A recent Asahi Shimbun survey reveals divided public opinion on whether to maintain the current food consumption tax, implement a temporary two-year zero tax, or permanently abolish it.
In a nationwide telephone survey conducted by Asahi Shimbun on February 14 and 15, respondents were questioned about their views on the consumption tax for food items. The results showed a division in public opinion, with 36% favoring the maintenance of the current tax rate, 28% supporting a two-year elimination of the tax, and 31% advocating for a permanent zero tax. Additionally, a significant 71% of the respondents expressed concerns that reducing the consumption tax might negatively impact social security. This concern reflects the ongoing debate regarding fiscal policies and their potential implications for welfare programs in Japan.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been considering the introduction of a zero% consumption tax on food for a limited period of two years, discussing this in a bipartisan national assembly. In the survey, a little less than 30% supported the idea of a two-year tax elimination. Interestingly, among supporters of the Cabinet, nearly 34% favored the two-year zero tax, while only 15% of those disapproving of the Cabinet agreed with the temporary measure. Instead, 42% of the Cabinet disapprovers preferred a permanent abolition of the tax.
Analysis of the survey results by age group revealed that younger respondents aged 18–29 tended to favor maintaining the current tax (41%) and were less likely to support a permanent zero tax (19%). In contrast, individuals aged 40 and above leaned more towards the idea of a permanent zero tax, with nearly 40% endorsing this option. The responses indicated only minor differences between genders, highlighting a consensus on the need to reconsider food consumption tax policies in light of public concern for economic strain and social security funding.
