税制改正論議 自公で軽減税率を実現せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 10, 2013)
Govt should introduce reduced consumption tax rate system
税制改正論議　自公で軽減税率を実現せよ（1月9日付・読売社説）

To achieve the economic revival trumpeted by the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, tax system reforms that bring in sufficient tax revenue and are conducive to the nation's economic growth are now needed.
　安倍政権が掲げる「経済再生」へ、税収を確保し、成長に資する税制改革が問われている。

The Liberal Democratic Party's Tax System Research Commission and New Komeito's Tax Research Council have begun full-fledged discussions on tax system revisions for fiscal 2013.
　自民、公明両党の税制調査会が、２０１３年度税制改正に向けて本格的な議論をスタートさせた。

Discussions on tax system revisions for the next fiscal year have been delayed by more than one month compared with regular years due to last month's House of Representatives election. The LDP and Komeito aim to draw up an outline for the revisions later this month, but little time is left.
　来年度の税制改正論議は、衆院選の影響で例年より１か月以上遅れている。自公両党は１月下旬の税制改正大綱の策定を目指すが、残された時間は少ない。

The government will make a plan approved by the ruling parties' tax panels its final tax system revision plan. It is of great significance that panel members will tap their expertise to discuss how to craft an ideal tax system, which should be fair, neutral and simple.
　政府は与党税調の決定を最終的な税制改正案とする。税調メンバーの専門知識を生かし、公平・中立・簡素という税制のあるべき姿を議論する意義は大きい。

Priority should be placed on creating an environment that will enable the consumption tax rate to be increased from 5 percent to 8 percent in April 2014.
　優先すべき課題は、１４年４月の５％から８％への消費税率引き上げをにらんだ環境整備である。

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2-stage plan has merits

Measures to support low-income earners when the tax increase is implemented have been left unaddressed since the Democratic Party of Japan was in power. The planned tax system revisions for fiscal 2013 should clearly spell out the introduction of a reduced tax rate system under which the consumption tax rate on daily necessities and some other goods is kept low.
　民主党政権時代から低所得者対策が積み残しのままだ。税制改正では、生活必需品などの消費税率を低く抑える軽減税率の導入を明確に打ち出す必要がある。

A similar system has been implemented in European countries. It has the advantage of being easy for consumers to feel its benefits, such as a limited tax burden on daily shopping.
　軽減税率は欧州各国が実施している。日常の買い物での負担が限定的になるなど、消費者に恩恵が分かりやすいことが利点だ。

Komeito has presented a plan to introduce the reduced tax rate system in two phases. We think this is worthy of consideration.
　公明党が提示している２段階の導入論は、検討に値する。

Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Akihiro Ota, a former Komeito leader, proposed reduced tax rates be applied only on such items as rice, miso, soy sauce and newspapers when the consumption tax rate is raised to 8 percent, and then the range of items subject to the lower rates be expanded when the consumption tax is increased later to 10 percent.
　公明党前代表の太田国土交通相は、「消費税率を８％に引き上げる段階で軽減税率の対象をコメ、みそ、しょうゆ、新聞などに限定し、１０％への引き上げ時に対象を拡大する」との案を示した。

Wariness about the reduced rate system persists in the LDP, but we urge the party to coordinate its members' opinions quickly. The LDP then must talk with Komeito and the DPJ, and steadily carry out integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, which the three parties have agreed on.
　自民党には慎重論が根強いものの、調整を急いでほしい。そのうえで自公民の協議に入り、３党で合意した社会保障・税一体改革を着実に進めなければならない。

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Alleviate other burdens

It is also necessary to consider areas in which people will have to shoulder an increased burden due to the consumption tax hike. We urge the government to discuss the extension of housing loan tax breaks, which will expire at the end of this year, as part of its support for home purchases.
　消費増税で負担が増える分野への目配りも必要だ。住宅購入支援としては、今年末で期限切れとなる住宅ローン減税の延長を検討してもらいたい。

The automobile industry wants the vehicle acquisition and weight taxes abolished, claiming that vehicle owners would have to shoulder a heavier burden imposed by the double taxation with the increased consumption tax. However, canning these taxes would generate huge tax revenue shortfalls, so a decision should not be rushed on this matter.
　自動車業界は、消費税との二重課税でユーザーの負担が重くなるなどとして、自動車取得税と自動車重量税の廃止を求めている。だが、巨額の財源不足をもたらすため、慎重に対応すべきである。

A review of income and inheritance taxes is also a focus of attention in the fiscal 2013 tax system revisions. Ideas floated so far include raising the top income tax rate from 40 percent to 45 percent and to reduce various tax deductions in inheritance tax, which are subtracted from taxable assets, and to raise inheritance tax rates.
　１３年度改正では、所得税と相続税の見直しも焦点だ。所得税では最高税率を４０％から４５％に引き上げ、相続税については課税対象から差し引く控除の縮小や税率引き上げなどが浮上している。

These proposals are apparently intended, by squarely aiming at the wealthy, to alleviate the discontent of low-income earners, who will have to bear a relatively large increased burden when the consumption tax is hiked.
　富裕層を狙い撃ちにすることで、消費増税に伴って負担が重くなる低所得者の不満を和らげようとする思惑があるのだろう。

However, only an extremely small number of people will be subject to the higher taxes, and therefore the government cannot expect any boost in tax revenues from them. Ideas that simply pander to the public should be avoided.
　しかし、こうした課税強化は対象者が極めて少なく、税収を増やす効果は期待できない。大衆迎合的な発想は避けるべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 9, 2013)
（2013年1月9日01時03分 読売新聞）