Japan PM wants food consumption tax freeze "as soon as possible"

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday she wants to implement a freeze on the country's consumption tax on food products "as soon as possible," despite concerns over the nation's fiscal health amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

During a one-on-one parliamentary debate with opposition party leaders, Takaichi also said the government will do its utmost to limit debt issuance to support the public, as her government plans to draft a supplementary budget amid concerns the crisis could have a prolonged economic impact.