経済再生、財政健全化を両立　加藤財務相が財政演説

　加藤勝信財務相は２４日、２０２５年度予算案の国会提出を受け、衆参両院の本会議で財政演説を行った。デフレ脱却のため賃上げと投資がけん引する成長型経済への転換が必要だと指摘。「力強く経済再生を進める中で、財政健全化も実現し、経済再生と財政健全化の両立を図っていく」と述べ、予算などの早期成立へ協力を求めた。（2025/01/24-16:56）

The Japanese government will strive to balance economic revitalization and fiscal consolidation, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said in a fiscal policy speech to the Diet on Friday.
   "As we vigorously advance economic revitalization, we will also realize fiscal consolidation," Kato said.
   Kato also asked for cooperation to swiftly pass the government's budget and other bills. The budget bill calls for general-account spending of more than 115 trillion yen, including on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's signature policies such as increasing subsidies to local governments and expenses on disaster prevention, boosting defense spending, and tackling the country's declining birthrate.
   "We are focusing budget allocations on key policies and continuing spending reform efforts while taking into account economic and price trends," he explained.
   The finance minister highlighted the need to improve Japan's fiscal health, as it is the worst among major countries. "Public finances are the cornerstone of trust in the nation," he said.