Political News(2025/05/27)
Agriculture Minister Koizumi suspends purchase requests for stockpiled rice "up to planned amount"
2025-05-27 23:55:00
On the evening of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his social media accounts and announced that the government would temporarily suspend accepting applications for the sale of stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts, stating that the government has been inundated with applications from retailers and that the limit for the sale of stockpiled rice for the 2022 harvest is expected to be reached.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi suspends purchase requests for stockpiled rice "up to planned amount"
2025-05-27 23:03:00
On the evening of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his social media accounts and announced that the government would temporarily suspend accepting applications for the sale of stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts, stating that the government has been inundated with applications from retailers and that the limit for the sale of stockpiled rice for the 2022 harvest is expected to be reached.
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In cooperation with the "Reiwa Provisional Council," Diet members make proposals on political reform, social security, etc.
2025-05-27 22:53:00
A group of Diet members from both ruling and opposition parties working with the Reiwa Provisional Council, whose members are experts from various fields, presented the results of their discussions on what political reform and social security should look like, and made specific recommendations.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi suspends purchase requests for stockpiled rice "up to planned amount"
2025-05-27 22:17:00
On the evening of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his SNS and announced that, as the planned amount of rice for the Reiwa 4 harvest is expected to reach its upper limit for the sale of stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts, applications for purchases of both the Reiwa 3 and Reiwa 4 harvests will be temporarily suspended. In this regard, Minister Koizumi stated, "We have been flooded with applications since this afternoon, and it appears that the total amount for the Reiwa 4 harvest will reach 200,000 tons. Applications from here on will be for Reiwa 3 rice, so we will suspend acceptance for the time being and resume after confirming whether or not you are okay with Reiwa 3 rice."
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "More than 30 companies have applied to purchase stockpiled rice" - Delivery to begin as early as the 29th
2025-05-27 20:22:00
On the night of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his social media accounts regarding the sale of government stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts. In the post, he wrote, "Update on discretionary contract for stockpiled rice. Over 30 companies have applied, about 150,000 tons," revealing that over 30 companies have applied to purchase. He then wrote in another post, "Next, we plan to target local rice shops and small and medium-sized supermarkets. First round: major retailers. Second round: small and medium-sized supermarkets and local rice shops. We will be flexible in our response," indicating his intention to expand the scope of sales through discretionary contracts to include small and medium-sized supermarkets, provided that they handle over 10,000 tons per year.
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National Governors Association "Concerned about impact of tariff measures on local areas" calls for persistent negotiations
2025-05-27 20:13:00
Regarding the U.S. tariff measures, Miyagi Governor Murai, who serves as chairman of the National Governors' Association, called in discussions with the government for persistent negotiations toward a review, citing concerns about the impact on local industries.
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In response to rising prices, Komeito Secretary-General Nishida says "Payments should be funded with increased tax revenues"
2025-05-27 20:10:00
In response to rising prices and the tariff measures taken by the Trump administration in the United States, Komeito Secretary-General Nishida stated at a press conference that he intends to call for the implementation of cash and other handouts funded by increased tax revenues.
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Shimomura: "Conveyed the call for former Prime Minister Abe and accounting officers to resume refunds"
2025-05-27 19:34:00
Regarding the political funding issue of the LDP faction, former Abe faction executive and former Policy Research Council Chairman Shimomura revealed in a witness summoned to the House of Representatives Budget Committee that after the refunds were canceled in the former Abe faction, he told the faction chairman, former Prime Minister Abe, and the accounting officer that there were voices calling for the resumption of the refunds from his faction. However, he stated that he was not aware that he had ever ordered the resumption of the refunds.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "More than 30 companies have applied to purchase stockpiled rice" - Delivery to begin as early as the 29th
2025-05-27 19:34:00
On the night of the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi updated his social media accounts regarding the sale of government stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts. In the post, he wrote, "Update on discretionary contract for stockpiled rice. Over 30 companies have applied, about 150,000 tons," revealing that over 30 companies have applied to purchase. He then wrote in another post, "Next, we plan to target local rice shops and small and medium-sized supermarkets. First round: major retailers. Second round: small and medium-sized supermarkets and local rice shops. We will be flexible in our response," indicating his intention to expand the scope of sales through discretionary contracts to include small and medium-sized supermarkets, provided that they handle over 10,000 tons per year.
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Governor Yamaguchi and others promote Saga's "Nabeshima ware" by presenting a vase to Prime Minister Ishiba
2025-05-27 18:48:00
In an effort to promote Saga Prefecture's Nabeshima ware pottery, Governor Yamaguchi and others visited the Prime Minister's Official Residence and presented Prime Minister Ishiba with a vase decorated with a snow-covered pine tree and other images.
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LDP's Takaichi urges Prime Minister Ishiba to "consider establishing anti-espionage legislation"
2025-05-27 18:31:00
In order to strengthen security measures, the LDP's former Minister of Economic Security Takaichi and others handed over a proposal to Prime Minister Ishiba. They call for the consideration of establishing laws to combat espionage, arguing that Japan's measures against espionage are insufficient compared to other countries.
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Prime Minister Ishiba meets with Icelandic President, agreeing to concrete cooperation on security and other issues
2025-05-27 18:30:00
Prime Minister Ishiba met with Icelandic President Tomasdottir, who is visiting Japan, and the two leaders agreed to pursue concrete cooperation in a wide range of areas, including security, economy, and science and technology.
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Formal agreement reached on raising basic pensions at LDP, Komeito and CDP leaders' meeting
2025-05-27 18:07:00
Regarding the related bill for pension system reform, Prime Minister Ishiba, Komeito leader Saito, and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda held a meeting of party leaders and formally agreed to amend the bill to include measures to raise basic pensions.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 18:06:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
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Shimomura: "Conveyed the call for former Prime Minister Abe and accounting officers to resume refunds"
2025-05-27 18:00:00
Regarding the political funding issue of the LDP faction, former Abe faction executive and former Policy Research Council Chairman Shimomura revealed in a witness summoned to the House of Representatives Budget Committee that after the refunds were canceled in the former Abe faction, he told the faction chairman, former Prime Minister Abe, and the accounting officer that there were voices calling for the resumption of the refunds from his faction. However, he stated that he was not aware that he had ever ordered the resumption of the refunds.
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Environment Ministry demands explanation for false description in Minamata disease teaching materials
2025-05-27 17:52:00
Regarding the issue of online teaching materials from the company that operates "Katekyo no Try," which contained false statements about Minamata disease, such as "The terrifying thing about this disease is that it is hereditary," Environment Minister Asao said at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, "It is extremely unfortunate that this situation has come about," and revealed that he had asked the company to explain the circumstances.
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Formal agreement reached on raising basic pensions at LDP, Komeito and CDP leaders' meeting
2025-05-27 17:16:00
Regarding the related bill for pension system reform, Prime Minister Ishiba, Komeito leader Saito, and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda held a meeting of party leaders and formally agreed to amend the bill to include measures to raise basic pensions.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 17:10:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
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Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: Harvard University's move to "consider accepting students from domestic universities"
2025-05-27 16:30:00
Regarding the Trump administration's move to revoke Harvard University's accreditation to accept international students, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Abe stated his intention to ask universities in Japan to consider support measures such as accepting students in preparation for the situation in which the move is implemented in the future.
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LDP Task Force: "Negotiate tenaciously to review U.S. tariff measures"
2025-05-27 16:21:00
The Liberal Democratic Party met to discuss the US tariff measures, and amid concerns about the impact on the automobile industry and other sectors, opinions were expressed calling on the government to continue persistent negotiations toward a review of the measures.
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LDP, Komeito, and CDP leaders meet to formally agree on raising basic pensions
2025-05-27 16:16:00
Prime Minister Ishiba, Komeito leader Saito, and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda will meet on the afternoon of the 27th to discuss the pension reform bill. They are expected to formally agree to amend the bill to include measures to raise the basic pension level.
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Fiscal Council: Primary balance to turn into surplus "as early as next fiscal year"
2025-05-27 16:01:00
The Fiscal System Council, an advisory body to the Minister of Finance, has compiled recommendations for this year's "Basic Policy," stating that the goal of fiscal consolidation should be to achieve a primary balance surplus "as soon as possible between this fiscal year and next."
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 15:15:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
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16 political parties and organizations attend briefing on proportional representation for the House of Councillors election
2025-05-27 14:50:00
An explanatory meeting regarding proportional representation for the summer's House of Councillors election was held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and was attended by representatives from 16 political parties, political organizations, and other parties.
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Democratic Party leader Tamaki to submit amendment to introduce optional separate surnames for married couples as early as the 28th
2025-05-27 14:35:00
Regarding the optional system of separate surnames for married couples, Leader Tamaki of the Democratic Party for the People has indicated his intention to submit a bill to amend the Civil Code to introduce the system to the Diet as early as the 28th.
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In response to rising prices, Komeito Secretary-General Nishida says "Payments should be funded with increased tax revenues"
2025-05-27 14:19:00
In response to rising prices and the tariff measures taken by the Trump administration in the United States, Komeito Secretary-General Nishida stated at a press conference that he intends to call for the implementation of cash and other handouts funded by increased tax revenues.
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Prime Minister Ishiba meets with UNRWA Chief to "Work together to support Palestinian refugees"
2025-05-27 13:55:00
Prime Minister Ishiba met with Dr. Lazzarini, Executive Director of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), who is visiting Japan, and confirmed that they will continue to work closely together to support Palestinian refugees amid the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
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Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: Harvard University's move to "consider accepting students from domestic universities"
2025-05-27 13:48:00
Regarding the Trump administration's move to revoke Harvard University's accreditation to accept international students, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Abe stated his intention to ask universities in Japan to consider support measures such as accepting students in preparation for the situation in which the move is implemented in the future.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 13:41:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
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LDP, Komeito, and CDP leaders meet this afternoon to formally agree on raising basic pensions
2025-05-27 13:24:00
A meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba, Komeito leader Saito, and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda regarding the pension system reform bill will be held on the afternoon of the 27th. It is expected that they will formally agree to amend the bill to include measures to raise the basic pension level.
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Prime Minister Ishiba: "Impact of tariffs becoming apparent, all possible support needed" General Response Headquarters
2025-05-27 12:28:00
Regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration in the United States, Prime Minister Ishiba stated his intention to do everything possible to provide support, as the impact on domestic industries is becoming apparent. He also instructed Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa and others to work with relevant ministers to accelerate preparations to achieve results in the Japan-U.S. negotiations.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 12:03:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice by 9 a.m. on the 27th. The contracts are expected to be completed on the 27th or 28th, with the stockpiled rice expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
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LDP, Komeito, and CDP leaders meet this afternoon to formally agree on raising basic pensions
2025-05-27 11:53:00
A meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba, Komeito leader Saito, and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda regarding the pension system reform bill will be held on the afternoon of the 27th. It is expected that they will formally agree to amend the bill to include measures to raise the basic pension level.
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Priority plan for the issue of loneliness and isolation revised: "Create places for people to gather, such as children's centers"
2025-05-27 11:30:00
The government has revised its priority plan to address the issue of loneliness and isolation. In light of the current situation in which suicides among children and students are becoming more serious, the plan includes measures such as promoting the creation of various places for children to go, such as children's centers and children's cafeterias, so that support can be provided in the community.
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LDP, Komeito, and CDP leaders meet this afternoon to formally agree on raising basic pensions
2025-05-27 11:11:00
A meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba, Komeito leader Saito, and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda regarding the pension system reform bill will be held on the afternoon of the 27th. It is expected that they will formally agree to amend the bill to include measures to raise the basic pension level.
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Government to spend 380 billion yen in reserve funds for electricity and gas bill support this fiscal year
2025-05-27 11:00:00
The government has decided to spend over 380 billion yen from the reserve fund in this fiscal year's budget to cover the costs of subsidies for electricity and gas bills for three months starting in July.
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Agriculture Minister Koizumi: "19 businesses have applied to purchase stockpiled rice, delivery to begin as early as the 29th"
2025-05-27 10:58:00
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 27th, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi revealed that by 9 a.m. on the 27th, 19 businesses had applied to purchase the government's stockpiled rice through discretionary contracts. The total amount of stockpiled rice that had been applied for was over 90,000 tons. Contracts with the earliest businesses will be completed on the 27th or 28th, and the stockpiled rice is expected to be handed over as early as the 29th.
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Priority plan for the issue of loneliness and isolation revised: "Create places for people to gather, such as children's centers"
2025-05-27 10:49:00
The government has revised its priority plan to address the issue of loneliness and isolation. In light of the current situation in which suicides among children and students are becoming more serious, the plan includes measures such as promoting the creation of various places for children to go, such as children's centers and children's cafeterias, so that support can be provided in the community.
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LDP, Komeito, and CDP leaders meet this afternoon to formally agree on raising basic pensions
2025-05-27 09:58:00
A meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba, Komeito leader Saito, and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda regarding the pension system reform bill will be held from 4:00 pm on the 27th. It is expected that they will formally agree to amend the bill to include measures to raise the basic pension level.
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Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities May 26, 2025
2025-05-27 09:40:00
(Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities May 26, 2025)
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Pension bill to be formally agreed upon at party leaders' meeting today
2025-05-27 05:19:00
Regarding the bill related to pension system reform, the Liberal Democratic Party, the Komeito Party, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan have reached an agreement in principle to amend the bill to include measures to raise the basic pension. The leaders of the three parties are expected to formally agree on this on the 27th, aiming to pass the bill through the House of Representatives this week.
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Government considers further proposals to encourage understanding of cabinet ministers as it reviews U.S. tariff measures
2025-05-27 05:16:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, the government is coordinating to hold the next ministerial negotiations this week. The government is considering further proposals to encourage understanding, hoping to create an environment in which a review of the tariff measures can be reported to President Trump after gaining understanding at the ministerial level.
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