Second half of the Diet session to debate measures to address the declining birthrate and substantial extension of the period of nuclear power plant operation

The budget for the new fiscal year has been enacted, with a total amount of more than 114 trillion yen, the largest in the general account ever. In the second half of the Diet, the ruling and opposition parties are expected to debate in earnest over the government's measures to address the declining birthrate, financial resources, and a bill that would allow nuclear power plants to operate substantially longer.

The budget for the new fiscal year, which includes expenses necessary to address soaring prices and fundamentally strengthen defense capabilities, was approved by the Diet on May 28.

In the second half of the Diet, the ruling and opposition parties are expected to debate in earnest over specific measures, budget scale, and measures to secure fiscal resources regarding measures to address the declining birthrate of different dimensions that Prime Minister Kishida is aiming for.

The focus will also be on bills that the Kishida administration considers important bills that would allow the operation period of nuclear power plants to be substantially extended for up to 60 years, and bills to create a "defense capability enhancement fund" to increase defense spending.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties intend to continue pursuing the administrative documents of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on "political impartiality" stipulated in the Broadcasting Law.

In addition, while both the ruling and opposition parties have called for the passage of legislation to promote understanding of LGBT people by the G5 Hiroshima Summit in May, there is opposition from some within the LDP, and the LDP's response will be the focus.

According to various opinion polls, the Cabinet's approval rating is recovering, and both the ruling and opposition parties are beginning to talk about dissolving the House of Representatives as soon as possible, but Prime Minister Kishida told reporters on the evening of the 7th, "We will tackle issues that cannot be postponed, and that is the only thing we are thinking about now."

Against this backdrop, each party has decided to do its utmost in next month's unified local elections and five by-elections for the House of Representatives, aiming to expand its strength.