Japan

Intelligence for Better Decision Making

Japanese Company Affiliates Challenge Trump-Era Tariffs in US Court
Dec. 4, 2025 | Governance & Law

Affiliates of Japanese firms are contesting the Trump administration’s additional tariffs, arguing that the measures exceeded presidential authority.

**US affiliates of nine Japanese companies—including Toyota Tsusho Corp, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ricoh Co., Yokohama Rubber Co., Ushio Inc., NGK Insulators Ltd., Kawasaki Motors Ltd., Yamazaki Mazak Corp and Proterial Ltd.—have filed lawsuits in the US Court of International Trade seeking full refunds for tariffs they paid in 2025.**
They argue that the levies, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act without congressional approval, exceeded the act’s scope by authorizing “reciprocal” or sector-wide tariffs on imports from China, Canada, Mexico and other nations.

**These filings follow Supreme Court oral arguments in November, during which justices questioned whether the president could invoke a 1970s-era emergency law to bypass Congress when imposing high tariffs on national-security grounds.**
Lower courts previously ruled that the Trump administration overstepped its authority by using IEEPA to penalize countries for insufficient cooperation on fentanyl trafficking, rather than to address a direct threat to US national security.

**The Japanese affiliates note that even if the Supreme Court voids the tariffs, importers would not automatically receive refunds.**
They ask the Court of International Trade to declare the tariffs illegal, block any new reciprocal levies and ensure full repayment if the high court strikes down the measures.

**The timing of the Supreme Court’s decision remains uncertain, and legal experts warn that an invalidation could trigger a protracted, complex refund process spanning several years.**
Meanwhile, other entities—such as US retailer Costco Wholesale Corp—have filed their own suits to recover duties paid under the same Trump-era tariff schedules.
LDP Moves to Reduce House Seats and Redraw Electoral Districts
Dec. 4, 2025 | Politics

Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party has proposed reducing the total number of seats in the House of Representatives from 465 to 420 or fewer and redrawing electoral districts based on updated population data.

**The draft legislation tasks an electoral system council—including representatives from all parties in the House—with deciding the precise methods for seat reduction, and it requires lawmakers to enact the necessary legal measures within one year of the law’s passage.**
If the parties fail to reach agreement within twelve months, an automatic reduction clause would eliminate 25 single-member constituencies and 20 proportional representation seats. In that event, the national Council for the Delimitation of Constituencies would use 2025 census figures to redraw district boundaries within one year, potentially paving the way for elections under the new structure by December 2027.

**During an LDP meeting on December 2, 2025, members raised objections to the automatic reduction clause, leading party leaders to delay final approval until the next day.**
Former Foreign Minister Takeo Iwaya criticized the process as rough and urged removal of the clause due to insufficient internal dialogue. Secretary-General Shun’ichi Suzuki defended the one-year review period and the 10 percent reduction target, noting public backing for seat cuts and previous comments by Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda. Ahead of that meeting, LDP negotiators and representatives of the Japan Innovation Party agreed to accelerate internal approvals and submit the bill during the current Diet session, though some LDP members still question whether the party can muster the necessary support.

**Two LDP calculations project that single-member districts would drop from 289 to 264 and proportional representation seats from 176 to 156.**
Both estimates apply the Adams method to align seat allocations with prefectural population ratios, targeting cuts in 20 prefectures. Under each plan, Tokyo would lose three single-member seats, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Osaka would each lose two, and smaller prefectures such as Akita, Toyama, and Kagawa would see districts reduced from three to two. All 11 proportional representation blocks would lose between one and three seats, with the exact numbers depending on whether the adjustments use the 2020 census or the 2025 Basic Resident Register data.

**Analysts warn that these reforms would increase disparities in vote weight across prefectures, raising the ratio of the most to the least populous districts from 1.7 to about 1.86.**
Post-reform, Chiba would have the highest population per representative at roughly 510,183, while Tottori would have the lowest at about 274,383. Critics argue that widening these gaps could further weaken rural influence and undermine voter equality. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has opposed seat reductions and cautioned that returning to multi-member districts might stoke political conflict, reflecting the broader debate over fair representation and electoral balance.

Monitored Intelligence for Japan - Dec. 5, 2025


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麻生氏、台湾有事答弁問題なし 中国反発も首相対応を評価

Mr. Aso says no problem with Taiwan contingency responses; China protests but praises Prime Minister's handling

Tokyo Shimbun | Local Language | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Shifting Geopolitical Alliances

Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taro Aso stated on December 3rd in Tokyo that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s responses in the Diet concerning a Taiwan contingency situation are not problematic. He emphasized that despite China’s protests, it is acceptable to clearly state Japan’s stance as has been done until now, which he found reassuring. Aso also praised Takaichi for being the first female prime minister and highlighted her high approval rating, describing her as a symbol of the LDP’s new change.

In January 2024, Aso had remarked that if a Taiwan contingency were to arise, the Japanese government might consider it a threat to the survival of the state, which would justify exercising collective self-defense. Despite China’s critical comments, there was also recognition of Takaichi’s handling of the situation.

Additionally, the article includes brief mentions of ongoing political developments in Japan, such as internal LDP debates over reducing Lower House seats, local tax revenue distribution measures, and proposals for electoral reform by the Democratic Party for the People. There is also mention of legislation being considered regarding the use of maiden names alongside married couples maintaining the same surname, showing active engagement in various political reforms within the Japanese government.

UNDP official calls for stronger regional cooperation after Sri Lanka floods

NHK | English | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Extreme Weather Events

Kanni Wignaraja, director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at the UNDP, described the recent flooding in Sri Lanka as unprecedented in scale, causing devastating loss of life and extensive infrastructure damage. She attributed the severity of the disaster to inadequate preparedness and emphasized the need for flood management systems built with durable materials, advanced design, and technology capable of withstanding harsher climate conditions.

Wignaraja highlighted that Sri Lanka and other countries must enhance their infrastructure and disaster readiness to cope with increasingly severe climate events. However, she noted a decline in official development assistance due to cuts in foreign aid by some donor governments. She called for stronger regional cooperation to reduce inequalities and improve public goods at both local and global levels.

ประชุม คกก.ถอดบทเรียนอุทกภัยนัดแรกเล็งลอกการบ้านแดนปลาดิบ

First Meeting of the Committee to Review Flood Lessons Aims to Copy Japan's Homework

Thai Post | Local Language | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Extreme Weather Events

On 4 December 2025, the first meeting of the Committee to Review Lessons and Prepare for Handling a Major Flood was held at the Government House, chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The meeting was initially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Bawornsak Uwanno, who emphasized that despite Thailand’s comprehensive disaster laws and agencies, command authority and decision-making do not function effectively during sudden emergencies. The committee aims to study flood events, particularly from Songkhla province and 2011 floods, to develop practical manuals and systems for future disaster readiness.

Bawornsak highlighted the importance of learning from Japan’s disaster management approach, especially its regular rehearsals and training, to reduce damage. The committee involves deputy prime ministers, civil servants, and experts working as a technical team to create usable guidelines to be followed by public sector officials during emergencies. After Bawornsak’s introduction, Prime Minister Anutin took over the meeting leadership.

Additional points covered included the Prime Minister rejecting political rumors related to flood casualties, asserting transparency and trust in official death toll figures. He stressed the importance of national dignity and security regarding border issues with Cambodia and outlined the Internal Security Operations Command’s focus for 2026 on sustainability, modernization, and community cooperation. Furthermore, the Chinese ambassador donated over 30 million baht for southern flood relief, reaffirming strong Thailand-China ties and confidence in rapid recovery under Anutin's leadership.

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