Koizumi says gov't won't raise consumption tax in FY 2007
December 18, 2005Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Monday the government is unlikely to raise the 5 percent consumption tax rate in fiscal 2007. ''Given the current fiscal conditions and progress in cutting expenditures, it is unlikely in fiscal 2007,'' Koizumi told reporters at his office when asked about the possibility of raising the consumption tax in the fiscal year starting in April 2007. ==Kyodo
FEATURE: Bedrock bathing enjoying high popularity
December 18, 2005''Bedrock bathing'' enabling bathers to sweat on warmed slates is rapidly becoming popular in Hokkaido, chiefly in Sapporo where at least 130 such bathhouses are concentrated. It is especially popular among women. ''Unlike in a sauna, you can sweat without feeling pain, and it is good for your figure and diet,'' said a woman. Such bathhouses are said to number about 300 in the country.
WTO makes modest progress over subsidies, development
December 18, 2005World Trade Organization ministers struck a compromise Sunday over a deadline for cutting farm export subsidies and a plan to help poor countries, making modest progress in the multilateral trade process that had faced the risk of an embarrassing collapse. In the six-day meeting in Hong Kong, the 149 members also agreed to try to produce by April 30 next year a detailed outline of a trade liberalization accord, seen as key to successfully concluding the current Doha Round as scheduled, by the end of 2006.
U.S. Vice President Cheney makes surprise visit to Iraq
December 18, 2005U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney made a surprise visit to Iraq on Sunday in a move to emphasize the success of Thursday's parliamentary elections in Iraq. ''The participation levels all across the country were remarkable,'' Cheney was quoted by the Associated Press as telling reporters after an hourlong briefing from the war's top military commanders. ''And that's exactly what need to happen as you build a political structure in a self-governing Iraq that can unify the various segments of the population and ultimately take over responsibility for their own security.''
Suntory hit with back taxes on 760 million yen in undeclared income
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WTO saves process by agreeing on subsidy cuts, development plan
December 18, 2005World Trade Organization ministers on Sunday struck a compromise over a deadline for cutting farm export subsidies and a plan to help poor countries, in a move widely seen as saving the multilateral trade process from an embarrassing collapse. In the six-day meeting in Hong Kong, the 149 members also agreed to try to produce by April 30 next year detailed outlines of a trade liberalization accord, seen as key to successfully concluding the current Doha Round by the end of 2006.