Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Margrethe Vestager Press Conference - Brussels

Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager holds a press conference following the Court of Justice's rulings on Apple tax relief and Google Shopping antitrust cases at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on September 10, 2024. Photo by Monasse T/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration Apple And Wechat

Illustration Apple And Wechat

SUQIAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 - Illustration Apple and wechat, Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, Sept 3, 2024.

Illustration Apple And Wechat

Illustration Apple And Wechat

SUQIAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 - Illustration Apple and wechat, Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, Sept 3, 2024.

Illustration Apple And Wechat

Illustration Apple And Wechat

SUQIAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 - Illustration Apple and wechat, Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, Sept 3, 2024.

Illustration Apple And Wechat

Illustration Apple And Wechat

SUQIAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 - Illustration Apple and wechat, Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, Sept 3, 2024.

Illustration Apple And Wechat

Illustration Apple And Wechat

SUQIAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 - Illustration Apple and wechat, Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, Sept 3, 2024.

Illustration Apple And Wechat

Illustration Apple And Wechat

SUQIAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 - Illustration Apple and wechat, Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, Sept 3, 2024.

Illustration Apple And Wechat

Illustration Apple And Wechat

SUQIAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 - Illustration Apple and wechat, Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, Sept 3, 2024.

Illustration Apple And Wechat

Illustration Apple And Wechat

SUQIAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 - Illustration Apple and wechat, Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, Sept 3, 2024.

Illustration Apple And Wechat

Illustration Apple And Wechat

SUQIAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 - Illustration Apple and wechat, Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, Sept 3, 2024.

Panel chief reiterates consumption tax debate to start in Sept.

Panel chief reiterates consumption tax debate to start in Sept.

TOKYO, Japan - Yutaka Kosai, chairman of the government's Tax Commission, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Aug. 8. Kosai reiterated that debate on comprehensive tax reform, including a possible consumption tax hike, will start in September or after as scheduled, despite the ruling camp's defeat in the House of Councillors election on July 29.

Over 2.5-percentage-point cut in corporate tax eyed

Over 2.5-percentage-point cut in corporate tax eyed

TOKYO, Japan - Takeshi Noda (C), chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Research Commission on the Tax System, enters the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, on Dec. 26, 2014, for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Prior to their meeting, Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Akira Amari said it is "necessary" to cut Japan's 35 percent effective corporate tax rate by "more than 2.5 percentage points."

Komeito's tax chief visits Seoul on fact-finding mission

Komeito's tax chief visits Seoul on fact-finding mission

SEOUL, South Korea - Tetsuo Saito (C), chairman of the Komeito party's research commission on the tax system, visits a market in Seoul on Oct. 18, 2014, to observe how local shops handle South Korea's sales tax exemption for food and other specific items. The ruling coalition partner is convinced that Japan too should have similar exemptions on daily goods when raising its consumption tax from 8% to 10%.

Gov't tax panel calls for collecting more tax from smaller firms

Gov't tax panel calls for collecting more tax from smaller firms

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the government's Tax Commission attend a meeting at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on June 25, 2014. Its corporate tax reform group urged the government to collect more tax from smaller companies as a step to fund a planned corporate tax cut.

Japanese economist Kato dies

Japanese economist Kato dies

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in October 2004 shows Japanese economist Hiroshi Kato. Kato, who was a longtime chairman of the Japanese government's Tax Commission, died of heart failure on Jan. 30, 2013. He was 86.

Tax panel urges gov't to clarify timing of sales tax hike

Tax panel urges gov't to clarify timing of sales tax hike

TOKYO, Japan - Yutaka Kosai, head of the Tax Commission, handed a report of recommendations to Prime Minster Taro Aso at the Prime Minster's Office on Nov. 28. The commission, which advises Aso, urged Aso's administration to state the precise timing of a hike in the consumption tax rate from the current 5 percent when it unveils a medium-term fundamental tax reform program by the year-end.

Gov't panel to call for sales tax hike in reform proposals

Gov't panel to call for sales tax hike in reform proposals

TOKYO, Japan - Yutaka Kosai, chairman of government's Tax Commission, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Nov. 5 after a plenary session of the panel, which agreed on an outline of its tax reform proposals for fiscal 2008 centering on a hike in the consumption tax.

Abe taps think tank adviser Kosai as tax panel chief

Abe taps think tank adviser Kosai as tax panel chief

TOKYO, Japan - Yutaka Kosai, senior adviser at the Japan Center for Economic Research, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Dec. 26 after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe selected him as chairman of the government's Tax Commission to replace Masaaki Homma, who resigned last week over a scandal.

Gov't plans to pick thin tank adviser Kosai as tax panel chief

Gov't plans to pick thin tank adviser Kosai as tax panel chief

TOKYO, Japan - The government plans to pick Yutaka Kosai (file photo), senior adviser of the Japan Center for Economic Research, as chairman of the government's Tax Commission, following the resignation last week of Masaaki Homma.

Ruling bloc unveils tax reform outline favorable to firms

Ruling bloc unveils tax reform outline favorable to firms

TOKYO, Japan - Yuji Shimazu (C), chairman of the Tax Commission of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is seated for a plenary session of the panel at the party headquarters in Tokyo on Dec. 14. The LDP, joined later by its coalition partner New Komeito party unveiled a tax reform outline for fiscal 2007, featuring a series of tax breaks for companies and a pledge to address drastic tax reform, including raising the consumption tax, from late in 2007.

Ruling bloc unveils tax reform outline favorable to firms

Ruling bloc unveils tax reform outline favorable to firms

TOKYO, Japan - The Tax Commission of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party meets in a plenary session at the party headquarters in Tokyo on Dec. 14. The LDP, joined later by its coalition partner New Komeito party unveiled a tax reform outline for fiscal 2007, featuring a series of tax breaks for companies and a pledge to address drastic tax reform, including raising the consumption tax, from late in 2007.

Japan's consumption tax to face turning point in FY 2009: Ishi

Japan's consumption tax to face turning point in FY 2009: Ishi

TOKYO, Japan - The government's Tax Commission Chairman Hiromitsu Ishi says in a recent interview with Kyodo News that whether to raise Japan's consumption tax will come to a turning point in fiscal 2009, although a margin and timing of an increase in the tax rate are left to political decisions.

Gov't panel recommends raising income taxes in FY 2006 tax reform

Gov't panel recommends raising income taxes in FY 2006 tax reform

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Tax Commission Chairman Hiromitsu Ishi (L) hands in the commission's fiscal 2006 tax reform proposals to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the premier's office on Nov. 25. The commission recommended that the government raise income taxes at both the national and local levels in January 2007.

(2)Panel eyes cutting tax deductions for salaried workers

(2)Panel eyes cutting tax deductions for salaried workers

TOKYO, Japan - The government's Tax Commission is in session at the Finance Ministry on June 21. The panel unveiled a set of recommendations to reduce tax deductions for salaried workers as part of efforts to fix Japan's debt-ridden finances.

(1)Panel eyes cutting tax deductions for salaried workers

(1)Panel eyes cutting tax deductions for salaried workers

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromitsu Ishi (C), chairman of the government's Tax Commission, speaks at the opening of the panel's meeting at the Finance Ministry on June 21. The panel unveiled a set of recommendations to reduce tax deductions for salaried workers as part of efforts to fix Japan's debt-ridden finances.

(2)Tax panel calls for abolishing tax cut in FY 2006

(2)Tax panel calls for abolishing tax cut in FY 2006

TOKYO, Japan - Tax Commission Chairman Hiromitsu Ishi speaks at a press conference at the Ministry of Finance on Nov. 25 after presenting Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi with a tax reform proposal calling for phasing out tax cuts in fiscal 2006.

(1)Tax panel calls for abolishing tax cut in FY 2006

(1)Tax panel calls for abolishing tax cut in FY 2006

TOKYO, Japan - Tax Commission Chairman Hiromitsu Ishi (L) presents Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Nov. 25 with a tax reform proposal calling for phasing out tax cuts in fiscal 2006.

Panel calls for cuts in tax breaks for elderly

Panel calls for cuts in tax breaks for elderly

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromitsu Ishi, who heads the government's Tax Commission, presents a report to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the premier's office on June 17. The report urged the government to trim tax breaks for the elderly and drastically hike the consumption tax over the next 10 to 15 years to cover the ballooning welfare expenses for the nation's rapidly aging society.

Panel urges cuts in tax breaks to cope with aging society

Panel urges cuts in tax breaks to cope with aging society

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromitsu Ishi, chairman of the government's Tax Commission, speaks at a news conference June 13 after his panel approved a draft report calling for a reduction of tax breaks for the elderly and a drastic hike in the consumption tax over the next 10 to 15 years.

Tax panel approves outline calling for consumption tax hike

Tax panel approves outline calling for consumption tax hike

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromitsu Ishi (C), chairman of the government's Tax Commission, presides over a general meeting of the commission May 27. The panel, which advises Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, approved a tax report outline that says consumption taxes must be raised to secure funds to cover Japan's ballooning social security costs.

Tax panel eyes heavier individual taxes, cuts for firms

Tax panel eyes heavier individual taxes, cuts for firms

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromitsu Ishi (L), chairman of the government's Tax Commission, hands to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Nov. 19 a proposal on a tax reform plan for fiscal 2003. The plan aims at fiscal restraint through a heavier tax burden on individuals but also at boosting the weak economy by cutting some tax items for corporate activities.

Takeshima to become FTC chief in July

Takeshima to become FTC chief in July

TOKYO, Japan - The government plans to appoint Kazuhiko Takeshima (file photo), a senior official in the Cabinet Secretariat, as chairman of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC). Takeshima, a former director general of the National Tax Agency, is expected to assume the post in July following Diet approval, succeeding incumbent Yasuchika Negoro.

Gov't tax panel calls for overhaul of tax system

Gov't tax panel calls for overhaul of tax system

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromitsu Ishi (L), chairman of the government's Tax Commission, hands Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi a report calling for an overhaul of Japan's tax system to deal with changes in the nation's economy.

LDP tax panel scraps plans to raise cigarette tax

LDP tax panel scraps plans to raise cigarette tax

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) Tax System Research Commission are in session at Tokyo's Nagatacho on Dec. 12. The panel decided to scrap plans to raise taxes on cigarettes and low-malt brews known as ''happoshu'' in fiscal 2002.

Tax panel chief Ishi hands report on tax proposals to Mori

Tax panel chief Ishi hands report on tax proposals to Mori

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromitsu Ishi, chairman of the government's Tax Commission, presents Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori a package of tax reform proposals at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Dec. 13. In the package, the panel said that given the signs of improvement in the Japanese economy and the grave situation of state finances, tax reform for fiscal 2001 ''should avoid a further decrease in tax revenues as much as possible.''

Ishi named new chief of gov't tax panel

Ishi named new chief of gov't tax panel

TOKYO, Japan - Picture shows Hiromitsu Ishi, president of Hitotsubashi University, who was formally named chairman of the government's Tax Commission on Sept. 14. Ishi succeeds Kan Kato, president of Chiba University of Commerce, who was the panel's chief for about 10 years.

(CAPTION CORRECTED) Tax panel calls for higher taxes in futureKyodo

(CAPTION CORRECTED) Tax panel calls for higher taxes in futureKyodo

TOKYO, Japan - Kan Kato, chairman of the Tax Commission, speaks at a news conference July 14 after handing Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori an interim report recommending tax hikes over the medium- and long-term to tackle Japan's ballooning fiscal deficit and growing social security burdens.

Gov't panel backs economy-spurring tax steps

Gov't panel backs economy-spurring tax steps

TOKYO, Japan - Kan Kato (L), chairman of the Tax Commission, on Dec. 16 hands Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi (R) a package of recommendations on tax system reforms for fiscal 2000 beginning April 1. The advisory panel threw its weight behind tax incentives designed to help engineer Japan's return to economic growth.

LDP tax chief Amari

LDP tax chief Amari

Akira Amari, chairman of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party Research Commission on the Tax System, is pictured in Tokyo on Sept. 30, 2021. Fumio Kishida, the new leader of the LDP and presumed next prime minister, is set to name Amari to the party's No. 2 post of secretary general, according to a senior party official.

Gov't tax panel calls for overhaul of tax system

Gov't tax panel calls for overhaul of tax system

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromitsu Ishi (L), chairman of the government's Tax Commission, hands Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi a report calling for an overhaul of Japan's tax system to deal with changes in the nation's economy.

(1)Tax panel calls for abolishing tax cut in FY 2006

(1)Tax panel calls for abolishing tax cut in FY 2006

TOKYO, Japan - Tax Commission Chairman Hiromitsu Ishi (L) presents Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Nov. 25 with a tax reform proposal calling for phasing out tax cuts in fiscal 2006. (Kyodo)