2025-05-03 19:42:00
May 3rd is Constitution Memorial Day, marking the 78th anniversary of the enactment of the Japanese Constitution. In a public opinion poll conducted by NHK, when people were asked whether they thought the current constitution needed to be revised, 39% answered "I think it needs to be revised," 17% answered "I don't think it needs to be revised," and 39% answered "I can't say either way."
2025-05-03 19:33:00
May 3rd is Constitution Memorial Day. A rally calling for constitutional reform was held in Tokyo, where Prime Minister Ishiba, who is also the president of the Liberal Democratic Party, stated in a video message that of the four items in the party's proposed amendments, he would prioritize "emergency response" and "clarifying the existence of the Self-Defense Forces." In addition, at a rally held by a civic group that advocates for the constitution, leaders of the four opposition parties attended and argued that the constitutional amendment to create an emergency clause, as advocated by the Liberal Democratic Party and others, should not be approved.
2025-05-03 19:28:00
Regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration, Prime Minister Ishiba instructed Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi to proceed with the review promptly and thoroughly in order to make further progress in the next Japan-U.S. negotiations. On the other hand, he expressed his intention to continue to request a review, saying that it is extremely regrettable that a measure to impose an additional 25% tariff on major auto parts was imposed.
2025-05-03 19:05:00
Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa returned to Japan on the 3rd after completing the second round of Japan-U.S. negotiations regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration. He stated that constructive discussions toward an agreement had been held, and that he would continue to strongly urge the repeal of a series of measures, including on automobiles.
2025-05-03 17:19:00
Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa returned to Japan on the 3rd after completing the second round of Japan-U.S. negotiations regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration. He stated that constructive discussions toward an agreement had been held, and that he would continue to strongly urge the repeal of a series of measures, including on automobiles.
2025-05-03 13:04:00
Former Prime Minister Kishida of the Liberal Democratic Party departed Narita Airport on the morning of the 3rd to exchange views with the leaders of Indonesia and Malaysia regarding a plan to work with Southeast Asian countries and others to achieve both decarbonization and economic growth.
2025-05-03 12:01:00
In a special NHK program celebrating Constitution Day, leaders of the ruling and opposition parties responsible for electoral system reform exchanged opinions on how social media should be used in elections and whether it should be regulated.
2025-05-03 11:03:00
The second round of Japan-US negotiations following the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration has been agreed to proceed with coordination to hold the next ministerial negotiations after the middle of this month. Prime Minister Ishiba will receive a detailed report from Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa, who will return to Japan on the 3rd, and will work out a strategy for future negotiations.
2025-05-03 05:20:00
The second round of Japan-US negotiations following the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration has been agreed to proceed with coordination to hold the next ministerial negotiations after the middle of this month. Prime Minister Ishiba will receive a detailed report from Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa, who will return to Japan on the 3rd, and will work out a strategy for future negotiations.
2025-05-03 05:01:00
On the 3rd, Constitution Memorial Day, the Constitution of Japan marked its 78th year since its enactment. In April, opinions were exchanged in the Diet on how the spread of false information through social media could affect the national referendum on constitutional reform, becoming a new point of contention.
2025-05-03 00:16:00
Foreign Minister Iwaki, who is visiting France, met with Foreign Minister Barrot on the evening of the 2nd (Japan time) and confirmed that the two countries will continue to work closely together to address challenges facing the international community, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and discussed future responses in light of the impact of the U.S. tariff measures.
2025-05-03 00:01:00
On the occasion of Constitution Memorial Day, each political party issued statements and speeches.
