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"Fumio Kishida, the 100th prime minister of Japan, takes the stage in his morning suit for his press conference as the country's leader
Kishida says he will prioritize explaining the country's coronavirus strategy to the citizens, and will endeavor to always imagine the worst-case scenario. This is clearly a response to criticism of Suga's late reactions and lack of explanation.
While the Covid situation has improved in Japan in recent weeks, Kishida says many expect cases to increase again, and he has instructed his three new ministers in charge of Covid policy to be ready.
Kishida goes on to talk a little about his "new form of Japanese capitalism," a slightly confusing concept said to be worrying some in the business community. Kishida says there is no future growth without redistribution of the fruits of economic success.
Kishida says he has a growth strategy and redistribution strategy. Growth strategy incl: - spend large sums on innovation - a digitalization strategy - economic security including stopping leaking of technology - relieving concern over aging in an age where people live to be 100
The redistribution strategy largely includes raising wages and expanding the middle classes. Still waiting for more details on what exactly this means..
Kishida confirms he will dissolve the lower house on Oct. 14 and hold a general election on Oct. 31, calling on voters to give him a mandate for his policies.
Kishida confirms he will skip in-person attendance at the G-20 and COP26 meetings, saying he will participate remotely
Stimmies incoming? Kishida says he'll think about cash handouts as part of his coronavirus policy.
Kishida will form a group to discuss the realization of his "new form of capitalism" but suggests it won't be until life is restored to something approaching normal in a post-Covid world.
He got a little bit lost in the midst of that answer and had to ask for the question again
Kishida suggests he might consider favorable tax policies for companies that raise wages, rather than dividends.
Some of these comments are going to be worrying some in the business community.
He also reiterates that his plans will look at breaking down the "100 million yen wall," the level of income at which tax rates peak and start to decline
Choosing his words carefully Kishida says that while it's important to continue dialogue with China, there are areas where it is looking to change the status quo through use of force.
Kishida says he aims for a Cabinet that will create a new generation together with the public. He says Covid is in danger of splitting the country and he wants to reunite the public to overcome the virus, return to normal and build a new society.
While Kishida is obviously a lot better at thinking on his feet in response to reporters' questions than his predecessor, answering with little reference to his notes, his answers can be quite long and self-referential, relying on catchphrases whose meaning isn't exactly clear.
And that's it. Not a bad performance for his first time, but (staying away from Covid) compared to Suga's rather small-scale goals like a Digital Agency, that didn't really shed much light on Kishida's grander, vaguer visions for things like a "new form of capitalism."