Japan's House of Representatives Budget Committee held public hearings on the fiscal 2026 budget in Kagoshima and Morioka on Sunday, marking the first time such regional sessions occurred on a weekend day. This move underscores the ruling bloc's efforts to pass the budget within the current fiscal year.
The House of Representatives Budget Committee conducted public hearings in Kagoshima City and Morioka City on March 8, Sunday, to gather experts' opinions on the fiscal 2026 budget draft. These regional sessions, held on a Sunday for the first time, align with the ruling coalition's determination to enact the budget before the fiscal year ends.
At the Kagoshima hearing, attendees included committee members from multiple parties, such as Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Tetsushi Sakamoto and Centrist Reform Alliance's chief opposition director Akira Nagatsuma. Experts featured Kagoshima Governor Koichi Shiota and Tsunenori Oka, representative director of the Kagoshima Association of Corporate Executives. The discussions centered on the rising gasoline prices amid the Middle East conflict and the possible effects on local government finances if the consumption tax were reduced.
The Morioka session similarly addressed budget issues from a regional standpoint. These off-site hearings highlight the nationwide implications of budget decisions, fostering dialogue between ruling and opposition parties.
