Tokyo, Oct. 15 (Jiji Press)–A majority in Japan support legislation to cut the consumption tax on food and introduce an income-linked benefit program, a Jiji Press opinion poll showed. The poll found that 55.3 pct of respondents supported the legislation while 37.3 pct opposed it. The legislation is designed to cut the 8 pct consumption tax on food to 1 pct for two years from next April and introduce a cash benefit program linked to income levels in order to cushion the impact of soaring prices. The administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her ruling coalition aim to get the legislation through the Diet, the country’s parliament, during its ongoing session that ends on Dec. 12. The Democratic Party for the People and Komeito, both opposition parties, have stepped up their criticism of the legislation, citing the lack of a clear funding source and the absence of details about the benefit system. Among supporters of the two parties, however, support outweighed opposition. The poll also showed that 51.2 pct said political parties should reach a conclusion on talks aimed at reducing seats in the House of Representatives, the Diet’s lower chamber, during the current session. In contrast, 36 pct said there was no need to rush a conclusion. Among supporters of Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party, the Japan Innovation Party, its coalition partner, the DPFP and Sanseito, another opposition party, a majority wanted a conclusion on the matter to be reached in the current parliamentary session. The interview-based survey, conducted over four days through Monday, covered 2,000 people aged 18 or older nationwide. Valid responses came from 58.4 pct. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
