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Abe says govt will front-load budget spending, talks down sales tax delay

He also rules out a snap lower house election to coincide with a poll for the upper chamber

Published Tue, Mar 29, 2016 · 09:50 PM
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Tokyo

THE best way to boost the economy is to quickly implement the existing budget for the next fiscal year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday, rejecting speculation he would announce a supplementary spending package.

Speaking after the parliament passed a record 96.7 trillion yen (S$1.16 trillion) in outlays for the 12 months starting April 1, Mr Abe brushed off suggestions from some members of the ruling party that the government may announce another 10 trillion yen of fiscal stimulus.

"I have said over and over again that passing next year's budget as soon as possible is the best economic policy," Mr Abe told reporters in Tokyo. "It is necessary to put the budget into practice as quickly as possible. I will instruct the finance minister to front-load spending as far as possible.…

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