Key Facts
• On July 10, 2025, Mizuho Fukushima visited Iwate Prefecture for a campaign speech.
• She delivered a speech at JR Morioka Station, addressing voters directly.
• Fukushima criticized Japan’s 2025 defense budget of 8.7 trillion yen as excessive.
• She proposed reallocating defense funds to agriculture and public welfare.
• Fukushima emphasized prioritizing “rice over missiles” and “peace over weapons.”
• She advocated for reducing the consumption tax on essential food items to zero.
• She suggested a temporary suspension of consumption tax if U.S. tariffs harm Japan’s economy.
• The speech was part of her campaign for the 2025 House of Councillors election.
Summary
On July 10, 2025, Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima delivered a campaign speech at JR Morioka Station in Iwate Prefecture. She criticized Japan’s 2025 defense budget of 8.7 trillion yen, advocating for reallocating funds to support agriculture and public welfare. Stressing the importance of “rice over missiles” and “peace over weapons,” Fukushima proposed reducing the consumption tax on essential food items to zero. Additionally, she suggested a temporary suspension of consumption tax if U.S. tariffs negatively impact Japan’s economy. Her speech highlighted her party’s focus on reducing living costs and promoting peace, aligning with her campaign for the 2025 House of Councillors election.
