The government makes a deal? | This week in Japanese politics

The ruling coalition appears to have Ishin's support for the budget, Japan's economy passed a long-standing target in 2024, and Foreign Minister Iwaya met with G20 foreign ministers

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The rundown

The ruling coalition’s talks with opposition parties finally secured a partner for passing the budget, announcing a preliminary deal with Ishin no Kai on tuition fees and health care spending. Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) leader Noda Yoshihiko, however, responded to the announcement by suggesting that his party could delay a vote on the budget depending on the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) response to demands for testimony from a key figure in the kickback scandal. Meanwhile, Japan’s economy was larger than JPY 600tn for the first time in 2024, while prices continued to climb in January. In South Africa for a G20 meeting, Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi voiced the Japanese government’s continuing support for Ukraine, while a Keidanren delegation visited China. Plus: a record number of international visitors came to Japan in January. All of this and more in This Week in Japanese Politics.