The Mainichi News Quiz: What's Japan's gov't pondering doing to support foreign residents?

More than two-thirds of Japanese companies support Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's economic policies, according to a Reuters survey published on Thursday. The poll revealed that companies desire Takaichi to continue as prime minister after her current term, which ends in September 2027. Takaichi's economic blueprint, released in July, aims to invest public and private funds worth more than 370 trillion yen ($2.4 trillion) into strategic sectors such as AI and semiconductors through fiscal 2040.

Seven percent of respondents strongly approved of Takaichi's economic policies, while 61 percent somewhat approved. Conversely, 30 percent did not view her policies favorably. Among the supporters, 70 percent favored her growth strategy centered on proactive investment, while 49 percent preferred energy subsidies and other measures to combat inflation.

A manager from a chemical company expressed their opposition to Takaichi's flagship plan to reduce the sales tax on food items to 1 percent from 8 percent for two years. They argued that this could increase national debt and weaken the yen, ultimately fueling inflation and negating the tax cut's benefits. Takaichi advocates for responsible and proactive fiscal policy, emphasizing the government's intent to avoid relying on additional deficit-financing bonds to fund the sales tax cut.

Regarding Takaichi's tenure, 46 percent of respondents hope she will remain in office beyond her current term, while 18 percent do not wish for her to stay longer. The remaining 36 percent have no clear preference on the matter. Takaichi's term as head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will conclude in September 2027, and the winner of the upcoming election to select the next party leader will almost certainly become the next prime minister, as the LDP holds a strong majority in the lower house of parliament.