Kuroda Sees Japan Economy Weathering Planned Sales-Tax Rise

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda indicated little concern that a planned sales-tax rise would derail an economic rebound as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe considers whether to proceed with the move.

“A two-step sales tax increase won’t give major damage to growth in Japan’s economy,” Kuroda said in a speech today in Tokyo, referring to the BOJ’s growth forecasts. “We consider a downturn in overseas economies to be the largest risk factor to the outlook for economic activity and prices.”