Minister of Growth Strategy, Kiyonaga (center). On the left is Chairman Seike.

 On the morning of the 24th, the government held the first meeting of an expert panel under the cross‑party National Council on Social Security Reform, launching discussions to concretely design a refundable tax credit system. The government aims to compile an interim report before summer, asking experts to examine the structure and mechanics of the system.

Minister for All‑Generation Social Security Reform Hirofumi Kōuchi stated, “Refundable tax credits are intended to reduce the burden on low‑ and middle‑income households and ensure that take‑home income increases according to earnings. I expect robust discussions.”

The expert panel consists of 12 specialists in social security and economics. The chair is Atsushi Seike, former president of Keio University and an expert in healthcare and pension policy.

At the meeting, members discussed overseas examples and the current balance of benefits and burdens among working generations. They also exchanged views on Prime Minister Takaichi’s proposal to reduce the consumption tax on food to zero for two years.

Meanwhile, the secretaries‑general of the Centrist Reform Alliance, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and Komeito met in the Diet building the same morning and confirmed they will participate in the National Council’s working‑level meeting scheduled for the 25th. Among opposition parties, the Democratic Party for the People and Team Mirai are already participating.