PAJ calls for fair taxation of hydrocarbon fuels

The Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) called for the government to increase the “fairness” of hydrocarbon taxes as part of tax reforms in Fiscal 2010-2011. In a public hearing at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, PAJ President Akihiko Tembo welcomed the new administration’s intention to abolish so-called provisional taxes on gasoline and gasoil from the start of the new fiscal year. Tembo, who is also chairman of refiner Idemitsu Kosan, added that the mileage tax should be applied to road users fairly, charging them on the deadweight and mileage of vehicles, including electric vehicles, in the future. (October 19, 2009)