Backed into a corner | This Week in Japanese Politics
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I joined Bilal Hafeez on the Macro Hive for a conversation about major issues in Japanese politics and my career as a Japan watcher.
I also joined Bloomberg’s “The Asia Trade” to discuss the outlook for the next round of US-Japan trade talks.
Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and senior Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leaders sparred with opposition lawmakers over consumption taxes and government finances, while Ishiba’s agriculture minister faces criticism for insensitive remarks about rice. Meanwhile, Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda Yoshihiko alluded to a possible no-confidence motion as the Diet prepares to debate pension reform. Finally, the Ishiba government is preparing for a third round of talks with the United States, as trade negotiator Akazawa Ryōsei is expected to visit the US for talks later this week. Plus: updates on the outlook for the upper house elections. All this and more in a new This Week in Japanese Politics.