Japan finance minister Aso:
- Economic indicators improving since September
- Employment, income, investment improving
- private consumption stalling
- Appropriate decision to be made on sales tax hike
- Government must continue with efforts on fiscal reform
- if hike is delayed, government may need to consider if economic stimulus steps are needed
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Aso is the finance minister. He wants the hike to go ahead.
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USD/JPY up through 116 (just barely as I type) after knocking on the door there for the past hours
