Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Komeito head Tetsuo Saito, and Nippon Ishin leader Hirofumi Yoshimura signed an agreement on February 25th to amend the government's draft initial budget for fiscal 2025. This agreement marks the first time in 29 years that a draft initial budget will be revised through talks between the ruling and opposition parties at the Diet.
The agreement includes lifting the income restriction on government financial assistance to private and public high school students from fiscal 2025. Currently, households earning less than 9.1 million yen ($60,000) a year are eligible for a maximum of 118,800 yen in annual assistance per student. The agreement also calls for removing an income threshold for additional assistance to private high school students from fiscal 2026 and raising the maximum amount from the current 396,000 yen to 457,000 yen.
Nippon Ishin had also called for lowering social security premiums, but the three parties only agreed to establish a council to continue consultations. While an agreement was reached to make lunches free at elementary schools from fiscal 2026, no timetable was decided upon for free lunches offered at junior high schools.
The ruling coalition parties plan to continue policy talks with the Democratic Party for the People, another opposition party, to stabilize government administration. However, discussions over plans to raise the income tax threshold and other programs have run into difficulties.
12 Comments
Leonardo
“Great to see the government investing more in our youth with free elementary school lunches and more financial aid.”
Raphael
“Lobbyists and special interests might soon manipulate these new measures; we need transparency, not empty promises.”
Donatello
“Why is there no clear timetable for crucial reforms? They’re setting up councils and talk sessions without accountability.”
Raphael
“Bipartisan effort in revising the draft budget beyond party lines is exactly what our democracy needs.”
Michelangelo
“This agreement is a breath of fresh air amid polarized politics. It’s a practical measure for better social support.”
Bella Ciao
“Kudos to PM Ishiba and the team for negotiating groundbreaking reforms that actually put people first.”
ArtemK
“This ‘bipartisan’ revision feels like a token gesture; real issues like social security reform are being sidestepped.”
Stan Marsh
“I’m skeptical—removing income restrictions might lead to misuse of funds instead of targeting those truly in need.”
Africa
“I’m encouraged by the budget revision—it shows real progress through cross-party dialogue after almost 30 years.”
Comandante
“Finally, politicians are putting aside partisan differences to help students—this is a win for education and fairness!”
Bella Ciao
“It’s refreshing to see leaning-forward solutions rather than grandstanding. More cooperation means more smart policies.”
Comandante
“I’m not convinced this is about helping students – it appears to be more about making a good political photo op.”