Gas Tax

[Mikawa Ossan]

Currently, the Democratic Party of Japan is pushing for the abolition of the national gas tax. This would make gasoline cheaper by something like 25 yen per liter, or roughly a dollar a gallon.

However, if this this done, there is concern that local road projects, as well as other maintainence efforts could be severely affected. For example, road repairs and snow removal could be affected by the loss of these funds.

The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan wants to continue this tax, and keep it earmarked for road related projects.

The current tax will expire soon, within the next couple of months.

What do you think? Do you think the tax should be repealed? What do you think of the DPJ's stance on this issue?

Personally, I think that the tax should not be repealed, but I think that instead of earmarking it for road projects, it should be put into the general fund, where it can be put to better use. Of course, I think that essential road projects and maintainence should be funded, but I think that many unnecessary projects are being pursued to do an abundance of money created from this tax.

[nice gaijin]

What is the goal of repealing the tax? If the money from the tax is going to good use, what happens to those projects when the money disappears? Sounds like a half-brained economic stimulus package that'll just encourage the consumption of more fossil fuels
Of course, I think that essential road projects and maintainence should be funded, but I think that many unnecessary projects are being pursued to do an abundance of money created from this tax. I see, but why not reform the way the money is used so it won't be abused, or lower the tax instead of abolishing it altogether.

[centrajapan]

Im with DPJ here. The tax is stupid. Is this tax a Co2 tax? I am against the concept of taxing Co2.

[magevampjoe]

It is a bit of a bizarre idea, repealing the tax. Money will disappear... They won't be able to fund road repairs etc etc.

Repealing this tax is as stupid as the creation of flatulence tax in NZ.

[LongCountdown]

Why would any driver not want this tax to be cut? Cut the tax, and worry about worsening road conditions later (assuming that is what the tax money was being used on).

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Because this tax is a period legislation, it is not a reduction of taxes.
It is a plot of the Liberal Democratic Party that feign a purpose of use of a tax to be like ecotax.
If they use a tax of gasoline for environment,
The Liberal Democratic Party should suggest new ecotax.
It is right that the nation argues about the suggestion.

[Mikawa Ossan]

Good point!

I suppose "repealing" is a misleading word. A more precise wording would be "non-renewal".