Society

Taro Aso marks 3,000 days in office as Japan's finance minister

Mar 15 (Japan Times) - Finance Minister Taro Aso marked 3,000 days in office Saturday, at a time when he is struggling to rebuild Japan’s finances.

Aso, who broke the postwar tenure record at the key Cabinet post in 2018, is the country’s third-longest-serving finance minister of all time.

He will replace Korekiyo Takahashi, who held the post in the early 20th century, as the second-longest-serving finance minister if he remains in the job until October this year.

After becoming finance minister on Dec. 26, 2012, when former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s second administration started, Aso spearheaded a consumption tax hike twice.

But the government’s debts have risen by about 20% over the eight years. The fiscal condition, worst among advanced nations, has deteriorated further due to huge spending to fight the novel coronavirus crisis.

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

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University of Tokyo Raises Tuition Fees for First Time in 20 Years

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Death toll rises to 9 in Japan's Ishikawa following heavy rain

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Russian military plane intrudes into Japanese airspace, Tokyo lodges protest

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Kishida vows in meeting with Zelenskyy continued support for Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has conveyed his country's intention to maintain support for Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (NHK)

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