Firms slow in applying to gov't program to ease tax hike impact

I'm not surprised that they're slow... a 2% increase is huge. This is a Taxation across all products & services without exception.

You buy a House, say 100,000,000 in Tokyo that will now add an extra 2,000,000 to the cost. (maybe an extra 6 months practically for a high earner). But this also means your 100 yen slice of bread now increases to 102 yen. Your 30,000 yen electricity Bill rises to 30,600 yen. And your Water Bill also rises by 2%. Your Salary hasn't changed... regardless of Political murmurings. So you are worse off, and for what ? Job Security is down, Education costs rising, Living Costs Rising ?

So the proverbial belt tightening will continue...

But I hate having to carry a Ponta card, a Tsutaya card, a suica card, a 7/11 card, a Cainz members card, a Fami-ma card, an Eddy card, and a number of other local supermarket cards along the way as well! 

Aren't you confusing prepaid with loyalty cards?

I was struck the last time I went shopping for a purse, there was a little space for cash and lotsnlots of pockets for cards.

Them's the times we Iive in.

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How long does that last? *

If you had read the article;

The government expects more than a million shops will register for the rebate program that will last until June next year.

Again, you really should actually read the article!

Then liking them to credit card payments only?

Notice the part about "QR" code?

Rebates for cashless payments, including those made by credit card and QR code, will be awarded to customers as shopping points after the consumption tax is raised to 10 percent from the current 8 percent on Oct 1.

Better to charge the pre-paid from your phone, using a credit card. That way you get points on your pre-paid, and points on your credit card. It all adds up.

But I hate having to carry a Ponta card, a Tsutaya card, a suica card, a 7/11 card, a Cainz members card, a Fami-ma card, an Eddy card, and a number of other local supermarket cards along the way as well!

Someone could make a killing if they could figure out a way to put them all onto one without it having to be a credit card!

something I typically have a small chuckle about when I see it, is when people give the cashier cash to charge their Eddy card to pay for a purchase.

Yes, on the face of it it seems silly.... but paying by card, including pre-paid card, gathers points which is the same as a small discount on everything you pay for.

Better to charge the pre-paid from your phone, using a credit card. That way you get points on your pre-paid, and points on your credit card. It all adds up.

I'm still waiting to see the benefits of the My Number system. Big in the news in the beginning and fades away in the news when government realizes citizens see the scam behind it. I will hold on to using cash for as long as businesses accept it. Even if I have to walk an extra 5 minutes to a convenience store that accepts it. (For those of you who don't live in Japan, there are convenience stores all over the place. I have about 4 within walking distance.)

Well, too bad if you don’t have a credit card, isn’t it? The rebate does not cover credit card costs, so there is no point to this ‘initiative’ what-So-ever. Perhaps this is why most people could not be bothered.

It's not the "people" per say, it's businesses, and the point system and pay-backs are funded by the government, which is notorious for needing paperwork to get anything done. I am not 100% familiar with the program, but I will bet if it was all "paper-less" more businesses would apply.

In effect it is a 9 month program that many busineses may not see any benefits for participating in it!

Also if you know anything about Japanese credit cards, many have zero interest fees on payments made in full the following month, as well as no yearly fees either, so there is a benefit to using them.

Ever hear of Eddy? That sure as hell isnt a credit card, and something I typically have a small chuckle about when I see it, is when people give the cashier cash to charge their Eddy card to pay for a purchase.

Nobody is going to use those points because people like cash and nobody want to have their account and transactions tracked... even if a portion of lobotomized mobile-slaves seems unable to live without their phones also for paying and ordering Mac. You will see the recession this country will plunge when they will finally rise the consumption tax. These guys do not understand anything of economy. Company will be hit solidly...

Another brilliant idea? Fist off giving credits to offset a tax rise? How long does that last? At some point the credits will disappear. Then liking them to credit card payments only? Most businesses in my area don't even have that now. Even major chain stores are fickle about what card is acceptable. The whole system is so complicated that compliance results in an hourly rate less than the minimum wage to enact, has no relevance to day to day purchases. Just another idea from those who bought you Premium Friday.

The consumption tax hike in October is going to be a huge mess, and believe me, no one in the government will take any responsibility.

Interesting that a supposedly export driven economy that Japan is always claimed to be, is so sensitive to a change in a consumption tax?

Governments world wide are pushing the cashless mantra under various guises, usually about fraud and criminality. The reality is that it gives them much greater control over your money and information about you, which equates to control over you and your liberty. This will not end well for any concept of freedom or liberty you may still be clinging to.

It is difficult papa and mama stores equip new machines to begin the cashless payments. They also are worried about fraud.

Well, too bad if you don’t have a credit card, isn’t it? The rebate does not cover credit card costs, so there is no point to this ‘initiative’ what-So-ever. Perhaps this is why most people could not be bothered.

Cashed based system is so much better as you know what you are spending monthly....wallet gets thinner, you hold back. I have always lived that way, and if I do use a card, it is a one payment finish.