Japan’s Takaichi embraces consumption tax cut on food as election looms

Japan election

PM’s comments on inflation measure have fluctuated widely since last spring

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Jan. 19 called a consumption tax cut on food items a long-held aspiration. (Photo by Ken Suzuki)

RIEKO MIKI

January 20, 2026 06:39 JST

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s proposal on Monday to suspend the consumption tax on food products for two years, after she displayed caution on the issue previously, could open her to criticism about the opportunistic timing given Japan’s upcoming election.