TOKYO, Sept 5 (Reuters): Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stands "utterly neutral" on whether to decide in December to raise the sales tax again next year but he will be very cautious in his decision given the potential blow to the economy, Japan's economy minister said on Friday.
Economy Minister Akira Amari, speaking to reporters in a group interview after a cabinet reshuffle, said the government is ready to roll out a stimulus package to limit the economic impact if it decides to raise the sales tax next year.
Abe is due to decide in December whether to proceed with a second-stage rise in the sales tax to 10 per cent in October 2015 in a bid to rein in Japan's massive public debt.
April's rise to 8 per cent from 5 per cent triggered the biggest contraction in three years in the second quarter, followed by a run of other weak indicators, raising doubts about whether Japan should go ahead with the hike.
‘Japan PM\\\'s stance on next tax hike utterly neutral’
FE Team | Published: September 06, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
Share if you like