Photo/Illutration The leaders of eight political parties gather at the Japan National Press Club on July 2 for a debate ahead of the official start of the Upper House election campaign. (Kenta Sujino)

The leaders of eight major political parties laid out differing plans to tackle rising consumer prices in a debate held on July 2 before the official start of the Upper House election campaign.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the most important thing would be to ensure that salary increases continue into the future.

He said his ruling Liberal Democratic Party would fulfill its responsibility to create a strong economy and affluent life for the people.

One goal, he said, would be to push gross domestic product to 1,000 trillion yen ($7 trillion).

Yoshihiko Noda, president of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, called for a limited-time consumption tax exemption on food items, saying the proposal would be an effective way to curb price increases in the future.

He said government bonds would not be issued to cover the temporary tax revenue shortfall.

Noda also suggested to Ishiba that he hold direct talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on lifting his tariffs since Japan’s special envoy, Ryosei Akazawa, does not appear to be making any progress despite seven trips to the United States for negotiations.

Tetsuo Saito, head of junior coalition partner Komeio, said his party would push for both cash handouts and tax cuts to deal with rising consumer prices.

Hirofumi Yoshimura, head of opposition Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), said his party’s focus would be on reducing social security premiums.

He said such a reform was needed to fulfill Japan’s responsibility to future generations, noting that the social security burden will increase as the population shrinks and grays.

Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the Democratic Party for the People, said policies should be implemented to support those in their prime working years by increasing their take-home pay.

He added senior citizens would also feel more secure if those supporting the social security system are provided with measures that can enhance their premiums.

Tomoko Tamura, head of the Japanese Communist Party, criticized the cash handout proposal of the ruling coalition as inadequate, saying her party is calling for a cut in the consumption tax rate.

She added that the JCP would make a campaign issue out of the government’s attempt to cooperate with the Trump administration while it ignores international law and trade rules and is demanding that Japan raise its defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP.

Taro Yamamoto, leader of Reiwa Shinsengumi, said the proposals by other parties to deal with rising prices were inadequate.

He called for giving cash payments of 100,000 yen to each individual as a bridge measure until the abolition of the consumption tax.

The rising Sanseito party took part in the leaders’ debate for the first time before a Diet election.

Sohei Kamiya said his party would push for tax cuts and propose state management that did not depend on immigrants and foreigners.

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