Aso plays down need for stimulus after tax hike

We’re going down, down , down...

Aso has no idea of how the Japanese worker struggles to make a living and pay bills to keep the household going

If they want to increase consumer spending, just raise the minimum wage- is that so hard to understand since something like 60% of workers are on low wages and contract work.

Agree with vic. M.

Been here 20 years and never seen any wage increase other than that for part time staff in convenience stores! Oh, and the fat cats of course!

Finance Minister Taro Aso said he saw no big confusion among retailers and shoppers over the tax hike as corporate earnings and household incomes were solid.

Yes, you saw no confusion because as usual you never went out to get a feel and are completely out of touch.

How a dinosaur like you continues ti manage an important ministry like finance beggars belief.

It is because of people like you that the economy has continued to tank for the past 30years.

As usual you will attribute your incompetence on outside foreign outcome.

The most disturbing thing is that the media is so scared of holding people like Aso to task.

It's the lack of money that is preventing stimulus, not the lack of need for it.

The Japanese government is rapidly approaching the debt default level with its soaring national debt, and can't afford to spend money on stimulus. It's simple as that.

The Japanese government is rapidly approaching the debt default level with its soaring national debt, and can't afford to spend money on stimulus. It's simple as that.

You are wrong about that. Japan's debt is in yen, so all they have to do is print more of it. And that's what they will do (as will the US at some point). This is the tried and true method, eventually ending in runaway inflation. But at least the debt gets paid!

Finance Minister Taro Aso said he saw no big confusion among retailers and shoppers over the tax hike as corporate earnings and household incomes were solid.

LOL, I hope the minister know the difference between private income and government income.

Perpetual government budget deficit can't go on forever, so stop propping up the wealthy with your government bonds paying extraordinary coupons when in actual fact interest rate is negative.

The country is paying an income to wealthy bankers, when it's the bankers that shoukd be paying government to look after their money. Go talk to your reserve bank about it.

Silver Spooners like Aso won't be too hurt personally by a 2% consumption tax increase, so of course, he doesn't see any need for urgent action.

The Japanese government is rapidly approaching the debt default level with its soaring national debt, and can't afford to spend money on stimulus. It's simple as that.

But there is money to buy corn that it doesn't need to giveaway to Africa just to please master Donnie