A poll by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows that about 40 percent of small and medium-size enterprises in the area are unsure of whether they can pass the April 1 consumption tax hike on to the prices of their products.

While 59.2 percent of 915 firms polled in January believed they could add the hike to their prices, 13.8 percent said they would be able to cover only part of it with a price increase.

About 7 percent expect to pass little of the hike to their trading partners, while 18.9 percent were uncertain about this possibility.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to poll 3.85 million small and midsize firms next month, after the tax rises to 8 percent.