野党やとう7党とうが提出ていしゅつのガソリン税ぜい暫定ざんてい税率ぜいりつ廃止はいし法案ほうあん きょう審議しんぎ入いり

With just three days left until the end of the current Diet session, deliberations began on the 19th for a bill submitted by seven opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party, to abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate starting next month.

The bill was submitted by seven opposition parties: the Constitutional Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, the Democratic Party for the People, the Communist Party, the Sanseito, the Japan Conservative Party, and the Social Democratic Party. An explanation of its purpose was given at the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Affairs on the morning of the 19th, and deliberations have begun.

The bill abolishes the provisional gasoline tax rate starting next month, requires the government to take financial measures to prevent any impact on retailers such as gas stations, and obligates compensation for the decrease in revenue for local governments.

The Constitutional Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council Chairman, Shigetoku, who submitted the proposal, said, “In addition to rising prices, considering the tense situation in the Middle East, there is a risk that gasoline prices could soar even higher.”

I would like to receive constructive opinions toward reaching an agreement, he said.

Regarding the bill, while the ruling party had been reluctant to begin deliberations, the opposition submitted a motion to dismiss the chairman of the Committee on Financial Affairs, which was passed on the 18th. As a result, Mr. Akutsu from the Constitutional Democratic Party was newly appointed as chairman, and the chairmanship shifted from the ruling party to the opposition.

The bill is scheduled to be discussed in committee on the 20th, and while the opposition wants to proceed with deliberations, with only three days left in the current Diet session and the ruling parties holding a majority in the House of Councillors, its passage remains uncertain.