80% in Japan oppose tax hike plan to cover defense outlay: poll

So less than 20% support a tax hike demanded BY the US to pay for US weapons to use against an imagined enemy that the US cannot compete with economically so has to threaten with its bloated military.

How about, don't pay 500 million dollars to Africa for starters. Use that money instead so you don't have to raise taxes you elitist buffoons.

I can already predict the future:

80% of people opposed LDP tax hike for LDP defense plan.

LDP will ignore the people and institute the tax hike anyway.

People will re-elect LDP in next election because people have memory loss and opposition parties fail to remind people 1 and 2 had happened.

Freedom and democracy are expensive.

Better to pay from your taxes than with your lives!

If the overall goal is to lessen the need for US forces in Japan, to be replaced in kind, by JSDF, more power to them.

Only 80%?

Live under the devil "protection" is expensive, Mr Kipling is right but your comment and my comment are not welcome by the trolls. South Korea got a deal for nuclear weapons and Japan will get deal for another type of weapons; the patterns is the same. North Korea? they are a necessary "enemy" to keep the biz high.

The problem is what ever defense experts say you just can't trust them because each nation has it's own agenda and reasons to build fear and anxiety, Yes China may have plans to take over Taiwan and it could trigger a much larger conflict in the area ! But that is a huge risk for China's economic future and lose if opportunities.

I do not believe China would want to be like Russia, the cost for China is much greater.

There’s no need for tax increase to finance the defense spending. Just issue government bonds. It’s that simple.

Most people need lower taxes, not higher ones.

Yes, yes, yes. The poll shows this but the only poll that counts is the one that the LDP cares about and which the population kindly obliges. You vote LDP, you get LDP, and this poll means nothing to those in power.

Most people need lower taxes, not higher ones.

A good politician (if that ever exist) could make a case for higher taxes by proving how they are being used for a greater benefit for the population and that they would save them money in the end.

For defense budget increases? not a chance.

We can oppose, but the fact is this is needed. We need to be able to defend ourselves.

With South Korea and Japan rushing to thaw frosty relations through two summits within two months, we might assume that military action by a neighbor is likely imminent.

When you choose the best and brightest to defend you, you just ought to pay for it.

Divinda

80% of people opposed LDP tax hike for LDP defense plan.

> LDP will ignore the people and institute the tax hike anyway.

> People will re-elect LDP in next election because people have memory loss and opposition parties fail to remind people 1 and 2 had happened.

A perfect, if bleak, summary of what is almost guaranteed to happen. Well put!

MeiyouwentiToday  07:51 am JST

There’s no need for tax increase to finance the defense spending. Just issue government bonds. It’s that simple.

More bonds issued, more printing by the BOJ to buy them, more inflation which is equivalent to a consumption tax increase. So same. The only difference is that inflation is an undemocratic tax because not voted by the parliament.

There is no miracle in economy.

l

Makes sense, inflation's already effectively BIG Tax Hike!

Smart people not wanting to send soldiers, sailors and airmen into a conflict involving Chinese civil war forces. The Japanese army suffered more than 1 million casualties in China during WW2.

The defense budget is already high enough.

So less than 20% support a tax hike demanded BY the US to pay for US weapons to use against an imagined enemy

Oh, definitely not imagined

that the US cannot compete with economically so has to threaten with its bloated military

That military goes, eventually, so does Japan-PERIOD.

What evidence do you have of this claim? just making up something you would like to be true and using it as if it was an argument is not valid.

You are one of them...this is a FACT.

Same across Globe, people under stress due to especially food and energy inflation, and rising rates in general, Govt's spending record amounts.

Anyone observe labor disputes all across Europe these days?! Another type of tax hike, take away and or delay benefits. Clearly, breaking point's upon us, leadership generally has record low approval ratings like Macron.

Kishida's outlier compared with peers, but high inflation destroys investment, productivity and economic growth everywhere, including Japan.

High Inflation Tax & High Taxes Makes it Far Tougher on those wanting children, why Global Population has its Lowest Ever % Increase in 2022, this year Even Worse!

I sure do see a lot more Maseratis, Porsches, and Lexuses these days. Make these people pay. As well as the giant corporations who got their big tax break under Abe and haven't raised wages.

80% oppose yet they,ll still vote for LDP at next election. Beyond help.

So less than 20% support a tax hike demanded BY the US to pay for US weapons to use against an imagined enemy that the US cannot compete with economically so has to threaten with its bloated military.

Yep, Japanese workers have got to pay the Raytheon Tax to support the endless wars that support the MIC that supports the politicians who support the endless wars.

80% in Japan oppose tax hike plan to cover defense outlay: poll

and 99% in Japan did not want the border to be opened to foreign tourists.

Luckily for the japanese government democracy is dead, so they can push ahead with their plans even if 80% of the people dont want it.

"...their main reason for disapproving of the tax hikes to cover the rise in defense spending, the largest group of 48 percent said it was "because the public cannot bear further tax burdens."

So true, yet the other reason is that the Japanese people need to realize that their historical role as the goose that lays the golden tax eggs for the ruling class for their own profit and ends must come to an end with the people having democratic control over their government's unnecessarily profligate spending, especially on the military because we have all seen that movie before, and it didn't end well. The "Peace" Constitution must become more than a scrap of paper, or else...

japancatToday  09:40 am JST

Luckily for the japanese government democracy is dead, so they can push ahead with their plans even if 80% of the people dont want it.

Excellent point, exact same in europe regarding taxes, nato involvement in ukraine war, political approval ratings etc. Oh, they'll listen, joe biden's at lowest level of approval for any sitting president 1.5 years out from re-election, wa post, 36% and macron 28%.

One must remember, high inflation in japan helps govt. collect more taxes and deflates/deceases 'real' cost of its sizable debt servicing.

Plus, primary cause of japan's inflation, that benefits japanese govt./see above - boj money printing, that also benefits govt!

What's saying, "never waste a great crisis?!" Well done, japanese govt. real money game value add, but please...

Lots of transparency & accountability before sending resources, recommend assets hard to resell, to ukraine, especially if you take leaked cia ukraine intel seriously.

Salon's progressive highly vetted investigative journalism on leaked american cia ukraine ntel -scary!

We can oppose, but the fact is this is needed. We need to be able to defend ourselves.

From what exactly? We're not the ones getting threated into war, we're the ones sticking our noses into areas we should be avoiding like we have been doing for many years. We have strong allies who can deal with the conflict and interventions for us. I enjoyed the peace that came with pacifist Japan, but now I am feeling some fear only because the government is purposely creating one.

Exactly, topical, how many insightful tax comments have you made here? Not good.

Communication requires substance, no matter the nature of the forum or platform.

You seem to spend most of your effort trying to suppress or agitate others with suppression being your goal. It's not JT value add or helping healthy promote healthy debate and discussion.

I would hope you would want to better inform others, that's my 100% intention and I'm glad to listen to others with such intentions, that's democracy in action!

It's also why I promote good sources of information, like

Salon's progressive highly vetted investigative journalism on leaked Us Cia Ukraine intel -scary!

Japanese public sees a need to boost the country's defense capabilities to some extent due to a deteriorating security environment, they are reluctant about increasing defense spending considerably or financing them through taxes.

Can't have your cake and eat it too. What did they expect? The first thing the LDP considers when budgeting for anything is increasing taxes. Haven't they learned from previous hikes?

Nobody likes taxes. Just do some more interviews in front of tomahawks and get it done.

while 88 percent said Kishida's explanation regarding drastically enhancing Japan's defense is "not sufficient.

Yet, they never take their leadership class to task and demand they learn HOW TO explain themselves in a comprehensive and less opaque fashion. The press won't push them to answer any difficult, nonscripted questions, everyone just scratches each other's back going through the motions on the merry-go-round of mediocracy. ( the half-arsed version of democracy ) Paternalism basically.

Personally welcome Japan taking their defense seriously, just wish the politicians could explain to their people the whys, whats, whens, and hows.

Over 80% will be liquidated with a US led war with China and NK, so does the LDP have to care?

Opps, forgot to mention the 50% death tax which goes to LDP.

Freedom and democracy are expensive.

Better to pay from your taxes than with your lives!

I wonder if this is a threat or if it is working for the US arms company

If Im a Looter

I love this math.

20% for tax. These votes already in the bag, paid for pre-sold cheap seats! Maybe kick in a family friend tax break down the road for the trouble.

Then take all that new extra TAX - Minus shipping charge, send tax bills c/o

80% in Japan oppose tax hike plan!

What a gimme. Nothing but net!

Burden shmurden… Should say

"the public cannot bear to vote against further tax burdens."

good job there is always option B: More money printing!!!

I sure do see a lot more Maseratis, Porsches, and Lexuses these days. Make these people pay. As well as the giant corporations who got their big tax break under Abe and haven't raised wages

Because I drive a Lexus LX600 I need to pay more in taxes? How does this even make sense?

Call me crazy, but it might be hard people anywhere who want to pay more taxes.

No matter what we say or do... if they say they want a tax hike then a tax hike it is. We don't matter at all.. ..don't get too comfortable here or anywhere for that matter.

Kishida and the LDP should grasp the clear message - no higher tax burden.

Alternatives:

1) slash spending elsewhere to free up revenues

2) slash shackles and constraints on the economy to free up economic growth (thus boosting revenues)

Heck, even reducing burdensome taxes might help boost growth. My favourite target is the dopey inheritance tax, in which money is funneled from those not wealthy enough to avoid that tax, to people who’s career contribution to society is advising such people about how to minimize their inheritance taxes. That is a big waste of economic resources and Japan would surely benefit more by having people spend their time and money on economically productive endeavors.

Just issue government bonds. It’s that simple.

So, would you personally buy them bonds?

If yes, well thanks for your willingness to sacrifice yourself.

If no, then who do you suppose would buy the bonds, and for what purpose?

Not to worry, Kishida will just shrug it off and say he'll seek cooperation and his being voted in was a mandate on the tax increase.

A total of 80 percent of respondents to a Kyodo News poll said they are against possible tax hikes to finance Japan's substantial defense buildup plan, despite an overwhelming majority expressing concern about China potentially taking military action against Taiwan, the survey showed Saturday

The buildup is for the defence of Taiwan?

As a rule, I vote against measures that increase taxes. Too much money spent just means the money is shifted from my pocket to someone else's. Keep the tax income flat and reduce other programs 1-10% to find any really important money needed for programs. It shouldn't be easy.