Domestic News Flash ·
Kumamoto Earthquake death toll rises to 13, rescue efforts continue
The death toll from the Kumamoto Earthquake has risen to 13, with damage expanding including the Aeon Mall explosion and factory collapse, as the Self-Defense Forces continue rescue operations. Prime Minister Takaichi has decided on a policy to reduce the consumption tax rate on food to 1% for two years starting next April, and has begun procedures within the Liberal Democratic Party. Other important news in politics and economy followed, including a recommendation for a 4.9% increase in the minimum wage, the passage of the House of Representatives seat reduction law, and the LDP's proposal for warrantless wiretapping.
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Kumamoto Earthquake death toll 13, victims in Aeon Mall explosion Prime Minister Takaichi announced on the 29th that 13 deaths have been confirmed, including those related to disaster investigations. In the explosion at Aeon Mall Kumamoto, three specialty store employees died, and at the Nippon Paper Yatsushiro plant, five died due to a chimney collapse. 4,600 Self-Defense Forces personnel are involved in rescue and water supply support. 1234
Prime Minister Takaichi to reduce food consumption tax to 1% from next April The bipartisan National Council on Social Security approved an interim report and left the final decision to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is expected to instruct LDP executives on the 30th to consolidate opinions, aiming for a Cabinet decision in early August. The focus will be on funding shortages and opposition from the opposition parties. 5678
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare council recommends 4.9% minimum wage increase A recommendation to raise the national average minimum wage by 55 yen to 1,176 yen. It will be applied sequentially from October, and the broadening of wage increases will support the BOJ's rate hike trend. 9
House of Representatives seat reduction law passed in extraordinary Diet session, opposition protests The Takaichi Cabinet passed all cabinet laws including the reduction of parliamentary seats in an extraordinary Diet session. The opposition strongly opposes it, saying it 'shakes the foundations of democracy,' and the focus will be on the election system council at the end of September. 10
LDP proposes warrantless wiretapping as 'administrative interception' To address security threats, the party proposed to the government the introduction of a system that allows the collection of communications information without a court warrant. Concerns about privacy violations and abuse of power are also growing. 11
Three candidates for Okinawa gubernatorial election engage in heated debate at forum Ahead of the gubernatorial election announced on August 27, incumbent Denny Tamaki, former Naha Vice Mayor Genta Koja, and former House of Representatives member Mikio Shimoi participated. Opinions were exchanged over the Henoko base issue and measures against high prices. 12
Shiba Inu added to Japan's cryptocurrency approval list SHIB has been added to the green list of the Japan Cryptocurrency Business Association, placing it on par with Bitcoin and others. As the transition to becoming subject to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act regulations progresses, it is the first meme coin to receive such recognition. 13
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