Japan Press Weekly

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2009 April 29 - May 12 [FINANCE]

Shii calls for thoroughgoing discussion of the FY2009 supplementary budget plan

At a meeting of the board of directors of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on May 7, the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties used their force of majority to take a vote on the FY 2009 supplementary budget on May 12 in defiance of objections from opposition parties.

At a news conference later in the day, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said, “The deliberation of the FY2009 supplementary budget plan has just begun. Taking a vote on May 12 is unacceptable. A thorough budget committee discussion is absolutely necessary.”

Shii added, “The government supplementary budget plan includes the issuance of more deficit-covering bonds and construction bonds, and intends to balance the budget by a consumption tax hike. The supplementary budget scheme begins with pork-barrel spending and ends with a consumption tax increase.”

Shii also said that the JCP again urged the government to hold an intensive discussion and to summon a sworn witness regarding the issue of “politics and money” and the issue of employment.

Ruling party politicians emphasize consumption tax hike

Earlier in the day, the deliberation of the FY2009 supplementary budget plan started at the Lower House Budget Committee meeting.

Using his question time, LDP representative and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura Nobutaka made clear that the ruling parties’ policy is one of increasing the consumption tax rate, stating, “In a supplementary provision (of the revised 2009 tax law), the incorporated policy on a drastic revision of the tax system states that when the economic situation recovers, the consumption tax rate will be increased and the corporate tax rate will be decreased. This shows the ruling block’s sense of responsibility.”

Finance Minister Yosano Kaoru emphasized the need for a tax increase under the pretext of financing social services by saying, “In the future, when the government increases the consumption tax rate, the added tax revenue shall be used to improve the pension system, medical services, nursing-care services, and countermeasures against the falling birthrate.”