Book price display Voices from publishers requesting maintenance of the status quo November 24, 6:15
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Currently, the method of not recording the amount of consumption tax is well established. From April next year, it is expected that the price display of books will be forced to change to the "total amount display" including the tax amount, and the publishing industry will be forced to change the display. There are a number of calls to maintain the status quo, saying that an increase in burden could lead to price increases and out of print.
Since 2004, it has been mandatory to display the price of products, including the consumption tax amount, so that consumers can see the total payment amount at a glance, but from 2013, the Special Measures Law that allows display by tax is not allowed. Is applied, and in books, the method of displaying only the main unit price on the back cover etc. without writing the amount of consumption tax has become established.
Under these circumstances, the Special Measures Law will expire in March next year, and it is expected that the total amount will be displayed on all products from April, so there are a number of calls in the publishing industry to maintain the status quo.
The Japan Book Publishers Association and small and medium-sized publishers, to which major publishers have joined, have so far mainly because books have a large number of points, the distribution period is long, and it is not realistic to change all the displays. The member Japan Book Publishers Association and others have submitted requests to the Ministry of Finance.
Of these, the Japan Publishers Association has stated that the current labeling is widely accepted by consumers, and the burden on publishers will be repeated every time the consumption tax rate changes, which in turn will lead to price increases and out of print. It claims to be disadvantageous to consumers.
Hisashi Mizuno, Chairman of the Japan Publishers Association, said, "If a book is forced out of print due to the confusion caused by the mandatory display of the total amount, this is the biggest cultural loss. The
publication culture is that various books are published. I think it is the richness of the world, so I want to protect only the diversity of culture. "
On the other hand, the Ministry of Finance says, "Displaying the total amount is not limited to publications, but it is an obligation stipulated by law, and we would like to continue to explain carefully so that publishers can proceed with preparations."