経済・財政の両立必要　麻生財務相が財政演説

　麻生太郎財務相は１８日、２０２１年度予算案と２０年度第３次補正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。新型コロナウイルスの感染防止策などで予算規模が膨らむ中、「経済再生と財政健全化の両立を進めていく必要がある」と財政規律への配慮を示した。
　政府は、政策的経費を借金に頼らず、税収でどれだけ賄えているかを示す基礎的財政収支（ＰＢ）を財政健全化の目安としている。麻生氏は、２５年度のＰＢ黒字化目標の達成を目指す姿勢を改めて示し、「これまでの歳出改革の取り組みを継続する」と表明した。
　２１年度予算案については「感染拡大防止に万全を期すとともに、中長期的な課題を見据えて着実に対応を進める」と強調。デジタル社会やグリーン社会の実現に向けた施策を例示し、早期成立への協力を呼び掛けた。（2021/01/18-17:44）

Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso said Monday that the government needs to work simultaneously on revitalizing the economy and promoting fiscal soundness at a time when its spending is growing due to novel coronavirus measures.
   He showed the stance in a policy speech before the two chambers of the Diet, the country's parliament, as the government submitted drafts of its fiscal 2021 regular budget and fiscal 2020 third supplementary budget to the Diet on the day.
   Aso reiterated the government's determination to turn the country's primary budget balance to the black by fiscal 2025, stressing that the government will continue its spending reform drive.
   On the regular budget for the year starting in April, Aso said that the government will do all it can to prevent a spread of the coronavirus while making efforts to tackle medium- to long-term challenges.
   Citing measures to push digitalization and create a green society, Aso sought cooperation from both the ruling and opposition camps for an early enactment of the budget.