Key Facts
• July 20 marks the Upper House election in Japan.
• Rising prices have become a major election issue.
• Over 2,000 food items saw price hikes in July 2025, with 20,000 items expected by year-end.
• Ruling coalition (Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito) proposes ¥20,000 cash payments per person.
• Opposition parties advocate for reducing or abolishing the consumption tax.
• Current consumption tax rates: 10% standard, 8% for food and essentials.
• Candidate Tomomi Otsuji (independent, supported by Constitutional Democratic Party) proposes zero tax on food for 1-2 years.
• Candidate Shunichi Makino (Sanseitō) suggests reducing consumption tax across all items.
• Candidate Shuko Sonoda (Liberal Democratic Party) emphasizes immediate cash payments.
• Candidate Takahira Yamamoto (NHK Party) calls for reducing the tax rate to 5%.
• 58.9% of households reported financial struggles in the 2024 National Living Survey.
Summary
The upcoming Upper House election in Kagoshima highlights the debate over rising prices, with candidates divided between cash payments and consumption tax reductions. The ruling coalition proposes ¥20,000 cash payments, while opposition parties push for tax cuts. Candidates offer varied solutions: Tomomi Otsuji suggests zero tax on food, Shunichi Makino advocates for tax reductions across all items, Shuko Sonoda prioritizes immediate cash payments, and Takahira Yamamoto calls for a 5% tax rate. With over 20,000 food items expected to see price hikes by 2025, voters face a critical choice on policies to ease financial burdens.
