Japan heads to polls in key test for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
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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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Trump calls on Thailand and Cambodia to cease fire and talk trade
Donald Trump said on Saturday he had held talks with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, as the two countries sought an "immediate ceasefire" following border the beginning of a private visit to his Scottish golf courses, the US president wrote on Truth Social that both nations "have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!".He added that he looked forward to resuming trade talks with Cambodia and Thailand though it wasn't appropriate to hold such discussions until the "fighting STOPS".At least 33 soldiers and civilians have been killed while thousands of Thai and Cambodian nationals have been displaced since fighting broke out on 24 July. Trump's intervention emerged a week before US tariffs on Cambodia and Thailand are due to come into force. From 1 August, businesses in the US shipping in goods from Thailand or Cambodia will have to pay a 36% tax unless an agreement can be reached before then. Earlier on Saturday, Cambodia had already called for "immediate" ceasefire with Sangiampongsa, Thailand's foreign minister, said its neighbour needed to show "genuine sincerity in ending the conflict" for talks to teeing off at his luxury resort Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire, the US president said that he had spoken to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai."When all is done, and peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!" Trump wrote.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
The bitter feud fuelling the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia
The dispute over Thailand and Cambodia's contested border, which dates back more than a century to disagreements over colonial-era maps, has broken into conflict before. But the most recent clashes, which erupted on Thursday, have been fuelled by another factor: a bitter feud between two powerful political patriarchs. Hun Sen, 72, and Thaksin Shinawatra, 76, former leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, were once such close friends they reportedly called one another brothers. Hun Sen has, over the years, supported Thaksin's family during their long-running power struggle with Thailand's military. Thaksin and his sister Yingluck stayed at Hun Sen's home after they were ousted from power, while Hun Sen appointed Thaksin an economic adviser to the Cambodian government. Thaksin frequently visited Cambodia, and Hun Sen was the first foreign guest to see the former Thai leader after he returned home after more than 15 years in self-imposed exile. But relations have broken down spectacularly over recent months. The exact reasons for their feud are unclear, but analysts say it has created an additional layer of volatility that is exacerbating deadly clashes on the neighbouring countries' border. Hun Sen and Thaksin are no longer in office in their respective countries, but both remain powerful. Hun Sen ruled for almost 40 years until 2003, when his eldest son Hun Manet became prime minister after running virtually uncontested in a sham election. Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra became prime minister last year. The extent of their falling out became clear last month, when Hun Sen leaked a recording of a phone conversation between himself and Paetongtarn. In the call, which was about the border dispute, Paetongtarn called Hun Sen 'uncle' and told him if there was anything he wanted, she would 'take care of it'. She also made disparaging comments about a senior Thai military commander. The leaked recording caused uproar in Thailand. Critics accused her of kowtowing to Cambodia, putting her family connections before the country's national interests. She was suspended from office by the constitutional court in July pending an investigation into ethical violations. It's not clear why Hun Sen chose to turn on his former friends. He has accused Thaksin of betrayal and threatened to reveal further sensitive information about the Shinawatras. 'I never imagined someone so close could act this way,' Thaksin said later, declaring their friendship over. Some analysts say Hun Sen may be trying to whip up nationalism domestically to increase support for his son, Hun Manet. Others suggest Hun Sen has been angered by Thailand's efforts to crackdown on so-called 'scam compounds' where trafficked workers are held and forced to target people around the world with online scams. This form of lucrative criminal activity has proliferated in the region over recent years, especially in Cambodia. 'The popular narrative in Thailand is that the two men may have had some kind of personal dealings behind the scenes that did not go according to plan and the fallout has spilled over into the realm of national interest,' adds Tita Sanglee, associate fellow with ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Whatever his motivations, Hun Sen has succeeded in damaging Thaksin's position, exploiting divisions between his family and the military, and creating a power vacuum in Thailand. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Hun Sen, meanwhile, 'holds near absolute control in Cambodia', adds Tita. He has stamped out virtually all opposition voices and independent media. 'When he chooses to take a strong stance, militarily or politically, it has immediate and direct consequences.' On Thursday night, Thaksin said he had thanked countries that had offered to mediate the border dispute, but would like to wait, adding: 'We need to let the Thai military do their job, and first teach this cunning Hun Sen a lesson.' Given Thaksin's weakened position, he may not have a choice but to let the military take the lead. Last week Thailand downgraded it diplomatic relations with Cambodia, recalling its ambassador, and saying it would expel the country's envoy in Bangkok. Thaksin has denied the families' feud was the cause of the clashes. However awkward questions about his friend turned foe are likely to continue. As he visited communities sheltering from the conflict in Ubon Ratchathani, in northeastern Thailand, a woman confronted him: 'You're Hun Sen's friend, aren't you? Is he your friend? Why do you allow Cambodia to shoot Thai people?' Solving territorial disagreements is difficult in any context, said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, professor at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University. 'No country would like to sacrifice any inch of sovereignty,' he said. But the personal conflict between Hun Sen and Thaksin has, he added, made their countries' dispute even more unpredictable.
The Independent
3 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.
