石破いしば首相しゅしょう 関税かんぜい措置そち “国益こくえき守まもりながら臨のぞむ” 与野党よやとうに協力きょうりょく要請ようせい

Prime Minister Ishiba, at a meeting with ruling and opposition party leaders, called for cooperation in continuing to approach Japan-U.S. negotiations, which have been affected by U.S. tariff measures, while protecting Japan’s national interests.

He also announced plans to implement measures to mitigate sudden changes starting on the 26th of next week, in order to prevent a significant impact on peoples lives in the event that the sharp rise in petroleum product prices continues due to the situation in the Middle East.

In the party leaders’ meeting following last week, the leaders of seven ruling and opposition parties attended. In this meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba explained that, regarding the Japan-U.S. summit with President Trump held earlier in Canada over issues such as U.S. tariff measures, no agreement was reached and it was decided that further discussions would be conducted by the relevant ministers.

On top of that, we have been working closely and communicating with the automotive and other industries.

We will continue to make vigorous efforts to coordinate so that we can reach an agreement that will benefit both sides while protecting Japans national interests, he said, calling for cooperation.

In response, Democratic Party leader Noda asked which areas had yet to find common ground in the negotiations, to which Prime Minister Ishiba replied, There is a gap in our approaches to automobile tariffs, among other things.

In a meeting of party leaders, Prime Minister Ishiba announced that, in light of the situation in the Middle East, if the sharp rise in petroleum product prices continues, measures to mitigate sudden changes will be implemented starting next week on the 26th, in order to prevent significant impacts on peoples lives.

In response, there were a series of opinions from the opposition parties calling for the abolition of the provisional gasoline tax rate, from the perspective of easing drastic changes.

Representative Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party said to reporters, There was a general discussion that there are differences in perspectives regarding automobiles, and admitted, Information sharing was somewhat insufficient.

As a negotiating party, I understood their willingness to take responsibility, but there was a lack of information sharing, such as not being properly informed about the key points.

It is a situation that can be called a national crisis, and rather than dragging things down as the opposition party, we would like to do our part wherever we can to help solve the problem, provided that information is properly shared with us, he said.

On the other hand, when asked by reporters how he would handle the no-confidence motion against the cabinet following the party leaders meeting, he said, I want to review the notes from the meeting again and check them over.

Ill make a decision after mulling it over, he said.

Ishin Party Co-Representative Maehara: I want them to put their heads together even more to reach an agreement. Nippon Ishin no Kais co-representative Maehara told reporters, I didnt go into details, but I felt that the biggest difference in the Japan-U.S. negotiations was in the automobile sector.

We cannot accept simply agreeing to President Trumps demands and compromising with high tariffs, and I understand the need to continue negotiations to protect Japans position.

Im not saying its unacceptable just because we havent reached an agreement yet; I want everyone to put their heads together even more to reach a settlement, he said.

Komei Party Representative Saito: Persistently negotiate in a way that serves the national interest. Komeito representative Saito told reporters, During the party leaders meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba said, Rather than reaching an early agreement, I want to continue negotiations to protect the national interest.

There was a statement that President Trump seemed to have a very strong intention regarding additional tariffs on automobiles and steel.

It is regrettable that no agreement was reached at the summit meeting, but I would like them to continue negotiating tenaciously so that the outcome will serve the national interest, he said.

National Democratic Party leader Tamaki said, There has been no progress in the negotiations and nothing has changed. Speaking to reporters, Democratic Party leader Tamaki stated, Prime Minister Ishibas report had no substance whatsoever, there has been no progress in the negotiations, and nothing has changed from before.

He said, I dont really understand what the government is aiming to achieve in the Japan-U.S. negotiations, and there was no concrete answer.

Communist Party Chairman Tamura: Do you recognize agriculture as being in Japans national interest? I pointed this out. Communist Party Chairman Tamura told reporters, Prime Minister Ishiba said, regarding the agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom over tariff measures, that he wants to analyze it. But I said, since the UK and Japan have completely different automobile export volumes, what exactly is there to analyze?

Prime Minister Ishiba also says that he will protect the national interest, but I pointed out, Do you recognize that agriculture is in Japans national interest?