Takaichi Vows to Drive Economic Growth

Tokyo, Jan. 6 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to drive the country’s economic growth during a New Year’s event hosted mainly by Jiji Press on Tuesday. “We will bring back a strong economy,” Takaichi said, expressing eagerness to “push all the growth switches” to enhance Japan’s technological presence worldwide. She promised to “take all possible measures,” including tax reforms, to promote investment, research and development activities to achieve this goal. Takaichi also outlined plans for crisis management investments in areas such as food and energy security and cybersecurity. “There are untapped glittering technologies in Japan,” she said, stressing the importance of boosting the country’s international competitiveness. “We will definitely make the Japanese archipelago strong and prosperous,” she said. “We will push Japan to the heights of the world again.” Takaichi noted that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Showa era. “It was a turbulent time when Japan achieved rapid economic growth by working hard to recover from the postwar chaos,” she stated. Takaichi also acknowledged current challenges, including a declining birthrate, high consumer prices and shifts in the international landscape, while expressing her desire to “believe in Japan and the potential of its people.” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, and Tetsuo Saito, who heads Komeito, a former ally of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, also attended the event. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]