Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has instructed his ministers to draw up a stimulus package in case the planned consumption tax hike in April harms the economy, Finance Minister Taro Aso said Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Abe discussed the matter with Aso, economic and fiscal policy minister Akira Amari and other Cabinet members.
The prime minister is expected to announce in early October whether the administration will raise the consumption tax as planned, amid concerns that it could undermine the nascent economic recovery and derail efforts to beat nearly two decades of deflation.