On January 13, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, also the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, convened senior party officials to emphasize her commitment to passing the annual budget by the end of the fiscal year. She instructed them to consider measures for an expedited legislative process, continuing to push for the timely establishment of the budget despite an uncertain political landscape due to the possibility of dissolving the House of Representatives for a general election. While government officials suggested that it may be feasible to approve the budget by May, opposition parties expressed alarm over the diminishing scrutiny in National Diet sessions, fearing this could lead to legislative ineffectiveness.

The discussions surrounding the budget have been compounded by Prime Minister Takaichi's decision to dissolve the lower house at the beginning of the regular Diet session, raising concerns about legislative priorities. Opposition party leaders criticized Takaichi's decision, suggesting that critical issues affecting the public, such as wage increase measures included in the new budget, are being sidelined for electoral strategies. The leaders voiced their concerns, referring to the situation as an "economic afterthought election," underscoring the need for responsible governance that prioritizes economic policies over political maneuvers.

In light of the pressure from opposition factions and the public outcry over economic issues, Takaichi's administration appears to be exploring various strategies to accelerate the budget’s approval process. This includes potential adjustments to parliamentary session timings and legislative discussions. As the government navigates this complex political environment, the implications of these budgetary decisions will resonate through the economic landscape, particularly in light of ongoing challenges faced by Japanese households and businesses during a period of economic recovery and transition.