Japan Press Weekly

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2012 January 11 - 17 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Major papers all support for tax hike

On the day following the inauguration of the reshuffled Noda Cabinet on January 13, all the major newspapers ran editorials stating that an increase in the consumption tax is unavoidable.

Without mentioning public opposition, these editorials preach the need for a tax hike in similar ways, which call into question the integrity of the media.

Such major papers as Yomiuri, Asahi, Mainichi, and Nikkei did not even touch on public concerns that the tax hike plan, ostensibly to secure finances for social welfare programs, would not stop the deterioration of public services and would further deal a heavy blow to the already-ailing Japanese economy.

Those papers are nothing but an instrument of power, instead of a power watchdog which is supposed to be their primary role, Akahata editorialized.

Abe Hiroshi, secretary general of the Japan Congress of Journalists, said, “It is ideologically revealing that all the major papers ran articles in favor of an increase in the consumption tax, the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement, the U.S. Futenma base relocation to Nago City, and the resumption of operations of nuclear reactors.”

Abe added, “On the other hand, local papers of Okinawa and of the 3.11 disaster-hit region express the demands of the residents suffering from U.S. base burdens and the disaster victims. These papers argue that a consumption tax raise is outrageous. In sharp contrast, newspapers of national circulation back the Noda government while they leave the reality of the disaster-stricken areas aside.”

He also said, “National papers are not reporting on such key issues as the military budget, tax breaks for large corporations, and public subsidies to political parties. These papers are in actuality encouraging the government to make a compromise with the previous ruling parties in order to immediately embark on a consumption tax increase.”