Coalition agreement: ``No revision necessary'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara confident of enactment of consumption tax reduction bill

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara gave a speech on the 10th at a meeting of the Internal and External Situation Investigation Committee held in Tokyo, and clarified that there is "no need to revise" the coalition government agreement signed last year between the Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Restoration Party. Regarding the consumption tax reduction related bill, he expressed confidence that it would be passed during the extraordinary Diet session.

Meiji Restoration, one cabinet minister coordinates Cabinet reshuffle, proposed on the 17th

The current coalition agreement was concluded at the inauguration of the Takaichi administration, and based on it, the abolition of the ``5 types'' of operational guidelines for the three principles for defense equipment transfers and the enactment of the Act on the Establishment of a Deputy Capital have already been achieved. The Meiji Restoration was seeking a renewal of the agreement.

Kihara explained that as of October last year, when the agreement was signed, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's term as president of the Liberal Democratic Party was two years. ``The agreement documents what needs to be done in two years.There is still time left, so there is no need to revise it.''

Regarding the bill related to the consumption tax cut for food products, he said, ``Although the House of Councilors is a minority ruling party, there are many opposition parties who can support it.If we explain it carefully, it can be passed.'' Regarding future economic and fiscal management, he emphasized, ``Tax revenue will continue to increase naturally even without raising tax rates.As a result, gross domestic product (GDP) will expand.We will realize such a virtuous cycle.''

Kihara explained the establishment of the National Intelligence Council as "the first step in intelligence reform." Referring to foreign intelligence agencies such as the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), he said, ``Japan doesn't have them. I think they are necessary.'' "Some people call (Japan) a 'spy paradise'. It is said to be a country that is lenient towards illegal foreign intelligence activities. This cannot be overlooked," he said.