Ruling bloc calls for ¥10 tril fiscal package to support growth

So, where have the funds gone from the sales tax increases? These were supposed to be used instead of increasing the public debt. I’m curious if any of these ruling party law makers have actually studied economics. It would seem the answer is obviously, no.

Why is it that not a single lawmaker seems to mention the wage problem. They keep saying consumer spending is shrinking. The sales tax hike is hurting the economy. Solution: increase government spending on businesses and reduce corporate taxes. Not a single solution is geared towards the people.

How about larger income credits for children? How about a stimulus package that directly benefits the people over businesses? You keep giving businesses money in hopes they do more for people and they keep proving you wrong. Try a new route.

So, where have the funds gone from the sales tax increases?

Well they spent half of the expected extra revenues already on giving families like mine (which don't need assistance), assistance, but probably some needy people are getting something. I keep telling myself that.

The other half of the extra revenues is supposed to be used to simply reduce the rate of growth in public debt - e.g. pay for a little more of the spending the government has already been doing, anyway. Go further into debt, just a little bit more slowly. 

They keep saying consumer spending is shrinking.

Given the shrinking population, it seems to me like a no-brainer that consumer spending is going to shrink. Unless the aging population that is left starts spending so much more per capita to be able to offset the shrinking number of overall consumers.

The sales tax hike is hurting the economy. 

It's excessive government spending and unsustainable government programs that have led to the sales tax hike, I think that is the root cause of this mess. The root causes must be addressed, not the consequences and symptoms.

How about larger income credits for children?

But they already made stuff free for families like mine with children of certain ages. And my family doesn't even need this free stuff. I'd rather they simply stopped such willy-nilly spending.

You keep giving businesses money in hopes they do more for people 

Personally I think Japan needs to make it's business environment the most attractive in the world. That plus lots of other reforms.

The government has already given me extra money after this tax rate hike, and I simply pocket it and go on as before. That's just me of course.

Where does the money keep popping up from? Japan is nearly 280% of GDP in debt. To keep spending is fiscally suicidal!

So, where have the funds gone from the sales tax increases? These were supposed to be used instead of increasing the public debt. I’m curious if any of these ruling party law makers have actually studied economics. It would seem the answer is obviously, no.

NO! The consumption tax increase was solely marked for child care and related issues!

This wouldn't be a bad idea if it were to promote growth.

Propping up dairy farmers with fifteen cows against lowered tariffs is about as far from promoting growth as you can get.

analysts have doubts about Abe's ability to spend such a large amount given Japan's government debt, which is twice the size of its $5 trillion economy and the industrial world's heaviest public debt burden

What this does not mention is, almost all of this debt is owed to Japanese. Therefore, its a stable debt, no need to panic.

As another poster stated, we should be looking at wasteful government spending. Of course, they’ll never do that or just cut the token publicly funded cherry blossom party. Next in line: individual income tax top rate increases to 80% (well, they’re rich and everyone hates rich people, right?), and while we’re at it, let’s increase the inheritance top rate to 80% too (the dead won’t need the money anyway).