Disaster Management Agency Establishment Law and SNS Election Countermeasure Law Passed, Imperial House Law Amendment Bill to Go to Upper House Vote on 15th

Disaster Management Agency Establishment Law and SNS Countermeasure Law Passed, Imperial House Law Vote on 15th Ahead of the session's end on the 17th, the Upper House plenary session on the 13th passed the Disaster Management Agency Establishment Law and revised laws including the Public Office Election Law, which mandates measures against misinformation on SNS starting from the unified local elections in spring 2027. The Imperial House Law amendment bill is expected to be voted on in the Upper House Special Committee on the 15th and passed in the plenary session on the 17th. Meanwhile, the deputy capital bill saw its vote on the 14th postponed as the ruling and opposition parties failed to reach a consensus, and within the Liberal Democratic Party, arguments for a slight extension of the session have surfaced. 1234567

Government Signals Strengthening of Foreign Spy Measures, New Intelligence Agency to be Created Following a New York Times report on large-scale espionage activities and weapons procurement by Russia set in Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara stated on the 13th that 'the need to address foreign intelligence activities is increasing,' and expressed a policy to further strengthen measures. The Japanese government passed a new law in 2026 to consolidate intelligence agencies, once again demonstrating its stance of tackling espionage prevention across the public and private sectors. 89

Conclusion on Consumption Tax Reduction Postponed, Scenario Emerges of Leaving Decision to 'Prime Minister's Ruling' In the National Council on Social Security, agreement on a refundable tax credit is being prioritized, and discussions on the consumption tax reduction are expected to be carried over without a conclusion. In the interim report, the positions of each party are being listed side by side, and the scenario of leaving the final decision to Prime Minister Takaichi is becoming likely. Regarding the government's basic policy framework (Honebuto), statements that could affect the Bank of Japan's independence triggered market anxiety, and the government was forced to take the unusual step of dispelling such concerns. 101112

Defamatory Video Scandal: CDP to Pursue in Budget Committee, but Questions Arise over Businessman's Testimony Mizuoka, the leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), emphasized on the 13th the intention to pursue the defamatory video scandal involving Prime Minister Takaichi's camp during the intensive deliberations of the Budget Committee to be held during the Diet session. On the other hand, regarding the businessman who confessed to creating the video, the Japanese Communist Party has pointed out he is a 'swindler,' and voices questioning the credibility of his testimony have emerged, complicating the structure of the pursuit. 13

Vietnamese Defense Minister Visits Japan, Confirms Strengthening of Japan-India Defense Cooperation Vietnam's Defense Minister Phan Van Giang met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara on the 13th and agreed to strengthen defense cooperation and equipment cooperation. On the same day, talks were held between Japanese and Indian foreign and defense officials, and they agreed to promote defense industry cooperation and collaboration on cybersecurity. 1415