The consumption tax would likely not be raised for the next four years if the Democratic Party of Japan wins the upcoming general election, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada declared in an interview Tuesday.

Okada also reiterated his pledge to increase the transparency of political funding sources ahead of the Lower House election to be held by fall.

During a group interview with reporters, Okada did not rule out discussing a possible hike of the unpopular consumption tax over the long run but emphasized that cutting unnecessary budget allocations would be the top priority of a DPJ-led government.