Politics
Ishiba says Japan won't compromise in rush to wrap up tariff talks with U.S.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Monday Japan will not make compromises for the purpose of quickly concluding upcoming tariff negotiations with the United States, underlining the importance of exploring how the longtime allies can cooperate. In parliament, Ishiba said he is not thinking about imposing retaliatory tariffs on the United… Read
84% expect Trump's tariffs to affect their livelihoods: Kyodo poll
Most people in Japan expect U.S. President Donald Trump's higher import tariffs to increase their living costs, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday. Asked in the nationwide survey about the potential impact of country-specific tariffs on U.S. trading partners including Japan, 84.2 percent of respondents answered that the higher taxes… Read
Japan foreign minister to make speech at NPT review prep talks
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya plans to deliver a speech at a preparatory session for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty's upcoming review meeting scheduled to begin late this month in New York, government sources said. Iwaya is expected to call for unity at the third preparatory committee meeting for the 2026… Read
Japan PM, opposition chiefs to face off in 1-on-1 debates on April 23
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will hold one-on-one debates with opposition leaders from 3 p.m. on April 23 at the parliament, amid growing concerns that higher U.S. tariffs could stifle Japan's export-driven economy. Ishiba is set to engage in active exchanges with Yoshihiko Noda, chief of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic… Read
Japan coalition partner hints at consumption tax cut
The head of Japan's junior coalition party said Friday that he does not rule out any options to help households weather the impact of rising prices and higher U.S. tariffs, including a possible cut to the country's politically sensitive consumption tax. Komeito chief Tetsuo Saito, who has supported cash handouts… Read
China opposes Japan-NATO accord to boost defense cooperation
China on Friday expressed "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" over an agreement between Japan and NATO earlier this week to step up defense industry cooperation, saying such a move escalates regional tensions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference that the trans-Atlantic alliance is a "regional… Read
Trump calls U.S.-Japan defense pact one-sided as tariff talks loom
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday renewed his complaint that the decades-old U.S.-Japan security treaty is "so one-sided" as Washington and Tokyo are set to negotiate a deal over his tariffs. "We pay hundreds of billions of dollars to defend them, but...they don't pay anything," Trump told reporters gathered for… Read
Japan governors look to further economic relations with India
Japanese prefectural governors have recently made a series of visits to India, aiming to bolster relations with the fast-growing economy buoyed by its vast markets and to secure promising human resources there. The governors are hoping to convey the charm and strengths of their prefectures and capitalize on growth in… Read
Japan says 90-day reprieve from U.S. reciprocal tariffs 'positive development'
U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pause his so-called reciprocal tariffs for 90 days is a "positive development," Japan's top government spokesman said Thursday, though Tokyo will continue to urge Washington to roll back other tariff measures. The abrupt reprieve, announced by Trump hours after reciprocal tariffs on U.S.-bound shipments… Read
Ishiba and NATO chief vow to deepen security ties as regional threats rise
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and NATO chief Mark Rutte vowed Wednesday to further deepen military ties while stressing the need to tackle together growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia. Japan, which has stepped up defense ties with the United States, its key ally, and other friendly nations in the Indo-Pacific, has also sought… Read
