Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has countered criticism that she is too focused on her own political agenda rather than dealing with the cost of living crisis. As approval ratings declined, she listed a series of measures to ease price pressure on social media. Gao Shi posted on social networking platform X on Friday, “There seems to be an opinion that the Takashi government has ignored dealing with rising prices affecting people's lives, and has instead prioritized promoting its own political ideas. I don't think so.” She added, “The Takaichi government has always made dealing with rising prices a top priority.” Subsequently, Takaichi posted five more posts in a row, with charts detailing a series of measures taken by the government, including gasoline subsidies, free education, and childcare allowances. She didn't mention the cabinet-backed plan to reduce the excise tax rate on food to 1%. Assuming that the plan is approved by the National Assembly, it will not take effect until April next year.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has countered criticism that she is too focused on her own political agenda rather than dealing with the cost of living crisis. As approval ratings declined, she listed a series of measures to ease price pressure on social media. Gao Shi posted on social networking platform X on Friday, “There seems to be an opinion that the Takashi government has ignored dealing with rising prices affecting people's lives, and has instead prioritized promoting its own political ideas. I don't think so.” She added, “The Takaichi government has always made dealing with rising prices a top priority.” Subsequently, Takaichi posted five more posts in a row, with charts detailing a series of measures taken by the government, including gasoline subsidies, free education, and childcare allowances. She didn't mention the cabinet-backed plan to reduce the excise tax rate on food to 1%. Assuming that the plan is approved by the National Assembly, it will not take effect until April next year.