The Democratic Party for the People (DPP), frustrated by its inability to reach an agreement with the ruling coalition on its key policy, has adopted an aggressive approach in an effort to garner public support ahead of the upcoming Upper House election this summer.
This development is expected to further complicate Japan's political landscape, where the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito require the cooperation of at least one opposition party to secure the necessary votes for passing legislation.
During the campaign for the Lower House election last October, the DPP pledged to raise the tax-free threshold for annual income from ¥1.03 million ($6,880) to ¥1.78 million. This proposal resonated particularly well with younger, urban voters, contributing to the DPP's remarkable success in quadrupling its Lower House seat total from seven to 28. This surge in popularity propelled the DPP to become the third-largest opposition party in the Lower House, trailing only the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Nippon Ishin no Kai.
5 Comments
Cerebro
Short-term popularity rarely translates into meaningful political change. DPP will learn this lesson soon enough.
ArtemK
Tax reform like this is exactly how we support low- and middle-income households. DPP gets it!
BuggaBoom
More unrealistic promises. Where exactly will they find the money to raise the tax-free threshold?
Katchuka
Cooperation is key for the country’s future—DPP needs a reality check and must start working constructively.
Noir Black
Raising the threshold sounds nice until we face budget deficits. Irresponsible economic policy from the DPP.