Political News(2025/05/22)
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: Measures to combat rising rice prices: "Speedy results as the public demands"
2025-05-22 21:51:00
On the 22nd, the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Koizumi, gave a speech at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, saying in regards to measures to combat the continuing rise in rice prices, "We will deliver results with the speed that the public wants," and emphasized his intention to have the entire ministry work together to lower rice prices.
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Prime Minister Ishiba to raise minimum wage: "Plan to support with government subsidies, etc."
2025-05-22 20:42:00
In preparation for the increase in the minimum wage this year, Prime Minister Ishiba has announced a policy of providing special support, including government subsidies, to prefectures that raise the minimum wage by an amount that exceeds the guidelines set by a national council.
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LDP lawmakers to discuss reviewing consumption tax exemption system for foreign visitors to Japan
2025-05-22 20:22:00
A study group has been launched by a group of volunteer members of the Liberal Democratic Party to discuss the consumption tax exemption system for foreign visitors to Japan. The group has decided to discuss reviewing the system, including the possibility of abolishing it, in light of the fact that there have been a series of cases in which the system has been misused to make profits through resale.
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Prime Minister Ishiba meets with Hungarian President, agrees to strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas
2025-05-22 19:58:00
Prime Minister Ishiba met with Hungarian President Szyok, who is visiting Japan, and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas.
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Monthly economic report for May: "Economy recovering slowly, but uncertainty persists"
2025-05-22 19:45:00
In its monthly economic report this month, the government maintained its basic assessment of the current economic situation, stating that "the economy is recovering slowly, but there is uncertainty due to factors such as U.S. trade policy."
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Prime Minister Ishiba to raise minimum wage: "Plan to support with government subsidies, etc."
2025-05-22 19:43:00
In preparation for the increase in the minimum wage this year, Prime Minister Ishiba has announced a policy of providing special support, including government subsidies, to prefectures that raise the minimum wage by an amount that exceeds the guidelines set by a national council.
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Akazawa to hold tariff negotiations on 24th: "We will take every precaution to ensure that the change in Agriculture Minister does not affect the negotiations"
2025-05-22 19:37:00
Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa is scheduled to attend ministerial negotiations on the 24th (Japan time) regarding the US tariff measures. He plans to delve deeper into the areas in which the US side showed interest during working-level discussions in the country, leading to a compromise. He also indicated that he will take every possible measure to ensure that the change in the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries does not have any impact.
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Families of North Korean abduction victims meet with Prime Minister Ishiba to report on visit to the U.S.
2025-05-22 18:34:00
On the 22nd, the families of the victims abducted by North Korea, who visited Washington, D.C. from last month to this month, met with Prime Minister Ishiba and then answered questions from reporters.
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Corporate and group donations: "Consider resuming discussions after the House of Councillors elections" says LDP's Tokai
2025-05-22 18:27:00
Regarding the handling of corporate and group donations, former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman and Political Reform Headquarters Chief Tokai expressed the view that in order to hold discussions in a calm environment, consideration should be given to resuming full-scale discussions between the ruling and opposition parties after the House of Councillors election in the summer.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: Measures to combat rising rice prices: "Speedy results as the public demands"
2025-05-22 18:12:00
On the 22nd, the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Koizumi, gave a speech at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, saying in regards to measures to combat the continuing rise in rice prices, "We will deliver results with the speed that the public wants," and emphasized his intention to have the entire ministry work together to lower rice prices.
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One month until the Tokyo Metropolitan Election: 280 candidates set to run, the highest number since the Heisei era
2025-05-22 18:09:00
There is now one month until the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election on the 22nd. According to a summary by NHK, as of the 22nd, 280 candidates are scheduled to run, exceeding the previous 271 candidates, the highest number since the Heisei era, and with the House of Councillors election approaching, a fierce election battle is expected.
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Prime Minister Ishiba instructs LDP, Komeito and Nippon Ishin to proceed with working-level talks in good faith
2025-05-22 17:59:00
Regarding working-level discussions between the LDP, Komeito and the Japan Restoration Party, Prime Minister Ishiba met with LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Onodera and instructed him to proceed in good faith toward realizing the contents of the agreement reached between the three parties, including social security reforms such as reducing insurance premium burdens.
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LDP Research Committee Okinawa Promotion "Realizing a strong economy with a history of hardship in mind"
2025-05-22 17:48:00
The Liberal Democratic Party's investigative committee discussing the promotion of Okinawa has broadly approved a draft proposal that calls for Okinawa to keep in mind the history of hardship, work hard to promote promotion, and aim to realize a strong economy, 80 years after the end of the Battle of Okinawa.
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Pension reform bill: Discussions begin between LDP, Komeito and CDP to amend bill; further discussions to be held next week
2025-05-22 17:38:00
The Liberal Democratic Party, the Komeito Party, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan have begun negotiations to amend the pension system reform bill. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has officially presented the outline of an amendment to include measures to raise the basic pension level, while the ruling party has said it will take the matter back and consider it, and will hold another meeting next week.
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Akazawa to hold tariff negotiations on 24th: "We will take every precaution to ensure that the change in Agriculture Minister does not affect the negotiations"
2025-05-22 17:26:00
Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa is scheduled to attend ministerial negotiations on the 24th (Japan time) regarding the US tariff measures. He plans to delve deeper into the areas in which the US side showed interest during working-level discussions in the country, leading to a compromise. He also indicated that he will take every possible measure to ensure that the change in the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries does not have any impact.
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LDP presents proposal for optional separate surnames for married couples, but lawmakers calling for its introduction oppose it
2025-05-22 17:17:00
A meeting was held within the Liberal Democratic Party to discuss optional separate surnames for married couples, where a proposed "way of thinking" was presented that would encourage the expansion of the use of maiden surnames as common names and that further deliberation be held. However, this was opposed by lawmakers who wanted the system to be introduced, and it was decided that discussions would continue.
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House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee Questioning Expert on Impact of SNS False Information on National Referendums
2025-05-22 16:45:00
The House of Representatives' Committee on the Constitution questioned experts regarding the impact of the spread of false information on social media on the national referendum on constitutional reform, and pointed out the need to impose restrictions on social media operators during the voting period and the importance of fact-checking information.
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Corporate and group donations: "Consider resuming discussions after the House of Councillors elections" says LDP's Tokai
2025-05-22 16:34:00
Regarding the handling of corporate and group donations, former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman and Political Reform Headquarters Chief Tokai expressed the view that in order to hold discussions in a calm environment, consideration should be given to resuming full-scale discussions between the ruling and opposition parties after the House of Councillors election in the summer.
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LDP draft proposal to achieve primary balance surplus "as early as possible by next fiscal year"
2025-05-22 16:16:00
At a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's fiscal policy review headquarters, an executive committee meeting was held and a draft proposal was presented that would give a wider range of time for the target period for achieving a primary balance surplus, setting the target date as early as possible between this fiscal year (2025) and next fiscal year (2026).
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House of Representatives Budget Committee expected to vote tomorrow on political funding issue
2025-05-22 15:42:00
Regarding the political funding issue within the Liberal Democratic Party factions, the opposition parties are calling for the summoning of former Policy Research Council Chairman Shimomura, a former Abe faction executive, as an expert witness, and the matter is expected to be voted on in the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the 23rd.
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Minister Mihara: "The event will be a catalyst for mutual understanding" to realize a society of coexistence
2025-05-22 15:35:00
In order to realize a society of coexistence, the government will hold an event that can be enjoyed by both people with and without disabilities for the first time at the State Guest House in Tokyo in May. Minister Mihara, who is in charge of the event, expressed his desire to use the event as an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding throughout society at large at a preparatory meeting on the 22nd.
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New Agriculture Minister Koizumi "Accepts" to take over duties from former Minister Eto
2025-05-22 14:48:00
The newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Koizumi, took over from his former Minister, Eto, on the afternoon of the 22nd.
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Akazawa to hold tariff negotiations on 24th: "We will take every precaution to ensure that the change in Agriculture Minister does not affect the negotiations"
2025-05-22 14:48:00
Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa is scheduled to attend ministerial negotiations on the 24th (Japan time) regarding the US tariff measures. He plans to delve deeper into the areas in which the US side showed interest during working-level discussions in the country, leading to a compromise. He also indicated that he will take every possible measure to ensure that the change in the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries does not have any impact.
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Prime Minister: "Defense equipment cooperation with other countries is important, and we are actively working on joint development and production"
2025-05-22 14:47:00
Prime Minister Ishiba, speaking in Chiba, said that with the security environment surrounding Japan now being the most severe since the end of the war, cooperation with other countries on defense equipment is important, and he expressed his intention to actively pursue joint development and production.
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National Diet approves personnel proposals for 21 people in 12 agencies, including personnel commissioner
2025-05-22 14:26:00
The personnel proposals for 21 people in 12 institutions that require the consent of the Diet, including the reappointment of National Personnel Authority Chairman Yuko Kawamoto as Personnel Commissioner, were approved at a plenary session of the House of Representatives on the 22nd, and the Diet's consent was obtained.
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Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Democratic Party of Japan, Genba: "Be careful with your comments regarding the no-confidence motion in the future"
2025-05-22 13:52:00
Regarding the comments made by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Koichi Hamada, a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, regarding the handling of the motion of no confidence in the Cabinet, Deputy Speaker Hamada stated his view that he will be more careful with his statements in the future, taking a neutral and fair stance.
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Akazawa to hold tariff negotiations on 24th: "We will take every precaution to ensure that the change in Agriculture Minister does not affect the negotiations"
2025-05-22 13:41:00
Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa is scheduled to attend ministerial negotiations on the 24th (Japan time) regarding the US tariff measures. He plans to delve deeper into the areas in which the US side showed interest during working-level discussions in the country, leading to a compromise. He also indicated that he will take every possible measure to ensure that the change in the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries does not have any impact.
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Government finalizes plan to "recycle" decontaminated soil on Prime Minister's official site
2025-05-22 13:36:00
It has been learned that the government is making final adjustments to recycle soil with low levels of radioactive material removed during decontamination work at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant after the accident for use in public works projects, etc., on the grounds of the Prime Minister's Official Residence. This is expected to be the first such project in the country, and the government hopes to use this opportunity to promote the use of the soil in public works projects across the country.
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Regarding pension reform bill, LDP-Komeito and CDP will hold revision talks next week
2025-05-22 13:09:00
The Liberal Democratic Party, the Komeito Party, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan have begun negotiations to amend the pension system reform bill. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has officially presented the outline of an amendment to include measures to raise the basic pension level, while the ruling party has said it will take the matter back and consider it, and will hold another meeting next week.
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Government to compile outline of basic plan for 10-year initiative to realize regional revitalization
2025-05-22 13:01:00
Toward the realization of regional revitalization, the government has drawn up a basic plan for intensive efforts over the next 10 years, which includes creating attractive workplaces in regional areas that will appeal to young people and women, and encouraging companies to relocate their headquarters to regional areas.
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LDP presents proposal for optional separate surnames for married couples, but lawmakers calling for its introduction oppose it
2025-05-22 12:57:00
A meeting was held within the Liberal Democratic Party to discuss optional separate surnames for married couples, where a proposal was presented that called for expanding the use of maiden surnames as common names and for further deliberation. However, this was opposed by lawmakers who wanted the system to be introduced, and it was decided that the discussions would continue.
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Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities May 21, 2025
2025-05-22 10:35:00
(Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities May 21, 2025)
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Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa to hold ministerial talks on 24th, aiming for compromise in areas of interest to the US
2025-05-22 05:24:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa is scheduled to attend ministerial negotiations on the 24th (Japan time). He hopes to dig deeper into the areas in which the US side has shown interest during working-level discussions in the country and to reach a compromise.
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Pension reform bill to be amended by LDP, Komeito and CDP in one month until end of session
2025-05-22 05:19:00
The Liberal Democratic Party, the Komeito Party, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan will begin negotiations on amendments to the pension system reform bill on the 22nd. With one month left until the end of the Diet session, the focus will be on whether they can reach an agreement on how to handle the measures to raise the basic pension level, which were omitted from the government's bill.
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Government and ruling party appoint Koizumi as agriculture minister, aiming to restore trust by stabilizing rice prices
2025-05-22 04:40:00
Prime Minister Ishiba appointed Shinjiro Koizumi of the Liberal Democratic Party as the successor to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, who resigned over his remarks regarding rice. While the government and ruling parties hope to restore trust by stabilizing rice prices, the opposition parties plan to question the government's response while observing price trends.
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New Agriculture Minister Koizumi: Can "discretionary contract for stockpiled rice" lead to price reduction?
2025-05-22 04:38:00
As rice prices continue to soar, the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Koizumi, indicated his intention to cancel the "competitive bidding" for stockpiled rice scheduled for next week and to consider selling it through a "discretionary contract." However, there are many issues to be addressed in implementing a discreet contract, such as deciding which company to sell to and the price, and the focus is on whether the review can be carried out quickly and lead to a drop in rice prices.
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