Japan's long-term interest rate has topped 3% for the first time in 30 years,
Prime Minister Takaichi said on Tuesday. She said economic and fiscal policy
decisions will be made as warranted based on assessments including interest-rate
trends, but declined to comment on rate moves to avoid unintended market
effects. Takaichi said rates are set by markets amid influences from other
countries' policies and pledged to meet necessary fiscal demands while balancing
strong growth with fiscal sustainability. She said the government will press
ahead with budget formulation reform under the July Basic Policy and urged that
recurring policy measures be funded in the initial budget rather than by large
supplementary budgets.
