Panathur, Balagere residents demand better infra
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Mint
22-07-2025
- Mint
Populism and polarisation come to Japan
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Japan's long-time ruling party, suffered a historic setback at upper-house elections on Sunday. The party and its smaller coalition partner, Komeito, lost 19 seats. That will leave them governing without a majority in Japan's upper chamber for the first time since 2013. This poor showing is a nightmare for prime minister Ishiba Shigeru, who took office in October. His ruling coalition had already lost its majority in the lower house. Mr Ishiba called the result a 'harsh verdict' and said he intended to stay on. But calls for his resignation are mounting. The LDP remains the single largest party in both chambers of Japan's parliament. But the results on Sunday confirm that its long dominance of Japanese politics is under real threat. Its greatest challenge is not the established centre-left opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), which in the election maintained its seat tally in the upper house. Instead it is political upstarts that are luring away the government's voters. The Democratic Party for the People—a centrist outfit led by Tamaki Yuichiro, who has populist flair—more than doubled its seats, from nine to 22. That makes it the second-largest opposition bloc in the upper house, after the CDP. The Do It Yourself Party (Sanseito), a hard-right outfit with an anti-immigration message, also made a breakthrough. It jumped from two seats to 15 (Kamiya Sohei, its leader, is pictured). These newish parties appear to have energised voters: turnout increased to 59%, the highest level since 2012. The LDP was on the defensive long before polling stations opened. In recent years scandals have tainted the party's image. Mr Ishiba, the 68-year-old scion of a political family, has struggled to give his outfit new appeal among the young. Most of all, 'voters were dissatisfied with the LDP's response to inflation,' says Uchiyama Yu of the University of Tokyo. Prices have risen steadily since 2022. Wages have not been keeping up; in real terms they have fallen for five months straight. During the campaign parties of all stripes promised voters tax breaks and other giveaways. That unsettled investors, who were already worried about Japan's public debt (around 130% of GDP). In particular, opposition parties called for a cut in the consumption tax, currently 10%. In response Mr Ishiba, a fiscal hawk, promised a one-off cash handout of 20,000 yen ($136) per resident. As it turns out, that pledge was too meagre to win over many voters. And it irked many of the party's existing supporters, who saw it as shallow and reactive. Yet it was immigration, not the economy, that dominated the final days of electioneering. Because Japan's native-born population is declining, the country is becoming increasingly reliant on migrant workers to fill jobs. The number of foreign workers reached a record 2.3m last year. That is still only around 3% of the workforce (compared with around 20% in Britain and Germany) but is three times higher than a decade ago. Sanseito, the hard-right party, accused the government of importing cheap labour at the behest of big business. It claimed this was holding down the wages of locals, and caused other problems. Sanseito's 'Japanese First' slogan struck a chord. At a recent street rally in Saitama, an area near Tokyo, a party speaker compared the movement to MAGA in America and the Alternative for Germany, a hard-right party. Koeda Yoshiyuki, a 51-year-old supporter, called Sanseito 'the only party that can truly tackle the big problems Japan faces today'. Sanseito relied on social media, especially YouTube, to reach voters disheartened with politics-as-usual. Legacy outlets tried to debunk its dubious claims, including that foreigners are pushing up crime and have been buying up big swathes of land. Many voters apparently did not listen. What will the LDP do now? Its policymaking is about to become even more constrained: lacking a majority in either chamber, it will need to negotiate with other parties to pass legislation. It could try to expand its coalition by bringing in one more of them. But all the likeliest candidates have so far rejected this idea. Mr Ishiba's days as prime minister are surely numbered, even if he is insisting he will stay. The LDP could soon seek to install a fresher face, such as Koizumi Shinjiro, the charismatic 44-year-old son of a former prime minister, who as agriculture minister has been handling the government's response to a rice-price shock. Alternatively, the party could move to the right in hopes of fending off the challenge from Sanseito: Takaichi Sanae, a hardline nationalist who competed against Mr Ishiba in last year's LDP leadership race, has already hinted she would consider another tilt at the top job. For years Japan had seemed to escape the populism and polarisation that has upturned politics in many other rich democracies. That is clearly no longer the case.
Deccan Herald
28-05-2025
- Deccan Herald
Panathur, Balagere residents demand better infra
They urged the government not to approve new building plans until it completes the roads promised under the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), including the construction of a railway bridge across Balagere Road.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : Economy MCQs on Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, fiscal deficit and more (Week 111)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Economy to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at With reference to the Least Developed Countries, consider the following statements: 1. They are low-income countries confronting severe structural impediments to sustainable development. 2. The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are reviewed every five years by the Committee for Development (CDP). 3. They are less vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — With Bangladesh set to graduate from the United Nations' Least Developed Country (LDC) category in November 2026, ending duty-free access to export markets such as the European Union and posing new challenges, the country has begun a sharp economic pivot away from New Delhi and towards Beijing, straining trade ties with India. — Least developed countries (LDCs) are low-income countries that face significant structural barriers to sustainable development. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — They are extremely sensitive to economic and environmental shocks, with low levels of human capital. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. — The Committee for Development (CDP) reviews the list of LDCs every three years and currently includes 44 nations. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — LDCs have unique access to certain international support measures, particularly those related to development assistance and trade. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. (Other Source: With reference to the Suez Canal, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Nearly 30 per cent of global container traffic flowed through the Suez Canal before the Houthi attacks began. 2. In 2024-25, the Suez Canal's daily transit trade increased compared to 2023-24. 3. It accounts for 8-9 per cent of global energy flows. 4. The shipping costs in the Suez Canal region soared to almost double. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 3 and 4 Explanation — Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is offering a 15 per cent discount on transit fee to cargo ships of minimum 130,000 mt capacity, underscoring the impact that the Red Sea security crisis has had on the waterway critical to the shortest maritime route to the Mediterranean Sea and beyond from the Arab Peninsula, North-East Africa, and the Arabian Sea. — According to IMF data, the Suez Canal accounts for approximately 12-15% of global trade. Prior to the Houthi strikes, the Suez Canal handled about 30% of all worldwide container traffic. It is also a critical route for 8-9 percent of world energy flows. Hence, statements 1 and 3 are correct. — According to data from PortWatch, a live conflict tracker maintained by the IMF and Oxford University, the Suez Canal's daily transit trade volume (TTV) was 484,137 mt on May 11, 2025, compared to 1,349,086 mt the previous year. TTV refers to the total volume of goods transported along a shipping route. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — Shipping prices in the Suez Canal region increased by 180 percent over the time under review. India, like many other countries, relied primarily on the Red Sea shipping route for exports to Europe, with the Suez Canal handling approximately 80% of the quantities. Hence, statement 4 is correct. — The movement of trade flows from the Red Sea to the route around Africa has clearly impacted Indian exporters, reducing margins since they now have to fight with increased freight charges for exports to Europe and elsewhere. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. With reference to the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, consider the following statements: 1. It is a long-term plan to improve railway stations across India. 2. The scheme focuses on upgrading the station buildings, connecting both sides of the city through the station, and linking stations with other transport options like buses and metros. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 103 refurbished railway stations in 86 districts across 18 states and union territories. He also launched a new weekly train between Bandra Terminus in Mumbai and Bikaner Station in Rajasthan. — The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a long-term initiative that would gradually renovate railway stations across India. Under this method, precise blueprints are created for each station, and construction is completed in stages based on what each station requires. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — The goal is to make the stations cleaner, more pleasant, and easier to use. This involves improving access and departure locations, waiting areas, restrooms, platforms, and roofing. Lifts, escalators, and free Wi-Fi are introduced as needed. — The Amrit Bharat Mission program also focusses on station construction upgrades, connecting both sides of the city via the station, and connecting stations to other modes of transportation such as buses and metros. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — The Amrit Bharat Stations program dates back to 2021, when Gandhinagar became the first railway station to undergo modernisation, complete with all modern amenities and a five-star hotel. Later that year, Rani Kamalapati Railway Station, formerly known as Habibganj, received a new look. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. (Other Source: The condition of a high fiscal deficit is reflected by: 1. Government borrowing 2. Higher interest rates 3. Inefficient spending by the government Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Explanation — A significant fiscal deficit can indicate inefficient government expenditure, which can lead to inflationary pressure in the economy. A large fiscal deficit causes the government to borrow more from the market, increasing demand for credit and potentially raising interest rates. — Higher interest rates, in turn, raise firms' borrowing costs, limiting their investments and decreasing overall economic growth. Furthermore, increased debt might limit a government's budget in the long run, jeopardising many growth-related initiatives. As a result, governments must be careful in monitoring their fiscal deficits. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. To read more: India's fiscal balancing amid global economic uncertainties Consider the following statements about the Alternate Investment Fund (AIF): 1. These are any funds established or incorporated in India that are privately pooled investment vehicles. 2. These include funds covered under the SEBI. 3. Certain exemptions from registration are provided under the AIF. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised draft guidelines for investments by regulated entities (REs) in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), aiming to enhance oversight and prevent potential misuse. — Alternative Investment Fund, or AIF, refers to any fund established or incorporated in India that is a privately pooled investment vehicle that collects funds from sophisticated investors, either Indian or foreign, and invests them in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of its investors. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — AIF does not include funds covered by the SEBI (Mutual Funds) laws, 1996, SEBI (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 1999, or any other Board laws governing fund management operations. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — Furthermore, the AIF Regulations give exemptions from registration to family trusts established for the benefit of'relatives' as defined in the Companies Act of 1956. Hence, statement 3 is correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. (Other Source: Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 111) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 111) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 111) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 110) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 110) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 110) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
