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On August 10, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office about the passage of eight proposals related to the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems during a plenary session of the House of Councillors.
PM Noda apologized that the consumption tax increase was not included in the DPJ Manifesto for the general election of 2009, and expressed the pain he felt in asking people trying so hard to make both ends meet in their daily lives to bear a further burden. PM Noda explained four reasons for implementing the comprehensive reform: 1) Since Japan has one of the fastest aging populations in the world, stable financial resources must be secured immediately to maintain the social security system; 2) Japan cannot maintain its current social security system that provides benefits mainly to people of advanced age by asking working generations and future generations to pay for it – there must be a rebalancing of the system such that all generations may share its benefits and burdens; 3) It is important that Japan ensure stability and avoid a debt crisis like that being experienced by some countries in the Eurozone – this requires the securing of stable financial resources while interest rates remain low and the achievement of renewed fiscal health; and 4) Japan must stop postponing difficult issues and break away from "politics that can't decide" – now is the time to realize “politics that can decide.”
PM Noda has worked hard for the passage of the legislation, going so far as to stake his political career on the line. He expressed his appreciation for the legislation’s approval, commenting “I would like to express my heart-filled appreciation to those who approved the legislation and those who did not approve the legislation but participated in the discussions from multiple angles.” In addition, he declared his resolve for the future, stating “I believe the people wish or expect us to comprehensively pursue economic revitalization, political reform, and administrative reform. I will continue to engage in politics that thoroughly meets these expectations.”
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