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The Japanese government has begun releasing its massive stockpile of rice in an effort to combat soaring prices, with the first batch of the staple food being removed from a storage facility in Saitama Prefecture on March 18th. The government hopes that the release of the stockpiled rice will help to stabilize prices and provide some relief to consumers.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sparked controversy by offering gift certificates to 15 newly elected Lower House members, prompting an apology but no admission of wrongdoing. The opposition parties are seizing the opportunity to demand answers and accountability, while some within the LDP are calling for his resignation, further fueling the ongoing debate about political ethics and transparency.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Komeito head Tetsuo Saito, and Nippon Ishin leader Hirofumi Yoshimura signed an agreement on February 25th to amend the government's draft initial budget for fiscal 2025. This agreement marks the first time in 29 years that a draft initial budget will be revised through talks between the ruling and opposition parties at the Diet.

Asian shares mostly rose on Tuesday, buoyed by another rally on Wall Street and positive sentiment towards Japanese companies following investments by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. Meanwhile, concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's policies and a temporary suspension of trading on the Indonesia stock exchange weighed on investor sentiment in some markets.

U.S. stocks rebounded on Monday, clawing back some of last week's losses, but the market remains on edge as investors await the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later this week. Concerns about President Trump's trade war and its potential impact on the U.S. economy continue to cast a shadow over Wall Street, despite the recent rebound.