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

Small traders band together to block tax increase

About 1,500 people in small- and medium-sized businesses from all over Japan gathered in a rally in Tokyo on February 13 to oppose tax increases and constitutional revision. After the rally they walked in demonstration through the center of Tokyo.

The rally was organized by the National Liaison Council of Small and Medium Enterprises Circles, a group established in 1972 by 28 organizations representing the welfare of small traders and producers.

In the last three years under the Koizumi Cabinet, over 560,000 small businesses were driven into closures or bankruptcies. Following the reduction of the tax exemption limit for the consumption tax to 10 million yen in sales, 1.28 million small traders and producers will have to pay the consumption tax.

Speaking on behalf of the Japanese Communist Party, House of Representatives member Shiokawa Tetsuya called on participants in the rally to resist the Koizumi Cabinet's undemocratic government with people's action in solidarity.

A representative from Kumamoto reported that small shop sales fell by 30 percent in the center of Kumamoto City, and the number of shops and employees also decreased due to the inroads of large-scale retailers into the city. He added that the shopping malls and local assembly members developed a movement to defend the regional economy and placed a freeze on plans for further inroads by large retail chains.

Kokubu Minoru, the National Liaison Council's representative, called on participants in the rally to reject consumption tax increases, defend the Constitution, and build a society that defends the interests of small businesses and the public. The rally adopted a resolution to that effect.
- Akahata, February 14, 2006