In the Diet, the second day's representatives were asked questions at the plenary session of the House of Representatives, and debates were exchanged over the government's tax increase policy in conjunction with the increase in defense spending and efforts to realize wage increases.
Ishin Baba Representative
Baba, head of the Japan Restoration Party, commented on the drastic strengthening of defense, saying, "Although I agree with increasing defense spending, I can't help but feel uncomfortable with the government and ruling parties' explanation that a tax increase is unavoidable. Shouldn't it be logical for politicians to cut themselves first and ask for the least amount of burden for the last drop after all options have been exhausted?"
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``In order to reduce the burden on the people as much as possible in securing financial resources, about three-fourths of the necessary financial resources will be covered by various measures such as expenditure reform, utilization of settlement surplus, and securing non-tax income. I'm going to go and cover it, but it's still not enough, and I'd like to ask for your cooperation in tax measures for about a quarter."
Regarding the protection of citizens in the event of an emergency, Mr. Baba said, "Evacuation measures for the approximately 100,000 residents of the Sakishima Islands near Taiwan are a top priority issue. Underground shelters are an important means of protecting citizens, but Both Koreas have ballistic missiles that can reach Japan, but the Sakishima Islands still don't have any.
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``We are working to promote the designation of emergency temporary evacuation facilities to reduce direct damage from blasts caused by ballistic missile attacks. and Okinawa Prefecture, five municipalities of the Sakishima Islands, etc. will cooperate to conduct a map exercise assuming a "armed attack predicted situation", and strive to improve effectiveness so that residents can be evacuated quickly. I will go," he said.
Komei Secretary-General Ishii
Komeito Secretary-General Ishii said in relation to the scholarship system that will be reviewed in the year after next, ``In terms of expanding the scope of scholarships to include middle-income earners, we will do our best to help high school students decide on their career path and young people to plan their lives. Shouldn't we announce the estimated annual income as soon as possible?"
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, "Regarding the expansion of eligibility for benefit-type scholarships, in light of the proposal that the target annual household income should be raised to 6 million yen, we will proceed to clarify the target annual income as soon as possible. In addition, we will create a concrete framework for the 'reduced repayment system' for scholarships, including simple procedures and the handling of interest burdens."
In addition, Secretary-General Ishii said, "Many people are worried that the tax burden will increase significantly. While we will impose a new additional tax of 1% on the income tax amount, the current tax increase will increase. We will reduce the special income tax rate for reconstruction by 1%, but ask for a specific explanation as to what impact it will have on the implementation of reconstruction projects."
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, "Regarding the special income tax for reconstruction, we will reduce the tax rate and extend the tax period so as not to increase the burden on households. As such, it will not affect the reconstruction project. We will continue to provide detailed explanations so that the public can deepen their understanding."
Representative Tamaki, Citizen
Tamaki, representative of the Democratic Party for the People, said about wage increases, "'Structural wage increases' are important, but what is being asked is this year's wage increase.In particular, how to realize wage increases for small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for 90% of companies. Also, how do you intend to raise the wages of non-regular workers and dispatched workers?"
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, "In order to raise wages for small and medium-sized enterprises, we will further strengthen support for improving productivity, and promote the optimization of subcontracting transactions and the passing on of prices. Non-regular workers, etc. Regarding wage increases, we will work to raise the minimum wage, ensure that equal work and equal pay are strictly adhered to, and support those who wish to become full-time employees.
Communist Shii Chairman
Regarding the utilization policy of nuclear power plants, Communist Party Chairman Shii said, "Last December, Prime Minister Kishida decided to make a major shift toward returning to nuclear power, but the Liberal Democratic Party said in last year's House of Councilors election that ``the construction of new nuclear power plants is We are not thinking about it.”
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, ``Based on the reflection of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, which has fallen into a safety myth, we will work to ensure safety as a top priority. While maintaining the framework of the current system, which limits the operating period to a maximum of 60 years, exemption is allowed only for a certain period of suspension, but strict safety review by the Nuclear Regulation Authority is required. You can't drive unless you get a license after going through it."
In addition, regarding the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste, so-called "nuclear waste," Prime Minister Kishida said, "I will work on digging up to get as many local governments as possible to take an interest in the final disposal project, and I will wait for the hands to come up. Instead, the government will ask for a step-by-step review of the research, and the government will work as one to build a support system for the local governments that will accept the first stage of the literature survey, and quickly organize concrete actions.” said.
In addition, Prime Minister Kishida said, "We need to carefully discuss the abolishment of the spousal deduction" regarding the "spouse deduction" for income tax and the requirements for joining the employee's pension. In order to make it possible to work without being conscious of this, we are expanding the application of short-time workers to eliminate it. I will go," he said.
Ishin Baba representative "It is better to consider the system and financial resources that will be the basis"
At a press conference, Baba, representative of the Japan Restoration Party, said, "Prime Minister Kishida and our party are completely different when it comes to increasing defense spending and funding investments in children. So, it's fine to give an advertising balloon, but it's better to think carefully about the underlying system and financial resources."
Komei Secretary-General Ishii "He gave a polite answer."
Komeito Secretary-General Ishii told reporters, "Prime Minister Kishida gave a polite answer. There are many points of contention in the current Diet session, so I would like to continue working to deepen the public's understanding." rice field.
Regarding child allowances, which have become one of the focal points in measures to deal with the declining birthrate, he said, ``From the point of view of supporting children as a whole society, it is desirable to abolish income restrictions. If you agree with this, I think the government will give it a thorough consideration."
Representative Tamaki of the people "Immediate measures are necessary"
Tamaki, representative of the Democratic Party for the People, told reporters, ``What Prime Minister Kishida is saying about raising wages is a medium-term measure, and we need immediate measures to raise wages this spring. I understand well that there are no specific measures for the content and financial resources of the government, so I would like the ruling and opposition parties to cooperate to realize the abolition of income restrictions on child allowances."
Communist Shii Chairman ``I didn't answer at all''
At a press conference, Communist Party Chairman Shii said, "Possession of the ability to attack enemy bases, a large military expansion, and a return to nuclear power plants are clear policy changes, but Prime Minister Kishida could not answer all of them. The issue of the new corona It is unacceptable to abdicate the responsibility of the medical system without an answer to the current situation.I would like to clarify the problem further at the budget committee."