Opposition offers alternatives to food consumption tax cut in parliamentary debate

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi takes the podium at an Lower House plenary session in Tokyo on Tuesday. | JIJI

Oct 20, 2026

Parliament began debating legislation Tuesday to slash the consumption tax on food, moving Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s hallmark pledge into formal deliberations as opposition parties proposed alternative ways to combat rising prices.

Submitted earlier this month, the bill would lower the tax on food and nonalcoholic beverages from 8% to 1% for two years beginning in April 2027. It would also introduce income-linked payments for low- and middle-income workers, intended to help offset the remaining tax burden.

The rate would return to 8% in April 2029.

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