Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Pledges 1 Tril. Yen For Reskilling Support
Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has announced a plan to spend one trillion yen, or nearly 7 billion dollars, for reskilling programs for individual workers.
Kishida delivered his policy speech at an extraordinary session of the Diet that opened on Monday.
He said the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was a solemn and heartfelt occasion, adding that the government will seriously take note of public opinion and make use of it in the future.
He said the government will be accountable for issues related to a religious group previously known as the Unification Church, and try to regain people's trust.
Some lawmakers have links with the group, which has been accused of dubious marketing practices.
Kishida said the government will consider revising consumer laws to help victims of the practice known as "spiritual sales."
He expressed intention to ease financial burdens felt by households and businesses due to electricity bills that are expected to surge in coming months.
The government also aims to increase annual spending by foreign tourists to roughly 35 billion dollars as visitors take advantage of a weak yen.
Kishida pledged to achieve wage hikes that are in line with rising prices.
The government also plans to compile guidelines by next June to enable smooth labor mobility. They will include measures to support reskilling and a review of seniority-based wage systems.
As for coronavirus responses, Kishida indicated that the government will ensure that hospitals can handle a possible double outbreak of COVID-19 and seasonal flu.
He also indicated that the government will submit draft law revisions to prepare for a future infectious disease outbreak.
On the diplomatic and national security front, the government aims to fundamentally enhance defense capabilities within five years.
He reiterated his intention to arrange the final details of defense capabilities, budget size, and how to finance the spending during the budget compilation process.
As Japan and China marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Kishida said the two sides will try to build constructive and stable relations.
He called for a return to healthy relations with South Korea and their further development, adding that Japan will closely communicate with the South Korean government.
His speech did not include expressions used in previous ones, such as "calling for appropriate responses based on Japan's unwavering stance" regarding the wartime labor dispute and other bilateral issues.
As for Constitutional revisions, Kishida expressed hope that the Diet will hold even more active discussions before starting the process for an amendment.