Japan Press Weekly

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2025 July 9 - 15 [POLITICS]

JCP Koike on ‘Sunday Debate’ TV program calls for end to LDP politics serving at US behest

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on NHK’s “Sunday Debate” program aired on July 13 pledged to “put an end to the LDP-Komei regime” acting at the behest of the United States, the country notorious for ignoring international law and the UN Charter.

The U.S. Trump administration has announced that it will implement higher tariffs starting August 1 on imports from more than a dozen countries, including Japan. JCP Koike criticized this tariff policy for violating international trade rules. He noted that tariff consultations between the U.S. and other countries are not showing any progress, and said, “It is the Trump administration that is being backed into a corner.”

Koike said that Trump’s tariff measures cannot be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Instead, he stressed the need of international collaboration to push for the full reversal of the illegal and irrational tariff measures through multilateral negotiations.

Furthermore, Koike pointed out that the U.S. Trump administration’s demand for Japan to spend 3.5% of GDP (approximately 21 trillion yen) on the military would lead to tax increases and cuts in social security programs in Japan. Koike stated that the Japanese government should firmly reject such a demand as Japan’s military buildup will only increase tensions in the region.

Meanwhile, LDP Secretary-General Moriyama Hiroshi, asked by the program host how the ruling party will deal with the U.S. Trump administration, responded, “Nothing will change from the way we have dealt with the United States.”

To the same question, “Sanseito” party leader Kamiya Sohei replied, “The United States is a strong ally of Japan so Japan should have a clear understanding of the measures that U.S. President Trump is promoting.” Kamiya added that Japan should align its policy direction with the U.S. and offer to work together with the U.S.” in policies Trump is promoting such as “reversing the decarbonization policy, reversing DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies, and limiting immigration”.