Japan PM wants consumption tax freeze 'as soon as possible'

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers questions from Yuichiro Tamaki, front left, leader of the opposition party, the Democratic Party for the People, during a parliamentary debate on May 20, 2026. (Kyodo)

Japan PM wants consumption tax freeze 'as soon as possible'. TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday she wants to implement a freeze on the country's consumption tax on food products "as soon as possible," despite concerns over the nation's fiscal health amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. During a one-on-one parliamentary debate with opposition party leaders, Takaichi also said the government will do its utmost to limit debt issuance to support the public, as her government plans to draft a supplementary budget amid concerns the crisis could have a prolonged economic impact. Her comments come amid rising Japanese government bond yields, partly reflecting market expectations of accelerating inflation in resource-scarce Japan and its worsening fiscal health. Questions were led for the first time by Democrati...