The Japan Financial Services Agency published a summary of Finance Minister Katayama's press conference, in which he said the Cabinet had approved the use of JPY 513.5 billion from fiscal 2026 contingency funds to support electricity and gas charges from July to September. He also said the government is preparing a supplementary budget of just over JPY 3 trillion for submission to the Diet next week so it can respond flexibly to continued uncertainty in the Middle East. The minister said the general contingency fund used for the utility support would be restored to JPY 1 trillion and that a new contingency fund would be created to respond to the Middle East situation. He added that a JPY 2 trillion priority support local grant in the supplementary budget is intended to cover areas not eligible for the electricity and gas support scheme, including special high-voltage power and LP gas, with measures tailored to local conditions. Separately, he reported to the Cabinet that Japan's net external assets at the end of 2025 had risen by JPY 24 trillion from a year earlier to JPY 562 trillion, ranking third after Germany and China.
Japan Financial Services Agency2026-05-27
Japan Financial Services Agency publishes finance minister update on JPY 513.5 billion energy bill support and a supplementary budget of just over JPY 3 trillion
The Japan Financial Services Agency reported Cabinet approval to use JPY 513.5 billion from fiscal 2026 contingency funds to support electricity and gas charges from July to September and is preparing a supplementary budget of just over JPY 3 trillion to address Middle East uncertainty. The general contingency fund will be restored to JPY 1 trillion, a new fund created for the Middle East situation, and a JPY 2 trillion priority support local grant will cover areas not eligible for the utility support scheme. Japan’s net external assets at end-2025 rose by JPY 24 trillion year-on-year to JPY 562 trillion, ranking third globally after Germany and China.