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The majority of the Japanese public support a temporary reduction in the consumption tax rate, a nationwide poll conducted by The Asahi Shimbun shows.

According to the survey, 59 percent of respondents believe the consumption tax rate should be lowered temporarily.

Meanwhile, 36 percent think that it should be maintained at its current level of 8 or 10 percent.

The survey results reflect the growing economic anxieties over the rising cost of living. However, they also revealed concerns about the impact that cutting taxes could have on social welfare programs.

The sentiment varies significantly across political lines.

Among those who do not support Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet, 71 percent back a tax cut, compared to 46 percent among Cabinet supporters.

Looking at party affiliations, 81 percent of voters who support the Democratic Party for the People favor a reduction.

The key opposition party made significant gains in the Lower House election in October with a pledge to temporarily lower the consumption tax.

In contrast, only 42 percent of voters supporting Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party share the same view.

Among unaffiliated voters, 60 percent also expressed support for a temporary tax cut.

Despite the strong support for lowering the tax rate, many respondents voiced concerns about its potential impact on social welfare, which relies heavily on consumption tax revenue.

A combined 60 percent said they were worried—18 percent “very much” and 42 percent “to some extent”—that cutting the tax could undermine the nation’s social security system.

These concerns influenced preferences: 66 percent of those who felt strongly anxious about social welfare favored keeping the tax rate unchanged, while 55 percent of those who felt moderate concern still supported a tax cut.

About 80 percent of respondents who were not concerned about the impact on social welfare supported a tax reduction.

The survey also asked about the release of rice from the government’s emergency reserves to address soaring rice prices.

Only 26 percent of respondents expressed confidence that the government’s plan to supply stockpiled rice on a monthly basis through the summer would help lower rice prices.

A significant 69 percent said they do not expect the policy to ease food costs.

The poll also shed light on the public’s overall economic situation.

Just 26 percent of people described their financial situation as “somewhat comfortable,” while 69 percent said they felt “somewhat strained.”

This marks a notable shift from a similar survey conducted in July last year, in which 32 percent reported financial comfort and 60 percent felt hardship—suggesting that continued price hikes, particularly in food items, are further burdening households.

The survey was conducted on eligible voters on April 19 and 20 using both landline and mobile phone numbers that were randomly generated by computer. A total of 1,240 of 2,895 voters who received the phone call gave valid answers to the survey.

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