Focus on Imperial Household Law and Sub-Capital Bill in Final Stage of Diet, Defamatory Video Allegations Also Linger

Imperial Household Law amendment bill goes to House of Councillors, 'imperial succession to be considered in the future' The Imperial Household Law amendment bill, which passed the House of Representatives, will enter deliberation in the House of Councillors as early as the 14th. The specific institutional design for imperial succession has been postponed as a 'future consideration,' and the government and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are struggling to maintain the 'consensus of the legislature,' but objections are arising from various parties. 1

Final Stages of Fighting Toward End of Diet Session, Focus on Fate of Sub-Capital Bill Ahead of the end of the session on the 17th, the battle between the ruling and opposition parties is in its final stages. The bill to establish the Disaster Management Agency is expected to pass on the 13th. The sub-capital bill is facing difficulties in coordination in the House of Councillors, and a small extension of the session is being considered. 23

Support Rate for Takaichi Cabinet Drops to 65.9%, Maintaining Unusually High Level According to a JNN opinion poll, the approval rating for the Takaichi Cabinet fell by 4.1 points to 65.9%, the lowest since its inauguration. However, maintaining over 60% eight months after its launch is unusual, with particularly strong support among younger generations. 4

Slander Video Suspicions: Shinba Warns Opposition’s Pursuit 'Could Boomerang' Secretary-General Katsuya Shinba of the Democratic Party for the People demanded that the opposition also conduct a strict verification of the facts regarding the defamatory video suspicions surrounding Prime Minister Takaichi’s camp. Citing past examples, he stated, 'If fact-checking is lacking, it will eventually backfire,' casting doubt on the course of their pursuit. 5

Finance Minister Katayama Acknowledges 'Honebuto Shock', Suggests Expanding GPIF Domestic Investment Finance Minister Katayama effectively acknowledged that the government's 'Honebuto' basic policy caused market turmoil, referred to as the 'Honebuto Shock'. He indicated a policy to encourage the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) to invest in domestic assets, and in the market, long-term interest rates fell and the yen strengthened. 67

Chinese Engineer with 'Highly Skilled Professional' Status Arrested for Unlicensed Taxi in Front of Tokyo Station The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a Chinese national system engineer (42) for operating an unlicensed taxi (white taxi) in front of Tokyo Station. He was charging fares 10% higher than regular rates. The suspect had a 'Highly Skilled Professional' residence status. 8

Summer Travel Pullback Expands Due to High Prices and Stagnant Wages, Yellow Light for Personal Consumption Amid soaring accommodation and transportation costs and sluggish wage growth, the trend of holding back on domestic travel this summer is spreading. Concerns are growing over the impact on tourism-related industries, casting a shadow over the government's economic measures. 9