Basic Policy

The Takaichi Cabinet, bolstered by a strong and unwavering belief in the latent power of Japan and the Japanese people, will make the Japanese archipelago stronger and more prosperous. To that end, the Cabinet will build a strong economy, turning people's unease and apprehension over their current lives and the future into hope. We will also deal with the challenges facing the international community, fostering strong diplomacy and robust security. For the many young people and children of the present day who will carry Japan into the twenty-second century, the Cabinet will, with the strong public mandate we received in the recent general election, fully mobilize our resources to advance the following policies to ensure that a safe and prosperous Japan serves as a bright beacon in the Indo-Pacific so that Japan will be counted on as a nation of freedom and democracy.

1. Realizing a strong economy

We will accelerate our growth strategy that restores strength to the Japanese economy and also situate Japan on a trajectory towards that end through strategic investments that enhance resilience against potential crises, which the Government will implement preemptively to address various risks and social issues, working hand in hand with the private sector, as well as investments that promote growth.

Keeping the sustainability of public finances firmly in mind at all times, and championing an approach of “responsible and proactive public finances,” we will strategically employ fiscal policies to ensure that people feel secure and at ease in their daily lives and livelihoods as we also work to raise incomes, transform people's mindsets regarding consumption, and enhance our tax revenues. To encourage private investment, and with a view to increasing the predictability of government budgets, we will fundamentally review the approach to budget formulation. Rather than relying on supplementary budgets, we will, to the greatest extent possible, include all necessary funds within the initial budget allocation and establish a framework through which we commit to providing fiscal outlays across multiple fiscal years.

To strengthen supply capacity, we recognize that expanding external demand, alongside domestic demand, is essential. In meetings with foreign governments and other key entities, we will identify the needs existing in their home markets and promote the introduction of Japanese products. We will then share the outcomes of those endeavors across the entire Cabinet.

Building on this foundation, the Cabinet will work to tackle rising prices and increase take-home pay -- including by considering a reduction of the consumption tax on food and beverages and examining the introduction of refundable tax credits -- while strengthening economic security, firmly establishing food security as well as security in energy and resources, enhancing national resilience, fortifying cybersecurity, building health and medical care security, fostering an environment that fully utilizes human resources, and bringing about a new kind of technology-driven nation.

2. Supporting the growth of areas outside major urban centers while safeguarding people's daily lives

We will work to form regional industrial clusters, promote the digital transformation of areas outside our major urban centers, build up local industries, and maintain local public transportation, with the aim of safeguarding regional areas' livelihoods and security.

We will promote relevant and broad-ranging measures toward the realization of a society of well-ordered and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals. We will also undertake related efforts, including initiatives to tackle organized crime to maintain and improve public law and order.

Should a large-scale natural disaster, terrorism incident, infectious disease, or other national crisis occur, this Cabinet, placing the highest priority on protecting people's lives and assets, will make every effort to ensure the Government responds as a united body demonstrating agility and flexibility.

We will make our utmost efforts towards reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and other large-scale disasters.

3. Building up Japan's diplomatic capacity, defense capabilities, and information capabilities

In order to defend Japan's national interests, we will work to consolidate and leverage in all respects Japan's comprehensive strength as a nation, including its diplomatic capacity, defense capabilities, economic standing, technological expertise, information competence, and human resource capabilities, and advance Responsible Japanese Diplomacy Creating Peace and Prosperity to ensure Japan's peace and security, prosperity, and coexistence and mutual prosperity with the rest of the international community.

We will broaden our multilateral coordination in diplomatic, defense, economic, and other realms with like-minded countries and countries in the Global South, taking the Japan-U.S. Alliance as the cornerstone. We will strategically advance and evolve the Free and Open Indo-Pacific so that countries can strengthen their autonomy and resilience. We will do everything in our power to realize the swift repatriation of all victims of abduction by North Korea.

We will undertake the fundamental reinforcement of the nation's defense capabilities in accordance with Japan's sovereign discretion.

We will work to fundamentally strengthen the nation's intelligence capabilities.