Japan Has No Plans to Review Sales Tax Rates, Finance Minister Says

Japan Has No Plans to Review Sales Tax Rates, Finance Minister Says
Shoppers look around goods at a shop in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 1, 2019. Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
Reuters
Updated:

TOKYO—Japan is not considering reviewing future national sales tax rates as the current 10 percent levy provides a vital source of funding the social security spending to support its aging population, the finance minister said on Friday.

Shunichi Suzuki told reporters after a cabinet meeting that Japan must tackle spending and revenue reform to win market trust in its fiscal position, which he said was severe.