Political News(2025/02/18)
IAEA Director General Grossi confirms cooperation in verifying safety of treated water
2025-02-18 23:33:00
Foreign Minister Iwatake met with Director General Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who is visiting Japan, and confirmed that the two countries will continue to cooperate toward Fukushima's reconstruction, including verifying the safety of releasing treated water accumulating at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean.
TOP
Foreign Ministry official meets with Taliban official to discuss human rights
2025-02-18 21:53:00
On the 18th, a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with a senior official from the Taliban's interim government, the Islamist group that holds real power in Afghanistan, who is visiting Japan. According to sources, the two sides exchanged views on how to respect human rights in Afghanistan.
TOP
2024 Lower House election "constitutional": Voting disparity up to 2.06 times
2025-02-18 21:02:00
Regarding the disparity in the value of one vote in last October's House of Representatives election, of up to 2.06 times, the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court ruled that this did not violate the Constitution, saying that "the disparity was not so significant as to undermine the rationality of the new electoral district system," and dismissed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the election.
TOP
LDP proposes changing the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier" based on annual income, Komeito presents to citizens
2025-02-18 19:21:00
Regarding the review of the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier," the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and the Democratic Party for the People have presented a new proposal in a three-party tax consultation to change the income tax exemption amount according to annual income, raising it to 1.6 million yen for people with an annual income of 2 million yen or less. Komeito and the Democratic Party for the People expressed their reluctance, and decided to hold another consultation on the 19th.
TOP
Minister Iwatake to visit South Africa from 20th for G20 foreign ministers' meeting to strengthen cooperation
2025-02-18 19:01:00
Foreign Minister Iwasaki announced that he will visit South Africa this week to attend the G20 foreign ministers' meeting. He also plans to meet with foreign ministers of the Global South, whose presence in the international community is on the rise, to strengthen cooperation with them.
TOP
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Iwatake Naotoshi, Government to postpone observer participation in the Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
2025-02-18 18:58:00
Regarding the Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in March, Foreign Minister Iwao stated that the Japanese government will not participate as an observer, citing the difficulty of advancing nuclear disarmament at a conference that does not include nuclear-weapon states, and the risk of causing harm to security, given that nuclear deterrence is essential.
TOP
Basic Energy Plan decided: "Nuclear power to be utilized as the largest renewable energy source"
2025-02-18 18:49:00
The government decided on the Basic Energy Plan, which will be the framework for Japan's electricity policy, at a cabinet meeting on the 18th. The plan includes making renewable energy such as solar and wind power the largest power source in the future, while also making maximum use of nuclear power.
TOP
LDP proposes changing the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier" based on annual income, Komeito presents to citizens
2025-02-18 18:06:00
Regarding the review of the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier," the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and the Democratic Party for the People presented a new proposal in a three-party tax consultation to change the income tax exemption amount according to annual income. For people earning 2 million yen or less a year, the exemption amount will be increased by an additional 370,000 yen from the 1.23 million yen already proposed by the government, so the lower the income, the greater the increase.
TOP
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Iwatake Naotoshi, Government to postpone observer participation in the Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
2025-02-18 18:04:00
Regarding the Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in March, Foreign Minister Iwao stated that the Japanese government will not participate as an observer, citing the difficulty of advancing nuclear disarmament at a conference that does not include nuclear-weapon states, and the risk of causing harm to security, given that nuclear deterrence is essential.
TOP
LDP proposes changing the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier" based on annual income, Komeito presents to citizens
2025-02-18 17:09:00
Regarding the review of the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier," the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and the Democratic Party for the People presented a new proposal in a three-party tax consultation to change the income tax exemption amount according to annual income. For people earning 2 million yen or less a year, the exemption amount will be increased by an additional 370,000 yen from the 1.23 million yen already proposed by the government, so the lower the income, the greater the increase.
TOP
Iwao Naoto will not attend the Conference of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as an observer
2025-02-18 17:02:00
Regarding the Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to be held in New York in March, Foreign Minister Iwao Naoto announced that the Japanese government would not participate as an observer, citing the difficulty of advancing nuclear disarmament at a conference in which nuclear-weapon states are not participating.
TOP
Minister of Justice: "Japan's domestic policy decision" to allow people to write "Taiwan" in the nationality column of family registers
2025-02-18 16:45:00
Regarding China's opposition to the idea that when a Japanese person and a foreigner marry, the name of a region will be allowed to be written in the nationality column on their family register, allowing them to write "Taiwan," Justice Minister Suzuki said, "This is a matter for Japan's domestic affairs, and there is no need for us to answer."
TOP
2024 Lower House election constitutional: Fukuoka High Court Naha branch rules disparity in votes up to 2.06 times
2025-02-18 16:41:00
The Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court has ruled that the disparity in the value of one vote in the October 2024 House of Representatives election, which was as large as 2.06 times, does not violate the Constitution, dismissing a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the election.
TOP
Yasuzumi: "Former Abe faction accounting officer to be called as witness on the 20th in private"
2025-02-18 16:30:00
Regarding the summoning as a witness of the accounting officer of the former Abe faction of the Liberal Democratic Party in response to the scandal involving politics and money, Chairman Yasuzumi of the House of Representatives Budget Committee indicated that he would travel to a hotel in Tokyo on the 20th with directors from both the ruling and opposition parties and conduct questioning of the officer in private.
TOP
LDP entrusts policy chief Onodera and others with handling discussions on free high school tuition
2025-02-18 15:54:00
A joint meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Committee and other groups was held, and cautious opinions were expressed about including private high schools in the free high school tuition program, which is being discussed with the Japan Restoration Party and others. However, the party left future responses to the discretion of Chairman of the Policy Research Council Onodera and others.
TOP
Minister of Justice Suzuki "delivered sweets to Ministry of Justice employees as a token of appreciation"
2025-02-18 14:25:00
Regarding reports that distributing sweets to Ministry of Justice employees could be a violation of the Public Offices Election Act if some of the employees were from his own constituency, Justice Minister Suzuki explained, "It was simply a gift to all the employees who have been working hard at their jobs, as a token of appreciation and gratitude."
TOP
Yasuzumi: "Former Abe faction accounting officer to be called as witness on the 20th in private"
2025-02-18 14:17:00
Regarding the summoning as a witness of the accounting officer of the former Abe faction of the Liberal Democratic Party in response to the scandal involving politics and money, Chairman Yasuzumi of the House of Representatives Budget Committee indicated that he would travel to a hotel in Tokyo on the 20th with directors from both the ruling and opposition parties and conduct questioning of the officer in private.
TOP
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi on 80th anniversary of the end of the war: "Undecided at this time, taking into consideration the circumstances"
2025-02-18 14:05:00
Regarding whether or not to issue a new statement by the Prime Minister on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said that no decision has been made at this point, and explained that future responses would be considered from various perspectives, taking into account the history of the situation so far.
TOP
LDP entrusts policy chief Onodera and others with handling discussions on free high school tuition
2025-02-18 12:48:00
A joint meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Committee and other groups was held, and cautious opinions were expressed about including private high schools in the free high school tuition program, which is being discussed with the Japan Restoration Party and others. However, the party left future responses to the discretion of Chairman of the Policy Research Council Onodera and others.
TOP
Minister of Justice: "Japan's domestic policy decision" to allow people to write "Taiwan" in the nationality column of family registers
2025-02-18 12:39:00
Regarding China's opposition to the idea that when a Japanese person and a foreigner marry, the name of a region will be allowed to be written in the nationality column on their family register, allowing them to write "Taiwan," Justice Minister Suzuki said, "This is a matter for Japan's domestic affairs, and there is no need for us to answer."
TOP
Yasuzumi: "Former Abe faction accounting officer to be called as witness on the 20th in private"
2025-02-18 12:29:00
Regarding the summoning as a witness of the accounting officer of the former Abe faction of the Liberal Democratic Party in response to the scandal involving politics and money, Chairman Yasuzumi of the House of Representatives Budget Committee indicated that he would travel to a hotel in Tokyo on the 20th with directors from both the ruling and opposition parties and conduct questioning of the officer in private.
TOP
Minister of Justice Suzuki "delivered sweets to Ministry of Justice employees as a token of appreciation"
2025-02-18 12:28:00
Regarding reports that distributing sweets to Ministry of Justice employees could be a violation of the Public Offices Election Act if some of the employees were from his own constituency, Justice Minister Suzuki explained, "It was simply a gift to all the employees who have been working hard at their jobs, as a token of appreciation and gratitude."
TOP
Italian President to visit Japan in March as official working guest
2025-02-18 12:09:00
The government has decided to invite Italian President Mattarella to Japan as an official guest in March. He is scheduled to meet with the Emperor and Empress, as well as hold a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Ishiba.
TOP
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office to be Dispatched to "Takeshima Day" Ceremony Again This Year
2025-02-18 11:50:00
The government has decided to send a Parliamentary Vice-Minister from the Cabinet Office to the "Takeshima Day" ceremony to be held on February 22nd, hosted by Shimane Prefecture and others.
TOP
New fiscal year budget proposal: LDP and Komeito leaders confirm response to reach agreement with Ishin and Citizens
2025-02-18 11:42:00
As efforts to revise the new fiscal year budget bill gain momentum, senior officials from the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito met and confirmed that they will act in good faith to reach an agreement with the Japan Restoration Party and the Democratic Party for the People, with which they are conducting policy discussions.
TOP
Regional Revitalization Minister Ito: "He will need to be hospitalized for about another week" - Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto on his behalf
2025-02-18 11:07:00
Minister of Regional Revitalization Ito, who has been hospitalized due to poor health, will be absent from the Cabinet meeting on the 18th as he will need to remain in hospital for another week or so, and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto will act in his place during this time.
TOP
Yasuzumi: "Former Abe faction accounting officer to be called as witness on the 20th in private"
2025-02-18 11:01:00
Regarding the summoning as a witness of the accounting officer of the former Abe faction of the Liberal Democratic Party in response to the scandal involving politics and money, Chairman Yasuzumi of the House of Representatives Budget Committee indicated that he would travel to a hotel in Tokyo on the 20th with directors from both the ruling and opposition parties and conduct questioning of the officer in private.
TOP
The government decides on the Basic Energy Plan, "Making maximum use of nuclear power"
2025-02-18 10:28:00
The government decided on the Basic Energy Plan, which will be the framework for Japan's electricity policy, at a cabinet meeting on the 18th. The plan includes making renewable energy such as solar and wind power the largest power source in the future, while also making maximum use of nuclear power.
TOP
Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities February 17, 2025
2025-02-18 09:49:00
(Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities February 17, 2025)
TOP
Yasuzumi: "Former Abe faction accounting officer to be called as witness in closed testimony on the 20th"
2025-02-18 09:47:00
Regarding the summoning of the accounting officer of the former Abe faction of the Liberal Democratic Party as a witness in response to the scandal involving politics and money, Budget Committee Chairman Yasuzumi indicated that he will travel to a location separate from the Diet on the 20th together with directors from both the ruling and opposition parties to question the officer in private.
TOP
Prime Minister Ishiba revises budget proposal to make public high school tuition free; subsidies for private schools also to be adjusted
2025-02-18 05:54:00
Regarding the new fiscal year budget proposal, Prime Minister Ishiba indicated his intention to revise the budget proposal and raise the upper limit of subsidies for private high schools in order to promote free high school tuition. The Japan Restoration Party, which calls for free tuition, has praised this, and it is expected that the final adjustments will be made on the upper limit, etc.
TOP
Ministry of Justice to allow listing region name such as "Taiwan" in nationality field for marriage with foreigner
2025-02-18 00:03:00
Regarding the handling of family registers when a Japanese person marries a foreigner, the Ministry of Justice plans to amend the ministerial ordinance from May this year to allow the name of the region to be listed in the nationality column. This will allow people from Taiwan to write "Taiwan" in this column, for example.
TOP
