Japan Cross-Party Panel Chief Backs Food Sales Tax Cut to 1% (1)

The chairman of Japan’s cross-party policy group proposed cutting the consumption tax on food to 1%, advancing a stalled debate over a key policy idea the ruling Liberal Democratic party touted ahead of a nationwide election in February.

Itsunori Onodera, the chairman of the cross-party policy group, said that he proposed reducing the consumption tax rate on food and non-alcoholic beverages, citing a proposal presented to the group on Wednesday. Onodera is head of the LDP’s tax committee.

The cut would take effect next April, and some households would be eligible for cash handout from the autumn that would ...