Abe Delays Tax Hike, Calls Vote to Renew Mandate, NHK Says
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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will call an early election and delay an unpopular sales-tax increase, public broadcaster NHK reported, as he seeks to extend his mandate and bolster an economy mired in recession.
Abe told leaders of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of his decision at a meeting today in Tokyo, NHK reported, before a press conference at 7:10 p.m. Abe will send Japan to the polls on Dec. 14, according to people familiar with discussions among lawmakers, two years into his current four-year mandate.