Japan's cabinet has approved a reduction in the consumption tax on food and beverage items from 8% to 1% for a period of two years, starting April 2027. This marks the first such tax cut since the consumption tax system was introduced in 1989. The measure is part of a plan to ease the impact of inflation under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, aiming to reduce the cost of living and stimulate domestic spending. The government also plans to distribute cash handouts to low- and middle-income earners under a budget of approximately 600 billion yen per year, effectively bringing the real tax burden for the target group down to zero. Bualuang Securities stated that this measure provides significant support for consumption in Japan and benefits Thai food exporters, particularly GFPT through its subsidiaries GFN and McKey, which supply chicken parts to fast-food restaurants in Japan, as well as TU, which earns revenue from tuna products in the Japanese market, and ITC, an exporter of pet food to that market.
GFPT Public Company LimitedJapan's food tax cut boosts consumption, benefiting GFPT's chicken exports to Japan.
i-Tail Corp. PCLJapan's tax cut increases demand for pet food, benefiting ITC's exports.
Thai Union Group PCLJapan's tax cut boosts tuna consumption, benefiting TU's revenue from Japan.
