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- Politics
Japan Opposition Stepping Up Offensive against Ruling Bloc
Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese opposition camp, which is now the majority force in both chambers of the Diet, the country's parliament, is poised to step up its offensive against the Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling bloc. The LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, gave up their combined House of Councillors majority in the July 20 election for the Diet's upper chamber, after losing their control of the more powerful House of Representatives in last October's general election for the Lower House. Late last week, five opposition parties--the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), the Democratic Party for the People, Reiwa Shinsengumi and the Japanese Communist Party--agreed to submit a bill to scrap the provisional add-on gasoline tax rate to the extraordinary Diet session set to be convened Friday. At a meeting of ruling and opposition party chiefs last Friday, Yoshihiko Noda, who heads the CDP, the biggest in the opposition camp, notified Prime Minister and LDP President Shigeru Ishiba that the opposition side is stepping up preparations for the submission of the bill. "I want you to take (the bill) seriously," Noda told Ishiba. In talks with reporters after the meeting, DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki indicated that it would be best for the add-on tax rate to be scrapped by the end of this year. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Japan Times
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Polls open for key Upper House election that could shake Japanese politics
Voters head to the polls Sunday for an Upper House election that could considerably alter the Japanese political landscape. Opinion polls have indicated the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito coalition could lose its long-held majority in the upper chamber, a development that would likely exacerbate instability amid significant challenges at home and abroad. Since the Lower House election, which saw the coalition fall short of a majority, the LDP hasn't been able to rehabilitate its standing in the eyes of many voters. Sunday's vote will offer a snapshot of the current mood around Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who also serves as LDP leader and whose political standing has long been tarnished by low approval ratings. With 75 of its seats not up for re-election in the Upper House, 50 is the number the coalition is aiming for to retain a majority in the chamber. Komeito's declining fortunes, apparent in the recent election for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, are contributing to a growing sense of anxiety, however. A variety of scenarios await the country should the coalition lose its majority — ranging from an enlarged ruling coalition to an opposition-led chamber, or even a minority leadership in both chambers. Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda stumps in the city of Fukuoka on Friday. | JIJI The last time an LDP government lost a majority in the Upper House was in 2007 during the first stint of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who resigned soon after the election. Meanwhile, the opposition is expected to make strong gains nationwide, most notably in the 32 single-seat constituencies set to sway the outcome of the election. A Kyodo News poll conducted in the final stages of the campaign showed that opposition candidates are leading in 14 constituencies, including long-time LDP strongholds such as Kagoshima and Miyazaki. The LDP is ahead in only nine of them. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan will likely maintain its position as the largest opposition force in both chambers of parliament, further reducing its gap to the LDP. The opposition camp, however, remains largely fragmented. Voters try to capture photos and videos as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is also the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to voters in Yokohama on Friday. | REUTERS Whether the Democratic Party for the People — the big winner of the last Lower House election — can build on that momentum will be closely watched. Sanseito, a party with only three seats in the Lower House, is also expected to garner wide support across the country, possibly gaining seats in urban districts. On the other hand, polls have found the Japanese Communist Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai will face uphill battles to expand their foothold in the legislative arena. Two issues have shaped the 17-day campaign: rising prices and the handling of policies related to the foreign community. While all opposition parties are calling for tax cuts to ease the pain of inflation, the ruling coalition has pledged cash handouts to everyone, including foreign residents, and targeted support for child-rearing and low-income households. Regardless of the outcome of the election, economic issues will be at the top of the agenda in the coming weeks and months — 'reciprocal' tariffs of 25% will be charged on almost all Japanese goods entering the United States starting Aug. 1 unless a compromise with the administration of President Donald Trump is reached.
Japan Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
CDP leader criticizes ‘Japanese First' policy and calls for inclusive society
The leader of Japan's largest opposition party has criticized the concept of 'Japanese First' policy — advocated by small, right-wing party Sanseito — saying foreign residents are critical to maintaining Japan's economy and calling for a multicultural society that respects minorities. Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda made the remarks while campaigning in Sendai and in Ibaraki Prefecture earlier this week ahead of Sunday's Upper House election. Noda warned that division and conflict were growing around the world, sowing the seeds of war. 'Unfortunately, in Japan as well, political forces have emerged that are stoking division and conflict through their rhetoric. If there are political forces seeking to gain political points by excluding foreigners, I will firmly oppose them,' Noda said during his Sunday appearance in Sendai. The issue of foreign residents in Japan, rarely a topic in election campaigning, has now become a hot topic of debate as Japan's foreign population continues to grow. Sanseito has adopted 'Japanese First' as its main slogan and the party's Upper House election platform. The platform includes a promise to implement immigration restrictions limiting the number of foreign residents to 5% of the population in each municipality. As of the end of 2024, the number of foreign residents in Japan stood at a record 3.77 million — up 10.5% from the year before, but still only about 3% of the total population. It was obvious, Noda added, that Japanese society could not function without the help of foreign workers in manufacturing, health care, construction and public transportation. 'For example, in the field of nursing care, it's estimated that 2.7 million workers will be needed by 2040. That's 15 years from now. Currently, there are about 2.1 million workers. But due to harsh working conditions, new people are not entering the field, and some are leaving. Closing this gap of 600,000 workers will be extremely difficult,' Noda said. While Noda did not specifically name Sanseito in his speeches, he criticized the concept of placing restrictions on foreign residents just to prioritize Japanese people, especially at a time when such residents are already contributing to Japanese society. 'Japanese first. Japan first. If that's the case, isn't (accepting foreign residents) for the greater good of our country?' he said during a separate rally in the city of Kamisu, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Wednesday. 'When you go to a convenience store, isn't the person selling you rice balls a foreign employee? Aren't there a lot of foreign workers in manufacturing plants? Aren't there a lot of foreign workers in construction sites and public transportation right now? Aren't we relying on foreign workers because of the shortage of caregivers?' Noda said. The CDP leader suggested that the idea foreign residents receive preferential treatment is a misconception that may be rooted in the fact that many Japanese are feeling hardship in their daily lives, rather than an indication of such residents actually being treated favorably. If the reason for their discontent is because wages aren't increasing as much as price hikes, resolving those issues is what needs to be done, he said. 'That's why we, the opposition parties, including the CDP, need to unite and overthrow the LDP-led administration.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Key Campaign Pledges Carry Issue of Fiscal Resources; Concerns Rise over Handout, Tax Cut Funding Sources
For the House of Councillors election to be held on July 20, parties have put forward key campaign promises such as consumption tax rate cuts, cash handouts and reductions in social insurance premiums. They are touting the effectiveness of these measures as ways to combat high prices and revitalize the nation's economy. However, there are many issues to be addressed, such as securing the necessary funding and processes to implement such measures, but the debate has not yet deepened. Difficult to cover shortfalls 'Prices are rising, and smiles are disappearing from the dinner table. To restore them, we will temporarily abolish food items' consumption tax. We will implement responsible tax cuts,' Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda said during a campaign speech in front of JR Gifu Station on Friday. Lowering the consumption tax rate on food items to zero would result in a ¥5 trillion shortfall in tax revenue over one year, while lowering the consumption tax rate to 5% on all items would result in a ¥15 trillion shortfall. Abolishing the consumption tax entirely would result in a ¥30 trillion shortfall. The CDPJ has showed its policy to use surplus from national reserves funds and the Foreign Exchange Fund Special Account to cover the ¥5 trillion shortfall, and made this clear in its campaign pledge. But the Liberal Democratic Party has expressed skepticism over the idea, with LDP Election Strategy Committee Chairperson Seiji Kihara saying, 'There are funds in the reserves that cannot be tapped, such as those designated for decarbonization initiatives and the semiconductor field.' Part of the funds for the foreign exchange special account have already been allocated for the enhancement of defensive strength. A senior Finance Ministry official emphasized, 'If the special account is used as if it were a magic wand, we would be unable to manage when actual foreign exchange intervention is needed.' Outperformed tax revenue 'We won't make empty promises as a makeshift,' Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is also the LDP president, criticized pledges of consumption tax cuts during a campaign speech in Sendai on Friday. Even a pledge by the LDP and its junior coalition partner Komeito to provide ¥20,000 to most adults and ¥40,000 per child or per adult in households exempt from resident tax, in cash payments, would need more than ¥3 trillion. But fiscal resources for such a measure remain unclear. The LDP explains it does not seek issuance of deficit-covering bonds for the cash provision, and it will instead use the outperformed portion of the fiscal 2025 tax revenue. However, tax revenue is subject to economic conditions and therefore volatile. Moreover, half of the retained earnings after the fiscal year budget are closed, including outperformed tax revenue, and are required by law to be allocated for debt repayment. In fiscal 2024, the other half of the ¥2.2 trillion retained earnings were allocated to defense spending. In reality, there is little leeway to allocate funds for other purposes. The Democratic Party for the People and Reiwa Shinsengumi accept the idea of issuing deficit-covering bonds. But with long-term interest rates continuing to rise, interest payments on government bonds are expected to swell further, leaving a heavy burden on future generations. Burden on local governments Both tax cuts and cash provisions face challenges in terms of institutional design. The CDPJ is proposing a consumption tax cut starting in April next year, but in addition to the need to revise tax-related laws in the Diet, Ishiba said it will take 'one year' to make necessary modifications including changes to cash register systems used in stores and other outlets. Meanwhile, the government and ruling parties aim to get a supplementary budget approved to fund the handouts at the extraordinary session of the Diet in the autumn, with plans to begin disbursement by the end of the year by utilizing banking or postal saving accounts linked to personal identification My Numbers to receive public funds. However, as of the end of May, only 65% of individuals had registered for public funds receipt accounts. Every time the central government implements a cash provision program, such as the ¥100,000 handout to all citizens in 2020, local governments tasked to carry out the actual provision have faced a significant administrative burden. This time as well, concerns have emerged among local governments. 'The workload will not decrease, but rather will only increase,' Chiba Gov. Toshihito Kumagai said.
Japan Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Japanese lawmaker under fire over Noto quake gaffe
Ruling party lawmaker Yosuke Tsuruho came under fire on Wednesday over his verbal gaffe about a powerful earthquake that struck Noto Peninsula last year. Tsuruho, a member of the House of Councilors from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said in a campaign speech in the city of Wakayama on Tuesday, "It was lucky that the earthquake occurred in Noto." Tsuruho apparently tried to say the government's moves to allow people to go through administrative procedures outside their area of residence were accelerated after the Noto earthquake. The chairman of the Upper House Budget Committee later on Tuesday withdrew the remarks and apologized. Speaking at a news conference in Wakayama on Wednesday, Tsuruho reiterated his apology and said, "I lacked consideration for the disaster-hit areas." He denied any plans to leave the LDP or resign as lawmaker. Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, criticized Tsuruho's remarks, while speaking to reporters in the city of Aomori on Wednesday. "This was unbelievable. It was beyond a slip of the tongue. He must deeply apologize to the people of Noto," Noda said. Tsuruho should decide his own fate, Noda said. "He has to take seriously how the public sees him." Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiichiro Tachibana said at a news conference in Tokyo: "It's important to stay close to the feelings of victims. No one should ever trample on them."
