Kishida To Announce "Bold Economic Package" By End Of September

Comments from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hitting wires, following today's cabinet reshuffle, stating he will announce a "bold new economic package" by the end of September and order, "compilation to extra budget to fund the new economic package at an appropriate time."

• States he, "cannot say when government will decide on start of tax hike for defence budget," but says, "must decide how to secure funding sources for boosting defence budget after thorough deliberation by the government and ruling coalition."
• Kishida says: "Discussion on whether to ease rules on arms export underway, involved parties must continue discussion while taking changing security environment into account."
• Addressing the political furore surrounding the influence of the Unification Church, informally known as the Moonies, Kishida says: "Will consider whether it is possible to order dissolution of religious group formerly known as Unification Church in accordance with relevant laws." A move to dissolve the Unification Church may ease pressure on Kishida over the influence of the church over members of the LDP.
• Kishida says he selected his current cabinet, "based on understanding that none have connections with unification church."