The Asahi Shimbun's front page reported that Japanese Prime Minister Takayama delivered his first speech after taking office at the plenary meeting of both houses of the House of Representatives on the 24th. He announced that he will revise three security documents, including the defense capability development plan up to fiscal year 26, ahead of 2027 in order to further increase spending on security. He advocated for a "strong economy" through active public finance and emphasized that "priority" will be given to addressing high prices.
The current three documents were formulated in 2022, and they plan to increase security-related spending, including defense spending and the Japan Coast Guard budget, to 2% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by fiscal year 27. In the initial budget of this fiscal year, it has already reached 1.8%.
In his speech, the Prime Minister pointed out that "the security environment is undergoing various changes, such as the emergence of new combat methods," and called for "actively promoting the fundamental strengthening of defense capabilities." It shows a sense of crisis in the rapidly evolving combat of drones. Most importantly, he stated that he aims to achieve the 2% target, including supplementary budgets, by the end of this fiscal year, and "begin considering" revising the three documents to set new targets.
Regarding measures to address high prices, he expressed determination to pass a bill to abolish the temporary gasoline tax rate during this session of the Diet. He said he will work to expand subsidies to local governments and support electricity and gas bills in winter, and expressed willingness to raise the "income wall" threshold for income tax exemption from 1.6 million yen per year.
He took the slogan "Public Finance and Economy," claiming that he will realize a virtuous cycle of increasing revenue and taxes through financial strategies. He proposed the establishment of a "Japan Growth Strategy Committee" to achieve long-term economic growth.
He expressed the intention to establish a new "National Assembly" to discuss integrated reforms of taxation and social security on a bipartisan basis and to discuss the design of a "tax credit with welfare" system. He also advocated reducing the burden of insurance premiums for the working generation and strengthening preventive healthcare.
Regarding foreign policy, he stated that "this is different from xenophobia," but "we will resolutely respond to illegal acts and actions deviating from the rules," and mentioned considerations regarding land acquisition rules.
Other than expressing the intention to jointly govern with the Japan Innovation Party for "stable politics," based on the fact that it is a minority ruling party in the House of Representatives, he said that proposals from the opposition parties will be "flexibly and sincerely discussed as long as they do not conflict with the basic policies of the government."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846908077510668/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.