Prime Minister Takaichi ``does not deny national debt'' revenue sources, maintains consumption tax cut, conventional policy - House of Councilors Budget Committee

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated at the House of Councilors Budget Committee on the 19th that ``I do not rule out issuing national bonds'' regarding financial resources associated with the consumption tax cut on food items. Until now, he had explained that he would "secure the funds without relying on government bonds." Regarding the prime minister's response, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized at a press conference that ``there is no change to the government's previous policy.''

Prime Minister Takaichi postpones consumption tax cuts, does not rely on deficit-deficit national bonds - representative question

The consumption tax reduction-related bill will be debated at the plenary session of the House of Representatives on the 20th. Approximately 10 trillion yen in financial resources will be needed over two years, including payment measures, but the government has not indicated specific financial sources.

Regarding securing financial resources, the Prime Minister explained at the Budget Committee, ``Within the framework of budget reform, we will proceed with a review of both expenditures and revenues, while also monitoring tax revenue trends.'' ``Even as the debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio continues to steadily decline, we will closely examine the fiscal scale that is possible and will appropriately control the amount of government bonds issued throughout the year.''

Regarding the prime minister's remarks, Kihara said at a press conference, ``This is just an answer regarding the budget formulation as a whole,'' emphasizing that this is not a change in policy.

Yoshifumi Hamano of the Democratic Party for the People pointed out that if the government finances the government by cutting spending, ``it could erase the effects of the tax cuts.'' The prime minister retorted, saying, ``We will thoroughly reconsider our policy priorities.This will not erase the effects of tax cuts and spending increases.''

The prime minister emphasized, ``By building a strong economy, we will also increase confidence in the yen.'' ``It has been said that the yen is high in the market, and the yen is high in the market, and interest rates are high in the market.I unequivocally deny that.''

In response to Yoshihiro Seki, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, who held a political fundraising party at the House of Representatives building in violation of the internal rules of the House of Representatives, the prime minister said, ``I want him to keep his head up and get on with his job.'' Reply to Taku Yamazoe of the Communist Party.