Press Conference by Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru regarding the Meeting of the Heads of the Ruling and Opposition Parties

(On the details of the explanation Prime Minister Ishiba offered in the meeting of the party leaders regarding the agreement between Japan and the United States on tariff negotiations; whether the Prime Minister explained the reasons for his announced intention to remain in office in the wake of the House of Councillors election; and details of the explanation he offered if he did so)

The meeting of the party leaders took place a short while ago. Unlike the initial plan, Co-Leader Ms. OISHI Akiko represented Reiwa Shinsengumi. Today marked the first time that Mr. KAMIYA Sohei  of Sanseito participated. As I mentioned earlier today during the Government response meeting (the Comprehensive Response Headquarters for U.S. Tariff Measures), I provided an explanation regarding the negotiations with the United States. The party leaders then offered various comments and asked questions. I believe each of the participants will explain what they said themselves, so to avoid any discrepancies, I will refrain from detailing their specific remarks. Given their various, highly informative comments, the Government will respond in an appropriate manner going forward.

And if your question is about whether I explained my future actions, I did not. The meeting of the party leaders was not for comments or questions regarding that matter. Various comments were made, and I emphasized the need for an appropriate response concerning, for example, the 4,318 items exported by our domestic industries (to the United States). I am not sure, however, where such an explanation should be offered—whether in the Diet or during such a meeting of the party leaders—a point on which various comments were also made today. I also stated that this is something I will address going forward, and that I will do so by providing a thorough explanation. I referred to necessary actions, including the steady implementation of the latest agreement between Japan and the United States. That’s all from me.