tax

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Association to End Consumption Tax will strengthen movement

The National Association to End the Consumption Tax on November 16 held its 16th general meeting in Tokyo and determined to strengthen the movement at the grass-roots level in opposition to the government plans for a consumption tax increase in 2007.

The meeting was attended by 134 people representing regional associations in 41 prefectures including Tokyo.

General Secretary Kinefuchi Tomoko in the report to the meeting said that under the slogan of "Stop the drafting and submission to the Diet of a bill to increase the consumption tax rate," the association collected 38,000 new members.

The meeting adopted a call on the public to join the movement opposing consumption tax increases, with signature collecting campaigns as a main component.

One participant warned that the consumption tax will be used to support wars if Article 9 of the Constitution is adversely revised. Another proposed strengthening the movement for the defense of Article 9 and the association's movement against consumption tax increase side by side.

A representative from Okinawa stated that Okinawans in particular feel the burden of the consumption tax, as their income level is 70 percent of the national average.

Following the Liberal Democratic Party's landslide victory in the general election, the government and the LDP have begun to discuss a consumption tax rate increase. A representative from Aichi Prefecture said that a shop clerk who had been indifferent to the association's campaign before became willing to cooperate. -- Akahata, November 7&9, 2005