BOJ to consider further easing if sales tax hike goes ahead

TOKYO: The Bank of Japan will consider further monetary easing if Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decides to raise the sales tax as planned to 8 percent from 5 percent in April, the Asahi newspaper reported on Wednesday.

BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda suggested to a government panel that the central bank could ease policy if the economic outlook worsened at the time of next year's scheduled tax hike, the Asahi said, citing sources who were on the panel.