Tax & Spend

Japan’s Takaichi Vows Sustainable Finance, Faster Tax Cut Talks

Sanae Takaichi speaks at the Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo on Feb. 8.Photographer: Toru Hanai/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Yoshiaki Nohara and Akemi Terukina

February 8, 2026 at 1:55 PM UTC

Updated on

February 8, 2026 at 4:42 PM UTC

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stuck to a cautious line on fiscal policy and a sales tax reduction in her first comments since polls closed with her ruling party on track for a landslide victory.

The premier reiterated her view that it is important for fiscal policy to be sustainable as she continues to try and ease concerns among investors about her spending plans.