The following is the gist of interpellations at the Upper House budget committee meeting on May 26, 2023:   (Yomiuri Shimbun p. 4, May 27, 2023)   G7 Summit   Hiraki Daisaku (Komeito): The summit was epoch-making because not only the G7 leaders but other foreign leaders as well gathered in Hiroshima.   Prime Minister Kishida Fumio: We’ve achieved results….Read more

Sunday’s Yomiuri reported that the Russian foreign ministry hinted on Saturday that it will take retaliatory measures against Japan in response to the additional sanctions the GOJ imposed on Russia by saying that “such illegal behavior will not be overlooked.” The GOJ announced on Friday that it will add 24 individuals and 78 organizations to the list of those subject….Read more

NHK reported that the GOJ decided at a cabinet meeting this morning to add 24 individuals and 78 organizations to a list of those subject to asset freezing following an agreement reached at the G7 Hiroshima Summit to strengthen sanctions on Russia. According to the network, the commander of Russian paratrooper units is among those on the list. In addition,….Read more

The crisis in Ukraine was the main topic of discussion at the recent Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, but policy toward China also garnered attention. Notably, while members expressed concerns over China’s maritime advances, human rights problems and other issues, they also called for cooperation, mixing both tough and flexible stances.   China should accept their message with….Read more

Tokyo, May 24 (Jiji Press)–Japan handed over two Self-Defense Force trucks to Ukraine on Wednesday in the first batch of some 100 vehicles planned to be offered to the country under Russian aggression.   At the handover ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky expressed gratitude, stressing the importance of Japan’s support.   The….Read more

By KEISHI NISHIMURA/ Staff Writer   Prime Minister Fumio Kishida already had a furrowed brow before the Group of Seven summit started.   Standing on the cusp of what he hoped would be a diplomatic coup to define his administration, Kishida wasn’t leaving anything to chance.   So right up until almost the last minute, negotiations went back and forth about the….Read more

By Jimbo Ken, professor at Keio University   Prime Minister Kishida has a keen interest in restarting momentum for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The offering of flowers at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park by the leaders of the countries that participated in the G7 Summit delivered a symbolic message.   Arms control and disarmament have been stalled for some time.….Read more