2025 POLLS: Ishiba Says "No Compromise" in Tariff Negotiations

Tokyo, July 6 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Sunday that the country "will not compromise" in tariff negotiations with the United States, maintaining his stance of seeking the elimination of automobile tariffs.
 

Ishiba, also president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made the remark as he appeared on television programs by public broadcaster Japan Broadcasting Corp., or NHK, and Fuji Television Network Inc., together with other political party leaders ahead of the July 20 House of Councillors election.
 

Ishiba also said, "We are vigorously engaged in last-minute negotiations with the national interest at stake."
 

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said a summit with U.S. President Trump should be held to find a way out in the tariff negotiations.
 

In response to Trump's complaints about the United States' trade deficit with Japan, Ishiba said that Japan is "the world's largest investor in and job-creating country for the United States, so we're different from other countries." He explained that the government is considering its response to a notice letter on tariff rates that is expected to be sent from the United States.
 

Noda said that Japanese chief trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa "is not functioning." He then asked the prime minister to "do negotiations to go into extra time," calling for direct talks between the two countries' leaders to push back the expiration of a suspension of the additional U.S. reciprocal tariffs.

Tetsuo Saito, chief of Komeito, the junior coalition partner of the LDP, said, "Additional economic measures will be required depending on the situation."
 

Noting that Trump has said he will end the United States' decarbonization policy and reduce the introduction of electric vehicles, Sanseito chief Sohei Kamiya argued that Japan should also review its measures against global warming.
 

Ishiba said suprapartisan talks on social security reforms are needed.
 

Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), stressed the need to exclude prescription drugs with ingredients similar to over-the-counter drugs from health insurance coverage in order to lower social insurance premiums.
 

Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the Democratic Party for the People, said, "In principle, out-of-pocket medical expenses for people aged 75 or older should be 20 pct, and those with income and assets similar to working people should pay 30 pct."
 

Tomoko Tamura, head of the Japanese Communist Party, refuted, "The direction of reducing medical expenses and removing drugs from medical insurance coverage is wrong."
 

Reiwa Shinsengumi head Taro Yamamoto said: "Poverty is growing in every generation. Public money must be injected."
 

Meanwhile, regarding the framework of the administration after the House of Councillors election, Ishiba only said, "I can't tell before we're tested by public opinion." Noda said his party is not thinking of forming a grand coalition with the LDP. Both Tamaki and Kamiya mentioned the possibility of partial cooperation with the ruling parties.
 

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