Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda indicated Tuesday that the government and the Democratic Party of Japan will postpone deciding on their social security and tax reform plan until next year, despite their initial yearend target, amid criticism about hurrying to raise the consumption tax.
"I instructed (ruling lawmakers) to reach a consensus within the party at first by the end of the year," Noda said. "After that, we will seek to have a decision by the government and the ruling party 'around' the year's end."
Noda has said the government and party want to agree on a draft of the comprehensive reform plans, which are to address swelling welfare costs with tax changes, by the end of December before submitting the related bills to the Diet next year. (Japan Times)
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