Prime Minister Takaichi's policy speech stresses pursuit of economic growth and "fiscal sustainability"
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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi repeatedly used the words "decision, challenge, execution" in her policy speech on the 5th, making clear her stance of pursuing economic growth. Arguing that without growth "wage increases will not continue," "tax revenues will not rise," and "there will be no enhancement of social security," she sought understanding for the "responsible proactive fiscal policy" she herself champions. Amid rising long-term interest rates and a weakening yen over concerns about fiscal deterioration, she emphasized "market confidence," and "fiscal sustainability" appeared three times, with her stating it is "a natural precondition for advancing a responsible proactive fiscal policy." In the speech she quoted from the Chinese historical text the Book of the Later Han, saying "those with resolve will see their endeavors succeed," and those close to the Prime Minister said, "It is nearly one year since the administration was launched. It expresses her determination to deliver results." The Prime Minister is particular about "pen-marking," making corrections and annotations herself, and the speech ran about 8,800 characters, roughly 1,200 more than her first policy speech in October last year.