- Ishiba’s Approval Rating Stays Low
In a nationwide public opinion poll conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun from April 11 to 13, the approval rating for the Ishiba Cabinet stood at 31%, the same as the previous survey (conducted March 14–16), which had been the lowest since the cabinet's inauguration.
The disapproval rating was 54%, down 4 points from the previous 58%.
Due to the tariff policies of the Trump administration, 88% of respondents said they were "concerned" about the negative impact on the Japanese economy, while 8% said they were "not concerned."
Regarding negotiations between the Japanese government and the Trump administration over tariff measures, 75% said they "do not have high expectations," significantly exceeding the 18% who said they "do have expectations."
As for political party support rates:
- The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was at 28% (up from 26% previously),
- The Democratic Party for the People at 13% (up from 12%),
- The Constitutional Democratic Party at 6% (unchanged),
- Komeito at 3% (up from 2%),
- Reiwa Shinsengumi at 3% (unchanged), and
- Nippon Ishin no Kai at 2% (down from 3%).
- Japan led the way in talks on Trump’s tariffs
Ryosho Akazawa, Japan’s Minister for Economic Revitalization visited the United States on the 16th to lead negotiations on the following day regarding the Trump administration’s tariff policy review.
Originally, he was to meet with his counterparts, namely Treasury Secretary Bessent, Commerce Secretary Ratnick and U.S. Trade Representative Greer.
However, President Trump invited Minister Akazawa and the three of his cabinet members at Whitehouse and shared his expectations.
Reportedly, President Trump mentioned expenditure of the U.S. Forces in Japan, U.S. automobile exports to Japan, U.S. trade deficit against Japan and Japan’s purchase of U.S. military equipment, etc., while the cabinet member level negotiation that followed the Whitehouse meeting resulted in the following exchanges and agreements, according to the Japanese media:
l Japan strongly requested that U.S. review the Trump tariff measure.
l Both sides make every possible effort to conclude the negotiation ASAP and the agreement shall be announced by both PM Ishiba and President Trump.
l U.S. did not mention the foreign exchange issue at all, while it did for security related issues as well as trade.
l Financial Minister Kato will visit Washington, DC end of this month to follow up the cabinet level meeting.
3. Japan‘ｓPopulation Continues To Decrease
On April 14, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released an estimate of Japan's total population (including foreigners) as of October 1, 2024.
The population was 123,802,000, a decrease of 550,000 (0.44%) from the previous year, marking the 14th consecutive year of decline.
On the other hand, the number of foreigners entering the country exceeded those leaving by 342,000, resulting in a net increase in foreign residents for the third year in a row.
The number of elderly people aged 65 and over was 36,243,000, accounting for 29.3% of the population.
Those aged 75 and over numbered 20,777,000, making up 16.8%.
Both percentages were record highs.
By prefecture, only two—Tokyo and Saitama—saw population increases.
4. Japan’s Defense And Security Budget To Account For Around 1.8% Of GDP
At a press conference on the 15th, Defense Minister Nakatani announced that Japan’s security-related expenditures for fiscal 2025 will amount to approximately 9.9 trillion yen, equivalent to about 1.8% of the country’s GDP for fiscal 2022.
This marks a 0.2-point increase from the roughly 1.6% in fiscal 2024, bringing Japan closer to the government’s goal of reaching 2% of GDP by fiscal 2027.
The breakdown includes around 8.5 trillion yen for expenses covered under the Ministry of Defense’s force development plan, and approximately 1.5 trillion yen for costs related to the Japan Coast Guard, research and development by other ministries, public infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
In its National Security Strategy, the Japanese government has set a policy target of increasing security-related expenditures to 2% of the fiscal 2022 GDP by fiscal 2027.
While Elbridge Colby, who has been appointed U.S. Under Secretary of Defense, has called on Japan to raise its defense budget to at least 3% of GDP, Minister Nakatani stressed that “fundamentally strengthening our defense capabilities should be pursued based on our own decisions and responsibilities.”
Since the Miki Cabinet in 1976, Japan has generally kept its defense spending within 1% of GDP, out of consideration for neighboring countries such as China and South Korea.
However, under the previous Kishida administration, Japan set forth a policy of fundamentally strengthening its defense capabilities and decided to achieve defense spending equivalent to 2% of GDP over the five-year period from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2027.
Japan’s recent defense cooperation with NATO aligns with the alliance’s standard that member countries allocate 2% of their GDP to defense efforts.
Meanwhile, whereas Japan had previously counted only the Ministry of Defense’s budget, the percentage has increased due to the adoption of a new calculation method—similar to that used by the U.S. and European countries—outlined in the three national security-related documents.
5. Osaka Expo Started
The Osaka-Kansai Expo opened on the 13th on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay (Konohana Ward, Osaka City).
With the Expo now underway, visits by leaders from the 158 participating countries and regions are also expected to ramp up.
The theme of this Expo is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
Among the next-generation technologies showcased by Japan, one standout in the medical and health sector is the “iPS Heart,” created from iPS cells and exhibited at the Pasona Group pavilion.
Developed by Tokyo-based startup Cuorips, the heart visibly beats as part of the display.
In the realm of decarbonization, notable technologies include lightweight and flexible next-generation solar cells called “perovskite solar cells”, as well as innovations related to hydrogen energy.
Sekisui Chemical’s perovskite solar panels have been installed along approximately 250 meters of the roof of the bus terminal in front of the venue.
Electricity generated during the day is used to power nighttime lighting.
Staff at several pavilions are also wearing "power-generating vests" developed by Toyoda Gosei and Kyoto-based startup Enecoat Technologies.
Panasonic Holdings is exhibiting integrated glass-type perovskite solar panels with artistic designs on their surfaces within its pavilion premises.
Technologies set to revolutionize future lifestyles and transportation are also on display.
NTT is introducing IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network), a next-generation communications platform capable of ultra-high-speed and low-latency data transmission.
It features devices such as Fureau Denwa, a communication terminal that can transmit not only visuals and audio but also tactile sensations.
Kubota is showcasing an autonomous robot capable of both agricultural work and civil engineering tasks.
Some EV (electric vehicle) buses operating within the venue use Level 4 equivalent autonomous driving, where no driver operation is required, and feature on-the-move charging systems.
Demonstration flights of flying cars—next-generation mobility solutions—are being attempted by three Japanese teams.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive (Aichi), said, Through the Expo, I hope many people will feel inspired to say, ‘I want to ride this mobility device.’”
In the field of cultured meat, Osaka University and Shimadzu Corporation are showcasing technologies that use 3D printers to process and form meat into chunks.
The Expo will run until October 13 this year.