Author Archives: Rintaro Nishimura

The 178th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on Prime Minister Ishiba skipping the NATO Summit, Japan’s response to the U.S. air strikes on Iran, Foreign Minister Iwaya’s meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japan designating its “official security assistance” recipients, the results of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, a preview of the Upper House election, the Ishiba Administration’s rice policies, the memorial ceremony marking the 80th anniversary since the Battle of Okinawa, METI’s cybersecurity guidelines for semiconductor facilities, this year’s White Paper on International Economy and Trade, the balance of reserves of the employment adjustment subsidy, and more.

The 177th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the Ishiba-Trump Summit on the sidelines of the G7 Canada Summit, Ishiba’s participation in the G7 Summit, Japan-ROK diplomatic engagements, the GOJ decision to create a new cyber policy coordination office, the conclusion of this year’s ordinary Diet session, the announcement of accelerating rice imports, the retirement of former Komeito leader Yamaguchi Natsuo, the BOJ’s decision to continue cutbacks in JGB purchases at a slower pace, Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel, news of an upcoming shipbuilding policy package, the international credit balance of Japanese banks, the trade balance in May, and more.

The 176th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the sixth round of Japan-U.S. tariff talks, Prime Minister Ishiba’s first phone call with South Korean President Lee, the creation of the Defense Science and Technology Board, the ruling LDP’s cash handout proposal, the last leaders’ debate of this Diet session, Koizumi’s continued efforts to suppress rice prices, the start of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election campaign period, the Honebuto 2025, key GOJ policy documents, Nippon Steel’s deal with the U.S. Government, the June Monthly Economic Report, and more.

The 175th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the fifth round of Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, the new defense initiative announced at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the GOJ’s response to new ROK President Lee Jae-myung, reports on the next QUAD foreign ministers’ meeting, the MOD’s new guidelines on safe AI use in developing defense equipment, the GOJ’s inaugural session on rice policy, the ruling parties’ and Ishin’s agreement on social security policy, the GOJ’s numerous policy documents in the run-up to the Honebuto release, the JFTC’s first report on the domestic generative AI market, METI’s assessment of the industrial structure in 2040, real wage statistics in April, and more.

The 174th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the fourth round of Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, the Japan-PRC technical agreement toward restarting aquatic product exports, Defense Minister Nakatani’s travel plans and news of a new maritime initiative, the ruling parties and main opposition agreement on pension reform legislation, the MAFF’s discretionary rice contract program, funding for the GOJ’s emergency tariff relief package, the draft Honebuto framework, the GOJ’s plans to revise its Basic Plan on Space Policy, the White Paper on Manufacturing Industries, Japan’s fall from the summit for global net external assets, and more.

The 173rd edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the third round of Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, the G7 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Canada, Japan-ROK bilateral travel facilitation, legislation to improve JSDF officer working conditions, Koizumi’s appointment as agriculture minister, the latest party leaders’ debate in the Diet, the ruling parties’ decision to abandon legislation on corporate political donations, Trump’s social media post approving Nippon Steel’s buyout of U.S. Steel, the LDP’s recommendations on digital policy, the draft of the GOJ’s revised Economic Security Action Plan, the Japan-ASEAN economic ministers’ meeting, this month’s Monthly Economic Report, and more.

The 172nd edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the upcoming third round of Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, LDP Vice President Aso’s attendance at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass, enactment of the “active cyber defense” bill, the continuing debate over consumption tax cuts, the GOJ’s submitted pension system reform bill, developments over regulations surrounding corporate political donations, GOJ efforts toward establishing a critical technologies research center, the start of utilizing the security clearance system, the GOJ’s investment plan for SMEs, news that nominal GDP is expected to exceed ¥600 trillion for the first time, and more.

The 171st edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the upcoming third round of Japan-U.S. tariff talks, the G7 foreign minister statement on the India-Pakistan conflict, potential GCAP exports to Australia, the GOJ’s decision to forgo consumption tax cuts, Ishiba’s new political scandal, the GOJ’s decision to submit pension system reform legislation next week, the Sixth Japan-EU High-level Economic Dialogue, the ADB Annual Meeting, the impending U.S. decision on Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel, two projects in the Ouranos Ecosystem, the situation of the country’s debt, and more.

The 170th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the second round of Japan-U.S. tariff talks, Ishiba’s diplomatic travel to Southeast Asia, lawmaker visits during Golden Week, Foreign Minister Iwaya’s diplomatic travel during Golden Week, Defense Minister Nakatani’s discussions on shipbuilding with U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan, Constitution Memorial Day, discussions over an inflation relief package, Ishiba’s participation in RENGO’s May Day convention, the BOJ’s decision to maintain policy interest rates, the Japan-U.K. quantum memorandum, plans to expand the Chiang Mai Initiative, the impact of yen appreciation on corporate current earnings, and more.

The 169th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the upcoming second round of Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, Ishiba’s upcoming visit to Southeast Asia, the extension of Gen. Yoshida’s tenure as Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff, the GOJ’s emergency tariff relief package, the first political party leaders’ debate this Diet session, potential coalition realignment, pension system reform legislation, AI and chip legislation, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting, METI’s 2040 industrial structure vision, and more.