Economists oppose Abe's plan to use sales tax revenue for education: poll

What we have here is the condition that involves doing the exact same thing over and over again expecting different results!! Its mind numbingly shocking how passive the masses are!!

Debt to whom?

To Japan. That's why it's not a crisis.

If we are crippled by debt, why do we have an inexhaustible pile of money to throw at the Olympics, when Olympics always lose money?

They say no, Abe won’t do it. He’ll renege on THAT promise, too, immediately after election.

Maybe proceeds from legalized gambling, amusements, tourism can help ease the burden?

he will use the extra tax money for fighting americas wars. he should make a fund in preparation for the big earthquake.

"Financial resources for new policies should be financed by cutting other government spending."

Refreshing to see a Japanese person come up with this.

Good also to see the economists generally looking for reforms to the labour market and Japan's welfare systems (the latter could have a big role in fixing Japan's massive debt problem).

A shame that only the Ishin party is talking about anything remotely close to this and even then they only have minuscule support according to polls...

More flip-flopping lies from Abe! He touted the first sales tax as a way to pay off the public debt, which never happened. Now, he's done another flip-flop to use the second increase for education, which I have no doubt will not happen. When will these people with very short memories wake up and realise they are just being screwed over by this liar?

If this is not enough to change peoples opinion about Abenomics, then I don't know what state Japan will be in 10 years from now on!!?

If it's owed to itself, can Japan just forgive it? With declining population I don't see how it's ever paid off

ADVISABLE TO CLEAN YOUR SIDE OF THE STREET BEFORE TRYING TO CLEAN THE OTHER PERSONS WHILE YOURS REMAIN DIRTY. PAY OFF FOREIGN DEBTS .

"It is important for the government to proceed with structural reforms and encourage companies to allocate their accumulated cash holdings to investment and to improve productivity, which would lead to wage increases," said Harumi Taguchi, principal economist at index compiler IHS Markit.

Debt to whom?

jefflee is correct. The debt is held in domestic bonds and internally. The best way to illustrate the difference between Japan's debt and let's say Greece is this; Greece is/was like a building falling apart from the outside. The exterior walls and facade was falling and hitting people outside Greece. Japan has a beautifully maintained exterior, but the interior wood beams are rotten and about to collapse inward at any moment. Both buildings are equally dangerous.

If it's owed to itself, can Japan just forgive it?

For some reason, some people think that is an option.

But consider that, for example, the GPIF (government pension fund) owns at lot of JGBs. 

That Japan "owes the money to itself" is totally meaningless, if you are a pensioner expecting to receive money.

On the contrary, such talk is precisely why people have concerns about the massive debts and unsustainable systems that Japan's government is running.

That Japan "owes the money to itself" is totally meaningless, if you are a pensioner expecting to receive money.

Japanese pensioners aren't getting their payments?!??! Now that IS a crisis.

he's put plenty of money into his friend's schools, isn't that enough?

let the fool wreck this country. laugh on the sidelines. the public will reap the rewards for voting for him.