ID :
83243
Tue, 10/06/2009 - 12:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/83243
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Nearly 60% of DPJ lawmakers consider future sales tax hike necessary+
TOKYO, Oct. 5 Kyodo -
Nearly 60 percent of lower house members from the ruling Democratic Party of
Japan believe that the government will need to raise the consumption tax rate
in the future in order to drastically reform Japan's pension system, a Kyodo
News survey showed Monday.
The survey, which was conducted Sept. 16-18 and received responses from 210 of
the DPJ's 308 lawmakers elected to the House of Representatives in the Aug. 30
general election, found that 57.6 percent believe it will be necessary to hike
the sales tax rate from the current 5 percent.
Although the DPJ-led government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has pledged
not to raise the tax for four years, the finding indicates that a large number
of DPJ lawmakers consider a future tax hike unavoidable due to growing social
welfare expenses amid the nation's declining birthrate and aging population.
While 18.6 percent said the tax rate should be maintained at the current rate,
23.8 percent did not respond to the question.
The survey also found that 62.4 percent anticipate that additional stimulus
measures will be required this autumn as domestic economic activity could
stall.
But 64.3 percent voiced opposition to an increase in the issuance of
deficit-covering government bonds to finance the measures.
With regard to Hatoyama's proposal for a 25 percent cut in Japan's greenhouse
gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2020, an overwhelming 90.5 percent expressed
support. But 7.1 percent said the target was too high.
In addition, 77.1 percent said a carbon tax will be necessary after the
abolition of provisional tax rates on gasoline and other road-related items.
Asked how social welfare benefits should be upgraded, 54.8 percent said the
government should cut other expenditures to secure financial resources, while
22.9 percent called for tax and premium increases.
A large number of respondents regard employment security and support for small
and midsize companies as priority economic measures, with some backing
Financial Services Minister Shizuka Kamei's proposal for the introduction of a
debt-repayment moratorium for cash-strapped small businesses.
==Kyodo
Nearly 60 percent of lower house members from the ruling Democratic Party of
Japan believe that the government will need to raise the consumption tax rate
in the future in order to drastically reform Japan's pension system, a Kyodo
News survey showed Monday.
The survey, which was conducted Sept. 16-18 and received responses from 210 of
the DPJ's 308 lawmakers elected to the House of Representatives in the Aug. 30
general election, found that 57.6 percent believe it will be necessary to hike
the sales tax rate from the current 5 percent.
Although the DPJ-led government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has pledged
not to raise the tax for four years, the finding indicates that a large number
of DPJ lawmakers consider a future tax hike unavoidable due to growing social
welfare expenses amid the nation's declining birthrate and aging population.
While 18.6 percent said the tax rate should be maintained at the current rate,
23.8 percent did not respond to the question.
The survey also found that 62.4 percent anticipate that additional stimulus
measures will be required this autumn as domestic economic activity could
stall.
But 64.3 percent voiced opposition to an increase in the issuance of
deficit-covering government bonds to finance the measures.
With regard to Hatoyama's proposal for a 25 percent cut in Japan's greenhouse
gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2020, an overwhelming 90.5 percent expressed
support. But 7.1 percent said the target was too high.
In addition, 77.1 percent said a carbon tax will be necessary after the
abolition of provisional tax rates on gasoline and other road-related items.
Asked how social welfare benefits should be upgraded, 54.8 percent said the
government should cut other expenditures to secure financial resources, while
22.9 percent called for tax and premium increases.
A large number of respondents regard employment security and support for small
and midsize companies as priority economic measures, with some backing
Financial Services Minister Shizuka Kamei's proposal for the introduction of a
debt-repayment moratorium for cash-strapped small businesses.
==Kyodo
