The Stupid Administration of Tokyo: Ishihara’s Lost Case

     A part of the administration of Tokyo by Shintaro Ishihara, who is known to people in a poor
way, is failing. A municipal bylaw to levy taxes on banks based on their gross profits is now falling
into crisis. In 2000, Ishihara enacted this municipal bylaw too hastily. Then, the Metropolitan
Assembly also sided with him too easily. Besides, the mass media should not forget that
most of them applauded him loudly at that time.However, it has been pointed out ever since
the municipal bylaw was proposed by Ishihara that it is unfair, because it hits only major banks
whose capital amount is over \5 trillion yen. Now it is time for Ishihara to pay dearly for his two
miscalculations.
     His first miscalculation was that he failed to recognize the trend of the government. They
had already decided to levy a tax on a gross income basis on objective evidence like capital on
banks with \5 trillion or more in funds, and begin to impose it in 2004. As a result, the government
will revise the local tax law (Article 72-19) so that companies will not be taxed twice. If the
amendment is made, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will have to stop taxation in 2004.
So, tax revenue of more than \100 billion will be lost in fiscal 2004. Asthe Metropolitan
Government has already calculated 106.7 billion yen as the budget for fiscal 2003, it is inevitable
that the amendment of the local tax law will strike the finances of Tokyo.
     Ishihara’s next miscalculation is about the judgment of the Tokyo High Court. He has
already lost the case in the Tokyo District Court. He was ordered to return 162.9 billion yen by
its judge. However, he appealed to a higher court and continues a court battle. It is said that he
increased the number of counsels from four to nine. However much he tries to wriggle out of a
difficult situation, his drama comes to an end today, because the judgment of the Tokyo High
Court is to be made on January 30, 2003. The writer is impatiently waiting for it. If he lose his
suit, he will have to return 284.9 billion yen, which is all the amount of tax that had already been
paid by banks. In addition, he will have to pay about 8.1 billion yen as interest. If such a serious
situation happens, the administration of Tokyo will do a great deal of harm to the citizens of Tokyo.
     Listen, the judgment of the Tokyo High Court has just been reported to the writer; Ishihara
has been defeated. It is 3:35 p.m. Now that Ishihara’s political way has been proven to be
irresponsible, the citizens of Tokyo have to stand up and take action promptly. One of their
actions should be that his reelection should be obstructed at any risk. Ishihara should not go on
deceiving the citizens of Tokyo any longer in his forcible and irresponsible way.