Komeito, which recently left its long-time partnership with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, questioned the prime minister over the issue of money and politics.

S/ Nishida Makoto, Komeito lawmaker / I recall you saying that lawmakers who have not properly reported their political funds will not be appointed to the Cabinet, but you have appointed multiple such lawmakers to comparable posts of state minister and parliamentary vice minister. What are your criteria for these decisions?

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / For party executives, state ministers and parliamentary vice ministers, I placed the right people in the right positions based on the idea of mobilizing all members of all generations.

Takaichi apologized again over a slush fund scandal involving some LDP lawmakers and explained that those implicated will remain in their posts as they have fulfilled their responsibility to explain their situation.

An opposition lawmaker took part in a question session for the first time.

S/ Kamiya Sohei, Sanseito leader / I am Kamiya Sohei, leader of Sanseito.

He made headlines this summer.

S/ Kamiya Sohei, Sanseito leader / They’re saying Japanese people have become so poor that we need foreigners to keep the economy running. That’s nonsense.

The party surged in July’s upper house election with the slogan “Japanese First.”

S/ Kamiya Sohei, Sanseito leader / I will ask about your policy on foreigners. We believe that what the people want to reduce is not the number of lawmakers but the number of foreigners that Japan accepts. Will you continue to expand accepting foreigners or operate in a more restrictive manner? Please share your view.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / Given the labor shortage caused by population decline, it is true that there are sectors that require foreign workers. We will manage the matter appropriately such as by setting limits (for each program).

Kamiya also took up the issue of consumption tax.

S/ Kamiya Sohei, Sanseito leader / Consumption tax is considered something that is playing the biggest part in choking the lifeblood of Japan’s economy. Why are you not considering abolishing or reducing it?

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / Considering halting or reducing the consumption tax rate for food items for two years is also included in the coalition agreement, so it’s not ruled out as an option.

While acknowledging that she has not excluded the idea of tax reduction, Takaichi said the move would take time to implement.

Constitutional Democratic Party lawmaker Shiomura Ayaka asked about work style reform.

This is what Takaichi said in October.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / I will work, work, work, work and work.

This phrase was nominated as Japan’s buzzword for this year.

Takaichi has instructed the health minister to consider easing regulations on labor time under the premise that workers themselves will choose how long they will work and based on health maintenance.

S/ Shiomura Ayaka, CDP lawmaker / The overtime cap under the labor standards law is a regulation aimed at protecting life. May I ask if you will withdraw your directive to the health minister?

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / I do not condone overtime that leads to death from overwork. However, I am concerned that reducing overtime pay may force people to take unfamiliar side jobs to make ends meet and end up harming their health. I will not withdraw the directive.

The questions were posed at the House of Councillors plenary session on November 6 in response to Takaichi’s policy speech given to parliament on October 24.