Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on Jan. 5. (Tadashi Mizowaki)

ISE, Mie Prefecture—In her first news conference of the year, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sidestepped addressing whether she thought the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro violated international law.

After visiting Ise Jingu shrine here on Jan. 5, Takaichi said regarding the arrest in Venezuela, “While cooperating closely with the relevant nations, we will proceed with diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation and restore democracy to Venezuela.”

She refrained from assessing whether the U.S. military action and detention of Maduro were violations of international law as some experts have pointed out.

On another issue, Takaichi said she would set up a panel of experts and members of the public this month to discuss reforming the social security system to provide assistance to low- and middle-income individuals through a combination of tax cuts and cash payments.

“We want to reduce the burden on those with low and middle incomes struggling to pay taxes and social security premiums and allow them to increase their take-home pay depending on their income,” she said.

Takaichi had proposed establishing a new tax deduction that came with a cash payment prior to becoming prime minister.

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito have been discussing establishing such a system.

Takaichi said she wanted a combined revision of the taxation and social security programs from a multipartisan perspective while obtaining advice from experts on the panel.

She also said her administration was compiling legislation to be submitted to the ordinary Diet session to convene later this month that would reduce the financial burden of childbirth, including making standard delivery free.

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