The creation of a new political party, the 'Centrist' or 'Middle Path' party in Japan, is making waves with its set policy of zero food consumption tax. The party advocates for financial relief for consumers and a renewed focus on domestic food production. While no dates have yet been provided for the implementation of this policy, the announcement sparks significant debate and highlights the growing concerns about the high cost of living and food security in Japan.

In Japan, consumption tax, especially on daily commodities like food, is a closely followed issue. Japan's high cost of living and declining birthrate has led to calls for tax reform to alleviate household burdens. A newly emerged party that promises to zero out food taxes may find significant support among struggling middle-income families.

In contrast, sales tax on food in the US varies from state to state, with some offering exceptions or reduced rates for groceries. In the EU, VAT applies to most goods and services but many countries also offer reduced or zero rates for certain food items. Hence the idea of zeroing out food tax is not unfamiliar but its implementation varies.