Nearly Half in Japan Support Consumer Tax Cut Plan: Jiji Poll

Tokyo, Aug. 13 (Jiji Press)–Nearly half of respondents in Japan support the government’s plan to cut consumption tax on food items to virtually zero, a Jiji Press survey for August has shown. In the survey, 49.1 pct backed the plan, while 31.6 pct opposed it. The opposition Democratic Party for the People is negative about the plan. But more than half of respondents supporting the party expressed approval of it. The government has adopted the plan to cut the consumption tax rate for food and beverage items to 1 pct for two years from April 2027. It also plans to provide cash benefits to low- and middle-income people, effectively cutting the tax to zero. Of respondents backing the DPFP, 57.1 pct supported the government’s plan, while 33.3 pct showed a negative opinion. Among supporters of Sanseito, 61.1 pct approved the plan, while 27.8 pct opposed it. Opinions were equally divided among Komeito supporters. Among those who back the Centrist Reform Alliance, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Team Mirai and the Japanese Communist Party, there were more opposing opinions than those in agreement. Among supporters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, 65.9 pct were in favor while 23.3 pct were against. The proportions stood at 59.4 pct and 37.5 pct, respectively, for supporters of the Japan Innovation Party, the LDP’s ally. Over the tax cut plan, the government faces problems such as possible support for small farmers and restaurant businesses, both expected to suffer income declines due to the tax cut. By occupation, 42.1 pct of respondents working in the agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries expressed support for the plan, lower than 47.4 pct who expressed opposition. In the commerce, manufacturing and services sector, 48.0 pct were in favor, while 31.6 pct were opposed. The interview survey was conducted for four days through Sunday on 1,974 individuals aged 18 or older nationwide excluding Kumamoto Prefecture, hit hard by a recent powerful earthquake. Valid responses came from 59.1 pct. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]