Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasizes economic growth and consumption tax reduction in policy speech

On the afternoon of the 5th, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will deliver a speech expressing his views at the plenary sessions of both houses of the House of Representatives. Under the slogan of ``Keizaimin,'' he emphasized a policy of making all-out efforts for economic growth. Regarding the food consumption tax reduction bill, which will be the main focus of the extraordinary Diet session, we ask for understanding for its enactment, saying it will ``create even a little bit of leeway in household budgets.''

The government is expected to explain that it will secure financial resources without relying on deficit-deficit national bonds, and says there is "no need to worry." It shows a stance of using a "straight approach" to secure market confidence.

On the diplomatic front, the United States reiterated its support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is calling on member states to withdraw from the organization. He emphasized his determination not to ``rule out all options,'' including a summit meeting, toward resolving the abduction issue by North Korea.

Regarding Okinawa Prefecture, where a conservative governor was elected for the first time in 12 years, he plans to move forward with the relocation of the U.S. military's Futenma Air Base (Ginowan City) to Henoko, Nago City, and to revitalize the economy.

With regard to constitutional revision, given that the revised referendum law was enacted at the recent special session of the Diet, it seems that the government is hopeful that discussions will progress at the special session of the Diet.