Nobuo Ikeda
@ikedanob · Asia
Nobuo Ikeda is followed by The State of Israel for research and subject expertise coverage connected to Japan in the Asia chapter.
Having government offices impose entry restrictions and making profits through unfair competition is not first-rate, but a “deceptive business practice.” GO is the worst app: it excludes Uber while imitating Uber.
Translated from JapaneseNo, first of all, we should firmly oppose a cut to the consumption tax. It can be voted down in the House of Councillors. It is the responsibility of the Democratic Party for the People, which became the originator of tax-cut populism.
Translated from JapaneseFor the LDP, it is a tasty tax cut that lets them win votes by creating a problem and then solving it themselves. The Takaichi administration has been consistent in its rule by the ignorant masses.
Translated from JapaneseWhile pretending it was a general argument, he mentioned Goza's name as many as 17 times and demanded, “Don't let him work at the same workplace.” Shoichi Inoue understood that intent and therefore effectively fired Goza. Even now, he has absolutely no remorse about it.
Translated from JapaneseThe reason dairy tariffs are abnormally high is the same as with taxis. The livestock industry has strong ties to antisocial forces.
Translated from JapaneseIn the foreign-exchange market, the U.S. government is not the house but a market participant, so this is a remark that makes one question the fairness of the market, isn't it? However, since market manipulation in the form of currency intervention is carried out openly in the foreign-exchange market, it probably operates under rules different from those of the stock market.
Translated from JapaneseWhen I talk about employment, I still get shitty replies along the lines of “Koizumi and Takenaka created non-regular employment.” Since the regular-employee protectionism that the media instilled in the 2000s still persists among politicians as well, the Labor Standards Act cannot be touched.
Translated from JapaneseA bankrupt company cannot receive subsidies. Leaving a “recipient” in place for that purpose to receive 1.1 billion yen—if this were done in the private sector, it would be fraud.
Translated from JapaneseTakaichi’s consumption tax cut, too, is a bribe to food businesses.
Translated from JapaneseThe Takaichi administration is state capitalism. Japan once succeeded with it, and China did too, but now, with excess capital, it only brings inflation, a weak yen, and wasteful spending of tax money. However, Ms. Takaichi has no such experience, so she will not understand until she gets badly burned once.
Translated from JapaneseEnergy prices have risen, and adding gasoline subsidies on top of that has worsened inflation. The CPI may look low, but nominal GDP gets artificially inflated. The prime minister thinks this is a “measure against high prices,” which is beyond saving.
Translated from JapaneseWhat is “frightening” about the Aso family’s genetics? What is frightening is close-kin marriage. The reason the imperial family was reduced after the war and women from civilian families were welcomed as members of the imperial family was also that Emperor Showa took his father’s genetic problem seriously. This revision of the Imperial House Law did the opposite.
Translated from JapaneseUnder Article 14 of the Political Party Subsidies Act, the uses of party grants are stipulated as “excluding repayment of borrowings and the lending of loans.” It is only natural that Chudo pays for the work it commissioned, but the new political party that will be formed after Chudo dissolves cannot repay Chudo’s debt.
Translated from JapaneseFor Bessent, interest rates are more important than exchange rates, so I really don't understand why he is so fixated on USD/JPY. Is it a pose for Trump?
Translated from JapaneseThat is not so. Honda implied that “the imperial family has consanguineous marriages and is genetically inferior.” It is a fact that there have been consanguineous marriages among members of the imperial family, but this is the first time in history that it has been discriminated against so blatantly. Before the war, it would have been a crime of lèse-majesté, and one would have gone to prison.
Translated from JapaneseSo, the unlimited “growth investment allocation” includes ineffective policies, huh? Just admitting that is a step forward. Next, if Kiuchi and Aida are expelled, the yen will rise to around 150 to the dollar.
Translated from JapaneseMr. Mogi had pledged “full deregulation of ride-sharing” in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, yet after becoming a cabinet minister, he did nothing. The Takaichi administration’s slogan, “a country that does not take on challenges has no future,” is correct. Giveaway fiscal policy is not a challenge.
Translated from JapaneseAs a scapegoat to offer up to Bessent, Aida is lightweight and ideal. Interest rates will probably settle down with this, too.
Translated from JapaneseThe so-called Bessent cannon was clearly orchestrated by the Treasury Department. It is the tactic that the Ministry of International Trade and Industry once used in the Japan-U.S. Structural Impediments Initiative.
Translated from JapaneseKōhei Saitō: “Let’s simply retract it.” Exactly. At the very least, a retraction and an apology are necessary. It must not be brushed aside as an “explanation.” University of Tokyo issues Professor Yuki Honda a “warning”: Criticism floods in after she posts about “the horror of genetic factors” regarding Princess Akiko (J-CAST News)
Translated from JapaneseBessent is clearly saying, “Stop the reflation and sit back.” This reflation includes fiscal reflation advocates like Aida. They probably think they are different from reflation, but from the world's perspective, they are the same in that they engage in indiscriminate spending.
Translated from JapaneseIt is unthinkable that the organizer who gathered 1,300 signatures calling for Mr. Goza’s dismissal should discriminate against members of the Imperial Family and face no consequences. The University of Tokyo should discipline Honda and, with this as the final case, abolish cancel culture.
Translated from JapanesePedagogy is not an academic discipline. It used to be required for a teaching license, but now it has no value whatsoever, and its abolition is also being considered. This latest controversy will likely provide hints for the reorganization of the University of Tokyo’s faculties.
Translated from JapaneseAida is an idiot. Interest rates are rising because government bonds are being sold due to inflation and fiscal risks, and it has nothing to do with the growth rate.
Translated from JapaneseCalling Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi “pro-China” is wrong. He was merely asked by Masahiko Komura, who is from the same hometown, to serve as chairman of the Japan-China Diet Members' League. As you can see, he is a pro-American who speaks fluent English.
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