Ex-defence minister Ishiba set to become Japan’s next prime minister

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FIFTH ATTEMPT

The 67-year-old’s effective leadership charge after four failed attempt puts the self-confessed lone dog at the head of a Liberal Democratic Party that has ruled&nbsp, Japan&nbsp, for most of the previous seven years.

Ishiba assumes control of the party in crisis after seeing declining public support over the past two years as a result of accusations of links to a church that some have criticized as a cult and an investigation into undocumented donations.

Ishiba, a former defense secretary who left parliament in 1986 after a small banking career, was cut short by Fumio Kishida, who later became a party dissenter.

Ishiba, who has also served as crops minister, promised to walk some ministers and state agencies out of Tokyo to support revive&nbsp, Japan’s dead areas. He has even proposed establishing an agency to handle the development of disaster shelters across disaster-prone&nbsp, Japan.

FRICTION

His vocal opinions, including those calling for Kishida and another prime ministers to stage down, have made him opponents in the LDP.

Ishiba had to get the 20 votes he needed from other lawmakers to be eligible for the vote on Friday due to that animosity, which also stems from a four-year resignation to an opposition party in 1993.

Ishiba acknowledged that his unwillingness to compromise has raised problems with his associates after a first round of ballot put him through a run-off with financial security secretary Takaichi.

” I have certainly hurt numerous people’s feelings, caused uncomfortable activities, and made some experience. In an address addressed to LDP legislators who gathered at the party’s offices for the election, he sincerely apologized for all of my deficiencies.

Ishiba has had to rely on the support he has earned among rank-and-file people over the course of his four years in elections because of his lack of clout among politicians.

He has stayed in the open attention during his time apart from government with internet looks, social media posts and on YouTube, where he muses on issues ranging from&nbsp, Japan’s falling population to ramen noodles.

He even makes fun of himself, citing his occasionally awkward fashion, pursuits, and ships and military aircraft models, some of which he displays on the bookshelves that column his political office in Tokyo.

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Changsha, China’s happiest city for 16 years, is coming out of its shadow

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THE APPEAL OF CHANGSHA

The pair claimed that Changsha appeared to have a better quality of life, which bothered them.

Living in the city is the more significant thing, she told CNA.” More than simply existing in a city, it is really important to live there.”

” Compared to Shanghai, Changsha has a more down-to-earth ambience with a lively daily life, and the pace of life is more relaxed. It’s easier to find a balance between work and life, even though there may still be some time job.

The partners is one of a growing number of people moving to the city.

In the last three decades, towns in China’s northern place have seen the strongest people development. Changsha took the top place in 2022, while Hefei, the municipal capital of neighbouring Anhui, came in top next year.

As China marks the 75th commemoration of the People’s Republic this month, Changsha is among the world’s main places that have gone from relative obscurity to becoming essential to China’s growth.

” We now see that many of the initial- or second-tier places in the coastal regions now reached a kind of development limit in terms of people, in terms of economic development”, said Dr Chen Gang, deputy chairman of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore.

Because of the population concentrating there and the powerful technological and industrial cluster conditions that support their future growth, there is a sizable growth area and space for the next- and third-tier cities in the inland provinces.

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Japan court acquits longest-serving death row prisoner

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SHIZOUKA, Japan: The world’s longest-serving death row prisoner was acquitted by a Japanese court on Thursday ( Sep 26 ), more than half a century after his 1968 murder conviction. Iwao Hakamada, 88, was found not guilty in a lawsuit by the former wrestler and his followers a decade ago,Continue Reading

Does Shinjiro Koizumi have what it takes to become Japan’s youngest prime minister?

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SHINJIRO KOIZUMI’S Fall

The delayed former prime minister Shinzo Abe appointed Mr. Koizumi as culture secretary in 2019. &nbsp,

Mr. Koizumi spent about two decades in the Cabinet position, which was the only one he has previously held.

He served as legislative vice-minister for the 2011 reconstruction of the Tohoku area devastated by the tsunami. &nbsp,

Mr. Koizumi’s popularity in the group is rising, despite being frequently cited in surveys as the legislator that voters most prefer to see as excellent minister. Yoshihide Suga, a former prime minister, is now a party heavyweight who supports him.

Mr. Koizumi has pledged to dissolve parliament immediately in order to hold a snap poll if he wins the LDP president, branding himself as a rational revolutionary like his father. &nbsp,

He said during his election campaign in Tokyo’s Ginza earlier this month that “in get for the LDP to actually have change, it needs a president who did call for its reform.”

He also pledged to take the lead in handling the social account scandal, which has plagued the party since November.

Lawmakers from strong political parties have been accused of stealing money from political campaigns without disclosing the facts. &nbsp,

He continued during his fighting in Ginza,” I did put an end to the lack of accountability between politicians and money.” &nbsp,

” Even cash for paper products that are not going to be disclosed will be made public.” Unused resources will have to be returned to the federal treasury”, he added. &nbsp,

The complaints have resulted in the dismissal of LDP stalwarts, including some of Mr. Kishida’s Cabinet people. &nbsp,

Two groups within the group, including Kishida’s party, were disbanded following the incident, with a few people still in the method of being dissolved. Post-war perfect ministers started groups with people who shared their ideals, which is how parties first developed.

Mr. Koizumi does not pertain to any particular political party, which has helped him gain support from those who want to see things change.

Additionally, he is considering implementing social changes. Although major companies in Japan have conventionally followed lifetime employment, Mr. Koizumi has criticized the practice as a barrier to motivating Japanese people to accept new challenges and join smaller ones.

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Loaded with global and domestic messages, China’s rare ICBM test in the Pacific risks stoking tensions

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While China did not identify the ICBM tested on Wednesday, the latest iteration it is known to have is the Dongfeng-41 ( DF-41 ), unveiled in 2019 during celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the PRC. With an estimated functional range of 12, 000km to 15, 000km, the DF-41 may be capable of reaching the US mainland.

Dr. Newsham from the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies described testing an ICBM at this time as a” slap in the face” for the US, especially given Washington’s repeated demands for lessening tensions over contested issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea.

” In many ways, Beijing’s weapon release is reminiscent of North Korea’s provocations, it serves no just military screening purposes but also aims to create mental deterrence and present a strong message”, he said. &nbsp,

Washington urged Beijing to “act with caution and avoid using Taiwan’s change as a justification for controversial or aggressive steps” during the opening of Taiwanese President William Lai on May 20.

China has often deployed ships and aircraft past the Taiwan Strait’s median line, which was once used as an illegal border between the two parties. Following a number of US arms sales to the area, the US has been accused of “interfering in its home matters.”

On the South China Sea problem, the US, during a high-level military appointment this fortnight, urged China to “reconsider its use of risky, aggressive, and possibly escalatory tactics in the region and beyond”.

Beijing has repeatedly argued in reply that it is only defending its rights in the frayed waters.

During a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, some observers have speculated that the timing might be used to offer Beijing some liquidity.

Both leaders will respond “in the coming month,” according to a statement released late in August from the White House. This would be the leaders ‘ second visit since their in-person gathering in California in November 2023.

According to Taiwanese PLA professional Lin Ying-yu,” they are signaling that China has the capability to strike US territory with radioactive weapons.” In the future Xi and Biden visit,” This show of force may be intended to give them more bargaining power,” Biden said.

Dr. Loo of RSIS asserts that the most recent release is a reflection of China’s desire to show its military skill. &nbsp,

The timing of the test is important because it serves as both a demo of China’s corporate deterrence and as a reminder to the world that it is keeping up its military might, he said.

In the upcoming years and decades, President Xi Jinping has established various milestones for China’s military forces. By 2035, the government should have been fully modernized, effectively bringing its skill and abilities up to date with modern technology. By mid-century, it should be capable of fighting and winning war.

The examination comes just one week before China’s 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China ( PRC )’s ( PRC ) founding on October 1 ). &nbsp,

When asked if this could be a element, Dr Loo said it was possible.

Beijing has recently increased its nuclear arsenal and increased defense spending, with the Pentagon advising in October of last year that China’s armory was expanding more quickly than it had anticipated.

China possessed more than 500 operating nuclear warheads as of May 2023, according to a Pentagon statement released last yr. It is projected to exceed that number by 2030.

That compares to 1, 770 and 1, 710 operating weapons deployed by the US and Russia both. By 2030, according to the Pentagon, the majority of Beijing’s weapons will likely be stored at higher preparation degrees.

Beijing has consistently adhered to a” no second apply” nuclear weapons legislation since launching its first nuclear blast in 1964. The sole two nuclear powers now fully supporting this position are China and India.

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Tokyo says Taiwan eases import restrictions on Japanese food

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TOKYO: Taiwan will ease restrictions on imports of Japanese food products, including seafood from areas around the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, Tokyo’s ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries said on Wednesday ( Sep 25 ). Following the imposition of a blanket ban next year over the release of water fromContinue Reading

Why Middle Eastern countries are becoming popular holiday destinations for Chinese tourists

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PRIORITISING Experience

In addition, another Middle Eastern towns like Riyadh and Doha are drawing in a lot of Chinese visitors.
 
Mr Schubert Lou, chief operating officer at go service company Trip.com, said there is a shift in consumer actions from “pure buying” to prioritising experiences. &nbsp,
 
” This cultural and artistic charm is actually happening”, he added. ” We’re seeing that that’s the desire of the people going ( there )”.
 
Some experts believe that the Middle East’s growing firm ties, along with expanded flight routes and visa-free access, have contributed to the tourism boom.
 
” It’s part of China’s international policy, in a way that they are representative of what the Taiwanese want to be seen as”, said Mr Shukor Yusof, founder of aircraft consulting firm Endau Analytics. &nbsp,
 
” They want to go, they want to promote their people, and to show that China is also important, very much so, despite what happened during COVID-19″.
 
Authorities told CNA that countries in the region still need to improve their services to better handle the flow of Chinese visitors as Foreign go to the Middle East continues to grow.
 
Trip.com’s Mr Lou said these include having speech support, developing guided tours, and tailoring” their practice so that they can manage to accomplish things in the local style”. &nbsp,
 
Ms. Liang’s excitement about more Arab countries is growing, particularly now that her friends have posted their travels online.
 
” We however really want to experience different cultures and customs, like those in the Middle East”, she added. &nbsp,
 
” For instance, Egypt might have even greater variations compared to places within China, so we hope to go there and practice it first”.

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