Political pressure from all quarters is mounting on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to take a stronger stance against the United States after its president announced 24% tariffs on Japanese exports to the country from Wednesday.
Some opposition leaders are advising Ishiba to first unify his Liberal Democratic Party around a response to the tariffs and even for the prime minister to tap former LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, a political rival, for advice.
Japan's lack of a strong response so far is another political setback for Ishiba, which is raising calls among segments of the opposition for a no-confidence motion to be passed against him, which could result in a snap election for the Lower House, possibly on the same day as one for the Upper House scheduled for late July.
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