Political instability jolts Japan

The FT News Briefing for September 8th covers several key global events. In France, the prime minister faces a no-confidence vote due to his austerity measures, potentially destabilizing Macron's government. Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is stepping down after political setbacks, triggering a leadership contest within the Liberal Democratic Party. China is considering reopening its bond market to Russian energy companies, offering a financial workaround amidst sanctions. The U.S. economy is showing signs of a slowdown, with a weak jobs report and upcoming inflation data influencing the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates. The episode concludes with a mention of the FT Weekend Festival content, including a discussion on investing in whiskey, and promotions for other podcasts and events.