Japan’s PM Abe unlikely to call double election, ruling out delay in tax hike – Nikkei Asian Review

Speculation that Japan’s  Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will dissolve the Lower House for a “double election” this summer have  dissipated with officials  in Abe’s party  leaning toward the conclusion that the Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling coalition need not make such a gambit, according to Nikkei Asian Review.  

With double elections lookjng unlikely, the tax increase looks set to ahead as planned, unless there  an economic shock like the 2008 global financial crisis.  The prime minister has twice  delayed raising the tax to 10% from 8% since 2014.