The Democratic Party for the People, the Liberal Democratic Party, and the Komeito Party have begun discussions on the tax system, including raising the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier." While Democratic Party for the People leader Tamaki is enthusiastic, saying "desperate negotiations are about to begin," local governments that are expected to see a significant drop in revenue are raising voices of opposition. ■ "Annual income barrier" even for "autumn flavors" "Working less" in preparation for the peak season Prime Minister Ishiba enjoys persimmons, an autumn flavor. Q. How does it taste? Prime Minister Ishiba: "I ate it with gusto" At the annual autumn event in which persimmons from Nara Prefecture are presented to the Prime Minister, it is customary for the Prime Minister to compose a haiku. Prime Minister Ishiba: "Nara persimmons, autumn flourishes in both the village and the bay" He shared a haiku that included his own name. The ginkgo trees have turned color and autumn is beginning to deepen. Another "autumn flavor" is sweet potatoes. At a processing company in Ibaraki Prefecture, the production of dried sweet potatoes was at its peak. Koda Shoten President Onisawa Hiroyuki: "With the peak sales season for dried sweet potatoes approaching, our company is currently in maximum production mode. It's like the start of a new year for the dried sweet potato industry." In preparation for this time of year when manpower is needed, the president has been adjusting the working hours of part-time employees based on the "annual income barrier." Koda Shoten President Onisawa Hiroyuki: "For those who have an annual income barrier, I tell them to limit work during the slow periods, such as July and August, and the summer, and work as much as possible during the busy period at the end of the year. For those who have an annual income barrier, reduce your total hours per year." The company run by the president faces the "1.03 million yen barrier," which means that income tax is levied on annual incomes over 1.03 million yen, as well as the "1.3 million yen barrier," which means social insurance premiums are levied, and there are a total of 14 part-time employees who fall into these two barriers. Koda Shoten President Onisawa Hiroyuki: "The hours (of part-time employees) are being reduced as hourly wages rise every year. We hear countless voices saying that if there was no ceiling, we could work as much as we wanted." In a survey of around 1,700 companies nationwide conducted by Teikoku Databank, 67.8% of companies said they were in favor of raising the "1.03 million yen ceiling." ■Representative Tamaki: "Desperate negotiations are about to begin" What will happen to the "1.03 million yen ceiling"? Representative Tamaki of the Democratic Party for the People, who is leading the charge to raise the "1.03 million yen ceiling," said Representative Tamaki. Representative Tamaki Yuichiro of the Democratic Party for the People: "Discussions towards the climax of the tax system will begin today. Desperate negotiations are about to begin." On the 14th, the Democratic Party for the People held discussions on the tax system with both the LDP and the Komeito. However... LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Onodera Itsunori: "Today is more like a face-to-face meeting." Q. What about the details? "There is nothing today." On the 14th, the discussions were held separately, but next week, the three parties will start working-level discussions on the tax system. The focus is on how far the "1.03 million yen wall" will be raised. Q. Will the increase amount be maintained at 1.78 million? Furukawa Motohisa, chairman of the Tax Commission of the Democratic Party for the People, said, "Of course, we have calculated it and have a basis for it." The Democratic Party for the People is adamant on raising the tax to 1.78 million yen. However, to break through this wall, it seems that they will need to overcome another wall. ■Democratic Party for the People: "The ruling party will decide on the source of funds." Will the regions cry out in distress over the increase in the "1.03 million yen wall"? Gunma Governor Yamamoto, who held a regular press conference remotely from France on a business trip, said... Gunma Governor Yamamoto Ichita: "Gunma Prefecture has conducted an estimate on the impact of reviewing the 'annual income wall'." According to Gunma Prefecture's estimate, if the "wall" is raised to 1.78 million yen, the tax revenue of Gunma Prefecture and municipalities will decrease by about 83 billion yen in total. Gunma Governor Yamamoto Ichita: "It cannot be said that there will not be a major impact on local government services. I think it will become a very serious problem." Miyagi Governor Murai also said on the 13th that revenues are expected to fall by about 81 billion yen, and... Miyagi Governor Murai Yoshihiro: "The government will go bankrupt immediately. What will they cut and where will the funds come from? I want them to discuss with the ruling party after showing concrete measures and methods that are based on reality, not just empty words." Will they be able to overcome the barrier of understanding from the local governments? Serious discussions are yet to come, but Furukawa, Chairman of the Tax Commission of the Democratic Party for the People, said... Q. What about the discussion of financial resources? Furukawa Motohisa, Chairman of the Tax Commission of the Democratic Party for the People, said, "Rather than looking at the tax items alone, it is something the ruling party should consider within the 100 trillion yen revenue and expenditure. We are not the ruling party, so we are not thinking about the whole picture. We have no say in it, and we are not responsible for it." ■ "It would be better to have an open discussion in the Diet" - LDP and Komeito, each holding discussions with the public What does that mean? Ayaka Ogawa, anchor: The Democratic Party for the People has held preliminary consultations with the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito Party in succession regarding the 1.03 million yen barrier. What do you think about this move, Mr. Tsutsumi? Shinsuke Tsutsumi, former editor-in-chief of the international information magazine "Foresight": I'm a bit concerned about "preliminary consultations." In the recent general election, the ruling party lost its majority, and now we have an environment where we can talk properly in the Diet. Up until now, for example, whether it was a bill or a budget proposal, the LDP would pre-screen it, bring it to the Diet once it had been decided, and then say they were unaware of any alternative proposals the opposition parties might put forward... (https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/list/articl... ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official Website https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/ ▼Please subscribe to our channel! / @tbsnewsdig ▼Information provided by "TBS Insiders" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/tbs-ins... ▼Video provided by "TBS Scoop Post" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/toukou.... #News #news #TBS #newsdig