Japan Press Weekly

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2014 October 8 - 14 [POLITICS]

Iwate Pref. Assembly objects to further consumption tax hike

The Iwate Prefectural Assembly on October 10 adopted an opinion opposing the state’s plan to increase the consumption tax rate to 10% in October 2015. This is the first opinion paper of this kind approved by a prefectural assembly.

It was approved in response to a petition from the anti-consumption tax group in Iwate. The Liberal Democratic and Komei parties voted against the statement, while the Japanese Communist Party and other political groups in the assembly voted for the statement.

The statement points to the fact that many residents affected by the 2011 massive earthquake and tsunami are still living in temporary housing units and struggling to rebuild their lives. It criticizes the consumption tax hike to 8% implemented in April for hampering the recovery from the disaster. As the general public is increasingly suffering from heavier tax burdens, the planned consumption tax hike to 10% is totally unacceptable, the opinion paper stresses.

In Iwate, 14 out of 33 municipal assemblies adopted statements protesting the plan to increase the consumption tax rate to 10%.