The Japan Times9h ago
Consumption tax cut on groceries could do more harm than good if the cost of the plan dents confidence, weakens the yen and causes interest rates to rise. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/06/12/economy/takaichi-tax-cut-fiscal-concerns/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #consumptiontax #sanaetakaichi #ldp #inflation #japaneseeconomy
Consumption tax cut on groceries could do more harm than good

It could lead to less confidence in Japan’s fiscal state, a weaker yen, higher rates and slower economic growth.

The Japan Times
The Japan Times5d ago
The final decision on whether to reduce Japan's consumption tax rate on food to 0% or 1% will be left to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, an executive of her ruling Liberal Democratic Party suggested on Sunday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/07/japan/politics/consumption-tax-up-to-takaichi/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #consumptiontax #taxes #sanaetakaichi #ldp
Final decision on tax cut left to PM Takaichi: LDP exec

Since adjusting cash register systems for a 1% tax rate would take less time than for zero percent, implementing 1% next April is gaining support.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJun 4
The administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has carried forward its pledge to realize temporary consumption tax cuts on food products, but translating it into policy has proven more complicated than once thought. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/04/japan/politics/takaichi-consumption-tax-headache/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #ldp #consumptiontax #taxes #food #inflation
Consumption tax cut is quickly turning into a headache for Takaichi

Translating the pledge from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration into policy has proven more complicated than many lawmakers anticipated.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 13
Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the OECD, has expressed concern over the government's plan to temporarily lower the consumption tax on food items to zero, calling it not cost-effective. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/05/13/economy/oecd-chief-consumption-tax-cut/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #japaneseeconomy #taxes #consumptiontax
OECD chief sees Japan's zero consumption tax plan as costly

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration plans to reduce the consumption tax on food items to zero for two years to cope with inflation.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMar 10
In an about-face, the Democratic Party for the People says it will join a panel on social security while the Centrist Reform Alliance is also seriously considering it after both parties snubbed its inaugural meeting. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/09/japan/politics/consumption-tax-panel-cra-dpp/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #cra #dpp #taxes #consumptiontax #ldp #komeito #cdp #sanseito #jcp
CRA might join national council on consumption tax cut after all

Like the Democratic Party for the People, the party fears the political cost of not taking part in talks over the proposed consumption tax cut for food items.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMar 5
The Democratic Party for the People announced it would participate in the multi-party panel on a consumption tax cut, while the leader of the Centrist Reform Alliance signaled his party's willingness to join. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/05/japan/politics/japan-opposition-tax-cut-panel/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #cra #dpp #taxes #consumptiontax #ldp #sanaetakaichi
DPP to join panel on consumption tax cut

The Democratic Party for the People's announcement comes after it, along with the Centrist Reform Alliance, skipped the panel's inaugural meeting on Feb. 26.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 26
The CRA and DPP declined to participate Thursday a panel on temporarily lifting the consumption tax on groceries, where political wrangling had been expected between the ruling and opposition parties. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/26/japan/politics/consumption-tax-panel/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #consumptiontax #taxes #ldp #jip #dpp #cra #teammirai #sanaetakaichi
Consumption tax panel kicks off without two opposition parties

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had hoped to use the panel to achieve consensus across parties on how to lift the tax for two years.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 20
In her policy speech to parliament, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pitched her “responsible and proactive” fiscal policy as she sought to reassure markets that her goals are not overly expansionary. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/20/japan/politics/takaichi-policy-speech/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #japaneseeconomy #taxes #consumptiontax #taiwan #china #defense
Touting ‘responsible and proactive’ fiscal policy, Takaichi seeks to reassure markets

In her policy speech to parliament, the prime minister attempted to alleviate concerns that her policies are overly expansionary.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 19
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to eliminate the 8% consumption tax on groceries for two years, fulfilling her campaign pledge, but delivering the cut won’t be so simple. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/19/japan/politics/takaichi-consumption-tax/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #taxes #consumptiontax #cra #dpp #socialwelfare
Takaichi’s rocky road ahead to eliminate consumption tax on groceries

Before the Feb. 8 Lower House election, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to eliminate consumption tax on groceries for two years. How will she deliver?

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 16
A senior Centrist Reform Alliance official has suggested the party will consider whether to join a proposed national congress for talks on issues including a possible consumption tax cut. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/16/japan/cra-consumption-tax-cut-debate/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #consumptiontax #cra #junyaogawa #ldp
CRA to study joining national congress on consumption tax cut

Shinji Inoue, deputy secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said he wants 'as many parties as possible' to join the national congress.

The Japan Times