高市首相、食料品消費減税「8月上旬までに方針決定」　国民会議の議論促す（2026年7月17日）

On the 17th, during a Senate Budget Committee meeting, Hitoshi Takezume, a member of the Democratic Party for the People, questioned Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about the future direction of the consumption tax reduction on food products, which is being discussed at the National Social Security Council. Mr. Takezume pointed out that while there had been a general agreement on the introduction of a refundable tax credit, the proposal to reduce the consumption tax rate on food products to 1% had "not been discussed in depth, nor had any agreement been reached." He asked whether the government intended to postpone a decision on the food consumption tax reduction and the basic policy guidelines until the National Social Security Council finalized its report. Prime Minister Takaichi reiterated her view that the refundable tax credit is the "mainstay of the reform," and that the reduction in the food consumption tax is merely a "stopgap" until its implementation. She stated, "We will not postpone a conclusion," and added, "I would like the National Social Security Council to discuss this on the premise that a policy will be decided by early August." Regarding the basic policy guidelines, she indicated that regardless of when the National Social Security Council finalizes its interim report, it would be decided at an appropriate time by the Cabinet after going through the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy. Playlist:    • 国会中継   Diet What is the difference between a policy speech and a statement of intent speech? : https://yahoo.jp/DZJZcp Diet What is a Diet session? : https://yahoo.jp/BkoHyk Diet What is the difference between a "regular Diet session," an "extraordinary Diet session," and a "special Diet session"? : https://yahoo.jp/8xnAfv ■Subscribe to the channel: https://yahoo.jp/zaoidV ■THE PAGE article list: https://yahoo.jp/A5sxYP ■Yahoo! News Original: https://yahoo.jp/7a5omo #thepage_jp #Diet #House of Councillors