It is difficult to say that debate has deepened on measures to secure financial resources to deal with the declining birth rate and the effects of tax cuts.   A supplementary budget for fiscal 2023 exceeding ¥13 trillion in total was approved, mainly to deal with measures against high prices.   At Budget Committee meetings, deliberations focused on the government’s….Read more

[The following is the gist of basic interpellations at the Upper House budget committee meeting on Nov. 29, 2023:]   Osaka Kansai Expo   Sugio Hideya (Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan): During Diet interpellations, [Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu] didn’t deny the possibility of the cost of constructing the Expo venue increasing further.   Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu: In….Read more

All national dailies reported that the supplementary budget for FY2023 was approved by the Diet on Wednesday after it was passed by the Upper House with support from the LDP, Komeito, Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), and Democratic Party for the People (DPFP). The supplementary budget, which exceeds 13.1 trillion yen, will include 1.5 trillion yen for strengthening the domestic production….Read more

Yomiuri reported that the Upper House adopted on Wednesday a resolution of protest against North Korea’s launch of a satellite using ballistic missile technology. The resolution condemned the launch by saying it “poses a challenge to the international community and cannot be tolerated” and called on the North to abandon its nuclear and missile programs.

The following is the gist of basic interpellations at the Upper House budget committee meeting on Nov. 28, 2023:   Economic measures   Ueda Isamu (Komeito): Handing out cash is faster than reducing tax rates [to revitalize the economy].　   Prime Minister Kishida Fumio: The initiative will help to increase disposable income. A fixed-amount tax reduction is necessary to show….Read more

All national dailies reported that the ruling and opposition parties agreed on Tuesday to vote on the supplementary budget for FY2023 at the Upper House plenary session today. The papers said the supplementary budget is expected to be enacted with the support of the LDP, Komeito, Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), and the Democratic Party for the People (DPFP).

All Saturday papers reported that the Lower House approved on Friday a supplementary budget bill totaling more than 13 trillion yen ($88 billion) by a majority vote with support from the ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito as well as the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) and the Democratic Party for the People on the opposition side. The dailies said….Read more

All Saturday papers reported that on Friday the Lower House unanimously adopted a resolution of protest against North Korea’s launch of a spy satellite on Tuesday. The resolution reportedly mentioned that North Korea launched a projectile that passed over Japan and condemned it as “totally unacceptable.” It also demanded that North Korea immediately abandon its nuclear and missile programs.