Japanese advisory panels are meeting this week to discuss a planned increase of the sales tax to 8% from 5% and then officials will huddle to make a decision.
The Prime Minister hasn’t decided yet whether [a decision] will come in late September or early October. At the latest, I think it will be before the APEC leader’s summit that starts in Indonesia on Oct. 7,” Economy Minister AkiraAmari said on NHK television’s Sunday Debate program.
Amari said sticking with the planned sales tax increase is best but the potential problems need to be examined.
On Thursday, there were reports that Japan is considering a tax break on factory equipment which could be something to offset the effect on companies.