Reference News Network July 20 report: The Bloomberg News website published an article titled "Mistakes on Trade Agreements May Be the Last Mistake Shoichi Motohashi Can Make" on July 18, authored by Jiroude Riddi. Excerpts of the article are as follows:

Shoichi Motohashi's ascent to the position of Japanese Prime Minister once seemed so impossible, almost like a dream during a fever.

After nearly ten months, Motohashi's term has lasted longer than many expected—thanks to the "national crisis" caused by U.S. President Trump's tariffs that gave his political career a reprieve. However, as the crucial Senate election approaches on the 20th, and trade agreements remain unresolved, many are beginning to doubt whether this fever is finally about to subside.

The Senate election is usually dull and holds limited power. The only exception during the 2022 campaign was the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But due to the chain reaction of that incident, Japan's political arena has fallen into the most chaotic period in decades. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is stumbling toward what could be a historic defeat.

Motohashi's ruling coalition does not hold a majority in the House of Representatives. Although he has managed to survive longer than expected, if he suffers another major setback on the 20th, Japan may see its third prime minister within three years.

Motohashi has disappointed the LDP in many ways, but the primary issue is that he has failed to fulfill the role. In September last year, he was pushed to power by his own popularity, but popularity is nothing more than a fleeting illusion. The public liked the concept of "Motohashi"—a symbol of anti-Abe sentiment.

Another reason for pushing him to power was the possibility of Trump returning to the White House. At that time, the mainstream view was that Japan needed a calm and steady leader, and Motohashi appeared more reliable than the other two candidates. Now it seems he cannot establish a relationship with the U.S. president, and there is no warmth between the two countries. Perhaps Motohashi actually welcomes some obstacles in the gears of Japan-U.S. relations.

The direct trigger for the LDP's unpopularity is inflation. However, Motohashi has no solution, only announcing another round of cash distribution. Besides reviving the old slogan of "local revitalization," he has hardly proposed any economic agenda.

His economic plan is merely continuing the same lackluster path taken by his predecessor, Yoshihide Suga, leaving a policy vacuum that has allowed the opposition parties to lead the entire election campaign—ranging from reducing the consumption tax to restricting foreign laborers. Naturally, voters have turned their attention elsewhere.

Motohashi's goal for this election was not high: just to retain a majority in the Senate along with the Komeito Party. However, polls suggest that even this goal may be out of reach. Reports say that even in the case of a major defeat, he might try to stay in power by claiming that "tariff negotiations are ongoing." However, according to the latest poll released by Jiji Press on the 17th, his support rate has dropped to 20.8%, a new low, leaving few opportunities left.

Even if he eventually resigns, Japan's "era of chaos" is just beginning. Under the shadow of U.S. tariff threats, it's unlikely that many people within the LDP would be willing to accept the position of prime minister. This means the fever may not subside for a while. (Translated by Guo Jun)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7528975619427500590/

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