Japan's new PM Takaichi vows economic stimulus to fight infl...

Japan's new PM Takaichi vows economic stimulus to fight inflation

TOKYO - Japan's newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday that she will draw up a stimulus package to address rising living costs. Speaking at a press conference, Takaichi, who was elected Japan's first female minister earlier in the day, also ruled out an early dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap election, saying her minority government will prioritize economic policies instead. The 64-year-old new leader instructed ministers and officials at her first Cabinet meeting to compile a stimulus package, a person familiar with the matter said. She pledged to "swiftly" abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate and increase the nontaxable income threshold from the current 1.03 million yen ($6,800) by "listing to opposition parties' opinions." The economic measures are intended to "boost people's net income and reduce households' burden," Takaichi said, adding that she will make every effort to ease the negative impact stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump's higher tariffs. As her Liberal Democratic Party's coalition with its new partner, the Japan Innovation Party, lacks a majority in both parliamentary houses, Takaichi, a staunch conservative, called on other parties to cooperate for political stability. She said her government is willing to "flexibly" accept policy proposals from opposition forces unless they conflict with those of the LDP. On the diplomatic front, Takaichi said she is looking forward to meeting with leaders from other countries at Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related meetings in Malaysia this weekend and an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit from late this month in South Korea. Takaichi, known for her hawkish views on diplomacy and defense issues, also said that the government will start working on revisions of its key security documents, including the long-term policy guideline National Security Strategy.

TOKYO - Japan's newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday that she will draw up a stimulus package to address rising living costs.

Speaking at a press conference, Takaichi, who was elected Japan's first female minister earlier in the day, also ruled out an early dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap election, saying her minority government will prioritize economic policies instead.

The 64-year-old new leader instructed ministers and officials at her first Cabinet meeting to compile a stimulus package, a person familiar with the matter said.

She pledged to "swiftly" abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate and increase the nontaxable income threshold from the current 1.03 million yen ($6,800) by "listing to opposition parties' opinions."

The economic measures are intended to "boost people's net income and reduce households' burden," Takaichi said, adding that she will make every effort to ease the negative impact stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump's higher tariffs.

As her Liberal Democratic Party's coalition with its new partner, the Japan Innovation Party, lacks a majority in both parliamentary houses, Takaichi, a staunch conservative, called on other parties to cooperate for political stability.

She said her government is willing to "flexibly" accept policy proposals from opposition forces unless they conflict with those of the LDP.

On the diplomatic front, Takaichi said she is looking forward to meeting with leaders from other countries at Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related meetings in Malaysia this weekend and an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit from late this month in South Korea.

Takaichi, known for her hawkish views on diplomacy and defense issues, also said that the government will start working on revisions of its key security documents, including the long-term policy guideline National Security Strategy.