Food Consumption Tax Cut to 1% From Next April to Be Proposed

Jun 24, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - A cross-party national council discussing a reduction in the consumption tax on food will present a draft proposal on June 24 calling for the rate to be lowered to 1% from April next year.

A working group set up under the nonpartisan council will meet on June 24 to discuss a draft interim report ahead of a deadline at the end of June.

At a meeting last week, Itsunori Onodera, chair of the Liberal Democratic Party’s tax system research commission and head of the working group, presented a chairman’s proposal to lower the consumption tax on food to 1% for two years starting next April.

The draft report is expected to be based on Onodera’s proposal while also referring to arguments made by opposition parties. According to people familiar with the matter, it will also include the need to respond to the impact of the tax cut on the restaurant industry and farmers.

The council will begin discussions this week to consolidate views, but coordination with opposition parties is expected to be difficult.

Source: TBS

Heatstroke Alerts Issued for Record 19 Prefectures

Japan's environment and weather authorities have issued heatstroke alerts for a record 19 prefectures for July 15, warning that dangerous heat is expected to create an extremely high risk of heatstroke, including the first such alerts this year for the Kanto region.

Russian Spy Base In Japan?

Japan has become an unexpected base of operations for Russian intelligence agents since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with spies allegedly using the country to procure and smuggle high-tech equipment and other goods to Russia, The New York Times reported on July 12.

Convenience Stores Tackle Bear Crisis

Convenience store operators in Japan are strengthening safety measures as bear-related damage grows more serious, with Lawson expanding the use of bear repellent spray and considering drone-based remote monitoring.

Osaka’s Minami Rebuilt Into Tourist Hub

Osaka’s Minami district, now entering another period of major change with the planned opening of the Naniwasuji Line, the redevelopment of Midosuji and improvements around Nankai Namba Station, has transformed from an area once described as "scary" and "dirty" into one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations.

Crowds Join First Pull of 10-Ton Gion Festival Float

A 10-ton hoko float was pulled through central Kyoto on July 12 in a trial run ahead of the Yamahoko Junko procession during the Gion Festival's early parade.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Takaichi Faces Diet Endgame As BOJ And Imperial House Issues Converge

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moved to contain political pressure on July 14 by confirming that she will attend intensive Budget Committee deliberations later this week, as the final days of the Diet session turned into a test of her parliamentary management, economic policy credibility and conservative legislative agenda.

Fukuoka Assembly Faces Scrutiny Over Luxury Travel

The Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly is facing mounting scrutiny over its use of public funds after revelations that assembly members spent about 45 million yen in one year on overseas inspection trips, including a Hawaii visit that cost nearly 12 million yen for four members.

Osaka City Approves Japan's First Citywide Vacant Home Tax

Neyagawa in Osaka Prefecture has approved Japan's first citywide tax on vacant homes, imposing a new municipal levy at a rate of 35% on owners in addition to existing fixed-asset taxes from fiscal 2029.

Reiwa Party Chief Steps Down Over Speeding and Health Issues

Taro Yamamoto, leader of Reiwa Shinsengumi, announced on July 10 that he will resign as party leader and retire from politics, citing both a speeding violation that resulted in criminal penalties and ongoing health problems.

Takaichi’s Growth Strategy Under Pressure

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s economic strategy came under renewed scrutiny on July 8 as the government considered softening language in its long-term policy blueprint that had raised concerns over political pressure on the Bank of Japan, while the administration continued to face Diet tensions over its legislative agenda before the current session ends next week.

Japan, U.S., South Korea Agree to Promote Next-Generation Small Modular Reactors

Japan, the United States and South Korea have agreed to work together to promote the introduction of next-generation small modular reactors, signing a memorandum of cooperation at a foreign ministers' meeting in Turkey on July 7.

LDP and Ishin Leaders Meet as Diet Remains Stalled

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura held talks on July 7 as Diet deliberations remained stalled over opposition resistance to two bills Ishin is seeking to pass, including legislation to cut the number of lawmakers and a bill to establish a secondary capital.

Opposition Boycott Leaves Diet Committees Running on Empty

Opposition parties boycotted Diet deliberations after accusing the ruling bloc of forcing debate on bills to cut the number of lawmakers and create a secondary capital system, leaving committee sessions to proceed without them and exposing widening rifts not only between the ruling and opposition camps but also within the government and ruling coalition.

< 2 3 4 5 >