Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto dismissed a Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) demand April 13 to implement a 6 trillion yen tax cut this year as technically difficult.
Rengo submitted requests during a meeting with government officials, including those for legislation to establish ethics for bureaucrats and Diet members and setting of standards for overtime, nighttime and holiday work.
While Rengo Chairman Etsuya Washio lauded Hashimoto's decision to introduce a second 2 trillion yen cut in income taxes for this year and another 2 trillion yen cut in 1999, he pushed instead for a 6 trillion yen tax cut this year. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka did not rule out the possibility of additional tax cuts this year, but Hashimoto said it would be difficult, according to Rengo officials.