Prime Minister Ishiba's Position on U.S. Tariff Agreement and Domestic Economic Measures

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba voiced his reservations about establishing a formal written agreement with the United States concerning tariffs while participating in deliberations at the House of Representatives Budget Committee. Although he criticized the idea of a written deal, he affirmed his dedication to working on reducing tariffs on automobiles, highlighting that such tariffs were not addressed in an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump.

During the discussions, Ishiba indicated his willingness to engage both ruling and opposition parties in dialogues concerning measures to tackle high prices. Yoshihiko Noda, the president of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, raised apprehensions about the lack of a written agreement, stating that the Trump administration could potentially misinterpret the situation, leaving Japan vulnerable to unfavorable outcomes. To this, Ishiba countered by expressing concern that the creation of a formal document could hinder the timely reduction of tariffs, committing instead to consistent tariff reductions.

Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, echoed Ishiba's sentiments by emphasizing the need for prompt actions from the U.S. to ensure that any agreements reached would be effectively implemented. In response to a question from Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, Ishiba remarked that the duration of his term would depend on whether businesses experience disadvantages due to the Japan-U.S. agreement, making it difficult for him to predict his time in office.

The discussions then turned towards strategies to address ongoing high prices, where Noda proposed the idea of income tax reductions paired with cash payouts. Ishiba agreed that discussions should be held on this matter and expressed interest in exploring social security issues further. When Noda called for conversations around corporate and group contributions to political parties based on a proposal from Komeito and the DPFP, Ishiba responded positively, recognizing the significance of dialogue between the leading parties.

Moreover, there was a consensus reached between ruling and opposition parties to eliminate the provisional gasoline tax by the year's end, with talks already initiating on this front. In light of inquiries on this subject, Ishiba assured that the government would make every effort to execute this plan efficiently and consistently. Furthermore, he expressed the importance of sharing his perspectives on World War II as the 80th anniversary of its conclusion approaches, to maintain awareness and prevent the fading of historical memories.