#Japan #Nagoya #Japan survey #Consumption Tax #Sugawara

Generational Divide in Consumption Tax Opinions in Japan

On July 20, citizens of Japan will head to the polls for the Upper House election. In preparation for this crucial day, Yuichi Sugawara, a tax accountant and operator of the popular YouTube channel 'Datsu Zeirishi Sugawara-kun' with over 1.17 million subscribers, conducted a survey on attitudes toward consumption tax among 1,000 individuals aged 18 and older across the nation. This survey has unveiled significant generational disparities in perspectives on consumption tax and clarified opinions on what would be an acceptable tax rate moving forward.

Survey Overview

• - Survey Date: July 9, 2025
• - Method: Internet survey
• - Participants: 1,000 Japanese men and women aged 18 and above
• - Response Breakdown: 20 respondents each from teenagers, 80 respondents each from those in their 20s to 60s, and 80 respondents each from seniors aged 70 and above
• - Conducted by: Freeasy

For any utilization of the findings from this survey, please credit 'Datsu Zeirishi Sugawara-kun'.

Summary of Results

• - One in three young people supports the complete abolition of the consumption tax.
• - Seniors are more inclined to focus on reducing tax rates for essential food items rather than advocating for broad tax cuts.
• - Over 70% believe that a reasonable tax rate should be 5% or lower.

Detailed Findings

When asked about their views on consumption tax, 33.5% of individuals aged 18 to 29 favored its abolishment, while 36.9% of those in their 30s also supported this stance, indicating the prevalence of the abolitionist sentiment among the younger demographic. Conversely, just 16.3% of respondents aged 70 and above supported complete abolition. Additionally, more than 40% of people in their 60s and 70s believed that essential food items should be taxed at 0%. This highlights a tendency towards a focus on the reduction of taxation on necessities as opposed to advocating overall tax cuts.

When inquired about what they believe to be a reasonable consumption tax rate, 75.1% of the respondents indicated a preference for rates of 0%, 3%, or 5%. This trend was especially pronounced among residents in their 30s and 50s, with only 15.4% of the participants considering the current 10% rate as acceptable.

Sugawara's Recommendations on Consumption Tax

As various political parties announce their pledges regarding consumption tax in the upcoming election, the voices calling for tax reduction are resonating strongly among the electorate.

Given the drastic rise in living costs recently, I believe it would be prudent to trial a temporary reduction in consumption tax. By observing the effects of such a reduction on boosting consumer spending, we may find potential solutions to the funding challenges of social security and possibly see improvements in the overall economy. Engaging in theoretical debates without practical trials does not seem likely to improve the current situation.

Furthermore, while discussing tax rates, I also advocate for the immediate abolition of the invoice system, which has been detrimental to business productivity.

Opinions on consumption tax vary widely; however, I firmly believe that in order to drive change, it is crucial to start by revising the existing rules governing taxation.

Profile of Yuichi Sugawara

Yuichi Sugawara, born in 1975 in Mie Prefecture and currently residing in Tokyo, is a specialist in tax savings and cash flow management, successfully guiding 85% of his clients to profitability. His YouTube channel, 'Datsu Zeirishi Sugawara-kun', established in December 2022, has seen membership surpass 1 million within a little over two years. He also runs a blog that ranked first nationwide among tax accountants and has been recognized as a top blogger on Ameba.

As a sought-after speaker, he has conducted over 1,000 lectures, including sessions for prominent firms like Google and Robert Kiyosaki, and has received significant media coverage. His books, including 'Ultimate Cash Flow' and '50 Rare Cash Flow Techniques' (published by Gentosha), have achieved best-seller status with over 37,000 copies sold collectively. His latest book, 'Where Have All the Tapioca Shops Gone? Understanding Business Strategy and Profitability', is set for release on February 22, 2024, and has already surpassed 100,000 copies in print within nine months of its initial publication.

You can find him on several social media platforms:

• - Blog
• - YouTube
• - X
• - Instagram
• - Threads
• - TikTok
• - Facebook

Company Overview

• - Company Name: Sugawara-kun LLC
• - Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya Mitsui Building 7F, 1-24-30 Meieki Minami
• - Representative: Yoshinori Horie, CEO
• - Established: November 8, 2023
• - Capital: ¥1,000,000
• - Business Activities: Seminar management, YouTube, advertising, consulting
• - Website: Sugawarakun