Japan chief government spokesman, denies media reports on sales tax-hike delay

Japan chief government spokesman (Suga, in this case), quoted on Reuters:

• Up to PM Abe on whether to call snap election
• No change to stance that sales tax decision to come after examining preliminary, revised GDP data
• Denies media reports on sales tax-hike delay
• No comment on FX besides saying wants to closely watch Forex markets (Sheesh … everyone wants to write for ForexLive)

–

Note – the July-September GDP data is due next Monday (November 16 in Tokyo);

• GDP shrank 7.1% in Q2
• Private forecasts for Q3 centre around +1.9% annualized

–

First time today I have seen a credible government denial of the earlier reports on a delay to the sales tax … and the effect on the yen has been notable, USD/JPY hit down to session lows at 115.25