JAPANESE ECONOMY SINCE 2000

The next tax rise had already been put in question by already weak economic indicators.
"The Japanese economy is in recession and has now contracted in three of the last four quarters," said Glenn Levine, senior economist at Moody's Analytics.
"The most likely course is now a snap election in December in which voters choose, naturally enough, to delay the tax increase."
Election expected Speculation had been growing that the Japanese prime minister would call an election next month to gain support just two years after his election.
Local media are now reporting that Mr Abe could announce the next election as early as Tuesday to be held on 14 December.