Facing pressure from within the government, Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa said Tuesday that the April deadline for introducing a consolidated taxation system can still be met.

"There is the possibility of introducing the system (in April) . . . and I will consult with officials (at the ministry's Tax Bureau)," Shiokawa said.

Only last Thursday, Shiokawa said introduction of the proposed consolidated tax system would be delayed by a year. It was originally to be introduced at the start of fiscal 2002 on April 1.