[alephnerd]

> The amount of annual subsidies is around $2 billion. It's a tiny number for a country as large as Japan. Their GDB is $4 trillion per year.

Their Debt-to-GDP ratio is 263% (so around $9 trillion in debt), and the government's budget is only $1.2 trillion per year, so it becomes very difficult to maneuver, especially due to the increased Yen volatility.

The current status quo keeps farmers happy and voting for the LDP, while continuing to fund Japan's very generous and very expensive welfare system that everyone loves.

Mainichi is also the opposition newspaper and election season is approaching in Japan due to Kishida's scandals leading to his resignation.