Tax Relief and Electoral Reform in Focus at Next Extraordinary Diet Session

Sep 29, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan's government plans to convene an extraordinary Diet session on October 5, with proposed legislation to reduce the consumption tax on food and plans to cut the number of seats in the House of Representatives expected to be among the main issues.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara formally informed executive members of the steering committees of both houses of the Diet on September 29 of the government's plan to open the extraordinary session on October 5.

The ruling and opposition parties subsequently agreed at a meeting of the House of Representatives steering committee that the session would run for 69 days through December 12.

Debate is expected to focus on legislation related to a reduction in the consumption tax on food products, as well as how to proceed with proposals to reduce the number of seats in the House of Representatives.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told a meeting of Liberal Democratic Party executives that the government intends to work with opposition parties where agreement can be reached.

"We want to engage sincerely in discussions with the opposition and move policies forward while cooperating broadly on areas where we can agree," Takaichi said, reiterating her determination to secure passage of legislation including the proposed consumption tax reduction.

Source: TBS

Firefighters Battle Blaze at Plastic Factory in Nara

A fire broke out at a factory handling waste plastic in Nara City on October 13, sending thick black smoke into the air and prompting the dispatch of 12 fire engines after firefighters received an emergency call shortly before 3:30 p.m. from a factory representative reporting smoke rising from inside the building, with all workers safely evacuated and no injuries reported.

Takaichi Calls Agriculture Minister's Budget Cut Remarks Inappropriate and Uncool

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered an unusually harsh rebuke of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Kazuo Yana on October 13, describing his claims about cutting road budgets in areas that failed to support him as "inappropriate" and "really lame," while signaling that she would reconsider whether he should remain in office as opposition lawmakers intensified their demands for his dismissal.

AI Breaks Japan's Language Barrier, Fueling Rise in Cyberattacks

Japan is facing a growing wave of cyberattacks as advances in artificial intelligence remove the language barrier that once made Japanese companies difficult targets for overseas hackers, with more than 68 million personal records potentially exposed in a series of security incidents over the past two weeks.

Record-Strong El Nino Expected to Bring Warm Winter to Japan

Japan is expected to experience a warmer-than-normal winter as the El Nino phenomenon currently affecting the Pacific Ocean has reached its strongest level on record, with the Japan Meteorological Agency announcing on October 10th that unusually high sea surface temperatures are likely to persist through the coming winter months.

Otsu Festival Parades Elaborate Floats Following UNESCO Recognition

The Otsu Festival, one of Shiga Prefecture's three major traditional festivals, was held in Otsu City on October 11th, featuring a procession of 13 elaborately decorated floats carrying traditional mechanical puppets through the streets, following the festival's addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December last year.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Farm Minister Faces Growing Distrust Over Budget Cut Remarks

Japan's Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana is facing mounting pressure to resign over remarks suggesting that government funding was reduced for municipalities that failed to support him in an election, with opposition parties considering a censure motion that could disrupt parliamentary deliberations on a consumption tax reduction bill.

Food-Tax Funding Fight Puts Spending Review At Center Of Diet Debate

The government’s plan to cut the consumption tax on food is turning into a broader fight over public spending, ministerial accountability and whether Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi can keep her autumn Diet agenda focused on household relief rather than political damage control.

Japan Approves Bill to Cut Food Consumption Tax to 1%

The Japanese government has approved a bill to reduce the consumption tax on food from 8% to 1% for two years beginning in April 2027, while pledging to finance the measure without issuing deficit-covering government bonds, although it has yet to specify how it will cover the estimated 10 trillion yen cost.

Japan Unveils Advanced Shogei Submarine in Kobe

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force unveiled its latest submarine, the Shogei, at a launch ceremony in Kobe on October 8, featuring improved detection capabilities and quieter onboard systems following construction at a cost of approximately 80.5 billion yen.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

Food-Tax Cut Faces Fiscal Test In Diet

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi defended her plan to cut the consumption tax on food and provide support payments to workers in the House of Representatives on October 7, seeking to keep household relief at the center of her autumn Diet agenda while markets continue to test the government’s fiscal credibility.

Three Major Challenges Confront Takaichi Government

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has delivered her second policy speech since taking office, placing economic growth and investment at the center of her agenda as her government enters a critical period dominated by plans to cut the consumption tax on food, controversy surrounding Agriculture Minister Yanagi, and a packed diplomatic schedule in November.

Japan Demands Action After U.S. Marine Arrested for Murder

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has strongly condemned the arrest of a U.S. Marine on suspicion of robbery and murder at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa, describing the crime as "extremely brutal and vicious," while Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass to lodge a formal protest and demand measures to prevent similar incidents.

< 2 3 4 5 >