Ishita Agarwal

LDP Presidential race heats up: Ishiba advocates for higher financial income tax While Kobayashi 0pposes

Former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, who is a leading contender for the party’s top post, voiced strong support for increasing financial income tax during an appearance on BS Nippon Television on September 2nd. Ishiba argued that implementing such a tax was initially suggested by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and expressed disappointment over what he perceives as a retreat from this policy. "I want to implement it," Ishiba declared, stressing the need for a serious discussion about the potential consequences. He acknowledged concerns that higher taxes might drive wealthy individuals to relocate abroad, yet maintained that a comprehensive debate is necessary to assess whether such an outcome would indeed materialize.

Biden criticizes Israel’s efforts as insufficient; Netanyahu responds with firm rebuttal

President Biden’s comments came amid rising international pressure on Israel to intensify its response to recent developments. In his statement, Biden underscored that while Israel's actions were a step in the right direction, they fell short of what is required to achieve a lasting resolution. “The current efforts do not meet the scale of the challenges we face,” Biden remarked, stressing that more decisive and impactful measures are necessary for a sustainable peace.

Hayashi announces LDP leadership bid: balancing fiscal reform with economic strategy and political renewal

During his announcement, Hayashi addressed one of the key issues of the election—the strengthening of financial income tax. He advocated for a cautious approach, suggesting that the situation should be reassessed in 2025, once corrective measures targeting the super-rich have been implemented. Hayashi underscored the importance of harmonizing tax policies with the broader economic shift from savings to investment, reflecting a nuanced understanding of Japan’s evolving economic environment.

Japan experiences unprecedented summer heat: 2024 ties record for highest temperatures

Out of 914 weather monitoring locations across Japan, 144 reported their highest-ever temperatures. Sano City in Tochigi Prefecture recorded a staggering 41.0°C on July 29, tying for the second highest temperature ever documented in the country. The number of locations experiencing extreme heat days soared to 8,821, surpassing the previous record of 6,692 set last summer and exceeding any figures since the introduction of current statistical methods in 2010.

China threatens economic retaliation against Japan over semiconductor restrictions

According to sources cited by Bloomberg, Toyota is apprehensive that Beijing might retaliate by limiting Japan’s access to critical minerals essential for automotive production. This concern stems from Japan's stringent controls on chip manufacturing equipment, which are part of a broader strategy endorsed by the U.S. to curtail China's advancements in semiconductor technology. Toyota's strategic investments in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) Kumamoto plant have further heightened fears of becoming a target of Chinese economic measures.

Ke Wenzhe faces backlash over Jinghua City floor area ratio claims amidst legal scrutiny

Councilors from both major political camps have openly criticized Ko. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Councilor He Menghua has labeled Ko’s statements as outright lies, highlighting that the issue of Jinghua City's floor area ratio had been raised by city councilors as early as November 2021. He Menghua pointed out that Ko Wenzhe was questioned on related matters at least three years prior, making his recent claims implausible. DPP Councilor Hsu Shu-hua had also brought up similar concerns regarding floor area bonuses in 2023, further questioning Ko’s credibility.

Wu Siyao criticizes Kuomintang for disregarding judiciary; Huang Guochang questions door-kicking incident

Ben Gvir hails Labor Court ruling as general strike ends

The general strike, which began as a protest led by Histadrut, was characterized as a "political strike" by the Israeli government. It was intended to exert pressure on the administration regarding its handling of the ongoing hostage crisis and other political grievances. The strike saw extensive participation from workers in numerous industries, leading to notable interruptions in public services, transportation, and other key areas of the economy.

New Nahal Heletz settlement approved, connecting Gush Etzion to Jerusalem

The new settlement will cover approximately 60.2 hectares of land strategically located between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion. This area is set to become a pivotal component in expanding Israeli presence and infrastructure in the region. The approval and publication of the blue line facilitate the initiation of formal procedures for the settlement's development, aligning with Israel’s strategic and political objectives.

Polio vaccination campaign launched in Gaza amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis

The vaccination drive comes in the wake of Gaza reporting its first polio case in 25 years—a 10-month-old boy who is now paralyzed. This case, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), suggests there may be additional undiagnosed infections. The presence of polio in the region has intensified fears of a broader epidemic, as the virus is primarily spread through fecal matter.