立たつ民みん 野田のだ代表だいひょう “原則げんそく1年ねん 食料しょくりょう品ひんの消費しょうひ税ぜいゼロ 参院さんいん選せん公約こうやくに”

Debate over the handling of the consumption tax is intensifying among both the ruling and opposition parties, with an eye on the upcoming summer House of Councillors election.

Representative Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party expressed the intention to include in the partys pledges for the House of Councillors election a plan to reduce the consumption tax rate on food items to zero percent for one year in principle, and then transition to a tax credit with benefits system, which would provide benefits or income tax deductions.

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, which had been debating how to handle the consumption tax issue, decided on the 24th to leave it up to Representative Noda and others to determine how to include it in their campaign pledges for the House of Councillors election. The final discussions were held at the executive board meeting on the 25th.

After this, Mr. Noda indicated at a press conference that he intends to include in his campaign pledges for the upcoming summer House of Councillors election a proposal to reduce the consumption tax rate on food items to zero percent for one year in principle, and then transition to a tax credit with benefits, which would involve providing benefits or income tax deductions.

The period of the reduction can be extended only once depending on economic conditions, and they also indicated their intention to put together short-term measures against rising prices.

On the other hand, regarding financial resources, it was revealed that Policy Research Council Chairman Shigetoku has been instructed to consider ways to secure them without relying on government bonds, and in a manner that does not burden local finances or future generations.

Mr. Noda said, I am the very person who promoted the integrated reform of social security and taxation.

I place importance on fiscal discipline, but if we focus only on fiscal discipline, it could distort people’s lives.

When real life gets tough, take practical measures too.

I am confident that we will be able to act in a unified manner, as I had shared with all the members that we would come together once a conclusion was reached, he said.

Regarding the handling of the consumption tax, Mr. Noda, who served as Prime Minister under the Democratic Party administration in 2012, reached an agreement with the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito as part of integrated reforms of social security and taxation, deciding to raise the tax rate in stages to 8% and then 10%. He has maintained a cautious stance toward lowering the tax rate, taking into account the burden on future generations.

Consumption tax: Lively discussions between both the ruling and opposition parties. Regarding how to handle the consumption tax, many other opposition parties, such as Nippon Ishin no Kai and the Democratic Party for the People, are also calling for a reduction in the tax rate.

Also, within the Liberal Democratic Party, there are opinions from the House of Councillors calling for a reduction in the tax rate.