Japan’s government has announced an extraordinary session of the Diet, scheduled to run from October 5 to December 12. This 69-day session will focus on significant economic and political measures, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expected to deliver a policy speech on the opening day. Lawmakers in both houses of parliament will subsequently engage in questioning the Prime Minister.
A central issue during this session will be the proposed legislation to temporarily reduce the consumption tax on food and beverages, decreasing it from 8% to 1% for a two-year period starting in April 2027. This measure is part of the government’s efforts to address economic concerns and support consumers.
In addition to tax legislation, the session is set to consider a proposal to decrease the number of seats in the House of Representatives. This move is aimed at streamlining legislative processes and potentially enhancing the efficiency of the parliament.
The government has expressed its intention to collaborate with opposition parties to gain support for these measures and advance its legislative agenda during the session. The cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties will be crucial in achieving the desired legislative outcomes.