2025-05-12 22:29:00
A draft outline of a report was presented at a government panel of experts preparing to establish a Disaster Prevention Agency, listing measures the new organization should take on, such as formulating cross-sectoral disaster prevention plans and building a coordination system in the event of a disaster.
2025-05-12 20:24:00
The government is making arrangements to send Liberal Democratic Party Chief Advisor Taro Aso to a mass celebrating the inauguration of the newly elected Pope, Leo XIV.
2025-05-12 20:20:00
In preparation for the House of Councillors election this summer, LDP Secretary-General Moriyama began holding discussions with mid-ranking and young members of the House of Representatives on the 12th in order to encourage members of both houses to work together to prepare for the election.
2025-05-12 19:29:00
The approval ratings for each party in May were as follows: 26.4% for the Liberal Democratic Party, 7.6% for the Constitutional Democratic Party, 2.6% for the Japan Restoration Party, 3.7% for the Komeito Party, 7.2% for the Democratic Party for the People, 2.6% for the Communist Party, 2.5% for the Reiwa Shinsengumi Party, 1.5% for the Sabaku To Party, 0.8% for the Japan Conservative Party, 0.3% for the Social Democratic Party, and 38.2% for "I don't support any particular political party."
2025-05-12 19:07:00
The Diet held an intensive debate in the House of Representatives Budget Committee. In response to the Constitutional Democratic Party's request for a temporary reduction in the consumption tax rate on food products in response to high prices, Prime Minister Ishiba stated, "I don't think it's okay to only take the best parts of the discussion," and indicated his intention to consider effective measures in light of the country's severe fiscal situation. In response to repeated requests from the opposition parties to reduce the consumption tax rate in response to high prices, Prime Minister Ishiba stated, "It's irresponsible to only talk about tax cuts," and indicated his view that discussions should take into account factors such as the impact on social security.
2025-05-12 19:00:00
According to an NHK opinion poll, the number of people who said they "support" the Ishiba Cabinet was 33%, down two points from the April survey, while those who said they "do not support" it was up three points to 48%.
2025-05-12 17:24:00
The LDP and CDP Diet Affairs Committee chairpersons met and agreed to hold a debate between Prime Minister Ishiba and the opposition party leaders on the 21st. LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chairperson Ishii and CDP Diet Affairs Committee Chairperson Saito met on the afternoon of the 12th.
2025-05-12 16:25:00
The Diet held an intensive debate in the House of Representatives Budget Committee. In response to the Constitutional Democratic Party's request for a temporary reduction in the consumption tax rate on food products in response to high prices, Prime Minister Ishiba stated, "I don't think it's okay to only take the best parts of the discussion," and indicated his intention to consider effective measures in light of the country's severe fiscal situation. In response to repeated requests from the opposition parties to reduce the consumption tax rate in response to high prices, Prime Minister Ishiba stated, "It's irresponsible to only talk about tax cuts," and indicated his view that discussions should take into account factors such as the impact on social security.
2025-05-12 15:54:00
Regarding Komeito's economic measures, Chairman Saito stated that there are opinions within the party calling for a reduction in the reduced consumption tax rate on food items, and reiterated his intention to clearly state alternative sources of funding if tax cuts are proposed.
2025-05-12 12:15:00
Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa met with Governor Hasi of Ishikawa Prefecture regarding the US tariff measures. Governor Hasi requested that the measures be reviewed, citing concerns about the impact on the reconstruction of businesses affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Minister Akazawa conveyed his intention to enter into negotiations, taking into account the situation in the region.
2025-05-12 12:03:00
The Diet held an intensive discussion in the House of Representatives Budget Committee. Regarding measures to combat rising prices, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan called for a temporary reduction in the consumption tax rate on food. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba said, "I don't think it's good to only take the good parts," and indicated his intention to consider effective measures in light of the country's severe financial situation.
2025-05-12 08:48:00
(Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities May 9-11, 2025) (May 11, 2025) 06:51 Departure from the official residence 07:06 Arrival at Fuji TV in Odaiba, Tokyo 07:36 Appearance on a news program (until 08:23) 08:31 Departure from the same location 08:45 Arrival at the official residence 13:57 Summit meeting with Chilean President Boric (until 15:12) 15:13 Seeing off President Boric (until 15:15) 15:22 Meeting with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tachibana Keiichiro (until 17:25) 18:08 Departure from the official residence 18:11 Arrival at the House of Representatives members' accommodation in Akasaka, Tokyo (May 10, 2025) 18:17 Departure from the official residence 18:27 Arrival at the teppanyaki restaurant "Ginza Ukai-tei" in Ginza, Tokyo. Dined with Yanai Mitsuko, president of Yamaichi Industries, and others. His wife Yoshiko was also present. 20:54 Departure from the same place 21:03 Arrival at the Prime Minister's Office (May 9, 2025) 08:06 Departure on foot from the Prime Minister's Office 08:07 Arrival at the Prime Minister's Office 08:21 Cabinet meeting (until 08:28) 08:30 Meeting with Minister of Economic Revitalization Akimasa Akazawa (until 08:40) 10:12 Departure from the Prime Minister's Office 10:20 Arrival at the Imperial Palace. Grand Cordon Ceremony 10:58 Departure from the Imperial Palace 11:06 Arrival at the Prime Minister's Office 12:38 Meeting with former Komeito Party Chairman Natsuo Yamaguchi (until 12:58) 13:29 Meeting with LDP Election Campaign Committee Chairman Seiji Kihara (until 13:45) 13:57 Departure from the Prime Minister's Office 14:08 Arrival at the Imperial Palace. Shigemitsu Order of Merit presentation ceremony 14:29 Depart Imperial Palace 14:39 Arrive at Prime Minister's Office 15:52 Depart Prime Minister's Office 15:53 Arrive in Diet Building 15:54 Enter House of Representatives Committee Room 17 16:00 Attend House of Representatives Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 17:03 House of Representatives Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology adjourned 17:04 Leave committee room 17:05 Depart Diet Building 17:07 Arrive at Prime Minister's Office 17:15 Meets with Director-General of National Security Secretariat Okano Masatake and Cabinet Intelligence Director Hara Kazuya (until 17:29) 17:30 Meets with Cabinet Intelligence Director Hara (until 17:35) 17:37 Depart Prime Minister's Office 17:41 Arrive at The Okura Tokyo hotel in Toranomon, Tokyo. Attended the spring decorations celebration for IOC (International Olympic Committee) President Bach and others at the banquet hall "Orchard" 18:00 Departs from the same place 18:05 Arrives at the House of Representatives Second Members' Building 18:10 Met with local business leaders (until 18:20) 18:54 Departs from the same place 19:01 Arrives at Hotel New Otani in Kioicho, Tokyo. Dined with former U.S. Ambassador and Japan Institute of International Affairs President Kenichiro Sasae, Director General of the National Security Council Okano and others at the Western restaurant "Bella Vista" 21:20 Departs from the same place 21:29 Arrives at the House of Representatives Members' Accommodation in Akasaka, Tokyo 21:48 Departs from the House of Representatives Members' Accommodation 21:52 Arrives at the Official Residence
2025-05-12 06:20:00
The ruling and opposition parties are in a lively debate over how to handle the consumption tax. This issue, including what the tax rate should be and what alternative revenue sources would be needed if the tax were to be reduced, is expected to be one of the main points of contention in the House of Councillors election this summer.
2025-05-12 05:06:00
The government plans to accelerate preparations for the third round of Japan-U.S. negotiations over the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration. In the negotiations, the Japanese side has proposed formulating a plan to advance cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, and specific coordination is expected to take place with the U.S. side.
