This is too perfect.
Профиль
Tobias Harris
Профиль VivelyJapanese politics analyst; author of The Iconoclast: Shinzō Abe and the New Japan; Chicago-born Cubs fan now living in DC; marathoner. Substack: Observingjapan.substack.com. Business: www.japanforesight.com
FREE FRIDAY: LDP lawmakers are openly opposing Takaichi's decision to cut the consumption tax. The BOJ may be open to hiking sooner, as Tokyo and Washington intervened to strengthen the yen. Japan launched its new intelligence coordinating apparatus. open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Fiscal fractures on full display | Japan Daily BriefingThank you for reading Observing Japan. Japan Daily Briefing is a feature for paid subscribers.open.substack.comGiven that Bessent has been very clear that he thinks the BOJ needs to hike, I wonder what the quid pro quo is here. I don't think this is just charity for Takaichi.
Karl SchamottaSeriously folks. Bessent wrote himself a reminder to intervene in currency markets—complete with the amount to be purchased—as if he didn’t want to forget anything at the grocery store, and then left that note in plain sight so reporters could see it. Ludicrous! 🤯
"Minimizing all contact with other human beings, interesting strategy for a prime minister. We'll see if it works out."
Nikkei Asia (Official)Japan PM's phone diplomacy stays silent for 2 months https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/comment/japan-pm-s-phone-diplomacy-stays-silent-for-2-months
Takaichi announced her much-anticipated decision to proceed with a cut to the consumption tax on foodstuffs. The decision was harshly criticized by opposition lawmakers and LDP fiscal hawks. Meanwhile, the yen strengthened after MOF intervened. open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Consumption tax decision roils Tokyo | Japan Daily BriefingTakaichi's tax cut announcement could spur division within the LDP and sets the stage for intense parliamentary battle this fallopen.substack.comThe Takaichi government has rushed the SDF to Kumamoto. Takaichi is ready to cut the consumption tax on foodstuffs. Japan’s population decline picks up pace. Pollsters identify the drivers of the government’s falling approval ratings. open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Government mobilizes disaster response in Kumamoto | Japan Daily BriefingBut the prime minister is also ready to move ahead with a consumption tax cutopen.substack.comOh, Trump was in the @learnedleague.com The United States at 250 minileague championship round too?
Aaron RuparTrump: "The last major airport built in the US was Denver in 1995. It hasn't gotten very great reviews. So we're doing something with Dulles that's gonna make it I think maybe the top anywhere in the world. By the way, Palm Beach is gonna be one of the top too."
The bombing will continue until China admits that it's defeated.
Carl QuintanillaA fresh round of reported strikes this morning between: 1. US & Iran. 2. Saudis & Iraq. 3. Israel & Hezbollah * ISRAELI MILITARY SAYS HEZBOLLAH LAUNCHED DRONE TOWARD VEHICLE IN AREA OF ALI AL-TAHER RIDGE WITHIN 'SECURITY ZONE' IN LEBANON @reuters.com
I will never forget Chris Wickham's phrase for life after the fall of Rome, survival of political forms notwithstanding: radical material simplification.
"Online Rent-a-Sage" Bret DevereauxI looked at this question with respect to the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West and it comes off pretty clearly that I think the conclusive evidence for substantial population decline combined with falling living standards is the end of the 'decline' argument: acoup.blog/2022/02/11/c...
From this thread and its responses, it certainly feels like a nationwide epidemic of terrible driving -- I certainly feel it every day -- but everyone is just resigned to it being like this?
mtswI've seen more people just straight-up run red lights in San Diego since Covid than I had in my entire life up to that point. There's essentially zero traffic enforcement in Southern California.
Well, this is terrible.
Steve HermanUpdate: Authorities in Kumamoto say there are a considerable number of fatalities in the Aeon shopping mall in Kashima Town which exploded and partially collapsed following a quake which registered the maximum level of 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale. www.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
The government’s support continues to drop. Takaichi faced questions about the recently concluded Diet session in a recess meeting of the lower house budget committee and a press conference. She is also nearing a decision on a consumption tax cut. open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Takaichi unperturbed by falling approval | Japan Daily BriefingAfter another weekend of bad polls, the prime minister spent Monday defending her recordopen.substack.com::taps temple:: Can't fight for Taiwan if you don't have any munitions. "We'd love to help folks, really, but we just don't have the weapons."
Mark ChadbournTrump has burned through around a third of US stockpiles of key precision munitions in his failed war in Iran, ABC reports.