Political News(2025/05/23)
Agriculture Minister Koizumi: Retail price of stockpiled rice to be set at 2,000 yen for 5 kg through discretionary contract
2025-05-23 23:02:00
On the 23rd, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi appeared on NHK's "News Watch 9" and revealed his intention to make the price of stockpiled rice at stores 2,000 yen for 5 kilograms through sales by discretionary contract. In response to questions from reporters after the appearance, he revealed that from now on, retailers will be asked to apply for the necessary amount every week, and that the government is considering covering the transportation costs.
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Prime Minister Ishiba visits children's cafeteria and expresses his intention to strengthen support
2025-05-23 22:18:00
On the evening of the 23rd, Prime Minister Ishiba visited a children's cafeteria in Tokyo and stated his intention to strengthen support for the cafeteria, stating that it is not only a place for children from financially disadvantaged families, but also a place where the seniors involved in running it can find meaning in life.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: Retail price of stockpiled rice to be set at 2,000 yen for 5 kg through discretionary contract
2025-05-23 21:49:00
On the 23rd, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi appeared on NHK's "News Watch 9" and revealed his intention to make the price of stockpiled rice at stores 2,000 yen for 5 kilograms through sales by discretionary contract. He said that the amount to be released would be 300,000 tons initially, and that if there is further demand, he would consider releasing it without restrictions.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: Retail price of stockpiled rice to be set at 2,000 yen for 5 kg through discretionary contract
2025-05-23 21:15:00
On the 23rd, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi appeared on NHK's "News Watch 9" and revealed his intention to sell stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts so that the retail price in stores would be around 2,000 yen for 5 kilograms.
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Former Prime Minister Kishida: "We need to consider the nature of the coalition in light of the results of the House of Councillors election"
2025-05-23 20:12:00
Former Prime Minister Kishida of the Liberal Democratic Party stated that the situation of the ruling party remaining in a minority position in the House of Representatives, which will fall short of a majority even after the House of Councillors election this summer, will not change, and he expressed the view that it is necessary to consider the nature of the coalition government as well, taking into account the election results.
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Prime Minister Ishiba on constitutional reform: "Parts that do not fit the current situation must be reconsidered decisively"
2025-05-23 19:34:00
Regarding constitutional reform, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized his intention to work towards its realization, saying it is important to decisively review any parts that are not in line with the current situation or that are lacking.
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Citizens outline bill on separate surnames for married couples: Children will take the surname of the "head of household" if they have separate surnames
2025-05-23 18:30:00
Regarding the option of separate surnames for married couples, the Democratic Party for the People has drawn up the outline of a bill which, assuming the current family registration system would remain in place, provides that if a couple chooses to have different surnames, one of them would be designated as the head of the family register at the time of marriage and that their children would also have the same surname.
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LDP Tax System Research Council Study Session on the Treatment of Consumption Tax
2025-05-23 17:59:00
The Liberal Democratic Party's Tax System Research Council held a study session on the treatment of the consumption tax, where some opinions were expressed that lowering the tax rate was necessary as a measure to combat rising prices, while others pointed out that it could lead to people refraining from purchasing, causing economic turmoil.
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LDP Diet Members Call on Prime Minister Ishiba to "Reflect Price Increases in Medical Fee Revisions"
2025-05-23 17:55:00
Citing the fact that medical institutions are facing difficult financial situations due to rising prices, a group of Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers has called on Prime Minister Ishiba to reflect rising wages and prices in the revision of medical fees.
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Third round of US-Japan tariff negotiations: what are the bargaining chips?
2025-05-23 17:42:00
Regarding the tariff measures taken by the Trump administration, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa will arrive in Washington on the night of the 23rd to attend ministerial negotiations. At the negotiations scheduled for the early hours of the 24th Japan time, he plans to once again strongly request a review of the series of measures, carefully listen to the arguments of the US side, and seek common ground.
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LDP Tax System Research Council Study Session on the Treatment of Consumption Tax
2025-05-23 17:07:00
The Liberal Democratic Party's Tax System Research Council held a study session on the treatment of the consumption tax, where some opinions were expressed that lowering the tax rate was necessary as a measure to combat rising prices, while others pointed out that it could lead to people refraining from purchasing, causing economic turmoil.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi visits supermarket, says stockpiled rice will be "in the 2,000 yen range by early next month"
2025-05-23 17:00:00
As rice prices continue to rise, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 23rd that preparations are underway to have government stockpiled rice available on supermarket shelves as early as early June for around 2,000 yen per 5 kilograms.
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The LDP, Komeito and Nippon Ishin no Kai share the idea of reducing medical expenses by 1 trillion yen by cutting 110,000 beds to reduce insurance premium burdens
2025-05-23 16:14:00
A working-level meeting was held between the Liberal Democratic Party, the Komeito Party and the Japan Restoration Party regarding social security reform, and the parties shared the idea that by reducing the number of hospital beds nationwide by approximately 110,000, in order to reduce insurance premium burdens, it is expected that medical expenses will be reduced by around 1 trillion yen.
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House of Representatives Budget Committee votes by majority to summon Shimomura as witness over political funding issue
2025-05-23 15:38:00
Regarding the political funding issue of the LDP faction, the House of Representatives Budget Committee voted by a majority to call in former Abe faction leader and former Policy Research Council Chairman Shimomura as a reference person. The LDP opposed the request.
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Japan-U.S. negotiations over tariff measures: Adjustments made with proposal including Nippon Steel's huge investment
2025-05-23 15:14:00
In the Japan-US negotiations over US tariff measures, the Japanese side is making adjustments to present a future investment plan for Japanese companies in the US, including trillions of yen in investments related to Nippon Steel's plan to acquire US Steel, a major American steelmaker. The Japanese side hopes to emphasize its commitment to contributing to the US economy, including Nippon Steel's huge investment, and use this to lead to a review of tariff measures.
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Child and Family Agency to "improve with AI and other tools" consultation service for bullying and school refusal
2025-05-23 14:40:00
A project team at the Agency for Children and Families, which is examining support measures for children suffering from bullying and school refusal, has compiled an interim report stating that it is necessary to improve consultation services, including by utilizing social media and AI, so that children can confide their concerns regardless of time or place.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi meets with Rakuten's Mikitani to explore options for selling stockpiled rice online
2025-05-23 13:57:00
As rice prices continue to soar, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 23rd that preparations are underway to have government stockpiled rice available in supermarkets and other stores as early as early June for around 2,000 yen per 5 kg. He also met with Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani and said, "We need to explore various forms of distribution, including online sales, otherwise we won't be able to deliver cheap, delicious rice to as many people as possible."
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House of Representatives Budget Committee votes by majority to summon Shimomura as witness over political funding issue
2025-05-23 13:20:00
Regarding the political funding issue of the LDP faction, the House of Representatives Budget Committee voted by a majority to call in former Abe faction leader and former Policy Research Council Chairman Shimomura as a reference person. The LDP opposed the request.
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Prime Minister Ishiba speaks with President Trump by phone, expressing hope for ministerial negotiations
2025-05-23 13:14:00
Prime Minister Ishiba spoke with U.S. President Trump via telephone and reiterated Japan's position calling for a review of the series of tariff measures, and expressed hope that productive discussions would take place in the ministerial negotiations.
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LDP Research Committee on Educational Support: "Consider whether support for the super-rich is appropriate"
2025-05-23 12:39:00
A Liberal Democratic Party investigative committee that discusses education policy has concluded that it is necessary to consider whether it is appropriate to extend support to the ultra-wealthy, regarding the abolition of income limits on subsidies for private high schools, which was agreed upon by the Liberal Democratic Party, the Komeito Party, and the Japan Restoration Party in February of this year.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi meets with Rakuten's Mikitani to explore options for selling stockpiled rice online
2025-05-23 12:35:00
As rice prices continue to soar, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 23rd that preparations are underway to have government stockpiled rice available in supermarkets and other stores as early as early June for around 2,000 yen per 5 kg. He also met with Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani and said, "We need to explore various forms of distribution, including online sales, otherwise we won't be able to deliver cheap, delicious rice to as many people as possible."
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Prime Minister Ishiba speaks by phone with President Trump to exchange views ahead of cabinet talks
2025-05-23 12:12:00
Prime Minister Ishiba held a telephone conversation with US President Trump on the morning of the 23rd. It is believed that they exchanged views regarding US tariff measures ahead of ministerial negotiations to be held in Washington on the 24th (Japan time).
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi meets with Rakuten's Mikitani to explore options for selling stockpiled rice online
2025-05-23 12:06:00
As rice prices continue to rise, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 23rd that preparations are underway to have government stockpiled rice available on supermarket shelves as early as early June for around 2,000 yen per 5 kilograms.
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Government plans to eliminate illegal immigrants, appealing to countries with high rates of forced deportations
2025-05-23 12:03:00
As part of its efforts to strengthen public safety, the government has drawn up a plan to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in the country to zero, including by strengthening efforts to encourage countries with a large number of foreigners facing deportation to comply with the deportation measures.
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Revised Condominium Ownership Act enacted to facilitate condominium management and revitalization
2025-05-23 11:56:00
As the number of dilapidated apartment buildings continues to increase, the House of Councilors passed and enacted a revised Condominium Act on the 23rd, which includes a review of the requirements for resolutions by management associations in order to facilitate the management and renovation of buildings.
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Law on creating a database of civil court decisions passed in the House of Councillors
2025-05-23 11:55:00
In line with the digitalization of civil court procedures by May of next year, a bill to create a database of subsequent judgments and make them easier to use in legal research and work was passed and enacted in the House of Councillors plenary session on the 23rd with a majority in favor from both the ruling and opposition parties.
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Defense Minister Nakatani: "Thorough safety management" after SDF training plane crash in Aichi
2025-05-23 11:31:00
Regarding the accident in which an Air Self-Defense Force training aircraft crashed into a pond in Aichi Prefecture, in which the deaths of two crew members were confirmed, Defense Minister Nakatani expressed deep regret and indicated his intention to work to determine the cause and prevent a recurrence.
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House of Representatives Budget Committee votes by majority to summon Shimomura as witness over political funding issue
2025-05-23 11:29:00
Regarding the political funding issue of the LDP faction, the House of Representatives Budget Committee voted by a majority to call in former Abe faction leader and former Policy Research Council Chairman Shimomura as a reference person. The LDP opposed the request.
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CDP's draft pledge for the House of Councillors election: "Food consumption tax rate to be 0% for one year in principle, etc."
2025-05-23 11:23:00
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has put together a draft of its campaign pledges for the upcoming House of Councillors election in the summer. The pledges include a reduction in the consumption tax rate on food products to zero percent for one year only, in principle, from April next year, and raising the pension base for the so-called "employment ice age" generation and beyond.
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Minister Akazawa leaves for the US "Strongly urges review of series of measures"
2025-05-23 11:11:00
Regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration, Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa departed from Haneda Airport on the 23rd to attend ministerial negotiations in Washington. Prior to this, he once again strongly called for a review of the series of measures in the negotiations and expressed his intention to seek common ground toward an agreement.
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House of Representatives Budget Committee votes by majority to summon Shimomura as witness over political funding issue
2025-05-23 11:10:00
Regarding the political funding issue of the LDP faction, the House of Representatives Budget Committee voted by a majority to call in former Abe faction leader and former Policy Research Council Chairman Shimomura as a reference person. The LDP opposed the request.
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Prime Minister Ishiba speaks with UN Secretary-General over the phone, "Working together on UN reform, etc."
2025-05-23 10:56:00
Prime Minister Ishiba spoke with UN Secretary-General Guterres over the telephone and conveyed his intention to work together to advance UN reform and other issues as the international community faces many challenges.
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Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations: Minister Akazawa departs to explore common ground for compromise
2025-05-23 10:14:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa will depart for Washington on the 23rd to attend ministerial negotiations. As calls for an early agreement grow stronger due to concerns about the widespread impact on the economy, he plans to once again call for a review of the series of measures and to seek common ground that will lead to compromise between the two sides.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: Stockpiled rice to be "available in stores for around 2,000 yen per 5 kg"
2025-05-23 10:05:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 23rd, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi said about the government's consideration of revising the release of its stockpiled rice to discretionary contracts, "The basic direction at this point is to release it through discretionary contracts so that it can be sold in stores at around 2,000 yen," indicating his intention to proceed with preparations so that stockpiled rice can be sold on store shelves at supermarkets and other stores at around 2,000 yen per 5 kilograms.
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Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities May 22, 2025
2025-05-23 10:03:00
(Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities May 22, 2025)
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LDP, Komeito and Nippon Ishin no Kato to hold talks on reducing number of hospital beds to ease social insurance burden
2025-05-23 07:02:00
In order to realize the three-party agreement between the ruling party and the Japan Restoration Party, Prime Minister Ishiba has instructed the LDP to proceed with the discussions in good faith. On the 23rd, the three parties will hold specific discussions on the number of hospital beds that can be reduced in order to reduce the burden of social insurance premiums.
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Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations: Minister Akazawa departs to explore common ground for compromise
2025-05-23 05:37:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa will depart for Washington on the 23rd to attend ministerial negotiations. As calls for an early agreement grow stronger due to concerns about the widespread impact on the economy, he plans to once again call for a review of the series of measures and to seek common ground that will lead to compromise between the two sides.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi to announce new system for discretionary contracts for stockpiled rice soon
2025-05-23 05:25:00
On the evening of the 22nd, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi told reporters regarding the status of the consideration of selling stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts, "We are putting the final touches on the detailed design of the system. I think we'll be able to make an announcement in the near future," indicating his intention to announce the new system soon.
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