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According to an Asahi Shimbun report, meetings between Abe, then-Policy Research Council Chairman Fumio Hagiuda, former Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and the Unification Church's leadership occurred in the LDP's President’s Room in late June 2013. In response to inquiries about these claims, Kishida affirmed that his prior statements on the issue remain unchanged, asserting that no new information warrants further discussion at this time.
Motegi outlined that while the objectives of enhancing national defense and bolstering childcare support remain crucial, the methods of financing these initiatives are set to change. He proposed leveraging non-tax revenues, specifically utilizing foreign currency assets from the "Foreign Exchange Fund Special Account," to mitigate the impact of sudden exchange rate fluctuations. This approach represents a departure from the Kishida administration's strategy of raising taxes to fund these critical areas.
As Prime Minister Kishida’s term nears its conclusion on September 30, the upcoming election will be critical in shaping the future direction of the party. The electoral process will involve a total of 734 votes, split equally between Diet members and rank-and-file party members, with the possibility of a runoff if no candidate secures a majority in the initial round.
Kishida’s visit follows a precedent set by former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who traveled to the U.S. during the September 2021 LDP leadership election but did not attend the U.N. General Assembly. Instead, Suga participated in a Quad leaders’ meeting and held separate talks with Biden, delivering his speech via prerecorded video.
Kishida, who also serves as LDP president, informed senior party officials of his decision through a series of phone calls before publicly declaring his withdrawal. The move reflects Kishida’s acknowledgment of the difficulty in securing a new mandate given his administration's poor performance in recent opinion polls.
At 67, Kishida’s decision to forgo re-election comes amid a backdrop of persistently low approval ratings for his Cabinet, which have languished in the low 20% range. The Kishida administration has faced criticism, particularly related to allegations of violations of the Political Funds Control Law by LDP factions, which has fueled calls within the party for new leadership.
During a press conference following an emergency meeting, Kishida emphasized the gravity of the situation, underscoring the government's commitment to managing the crisis with utmost urgency. The typhoon has unleashed record-breaking precipitation along the Pacific coast, prompting concerns about flooding, landslides, and other potential hazards.
In his Nagasaki Peace Declaration, Mayor Shiro Suzuki, a second-generation A-bomb survivor, called for a resolute shift away from nuclear weapons. “Leaders of nuclear states and those under the nuclear umbrella must confront the escalating threat that nuclear weapons pose to humanity and urgently pursue their abolition,” Suzuki asserted.
The Prime Minister's original itinerary had included visits to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia, where he was set to engage in crucial diplomatic discussions and participate in a high-level summit with leaders from five Central Asian countries. The trip, planned from Friday to Monday, was intended to strengthen Japan's diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with these nations. However, the recent seismic event has shifted Kishida's priorities toward ensuring Japan's preparedness and response in the wake of the natural disaster.
Prime Minister Kishida’s instructions come as part of a broader effort to address the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. The government is tasked with rapidly assessing the extent of the damage and coordinating with local authorities to implement emergency response measures effectively. The primary focus remains on ensuring the safety and protection of citizens.
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