Political News(2025/04/17)
President Trump: "Very productive meeting" one day after Japan-U.S. negotiations
2025-04-17 22:31:00
On the morning of the 17th, one day after negotiations with Japan over tariffs, US President Trump posted on his social media, "I had a very productive phone call with the President of Mexico yesterday. I also met with the highest level of the Japanese trade delegation. It was a very productive meeting." He added, "All countries are eager to meet, including China. Today, it's Italy." On the 17th, he is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Meloni at the White House.
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Minister Akazawa meets with President Trump and strongly demands review of measures during ministerial negotiations
2025-04-17 22:14:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa met with President Trump and held ministerial negotiations, where he strongly urged a review. The two sides agreed to reach an agreement as soon as possible and to aim for an announcement between the leaders, and to work toward scheduling the next round of negotiations to be held within this month. Furthermore, interviews with government officials and others have revealed the circumstances that led to the meeting with President Trump.
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CDP and National Alliance agree on basic policies; Alliance plans to encourage cooperation in Upper House elections
2025-04-17 21:00:00
The CDP, the DPP, and the coalition that supports them have agreed on a common basic policy consisting of five priority areas, including the constitution, foreign affairs, and security. The coalition hopes that this agreement will encourage cooperation between the two parties in the upcoming House of Councillors elections in the summer.
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Speakers of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors meet to draw up a summary of measures to ensure stable imperial succession
2025-04-17 20:38:00
A meeting was held between the Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, along with representatives of each political party, to discuss how to ensure stable imperial succession. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nukaga, expressed his intention to have the Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors prepare a draft summary based on the discussions held so far, and to present it at the next meeting.
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Former Prime Minister Kishida launches study group for reconstruction after Noto Peninsula earthquake
2025-04-17 20:18:00
Former Prime Minister Kishida of the Liberal Democratic Party has launched a study group to address the reconstruction efforts following the Noto Peninsula earthquake that occurred while he was in office. The group will examine issues and the best way to provide support, and will make recommendations to the government as necessary.
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LDP upper house members discuss plans to include consumption tax cut in campaign pledges
2025-04-17 19:17:00
In preparation for the House of Councillors election in the summer, Liberal Democratic Party members of the House of Councillors met and expressed opinions calling for measures such as a reduction in the consumption tax rate on food items as a measure to combat rising prices. Discussions will continue with the aim of reflecting this in the party's campaign pledges.
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LDP parliamentary group to compile proposal to lower tax rate on food, etc. to 0%
2025-04-17 19:12:00
A group of Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers promoting an active fiscal policy met in the Diet and decided to compile a proposal to lower the reduced tax rate on food and other items from the current 8% to 0%, in order to make the tax system more generous for low-income earners.
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[Domestic and international reactions] Japan-US negotiations over tariff measures
2025-04-17 18:13:00
Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa held his first Japan-U.S. negotiations regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration. Here are reactions from both inside and outside Japan.
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Minister Akazawa meets with President Trump and strongly demands review of measures during ministerial negotiations
2025-04-17 17:48:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa met with President Trump and held ministerial negotiations, where he strongly urged a review. The two sides agreed to reach an agreement as soon as possible and to aim for an announcement between the leaders, and to work toward scheduling the next round of negotiations to be held within this month. Furthermore, interviews with government officials and others have revealed the circumstances that led to the meeting with President Trump.
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LDP meeting approves measures to prevent SNS fraud victimization, including preserving communication history
2025-04-17 17:31:00
In order to prevent fraud involving the misuse of social media, the government presented a new countermeasure proposal at a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party, which was approved, that would consider requiring telecommunications companies to store communication histories in order to make it easier to identify criminal groups.
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Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare explains at LDP meeting that pension reform bill excludes raising basic pension
2025-04-17 17:19:00
Regarding bills related to pension system reform, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare told a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party that a measure to boost basic pensions by utilizing employee pension reserves, which had been considered as one of the pillars of the reform, would not be included in the bill, as it would not gain widespread support.
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[Domestic and international reactions] Japan-US negotiations over tariff measures
2025-04-17 16:33:00
Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa held his first Japan-U.S. negotiations regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration. Here are reactions from both inside and outside Japan.
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Deputy leader of the CDP, Ogushi, on internal party discussions on consumption tax: "We will come to a conclusion once we reach it"
2025-04-17 16:19:00
Regarding the fact that there are both opinions for and against lowering the consumption tax rate within the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Deputy Leader Okushige expressed the view that the discussion is still ongoing and that once the party reaches a conclusion, they will be able to respond in a unified manner.
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Minister Akazawa meets with President Trump and strongly demands review of measures during ministerial negotiations
2025-04-17 16:06:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa met with President Trump and held ministerial negotiations, where he strongly urged a review. The two sides agreed to reach an agreement as soon as possible and to aim for an announcement between the leaders, and to work toward scheduling the next round of negotiations to be held within this month. Furthermore, interviews with government officials and others have revealed the circumstances that led to the meeting with President Trump.
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Atomic bomb survivors call on countries to "take the lead in efforts to abolish nuclear weapons" ahead of NPT Preparatory Committee meeting
2025-04-17 15:31:00
Ahead of the preparatory committee for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) opening this month, a group of atomic bomb survivors visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and called on the ministry to take the lead in efforts toward nuclear abolition, including halting the production of materials that could be used to make nuclear weapons.
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Komeito Secretary-General: "No supplementary budget draft in this Diet session" to postpone cash payments
2025-04-17 14:58:00
Regarding measures to deal with rising prices, Komeito Secretary-General Nishida said that for the time being, efforts will be made to reduce the burden on the people through existing subsidies for low-income households, and indicated that a supplementary budget bill will not be compiled in the current Diet session. The new cash subsidies requested by the Komeito Party will be shelved.
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Minister Akazawa meets with President Trump and strongly demands review of measures during ministerial negotiations
2025-04-17 13:45:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa met with President Trump and held ministerial negotiations, where he strongly urged a review. The two sides agreed to reach an agreement as soon as possible and to aim for an announcement between the leaders, and to proceed with scheduling so that the next round of negotiations can be held within this month.
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[Domestic and international reactions] Japan-US negotiations over tariff measures
2025-04-17 12:39:00
Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa held his first Japan-U.S. negotiations regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration. Here are reactions from both inside and outside Japan.
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Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare explains at LDP meeting that pension reform bill excludes raising basic pension
2025-04-17 12:27:00
Regarding bills related to pension system reform, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare told a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party that a measure to boost basic pensions by utilizing employee pension reserves, which had been considered as one of the pillars of the reform, would not be included in the bill, as it would not gain widespread support.
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Minister Akazawa meets with President Trump and strongly demands review of measures during ministerial negotiations
2025-04-17 12:26:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa met with President Trump and held ministerial negotiations, where he strongly urged a review. The two sides agreed to reach an agreement as soon as possible and to aim for an announcement between the leaders, and to proceed with scheduling so that the next round of negotiations can be held within this month.
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The selective separate surnames for married couples coalition calls on Komeito to submit and pass a bill in the current Diet session
2025-04-17 11:59:00
Regarding the introduction of optional separate surnames for married couples, Rengo Chairman Yoshino met with Komeito Leader Saito and called for the submission of the necessary bill to the current Diet and for it to be passed, citing that this is an important issue that concerns individual dignity and human rights.
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President Trump posts photo of himself and Minister Akazawa on social media, smiling side by side
2025-04-17 11:42:00
On the evening of the 16th, President Trump posted a photo on his social media with Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa, who visited Washington for negotiations on tariff measures. The photo shows President Trump and Minister Akazawa sitting side by side in chairs in the Oval Office of the White House, smiling.
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Minister Akazawa meets with President Trump and strongly demands review of measures during ministerial negotiations
2025-04-17 11:29:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa met with President Trump and held ministerial negotiations, where he strongly urged a review. The two sides agreed to reach an agreement as soon as possible and to aim for an announcement between the leaders, and to proceed with scheduling so that the next round of negotiations can be held within this month.
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Party leader debate scheduled for the 23rd - Prime Minister Ishiba and the leaders of the three opposition parties will attend, and the ruling and opposition parties will reach an agreement.
2025-04-17 11:00:00
The ruling and opposition parties have agreed that the party leaders' debate scheduled for next week on the 23rd will be attended by Prime Minister Ishiba and the leaders of the three opposition parties.
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[Breaking News] Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa completes ministerial negotiations on "Trump tariffs"
2025-04-17 10:19:00
Regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa, who is visiting Washington, held talks with Treasury Secretary Bessent and others after meeting with President Trump. It is believed that he strongly urged the measures to be reviewed, and also listened to the requests of the US side to gauge their response.
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[Breaking News] Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa completes ministerial negotiations on "Trump tariffs"
2025-04-17 09:58:00
Regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa, who is visiting Washington, held talks with Treasury Secretary Bessent and others after meeting with President Trump. It is believed that he strongly urged the measures to be reviewed, and also listened to the requests of the US side to gauge their response.
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"Trump tariffs" first Japan-US negotiations to begin on the morning of the 17th Japan time
2025-04-17 09:55:00
Regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa arrived in Washington on the night of the 16th and will take part in the first Japan-US negotiations on the morning of the 17th. He will strongly urge a review of the measures, and will listen to the US demands and identify areas of negotiation that will not harm Japan's national interests. Meanwhile, President Trump posted on his social media on the morning of the 16th, "Japan will be visiting the US today to negotiate on tariffs, trade fairness, etc. I will be attending the meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce," expressing his hope that the negotiations will go well for both Japan and the US.
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Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities April 16, 2025
2025-04-17 09:19:00
(Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities April 16, 2025) 08:11 Departure from the official residence on foot 08:12 Arrival at the official residence 08:27 Meeting with Parliamentary Vice-Ministers (until 08:43) 08:50 Meeting with Director-General of the Ministry of Defense's Development Planning Bureau Aoyagi Hajime (until 09:25) 09:30 Meeting with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sato Fumitoshi, Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakata Wataru, Secretary-General of the Cabinet Secretariat's New Regional Economy and Living Environment Creation Headquarters Ebihara Satoshi, Administrative Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Takeuchi Yoshiaki, Administrative Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Iida Yuji, Counselor for Promoting the Transition to a Carbon-Free Economic Structure Tatsuzaki Takatsugu, and Deputy Commissioner-General of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Hatakeyama Yojiro (until 10:05) 10:20 Meetings with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sato, Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakata, Secretary-General of the Cabinet Secretariat's Headquarters for Creating New Regional Economies and Living Environments Ebiwara, and Vice-Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Ihara Kazuto (until 11:00) 11:01 Meetings with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sato, Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakata, Cabinet Public Relations Secretary Kobayashi Maki, METI Administrative Vice-Minister Iida, and Deputy Director-General for Policy Planning Motegi Tadashi (until 11:30) 13:50 Meetings with Director-General of the Research Promotion Bureau of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Shiomi Mizue, and Director-General of the Commerce and Information Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Nohara Satoshi (until 14:13) 15:00 Telephone talk with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar (until 15:25) 15:36 Telephone talk with French President Macron (until 16:13) 16:15 Courtesy call from Congressman DeGette of the U.S. Congressional Japan Study Group and others (until 16:42) 17:07 Meets with Director-General of the National Security Secretariat Okano Masataka, Cabinet Intelligence Director-General Hara Kazuya, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Foreign Policy Bureau Kawabe Masahiro, Director-General of the Ministry of Defense's Defense Policy Bureau Yamato Taro, and Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Yoshihide Yoshida (until 17:30). 17:38 Meets with Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Nagashima Akihisa (until 18:08). Departs the Prime Minister's Official Residence at 18:56 and arrives at The Okura Tokyo hotel in Toranomon, Tokyo at 19:02. At the banquet hall "Lumiere," former LDP member of the House of Representatives Eto Seijiro dines with female business leaders, including Sakura Golf Club President Sagawa Yaeko. 21:18 Leaves the same place. 21:24 Arrives at the official residence. 22:16 Meets with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa, Director-General of the National Security Council Okano, Administrative Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Funakoshi Takehiro, and Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau Arima Yutaka. 22:30 Joins Director-General of the International Bureau of the Ministry of Finance Tsuchiya Akihiro. 23:45 Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi leaves. 23:48 Everyone leaves.
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[Breaking News] Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa completes ministerial negotiations on "Trump tariffs"
2025-04-17 09:14:00
Regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa, who is visiting Washington, held talks with Treasury Secretary Bessent and others after meeting with President Trump. It is believed that he strongly urged the measures to be reviewed, and also listened to the requests of the US side to gauge their response.
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[Breaking News] Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa completes ministerial negotiations on "Trump tariffs"
2025-04-17 08:04:00
Regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa, who is visiting Washington, held talks with Treasury Secretary Bessent and others after meeting with President Trump. It is believed that he strongly urged the measures to be reviewed, and also listened to the requests of the US side to gauge their response.
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[Breaking News] Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa begins ministerial negotiations on "Trump tariffs"
2025-04-17 07:13:00
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa, who is visiting Washington, has been negotiating with Treasury Secretary Bessent and others regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration. He is expected to strongly request a review of the measures, while also carefully listening to the requests of the US side and trying to gauge their response.
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President Trump: "Major developments" on social media after meeting with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa
2025-04-17 06:58:00
After finishing his meeting with Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa regarding tariff measures, U.S. President Trump posted on social media, "I am very honored to have met with the Japanese negotiating team. This is great progress."
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Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa meets with President Trump ahead of Japan-US negotiations
2025-04-17 06:31:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa will soon hold his first Japan-US negotiations, and while he will strongly request a review of the measures, he intends to carefully listen to the content of the US demands and seek a response. Minister Akazawa also met with President Trump at the White House prior to the negotiations.
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"Trump tariffs" first Japan-US negotiations to begin on the morning of the 17th Japan time
2025-04-17 00:14:00
Regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa arrived in Washington on the night of the 16th and will take part in the first Japan-US negotiations on the morning of the 17th. He will strongly urge a review of the measures, and will listen to the US demands and identify areas of negotiation that will not harm Japan's national interests. Meanwhile, President Trump posted on his social media on the morning of the 16th, "Japan will be visiting the US today to negotiate on tariffs, trade fairness, etc. I will be attending the meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce," expressing his hope that the negotiations will go well for both Japan and the US.
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