March 13, 2010

On March 12, as Hatoyama Cabinet ministers are calling for a consumption tax increase just three days before the March 15 tax return deadline, the 41st annual action opposing a tax increase was held at 570 locations throughout Japan with about 165,000 participants, including small- and medium-sized business owners, farmers, and pensioners.

A 38-year-old carpenter said, “A consumption tax rate increase to 10%-15% will make my life harder yet and will destroy my business.” A 78-year-old man running a car repair shop stated, “If the consumption tax rate is raised, I will have to give up my business.”
- Akahata, March 13, 2010