A graveyard in Kyoto
They say that two things are inevitable in life — death and taxes. But netizens are angry at a recent government suggestion of a consumption tax upon death will make that saying all the more true.
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.
Comments from 2ch.net:
名無しさん＠１３周年：
Are you trying to take the piss out of us citizens?
名無しさん＠１３周年：
Even if they manage to collect tax from a person’s income it’s pretty difficult to take it from their cash assets.
名無しさん＠１３周年：
Do you still have to pay it even if you abandon your inheritance?
名無しさん＠１３周年：
When alive: residential tax
When working: income tax
When shopping: consumption tax
When with dead parents: accession tax
When dead: just tax <-- new!!
名無しさん＠１３周年：
Can’t die too young. Live longer and longer.
名無しさん＠１３周年：
Is this idiot the brains of the PM?
名無しさん＠１３周年：
Whoa, isn’t this like cutting-edge socialism or totalitarianism?
You die, and then just because you died, they’re like “cough up the tax”. w
名無しさん＠１３周年：
More and more the rich would go abroad.
名無しさん＠１３周年：
Advantageous for the rich.
名無しさん＠１３周年：
I understand the government wants money to flow out more smoothly but don’t think it’s a Japanese idea.
名無しさん＠１３周年：
The more you’d kill, the more you’d get. Genius.
名無しさん＠１３周年：
This country is ridiculously shit. Hilarious.
名無しさん＠１３周年：
Diet members are supposed to dip into pockets and steal money, that’s their job.
名無しさん＠１３周年：
More importantly, tax the religions.
Just fuck off.
くろもん ◆IrmWJHGPjM ：
Death tax? Ha, what a monster idea. Do they even reflect on the history or nature of Japanese? Lack of humanity.
名無しさん＠１３周年：
When your lovely child comes to his/her death due to an accident or bullying, the death tax is waiting for the parents to add insult to injury. w
