May 31, 2022

The Japanese Communist Party Dietmembers’ Group submitted a bill to lower the consumption tax rate and abolish the consumption tax invoice system to the House of Councilors on May 30.

The bill aims to reduce the consumption tax rate to 5% from the current 10% and stipulates measures the national government needs to take in order to cancel its plan to introduce the invoice system.

After submitting the bill to Secretary General of the Upper House Okamura Takashi, JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira and JCP member of the Upper House Daimon Mikishi held a press conference in the Diet building.

Daimon said to the press, “JCP Dietmembers have repeatedly demanded cuts in the consumption tax. The current rate of inflation is dealing a heavy blow to many people. So, we decided to present the bill now to further press the government to lower the tax rate.”

He explained, “A 5% consumption tax will automatically lead to the abolition of the invoice system, and the bill makes this clear. The bill includes a medium-to-long term schedule for the government to implement measures in order to do away with the invoice system.”

He said that the JCP notified the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the “Reiwa Shinsengumi” party, and two Upper House political groups (Okinawa Whirlwind, Hekisui-kai) of the submission of the bill, adding “The JCP will explore ways to work together with these parties to achieve the consumption tax cut, even if just temporarily.”