Japan chief cabinet secretary Suga:

  • Topic of dissolving Diet has not come up among Cabinet members
  • Deoesn’t think it was the wrong decision to raise the sales tax in April

Suga trying to befuddle us all

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Also – earlier comments from Japan finance minister Aso (via Reuters):

  • Raising sales tax unavoidable, regardless of timing
  • Maintaining market credibility in japan’s finances important
  • Removing conditions for future sales tax hike an option if PM were to delay October 2015 tax increase
  • BOJ’s ultra-loose monetary policy is based on assumption Japan will pursue fiscal reform
  • Will be hard to compile next fiscal year’s state budget by year-end if general election were to be held December 14
  • Must strive to pass next fiscal year’s state budget through parliament by March 2015 to avoid negative effect on economy