After the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffered a significant loss in the Senate election, political tensions have risen. The biggest concern shared on social media revolves around how the promised cash payments of 20,000 to 40,000 yen per person will be affected. This promise was hurriedly made by the LDP right before the election as a measure against rising prices, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressing his desire to quickly deliver aid to those struggling financially. Despite these promises, the party’s defeat led to a situation where they no longer hold a majority in both houses.
Many people on social media worry about the possibility of not receiving any payments, expressing concerns about their personal financial plans and pressures. Voices range from parents who see the financial aid as essential to people who made purchases expecting the promised money.
In street interviews, reactions vary: some people feel the aid would be a huge help, especially for those on maternity leave or facing higher expenses, while others think the cash payments were just an election tactic likely to disappear following the LDP’s loss.
Professor Hiroshi Shiratori from Hosei University commented on the difficulty of implementing cash payments with only the LDP and its coalition partner in support. He suggested there might be a chance if the LDP can find common ground with opposition parties like the Constitutional Democratic Party, which also supports a 20,000 yen payment to counteract food taxes until longer-term measures can be implemented.
Prime Minister Ishiba has indicated a willingness to cooperate with the opposition to realize the cash payments despite the political turbulence. It appears that the LDP may need to consider concessions, including accepting some form of the opposition’s tax reduction proposals to move the policy forward.
Opposition parties have proposed various tax reductions, including a temporary suspension of food taxes and general consumption tax reductions, with different timelines. However, Professor Shiratori warns that the divided stance among opposition parties could result in no policy passing—neither the cash payments nor tax reductions—which would leave citizens with nothing.
Despite the upheaval, Professor Shiratori underscores the LDP’s responsibility to fulfill its promises as the largest party. He suggests that even if Ishiba resigns, commitments made to voters shouldn’t simply disappear.
As a special parliamentary session approaches in August, there’s hope that parties will accurately interpret public sentiment and govern effectively to avoid the worst outcome.
by MagazineKey4532