Prime Minister Ishiba Holds A Press Conference As The Diet Adjourns.

TOKYO, JAPAN - JUNE 23: (NO SALES TO JAPANESE BROADCASTERS) Prime Minister Ishiba speaks about policy during a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office on June 23, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the significance of the LDP's campaign pledge for the Upper House election, to provide cash benefits of 20,000 yen per person and 40,000 yen per person for children and low-income people. Ishiba said, "This is not a pork barreling, but a benefit that focuses on those truly in need". Regarding the Consumption Tax, Japanese VAT, cut, advocated by the oppositions, he said, “I cannot be irresponsible to cut the Consumption Tax, which is the source of funding for medical care, pensions, and long-term care, without a stable substitutional source of revenue." (Footage by Fuji TV Editorial/Getty Images)