Japan's consumption tax hike to 10 percent on Tuesday has left low-income households already struggling to make ends meet under the previous 8 percent tax rate worrying about how to cope with the higher cost of living.To alleviate their burden, the government exempted most food and beverages from the hike, but higher costs for other everyday items and utility charges are expected to have an impact."It's scary to think that prices have risen for everything aside from food," said a 43-year-old woman who works part time to help sustain her family.Her husband and eight children, aged two to 24,…READ FULL ARTICLE
