2025-05-19 21:37:00
Following reports of allegations of power harassment against her secretary, Constitutional Democratic Party Senator Mizuno Motoko has indicated that she will not run in the Kanagawa constituency in the upcoming House of Councillors election this summer.
2025-05-19 20:19:00
In response to Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda's comment that he felt the LDP's response to fiscal discipline was politically charged, LDP Secretary-General Moriyama countered, "We have always recognized the importance of fiscal discipline and have worked on a variety of important policies."
2025-05-19 19:32:00
Prime Minister Ishiba revealed at a meeting of the LDP executive committee that Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa is making arrangements to visit the United States this week for a third round of ministerial negotiations regarding U.S. tariff measures.
2025-05-19 19:17:00
In a speech given in Saga City on the 18th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Eto said in relation to the continuing high prices of rice, "I have never bought rice. But supporters give me a lot of rice. I have so much in my food storage that I could sell it."
2025-05-19 18:54:00
Regarding bills related to pension system reform, Constitutional Democratic Party Deputy Leader Nagatsuma stated his party's thinking on amendments to the LDP on the 20th, and indicated his desire to begin concrete discussions.
2025-05-19 18:16:00
Following reports that Nissan Motor's proposed plan to reduce its factories in an effort to restructure its business included two factories in Kanagawa Prefecture, including the Oppama factory, the prefecture held an emergency meeting on the 19th to discuss future responses.
2025-05-19 18:10:00
In a speech given in Saga City on the 18th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Eto said in relation to the continuing high prices of rice, "I have never bought rice. But supporters give me a lot of rice. I have so much in my food storage that I could sell it."
2025-05-19 16:03:00
Regarding the handling of the consumption tax, Komeito leader Saito indicated that lowering the reduced tax rate on food items to 5% would be one option.
2025-05-19 15:36:00
The Diet held an intensive deliberation in the House of Councillors Budget Committee. Concerning the bills related to pension system reform, the Constitutional Democratic Party criticized the bills as insufficient because measures to raise the basic pension were not included. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba stated that discussions on measures to raise the basic pension would continue, and asked for understanding that the bills contain necessary content for pension reform. In addition, as discussions between the ruling and opposition parties over the handling of the consumption tax become more active, he expressed the view that it is not appropriate to cut taxes and cover the costs of social security with government bonds, as these expenses are also increasing.
2025-05-19 14:50:00
Regarding the handling of the consumption tax, Kamiya, leader of the Democratic Party, stated that reducing taxes only on food items would not necessarily result in lower prices, and that the tax rate should be reduced uniformly or abolished.
2025-05-19 13:33:00
Regarding the option of optional separate surnames for married couples, the Japan Restoration Party has submitted a bill to the Diet that, rather than introducing a new system, stipulates that maiden surnames would be recorded on family registers and that they would be allowed to use maiden surnames as common names even after marriage.
2025-05-19 13:15:00
In a speech given in Saga City on the 18th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Eto said in relation to the continuing high prices of rice, "I have never bought rice. But supporters give me a lot of rice. I have so much in my food storage that I could sell it."
2025-05-19 12:08:00
The Diet held an intensive deliberation in the House of Councillors Budget Committee. Regarding the bill related to pension system reform, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan criticized the bill for being insufficient as the measure to raise the basic pension was not included. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba said that discussions would continue on the measure to raise the basic pension, and asked for understanding that the bill included the necessary contents for pension reform.
2025-05-19 12:06:00
In a speech at a political fundraising party held by the Saga Prefectural LDP in Saga City on the 18th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Taku Eto commented on the topic of stockpiled rice, "I have never bought rice. Supporters give me a lot of rice. I have so much in my food storage that I could sell it."
2025-05-19 10:16:00
(Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities, May 18, 2025) 12:49 Departs from the official residence. 13:38 Arrives at Yatabe East Parking Area on the Joban Expressway in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. Takes a break. Takes a photograph with users. 13:57 Departs from the same location. 14:07 Arrives at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology's Global Research Center for Business Development of Quantum and AI Fusion Technology, a national research and development agency, in Tsukuba. Center Director Masu Kazuya and others give an overview of the facility. Tours a quantum computer. Accompanied by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto Yoshiharu. 14:42 Roundtable discussion with quantum computer company representatives. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto also in attendance (until 15:38). 15:46 Attends the center's opening ceremony and gives speeches. Ribbon cutting. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto also in attendance (until 16:05). 16:11 Interviews with media outlets (until 16:18). 16:19 Departs from the same location. 18:24 Arrives at the official residence.
2025-05-19 05:17:00
With just over a month left in the Diet session, the government and ruling parties plan to pass bills related to pension system reform within the session. On the other hand, the opposition parties are preparing to step up their pursuit of the government's pension system reform and measures to combat rising prices, and the debate is expected to intensify toward the end of the session.
