ID :
14905
Tue, 08/05/2008 - 14:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/14905
The shortlink copeid
Economic package to aim at providing relief amid oil surges: Ibuki+
and other everyday items.
''It is outrageous that commodity prices are soaring while wage levels are not rising,'' Ibuki said of the current situation in an interview with Kyodo News and other news organizations.
He also said the government needs to support industries that have been unable to pass on surging raw material prices to consumers.
The minister said the government has extended help to individual sectors such as the fishery and livestock industries, which have been hit by increased prices for fuel and grain, with outlays already earmarked in the existing budget.
''We have accelerated the budget implementation and it has had a certain effect. But the general public will not see further effects if the budget allocation continues to decline,'' he said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda asked Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano to craft a new comprehensive economic stimulus package as soon as possible.
Ibuki said he believes Fukuda wants to send a message to the people through the compilation of the economic package that the government will ease their anxiety.
The former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party also said he has the impression that Japanese exports have been in a ''very serious situation'' as shipments to the United States and elsewhere have been declining amid the global economic slowdown.
''Exports are one of the major factors of effective demand. (The contemplated package) will be designed to provide relief'' for the decline in exports, Ibuki said.
The minister said he will consult with Yosano on the details of the planned set of economic measures.
Turning to fiscal matters, Ibuki indicated that the ruling parties will call for a tax increase to carry out necessary social security projects during the campaign for the House of Representatives election, which must be held by September 2009.
But the minister said the campaign pledge will not necessarily advocate hikes in the rates of specific tax items -- notably the consumption tax.
As for measures to realize the scheduled increase in the state's financial burden for the public pension scheme from the current one-third to one-half from fiscal 2009 starting next April, Ibuki said the government will try to find ''stopgap revenue sources'' for the first year.
The government will eventually need to secure permanent revenue sources for the increased state funding of the pension system, but before that, it could look into possible hikes in tax items such as tobacco tax, Ibuki suggested.
''It is outrageous that commodity prices are soaring while wage levels are not rising,'' Ibuki said of the current situation in an interview with Kyodo News and other news organizations.
He also said the government needs to support industries that have been unable to pass on surging raw material prices to consumers.
The minister said the government has extended help to individual sectors such as the fishery and livestock industries, which have been hit by increased prices for fuel and grain, with outlays already earmarked in the existing budget.
''We have accelerated the budget implementation and it has had a certain effect. But the general public will not see further effects if the budget allocation continues to decline,'' he said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda asked Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano to craft a new comprehensive economic stimulus package as soon as possible.
Ibuki said he believes Fukuda wants to send a message to the people through the compilation of the economic package that the government will ease their anxiety.
The former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party also said he has the impression that Japanese exports have been in a ''very serious situation'' as shipments to the United States and elsewhere have been declining amid the global economic slowdown.
''Exports are one of the major factors of effective demand. (The contemplated package) will be designed to provide relief'' for the decline in exports, Ibuki said.
The minister said he will consult with Yosano on the details of the planned set of economic measures.
Turning to fiscal matters, Ibuki indicated that the ruling parties will call for a tax increase to carry out necessary social security projects during the campaign for the House of Representatives election, which must be held by September 2009.
But the minister said the campaign pledge will not necessarily advocate hikes in the rates of specific tax items -- notably the consumption tax.
As for measures to realize the scheduled increase in the state's financial burden for the public pension scheme from the current one-third to one-half from fiscal 2009 starting next April, Ibuki said the government will try to find ''stopgap revenue sources'' for the first year.
The government will eventually need to secure permanent revenue sources for the increased state funding of the pension system, but before that, it could look into possible hikes in tax items such as tobacco tax, Ibuki suggested.
