Onlooker comments

No one including China want to see disruptions in supply of chips, in particular the advanced ones. So, from now on there will be less deterrence against China's ambition of "fully integrating Taiwan", and less incentive for US to defend "the island". Is that what increased operations of TSMC outside Taiwan implies? Will Japan give up Taiwan if US gives up? Questions, questions...

Well, well, well, it seems the US presidential election in November is now elevated to Armageddon, or the final battle between good and evil. Are some Americans so desperate in waiting for the Christian kingdom?

Is any country (or any people) ready to agree to "losing sovereignty under certain circumstances"? In 1979, by its resolution #452, UN Security Council "called upon the Government and people of Israel to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem." The resolution was not vetoed but adopted by 14 to zero with 1 abstention (US). Since then, Israel kept on expanding the settlements. That is, the veto power is not much of an issue, but the point is that there is no mechanism to enforce UN resolutions and decisions, obviously, as sovereignty of any nation is sacred. No?? If Security Council's above resolution of 1979 was accepted by Israel and development of settlements stopped, the numerous conflicts including the on-going tragedy could have been avoided. I hope the leaders realize it's not a crisis of UN, but that of nations.

This just shows Republicans have become Putin's agent. If I were a US citizen (fortunately, I'm not....), I would call those Republicans who enthusiastically pushed for impeachment "Treasonists".

Kim must be cursing Vladimir for his stinginess.

A reduction in income tax is coming, but this reduction (YEN40,000) will apply equally to any amount of income. Both In terms of economic impact and as a measure of social safety net, I think KIshida government is wasting its financial resources, which are extremely precious particularly due to huge public deficits.

The policy of the exceptionally low interest and quantitative easing (the long forgotten Abenomics sales pitch) has been in place for a long time. On the other hand, the fiscal policy has been tightly bound by the huge government deficits. That's like pushing an acceleration pedal and that of brake at the same time. That's very much mis-management of LPD government. The problem is that we don't see any viable alternative party.

Never, ever say it's time to bring back "America's Mayor".

I am concerned that the political and economic elites in the world are strongly influenced, or bought, by Jewish lobby. However, I am not sure how action of revealing who are Jews and what they are doing would help the Palestinian cause. I wish those activists rather sharpen their criticism on Zionism if their intention is to contribute to securing sustainable stability and peace in the region.

It's a ”I scratch your back, you scratch mine." situation. By now, we know very well that Trump is counting on Putin's help for this year's election. Trump is seeking just quick profits or rewards without a long term vision and policy.

Has anyone said already that by slurping, the appropriate amount of noodle and soup comes into the mouse at the same time. Without slurping, not enough soup comes in. The difference is not much, but that makes a big difference. It's a necessity to appreciate noodle dish/bowl.

Maybe, Japan Football Association should give consideration to assigning AI to managing the team with a human nanny for players for moral support. This match gave me an impression that the Japanese management did not study the opponent enough, and consequently did not establish the appropriate strategies for the team. With AI, this kind of the management incompetence could be overcome. Or does anyone believe Japanese players are less capable than Iranians?

Trump must be still interested in winning the Nobel Peace Prize. So, to achieve this objective, he would try to fool the whole world on highly visible international issues. This includes, of course, a deal with China at the cost of Taiwan, with Russia at the cost of Ukraine, or once again the Middle East deal excluding Palestinian people. Also, let's not forget that Kim Jong Un became Trump's close friend after two failed meetings. Japanese govt. should of course be concerned about Trump's showboating action.

A typical emotional appeal of a populist without any substance, nothing more than refusing the acquisition. Trump should be reminded of a big picture, i.e. the top 10 steel manufactures in the world, in terms of the volume of production, include 6 Chinese companies. Deploring this situation, by saying "So terrible", would be more suitable for someone who wants to be the US president.

He is an old "dog", I mean, you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Actually, I suspect Aso, as a right wing politician, believes it's Japanese culture/tradition, which is respected and retained forever. He no longer meets expectations of general population in the country. But the constituents in Fukuoka love him and keep on voting for him. It's too bad LDP cannot touch him because of his bloodline.

To my simple mind, Putin wants to force US to divert more resources from Ukraine to the Pacific, but that's inconvenient for China, which has been preparing for swallowing Taiwan. So, Kim Jong Un will be rebuked, at one time, by Xi Jinping, reminding Kim who is the boss. Maybe, it's a good idea to let N. Korea continue to behave like a rebellious kid and increase tension among Kim, Xi and Vladimir.

This must be a message to the DPRK leader who is just a maneuverable piece in the game for Russia. As Hitler was keen on diverting US attention and resources to the Pacific to avoid its participation in the war in Europe, Russia is instigating tension in Far East to further reduce Ukraine's weight in US policy. So we should take and act.

“You shouldn’t just think that you’re so strong just because you have the dollar.” is the party line. I am curious where Lavrov has been is hiding his asset in Dollar?

Like father, like son. According to this article, criticism has appeared only on social media. Now we will see whether or not the check and balance mechanism does exist and function in the governance system.

Since the scandal emerged at LDP's faction level, what I consider its root cause tends to be forgotten. What needs to be considered is the reality where the more money you throw in the election, the more likely you win. Also, disclosure of information on any public offices or activities far inadequate for maintaining democracy. So, I am afraid that PM is avoiding too hot a potato to handle.

Except LCCs, all the airlines in the world have been killing each other to attract passengers by fitting "privacy-respected" business class seats. This means it's not only Japanese who prefer not sitting next to strangers for traveling by air. So, I take the "extreme end" conclusion with a lot of grain of salt.

"TaiwanIsNotChina:

There are always going to be friendly fire incidents like this. The important thing is that Japan is now free from what would have been a Russian occupation."

Yes, the truth should come out sooner than later: A bombs which killed tens of thousands of Japanese civilians was used as a show of international politics, or a show of power in the face of Communism in a more worldly term.

The war front of anti-neo liberal capitalism is not only on the subjects of wealth gap and climate crisis, but also the trade with rouge nations or dictatorship. It's about time to learn making profits does not justify the means.

As his popularity is at the historic low, he is of course obliged to meet the affected people face to face. We will see whether or not his serious and strong initiatives in proving sufficient assistance will follow. Beyond the immediate response, the government should give urgent consideration to securing appropriate and sufficient preparedness. Reading the issues related to toilets in the shelters, for example, I have to wonder why no arrangements have been made in preparation for eventuality.

Let me guess. Ramsey had faced discrimination and been oppressed in his home country, and came to feel triumphant with a small success on SNS. He must have been enjoying his delusional power in Japan. The oppressed became the oppressor/aggressor as happens quite often. Is the term, "Digital detox" already dead?

As the two sate solution has vanished into thin air, what should the concerned parties negotiate for to stop hostility? Unfortunately, it seems humanitarian cease fire is the only viable agenda item to be discussed at the moment and at best. That is, once again we are kicking the can down the road.

If I may advise, I would say "Put your house in order and then talk." Or to me, Russian leaders give me an impression they are talking while eating with their mouth full. Yuk!

I recall the aged, conservative, influential LDP MP Aso, when he was the finance minister (2012-2021), spread a misleading claim, advocacy or propaganda that "Japanese public should not worry about the government debts because the government can print money as much as required." Mixture of the roles of the "government" and central bank, alas. Then, came the famous "minus interest policy", under with the government made profits by issuing bonds. But of course, the profit is not sufficient to offset debts, and the central bank lost money (allocated via tax revenues) by buying back bond. Without any sound strategies or principles for debt reduction, there is no hope.

I am sorry for Narumi's family. The greatest tragedy in this case is that the family cannot retrieve the victim's body, and won't able to complete the closure. In trying to get acquittal, the defense's only argument is a meager one, "the court must proceed with the presumption of innocence". As in the first trial, jurors did not give any benefit of doubt, which arouse from Zepeda's lies and lack of complete disclose.

Longing for being treated as a head of the state again, and a love call to the would be GOP nominee for the 2024 election.....

Once upon a time, Russia claimed no territorial disputes exist between the two countries. I also recall that Lavrov himself once said Japan lost the northern territories because Japan surrendered unconditionally at the end of the war. Now Lavrov says the disputes are over. Japan is only obliged to respond with tougher measures.