With rising prices & immigration concerns threatening to weaken PM Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power, Japan's upper house election will be a tight contest.
The political uncertainty comes at a critical time for Japan, which must clinch a trade deal with the US before the 1 August deadline to avoid 25% tariffs.
Incumbent PM Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party & its ally acquired 215 seats, while the main opposition party, the CDJP, won 148 seats. However, both sides fell short of a majority.
One of the most difficult tasks for Shigeru Ishiba, apart from keeping together the divided LDP, will be implementing his foreign policy ideas—if he chooses to pursue them.
Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba’s proposal for an Asian NATO stems from his belief that the absence of a collective defence alliance could lead to wars. It’s a step too far for India.
Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.
India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.
Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.
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