House of Councilors plenary session Prime Minister Kishida “Tax increase to cover defense spending increase, polite explanation”

From the 24th, the Diet began the debate between the ruling and opposition parties at the plenary session of the House of Councilors.

Prime Minister Kishida emphasized his intention to carefully explain through Diet deliberations the policy of raising taxes to cover the shortage of financial resources accompanying the increase in defense spending.

The regular Diet session convened on the 23rd was attended by Prime Minister Kishida and all ministers at the plenary session of the House of Councilors on the afternoon of the 24th, and questions were asked about the settlement of accounts for the previous fiscal year (FY2021).

Among them, Mr. Jiro Haneda of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan commented on the increase in defense spending, saying, ``There is no discussion about the contents in a way that is visible to the public, with the total amount being the focus. The method of allocating the blood tax collected for the purpose to the defense budget can only be described as a hoax.If a major change in security policy and a huge public burden was decided, it is only natural to question the public's trust." However, I did.

In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``After making maximum efforts for administrative and financial reform, we who live in the present should respond without passing on the missing quarter to future generations.Tax measures. We will continue to provide detailed explanations, including discussions in the Diet, to create a system that gives maximum consideration to the impact on individuals and corporations, and to deepen understanding."

In addition, regarding the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the general election, he said, ``How to question the public's confidence will be appropriately judged as a matter of the exclusive right of the prime minister at the time.''

Prime Minister Kishida was asked whether the increase in corporate tax accompanying the increase in defense spending would run counter to the government's aim of raising wages. We would like to ask for your understanding that strengthening defense capabilities directly contributes to smooth economic activities, such as securing sea lanes and maintaining supply chains.”

On the other hand, Prime Minister Kishida commented on his visit to Europe and the United States as chair of the G7 = seven major countries, saying, "With the leaders of each country, we exchanged candid and in-depth views on the tense regional situation, including the situation in Ukraine. I strongly felt once again the weight of our responsibility and the magnitude of our expectations for Japan.We will continue to work with the G7 countries to advance preparations for the G7 Hiroshima Summit."