Japan PM Ishiba's future uncertain as upper house elections loom
Opinion polls indicate his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) coalition may lose its majority in Sunday's vote, a potential blow that could force his resignation. The LDP has dominated Japanese politics since 1955, but Ishiba's tenure has been marked by challenges, including economic struggles and diplomatic tensions.
'I wonder who else wants the job,' said Masahisa Endo, a politics professor at Waseda University. Ishiba, 68, a defence policy enthusiast and member of Japan's Christian minority, became the LDP's 10th prime minister since 2000 after five leadership bids.
His promises to revitalise rural areas and tackle Japan's shrinking population have been overshadowed by policy setbacks. A failed snap election in October weakened his coalition, forcing reliance on opposition support for legislation.
Economic analyst Stefan Angrick noted Ishiba's 'flip-flopped' policies on inflation and growth, calling financial support measures 'belated and half-hearted.' Public dissatisfaction has grown over rising prices, particularly rice, now twice as expensive as last year.
Ishiba's leadership style has also drawn criticism. His cabinet includes only two women, down from five under predecessor Fumio Kishida. Social media has mocked his occasional clumsiness, from messy formal attire to awkward eating habits.
Diplomatic challenges include stalled trade talks with the US, where President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on Japanese goods. Despite multiple envoy visits, no deal has been reached, unlike under former PM Shinzo Abe, who avoided tariffs during Trump's first term.
With elections approaching, Ishiba's political survival hangs in the balance. - AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#Showbiz: New TV show imagines China invasion, gives Taiwan viewers wake-up call
TAIPEI: A new Taiwanese television series that imagines the run-up to a Chinese invasion is getting rave reviews from viewers, who said the first programme featuring the sensitive topic is a wake-up call for the public facing heightened Chinese military threat. In the show, Zero Day Attack, a Chinese warplane goes missing near Taiwan. China then sends swarms of military boats and planes for a blockade as Taiwan goes on a war footing. Panic ensues on the streets of Taipei. At viewings in Taipei last week, attendees included the top US diplomat in Taiwan, Raymond Greene, who is director of the American Institute in Taiwan, and Taiwanese tycoon Robert Tsao, a strident critic of Beijing. The series is set to premiere on August 2 in Taiwan, followed by its Japanese release on Amazon Prime Video. "Presenting such a situation (of conflict) can lead to more discussion about what we should do if it really turns into reality one day," said Blair Yeh, a 35-year-old engineer, after watching the first episode at the Taipei premiere last week. The premise of Zero Day Attack is a topic that has for years been considered too sensitive for many Taiwanese filmmakers and television show creators, who fear losing access to the lucrative Chinese entertainment market. More than half of the show's crew asked to remain anonymous on the crew list, and some people, including a director, pulled out of the production at the last minute, its showrunner Cheng Hsin Mei told Reuters. But as China steps up military threats — including at least six rounds of major war games in the past five years and daily military activities close to Taiwan — the upcoming drama confronts the fear by setting the 10-episode series around a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The drama focuses on several scenarios Taiwan might face in the days leading up to a Chinese attack, including a global financial collapse, the activation of Chinese sleeper agents, and panicked residents trying to flee the island. "Without freedom, Taiwan is not Taiwan," says the actor who plays a fictional Taiwanese president in a televised speech, urging unity after declaring war on China, in the show's trailer. The live broadcast then gets abruptly cut off, replaced by a feed of a Chinese state television anchor calling for Taiwanese to surrender and report "hidden pro-independence activists" to Chinese soldiers after their landing in Taiwan. "We've been comfortable for a long time now," said viewer Leon Yu, a 43-year-old semiconductor industry professional, adding that Taiwan's freedom and democracy must be preserved. "There's still a lot of people out there burying their head in the sand and don't want to face the dangers of the present."
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Japan grants RM12mil to support Lao human resource development
VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): The Japanese government has provided US$2.85 million (RM12 million) to support Lao government officials advance their skills under the project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), which will offer 20 scholarships per year from June 2025 until 31 December 2032. This year, 20 scholarships will be awarded to qualified officials to pursue master's and doctoral degrees at leading universities in Japan. The programme aims to build the capacity of future Lao leaders who will contribute to national development after completing their studies. Since its launch in Laos in 2000, this program has provided scholarships to over 530 Lao officials. Many graduates have later taken on leadership roles in key ministries and state agencies. The project will be jointly implemented by JICA and the Ministry of Education and Sports. This year's contribution holds added significance as it marks the 70th anniversary of Laos-Japan diplomatic relations. Japan's continued support highlights its commitment to Laos' socio-economic development, with ongoing cooperation in education, infrastructure, agriculture, and governance, all aligned with the country's development goals and graduation from Least Developed Country status by 2026. - Laotian Times
Herald Malaysia
7 hours ago
- Herald Malaysia
Pakistan cutting death penalty crimes sparks call for total abolition
Removing two crimes from list linked to keeping special EU trade benefits, observers say Jul 28, 2025 Activists from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) carry placards during a demonstration to mark International Day Against the Death Penalty in Islamabad in this Oct 10, 2015 file photo. (Photo: AFP) By Kamran Chaudhry A decision by Pakistan's Senate to back the abolition of the death penalty for two crimes has sparked calls by Christian activists to end capital punishment for other offenses, including call came after the Senate on July 18 approved the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, which stipulated replacing the death penalty with life sentences and fines for assault and public spoliation of a woman; and aiding the hijacking of an airplane or other public punishes 31 offenses with death sentences including crimes against the state and high treason; military offenses such as mutiny and misconduct in combat; violent crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, and gang rape; kidnapping for ransom; terrorism, sabotage, and say the move to revoke death penalty for two crimes is linked to Pakistan's retention of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) from the European Union (EU).The GSP+ is a special trade status granted by the European Union that offers tariff-free access to EU markets in exchange for implementing international human rights and labor rights conventions. Cecil Chaudhry, a South Asia team member from the UK-based human rights organization, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, welcomed the revocation of the death sentence for the two crimes as 'a step in the right direction.' A former executive director of the Pakistani Catholic bishop's National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), Chaudhry also urged the government to 'consider abolishing the death penalty for blasphemy.' 'We have witnessed that blasphemy laws are often, if not always, used to settle personal scores and so many citizens, especially religious minorities, are disproportionately affected by false accusations,' he told UCA News. The EU has been pushing Pakistan to improve human rights and labor practices to retain its GSP+ status in EU markets. The EU's Special Representative for Human Rights, Olof Skoog, during a visit to Islamabad in January, highlighted concerns about various issues, including the blasphemy law, women's rights, forced marriages and conversions, enforced disappearances, freedom of expression, religious freedom, media independence, due process, and the death least 34 members of minority groups, including Christians, are on death row in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, according to Lahore-based lawyer and researcher Sarmad Ali. Peter Jacob, director of the Lahore-based advocacy group Center for Social Justice, said the Senate's move should begin the process for legal reforms and the complete abolition of the death penalty. 'This should open a broader debate on capital punishment and respect for life,' Jacob told UCA News.'A more comprehensive legal reform is needed to limit — and eventually abolish — the death penalty,' Jacob added. NCJP's deputy director Atta ur Rehman said Pakistan needs more reforms for its 'harsh criminal justice system.' 'The Church has always advocated for an affirmative approach to justice. Our position remains firm: the death penalty is against the sanctity of life,' Rehman Saman told UCA has seen a rise in death sentences recently, sparking concerns from rights groups. Pakistan courts handed down a total of 174 death sentences last year, a significant increase from 102 sentences in 2023, according to the Human Rights Commission of
