Japan sticks with budget balance goal despite record spending

Gaining momentum: A man wearing a protective mask walks past the headquarters of the Bank of Japan in Tokyo. The central bank could increase actual expenditure next year, given the possibility of extra budgets. — Reuters

TOKYO: Japan is sticking for now with its goal to balance its budget by the end of March 2026 even after approving record spending for next year.

“As we’ve written in this year’s government plans, we are still looking to reach a primary balance in the fiscal year 2025,” said Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, shortly after the Cabinet approved a record initial budget of 107.6 trillion yen (RM4 trillion) for the year starting in April.