Japan PM says 'we will not be disrespected' ahead of upcoming election & 25% Trump tariff

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has struck a defiant tone over trade tariffs with the U.S. during street rallies in Tokyo, saying the country "will not be taken for fools".

Speaking at a rally on Jul. 9, he was quoted by The Straits Times as saying: "This is a battle fought over national interests. We must say what we have to say, squarely and bluntly, to our ally. We will not be disrespected."

His comments have raised eyebrows as it is rare for a Japanese Prime Minister to use such strong language and he has since drawn criticism from both members of Japan's opposition as well as his own ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Japan is due to hold its election for its Upper House of the legislative body on Sunday, Jul. 20.

Ishiba under pressure following 25 per cent tariff announcement by Trump

Ishiba is facing pressure over U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that Japan would be hit with 25 per cent tariffs starting from Aug. 1.

Trump wants Japan to import more American cars and rice and accused Japan of being "spoiled", the Financial Times reported.

However, Japan has said it will not sacrifice its farmers to secure tariffs exemption from the U.S.

Following Trump's announcement of the tariffs, the chair of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, one of the country's most powerful business lobbies, criticised the government for making a "mistake" in its negotiations with Trump, the Financial Times further reported.

The chair, Takeshi Niinami, added that Japan could have secured the base 10 per cent tariff rate if negotiators had shown more flexibility instead of insisting on total exemption from the tariffs.

Niinami also accused Ishiba of wasting the goodwill the late Shinzo Abe cultivated with Trump, during his first term as U.S. President.

Both Abe and Trump had enjoyed warm relations with each other.

This may have left the U.S. President feeling "betrayed", Niinami said.

Party poised for setback

At home, the fate of Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) hangs in the balance.

Reuters reported that the minority government, consisting of the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito, is poised to lose their majority in the Upper House on Sunday's election.

If true, it will be an echo of the Lower House elections in October 2024, which saw LDP lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since 2009.

On top of the 75 seats that the ruling coalition currently holds in parliament, LDP and Komeito will need to win another 50 out of the 125 contested seats in Sunday's election in order to retain their majority.

Should they lose, experts predicted that foreign investor confidence in Japan may fall due to the mass selling of government bonds, though is it not a guarantee that Ishiba will lose power.

He may have to resign in the event of an overwhelming loss, however, which would plunge the country into political turmoil inconveniently before Trump's Aug. 1 tariff deadline.

An unpopular prime minister

Ishiba's term as prime minister since last October has been rocked by waves of public dissatisfaction owing to his unpopularity with the Japanese people.

The 68-year-old son of a regional governor became the LDP's leader in his fifth attempt to run for the role, and their 10th prime minister since 2000.

His promises as prime minister included bolstering rural regions and addressing Japan's shrinking population, but tackling Japan's rising inflation rates has remained the biggest hurdle he has had to face, according to The Japan Times.

While opposition parties were promising tax cuts and welfare spending to reduce the impact of inflation, Ishiba's party has been insistent on fiscal restraint.

The doubled price of rice from last year, among other soaring prices as a result of Ishiba's fiscal policies, have become a primary source of voter discontent.

LDP and Komeito have also had to resort to bargaining with opposition parties to pass legislation following the ruling coalition's spectacular loss in the October Lower House election, AFP reported.

Outside of politics, AFP said that Ishiba's somewhat clumsy and uncoordinated mannerisms have rubbed the Japanese people the wrong way.

From untidy arrangements of his tuxedo to poor table manners and lack of professional diplomatic etiquette, Ishiba has drawn ridicule and become a target of social media memes.

"How could he have risen to the top with these manners?" someone once commented on X.

Different tone struck regarding meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary on Jul. 18

Contrary to his defiant tone domestically, Ishiba was much more conciliatory in his meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Jul. 18, Reuters reported.

According to Ishiba, Bessent had said both the U.S. and Japan can reach a "good agreement" on tariffs.

Ishiba's tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa also said both countries have agreed to carry on "constructive dialogue".

Ishiba added that while no specific terms have been discussed, he has asked Bessent to continue "active talks" with Akazawa.

Bessent did not speak to reporters following the meeting which took place at Ishiba's office in Tokyo.

Top images via shigeruishiba/X & The White House/Facebook