Japan PM Rules Out Sales Tax Hike to Fund Families, Defense
- Kishida speaks in roundtable with foreign media in Tokyo
- Premier says he is watching court cases on same-sex marriage
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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he has no intention for now to raise the sales tax as his government sets off on a plan to boost military spending and provide financial incentives to help reverse a falling birthrate.
Kishida also said in a group interview with reporters on Thursday it was important for the world that the US and China keep their ties stable. China is expected to be a major topic on the agenda when Japan hosts a summit of Group of Seven leaders next month, with the US pressing allies to coordinate against economic coercion from the likes of Beijing.