Former party leader resigns along with 51 other MPs. The fracture caused by the draft legislation, which will double (from 5 to 10%) the consumption tax by 2015. Fears for the majority in the House. However, the new line does not enjoy widespread support among voters.

Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The former leader of the party currently in Japanese government Ichiro Ozawa, - strong man of the political landscape of the Rising Sun - has abandoned the cabinet to found his own group, along with 51 other MPs. It was announced today by Kenji Yamaoka, who handed a letter of resignation on behalf of Ozawa and other members of the new political alignment over to Azuma Koshiishi, secretary general of the Democratic Party (DPJ). There are 52 lawmakers in all, 40 of which belong to the Lower House, to leave the Democrats, creating many difficulties to the government of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. The fracture, underline experts, regards the choice of the executive to increase the tax burden to promote a doubling of consumer tax.

Currently, the DPJ still has a majority in the Lower House and the fracture, as expected in political circles in recent times in Tokyo, should not cause the fall of the government. However, the move has dealt a severe blow to the executive of the Prime Minister Noda, which considers that the doubling of sales tax - from 5% to 10% by 2015- it essential to cut Japan's huge public debt and find new funds for welfare and health.

For opponents, the government's choice to increase the tax burden contradicts the plan by which the party in 2009, came to power threatening to bring down consumption. For the experts, the new party to ensure Ozawa, strong man of Japan (see AsiaNews 30/04/2012 The rise to power Ichiro Ozawa: the "shadow shogun".), the ability to block passage of the bill and advance a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Noda, who would be forced to call early elections.

According to surveys the new tax does not have great support among the Japanese electorate, however, popular opposition to high taxes will not automatically become - experts warn - votes for the new political movement, which would not exceed 15% of consent. In a survey published by the Japanese newspaper Asahi on June 28 last, 52% of respondents claimed to be contrary to norm, while 78% nourish "high expectations" from the birth of new political movement linked to Ozawa.

 

• japan
• tokyo
• government
• democrats
• Ozawa
• vote
• taxation