The battle over the abolition of the "1.03 million yen wall" is intensifying. The Democratic Party for the People claims that the national government has called on the National Association of Governors to oppose the abolition. Meanwhile, the national government has denied the call, and confusion continues. ■ Representative Tamaki: "The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is working behind the scenes with the National Association of Governors" Secretary-General of the Democratic Party for the People, Kazuya Shimba: "I thought Murakami Seiichiro was a combative politician" Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Seiichiro Murakami: "Unfortunately, I don't understand why Tamaki said such a thing" There are conflicting claims regarding the "1.03 million yen wall". It all started with a statement by Representative Yuichiro Tamaki of the Democratic Party for the People. Representative Tamaki: "Right now, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is working hard on the National Governors' Association and the heads of each local government. Minister Murakami himself has contacted the chairman of the Governors' Association and said, 'Please stop because there will be this kind of reduction in revenue, please stop because there will be this kind of reduction in revenue,' and even prepared a statement outline, which I think is inappropriate." Opposition voices from local governments to the review of the "1.03 million yen wall." Representative Tamaki pointed out that these were the result of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' groundwork to the Governors' Association. Specifically, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has appealed to them to "express their opposing opinions." ■Minister Murakami: "I have never asked him to do this." In response, Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai, who serves as chairman of the National Governors' Association, immediately denied this. Governor Murai: "At least, there has been no approach from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, or anyone from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications." Minister Murakami, who was named by Representative Tamaki, also refuted the "groundwork statement" on the 15th. Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Murakami: "It is not true that we requested Chairman Murai to make a statement. I am not aware of it, and since I trust the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, I do not think that happened." "(Q: What about Chairman Tamaki's comment on the program that 'the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is manipulating things'?) 'It is true that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications administrative staff prepares speaking guidelines for each prefectural governor and requests them to make statements.' I have never seen these speaking guidelines, and have never requested them, so unfortunately I do not understand why Tamaki would say such a thing." While the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications and the chairman of the Governors' Association both denied it, Secretary-General Shiba of the Democratic Party for the People said the following. Chief Secretary Shiba said, "The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications denied it straight away, but we have received confirmation from multiple sources that the Minister had contacted the Governors' Association earlier this week, so I believe it probably happened. It's not a question of whether it's right or wrong, but I thought Murakami Seiichiro was a combative politician, and in the Abe Cabinet he spoke the truth even within the ruling party." Aiming for a cabinet decision on the 22nd Meanwhile, on the 15th, the policy chiefs of the LDP, Komeito, and the Democratic Party for the People met to discuss a review of the "1.03 million yen barrier." The Democratic Party for the People is calling for a review of the "1.03 million yen barrier" to be included in the economic measures. LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Onodera Itsunori said, "No conclusion has been reached today, so we would like to resume discussions as early as next week and work to further refine the matter." Democratic Party for the People Policy Research Council Chairman Hamaguchi said, "I believe that the matter has been dealt with sincerely. We would like to decide how to proceed in future, in consultation with the Diet members, next Monday." The government is aiming for a cabinet decision on the 22nd, and discussions on reviewing the "1.03 million yen barrier" will begin in earnest from now on. (From "Good! Morning" broadcast on November 16, 2024) [TV Asahi News] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp