TOKYO (AP) — New Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba opened his first policy speech in office Friday by expressing deep regrets over the governing party's slush funds scandal that dogged his predecessor.
Ishiba replaced Fumio Kishida on Tuesday with the paramount mission of quickly pacifying public anger over financial misconduct in the Liberal Democratic Party and regaining support ahead of an Oct. 27 parliamentary election.
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TOKYO (AP) — New Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba opened his first policy speech in office Friday by expressing deep regrets over the governing party's slush funds scandal that dogged his predecessor.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delvers his first policy speech during a Diet session at the Lower House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, right, speaks with other lawmakers prior to a Diet session at the Upper House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers his first policy speech during a Diet session at the Lower House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers his first policy speech during a Diet session at the Lower House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers his first policy speech during a Diet session at the Lower House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
“I will achieve politics that is not for politicians but for the people,” Ishiba said, pledging to provide sincere explanations and ensure that lawmakers abide by the rules.
He set five policy pillars to uphold, including security, economy and disaster resilience.
Ishiba said he will bolster Japan's military capability to defend itself from threats from China, Russia and North Korea under the framework of the Japan-U.S. security alliance.
He did not mention two goals he advocated before taking office — making the Japan-U.S. security alliance more equitable and establishing a NATO-like collective defense system in Asia — apparently to avoid controversy ahead of the election that the LDP must win.
Omitting those goals also saves him from possibly irking Washington, but may disappoint those who saw him as willing to speak up even when he risked disagreement with his own party.
Ishiba noted violations of Japanese airspace last month by Chinese and Russian warplanes and North Korea’s advancing missile technology and testing as examples of the worsening security environment that Japan faces and stressed the need for a further buildup of Japan’s military.
He said he will promote a “strategic, mutually beneficial relationship” with China and increase communication on all levels to build “stable and constructive” ties. He also said he will further strengthen and expand Japan’s ties with South Korea and the trilateral cooperation Japan has with it and the United States.
He called the Japan-U.S. security alliance a cornerstone of Japanese diplomacy and security as well as the foundation of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and international society.
The first public support ratings for Ishiba as prime minister were around 50% or even lower, the lowest levels for a new leader, according to Japanese media.
Opposition leaders have criticized him for rushing to hold an election after only adding a new face and fresh image to the party without any concrete results. He plans to dissolve parliament next Wednesday for an election on Oct. 27, allowing only a few days of debate on his policies.
On the economy, Ishiba said in his speech that he wants workers to have sustainable salary increases that exceed inflation, and will promote investment to create “a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution.” He promised economic support for low-income households and measures for regional revitalization and disaster resilience.
Despite earlier supporting a phasing out of nuclear power following the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster, he pledged to maximize the use of nuclear energy and push for geothermal and other renewable sources to meet the soaring electricity needs of data centers in the age of AI.
Follow AP's Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers his first policy speech during a Diet session at the Lower House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delvers his first policy speech during a Diet session at the Lower House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, right, speaks with other lawmakers prior to a Diet session at the Upper House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers his first policy speech during a Diet session at the Lower House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers his first policy speech during a Diet session at the Lower House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers his first policy speech during a Diet session at the Lower House of the Parliament Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pete Alonso hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off All-Star closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning and the New York Mets beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 on Thursday night to win their NL Wild Card Series.
With their latest thrilling comeback in the decisive Game 3 against Milwaukee, the Mets advanced in the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2015 National League pennant. They moved on to a best-of-five Division Series beginning Saturday in Philadelphia against the NL East champion Phillies.
It will be the first postseason meeting between the heated rivals.
“This has been unreal. What a ride,” Alonso said. “I’m just excited to help keep this team alive.”
The slugger became the first major leaguer to hit a go-ahead homer when his team was trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game, according to OptaSTATS.
“This is something that you practice as a kid in the backyard,” Alonso said.
The NL Central champion Brewers, making their sixth playoff appearance in seven years, still haven't won a postseason series since reaching Game 7 of the 2018 National League Championship Series.
This loss will be particularly painful.
“I love this team,” manager Pat Murphy said. “I love them. I'll never be able to duplicate 2024. It didn't end the way we wanted to. It ended tragically, actually.”
Milwaukee appeared to have the victory in hand after pinch-hitter Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick broke a scoreless tie by opening the seventh inning with back-to-back homers on consecutive pitches from Jose Buttó. Rookie right-hander Tobias Myers and three Brewers relievers combined on a two-hit shutout through the first eight innings.
In fact, 12 straight Mets had been retired when they entered the ninth against Williams, a two-time NL reliever of the year who had earned the save Wednesday in Milwaukee’s Game 2 victory.
But he wasn’t his normal self on this night.
“I'm not going to make any excuse,” Williams said. “I didn’t execute the way I needed to. They got the job done and I didn’t.”
Francisco Lindor opened the inning by working an eight-pitch walk. Mark Vientos struck out, then Brandon Nimmo singled sharply on an 0-2 pitch to put runners at the corners.
That brought up Alonso, who has 226 career home runs in six seasons but hadn't delivered an extra-base hit since homering on Sept. 19.
“I know Devin has great stuff,” Alonso said. “I've seen him pitch a ton. We were teammates in the WBC (World Baseball Classic). He's a tough AB."
After getting ahead 3-1 in the count, Alonso drove an 86 mph changeup to the opposite field over the wall in right. He put his fingers to his mouth in a “chef’s kiss” gesture as he rounded first base and gave New York the lead.
Alonso can become a prized free agent after the World Series, so it could have been his final plate appearance with the only professional franchise he's played for if the Mets had fallen short.
Instead, he sent them on to the next round with the biggest home run of his career.
“Pete Alonso was one swing away from people going crazy about him. And that’s what happened,” Lindor said.
Williams remained in the game but never regained his footing. Jesse Winker was hit by a pitch with two outs, stole second and scored an insurance run on Starling Marte’s single to right.
Winker, a former Brewer who was showered with boos throughout the series, screamed and slammed his helmet to the ground after sliding across the plate.
The ninth-inning rally continued New York’s storybook season. The Mets were 22-33 in late May but had the best record in baseball the rest of the regular season. They didn’t earn a playoff berth until scoring all their runs in the final two innings of an 8-7 comeback victory at rival Atlanta in the opening game of a makeup doubleheader Monday, the day after the regular season was supposed to end.
New York is the first team to clinch a postseason spot and a playoff series by winning both games after trailing in the ninth inning or later.
“With what’s transpired this season, it seems only fitting," Nimmo said. "We seemed down and out. At the beginning of the season, we were written off. Obviously it was compounded in April and May. Then we went on this just unbelievable run of being the best (team) in baseball for the next four months, having the team meeting, pulling ourselves up.
“And that’s kind of how this game was. This game, we were down and out for eight innings, and we just said, ‘You know what? We’re just going to keep shooting our shots until the end, and we’re going to see what happens.'”
Frelick led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, but Joey Ortiz struck out and Brice Turang hit into a double play to end the series.
“It sucks, plain and simple,” said Frelick, whose homer was his first since mid-May. "We got beat and it’s going to be something I think we all can remember as a group, though, going into next year.”
Edwin Díaz pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. David Peterson, making his first relief appearance this season, worked the ninth for his first major league save.
The game started out as a pitchers’ duel between Myers and New York left-hander Jose Quintana. Myers pitched five shutout innings, while Quintana held the Brewers scoreless through six.
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New York went 6-7 against the Phillies during the regular season and finished six games behind them in the division standings.
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The New York Mets celebrate after winning Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza celebrates after winning Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates with teammates after winning Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The New York Mets celebrate after winning Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets' J.D. Martinez and Pete Alonso celebrate after winning Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The New York Mets celebrate after winning Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The New York Mets celebrate after winning Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Mets won 4-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates his three-run home run with Brandon Nimmo (9) and Francisco Lindor (12) during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets' Pete Alonso hits a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets' Pete Alonso hits a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets' Pete Alonso hits a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates his three-run home run with Luisangel Acuña during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams reacts after giving up a three-run home run to New York Mets' Pete Alonso during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
