Class presentations: Takemasa and Kohei

Takemasa:

 In the latest class, I made a presentation about middle east. I explained details about the middle east countries from three points of views － historical, racial・religious and human view.
 The democratic movement which was called ”The Arab Spring” was one of the main cause of the conflict in the middle east. As I used the French Revolution for an example, after the dictator has been overthrowed it won't connect to immediate peace. There will be another issue, for example, who will become the head of the new structure. Then I explained Syria from the second view I mentioned above. There is three major groups involved in syrian conflict  －Sunni, Shia, and Kurds. The former two are the types of denominations of Islam. Kurds are the biggest ethnic group which was devided into different areas by the Saikusupiko agreement declared during WWI. Finally, I focused on the relationship which surrounds Syria. Russia and US want to destroy ISIS, but there is a complicated relation between those countries and the government within Syria which is making the situation confusing. Russia now entered the conflict by bombing and this is making the Syrian citizens suffer. Therefore, those citizens fled and head for Europe. This connect to the issue of ”Syrian Refugees.”

Kohei:

Japanese government will change tax system in 2017. They will rise consumption tax from 8% to 10% and introduce reduced tax rate. But, we do not understand that enough. Then, let’s think about it.

First, what is consumption tax? It occupies almost 34.7% of government tax revenue, and occurs every time properties are transferred. Though the system is not so, but we can say that consumers pay the money. So, consumers have to take more burden if the policy come true.

Second, why consumption tax will rise? It is because of Japanese financial condition. Japan goes to Aging society with fewer children, so fewer young people have to support large aged people in social security system. But it’s so hard, then government decided that we take all-Japan support system in social security system.

Third, what is reduced tax rate? It is lowered rate tax. This is an example when we have reduced tax rate. When you go to a supermarket, there are 100 yen waters and 100 yen cokes. You bought both of them. But, after accounting you noticed. You paid 108 yen for water but you paid 110 yen for cokes. So you said “it’s mistake” for employee. But he answered” Coke is luxury item, so you have to pay 10 % consumption tax.”.

These things will happen when we introduce reduced tax rate.

At last, let’s see the good and bad aspects of these system. These system will provide necessary money for social security and financial reconstruction. These are good aspects. However, there are two big bad aspects. First, it increases burden for economically weak. I say here economically weak means low-income people and small companies. The second point is the complexity of system. As I showed reduced rate tax will make troublesome situation, it’s complex for not only consumers but also companies.

Conclusion. I hope the system not only good for the future but also for the current.