. Should Ishiba step down, the party will enter a new phase of instability, and it's unclear whether a new leader could gain the trust of fellow lawmakers. Last September's presidential election showed there's no shortage of aspiring leaders, starting with Koizumi. It took Ishiba — famously the lone wolf, popular with the public but with few friends in the party — five attempts to attain the long-yearned party leadership. He won't go down that easily. 'The road ahead will be thorny,' Ishiba admitted. 'But we will deepen discussions with other parties and run the country with a sincere heart.'
Japan Times
15 hours ago
- Japan Times
Consumption tax cut not a given even after Upper House election
A consumption tax cut that was such a pivotal issue in Sunday's Upper House election is not a foregone conclusion given the political realities of a minority government and the economic realities of Japan, some analysts say. In the historic vote, the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito coalition lost its majority and now controls neither house of parliament, although it still has the Cabinet. It has stood firmly against lowering the consumption tax — which is currently set at 10% for most items and 8% for food and beverages — while most opposition parties have called for a reduction of the tax or simply abolishing it. The problem for the opposition parties is that they might not be able to agree on enough to be effective against a coalition that remains the largest bloc in both houses despite lacking a majority. 'It's probably quite difficult for them to find common ground,' Tomohisa Ishikawa, chief economist at the Japan Research Institute, said of the opposition. Markets may also make consumption tax cuts difficult. Investors were already rattled ahead of the election, in part on the possibility that government revenues could take a hit with the implementation of policies pushed by the opposition. The yield on 30-year Japanese government bonds surged to a record 3.2% last week, and that on 20-year JGBs hit the highest level since November 1999. Bond prices move inversely to yields. "I believe the recent rise in the yield on superlong-term bonds was a sign that Japan's fiscal risks were being taken more seriously,' said Daiju Aoki, regional chief investment officer at UBS SuMi Trust Wealth Management. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stood firm on his stance against the tax cuts right up through election day on concerns about the fiscal stability of the country. 'If we were to implement such a policy, how would we secure funding for social welfare programs?' he said Sunday. While pressure on the government to spend more will undoubtedly increase post-election, Aoki said a tax cut may be implemented in a way that won't seriously hurt fiscal soundness. 'By teaming up with parties against a massive government bond issuance, the LDP and Komeito can still form a majority,' he said. Virtually all opposition parties stress the need for a consumption tax cut, but details are different. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), which is the largest opposition party and is led by former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, is looking to make food nontaxable for one year. Noda, who is considered to be on the side of fiscal discipline, said his party would only advocate a consumption tax cut that's fully funded and not dependent on bond issuance. The LDP and Komeito could work with the CDP to minimize the fiscal risk, if a consumption tax cut really becomes a policy option, Aoki said. 'In that sense, there might be some short-term volatility, but if the bond market recognizes that there won't be a massive tax cut, I think this will help curb an excessive rise of long-term rates," he said. Pro-fiscal spending parties remain popular, and this does add an element of uncertainty. The Democratic Party for the People (DPP) won 17 seats on Sunday and now has 22. It has said that tax relief can be backed by issuing government bonds. The DPP hopes to temporarily lower the consumption tax rate on all products to 5% until real wages start rising again. Sanseito, which significantly increased its presence by winning 14 seats, advocates eventually abolishing the consumption tax altogether, saying the government can issue bonds to finance the policy. Reiwa Shinsengumi and the Japanese Communist Party have also proposed scrapping the consumption tax. Nippon Ishin no Kai plans to reduce the 8% tax on food to zero for two years.
