Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Yukio Edano brushed off concerns that a sales tax hike could dampen consumer spending and defended DPJ President and Prime Minister Naoto Kan's decision to invite debate on the unpopular levy just weeks before election day.

In an interview with The Japan Times on Wednesday, Edano asserted the 5 percent consumption tax has never had a substantial influence on demand.

"The effects of a tax hike have been demonstrated twice in the past — when the consumption tax was introduced at 3 percent, and when it was hiked to 5 percent," Edano said.