Marketplace Morning Report Japan's PM to stay on, focus on trade negotiations
Jul 21, 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces a turbulent political landscape after election losses, yet he vows to tackle rising inflation and looming U.S. tariffs head-on. Meanwhile, the European Union is strategizing to counteract potential trade repercussions from the U.S. administration. In a different vein, the podcast also shines a light on the challenging realities of parental leave and soaring child care costs in the U.S., highlighting the strain on working families and the need for systemic improvements.
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Ishiba Remains Despite Electoral Loss
- Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's coalition lost the majority in Japan's upper parliament house but he remains in power.
- Rising US tariff threats and inflation concerns drive Ishiba's decision to stay and face challenges.
Japan's Inflation Policy Critique
- Japan pursued wrong inflation policy and failed to get the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates.
- The weak yen increased import prices, driving up inflation and hurting consumers.
Parents Struggle With Childcare Costs
- Alison, a teacher, had triplet daughters with minimal maternity leave and no paid coverage.
- Sydney considered daycare costing $4,000 monthly, showing high childcare expenses affecting working parents.