Mitsunari Okamoto, policy chief of the Japan Reform Coalition, has sharply criticized the government's proposed two-year limited consumption tax cut as a misguided policy. Speaking at a meeting of the National Council, Okamoto argued that while the tax cut is intended to combat rising prices, its implementation would not occur until next year at the earliest—rendering it ineffective for the current crisis.
"Using the same 10 trillion yen, we could give 80,000 yen in cash to every citizen, delivered by summer," Okamoto stated. He called for direct cash payments as a more immediate and impactful measure to support households facing high inflation.
Okamoto also urged urgency in the merger of centrist opposition forces, warning that delays in uniting the Komeito and Constitutional Democratic Party could lead to severe consequences. "We cannot afford to drag this out. If we can't merge within this year, we never will," he emphasized.