25 Pct of Japanese Oppose Consumption Tax Cut: Jiji Poll

Tokyo, Feb. 19 (Jiji Press)–Nearly a quarter of people in Japan oppose cutting the consumption tax, a major issue in the Feb. 8 general election, a Jiji Press opinion poll showed Thursday. In the survey, conducted over the four days through Monday, 24.9 pct of respondents opposed any consumption tax cut, making up the largest group, followed by 20.7 pct who called for lowering the tax rate across the board, not just for food items. Reducing the tax rate to zero for food products for two years, a proposal by the ruling bloc in the election, was supported by 18.9 pct, while exempting food products from the tax permanently, a proposal by the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, was backed by 17.4 pct. Abolishing the consumption tax, as suggested by Reiwa Shinsengumi and Sanseito, received support from 10.8 pct. Of respondents who support the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, 26.0 pct opposed any consumption tax cut, exceeding the 24.2 pct who favored the two-year tax cut for food. The Democratic Party for the People, which proposed a blanket tax cut, saw the largest group, or 30.0 pct, of its supporters oppose cutting the tax. The Centrist Reform Alliance, the Japan Innovation Party, the LDP’s coalition partner, and Team Mirai received the most support from their respective supporters for their campaign pledges on the tax. Team Mirai was against a tax cut. The interview-based survey covered 2,000 people aged 18 or older across the country. Valid responses came from 55.7 pct. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]