Japan's general expenditures will likely soar to a record exceeding ¥52 trillion in the fiscal 2010 budget as social security costs continue to climb, sources said Thursday.
Such outlays signal a significant departure from previous efforts to observe fiscal restraint, with beleaguered Prime Minister Taro Aso's administration taking into account a coming general poll.
Earlier this week, Aso's Cabinet adopted its annual policy guidelines, which renew its pledge to mend Japan's disastrous fiscal position. But it also shelved ongoing efforts to cut social security costs, partly out of fear that it would cost the ruling Liberal Democratic Party precious votes in the pivotal upcoming election.