日本参议院选举在即 美国关税政策冲击日本政坛

Core Viewpoint - The announcement by U.S. President Trump to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Japan has created significant turmoil in Japanese politics, particularly ahead of the upcoming Senate elections [1][2]. Group 1: Impact on Japanese Politics - The Japanese government is anxious about the potential negative impact on the ruling party's performance in the Senate elections due to the tariff announcement [1][2]. - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hopes to reach an agreement before August 1, but negotiations with the U.S. have not made substantial progress, causing unease within the ruling party [1][3]. - The ruling party's internal sentiment is increasingly pessimistic, with some members expressing that the situation will not benefit their electoral prospects [2]. Group 2: Opposition Party Response - The opposition parties are leveraging the tariff situation to criticize the government's negotiation stance, with calls for a change in leadership if the Prime Minister does not take decisive action [5]. - Recent public opinion polls indicate that the opposition parties are gaining popularity, with nearly half of respondents hoping the ruling coalition will not secure a majority in the upcoming elections [5]. Group 3: Economic Context - The 25% tariff rate is an increase from the previously announced 24%, further complicating the economic landscape for Japan [2]. - The Japanese government views the U.S. tariff measures as a national crisis, with hopes that resolving this issue could enhance the ruling party's diplomatic credibility [3][4].