Takaichi marks one year in office, vows stronger action on rising prices

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (高市早苗) marked one year since her government took office on 21 October, speaking to reporters at the prime minister's office. She said she had kept running through the year with the thought that steadily realising pledges one by one is her mission. She added that the second year of the Takaichi cabinet's challenge begins today and that the key policy at present is further strengthening measures against global price rises. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 10 ]

On prices, Asahi Shimbun reported that she cited the abolition of the old provisional tax rate on gasoline and subsidies for electricity and gas as measures that had restrained price rises. She also said she took seriously that many people do not feel the results enough. She said she aims to win passage of the consumption tax cut and support payment bill submitted to the current Diet session, to ease food price rises that weigh on low-income households. Nippon TV and Sankei reported her saying gasoline prices are held at the lowest level among G7 countries. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

Asked about points for reflection, she said, according to Sankei, that many voices say price measures are not enough and that information on them had not been conveyed accurately, so the government must think about how it handles public relations. TBS reported that she named strengthening communication to the public and, as lessons of the year, said she recognised the importance of anticipating developments and building policy ahead of events. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]

On her fiscal policy of "responsible proactive fiscal policy", Asahi reported her saying the atmosphere in society is changing, and claiming links to wage rises, higher share prices and GDP growth. Jiji Press and Nikkei quoted her describing it as a battle aimed at getting the Japanese economy moving, and Jiji quoted her promising large-scale, long-term and predictable fiscal spending to draw out private domestic investment. She also expressed intent to strengthen intelligence functions, calling the new national intelligence council and bureau only a first step, and to revise three security-related documents by the end of the year. Sankei added that she thanked her coalition partner, Nippon Ishin no Kai, saying she wants to walk together as a partner that shares responsibility. [ 1 , 2 , 7 , 10 , 11 ]

Jiji Press noted that Takaichi took office last October and formed a coalition with Nippon Ishin no Kai, then won the February lower house election by a wide margin. It said she dismissed former agriculture minister Kazuo Yanagi (簗和生) on 14 October over remarks about cutting budgets, that cabinet support, which had stayed high, shows a downward trend, and that allegations about his successor Arata Takebu (武部新) have been reported. Nikkei described Yanagi's exit as a resignation 28 days after taking office and said poll effects have so far been limited. [ 10 , 11 ]

Nikkei said its September poll put cabinet approval at 62%, against 33% disapproval, and named three hurdles for a long-lived government: financing for the consumption tax cut and defence spending at year end, the autumn 2027 LDP leadership race, and the summer 2028 upper house election. It said the ruling bloc is four seats short of a majority in the upper house. Yuichiro Tamaki (玉木雄一郎), leader of the Democratic Party for the People, said on a radio programme that the prime minister seems increasingly stubborn and urged her to listen to others. Nippon TV reported that some LDP members warn that appointing only people close to her could weaken the party base. [ 3 , 10 , 11 ]