Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed the Lower House during an extraordinary Diet session, acknowledging his minority government's need to collaborate with opposition parties to secure the passage of crucial bills. He highlighted his commitment to listening to other parties and seeking a broad consensus while facing the challenge of not having a majority with his ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the coalition partner, Komeito.
During the speech, Ishiba expressed support for the Democratic Party for the People’s policy proposal to raise the minimum annual earnings threshold subject to income tax and hinted at upcoming tax reforms. He also touched on issues like gasoline tax reduction, review of automobile-related taxes, increased local development subsidies, and assistance for electricity and gas bills in the upcoming months. Additionally, Ishiba addressed the necessity of addressing the political fund scandal within the LDP by discussing the abolition of policy activity expenses and the establishment of measures for transparency in financial transactions.
The Prime Minister's speech also covered diplomatic and security matters, emphasizing the importance of the Japan-U.S. security alliance and expressing his intention to engage in discussions with President-elect Donald Trump to enhance the alliance. Ishiba mentioned plans for communication with China to strengthen relations, reducing the burden on Okinawa and other prefectures, and advancing talks on active cyber-defense legislation. Furthermore, he outlined his disaster preparedness initiatives, including the expedited installation of air conditioning in gymnasiums serving as evacuation centers.
The Diet's extraordinary session, slated to run for 24 days until December 21, includes a period for party leaders' question sessions and Budget Committee meetings attended by all Cabinet ministers. Throughout his speech, Ishiba outlined a comprehensive agenda spanning various policy areas and emphasized the importance of cooperation and consensus-building in light of the government's minority status.