2009 October 14 - 20 [
ECONOMY]
Consumers calls on JCP to work to cut consumption tax
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October 15, 2009
The National Association to End the Consumption Tax on October 14 made representations to the Japanese Communist Party, requesting that the JCP work hard to prevent an increase in the consumption tax and make daily necessities tax-exempt.
Members of the association called for a retraction of the tax-hike plan the previous government made as well as for an immediate cut in the consumption tax levied on articles of daily use, including food items.
They also proposed that in order to secure the financial sources needed to improve social welfare programs, the government should eliminate the wasteful use of tax revenues and collect more in taxes from large corporations and the wealthy.
Secretary-general of the association Umemura Saeko said, “We are experiencing hardships and the worst-ever employment situation. The poverty rate is increasing even among children. The immediate need is to make food items tax-exempt.”
JCP representative Koike Akira responded, “Business circles are seeking further cuts in corporate taxes and an increase in the consumption tax as a funding resource for welfare services, but the JCP in its recent CC 9th Plenum decided to make greater efforts to oppose tax hikes and to exempt groceries from taxable goods. Let’s work together to achieve this goal!”
The association on the same day submitted a similar written request to the Social Democratic Party as well. - Akahata, October 15, 2009
