Manipulations behind the Consumption Tax Increase: The Ministry of Finance Prolongs Japan's Recession on JSTOR

The Journal of Japanese Studies

Description:

The Journal of Japanese Studies was established in 1974 as a multidisciplinary forum for communicating new information, new interpretations, and recent research results concerning Japan to the English-reading world. Its founders sought to fill a vital need for better understanding of Japan and its people and thus chose to publish not only in-depth research articles by scholars from around the world (including Japan) but also reviews of current books on Japan and translations of articles of unusual interest from influential molders of public opinion in Japan.
From the outset, the Journal has published broad, exploratory articles suggesting new analyses and interpretations, articles longer than many journals can publish, and substantial reviews and review articles of books published in Western languages and in Japanese. Today the Journal continues to facilitate communication and dialogue about Japan and with Japan. The Journal has long been recognized as a leading journal in the Japan studies field and is considered an invaluable resource by those seeking to understand Japan and the myriad components of Japanese society.

Coverage: 1974-2011 (Vol. 1, No. 1 - Vol. 37, No. 2)

Moving Wall

Moving Wall: 5 years (What is the moving wall?)

Moving Wall

The "moving wall" represents the time period between the last issue available in JSTOR and the most recently published issue of a journal. Moving walls are generally represented in years. In rare instances, a publisher has elected to have a "zero" moving wall, so their current issues are available in JSTOR shortly after publication.
Note: In calculating the moving wall, the current year is not counted.
For example, if the current year is 2008 and a journal has a 5 year moving wall, articles from the year 2002 are available.

Terms Related to the Moving Wall: Fixed walls: Journals with no new volumes being added to the archive.; Absorbed: Journals that are combined with another title.; Complete: Journals that are no longer published or that have been combined with another title.

ISSN: 00956848

Subjects: Asian Studies, Area Studies

Collections: JSTOR Essential Collection, Asia Collection, Arts & Sciences II Collection, Corporate & For-Profit Access Initiative Collection

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Abstract

The April 1997 increase in Japan's consumption tax met little public opposition, thanks mainly to careful manipulation of the news media by the Ministry of Finance. Attention was adroitly shifted from the need for deficit financing-which the government wanted to avoid-to the alternative of a higher consumption tax. However, it quickly became apparent that the increase was a major contributor to prolonging Japan's recession. Domestic political pressures have prevented lowering the rate, despite U.S. appeals for Japan to reduce the consumption tax as a means of strengthening its economy.

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