‘Death Tax’ Proposal By Government Draws Criticism Online
by Yuki Suganuma on Thursday, June 27, 2013
by Yuki Suganuma on Thursday, June 27, 2013
A graveyard in Kyoto
Currently in Japan, 5% of consumption tax is added no matter how poor or rich, or young or old you are. The proposed consumption tax at time of your own death has been under discussion at the PM’s office, and the calculation of a rise in the tax revenue along with economical growth in various industries after the introduction of the “death tax” has already been deliberated. Although at this stage it is little more than a proposal, Japanese netizens found it outrageous. What’s best for the Japan’s future?
From Yahoo! Japan:
Internet: We Bring You “Seasonal” News From The Web! Numerous Reactions To “Death Consumption Tax” Proposal
The June 28 issue of Shukan Post covered a story about “the introduction of death tax for the purpose of covering elders’ medical expenses” that was submitted during the national commission on reform of social security systems held at the prime minister’s office on June 3.
According to the article, this ‘death tax’ is a tax that will be collected from the deceased’s estate at a fixed rate per citizen at time of their death. The article also mentions the following horrifying example:
“Should the tax be introduced, it is inevitable that cases like these will arise. A father died after many years of care. His son had chosen early retirement to look after him and his wife had made the whole family’s living out of her part time job. They had run out of their savings. Although he house they lived in remained as an asset, it was appraised at only 30 million yen. Then, the notice of ‘death tax’ arrived. 1.5 million yen if at the same rate as the consumption tax, or 3 million yen if consumption tax were to rise to 10%. There was no way they’d be able to pay out it all and they ended up giving the house away.”
At this stage, it only came to an issue as “information” shared among experts at the commission. This does not mean that any such law would proceed as a concrete draft bill, but netizens responded sensitively to the topic. The thread ‘[Tax System] For each and every one of you. Death tax proposed at the commission in the PM’s office’ was made after the article was published on 2ch.net active boards and the following comments were seen:
‘Bullying the general public again? Go and make some new law, like living with stable benefits after retirements then! That’d bring more money to the market out of each saving surely?’
‘They really are taking money from the places it’s easiest to take it.’
‘Ordinary people will stop having property. Seems like you’d be better off having actual cash.’
It hasn’t been legislated yet and varies in interpretation. However quite a few netizens expected and found growing tax burden unfair and complained.
Is this ‘death tax’ really going to be introduced? That much is still unclear at this moment, but netizens already seem worried.
