Takaichi Policy Speech Says All the Right Things ― Now, on to Swift Action

In tandem with launching her second cabinet, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered a policy speech at the February 20 extraordinary session of the Diet.

She clearly had the landslide victory of her ruling Liberal Democratic Party in mind. The Prime Minister vowed, "We will meet the high expectations of the Japanese people by implementing the election pledges we put forward during the campaign and the coalition government agreement with Nippon Ishin no Kai."

The Takaichi administration's full implementation of those campaign promises is something to look forward to. Along with the provisions of the coalition agreement, they will "make the Japanese archipelago strong and prosperous."

The Prime Minister must now demonstrate leadership and vigorously promote these various policies. Appropriately, she stated, "I will listen to a variety of views and humbly but boldly manage the government."

Top Priorities

The Budget

Takaichi called for cooperation to ensure the early passage of the FY2026 budget and related bills. Lawmakers should not hesitate to hold Budget Committee meetings. And they should consider meeting on weekends and shortening the time for questions from ruling party lawmakers. 

The opposition parties are urged to be flexible and facilitate the early passage of a budget. This is essential to safeguarding the daily lives of the Japanese public.

Imperial Succession

Another top priority for this extraordinary session is to take measures for ensuring stable succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne. In her speech, the Prime Minister said, "I hope that the Diet will deepen its discussions toward revising the Imperial House Law, while giving due weight to our country's traditions and history."

In Japan, the most important principle of imperial succession, without exception, has always been ensuring succession through the male line. This must be upheld. 

Currently, when Prince Hisahito ascends to the throne, there is a risk that no other imperial family members will be eligible for succession. A 2022 government report suggests that the only solution is to adopt male descendants of formerly recognized families back into the imperial line. Hopefully, the ruling and opposition parties will quickly reach an agreement to do so. They must revise the Imperial House Law along the lines recommended by the government report. 

Constitutional Reform

Takaichi also expressed her hope that the Diet will finalize proposals for constitutional reform as soon as possible. In the election, the LDP won 316 seats in the Lower House. That is more than the two-thirds majority needed to pass reform proposals. It also enables her to take back from the opposition the chairmanship of the Lower House Constitutional Review Committee.

The time has come to establish a committee to draft the actual text of the proposed constitutional amendments. That includes drafting a revised Article 9 and the creation of emergency clauses.

One problem is that the ruling parties lack even a simple majority in the Upper House. There are concerns that progress will remain slow because the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan holds the post of chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee. Therefore, the ruling coalition should also work to establish a drafting committee in the Upper House. 

Diplomacy and Defense

Security is the foundation of a nation's peace and prosperity. The nation is surrounded by anti-Japan, nuclear-armed, dictatorial regimes in China, Russia, and North Korea. There is also concern about a possible Taiwan emergency. 

Prime Minister Takaichi declared, "With diplomacy and defense as the two wheels of the cart, we will protect our country's independence and peace." 

Her upcoming visit to the United States in March will be critical. There, she will meet with President Donald Trump and work to further strengthen Japan-US relations.

Takaichi also said she hopes to bring back all the remaining abductees in North Korea during her term of office. Nationwide, there is sincere hope for a breakthrough on that front. 

The Prime Minister also promised that her government will proactively promote the fundamental strengthening of the nation's defense capabilities. She intends to revise the three basic security documents, including the National Security Strategy, ahead of schedule. That means by the end of 2026. 

Clearly, there is a need to respond to new modes of warfare, such as the use of drones. Overall, there is a need to strengthen the ability of Japan's defense forces to fight. 

Debate on Fiscal Priorities

Strengthening Japan's intelligence capabilities is also an urgent task. Prime Minister Takaichi announced her intention to establish a "National Intelligence Council" to strengthen the government's command functions and to upgrade the status of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office by turning it into a "National Intelligence Agency." Hopefully, relevant legislation to accomplish this will be passed during the current Diet session.

Her administration also plans to form a wiseman's panel this summer to initiate discussion on the formulation of a national intelligence strategy, enactment of anti-espionage laws, and establishment of an agency to deal with foreign intelligence. Japan's glaring postwar shortcomings in the field of intelligence must at last be corrected.

Fiscal Policy

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's main policy shift is to pursue a responsible and proactive fiscal policy. The chief cause of the economy's sluggish potential growth rate is a lack of investment. For that reason, the government will not hesitate to use fiscal resources to boost domestic investment. That makes sense as the nation aims to develop a "strong economy."

This puts in focus crisis management investments that contribute to economic security, food, and energy security, and growth investments in cutting-edge fields. The government should also use deregulation and other measures to stimulate private investment. 

Fiscal Discipline

Takaichi also stressed that "a responsible and proactive fiscal policy must fully take into account the need for fiscal discipline." Unrestrained spending will not gain the confidence of the public or markets.

She emphasized the proposed two-year "zero consumption tax" policy for food and beverages. This is a "measure to reduce the burden [on households] until the introduction of a tax credit system with benefits."

Middle- and low-income groups are suffering most from soaring prices. In her address, the Prime Minister said she would consider reforms, including to the tax system, to reduce the burden on this group. Meanwhile, the stopgap consumption tax cut will also greatly benefit high-income earners.

Nonetheless, many issues remain unresolved, including how to fund the tax cuts. Prime Minister Takaichi has a responsibility to provide a convincing explanation to the public about how she plans to address such problems. The government must not ignore the needs of the people when formulating policy.

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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun