Overview

• Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito meets LDP chief Sanae Takaichi on Oct. 10 to decide on staying in coalition, seeking answers on the LDP slush fund scandal and stricter rules on corporate and group donations.
• If Komeito quits, the LDP would govern alone and the special Diet session to choose Ishiba’s successor is expected to slip to Oct. 20 or later, further complicating the political calendar.
• Japan’s Foreign Ministry began policy briefings on Oct. 8 for a Japan–U.S. summit being arranged for Oct. 28, noting about 30 hours of prep were needed before the leaders’ first meeting in February.
• Officials caution that President Trump could press for the implementation of roughly $550 billion in Japan–U.S. investment plans and higher Japanese defense cost sharing, areas where Tokyo has limited room for immediate commitments.
• Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced Japan will send two Ground Self-Defense Force instructors to Lithuania from Nov. 3 to Dec. 5 to train Ukrainian troops in demining.