TOKYO: Signs of a weakening Japanese economy are fuelling concerns among some ruling party lawmakers that the country cannot cope with an increase in an unpopular sales tax in October, after previous hikes hurt growth and derailed political careers.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has backtracked twice from a pledge to raise the tax to 10% from 8%, and there is speculation he could change his mind yet again ahead of an upper house election expected in July.
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