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Japan heads to polls in key test for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba

Japan heads to polls in key test for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba

BBC News6 days ago
Japanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday in a tightly contested election amid public frustration over rising prices and the imminent threat of US tariffs. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito need to secure a combined 50 seats to retain an overall majority in the upper house but the latest polling shows they might fall short. This election comes at a difficult time for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his ruling coalition as US President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Tokyo during tense tariff negotiations.Japan's massive auto industry, which accounts for eight percent of the country's jobs, is reeling from painful levies already in place.
Weak export data last week stoked fears that the world's fourth-largest economy could tip into a technical recession.Despite Ishiba securing an early meeting with Trump in February, and sending his trade envoy to Washington seven times, no agreement has been reached. For voters, tackling rising prices is a also a central concern.The cost of rice, a staple food for Japanese households, has nearly doubled since last year. For the past few months, the government has had to tap into its emergency stockpiles to tackle the shortage. Since last year's lower house election, which saw the coalition fall short of a majority, the LDP has not been able to regain the trust of voters who are disgruntled with stagnant wages and relentless inflation. Meanwhile, the populist Sanseito party, which has been using social media to attract younger voters, has seen a surge in popularity. Polls show its "Japanese First" slogan has struck a chord with some conservatives, although its hardline stance on foreigners has drawn criticism.The party wants "stricter rules and limits" on immigration, opposes "globalism" and "radical" gender policies, and wants a re-think on decarbonisation and vaccines.If Ishiba's ruling coalition fails to secure 50 seats, it will have lost majority in both chambers of parliament, which could threaten his leadership and lead to political instability. Ishiba's centre-right party has governed Japan almost continuously since 1955, albeit with frequent changes of leader.The last time the LDP and Komeito failed to win a majority in the upper house was in 2010, having already fallen below the threshold in 2007.That was followed by a rare change of government in 2009, when the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan governed for a rocky three years.
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Trump calls on Thailand and Cambodia to cease fire and talk trade
Trump calls on Thailand and Cambodia to cease fire and talk trade

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Trump calls on Thailand and Cambodia to cease fire and talk trade

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The bitter feud fuelling the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia
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The Guardian

time2 hours ago

  • The Guardian

The bitter feud fuelling the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia

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Trump says he is pushing for ceasefire to end Thailand and Cambodia's border conflict
Trump says he is pushing for ceasefire to end Thailand and Cambodia's border conflict

The Independent

time3 hours ago

  • The Independent

Trump says he is pushing for ceasefire to end Thailand and Cambodia's border conflict

Donald Trump has called for a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand as the fighting along the border between the two countries continued into a third day. The US president said he had spoken to Cambodia's prime minister, Hun Manet, and was in the process of calling Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, to end the war 'which is currently raging.' He posted on his social media platform Truth Social: 'Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand. I am calling the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, right now, to likewise request a Ceasefire, and END to the War, which is currently raging. 'We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting — And I have told them so! The call with Thailand is being made momentarily. 'The call with Cambodia has ended, but expect to call back regarding War stoppage and Ceasefire based on what Thailand has to say. 'I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt.' Not long after, the US president – currently golfing in Scotland – shared an update to confirm that the Mr Wechayachai also wanted an immediate ceasefire. 'I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE. 'I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!' At least 33 people have died and more than 168,000 have been displaced by the border clashes. Artillery fire and gunshots were reported near several border villages, expanding the area of the fighting that flared again Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Officials from both sides of the border have claimed to have acted in retaliation. The UN has placed pressure on the regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to defuse the situation between its two members. During an emergency meeting on Friday, members of the UN Security Council called for de-escalation and urged ASEAN to mediate a peaceful solution. The 500-mile frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but previous confrontations have been limited and brief. Current tensions rose after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation in May that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. Both sides have employed rocket and artillery attacks, and a Thai military spokesperson confirmed cluster munitions could be used 'when necessary' after Cambodia claimed the internationally prohibited weapons were being deployed. Human rights advocates have urged the UN Security Council and concerned governments to press the Thai and Cambodian governments to abide by international humanitarian law, with Human Rights Watch condemning what it has alleged is the use of cluster munitions in populated areas. Neither country is party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the use of the weapon in such areas.

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