“A tax hike places downward pressures on the economy,” Yamaguchi (New Komeito leader) said during a TBS program in the morning. “If our economy can’t endure these pressures, we shouldn’t raise it now. We should make a final decision after thorough examinations to determine if the economy has the vigor and foundation it needs to endure [the pressures].” Abe is expected to make a decision on raising the consumption tax rate to 8 percent by the end of October."
Source: Abe, Yamaguchi mull strategy
July 23rd 2013
Daily Yomiuri