Hello from Tokyo. Just like last year, Japan is experiencing another brutally hot summer. I relocated from Nikkei’s Singapore bureau to our Tokyo editorial headquarters in spring 2024, and it’s clear that Tokyo is much hotter than the tropical island nation. As temperatures soar above 35 C, I find myself exhausted by the relentless daily commute through this concrete jungle.
Japan’s political climate is proving just as heated, and bringing with it a sense of deja vu. Following a major defeat in last weekend’s upper house election, pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to step down. It was during a similarly sweltering August last year that then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation over a political funding scandal.
Ishiba has yet to make a similar announcement, but it now feels like only a matter of time. With the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito losing their majority, the race to choose Japan’s next leader promises to be marked by deep uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Aug. 1 is the deadline for the U.S. Trump administration’s tariff negotiations with various countries. Several Asian nations, including Japan, have reached agreements, while key ASEAN members remain in talks. On Thursday, the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia escalated. Summer is usually a slow season for news, but this year seems to be an exception. Please log in to Nikkei Asia and stay up to date with the latest developments.
My suggested reads
1. Sunday’s upper house election in Japan marked a historic turning point, with the long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party falling into a minority position in both chambers of parliament for the first time since the party’s formation in 1955. The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party also struggled, while newer, upstart parties made significant gains. What’s driving these dramatic shifts in Japan’s political landscape?
2. Japan is confident that it has the technological chops to pioneer a new type of solar panel — thin, light, flexible perovskite panels — but perfecting the chemistry and scaling up production are only two of the challenges facing the country. As our story explains, it must also cultivate customers for new products in a market long dominated by Chinese manufacturers.
3. After eight tough years, driven by the arrival of ride-hailing apps and then the pandemic, Indonesia’s best-known taxi operator, Bluebird, is enjoying a revival. Company President Director Adrianto Djokosoetono attributes the turnaround to focusing on consistently high service levels, diversification and not joining its rivals’ price war. Our reporters take a closer look at the company’s recent renaissance.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Akito Tanaka
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