Japanese Prime Minister's Press Conference: Announcement of the 4th Cabinet Reshuffle and Policy Directions for Economy, Diplomacy, and Social Policy

Through this cabinet reshuffle, the Prime Minister presented the future direction of policy operations. In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister outlined the achievements to date and the key policy priorities in the three areas of economy, society, and diplomacy/security.

First, in the economic field, he stated that measures would be taken to support people's lives in the face of rising prices and to devise solutions for structural wage increases and expanded investment. He also stated that he would accelerate neo-capitalist policies to continuously achieve wage increases exceeding the inflation rate, attract 150 trillion yen in public-private investment in the future, and escape deflation by building an economic foundation through AI and startup nurturing.

In the social field, he pointed out that challenges include developing radical measures to reverse the declining birthrate by 2030, supporting elderly individuals with dementia due to the aging population, and strengthening responses to national diseases such as pollen allergies.

In the field of diplomacy and security, he stated that through the G7, Quad, Japan-US-Korea, etc., they will strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law, further strengthen cooperation with the allied country, the United States, and promote cooperation with countries such as Korea, Australia, and India. He also added that they will strive for fundamental strengthening of defense capabilities, economic security, and fostering advanced technologies.

Defining the cabinet system as a 'Cabinet that Takes Change as Strength,' he entrusted the reform tasks for opening a new era to capable ministers in each field. Meanwhile, regarding the issue of the former Unification Church, he emphasized that they are following legal procedures, including imposing fines, and will take strict measures before making a final judgment.

In the subsequent Q&A session with reporters, the Prime Minister's stance on various current issues was conveyed, including the revision of the Political Funds Control Act, the intention to revise the Constitution, the possibility of policy cooperation with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the criteria for personnel appointments related to the former Unification Church, and export restrictions on treated water from nuclear power plants.