Japan PM Abe moves toward tax hike, orders economic stimulus

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe smiles as he reports to his cabinet members Tokyo's successful bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics at the IOC meeting after returning from Buenos Aires, Argentina, during a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo September 10, 2013. REUTERS/Itsuo Inouye/Pool

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered his government on Tuesday to craft measures to bolster the economy to cushion the impact of an increase in the national sales tax.

Buoyed by data showing the world's third-biggest economy recovering briskly and a successful trip to secure the rights to host the 2020 Olympic Games, Abe wasted no time in preparing the groundwork for the April tax increase.