Political News(2025/05/29)
Prime Minister Ishiba speaks with President Trump by phone and reiterates Japan's position
2025-05-29 23:40:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Prime Minister Ishiba spoke with President Trump by phone on the night of the 29th, and reiterated Japan's position that investment from Japan will create jobs in the US and result in a result that is in the national interest of both countries. It was then agreed that the Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa, Secretary of the Treasury Bessent and other cabinet members would continue to hold discussions.
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Prime Minister Ishiba speaks with President Trump by phone
2025-05-29 23:07:00
On the night of the 29th, Prime Minister Ishiba held a telephone conversation with US President Trump regarding the US tariff measures. It is believed that the aim of the call was to create an environment for constructive ministerial negotiations scheduled for the 30th local time.
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Komeito proposes sustainable wage increases to Prime Minister Ishiba in "basic policy"
2025-05-29 21:35:00
In preparation for the government's "Basic Policy," the Komeito Party has submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Ishiba calling for sustainable wage increases that exceed rising prices, as well as an increase in the minimum wage.
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[Details] Stockpiled rice now on sale and available for pre-order on Rakuten and other platforms. Where can I buy it?
2025-05-29 21:25:00
Sales and reservations for the government's discretionary contract rice stockpiled by the government began on the 29th on the mail order websites of the Rakuten Group and Iris Ohyama. The stock scheduled for the 29th has reportedly sold out. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi also tasted the stockpiled rice harvested in 2022 and 2021 that will be sold to retailers, and promoted the rice as not being significantly different in taste compared to rice harvested last year or the year before. *The second half of the article introduces the 61 companies whose applications to purchase stockpiled rice have been confirmed.
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Prime Minister Ishiba meets with Tanzanian Prime Minister to strengthen ties in agriculture and economic fields
2025-05-29 20:36:00
Prime Minister Ishiba met with Tanzania's Prime Minister Majaliwa, who is visiting Japan, and confirmed that they will work to strengthen relations in areas such as agriculture and the economy.
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Prime Minister Ishiba to discuss tariff measures with President Trump by phone tonight
2025-05-29 20:05:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Prime Minister Ishiba is arranging to hold a telephone conference with US President Trump on the evening of the 29th. It is believed that the aim is to create an environment for constructive ministerial negotiations scheduled for the 30th local time.
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[Details] Stockpiled rice now on sale and available for pre-order on Rakuten and other platforms. Where can I buy it?
2025-05-29 19:59:00
Sales and reservations for the government's discretionary contract rice stockpiled by the government began on the 29th on the mail order websites of the Rakuten Group and Iris Ohyama. The stock scheduled for the 29th was reportedly sold out soon after. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi also tasted the stockpiled rice harvested in 2022 and 2021 that will be sold to retailers, and promoted the rice as not being significantly different in taste compared to rice harvested last year or the year before. *The second half of the article introduces the 61 companies whose applications to purchase stockpiled rice have been confirmed.
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Bills submitted by the CDP, Ishin, and Kokumin parties to allow optional separate surnames for married couples to be debated tomorrow
2025-05-29 19:44:00
Regarding the optional system of separate surnames for married couples, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Japan Restoration Party, and the Democratic Party for the People each submitted bills, and the purpose of the bills was explained at the House of Representatives' Judicial Affairs Committee on the 30th, after which deliberations were scheduled to begin.
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Pension reform bill to be discussed again tomorrow, with Democratic Party for the People and others citing "insufficient deliberation"
2025-05-29 19:20:00
Regarding a bill related to pension system reform, which the ruling coalition and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan agreed to revise, at a directors' meeting of the House of Representatives Health, Labor and Welfare Committee, the Liberal Democratic Party proposed a vote at the committee on the 30th. However, the Democratic Party for the People and others were unable to reach an agreement, citing insufficient deliberation, and it was decided to hold further discussions on the 30th.
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[Details] Stockpiled rice now on sale and available for pre-order on Rakuten and other platforms. Where can I buy it?
2025-05-29 19:12:00
Sales and reservations for the government's discretionary contract rice stockpiled under a voluntary contract began today on the online shopping sites of the Rakuten Group and Iris Ohyama. The planned stockpile was reportedly soon sold out. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi also tasted the stockpiled rice harvested in 2022 and 2021 that will be sold to retailers, and promoted the rice as not being significantly different in taste compared to rice harvested last year or the year before. *The second half of the article introduces the 61 companies whose applications to purchase stockpiled rice have been confirmed.
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LDP lawmakers put together proposal to abolish tax exemption system for foreign visitors to Japan in principle
2025-05-29 18:54:00
Regarding the consumption tax exemption system for foreign visitors to Japan, a study group made up of volunteer members of the Liberal Democratic Party has outlined a draft proposal that includes, among other things, abolishing the tax exemption system in principle.
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Prime Minister Ishiba: "Economy will not flourish with high tariffs. Cooperation in investment is important"
2025-05-29 18:40:00
Regarding the tariff measures taken by the Trump administration in the United States, Prime Minister Ishiba stated that imposing high tariffs will not lead to economic prosperity, and that it is important for Japan and the United States to cooperate through investment.
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Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa departs for ministerial talks, calling for "fruitful negotiations"
2025-05-29 18:13:00
Regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration, Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa left Japan on the evening of the 29th to attend ministerial negotiations. Prior to this, he once again strongly called for a review of the series of measures and expressed his desire to hold fruitful negotiations toward an early agreement.
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Okinawa Prefectural Assembly hands over resolution of protest against LDP's Nishida's remarks to Secretary General Moriyama
2025-05-29 18:02:00
Representatives of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly presented a resolution of protest to Secretary-General Moriyama and Nishida Masashi, a member of the House of Councillors from the Liberal Democratic Party, regarding remarks made by Nishida regarding the Himeyuri Monument, which commemorates the souls of female students who died in the Battle of Okinawa 80 years ago.
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[Details] Stockpiled rice now on sale and available for pre-order on Rakuten and other platforms. Where can I buy it?
2025-05-29 17:46:00
Sales and reservations for the government's discretionary contract rice stockpiled under a voluntary contract began today on the online shopping sites of the Rakuten Group and Iris Ohyama. The planned stockpile was reportedly soon sold out. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi also tasted the stockpiled rice harvested in 2022 and 2021 that will be sold to retailers, and promoted the rice as not being significantly different in taste compared to rice harvested last year or the year before. *The second half of the article introduces the 61 companies whose applications to purchase stockpiled rice have been confirmed.
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Prime Minister Ishiba meets with Kuwaiti Crown Prince to discuss cooperation in energy sector and other areas
2025-05-29 17:27:00
Prime Minister Ishiba met with Crown Prince Sabah of Kuwait, who is visiting Japan, and the two agreed to cooperate in areas such as energy and decarbonization.
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Bills submitted by the CDP, Ishin, and Kokumin parties to allow optional separate surnames for married couples to be debated tomorrow
2025-05-29 17:23:00
Regarding the optional system of separate surnames for married couples, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Japan Restoration Party, and the Democratic Party for the People each submitted bills, and the purpose of the bills was explained at the House of Representatives' Judicial Affairs Committee on the 30th, after which deliberations were scheduled to begin.
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Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa to depart in the evening for ministerial talks, calling for "fruitful negotiations"
2025-05-29 16:16:00
Regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration, Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akazawa will depart Japan on the evening of the 29th to attend ministerial negotiations. Prior to this, he once again strongly called for a review of the series of measures and expressed his desire to hold fruitful negotiations toward an early agreement.
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Prime Minister Ishiba meets with Laotian President and agrees to cooperate in a wide range of areas
2025-05-29 16:13:00
Prime Minister Ishiba met with Lao President Thongloun, who is visiting Japan, and the two leaders agreed to advance cooperation in a wide range of areas, including the economy and security.
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Prime Minister Ishiba: "Putting up the party's ideas on rice and price measures ahead of the Upper House election"
2025-05-29 16:11:00
Prime Minister Ishiba attended a meeting of candidates who lost in last year's House of Representatives election and expressed his intention to clearly communicate the party's position ahead of the House of Councillors election in the summer.
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Representative Tamaki of Kokumin Party: "Food after one year" "Explaining the system of stockpiled rice"
2025-05-29 15:41:00
Regarding stockpiled rice, Representative Tamaki of the Democratic Party for the People stated during a Diet debate on the 28th that "after a year it will become animal feed." On the 29th, Tamaki explained that he was referring to the current system in which stockpiled rice that has been carried over for five years is to be sold as "feed rice."
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Stockpiled rice goes on sale and available for pre-order on Rakuten and other platforms; today's batch sold out immediately
2025-05-29 15:28:00
Iris Ohyama began accepting pre-orders on its online shopping site after stockpiled rice arrived at its group company's rice milling plant in Watari, Miyagi Prefecture, but the planned quantity was sold out in about 45 minutes. The Rakuten Group also began selling the government's stockpiled rice through its online shopping site around noon today. According to the company, today's sales were sold out shortly after sales began. *We will provide updates on developments regarding stockpiled rice as they occur.
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Stockpiled rice goes on sale and available for pre-order on Rakuten and other platforms; today's batch sold out immediately
2025-05-29 14:45:00
The Rakuten Group began selling the government's stockpiled rice through its online shopping site around noon today. According to the company, today's sales were sold out shortly after they began. Iris Ohyama also began accepting pre-orders on its online shopping site after stockpiled rice arrived at the rice milling factory of its group company in Watari Town, Miyagi Prefecture, but the planned quantity was sold out in about 45 minutes. *We will provide updates on developments regarding stockpiled rice as they occur.
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Pension reform bill to continue discussions, says public "insufficient deliberation"
2025-05-29 14:31:00
Regarding a bill related to pension system reform, which the ruling coalition and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan agreed to revise, at a directors' meeting of the House of Representatives Health, Labor and Welfare Committee, the Liberal Democratic Party proposed a vote at the committee on the 30th. However, the Democratic Party for the People and others were unable to reach an agreement, citing insufficient deliberation, and decided to continue discussions.
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Mayor of Sendai meets with Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa and requests the establishment of a local branch of the Disaster Prevention Agency
2025-05-29 14:20:00
Regarding the establishment of the Disaster Prevention Agency, Mayor Kori of Sendai City met with Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa and requested that a branch office of the agency be established, stating that Sendai City has been supporting collaboration between companies, universities, and other organizations in the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake and has also been working on disaster prevention education.
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Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa confirms response policy with Prime Minister Ishiba ahead of ministerial negotiations
2025-05-29 14:15:00
Regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa met with Prime Minister Ishiba ahead of the cabinet negotiations to confirm the response policy. He also emphasized to reporters that he would strongly request a review of the series of measures, as they are expected to have an impact on the automobile industry and other industries.
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The House of Representatives Security Committee will hold the first online questioning of a reference person in the Diet tomorrow
2025-05-29 14:12:00
The House of Representatives Security Committee will hold an online questioning session on the 30th. This will be the first time that online questioning has been conducted in the Diet.
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Stockpiled rice sold out soon after going on sale today at Rakuten Group
2025-05-29 12:59:00
The Rakuten Group began selling the government's stockpiled rice through its online shopping site around noon today. According to the company, today's sales were sold out shortly after sales began. *We will provide updates on developments regarding the stockpiled rice as they occur.
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Pension reform bill to continue discussions, says public "insufficient deliberation"
2025-05-29 12:41:00
Regarding a bill related to pension system reform, which the ruling coalition and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan agreed to revise, at a directors' meeting of the House of Representatives Health, Labor and Welfare Committee, the Liberal Democratic Party proposed a vote at the committee on the 30th. However, the Democratic Party for the People and others were unable to reach an agreement, citing insufficient deliberation, and decided to continue discussions.
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Stockpiled rice under discretionary contract arrives at Iris Ohyama Group's rice milling plant
2025-05-29 12:14:00
On the 29th, rice stockpiled by the government under a discretionary contract arrived at a rice milling plant of a major household goods manufacturer in Watari Town, Miyagi Prefecture.
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Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa confirms response policy with Prime Minister Ishiba ahead of ministerial negotiations
2025-05-29 11:49:00
Regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa met with Prime Minister Ishiba ahead of the cabinet negotiations to confirm the response policy. He also emphasized to reporters that he would strongly request a review of the series of measures, as they are expected to have an impact on the automobile industry and other industries.
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Government to formulate strategy in light of passage of law introducing "active cyber defense"
2025-05-29 11:11:00
In light of the passage of a law to introduce "active cyber defense" to prevent cyber attacks before they occur, the government has decided to formulate a new strategy by the end of the year in order to concretely define the measures it will undertake going forward.
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Rakuten Group to start selling stockpiled rice in the afternoon for 1,980 yen (excluding tax) for 5 kg
2025-05-29 11:01:00
Rakuten Group announced that it will begin selling the government's stockpiled rice from the afternoon of the 29th. It has set up a special website and will sell it for 1,980 yen (excluding tax) per 5 kg bag, with shipments scheduled to begin from June 7th.
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Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities May 28, 2025
2025-05-29 09:55:00
(Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities May 28, 2025)
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The bill on optional separate surnames for married couples will be discussed in the House of Representatives on the 30th, with further adjustments being made.
2025-05-29 05:52:00
Regarding the optional system of separate surnames for married couples, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Japan Restoration Party, and the Democratic Party for the People have each submitted their own bills, and the ruling and opposition parties are making adjustments to begin deliberations in the House of Representatives on the 30th.
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G7 Summit to compile outcome document on AI, anti-migrant smuggling measures, etc.
2025-05-29 05:30:00
Ahead of the G7 Summit to be held in Canada in June, it has been learned that preparations are underway to compile several outcome documents covering topics such as cooperation on AI and measures to combat migrant smuggling.
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Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa leaves for Washington today for tariff ministerial negotiations
2025-05-29 05:21:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa will depart for Washington on the 29th to attend ministerial negotiations. The Japanese side believes that gaining the understanding of Treasury Secretary Bessent is essential for the progress of the negotiations, and is currently finalizing the details of a new proposal.
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Deliveries of discretionary contracted stockpiled rice to begin today, briefing sessions held for rice retailers
2025-05-29 05:16:00
Some businesses are scheduled to receive stockpiled rice, which the government will sell under discretionary contracts, from the 29th. An explanatory meeting on the sale for rice retailers and small and medium-sized supermarkets is also scheduled to be held in the evening of the 29th, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries hopes to spread the stockpiled rice by securing a wide range of buyers.
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LDP's Kishida, Aso and Motegi meet to exchange views on summer House of Councillors election situation
2025-05-29 00:05:00
Former Prime Minister Kishida, Chief Advisor Aso, and former Secretary-General Motegi of the Liberal Democratic Party met on the evening of the 28th and exchanged views on issues such as running the government under a minority ruling party and the situation regarding the House of Councillors election this summer.
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