Japan Sets Up Tax and Subsidy Review Office to Cut Waste

Overview

• Established on Nov. 25, the new office will review inefficient tax measures and unnecessary expenditures under the title "租税特別措置・補助金見直し担当室."
• Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama is the minister in charge and has suggested inviting public input on the review.
• About 30 staff members drawn from relevant ministries will be assigned to the unit.
• The office will conduct its checks in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
• The government plans to hold the first coordination meeting as early as next week to advance work that supports Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s "responsible proactive fiscal policy."