Nikkei reports:

  • Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will announce Tuesday that he intends to seek an 18-month delay to a consumption tax increase set for next October.
  • Abe will also declare his intention to dissolve the lower house and call a general election to hear the public’s judgment on the delay.

The report says Abe told the head of his coalition partner on Monday of his intention to postpone the tax hike and to call an early election.

Says further Abe intends to dissolve parliament this week, with campaigning kicking off December 2 for a December 14 election

What does the calling of the election mean for the yen? Adam had a preview, here: What’s the forex trade if Japan calls an election?