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Do you think the Japanese government should go ahead with the planned sales tax hikes?

15 Comments
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15 Comments
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Initially, the rise in the consumption tax would cover the shortfall in the national pensions. Is that still the purpose?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Compared to all other countries, 8% is a cake walk

But the tax, at least in the US, isn't put on basic foodstuffs, every tomato you buy. Fast food is taxed, but groceries are not.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Yeah ..let's pay more money for food,baby clothes,books,magazines,education.......and let's tax all the poor people the same as the rich!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Agree with kickboard, I pay 780yen for 2kg of Brazilian chicken breasts, 500yen for 800gm of wieners, 29yen for a block of tofu.

Just need to know where to shop, Vienna, London, Paris, etc are very pricey. Especially for travellers I know as my business often takes me there.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In Japan food costs nearly triple what it does in America, and more than double what it is in Europe.

Uh ... no. Have you lived in Vienna? New York? Food costs more there than in Tokyo. There are many expensive restaurants in Tokyo, but if you cook for yourself it is really cheap. Let me give you a few examples. I just bought a bag of 6 raisin bread rolls at my local supermarket (I live within the 23 wards) for 88 yen. I also got a 300 gram pack of soba (100g is one serving) for 90 yen. A generic brand retort-pouch curry costs 58 yen. I get ionized water for free from the supermarket (you just pay a 350 yen one time fee for the 4 liter container). A bundle of 5 bananas is 138 yen. Should I go on?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Compared to all other countries, 8% is a cake walk, would be nice if people could have some perspective.

The problem is that despite their belief that most Japanese live middle-class lifestyles, the average income in Japan is less than other developed countries. Added to the fact that Japanese do not have high incomes to begin with, life in Japan is more expensive than in other countries. The amount of disposable income (money left over after paying for normal living expenses) is among the lowest of developed countries. In Japan food costs nearly triple what it does in America, and more than double what it is in Europe. How is that for perspective? Add the costs of the taxes which already excist; income tax, residency tax, national health insurance, national pension, and the 5% sales tax. Then add the hidden taxes which we all pay, but which we don't notice, like the taxes added to our phone, gas, water, and electricity bills. Then there is the corporate taxes which companies have to pay, but the cost of corporate tax is passed directly to the consumers. If you take the time to do the math, you might find that 60% or more of your pay each month ends up being spent on tax. How is that for perspective?

Simply stated, life in Japan as it is is no "cakewalk", and taking away yet another 3% to 5% is going to hurt.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Raise it, but not so high. It's too much of a hike in too short a time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

My mother used to say to me, "what happened to the money I already gave you?" when I spent the money I was given. Whatever we give the government in taxes, they will eat it and then take more. Cut and freeze elected officials salaries by 15% until the economy is sound, start monitoring the use of welfare (I personally know families in Hokkaido on welfare that have an iPhone5 per each member of the family, their reason being they need to be able to contact employers for possible jobs) and let's RAISE the minimum raise so that working pays more than welfare.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

in gnrl, less taxes the better,

but esp consumption tax which disproportionately hits middle and lower income folks and esp families

0 ( +0 / -0 )

PeterP

Yes 8% is lower but here it applies to food, also resident tax & health "insurance" are based on income so need to be factored in.

I voted no, but would vote yes if govt cut ALL ministries budgets by 15%(they could EASILY handle that if they had the stones!), & cut out kick backs & amakudari etc as these are a noose around Japans neck. Do these & THEN ask me about an increase & I will likely gladly oblige!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

this maybe offset by the corporate tax decreases

Increasing taxes on the working class and decreasing taxes on the owners of capital hasn't resulted in an improved economy in other countries to my knowledge. But Japan is 'unique' so maybe trickle down economics will work here.

Perhaps Abe should decrease corporate taxes on corporations that invest in development in Japan, not increase taxes on the consumers, and see if jobs & incomes increase, decrease, or remain the same before raising taxes.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I wish the Japanese had some patriotism, then you could say "if you love your country, you'll accept this need gracefully." No one gives a damn though, except for the ultra right wingers.

Compared to all other countries, 8% is a cake walk, would be nice if people could have some perspective.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

tough call, a tax increase would have a negative effect on the economy by a factor 1-3x depending on who you ask. this maybe offset by the corporate tax decreases abe is considering but may also alienate voters if it doesn't and economy doesn't continue to improve.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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