Japan's Minister of Internal Affairs Discusses National Census and Local Tax Policies

In a press conference held on October 10, 2023, Japan’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Murakami, provided an update regarding the recent national census and discussed the implications of local taxation policies on municipalities. He began by expressing gratitude towards the over 36 million households that participated in the national census before the deadline, which was on October 8.

One notable point that Minister Murakami highlighted was the increased participation in the online response options for the census, which saw a significant rise to 45.4%. This figure represents an increase of 9.4 percentage points from the previous census cycle, underscoring the growing reliance on digital methods for public data collection. Despite the deadline having passed, he urged those who have yet to participate to do so, emphasizing the census's importance for accurate representation of demographics and resource allocation across the nation.

The Minister clarified that responses continued to be accepted online, encouraging citizens to understand the significance of their contributions to the survey. For any inquiries or further information, he directed attendees to consult the Statistics Bureau.

During the Q&A session, the topic steered towards a recent legal ruling involving the special allocation tax concerning the hometown tax donation system. Responding to a question about the Osaka Prefectural Court's decision, which rejected the national government's appeal against Izumisano City, Minister Murakami noted that the Court’s ruling did not favor the government’s claims. He assured that his ministry would work closely with relevant agencies to evaluate the judgment and plan appropriate actions moving forward.

Minister Murakami acknowledged the significance of the hometown tax donation initiative, which allows individuals to express gratitude towards their local municipalities while determining how their taxes are utilized. He expressed hope that local governments would align their activities with the original intent of the system, which fosters a sense of community connection and accountability.

Ultimately, this press conference illustrated the government's ongoing efforts to not only achieve higher participation in census activities but also ensure that tax systems effectively support local municipalities while respecting citizens' wishes. Minister Murakami concluded the session by reaffirming the importance of cooperation between citizens and the government in utilizing such programs effectively.

For further details on these topics, you can also watch the Minister’s statements and discussions available on various media platforms.

Topics Policy & Public Interest)

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