Key Facts
• December 31, 2025: Gasoline temporary tax rate abolished after 51 years.
• Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, held a year-end street speech in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture.
• Tamaki expressed gratitude to voters, saying “You worked the hardest.”
• The tax abolition was agreed last year between ruling coalition party secretaries-general.
• Tamaki highlighted the tax repeal was not achieved by the 2009 Democratic Party government but by his smaller 52-member party.
• Voter support in elections was key to this achievement.
• Tamaki emphasized the burden on rural residents who rely on cars.
• Alongside tax abolition, the income threshold for the “1.03 million yen wall” was raised to 1.78 million yen.
• This income threshold increase was agreed with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
• Tamaki called public opinion the “greatest pass” to overcome political barriers.
Summary
On December 31, 2025, the 51-year-old gasoline temporary tax rate was officially abolished, announced by Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, during a year-end street speech in his hometown of Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. Tamaki thanked voters for their support, crediting their votes as the driving force behind this policy change, which had eluded even the 2009 Democratic Party government. The tax repeal was realized through an agreement last year among ruling party secretaries-general. Tamaki also highlighted the disproportionate burden on rural car users. Additionally, the income threshold for the so-called “1.03 million yen wall” was raised to 1.78 million yen, a change agreed upon with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Tamaki emphasized that public will was the key to overcoming political obstacles, marking a significant policy achievement for his smaller party.
