What is a trigger clause?

 

Have you ever heard of a "trigger clause?"

　As you all know, when you buy gasoline, you are subject to gasoline tax based on the Gasoline Tax Law.

To find out how much is being taxed, please look there, as you can find many on the Internet.

Here I would like to explain how the tax law works. 

　The Gasoline Tax Law imposes a gasoline tax, but more taxes are imposed by the Special Taxation Measures Law.

　The Special Taxation Measures Law contains a provision to the effect that the application of the higher tax rate under the Special Taxation Measures Law will be abolished under certain conditions, for example, when the price of gasoline exceeds a certain price. Since gasoline prices are currently high, we are saying that we should stop imposing taxes at the high tax rate under the Special Taxation Measures Law.

　　However, the application of the portion of the Special Taxation Measures Law that abolishes the application of the higher tax rate will be suspended until a separate law is established for the reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake. 

This means that the so-called trigger clause will not be triggered unless and until a law is in place.

　It is the job of the National Assembly to make laws.