14:37 JST, June 4, 2026

While it is important to implement measures that support household budgets, an approach that would make markets more wary of fiscal deterioration could defeat the purpose.

Rather than continuing the subsidies for gasoline bills within the framework of reserve funds, the government should clearly define a path toward reducing the subsidies in consideration of fiscal discipline.

The government has approved a supplementary budget proposal for fiscal 2026 totaling ¥3.1135 trillion at a Cabinet meeting and submitted it to the Diet. The main pillar is to create a “reserve fund to respond to the situation in the Middle East and other matters” and allocate ¥2.5 trillion to supporting household budgets and other matters.

The government has decided to provide about ¥5,000 in assistance to each standard........

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