Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will call for opinions from about 50 experts on the economy and finance before deciding on whether to go ahead with raising the consumption tax in April as planned, officials said Thursday, amid fears that the policy could retard the nascent economic recovery.
Abe instructed his economic ministers to set up a panel to hear from these experts and "discuss intensely" the possible impact on the economy, the officials said.
After receiving a wide range of opinions, Abe is expected to make up his mind around late September or early October, economic and fiscal policy minister Akira Amari said.