Politics · Japan · 6 hrs ago
Japan seeks tenfold increase in Cabinet public relations budget
Japan's Takaichi administration requested a tenfold increase in its public relations budget for fiscal 2027.
The Cabinet Public Affairs Office, which handles communications for the prime minister's office, is seeking 7.2 billion yen, compared with the previous fiscal year's amount.
About 500 million yen is intended for overseas messaging, while most of the funding would reach audiences in Japan.
The government says it wants to make more videos explaining policies to young people, including plans on economic growth, security and child care.
Critics warn that taxpayer-funded videos could become propaganda if they present only explanations favorable to the administration.
The concern comes as Takaichi has faced criticism over a promotional-looking social media video and limited participation in Diet budget debates.
The government is seeking the money to expand its videos, but the budget request does not say what decision will be made on it.
Japan’s Cabinet Public Affairs Office is seeking 7.2 billion yen for fiscal 2027, about ten times its previous fiscal-year budget.
The office handles public relations for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s office.
The government says it wants to produce and distribute more easy-to-understand videos, mainly for young people.
About 500 million yen of the requested budget is for overseas messaging, while most is intended for domestic audiences.
A Mainichi editorial questions whether the increase is justified and warns that government messaging could become propaganda.
- Who
- Japan’s Cabinet Public Affairs Office is seeking the increase under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration.
- What
- It has requested 7.2 billion yen for fiscal 2027, about ten times the previous fiscal year’s amount.
- When
- The request is for fiscal 2027. The article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- The government says it wants to create and distribute more easy-to-understand videos about its policies, primarily for young people.
Japanese government
Mainichi editorial
Purpose of the spending
Japanese government
The government says it will produce and distribute a broad range of easy-to-understand policy videos, primarily for young people.
Mainichi editorial
The editorial says the rationale for such a large increase is unclear and questions whether the spending is linked to economic growth.
Public communication
Japanese government
The government says it will strengthen the quality and quantity of videos on topics including economic policy and child care support.
Mainichi editorial
The editorial warns that presenting explanations favorable to the administration with taxpayers’ money risks becoming propaganda.
A social media video of Takaichi inspecting areas affected by the Kumamoto earthquake drew controversy for appearing promotional, according to the editorial.
The special Diet session closed after Takaichi was criticized for spending less time in intensive budget committee deliberations than her predecessors.
The prime minister’s office posted a video titled Honebuto Classroom on its YouTube channel.
The Cabinet Public Affairs Office requested a budget of 7.2 billion yen.
- Fiscal 2027 request
- 7.2 billion yen
- Previous fiscal-year budget comparison
- About 10 times the requested amount
- Overseas messaging allocation
- About 500 million yen
- Office
- Cabinet Public Affairs Office
- Video title
- Honebuto Classroom
What people are saying
policies that could divide public opinion
Sources
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