Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered his Cabinet ministers Monday to make sure domestic demand continues to expand ahead of the consumption tax hike planned for next October.
"While closely monitoring the economic situation at home and abroad, we will respond properly to sustain the economic recovery trend," Abe said during a government panel meeting.
Private sector members of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy requested that the government incorporate special measures to expand domestic demand into its draft for next year's budget, according to officials.