
AI-generated summary
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gave a policy speech in which he advocated reducing the consumption tax on food products and introducing subsidies to reduce the burden on workers as a measure to counter rising prices. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Kazuo Yan said that he had cut the road budgets of two local municipalities whose mayors supported his opponent, raising suspicions of political interference.
Questions from representatives of each party began on the 7th at a plenary session of the House of Representatives regarding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's policy speech. The prime minister emphasized that the consumption tax cut on food products and the introduction of subsidies to reduce the burden on workers are "the best way to combat rising prices." In response to Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Kazuo Yan's statement that he had ``cut'' the road budgets of two local municipalities whose mayors supported opposing candidates in the House of Representatives election, the government clarified, ``We will once again ensure appropriate budget allocation.''
Ishin's Maehara insists that Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yan Yan resign as a member of parliament
This was answered by Komeito representative Mitsunari Okamoto, who belongs to the ``centrist'' faction in the House of Representatives. In response to Mr. Okamoto's request for consideration of household budget support measures that include uniform benefits, the Prime Minister countered, saying, "It will take time to provide benefits." He said that a combination of consumption tax cuts and support funds is "the best way from the standpoint of sufficiency and speed."
When asked about the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister's remarks, the Prime Minister said, ``It is natural that political support or disapproval should not be brought into play when allocating the budget.'' He also acknowledged that the budget reductions for the two municipalities were the result of a "comprehensive consideration."
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
There is a possibility that opposition parties will continue to pursue Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yan Yan's budget cut remarks.
Possible · Within weeks

On the 7th, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Kazuo Yan explained that he had asked the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism about the road budget of two local cities and towns in order to confirm the voices of interest from supporters. Meanwhile, Bunshun Online reported that the matter may have violated the Public Offices Election Act, and Yan stated that the matter was being handled appropriately.

Questions from representatives of each party regarding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's policy speech began on the 7th at a plenary session of the House of Representatives. The prime minister emphasized that reducing the consumption tax on food products and introducing subsidies to reduce the burden on workers are "the best ways" to combat rising prices, and apologized and provided an explanation for the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' remark about cutting the road budget.

Questions from representatives of each party regarding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's policy speech began on the 7th at a plenary session of the House of Representatives. Mitsunari Okamoto, representative of the Komeito Party, took the first question and grilled the prime minister on issues such as reconsidering the consumption tax cut for food products and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yan's road budget remarks.

Okinawa Prefecture Governor Genta Koja will come to Tokyo for the first time since taking office on the 7th, and will meet with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Mogi. The group plans to protest the incident in which a Marine assigned to the U.S. military base Futenma was arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder, and to demand that a recurrence be prevented and that the U.S. military improve its discipline.

Representative questions to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's policy speech will begin on the 7th. The opposition parties are poised to rigorously investigate Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Kazuo Yan's qualifications as a cabinet minister, as well as his involvement in political interference, after he suggested that he cut the road budgets of local governments that did not support him in the House of Representatives election.

A chronological digest of the latest domestic and international news, including the decision of Nobel Prize winners, the government's response to the arrest of American soldiers in Okinawa, the issue of road budget cuts in Tochigi Prefecture, and North Korea's missile launches.