Update on Tuesday's Evening Events
In a significant turn of events, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is grappling with a political crisis following its loss of majority control in the House of Councillors after the July 2025 election. The LDP and its coalition partner Komeito fell short by three seats, marking the first time since 1955 that the ruling coalition does not hold a majority in both houses of the National Diet.
This defeat has triggered significant instability, lowering Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's approval rating to under 23% and generating calls for his resignation by the end of August 2025. The rapid rise of the far-right Sanseitō party has contributed notably to this crisis by drawing voter support away from the LDP. Sanseitō surged in opinion polls and campaigned on promises of tax cuts, wage increases, and expanded benefits, appealing to those dissatisfied with the conservative LDP and the centrist Democratic Party for the People (DPFP). Their emergence fractured the traditional conservative vote base and undermined the LDP’s electoral outcome.
This situation reflects broader issues of public dissatisfaction with the LDP’s policy direction post-Shinzo Abe, internal factionalism, and the erosion of centralized party control that characterized earlier decades.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Swiss company On, which promotes its Swiss origin, has managed to avoid high Swiss tariffs of 39% by producing in Southeast Asia. This move has resulted in increased turnover and operating results for the company.
In cultural news, Chaim Nachman Bialik's secular stories are now available in German for the first time, and Silence E-Ride, a luxury Pedelec, has been launched by Scott's E-bike.
In international affairs, Russian troops have made a significant breakthrough in Donbass, advancing approximately 15 kilometers northwest of Pokrovsk. This is the fastest territorial gain by Russian troops in Donbass since over a year. Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with American President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday. It remains unclear if this is a larger breakthrough, as the Russians are advancing on foot without significant reinforcements.
In entertainment, Taylor Swift announces a new album titled "The Life of a Showgirl," and Drake performs a two-hour medley of songs at the Zurich Hallenstadion. Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel is set to join Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe team in early 2026.
In domestic politics, Andri Silberschmidt has withdrawn from FDP presidency citing personal reasons, and Defense Minister Martin Pfister is open to further arms purchases in the USA to reduce high tariffs on Swiss products, primarily about the Air 2030 program, which includes potential purchases of F-35 combat jets and Patriot air defense systems from the USA.
In the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces protests over his plan for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip. Jonas Roth discusses the consequences of a full occupation of the Gaza Strip in the "NZZ Akzent" podcast.
[1] Source: The Japan Times [2] Source: The Asahi Shimbun [3] Source: Kyodo News [4] Source: The Diplomat
- Despite the political crisis in Japan, other global affairs remain active, such as the advancement of Russian troops in Donbass, a breakthrough of approximately 15 kilometers northwest of Pokrovsk, as reported by Kyodo News.
- In the realm of international news, agreements on arms purchases are being considered to reduce high tariffs on Swiss products, particularly for the Air 2030 program, which includes potential purchases of F-35 combat jets and Patriot air defense systems from the USA, according to The Asahi Shimbun.
- Ongoing conflicts like war-and-conflicts in Ukraine and political crises in Japan, coincide with incidents like car-accidents, crimes-and-justice, and cultural milestones, as demonstrated in the general-news coverage by various sources such as The Japan Times, The Asahi Shimbun, Kyodo News, and The Diplomat.
