Japan PM Abe: Will decide on sales tax hike “appropriately at appropriate time”

TOKYO, May 17:  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday that he would decide on a sales tax hike planned for next year “appropriately at the appropriate time”. Abe, speaking in parliament, repeated that the government would raise the levy to 10 percent from the current 8 percent next April as scheduled barring a major financial crisis or significant natural disaster. (AGENCIES)