Top executives from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Monday effectively endorsed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to shelve the planned hike of the unpopular consumption tax, despite opposition from several party leaders earlier in the day.
At a meeting Monday evening, Abe explained his decision to postpone the hike planned for April to October 2019.
None of the attendants at that meeting objected, LDP Secretary-General Sadakazu Tanigaki said, adding that the party would attempt to reach a formal consensus on the issue Tuesday at a policy affairs council session.