Japan

既得権から逃れられぬ自民党

Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry | Local Language | AcademicThink | Dec. 10, 2025 | Political Scandal or Corruption

The Liberal Democratic Party's current agricultural policy reflects a strong alignment with producer interests, particularly those of rice farmers, while largely neglecting consumer interests. The new minister of agriculture and fisheries maintains the stance that market forces should determine prices, yet the government continues to implement producer-focused interventions such as set-aside subsidies that reduce rice supply and market purchases to prop up rice prices. Consumer-oriented measures like tariff reductions, expanded import quotas, and stricter regulation of agricultural cooperatives remain unaddressed.

This producer bias sustains historically high rice prices, benefiting farmers but disadvantaging consumers who pay elevated prices without receiving compensatory measures like rice vouchers. The underlying cause of high prices is the considerable financial support allocated to set-aside subsidies, costing around 350 billion yen, plus an additional 400 billion yen fiscal burden associated with rice vouchers. These policies favor a segment of producers at the expense of consumers and taxpayers, indicating that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries serves vested interests rather than the broader public.

The continuation of inflated rice prices allows small-scale, part-time farmers with high production costs to persist, hindering structural reforms and farm consolidation. Farmland is not efficiently leased to full-time farmers seeking expansion, while agricultural cooperatives benefit from stable membership of small part-time farmers, securing substantial deposits and enabling investment opportunities abroad or elsewhere.

Questions are raised about whether Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has handed over agricultural policy to vested interests, can truly be considered a successor to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, known for agricultural cooperative reform. The current high rice prices have suppressed consumption, increased imports, and resulted in stockpiles. The article warns that if rice prices eventually collapse without government intervention, it could trigger political fallout, including a significant decline in cabinet approval ratings.

NHK | English | News | Dec. 10, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Thailand has conducted airstrikes on Cambodian military targets along their disputed border following the death of a Thai soldier, whom Thailand says was killed by Cambodian troops' gunfire. Both countries accuse each other of initiating the recent violence. The conflict has forced tens of thousands of people to flee the border area.

Cambodian officials denied triggering the violence and condemned the Thai airstrikes, claiming they killed four civilians and violated a peace agreement signed in October. This pact was established after deadly clashes in July. Thailand previously suspended the peace accord last month, accusing Cambodia of causing a land mine explosion that injured Thai soldiers, a charge Cambodia denies.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chair of ASEAN in 2025, urged both Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint to avoid escalating the dispute further, emphasizing the importance of peace between two key ASEAN members and the wider regional stability.

官房長官「岩手県で停電800戸」 青森に内閣府調査チームを派遣

Nikkei | Local Language | News | Dec. 10, 2025 | Critical Infrastructure Failure

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reported on the earthquake in Aomori Prefecture, which registered a seismic intensity of 6+. In response, a Cabinet Office investigation team of five members has been dispatched to Aomori to assess the damage and local response efforts. The situation at the Rokkasho nuclear facility is under confirmation, and a disaster response meeting with relevant ministries was scheduled for 3 a.m.

Damage from the earthquake includes fires and power outages primarily in Hachinohe City, with multiple emergency calls reported. Approximately 800 households in nearby Iwate Prefecture are also experiencing power outages. No information on water or communication outages was available. The public was advised to remain alert for potential aftershocks of similar intensity over the next week.

No abnormalities have been reported at the Higashidori and Onagawa nuclear power plants. Due to a tsunami warning, people were urged to evacuate immediately to higher ground or designated evacuation sites. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized timely public information, rapid damage assessment, and close coordination with local governments to prioritize life-saving and rescue operations.