Latest news with #FNN
Tokyo Weekender
4 days ago
- Business
- Tokyo Weekender
Shinjiro Koizumi Tops Poll for Japan's Next Prime Minister
According to a joint opinion poll conducted by the Sankei Shimbun and FNN (Fuji News Network) on June 14 and 15, Shinjiro Koizumi is the people's choice to be Japan's next prime minister. The current Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister finished at the top of the poll with 20.7% of the vote, 4.3% ahead of the former Minister of State for Economic Security Sanae Takaichi . Koizumi finished behind Takaichi in May's poll. List of Contents: The Return of Shinjiro Koizumi Falling Rice Prices Related Posts The Return of Shinjiro Koizumi It's been quite a turnaround for the 44-year-old son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. After finishing third in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race last September, some wrote off his prospects. He was seen as too inexperienced; a politician who spoke a good game, but lacked substance. Following last year's disappointing election result, he was appointed the LDP's election chief, but resigned when the party suffered a significant loss in October's Lower House election. Away from the political spotlight for several months, Koizumi made his return in May. Taku Eto's position as Agriculture Minister became untenable after he said that he 'never had to buy rice' as he got it free from supporters. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba subsequently replaced him with Koizumi. 'I was instructed to put rice before anything. At this difficult time, I will do my utmost to address the high rice prices that people are struggling with daily,' the former Environment Minister told reporters. Falling Rice Prices The appointment brought immediate results. The average price of rice has been steadily decreasing nationwide. On Monday, the Agricultural Ministry announced that it fell ¥48 from the previous week to ¥4,176 per 5 kilograms. That's the third consecutive week it has decreased. In late May, stockpiled rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 was put on sale through no-bid contracts. Supplies quickly sold out as long lines of customers waited to buy the cheaper grain. Commenting on Koizumi's policies, Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor of political science at Hosei University, said , 'He's been more effective at capturing the public imagination than the LDP expected. If the LDP can win the elections, lawmakers may begin to see him as their best option as leader.' Koizumi certainly appears to be a lot more popular with the public than the current prime minister. Ishiba finished third in the Sankei Shimbun and FNN poll with 7.9% of the votes. Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda came fourth with 6.8%, ahead of former Foreign Minister Taro Kono (4.2%), Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (4.1%) and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi (2.4%). Related Posts Introducing the Nine Candidates Vying To Become Japan's Next Prime Minister Fumio Kishida To Resign As Japan's Prime Minister Taro Kono Declares Victory in 'War' on Floppy Disks
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Social Security Administration ‘will be using X to communicate' moving forward
The Social Security Administration (SSA) unveiled Thursday that it would use the social platform X to make announcements going forward, instead of traditional press releases or memos typically posted to the agency's website. 'The agency will be using X to communicate to the press and the public — formerly known as Twitter,' Linda Kerr-Davis, SSA Midwest-West regional commissioner told employees in a call Thursday, according to Federal News Network (FNN). 'This will become our communication mechanism,' she told reporters. The shift comes as communications staff at the agency has dwindled due to reassignments in front-facing roles at field offices across the country. Officials announced that regional SSA offices would no longer have fully staffed public affairs offices as a result. 'If you're used to getting press releases and Dear Colleague letters, you might want to subscribe to the official SSA X account, so you can stay up to date with agency news,' Kerr-Davis said, as reported by FNN. 'I know this probably sounds very foreign to you — it did to me as well — and not what we are used to, but we are in different times now,' she added. The SSA's last press release, which was posted March 27 on the website, denied reports that local field offices may be closing. It also features a link to an inactive social media account for the agency that encouraged website viewers to follow the press office on X. The past few months have seen considerable changes at the agency under the Trump administration, which announced new verification standards that were later walked back by officials who said they were evaluating policies to prevent fraud. The updated policies have caused some concerns for rural communities and people who require assistance to travel to the in-person offices or those who have trouble logging in to their accounts online for help. The final memo on its website said the agency would work with the public to address the issues. 'SSA works closely with local congressional delegations before closing any office permanently,' the last release reads. 'The agency also reassigns employees from an affected office to other locations to help communities access in-person services.' Officials noted that while no field offices have been permanently closed, some buildings may have their leases terminated as the department has turned mostly to virtual hearings. The Hill reached out to the SSA for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
11-04-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Social Security Administration ‘will be using X to communicate' moving forward
The Social Security Administration (SSA) on Thursday unveiled that it would use social platform X to make announcements going forward, instead of traditional press releases or memos typically posted to the website. 'The agency will be using X to communicate to the press and the public — formerly known as Twitter,' Linda Kerr-Davis, SSA Midwest-West (MWW) Regional Commissioner told employees in a call Thursday, according to Federal News Network (FNN). 'This will become our communication mechanism,' she told reporters. The shift comes as communications staff at the agency has dwindled due to reassignments in front-facing roles at field offices across the country. Officials announced that Regional SSA offices would no longer have fully staffed public affairs offices as a result. 'If you're used to getting press releases and Dear Colleague letters, you might want to subscribe to the official SSA X account, so you can stay up to date with agency news,' Kerr-Davis said as reported by FNN. 'I know this probably sounds very foreign to you — it did to me as well — and not what we are used to, but we are in different times now,' she added. The SSA's last press release, which was posted March 27 on the website, denied reports that local field offices may be closing. It also features a link to an inactive social media account for the agency that encouraged website viewers to follow the press office on X. The last few months have amounted to considerable changes at the agency under the Trump administration, which announced new verification standards that were later walked back by officials who said they were evaluating policies to prevent fraud. The updated policies have caused some concerns for rural communities and people who require assistance to travel to the in-person offices or those who have trouble logging in to their accounts online for help. The final memo on its website said the agency would work with the public to address the issues. 'SSA works closely with local congressional delegations before closing any office permanently,' the last release reads. 'The agency also reassigns employees from an affected office to other locations to help communities access in-person services.' Officials noted that while no field offices have been permanently closed, some buildings may have their leases terminated as the department has turned mostly to virtual hearings.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Japan's economy minister Akazawa to head trade talks with US, FNN reports
By Leika Kihara and Makiko Yamazaki TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will nominate Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa as trade negotiator with the United States, FNN television reported on Tuesday. Akazawa, during a press conference, said he was not aware of the report and has not been approached by the prime minister on the matter. The report emerged after Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to initiate bilateral discussions on tariffs in a telephone meeting on Monday. Trump has designated Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to oversee trade negotiations with Japan, Bessent said on social media. "The fact the treasury secretary was appointed (to lead trade talks with Japan) may suggest the U.S. administration has a strong interest in areas he oversees," Akazawa said. Bilateral discussions on exchange-rate moves will continue to be managed by Japan's finance minister and the U.S. treasury secretary, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said in a separate news conference on Tuesday. Bessent's appointment as the head of U.S. trade talks with Japan has heightened speculation among some investors that Washington may pressure Tokyo to help weaken the dollar against the yen, as part of a deal to reduce U.S. tariffs on Japan. A weaker dollar could enhance U.S. exports, while a firmer yen might help moderate rising import costs that have hurt Japanese consumers, some analysts say. "Pressure from Trump, coupled with the Japanese government's intention to prop up the yen against the dollar, could have an influence on the likelihood of further interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan," Yasunari Ueno, chief market economist at Mizuho Securities, wrote in a research note. The BOJ raised interest rates to 0.5% in January and its officials have signaled their readiness to hike rates further if Japan makes progress toward durably achieving its 2% inflation target, or if the risk of excessively high inflation materialises. In a meeting with key ministers to discuss Japan's approach on U.S. tariffs held earlier on Tuesday, Ishiba stressed the need to scrutinise investors' behaviour due to unstable movements in the global financial market, Akazawa said. "I won't comment on the yen's recent rise, though in general, import prices fall when the yen strengthens," Akazawa said, when asked about the yen's recent rebound against the dollar.
Reuters
08-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Japan's economy minister Akazawa to head trade talks with US, FNN reports
TOKYO, April 8 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will nominate Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa as trade negotiator with the United States, FNN television reported on Tuesday. Akazawa, during a press conference, said he was not aware of the report and has not been approached by the prime minister on the matter. The report emerged after Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to initiate bilateral discussions on tariffs in a telephone meeting on Monday. Trump has designated Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to oversee trade negotiations with Japan, Bessent said on social media. "The fact the treasury secretary was appointed (to lead trade talks with Japan) may suggest the U.S. administration has a strong interest in areas he oversees," Akazawa said. Bilateral discussions on exchange-rate moves will continue to be managed by Japan's finance minister and the U.S. treasury secretary, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said in a separate news conference on Tuesday. Bessent's appointment as the head of U.S. trade talks with Japan has heightened speculation among some investors that Washington may pressure Tokyo to help weaken the dollar against the yen, as part of a deal to reduce U.S. tariffs on Japan. A weaker dollar could enhance U.S. exports, while a firmer yen might help moderate rising import costs that have hurt Japanese consumers, some analysts say. "Pressure from Trump, coupled with the Japanese government's intention to prop up the yen against the dollar, could have an influence on the likelihood of further interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan," Yasunari Ueno, chief market economist at Mizuho Securities, wrote in a research note. The BOJ raised interest rates to 0.5% in January and its officials have signaled their readiness to hike rates further if Japan makes progress toward durably achieving its 2% inflation target, or if the risk of excessively high inflation materialises. In a meeting with key ministers to discuss Japan's approach on U.S. tariffs held earlier on Tuesday, Ishiba stressed the need to scrutinise investors' behaviour due to unstable movements in the global financial market, Akazawa said. "I won't comment on the yen's recent rise, though in general, import prices fall when the yen strengthens," Akazawa said, when asked about the yen's recent rebound against the dollar.
