Ahead of the upcoming 'National Conference' on reducing food sales tax and providing refundable tax credits, Prime Minister Sanae Takashi has called on the Democratic Party for the People and Team Mirai to participate, while distancing herself from those who oppose the refundable tax credits. During a session in the House of Representatives, she emphasized the importance of recognizing consumption tax as a vital source for social security, expressing her desire for collaboration with those opposition parties that agree with this principle. However, there remains caution among opposition members about the collaborative responsibilities they might assume with the government and ruling party if they join the discussions.

The Prime Minister's call comes as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has pledged to expedite plans for a two-year waiver of the food sales tax. Democratic Party leader Yuichiro Tamaki urged Takashi to provide sincere answers about the implementation specifics of this tax waiver during the session, insisting that it shouldn't be sidestepped until the National Conference. The Prime Minister responded affirmatively, indicating that all pertinent issues would be addressed and resolved at the conference, effectively extending an invitation to the opposition to engage in dialogue.

On the contrary, when officials from Team Mirai raised concerns about the implications of tax reduction, Prime Minister Takashi reiterated her commitment to address the highlighted issues during the upcoming conference discussions. This public engagement with opposition parties is strategic for the Prime Minister as she navigates the complexities of tax policy while ensuring that her government remains open to dialogue and cooperation with those who align with her fiscal agenda.