Latest news with #militaryExpansion
Japan Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
SDP campaign to focus on inflation and opposing military expansion, leader says
Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima has said the Japanese opposition party will fight the upcoming House of Councilors election with an emphasis on combating inflation and opposing military expansion. The SDP will put "livelihoods over missiles," she said in a recent interview ahead of the closely watched July 20 Upper House poll. Fukushima also said the SDP will aim to continue meeting the legal requirements to be a political party. "The SDP has proposed a zero percent consumption tax rate on foodstuffs and raising the minimum wage to a uniform ¥1,500 per hour across the country," she said. "We are saying that tax revenue should be used not for military expansion but for people's livelihoods." In the upcoming triennial election, the SDP aims to win three or more seats and is determined to obtain at least 2% of votes cast under the proportional representation format so that the party can maintain its status as a political party under law, Fukushima said. "The Liberal Democratic Party does not (want to) change," Fukushima said, asked about her evaluation of the administration of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who heads the ruling party. "Some changes occurred" after the ruling LDP and its Komeito ally lost their combined House of Representatives majority in the wake of their defeat in the October 2024 election for the all-important lower chamber, Fukushima said, noting that Diet debates were held on bills for introducing a selective dual surname system for married couples. "However, the overall trend has not changed at all," she said. "For example, (the Ishiba administration) has failed to work on cutting consumption tax and banning political donations from corporations and other organizations." Fukushima expressed disappointment over some opposition parties having offered cooperation to the ruling bloc for certain bills, including a draft government budget, saying, "Opposition parties should join forces to confront the unchanging LDP, as in the case of a bill to abolish the provisional add-on gasoline tax rate." The SDP exists to prevent people from starving and the country from going into war, the leader said. "I am currently very concerned about the rise of xenophobia, and this isn't unrelated to preparations for war." "One of my favorite phrases is 'Peace and equality go hand in hand,'" Fukushima said. "People are not at fault for their difficult lives, and I want to call for changing the unfair tax system, as well as the current politics and the use of tax revenue that favor large corporations and the wealthy." She stressed the importance of creating peace at a time when Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues and instability is growing in the Middle East. "I want to change the current global situation where violations of international law are occurring, with some countries expanding their military capabilities and adopting a stance of not hesitating to launch the first strike." While Japan lodged a protest against Israel when it launched attacks on Iran last month, the Ishiba administration should react more harshly by calling the Israeli action "a violation of international law," Fukushima said. "Japan should not take the same position as the United States."
The Independent
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Watch: Japan launches first missile test on home soil
Japan test-fired a missile on its own soil for the first time Wednesday (25 June), marking a significant step in its military expansion aimed at deterring regional threats, including China. The Ground Self-Defense Force launched a Type 88 surface-to-ship missile from Hokkaido's Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range, targeting an uncrewed vessel 40 kilometers offshore. Officials confirmed the test's success and plan another by Sunday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stressed the drill's purpose was to enhance personnel skills, not target any nation.
South China Morning Post
06-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
US Senate committee passes measures on Taiwan, mainland China's overseas military growth
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a slate of China-focused measures on Thursday, including bipartisan bills to counter Beijing's overseas military expansion and bolster Taiwan's role in global finance while advancing the nomination of a former ambassador to lead US diplomacy in East Asia. The Counter Act of 2025, co-authored by Senators Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware, and Pete Ricketts, Republican of Nebraska, calls on the US government to develop a strategy to respond to the People's Republic of China's efforts to establish military bases overseas. The bill states that 'the PRC is likely pursuing access to additional military facilities to support naval, air, and ground forces projection in many countries'. It was co-sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia; John Cornyn, Republican of Texas; and Elissa Slotkin, Democrat of Michigan. If passed, the legislation would require the director of national intelligence to submit a classified assessment of risks posed by Chinese bases overseas, and instruct the State and Defense departments to identify at least five locations that pose the 'greatest potential risks'. It would also establish an inter-agency task force and require quadrennial reviews to maintain a 'proactive posture rather than a reactive posture'. In May, Coons said that China was using the placement of new bases in strategically important countries to expand its military and economic power.
South China Morning Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
US Senate committee passes measures on Taiwan and China's overseas military growth
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a slate of China-focused measures on Thursday, including bipartisan bills to counter Beijing's overseas military expansion and bolster Taiwan's role in global finance while advancing the nomination of a former ambassador to lead US diplomacy in East Asia. Advertisement The Counter Act of 2025, co-authored by Senators Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware, and Pete Ricketts, Republican of Nebraska, calls on the US government to develop a strategy to respond to the People's Republic of China's efforts to establish military bases overseas. The bill states that 'the PRC is likely pursuing access to additional military facilities to support naval, air, and ground forces projection in many countries'. It was co-sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia; John Cornyn, Republican of Texas; and Elissa Slotkin, Democrat of Michigan. If passed, the legislation would require the director of national intelligence to submit a classified assessment of risks posed by Chinese bases overseas, and instruct the State and Defense departments to identify at least five locations that pose the 'greatest potential risks'. It would also establish an interagency task force and require quadrennial reviews to maintain a 'proactive posture rather than a reactive posture'. Advertisement In May, Coons said that China was using the placement of new bases in strategically important countries to expand its military and economic power.
