Sales tax hike masks bigger problem of welfare spending

let's start with making the politicians and bureaucrats live with the same pension system as the rest of the population....

@fds: They do.

But there is scant progress to show on such contentious issues as cutting benefits to the wealthy,

Why should they pay benefits to the wealthy? Cut that and slash the government waste for a start.

With the plan to increase the sales tax the Japanese people will probably have to work up to 100 to be able to afford subsistence living. Greta job, Abe Shinzo.

Around 20% of the population here haven`t a cracker in the bank and live from one low pay or welfare check to the next. It is the potential for trouble coming from people such as this, no longer prepared to be squeezed like lemons, which keeps the bureaucrats awake at night. With prices about to shoot up another 3%, on top of recent increases in the price of daily necessities, some people are already at the point where any further gouging will trigger creative coping strategies. Signs warning people against illegal tampering with waribiki stickers at my local supermarket are a sign that all is not well and a foretaste of the shape of things to come.

"The tax hike, Japan’s first serious move in nearly two decades to rein in the worst debt burden in the developed world"

The debt burden wouldn't be as bad if Japan stopped giving away millions and millions of dollars to other countries.

Signs warning people against illegal tampering with waribiki stickers at my local supermarket are a sign that all is not well and a foretaste of the shape of things to come.

Recently two of my local supermarkets had to close off their emergency exits, because of the prevalence of shoplifting committed (according to neighborhood gossip) mainly by elderly people living on meagre pensions ... and I live in a middle-class area. The same supermarkets have also put a stop to free food sampling, because so many people - again, elderly types - were abusing the privilege. People need to realise that there is a sizeable underclass of non-working or underworking citizens who simply don't have enough money to get by.

I also find it peculiar that in a society that is so fond of trumpeting its close family ties has so many people who are completely cut off from their own relatives. I see the evidence of this every single day.

25% of the population over 65? Yeah, sure, believe whatever you want. If Japan is in such bad shape where are the starving masses, riots, armed gangs, etc.

25% of the population over 65? If Japan is in such bad shape where are the starving masses, riots, armed gangs, etc.

I think you've answered your own question!

Why go for a sales tax that will only end up hurting those welfare recipients and retirees.. Go instead for a larger capital gains tax and Corporate tax. Also take into account taxing Hotels and sin tax llike booze, cigeretts and what not. Eliminate a food tax as the poor need no inflation on that..

As for the elderly care unless they have dementia it would be better that they stay with a relative and get home nursing assistance and day providers. Cuts down the cost. Day care for elderly too works well.. Why pay for full nursing home care if they don't need the expensive nursing aspect of it?

I understand that when you play with money and demand and supply eventually that all gets tied up and knotted.. Perhaps we should stop playing with it and go with a resource based economy.