FY2026 Budget: 50% Say "Continue Deliberations with a Provisional Budget," 30% Say "Pass Within the Fiscal Year"

[KSI Online] Opinion Survey on the Formulation of a Provisional Budget (Mini-Survey)

Kioicho Strategy Institute, Inc. (KSI), a company that provides comprehensive consulting in the public affairs domain, including policy activities and risk management support for companies venturing into new industries, conducts online surveys about twice a month, primarily on current affairs topics.

This "mini-survey" is conducted in a simplified manner with a limited number of questions for the purpose of rapid publication.

Survey Overview

On March 25, the government solidified its policy to formulate a provisional budget in case the 2026 fiscal year budget is not passed within the fiscal year. To gauge public perception of this move, an online survey of 1,000 voters aged 18 and older nationwide was conducted on March 24 and 25.

Survey Results Summary 50% say deliberations on the FY2026 budget should continue with a provisional budget.

The FY2026 budget bill passed the House of Representatives on March 13. According to the constitution, it will be automatically enacted if not voted on by the House of Councillors by April 11. While the government aims to pass the FY2026 budget within the fiscal year, opposition parties are demanding sufficient deliberation time. In this context, the government has announced its intention to prepare an 11-day provisional budget for unforeseen circumstances. 50.4% of respondents stated, "A provisional budget should be formulated, and deliberations on the FY2026 budget bill should continue until April 11 at the latest," while 30.1% said, "Deliberations on the FY2026 budget bill should be concluded by March 31 and passed within the fiscal year." 19.5% responded, "I don't know."

40% believe Diet discussions will not be enriched even with a provisional budget.

Formulating a provisional budget secures time for deliberation on the FY2026 budget bill until April 11 at the latest. Regarding this, 43.7% of respondents "do not think" that Diet discussions will be enriched, surpassing the 33.9% who "think they will be enriched." 22.4% responded, "I don't know."