January 14, 2011
Prime Minister Kan Naoto at the Democratic Party of Japan’s convention on January 13 stated that he will create the “most powerful party organization” to promote a “reform of Japan,” including raising the consumption tax rate and joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.
Kan, also the DPJ President, said that he will again call for convening a “cross-party discussion” on a consumption tax hike. He further said, “If opposition parties do not actively participate in this discussion, such an act will amount to going against history.”
PM Kan also declared that he will fully open Japan to other countries and will reform the nation, expressing his firm determination to promote trade liberalization by such means as joining the TPP.
Many people from business circles, including Yonekura Hiromasa, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), attended the convention. Yonekura called on the ruling DPJ to conduct a “fundamental structural reform.” In addition to “fundamental reform of the taxation system,” he urged the government to participate in the TPP and conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with other major countries in order to “survive the global competition.”
Kan, also the DPJ President, said that he will again call for convening a “cross-party discussion” on a consumption tax hike. He further said, “If opposition parties do not actively participate in this discussion, such an act will amount to going against history.”
PM Kan also declared that he will fully open Japan to other countries and will reform the nation, expressing his firm determination to promote trade liberalization by such means as joining the TPP.
Many people from business circles, including Yonekura Hiromasa, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), attended the convention. Yonekura called on the ruling DPJ to conduct a “fundamental structural reform.” In addition to “fundamental reform of the taxation system,” he urged the government to participate in the TPP and conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with other major countries in order to “survive the global competition.”
