2010 JUNE 23 - JUNE 29


Is a 10% consumption tax really to benefit social welfare services?
Prime Minister Kan Naoto says that because the government is “ten trillion yen short” of funding social welfare programs, it will be necessary to increase the consumption tax rate to ten percent from the present five percent. Is this really the only option?

Japan’s corporate tax is not as high as business circles claim
Thanks to the government’s system of corporate tax exemptions, Japan’s top 100 companies pay only around 30 percent in corporate taxes, much lower than the legal rate of 40 percent. While business circles call for the rate to be lowered to 25 percent, Sumitomo Chemical, for instance, paid only 16 percent in corporate tax.

50th anniversary of the Japan-US Security Treaty: an outdated and unnecessary military alliance
The Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, the axis of the bilateral military alliance, on June 23 marks its 50th anniversary. Its half century history and current reality highlight the outdated characteristics of the alliance, which has nothing to do with the Japan’s defense.

UPPER HOUSE ELECTION
Party heads debate consumption tax and Futenma base issue
Iju victory in Okinawa is most effective way of resolving Futenma base issue
Proposed cut in proportional representation seats aims to lock out majority public opinion
18-day election battle officially starts
Anti-base SDP ties up with pro-base DPJ in election
DPJ manual shows candidates how to explain away policy change to voters
DPJ Edano falsely attacks JCP regarding trade union support

CONSUMPTION TAX HIKE
Deficiency in revenues from corporate and income taxes, not from consumption tax - Akahata editorial (excerpts)
Is a 10% consumption tax really to benefit social welfare services?
DPJ plans to enact a tax hike bill by March 2011
How can ‘strong economy’ be built with consumption tax hike? - Akahata ‘current’ column

CORPORATE TAX IN QUESTION
Corporate tax is not as high as business circles claim
Top 20 firms increase their internal reserves by 1.5 trillion yen
‘High’ corporate tax is not the reason for their moves overseas

US FORCES
50th anniversary of the revised Japan-US Security Treaty: an outdated and unnecessary military alliance
PM in Okinawa never touches on Futenma issue
Elementary school next to Futenma base conducts plane crash evacuation drill
Kan promises Obama realization of Japan-U.S. agreement on Futenma
50 years of Japan-US Alliance
SOFA, the Darkness - Part VII

JCP
Ogata meets with Philippine ambassador