Statement by Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru upon the General Resignation of the Ishiba Cabinet

Today, the Ishiba Cabinet resigned en masse.

Upon the inauguration of the Cabinet, under the policy of ensuring “security and safety for all,” we declared our determination to fully protect Japan. Based on this principle, we have strived to reach out to those who are truly in need and suffering and provide them with support.

The Noto Peninsula was hit not only by a huge earthquake but also by heavy rain, requiring us to urgently take measures to respond to the compound disaster. Immediately after assuming premiership, I visited the disaster-affected areas of the Noto Peninsula, listened to the earnest voices of those affected and promoted the expansion of support and the improvement of living conditions at evacuation centers. In June this year, we formulated the “Mid-term Plan for the Implementation of National Resilience,” which includes measures to strengthen regional capabilities for disaster prevention and to develop disaster-resilient infrastructure. To transform Japan, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, into the world’s most disaster-resilient country, we doubled the personnel and budget for the Cabinet Office’s Disaster Management functions from the level of the previous fiscal year, thereby proceeding with a fundamental reinforcement of our disaster management system that prioritizes human life and human rights. This paved the way for the establishment of a Disaster Management Agency in the next fiscal year. Regarding the reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, based on the belief that “without the reconstruction of Fukushima, there will be no reconstruction of Tohoku; without the reconstruction of Tohoku, there will be no revival of Japan,” we took the initiative, for example, in using reconstruction and recycled soil at the Prime Minister’s Office and other central government ministries and agencies.

To counter rising prices, we provided benefits for low-income households and prioritized assistance grants, while also working to raise the so-called “1.03 million yen barrier” (the income threshold for second earners above which tax benefits decrease) and curb rising energy prices.

Aiming for a shift from a cost-cutting economy to an economy based on the creation of high amounts of added value, we endeavored to realize a growth-oriented economy driven by wage increases and investment. For the benefit of prosperity to be truly felt by the people, sustained wage increases exceeding the rate of inflation are essential. We worked to support productivity improvements for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), among other measures, resulting in this year’s wage hike rate reaching 5.25%, surpassing last year’s 33-year high and the minimum wage raised by a record 66 yen, or 6.3%. We have seen the belief that “wage increases are the key to the growth strategy” steadily taking root and yielding sustained results.

Regarding investment, the Government set a public-private domestic investment target of 135 trillion yen by FY2030 and 200 trillion yen by FY2040. We promoted investment, including by introducing the necessary legislation in strategic fields such as DX (Digital Transformation), which includes AI and semiconductors, GX (Green Transformation) and economic security. Current capital investment has reached a record high of 110 trillion yen.

To make regional areas the main drivers of growth, we rebooted the “Regional Revitalization 2.0,” which maximizes the use of new technology to achieve economic growth despite the population decline, fully utilizing private-sector capabilities. The Cabinet adopted a basic concept outlining the direction for the next ten years, and vigorously worked for the “Reiwa Era remodeling of the Japanese archipelago” to realize, for example, “regions chosen by young people and women.” We established the “Escort Runner System for Regional Revitalization,” where national government staff work closely with local authorities, and announced the creation of 10 million people in the “related population,” defined as those who have ties to regions other than their residence.

Ensuring the stability of the social security system as a safety net is indispensable for achieving a virtuous cycle where wage increases lead to consumption. Regarding pensions, we implemented the quinquennial system reform, including the abolition of the so-called “1.06 million yen barrier” (social insurance enrollment threshold) and taking measures to raise the future benefit level of the basic pension.

Regarding agricultural, forestry and fisheries policy, we seriously acknowledged the shortfall in rice production necessary for securing a stable supply. We have consequently shifted policy to provide clear support that encourages farmers committed to improving productivity to proactively increase output. We also actively worked to expand exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products.

Facing the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II, we strove to ensure Japan’s independence, peace and national interests through both diplomacy and defense as the two pillars.

Regarding our relationship with the United States, our ally, President Trump and I confirmed during my visit in February to the U.S. that we would work together to enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance and address strategic regional challenges in close collaboration, declaring the building of a new Golden Age for Japan-U.S. relations. As for the U.S. tariff measures, we realized an agreement that benefits both Japan and the U.S. while protecting our national interests, under the consistent policy of “investment over tariffs.” We also took all possible measures to support domestic industries, including meticulous assistance through approximately 1,000 special consultation counters nationwide and financial support for SMEs.

Leveraging major international events such as Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), we held a total of 169 summit and high-level meetings with 92 countries and four international organizations, striving to strengthen cooperation with like-minded nations and reinforce ties with a wide range of countries across Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa and Latin America. We placed particular importance on deepening the relationship of trust with the Republic of Korea as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of our diplomatic relations. With China, we confirmed a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests” and a “constructive and stable relationship .” In my General Debate speech at the UN General Assembly, building on these achievements, I called on the international community to pursue “solidarity and tolerance, not division and confrontation” and strongly urged an immediate cessation of hostilities and a just and lasting peace in the prolonged conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, while also emphasizing Japan’s responsibility in these matters.

To steadily advance the fundamental reinforcement of our defense capabilities, we launched a ministerial meeting to ensure that the entire Government addresses the issue of improving the treatment for Self-Defense Forces personnel, the human foundation of defense. Through this effort, we implemented unprecedented enhancements to allowances and other measures.

Under the theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” we made utmost efforts as a host Government to the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which concluded successfully after welcoming over 25 million general visitors from both Japan and abroad.

As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, I visited the memorials for war dead both at home and abroad. On occasions such as the memorial services for the deceased and victims of the Atomic Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August and the National Memorial Service for the War Dead, as well as my address at the UN General Assembly in September and my statement as Prime Minister in October, I emphasized the importance of a humble approach to squarely confront history and learn lessons from it.

Over the past year, through the efforts to build cross-party consensus and sincere parliamentary deliberation under the slogan of a “deliberative Diet,” 67 out of 68 government-submitted bills, including the legislation concerning active cyber defense, and all 13 treaties were enacted during last year’s extraordinary Diet session and this year’s ordinary session. Regarding the budgets, alongside the compilation and enactment of economic countermeasures and the FY2024 supplementary budget, and while continuing past expenditure reform efforts in consideration of economic and price trends, we compiled the FY2025 budget and passed it through the Diet before the fiscal year started.

Regarding political reform, we achieved at the end of last year the abolition of policy activity expenses, disclosure of the use of the allowance for research, public relations, and accommodation expenses and the return of remaining balances, and decided on the early establishment of an independent third-party body.

Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding our minority government, I made every possible effort, driven by my desire to engage sincerely and meticulously with all parties and factions and to speak honestly to the sovereign people of Japan. I express my sincere gratitude for the understanding and cooperation extended by the people, and I humbly request your continued, and even stronger, support for the next Cabinet and the new Prime Minister as they face challenges at home and abroad.