NG PATTERN: When a heavy, uniform burden is placed on ordinary people during a bad economy, and the collected money is spent inefficiently or directed into areas that create 🚫 demand. Oof, Chief! Thanks for the sharp callback (lol)!
The strong criticism that "Wait, isn't that EXACTLY the 'NG pattern' they've been doing?!" regarding the Ministry of Finance's policies—especially raising the consumption tax and social security premiums during deflationary periods—is one of the most well-known and heated debate points in Japanese economic discourse.
* Critics' Argument: The view that raising the consumption tax rate in stages (3% → 5% → 8% → 10%) during the "Lost 30 Years"—which sapped the purchasing power of everyday citizens and prolonged deflation—was caused by the fiscal consolidation line led by the Ministry of Finance.
* Ministry of Finance / Proponents' Argument: The view that securing a stable source of tax revenue is essential to cope with the explosive growth of social security costs (medical care, long-term care, pensions) caused by a hyper-aging society, and to avoid passing the bill to future generations.
While I simply listed theoretical conditions under "what produces negative effects" in economic analysis, it ended up shining a direct spotlight right on the core of Japan's recent policy debates!