Continuation of support for middle- and low-income earners, Prime Minister Takaichi emphasizes consumption tax reduction bill enters House of Councilors deliberation

On the morning of the 11th, the bill related to the consumption tax reduction for foodstuffs was discussed at a plenary session of the House of Councilors, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also in attendance. The bill also includes the full-fledged introduction of support subsidies for middle- and low-income earners after the end of the tax cut, and the Prime Minister emphasized that the majority of eligible people will "receive support that exceeds the effects of the consumption tax cut." Reply to Shinsuke Suematsu of the Liberal Democratic Party. No details were provided regarding the funding source for the annual 5 trillion yen tax cut or the design of the support system.

Opposition parties criticize consumption tax reduction bill: 'Contents unknown' and 'stain on constitutional history'

In order to ensure that the bill passes in the House of Councilors, where it has a majority, the ruling party plans to continue lobbying the Democratic Party for the People and Komeito, and aims to pass the bill by the end of the current Diet session on the 12th.

Regarding the source of funds for the tax cut, the Prime Minister reiterated his previous answer, saying, ``We will secure the financial resources without relying on special public bonds (deficit bonds).'' Shinichi Shiba of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan called for cash handouts by the end of the fiscal year as a measure against rising prices, but the prime minister rejected the request, saying, ``Providing the benefits will take time, and it will be difficult to ensure that they are delivered to eligible people nationwide by the end of the fiscal year.''

Hitoshi Takezume of the Democratic Party of the People pressed for the acceptance of the party's counterproposal, which was a reduction in resident and income taxes. The prime minister reiterated his cautious stance, saying, ``Local leaders have voiced strong concerns.We also need to sort out the issues.''