Key Facts
• On December 11, Ai Yahata opposed the 2025 supplementary budget in the House of Representatives.
• The budget, supported by the Liberal Democratic Party and others, totals ¥21.3 trillion in national funds.
• Yahata criticized the budget for prioritizing military expansion and foreign interests.
• She emphasized the need for fiscal policies benefiting citizens, from infants to the elderly.
• Yahata opposed issuing bonds for military purposes but supported bonds for rebuilding lives.
• She condemned the lack of universal cash benefits and consumption tax reductions in the budget.
• Yahata referenced past leaders’ caution against profiting from arms exports.
• Her speech received applause from opposition members.
Summary
Reiwa Shinsengumi lawmaker Ai Yahata delivered a strong critique of the 2025 supplementary budget during a December 11 parliamentary session. The budget, approved by a majority including the Liberal Democratic Party, allocates ¥21.3 trillion in national funds. Yahata argued the proposal prioritizes military expansion and foreign interests over citizens’ welfare. She called for fiscal policies that improve the quality of life for all age groups and opposed issuing bonds for military purposes. Additionally, she criticized the absence of universal cash benefits and consumption tax reductions, contrasting the current administration’s approach with past leaders’ caution against arms export profits. Her speech concluded with applause from opposition members, highlighting her call for citizen-focused fiscal policies.
