Japan's Ishiba Aims to Turn Things Around with Price Measures

   Tokyo, April 1 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in his press conference Tuesday emphasized measures to tackle the rising cost of living, in a bid to turn the dire situation around.
   Opposition parties have ramped up their criticism of the ruling camp led by Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party. Grumblings are coming even from those within the ruling bloc who are unhappy about his administration.
   With public support for Ishiba's cabinet also falling ahead of this summer's election for the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, the country's parliament, Ishiba is trying to find a way out of his predicament.
   In an unusual move, the prime minister started the press conference with an apology.
   "Once again, I offer my deepest apologies," he said on his controversial distribution of gift certificates to new LDP lawmakers. "I must frankly admit that (my action) deviated from what is perceived as normal among the public."

(2025/04/01-23:42)