Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's recent remark that Japan should not be "underestimated" by the United States is raising concerns among politicians and government officials at home about potential adverse effects on ongoing tariff negotiations.The comment, made during a stump speech for the July 20 House of Councillors election, is widely seen as an effort by Ishiba to emphasize his commitment to protecting national interests, with an eye toward his domestic audience and supporters of the Liberal Democratic Party.Still, it is unusual for a sitting Japanese prime minister to use such strong l…READ FULL ARTICLE
