January 19, 2026 9:36 PM
Japan’s snap election and tax pledge keep nation’s finances in spotlight
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday called a snap general election with a vow to suspend an 8% food levy for two years, echoing proposals by her rivals despite the potential strain on the country's already precarious finances. A consumption tax cut that many opposition parties have also proposed would create a huge hole in state revenue at a time when concern over Japan's fiscal health is pushing up bond yields to multi-decade highs. Japan levies an 8% consumption tax on food and ...
