Japan Holds 1st Meeting on DOGE-Inspired Waste Cut

Tokyo, Dec. 2 (Jiji Press)–Japan on Tuesday held the first ministerial meeting to review tax measures, subsidies and funds, in an effort inspired by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency. The government has established a department of about 30 people in the Cabinet Secretariat to find and eliminate wasteful spending in a DOGE-inspired style. At the meeting, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara instructed all ministries and agencies to “check and review their spending, verifying the effects from the budget request stage, in order to fulfill accountability to the public.” DOGE was headed by businessman Elon Musk under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Tuesday’s meeting was attended by relevant ministers, including Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and internal affairs minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, as well as Takashi Endo, special adviser to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and one state minister from each ministry and agency. “We will carry out necessary reviews starting with the budget compilation and tax system reform for fiscal 2026 and reflect any possible items,” said Katayama, minister in charge of the effort. “Public expectations are very high,” she added, indicating that the government plans to launch a system to solicit views on the matter from a wide range of people by year-end. The Takaichi administration is considering abolishing tax measures, subsidies and funds that have limited policy impact for its “responsible and proactive” fiscal policy. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]