Japan’s Prime Minister announces plans to reduce the sales tax rate applied to food. The government frames the measure as a way to ease cost-of-living pressures for households amid rising prices. The announcement comes as inflation continues to affect everyday expenses in Japan, an economy described as the world’s fourth largest. According to the reporting, the Prime Minister links the ongoing inflation pressures to broader international shocks, including the war in the Middle East, which contributes to economic uncertainty and higher costs. The policy change targets food specifically, aiming to reduce the tax burden on essentials rather than consumer goods more broadly. Details such as the length of the tax cut, the exact categories of food covered, and the implementation timeline are not provided in the supplied excerpts. Overall, the move is presented as part of the government’s efforts to address inflation and support household budgets.