Summary of Minister Fujii’s Post-Cabinet Press Conference
Overview
Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Fujii said the government was coordinating with relevant ministries on winter assistance using the Grant for Priority Support to Local Governments. NHK Vice President Yamana was elected as the next ABU president. The Autumn National Fire Prevention Campaign will focus on preventing residential fires, earthquake-related fires, and wildfires. In response to questions, Fujii explained the background to a notice on the timing of referendums and local elections in light of the enforcement of the Subcapital Law and related legislation, and addressed Governor Yoshimura’s remarks.
Key points
- The government is coordinating plans to use the Grant for Priority Support to Local Governments for assistance tailored to regional needs during winter.
- NHK Vice President Yamana was elected as the next ABU president.
- The Autumn National Fire Prevention Campaign will focus on measures against residential fires, earthquake-related fires, and wildfires.
- In light of the enforcement of the Subcapital Law and related legislation, a supplementary resolution on the timing of referendums and local elections was publicized.
Overview
The press conference was held after the Cabinet meeting on November 6, 2026.
The opening remarks covered the grant, the ABU presidential election, and the Autumn National Fire Prevention Campaign; questions addressed the schedule notice for a referendum on establishing special wards and local elections.
Impact
Vice President Yamana is expected to exercise leadership in the ABU as NHK’s representative.
Details
The government is coordinating with relevant ministries to provide assistance through the end of the current fiscal year, without interruption until the consumption tax rate on food and beverages is lowered next April, for high-voltage electricity and LP gas, which are not covered by winter electricity and gas bill support. The grant can also be used for kerosene assistance. The government will consider additional amounts for the fiscal 2026 supplementary budget as a reference and take into account winter fiscal needs in cold regions. Details will be announced after coordination is complete.
On November 2, NHK Vice President Yamana was elected as the next president of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU). The ABU is an alliance that conducts program exchanges and joint productions, among other activities.
Fire and disaster prevention awareness activities will be held across Japan from November 9 through 15. The three priorities are residential fire prevention in response to rising deaths from residential fires; measures against earthquake-related fires, including public awareness efforts to promote seismic circuit breakers; and wildfire prevention measures in light of the large-scale wildfire in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, this April. The campaign also urged people to handle fire carefully.
The Subcapital Law and its enforcement order took effect on October 30. In light of the designation of special wards as one of the requirements for a subcapital, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications publicized a supplementary resolution to the heads of election management committees and prefectural governors. The resolution calls for referendums on establishing special wards and local elections not to overlap. The minister said he was aware through news reports and other sources of Governor Yoshimura’s remarks about aiming for simultaneous elections, and declined to comment on the individual remarks.