Taro Yamamoto Photo: screenshot from Abema Times

Taro Yamamoto, member of the House of Councillors of Japan, also leader of Reiwa Shinsengumi, a political party in Japan, fiercely criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday as "betraying the nation and abandoning the people," amid discussion over the future profit distribution, where Japan is said to hand over 90 percent of the profit to the US for its 80 trillion yen ($550 billion) investment in the US, according to Japanese media.

During the House of Councillors Budget Committee on Monday, Yamamoto engaged in a heated debate with Takaichi, Abema Times reported Monday.

Yamamoto stated that "Japan contributes 80 trillion yen, yet until it recovers its principal, Japan receives only 50 percent of the project's profits, while the remaining 50 percent is taken by the US, which contributed no funds. This means Japan must generate double the amount, 160 trillion yen, just to recover its 80 trillion yen investment. Moreover, after Japan recovers its 80 trillion yen principal, Japan's share plummets to 10 percent, essentially committing to hand over 90 percent of profits to the US. The [Japanese] government labels this as a business opportunity. Isn't this just like the Imperial Headquarters announcements [referring to false war reports during WWII]? I believe it's no different from being coerced by US tariffs into paying enormous protection money. Does channeling 80 trillion yen from the Japanese government and financial institutions to the US truly benefit the Japanese people?"

Yamamoto then referenced Takaichi's policy address and pressed further: "In your speech, Prime Minister, you stated, 'I believe in the latent strength of the Japanese people.' Please spare us such emotional poetry and pep talks. Japan is the only developed country that has experienced 30 years of stagnation. Before recovering from the pandemic, it was hit by soaring prices. Citizens and small-to-medium enterprises are suffering in hellish conditions, with many now on the verge of collapse. There's no talk of latent strength or anything of the sort."

Noting that domestic economic policies and measures introduced by Takaichi administration are "overwhelmingly insufficient," Yamamoto stated with fierce criticism: Even after offering 80 trillion yen to the US, won't you save the citizens in dire straits? Even after offering 80 trillion yen to the US, will you neither reduce the consumption tax nor provide uniform benefits? Isn't this the epitome of betraying the nation and abandoning the people? 

"How long will the citizens be deceived?" questioned the Japanese senator, who added that he would continue to pursue this matter.