Japan ruling, opposition parties split over inflation relief

Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), said that food should be exempt from the consumption tax for two years. He also pledged to lower social insurance premiums.

Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, called for a temporary cut in the consumption tax rate to 5 per cent from the current 10 % and an income tax reduction.

Japanese Communist Party chief Tomoko Tamura also advocated a consumption tax rate reduction to 5 per cent.

Taro Yamamoto, leader of Reiwa Shinsengumi, proposed stimulating consumption through cash handouts and tax cuts. Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya proposed a gradual abolition of the consumption tax.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]

Photo by Reuters