Prime minister calls national debt level ‘still high’ in exclusive interview
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks in an exclusive interview with Nikkei at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on Dec. 23. (Photo by Ken Suzuki)
RIEKO MIKI and MITSURU OBE
December 23, 2025 13:49 JST
TOKYO — Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday said that Japan’s national debt level is “still high” and rejected any “irresponsible bond issuance or tax cuts,” as she tries to support the nation’s economy hit by high tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump while avoiding any loss of confidence in the yen and government finances.