Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba vows to stay on after bruising election defeat
Shigeru Ishiba
vowed to remain in his post on Monday after his ruling coalition suffered a bruising defeat in upper house elections, prompting some in his own party to doubt his leadership as the opposition weighed a no-confidence motion.
The embattled prime minister told a news conference he would remain in office to oversee tariff talks with the United States and other pressing matters, such as rising consumer prices that are straining the world's fourth-largest economy.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
MCA
Technology
Others
PGDM
Healthcare
Design Thinking
Data Analytics
healthcare
Public Policy
others
Management
Finance
Operations Management
Project Management
Data Science
CXO
Cybersecurity
Degree
MBA
Leadership
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Product Management
Digital Marketing
Skills you'll gain:
Programming Proficiency
Data Handling & Analysis
Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Duration:
24 Months
Vellore Institute of Technology
VIT Master of Computer Applications
Starts on
Aug 14, 2024
Get Details
"I will stay in office and do everything in my power to chart a path toward resolving these challenges," Ishiba said, adding that he intended to speak directly with US President
Donald Trump
as soon as possible and deliver tangible results. Analysts say his days may be numbered, however, having also lost control of the more powerful lower house in elections last year and shedding votes on Sunday to opposition parties pledging to cut taxes and tighten immigration policies.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Finally A Life Insurance Option Designed for Seniors 65+
Best Life Insurance
Learn More
Undo
"The political situation has become fluid and could lead to a leadership change or the reshuffling of the coalition in coming months," said Oxford Economics' lead
Japan
economist
Norihiro Yamaguchi
.
Investors fear Ishiba's administration will now be more beholden to opposition parties advocating for tax cuts and welfare spending that the world's most indebted country can ill afford.
Live Events
The 68-year-old leader said he had no plans to expand his coalition but would work with opposition parties to address voter concerns about inflation. He cautioned, though, that tax changes would not deliver the immediate help households need. Markets in Japan were closed for a holiday on Monday, although the yen strengthened and
Nikkei futures
rose slightly, as the election results appeared to be priced in.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Germany: Would compulsory military service hurt the economy?
AI- Representative Image The German economy cannot cope with young people first completing mandatory military service, and only then entering the labour force, Steffen Kampeter of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) told the Financial Times. Are his concerns warranted? Germany got rid of compulsory service in 2011, through strictly speaking, it was not abolished but merely suspended. This suspension may be lifted for national defence needs — should the country be threatened or under attack. Since then, young men must no longer undergo medical examinations to determine their physical fitness for military service. But now, German defence minister Boris Pistorius has cautioned that Europe is facing a growing security threat. "According to the assessments of international military experts, it must be assumed that Russia will be in a position to attack a Nato state, or a neighbouring state, from 2029 onwards," Pistorius said last summer, speaking with the German daily Frankfurter Rundschau. Pistorius has promoted a range of measures to address this threat, including a proposal that would reintroduce a kind of compulsory military service. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo These measures would strike a balance between the current model of voluntary military service and selective service. Germany eager to strengthen its army The German military, or Bundeswehr, currently has about 181,000 active personnel. Its ranks are set to grow by over 10 per cent to 203,000 by 2027. The Financial Times reports that the German armed forces will need around 80,000 additional recruits over the next 10 years to meet its Nato commitments. In June, Pistorius announced plans to introduce a hybrid model of voluntary military service and selective conscription. It would see approximately 5,000 18-year-olds conscripted for basic service each year. If there are not enough additional volunteers to fill all positions, a return to compulsory military service could follow, Pistorius told the German weekly Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. The minister's proposed measures have been submitted to Germany's parliament, where a decision is anticipated "before the 2025 summer recess." The defence Ministry has said "this should significantly improve the operational readiness of the armed forces." Just how voluntary is this? Pistorius envisions a basic service that could have a duration of least six months, with a possible extension of up to 23 months. "Everyone can decide for themselves how long they want to serve in the military," his ministry stated on the matter. "Regardless of this, all other types of enlistment, whether as a soldier on temporary duty or as professional soldier, will continue to exist." The plan is to send a letter to all young people after their 18th birthday, with a QR code that would direct them to an online questionnaire. Those who complete the questionnaire and express a basic interest in serving will be invited for a medical examination. Young men will be required to complete the questionnaire, whereas for "women and persons of other genders, answering the questions is voluntary," according to the defence Ministry. Pistorius' plans to strengthen the army have received backing from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who told the public broadcaster ZDF that he was "in favor of compulsory military service." Steinmeier said Europe's tense security situation, Russia's war in Ukraine and the US government's stance on trans-Atlantic relations under president Donald Trump warranted the move. The BDA'S Kampeter agrees with the assessment, and told the Financial Times he thought Europe's "security situation is dramatic." And while he also believes that Germany needed "more active soldiers and to strengthen our pool of reservists," he said he felt that "only a strong economy can make that possible." Will conscription hurt the economy? DW spoke with the German economic institute (IW) in Cologne to determine how justified Kampeter's concerns were. "The effect of compulsory military service on the labor market depends on how many recruits are drafted, and how long they have to serve," said economist Holger Schäfer. "Drafting 20,000 recruits is unlikely to have much of an impact, but drafting an entire age group certainly would." Schäfer did not want to give his opinion on whether compulsory military service was sensible or even necessary, but added that "naturally, security aspects play a major role in this question." The Bundeswehr currently provides opportunities for young people to complete vocational training in skilled trades and academic fields, such as mechatronics or medical professions. But Schäfer said this is unrealistic, given that basic military service is too short "to typically complete vocational training." The new conscription model under debate does provide possibilities for extending one's service period, during which vocational training could be completed. This was the case when Germany had mandatory military service during the Cold War. This way, young people might enter the labour market later, but they would be fully trained, and able to counter the shortage of skilled workers. Mandatory or voluntary service? A study conducted last year by the Munich-based Ifo Institute, an economic research institution, found that it would be better to invest in voluntary military service than to introduce universal military service in Germany. The study, commissioned by the German finance ministry, warned that compulsory military service would be expensive and have a negative impact on citizens. The Financial Times reported that mandatory service would worsen young people's financial prospects by delaying the start of their studies or careers. Carlo Masala, a professor of international politics at the Bundeswehr University Munich, meanwhile, believes concerns about the economic consequences of a return to any form of conscription are "exaggerated." Even with compulsory military service, he expects that no more than 25,000 young people would be drafted each year — significantly fewer than the 200,000 West German conscripts drafted at the height of the Cold War. Masala believes that the German economy has recognized "that it must engage in some positive way with defence questions" and that ultimately, it must "accept this."
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
South Park Season 27 roasts Trump in wild premiere: Satan, lawsuits & desert PSAs
The South Park boys watch with amusement as Trump and Satan share an ornate bed in a lavish hotel room. TL;DR South Park premiered Season 27 with an all-out Trump roast: lawsuits, bed scenes, nudity, and biting PSAs. The episode drags both Trump and media outlets who back down from him. Fans are sharing tear-inducing laughter—this episode might go down as a classic waste-no-bullets takedown. On July 23, South Park returned with "Sermon on the 'Mount", and hoo-boy—the creators didn't hold back. Fresh off a massive $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount+, Trey Parker and Matt Stone unleashed one of their most ruthless political takedowns yet. In a major twist, Trump is animated as a Canadian! A classic South Park visual gag—but they didn't stop there. Instead of Mr. Garrison, it's real Trump, drawn in that old-school Canadian flapping-head style. The show cuts to a wild scene: Trump cuddling in bed with Satan. And yes, there's a gag about a 'micro penis' (Satan's own words!). . Classic South Park: provocative, absurd, and absolutely cringe-inducing—for comedic effect. In the episode, Trump sues the town of South Park for $5 billion, mirroring his real-life $10 billion suit against Paramount. The settlement? The town must air pro-Trump PSAs—featuring an AI-generated Trump wandering naked in the desert, declaring, 'His p***s is teeny tiny, but his love for us is large.' Yep, that's a real line Critics are calling it one of South Park's boldest jabs—even comparing it to late-night hosts. The episode slams corporations and media that pander to Trump, and listeners report it's 'gut-wrenching laughter' from start to finish Reddit users lost it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo "It was brilliant. They went into the abyss. And I enjoyed every minute. 30 minutes of gut wrenching laughter, literally on the floor crying, and miraculously, irregardless of the content or where I stand with it, I feel GREAT. Haven't laughed like that in decade's. Was much needed!," writes one user. South Park' Takes on Trump in Season 27 Premiere as Creators Ink $1.5 Billion Deal by u/ArcBounds in politics Another proclaimed the PSA was more savage than anything Colbert has pulled. Popular sentiment: South Park is back—and it's savage. If you've missed it, grab your snacks and brace yourself—this premiere is exactly why South Park still shocks and slays after 27 seasons.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Raising children in the Gulf: What every expat family should know
Gulf-based expat families navigate cultural values, schooling, and identity challenges while raising children in the region/Representative Image TL;DR: Parenting in the GCC as an expat comes with both privileges and pressures Key concerns include education, language, faith, and legal guardianship rules Countries like the UAE and Qatar offer expat-friendly policies and global schooling options Family life is generally safe and culturally rich, but adapting takes effort For millions of expat families across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, spanning the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait; parenting comes with a unique set of questions. How do you balance cultural integration with preserving your child's identity? What schools offer the best globally recognized curriculums? And how do local laws affect your rights as a guardian? Unlike traditional migration destinations in Europe or North America, the Gulf's expat population lives within systems where citizenship is rarely offered, local languages dominate public services, and family sponsorship is tightly regulated. However, many GCC countries are making visible progress in becoming more accommodating to diverse parenting needs. Education: More Than Just Academics One of the biggest concerns for expat parents is schooling. Fortunately, GCC countries offer a wide variety of international curricula. In the UAE alone, there are over 200 private schools in Dubai offering British, American, Indian, IB, French, and other programs, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also expanded their private education sectors to meet expat demand. According to Oxford Business Group (2024), Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to increase private education enrollment from 14% to 25% by the end of the decade, creating more choices for expat families. Still, costs are high, particularly in the UAE where fees for international schools can range from AED 12,000 ($3267) to over AED 100,000 ($27225) annually. Parents are encouraged to compare accreditation, student-teacher ratios, and language support before enrolling. Language and Identity: Navigating Cultural Fluidity Raising bilingual or even trilingual children is common in the GCC, where English is widely used in private schools and workplaces, but Arabic dominates government services and media. Many families struggle with ensuring their children retain their native tongue while becoming proficient in both English and Arabic. Cultural integration also plays a major role. Children often grow up in multicultural classrooms but may have limited engagement with local communities. Some parents enroll their kids in Arabic classes outside school, while others participate in national festivals and community events to help children understand their host country. Legal Awareness: Know Your Rights as a Parent It's critical for expat families to understand the legal framework around custody, guardianship, and residency. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, children's visas are linked to a parent's work permit—usually the father's. Mothers can now sponsor children in many cases, provided they meet certain income thresholds. In the event of a divorce or death, guardianship rules in the Gulf can differ drastically from Western norms. For instance, personal status laws based on Sharia may prioritize a male relative for custody, though recent reforms in the UAE and Bahrain have made room for more equitable interpretations. Parents are advised to maintain up-to-date legal documents, including custody agreements notarized in both their home country and host nation, and consult lawyers familiar with family law in the GCC. Healthcare and Safety: A Regional Strength Healthcare access for children is generally excellent across the Gulf, especially in the UAE and Qatar, which have invested heavily in world-class public and private hospitals. Expat families are typically required to carry health insurance as part of visa conditions. As for safety, the GCC consistently ranks among the safest regions globally, with very low violent crime rates. A Numbeo 2025 mid-year safety index placed Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Sharjah among the world's top 15 safest cities. This has allowed families to enjoy a lifestyle with frequent outdoor activities, mall outings, and community events, often with dedicated family-only zones. Building Support Networks: You're Not Alone Parenting as an expat can be isolating, especially when you're far from extended family. Many turn to expat parenting forums, local meetup groups, and school-based communities for support. Platforms like Internations, ExpatWoman, and Mumsnet UAE provide practical tips, while cultural centres and embassies often host events to keep children connected with their roots. Raising children in the Gulf as an expat is not without its challenges, but it also offers an unparalleled opportunity to raise globally minded, culturally fluent individuals. With the region becoming more inclusive through educational reform, legal updates, and community infrastructure, families are finding it easier to plant roots, even temporarily. Still, the onus remains on parents to remain informed, culturally respectful, and proactive about legalities, schooling, and integration. In a region where transitions are frequent and diversity is the norm, parenting becomes an exercise in flexibility, empathy, and long-term planning.
