On the 27th, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama announced that approximately 36,000 opinions were collected concerning a review of tax preferential treatments and subsidies considered wasteful. This initiative follows the establishment of a 'Government Efficiency Bureau' (tentative name), as outlined in the coalition agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party. The government initiated this request for public opinion from January 5 to February 26, in an effort to encourage scrutiny and ensure more efficient use of tax resources.

The review aims to address the special tax reductions known as Special Tax Measures and investigate the potential wastefulness of various subsidies and funds. Minister Katayama emphasized that it is rare for citizens to show interest in each administrative matter and stated, "This 36,000 entries are amazing." Furthermore, she indicated that the government intends to publicly disclose the collected opinions at the appropriate time to further the conversation on administrative efficiency.

The responses will lead to discussions among various ministries to clarify and refine the processes surrounding tax incentives and subsidies. This public engagement signalizes a significant move toward increased transparency and accountability within government financial allocations. By engaging the public and actively soliciting feedback, the government is promising to review positions that may impact taxpayers directly, aiming to ensure that fiscal policy is aligned with the needs and concerns of the populace.