House of Representatives Budget Committee Liberal Democrats ``Total defense budget of 43 trillion yen depends on numbers'' Prime Minister counterargued

Substantial deliberations on the budget bill for the new fiscal year have begun at the House of Representatives Budget Committee.

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan Secretary-General Okada criticized the government's policy of setting the defense budget for five years from 2023 at a total of approximately 43 trillion yen, saying, "It's all about numbers." No." I countered.

At the House of Representatives Budget Committee, Prime Minister Kishida and all cabinet ministers attended, and basic questions about the budget for the new fiscal year 2023 were held.

Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Chair Hagiuda About “Housing support for child-rearing households”

Hagiuda, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Policy Research Council, commented on housing support for households raising children, saying, ``There are 200,000 vacant public housing units nationwide, and some local governments have started renting them out to young households. Also, it is necessary to solve the problem of vacant houses, but I am worried about renting them out to strangers, so why not sublease them in the category of 'childcare support housing'?"

Saito, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, said, "We would like to work with local governments to expand initiatives that allow families with children to move into public housing preferentially. Also, there are many cases where vacant private homes are not being used effectively. , I would like to support the activities of private-sector entities such as NPOs, with a view to amending the law."

Komei Takagi, Chairman of the Policy Research Council, on the “raise in electricity rates”

Komeito Policy Research Chairman Takagi commented on the rise in electricity bills due to soaring fuel prices, saying, "Although measures to reduce the burden have started this month, seven of the major electric power companies have applied for price increases due to soaring energy prices. In addition, if the price rises further, depending on the situation, we should invest in reserve funds to protect the lives of the people."

Prime Minister Kishida said, "Regarding the level of support for electricity charges, considering that the average burden on households nationwide is expected to increase by about 20% from spring onwards, we will reduce prices uniformly throughout the country. We are implementing it ahead of schedule from the minute.We will pay attention to the future economic situation, and if necessary, we will work without hesitation."

Mr. Komei Hamachi On “Increase in Defense Expenditure”

Masakazu Hamachi of the New Komeito said that when the tax hike will start in line with the increase in defense spending, he said, ``I have arranged it to be an appropriate time after 2021, but now that the new corona is finally over, the loan repayment will begin in earnest. In addition, prices are high, and we must carefully consider the economic situation when we start.”

Prime Minister Kishida said, "Based on the outlook for financial resources, including administrative and financial reforms, trends in the economy and wages, and the government's response to them, we will flexibly determine the timing of implementation of tax measures under the framework decided by the Cabinet. We will decide after considering various factors."

Ritsumin Secretary-General Okada Regarding “Increase in Defense Expenditure”

Regarding the government's policy of setting the total defense budget for the five years from fiscal 2023 at approximately 43 trillion yen, the Secretary-General of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Okada, said, ``With various factors to increase expenditures, how much budget should be allocated to where? Politics plays an important role in deciding what to do with financial resources while looking at the whole picture.The argument that the 43 trillion yen is no longer touchable is completely ridiculous.I want to have a proper discussion, but why is there only 43 trillion yen?" However, I did.

Prime Minister Kishida countered, saying, ``It is not correct to point out that numbers are the starting point. bottom.

Ritsumin Yamai Deputy Chairman of the National Affairs Committee Regarding “Re-learning during childcare leave”

Yamai, Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan's Diet Affairs Committee, said last week that Prime Minister Kishida had announced at the plenary session of the House of Councilors that he would encourage reskilling and re-learning for those on childcare leave, saying, "'It can't be done.' There have been very strong criticisms, such as, "You are taking childcare lightly."

Prime Minister Kishida said, "It is important to strengthen the environment that can support the person if he or she wishes to in any stage of life. We do not underestimate childcare and maternity leave. I would like to accept it, and in the future, I would like to communicate more carefully so that there are no misunderstandings."

On the other hand, Prime Minister Kishida said about the news that his eldest son, Secretary Shotaro, who accompanied him on his recent tour of Europe and the United States, went sightseeing in an official car, saying, "It is true that we have received various indications, Whether he is a relative or not, he must consider whether his actions as the secretary to the prime minister were appropriate."

Regarding the policy for utilizing nuclear power plants, he said, "In the midst of rumors of an energy crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine, considering the lowest level of energy self-sufficiency among developed countries and the high dependence on the Middle East for oil, any Securing energy is important to foresee the future, and we will continue to use the necessary scale."

Basic questions will be asked at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the 31st, and opposition parties such as the Constitutional Democratic Party will ask questions.

Ritsumin Secretary-General Okada "Questions are clear, one by one to discuss"

Secretary-General Okada of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan told reporters, ``In five years, we were able to raise issues with defense spending of 43 trillion yen and nuclear power plants. That is the responsibility of the Budget Committee, and I want the government to be accountable."

In addition, regarding the removal of income restrictions on child allowances, LDP Secretary-General Motegi said that he wanted to bring the party together, while Prime Minister Kishida answered, "We have one opinion." That's why I want you to make sure you're on good terms. If you're saying something completely different, it's a problem, so I want you two to talk about it."