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Japan PM Ishiba meets other party leaders to explain US tariff deal
Japan PM Ishiba meets other party leaders to explain US tariff deal

NHK

time6 days ago

  • Business
  • NHK

Japan PM Ishiba meets other party leaders to explain US tariff deal

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has told leaders of the ruling and opposition parties that the country's tariff deal with the United States was reached in a way that meets the national interests of both sides. The party leaders met on Friday morning. The participants alongside Ishiba were: Noda Yoshihiko of Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Maehara Seiji of Japan Innovation Party, Tamaki Yuichiro of Democratic Party for the People, Saito Tetsuo of Komeito, Kamiya Sohei of Sanseito, Oishi Akiko of Reiwa Shinsengumi and Tamura Tomoko of Japanese Communist Party. Ishiba said at the start of the meeting that since he made a proposal to US President Donald Trump in February, the Japanese side consistently called strongly for US officials to prioritize investment over tariffs. The prime minister went on to say that this has resulted in an agreement that meets the national interests of Japan and the US while protecting what needs to be protected. He noted that he received various opinions at the three previous meetings of party leaders, and expressed gratitude for their suggestions. Ishiba is believed to have explained the contents of the deal with the US, expressed intent to take all possible measures to support domestic industries, such as consultations on financing, and asked for the leaders' cooperation.

Election Success for Chinese-born Critic of Japan's China Policy
Election Success for Chinese-born Critic of Japan's China Policy

Japan Forward

time22-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Japan Forward

Election Success for Chinese-born Critic of Japan's China Policy

このページを 日本語 で読む In Japan's House of Councillors election on July 20, it was confirmed the following day that Seki Hei, a 63-year-old political commentator and first-time candidate, had secured a seat. He ran under the proportional representation system as a candidate for Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party). Seki Hei is also a JAPAN Forward contributor with his own column, China Watch. Born in China, Seki faced a barrage of abuse over his candidacy. But throughout the campaign, he stood firm, declaring he would not "succumb to slander." Seki was born in 1962 in Sichuan Province. He became disillusioned with the Chinese government following the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, and later cut ties with China mentally and ideologically. In 2007, he became a naturalized Japanese citizen. People march through central London on June 4, 2023, to mourn the victims of the Tiananmen Massacre in China 34 years earlier. (© Kyodo) During the campaign, Seki called for constitutional reform, a tougher stance on China, stricter naturalization laws, and stronger measures to curb mass immigration. All of this, he said, was "to protect Japan." He initially announced his candidacy with Ishin in February 2025 but withdrew after facing a wave of slander and personal attacks. However, he later reversed course, saying, "I realized I must not give in to slander," and decided to run after all. When Seki re-declared his candidacy in June, he pointed to Japan's China policy, especially under the leadership of Shigeru Ishiba, as a major concern. "Japanese politics isn't responding," he said. "It's unbearable to watch. I felt I had no choice but to step up." As for why he chose to run with Ishin, Sekii explained that the party's platform matched his own views. He added that Osaka Governor and Ishin leader Hirofumi Yoshimura shared his concerns about China's growing hegemonic threat to Japan. Author: The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む

Wage Increases and Economic Growth: Take Measures to Boost Corporate Investment
Wage Increases and Economic Growth: Take Measures to Boost Corporate Investment

Yomiuri Shimbun

time17-07-2025

  • Business
  • Yomiuri Shimbun

Wage Increases and Economic Growth: Take Measures to Boost Corporate Investment

To realize wage increases that will overcome rising prices, it is essential to strengthen the earning power of companies. In the ongoing House of Councillors election campaign, political parties should compete with each other on strategies to boost investment for that purpose. There is no question that large wage increases are necessary in the attempt to break the Japanese economy out of its long period of stagnation, also known as the 'lost 30 years.' However, while major listed companies have attained record earnings for four consecutive years, wage increases have not kept pace with rising prices. Real wages have been on a downward trend since spring 2022, in effect making the sense of stagnation more pronounced. Under such circumstances, political parties are competing with each other through their plans for tax cuts or cash handouts to ease the immediate burden on household budgets. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Innovation Party have proposed temporarily lowering the consumption tax rate on food to zero. The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito have pledged to provide ¥40,000 in cash to every child and to adults in households that are exempt from residential tax, as well as ¥20,000 to other members of the public. However, these shortsighted measures will not be able to revive the Japanese economy. To expand the trend of wage increases, the economic pie for the distribution of wealth must be enlarged by achieving high economic growth. To that end, it is essential for companies to improve their earning power. It is companies themselves that play the main role in raising wages. What is required of the government is a policy that creates an environment conducive to wage increases. One of the reasons for the Japanese economy's stagnation is the lack of corporate investment. It will be necessary to present a strategy and outlook that will encourage investment. The world is undergoing a period of major change. The free trade system is being shaken by the high tariff policy of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. China has been strengthening its hegemonic moves, and economic security is becoming more important. Under such circumstances, the LDP has identified key industries for the next 10 years and pledged bold investments in them. The CDPJ has proposed support for the domestic production of cloud systems and artificial intelligence. Aren't both of these strategies insufficient for navigating this period of major change? Political parties will be tested as to whether they can first show a broad direction Japan should take and then present concrete measures that will encourage a review of the supply chains and a return of manufacturing industries to Japan, among other changes. One of the main reasons why the Japanese economy is suffering from high prices is that the yen has been excessively depreciated for a prolonged period. Behind the yen's depreciated state is also a decline in national power. If the Japanese economy becomes strong by promoting investment, the yen's depreciation can be expected to ease. Reiwa Shinsengumi, Sanseito and others have advocated the abolition of the consumption tax. Consumption tax revenue amounts to about ¥25 trillion. It is a key tax that makes up about one-third of the nation's tax revenues, and its abolition would result in a loss of confidence in the government's finances. It would only serve to diminish the nation's strength. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 17, 2025)

Policy on Foreign Nationals: Make Rules of Society Well Known and Work to Promote Coexistence
Policy on Foreign Nationals: Make Rules of Society Well Known and Work to Promote Coexistence

Yomiuri Shimbun

time10-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Yomiuri Shimbun

Policy on Foreign Nationals: Make Rules of Society Well Known and Work to Promote Coexistence

As the number of foreign residents and visitors to Japan increases, friction and trouble with local residents has become more noticeable. The central government must work to make the rules of Japanese society and culture well known to them and seek ways to promote an inclusive society. At the end of last year, the number of foreign residents living in Japan reached a record high of 3.76 million, accounting for about 3% of the total population. Amid a declining population, foreign workers can be said to be important members who underpin Japanese society. On the other hand, problems have arisen in areas with large numbers of foreign residents. In Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, noise problems and brawls by Kurds with Turkish nationality and others have occurred frequently. The municipal government has asked the central government to take strict measures, including the deportation of foreign nationals who engaged in illegal activities. A Chinese national was arrested after driving his car into a line of elementary school students in Misato, Saitama Prefecture, in May this year. Probably because there has been a spate of such incidents that have increased anxiety in the public, many of the ruling and opposition parties have raised the issue of reviewing policies on foreign nationals while campaigning for the upcoming House of Councillors election. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has proposed stricter procedures to allow a driver's license obtained overseas to be used to get a Japanese license. The Japan Innovation Party and Sanseito have called for a limit on the number of foreigners accepted into Japan, while the Democratic Party for the People has called for restrictions on the acquisition of land by foreigners. Appeals by political parties also include claims that foreigners are abusing the public medical insurance and welfare benefits. While it is quite natural to take firm action against wrongdoing and illegal activities, there are more than a few claims that have little evidence to support them. For example, of the 1.65 million households that received welfare benefits in fiscal 2023, the number of households headed by foreign nationals was 47,000, or only 2.9% of the total. The DPFP claims that 'taxes paid by Japanese people are used for the benefit of Japanese people.' However, if that logic holds, consumption taxes paid by foreigners, including those visiting Japan, cannot be used for social security. Parties should refrain from arguments that could be considered xenophobic. In some areas, there are elementary schools where 40% of the children are of a foreign nationality. Due to language and cultural barriers, many foreign children reportedly have difficulty integrating into school. In addition to Japanese language teachers, increasing the number of foreign teachers should be considered so that Japanese and foreign children can understand each other's culture and customs. This is an era in which it is important to build a foundation for an inclusive society from childhood. Regarding everyday problems, some people have voiced concern that foreign nationals do not follow the rules for garbage disposal, for example. One idea would be to have them pledge to observe local rules and manners when they are granted resident status. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 10, 2025)

2025 POLLS: Nippon Ishin Faces Key Test in Birthplace Osaka

time08-07-2025

  • Politics

2025 POLLS: Nippon Ishin Faces Key Test in Birthplace Osaka

News from Japan Politics Jul 8, 2025 09:00 (JST) Osaka, July 8 (Jiji Press)--Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) faces a make-or-break situation in its birthplace of Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, in the upcoming House of Councillors election, as the opposition party struggles with dwindling support. Komeito, the junior partner in Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition, is also in a crucial fight in the prefectural constituency in the July 20 election for the upper chamber of parliament, as it is facing pressure from an upstart political party. Nippon Ishin, Komeito and the Liberal Democratic Party, the dominant partner in the ruling bloc, have won the four seats of the constituency in the past three Upper House races, but this landscape could be set to change in the upcoming poll. Key Imperative [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press

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