Takahashi Sanae calls for building a "strong Japan," but the public is focused on oil, rare earths, and consumption tax reductions.

High City: Building a "Strong Japan," Citizens: "First Address Oil and Rare Earths"

On April 27, 2026, Takayama Sanae announced on X (formerly Twitter) that she had convened the first expert meeting to revise the three security documents this year, centered on national security. This is an expert forum considering security from the perspective of comprehensive national power.

She pointed out the intensifying competition among nations, including the worsening situation in the Middle East triggered by U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, stating: "To protect Japan's peace and independence, we will actively advance the enhancement of defense capabilities, integrating diplomatic, defense, economic, technological, intelligence, and human resources strengths to comprehensively strengthen Japan's 'comprehensive national power.'

"To fully strengthen our comprehensive national strength, we must identify priority issues, allocate resources efficiently, and put them into practice." She added: "As a government, we will continue discussing revisions to these three documents while seeking expert opinions."

Takayama repeatedly emphasized: "A Strong Japan."

Yet, the responses on X were surprisingly unexpected.

"Where is the promised reduction in consumption tax?"

"If you want to strengthen national power, why not secure naphtha first?"

"Don't talk about security when you can't even get oil or rare earths."

According to a survey conducted by the National Federation of Consumer and Industrial Organizations (Seidanren): 40% of food and beverage manufacturers have already been affected by naphtha shortages, with this impact expected to accelerate in the future.

Moreover, voices are rising: "Where has the promised consumption tax reduction gone? The consumption tax cut, one of the key pledges during the February House of Representatives election, is no longer being mentioned, leaving many people deeply disappointed."

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863710451981578/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.