June 23, 2026
TOKYO – Fifty-two percent of people support a proposal to lower the consumption tax on food items to 1% for two years, effectively to 0% when including benefits for low and middle income individuals, according to a nationwide Yomiuri Shimbun poll conducted from Friday through Sunday. Thirty-eight percent of people were opposed.
Sixty-five percent of ruling party supporters were in favor, while 30% were opposed. Among opposition supporters, the figures were reversed, with 38% in favor and 53% opposed. Unaffiliated voters were evenly split, with 45% in favor and 41% opposed.
By law, revenue from the consumption tax must go toward social security. Sixty-two percent of respondents said they were concerned that lowering the consumption tax will make it impossible to maintain the social security system, while only 34% said they were not concerned.
Even among those who support an effective tax rate of zero, 63% said they are concerned, while 35% said they are not. Nonetheless, of those who are concerned, 52% supported the proposal. This seems to reflect the major burden that inflation has put on households.
Older respondents were more likely to express concern. Among those age 60 and older, 71% said they were concerned, falling to 61% for those age 40 to 59, and 50% for those age 18 to 39.
As for the government’s response to inflation, 35% approved, while 56% disapproved. In March, 30% approved and 59% disapproved. Among supporters of the administration, opinion was divided, with 45% approving and 47% disapproving.
Shrinking the lower house
The ruling party has drafted a bill that says if the ruling and opposition parties fail to reach a conclusion within one year on electoral reform, the seat count for proportional representation in the House of Representatives will be automatically reduced by 45.
When asked whether they supported the policy, 67% of respondents said they were in favor, more than the 20% who were opposed.
Seventy-five percent of ruling party supporters were in favor, while 13% were opposed. Although the opposition has objected to the bill, even 58% of opposition supporters were in favor, and only 34% were opposed.
As to a law that would prohibit sharing disinformation online about election candidates in a bid to undermine elections, 81% said they for it, while 12% were opposed.