TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

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

  (Kyodo)
Tokyo
Wed, October 22, 2025 Published on Oct. 22, 2025 Published on 2025-10-22T13:33:21+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Sanae Takaichi stands up to acknowledge the applause after she was selected as Japan’s new prime minister during an extraordinary session of the lower house of the Diet on Oct. 21, 2025, in Tokyo. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Sanae Takaichi stands up to acknowledge the applause after she was selected as Japan’s new prime minister during an extraordinary session of the lower house of the Diet on Oct. 21, 2025, in Tokyo. (AFP/Philip Fong)

J

apan's newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday that her government 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 "listening 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 impacts of US 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 houses of parliament, 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 parties 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.

Referring to Trump's visit to Japan, expected to take place next week, Takaichi said she hopes to build a deep relationship of trust with the US president through candid exchanges of views.

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.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.