Freelancers aren’t happy with Japan’s new invoice system – The Japan Times

8 comments

1. [[Video Link]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zt1W5ES7BU) Members of the [STOP! INVOICE](https://stopinvoice.org/) movement, politicians from the opposition parties, and other activists held a demonstration outside PM Kishida’s official residence last night. There were some quite good speeches in the demonstration. I particularly recommend watching mangaka [Tamaki Nozumu’s speech](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zt1W5ES7BU&t=5690s) in which he explains the tough financial situation of young mangaka and how they will be affected by the system. An American representing 700+ Gaba English teachers also [gave a speech](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zt1W5ES7BU&t=5229s) at the demonstration.

   Kishida [allegedly refused to accept](https://twitter.com/miyamototooru/status/1706240569633382763) the record-breaking [500,000+ signatures](https://www.change.org/p/stop-インボイス-多様な働き方とカルチャーを衰退させるインボイス制度に抗議します) that had been gathered.

   [[Extra Video]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfpZ8y-yrGg) Press conference held yesterday, officially petitioning the NHK and media to accurately inform viewers regarding the consumption tax and invoice system.

   Bonus: An [entertaining Japanese video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR6cEBRzytY) about the new Invoice System, and [another one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWff-pk1Esw) about Japan’s consumption tax.

2. The LDP (under instruction of the Keidanren) does everything it can to impede entrepreneurs and people just trying to make their own way in life. They want obedience to the corporations like the olden days. That’s why you’ll never see increases in corporate taxes.

3. The whole point of this is seemingly to A) target “non-tax paying” corporations and B) The big companies which are using tax loopholes to evade tax.

   Why not just delete the “non-tax paying” category altogether and then just tax the bigger corporations extra based on ESTIMATES.

   The above should solve the whole problem and surely not be more work then redoing the whole system – How many BIG corporations are there even?? – like ~90+% of corporations in Japan are small ones, how hard could it be?

4. I believe there are forecasts going around already saying that the costs to corporations just to PROCESS the new invoices on a financial level is going to surpass the total increase in tax revenue.

   So basically Japan is making up another procedure for people to waste time in uncreative-unneeded tasks and hence creating a burden that could have been avoided and which financial benefits are offset by their cons… Yes, first time that happens around ol’ Japan 🙂

5. Question: Are mangakas part of the freelancers?

6. Government wants more tax money, and the easiest target is independents and creatives.

7. Lots of companies are going to abuse this. I’ve already heard of companies telling freelancers they will refuse to do business with them if they don’t register, even if they earn below the 10 million yen requirement.

   Wouldn’t be surprised if this forces people to start doing more under-the-table work.

8. Fun times for me since I just started freelancing this year…